#cascading menu

[clochanamarch]

aisling and the squad attend pride every year, particularly now that stanley and richard have arranged a float for the diner as an LGBTQ+ owned business. however, this year they also set up a food stall in central park, serving (among other things) rainbow macarons, roasted pork rolls (wyll places them in a rainbow napkin) and assorted mocktails with "gay names" that laszlo came up with (e.g. pina co-lad-a, gay sex on the beach, and other ones that he's very proud of very unnecessarily)

[starshipsofstarlord]

claimed | daryl dixon

summary. whilst in the company of the claimers, they take notice of you being the only woman upon them. you hadn’t felt safe prior to the prison being turned into a cascade of ruins, and their company only encompassed the paranoia that you felt. luckily, you weren’t alone, you had daryl. but will he help keep the claimers from arguing over of whom you belong to? (6.7k)

warnings. smut 18+ mdni, unprotected sex, penetrative sex, fingering, oral sex (f receiving), angst, mentions of death and violence, swearing, claiming a person, toxic men (the claimers, not daryl), harassment, some fluff and angst

MINORS DNI (18+), I DO NOT CONTROL YOUR CONSUMPTION ON THIS BLOG 👻

divider credits. @cafekitsune

A bed was something to be grateful for, there was no question about it. The firm yet malleable mattress felt like a cloud as you laid upon it, it was far better than the ground that you had been resting your head upon since the fall of the prison. “Claimed.” You barked to the claimers that you and Daryl had joined since losing Beth, ensuring that the bed was yours, and stupidly you felt prepared to fight for it.

“So it is.” Joe, the grey haired leader of the scavenging pack analysed, allowing his selfish eyes to scour over your splayed body for a second, until he trudged away, him and his miscreant followers going off to find their own sleeping arrangements for the eve. They were sick sons of bitches, and that one that went by the name of Len was a sleazy scoundrel, more so than the rest. Any chance that became opportune to begrudge you or Daryl with a punishment from the man in charge to him, he was willing to stick his neck out for it.

You hoped he died. Never had you wished the unkind deterrence of life of a person that wasn’t already infected and walking through the bloodthirsty vision of the afterlife since the Governor had struck against your people, and with wishful thinking and a whole lot of loss, including the emancipated prison that you had called your home for some time, that grubby, power hungry atrocity of a man was no longer alive. These claimers were no better, if they had charge of a citizenship likened to that of Woodbury, they would be stained with the same greedy fingers.

They wanted to take, rather than simply survive by any means necessary, as you had done, looting run down grocery shops and anywhere else that’d feed you for the day. It was pointless in mentioning Beth to them, it wasn’t in their souls to feel pity for her having disappeared, less aid you in locating her. And so you were stuck with the guilt and despair of being a witness to that car with the unknown driver whisk her to a destination that was incomprehensible.

You would find her, you tapped your temple with your knuckles in attempt to attain your attention span towards rest, which was difficult enough since most of the men that you were currently surrounded by were not trustworthy. The only one that was was Daryl. He had found you and brought you to the camp with the dormant rv in a time that felt long ago; the two of you had been hunting the same deer in the thick of the forest.

It ran before either one of you could shoot it down, at first you’d been pissed that he’d culled your walking menu, however he had found it in himself to offer to bring you back with him. Of course you were cautious of following a stranger in the woods, however you soon relaxed when you’d seen the residents that made up the makeshift community. There were families, mothers that were rightly protective of their children, a young boy and girl, one with a father and the other without. Daryl couldn’t have been so bad if his intentions were to bring the four legged herbivore back for them.

And he wasn’t, he could certainly been distant during his blistering moments, but you were glad that you weren’t by yourself in the aftermath of the prison’s attacked descent. A hand leant against the door frame you had yet to close to get some kind of privacy away from the grotesque excuses for humans, but as you stared straight ahead, you offered a small smile, it was all that you could muster up given everything that you had gone through and all that you had lost. It wasn’t a claimer, it was just Daryl who’d like you, put on the disguise of being one of them.

He looked disheveled, more so than usual, you could see it in his eyes that he was tired. His legs were probably aching too, you were experiencing the same sensation in your calves, and so you softly patted the mattress beside you, inviting your friend to join you. “Ain’t no beds left.” Daryl muttered, being quiet as he closed the door, stalking towards you with a weight of many things that put pressure on his shoulders. Of course you weren’t surprised, these men you were travelling with were selfish, and absolute jackasses, they’d offer him the floor to lay his head and that was it.

“There’s this one.” You offered, knowing that it couldn’t be that strange to share the bed considering you had previously slept side by side in the woods as an extra precaution due to the claimers. If you hadn’t, you dreaded that Len or one of the other greedy cronies would have tried something with you. And as a peace of mind for himself, Daryl had to make sure that you were safe, he couldn’t lose you too. That would be the last straw for him, your company and the diminishing hope that you would one day find the other members of your peculiarly arranged family was the only thing that was keeping him going.

“Thanks.” In your time living side by side, from the first camp to the prison, and then now in the middle of nowhere, somewhere along the way he had picked up on manners. And those manners were much appreciated as you drifted closer to your side of his bed so that he would have enough room to lay down with there still being some space between the both of you. The duvet was no doubt a little dusty, however you had each been covered in worse, such as walker guts and the insistent grime that living outdoors dawned on you. "Been tryna keep those creeps away from ya."

"They're quite persistent." You agreed with the nature of the claimers, turning to face him so that you were laid on your side and Daryl mirrored your actions, his large fingers digging into the pillow from the topic of conversation. It always riled him that Joe and his mindless cronies that acted like magpies eyed you as though you were a piece of meat. Sure, there had certainly been men at the prison that had cast attraction in your direction, however they would nevertheless treat you with the respect that you were a human being whom was surviving the tasking aftermath of the outbreak. "I'm scared D, I don't trust them."

Your voice was small, with fright hanging off of each syllable that you pronounced. Daryl had witnessed your fear in the past, such as in the imprisonment of the CDC when the impending self destruction was looming the large risk of death over your entire group. It was a no brainer that you had no intentions to die, albeit the likeness of some that had hopes to given the walking dead that had presumed certain demise over the planet and it’s inhabitants, you however were a fighter. You’d fight to your death if it gave you a chance, Daryl even had to drag you away from the falling prison.

When the Governor had attacked you had been adamant to protect the place that had become your home until the last breath, but the archer would not allow it. Now you could see that if you had remained at the sight of the carnage where the undead had earned free pass to roam through, you would be another victim of the cruel hand that the Governor had dealt the lot of you. It hadn't mattered to Phillip that those that had once been his people were consumed in the deadly result of his vengeful and violent actions, he never cared for any one of them; it was his fault and bloody hands that had lead to Andrea's faint hearted death.

"Me either." Daryl admitted, although it was an easy concept to realise considering that you had witnessed his distaste prominently since you had banded with him since the start of the apocalypse. You gulped, stupidly afraid of involving him in some of the details that you had heard whilst being in the company of the claimers. He would go ballistic from the truth that had weaselled its way around his peripheral, but the only route in which you could disintegrate the possibility of the plans that the crude men held in your direction was for you to confide in your overly protective friend.

"They were speaking the other day, when they thought we were chasing after that nest of rabbits." It was short of nothing new when it came to the brash men, they had their opinions and had enjoyment in sharing them to each of their own. The archer's eyes became awake and full of concentration as you spoke, shuffling closer to you as he reached for you hand. Daryl wasn't stupid, you wouldn't bring up anything that lacked importance, and the waver that staggered in your voice brought paranoia to his ears. "I'm the only woman here... And the topic of conversation was regarding who will claim me... I can't - I won't-"

A hand rushed to grasp your own, his avid temper rising as he realised what sick fucks they really were. They weren't considered gentleman, but at the end of the world their priorities sure were twisted. Tears slipped from your eyes as you attempted to continue, however there was no reason for you to, Daryl was already prepared to do whatever it took to keep you as safe as possible in the ragged state of the world. His form shot up, as his eyes darted around the room, before they landed upon your feeble frame again, his gaze softening at the sight of you.

"We can go. Get up an' leave. I ain't lettin' none of that shit happen to ya. I'll kill 'em before they even hav' a chance ter try." His tone was dangerous, laced with convicted agitation that bespoke that his threats were completely full of spite. Your head raised gently, as you ogled up at him with glossy eyes; nobody had dared to go to such lengths for you before, they’d never have ran from the bad in the old world with you, let alone be prepared to murder somebody for their triumphant disgrace. Your lips murmured the voice of nothing, wobbling uncomfortably as you attempted to verbalise your thoughts.

With conflict drawn knuckles, you grasped at your own knees that you had raised to be against your chest, rocking lightly as you let out a sigh of relief as Daryl refrained from pacing around the room - he knew that that stressed you out, he was assertive when it came to his realisations, and currently you were his priority, and it would kill him to bring you further distress. “I have an idea.” You croaked out, however you were quickly shut down. There was no need to be impulsive, Daryl thought, as he nervously raised his hand to your face to pat your strewn teardrops away with his thumb.

“Nah.” The tracker input his opinion, wishing to cocoon you in his protection. “We have ta go y/n/n, we hav’ ta.” He’d have to convince you, however you brushed his hand away, holding it between both of your palms, feeling every scar and crease that were sewn onto his fingers. “I can’t let anything’ happen to you, ya need to understan’ that peach.” With a piercing gaze of azure defiance, he shook his brunette head, still standing against your unspoken resolute.

“We can’t Daryl, we’ve experienced what it’s like out there.” A pang shot directly into your chest as inducing flashes of those that didn’t make it and the unknown destiny of others that had inhabited the prison shot in your vision. “I can’t lose you too, Beth’s already gone.” The lump in your throat felt unbearably heavy, the stern conjunction of terror and apprehension making it almost suffocating. “But the claimers can’t claim me… if you already have.”

“Y/n.” He had to talk some sense into you, to convert you away from this path that would only be a mistake. The scheme that you had conformed of the purpose of self preservation may have been to suffice the leering consumption of the claimers, and it angered him. You were no piece of fruit ripe for the picking, and if you were to call yourself his, then it would be of complete free will. You would want him for something more than to avoid being a trophy to one of those scoundrels, and it would mean more than your conveying control over your life.

"Daryl." His name left your lips, as you stared like a deer in headlights up at him, hand caressing the bare skin of his exposed arm which made pangs of electrical pulse fly through his stomach. "It's the smartest option that we have, unless we stumble across our friends. And I trust you more than anyone that I have ever met, please just do this for me. So that we can both breathe through this turmoil shit whilst we figure out a plan to get Beth back. We have nothing to go off to find her at the moment, but something might appear, and we have to be united for that, and if one of them claim me, they will never let me go... unless we kill them. And right now is not the time to have any more blood on our hands."

Even if you tried, the both of you would be severely outnumbered, and you had already escaped death one too many times. "Okay, okay." His tone was grave, full of surrender and failure, he had a habit to folding to you eventually, you were his weakness, and although he would have to traipse carefully, your stubborn streak repeatedly overpowered his. "Jus'- I um, I ain't jus' willin' to do this before I tell ya something." The time was now or never to reveal his feelings that he had hunkered down privately inside of himself, there never was a perfect moment to do so before, except maybe the prison. And when you thought you were safe and professed with security there, Daryl had convinced himself that you would reject him, and it would ruin any connection you shared.

There was no reason to hold back his emotions any longer, if it were to be his place to ‘claim’ you, his head ached as he built his mind up to one of the largest vindications of his life, that had the chance to have dire consequences. The implications could be hurtful, if you did not reciprocate the feelings that he was going to share with you, then the air would be unceasingly tense, and the last thing he wished for was to make you uncomfortable. He didn’t want you to see him as one of the men that were stalking you like a rabbit hopping from lurking danger, he was your friend, and if you recoiled from his love, then he hoped that you would still see him as your ally and comrade.

"You can tell me anything in the world Dar." With feathery touches that lingered in his heart, you wound your hand down his arm until you were holding his hand, with sweet tenderness. "I don't want to put any pressure on you, ever, so if you don't want to claim me that's okay too." Logically he was aware that your fail safe plan was the smartest, and he held in a complicated groan, he felt torn between running away from all of these problems or dealing with them, it was like a stand still that he was holding with himself. Daryl squeezed your hand, bringing the back of it to his lips so he could pledge a nervous skin on the thin flesh.

"Love yer, tha's wha' I wanted to say for so long." It was easier to rip the band aid off quick so that the mountainous sadness could wash over him as fast, his healing hopefully being a speedier process. But your reaction was not what he had anticipated, your gaze did not make him feel nauseous, rather it was contempt with a bright hue in your irises that sparkled with comfortability. Your lips twitched into a small yet powerful smile, which took his breath away for a few seconds, and he felt suddenly stupid for his expectation.

"I've been waiting to hear those words for a long time Dixon." You admitted aloud, rustling across the sheets until your body was brought closer to his own, your onyx pupils running across his mournful and tired face. "And I love you as well, how could I not?" He could think of a lot of ways, but it would burst the moment like a bubble if he were to begin listing them, and so he refrained, allowing you to continue on with your voice that was hushed so that the claimers couldn't listen in, but audible enough so that he could understand you. "I think I first realised it at the farm, I was in shock when Andrea shot you; I wasn't sure whether I wanted to kill her or kiss you. Obviously I did neither, but I wish I d-"

Your voice was drowned out from the pressure that Daryl placed on your lips with his own, he leant his head over, moving his mouth with languid motions, moaning lightly as you nibbled on his lower lip. You drove him crazy, and as calm as your company made him feel, he was getting worked up, and so he pulled away, raking a large hand through your locks as he kept his eyes closed for a moment until he slowly opened them, your face being the focus of his peripheral vision. To him you were a ray of all the things he had strove for in the events proceeding from the outbreak, you were the sun that scorched his skin during the day, and the whistling breeze that soothed said inflictions of the sun after it had rose beneath the moon.

He was the victim of love, he realised that now. And although you said those words back, he still felt like he was punching above his weight, as though he were reaching for the stars. "Don' wan' yer to think that's the only reason I sai' I love ya." You required no validation, if you had the will to go through with lovemaking with him, it would be your own choice, he didn’t want your decision to be swayed by the plight of feelings. “Need ya to want me like tha’ in yer own mind, we don’ have ta do nothin’.” He was perfectly fine with resting his head on the pillow and going to sleep beside you in the bed that you had offered to share with him, he had said his part and taken enough action to appease his internal instincts.

“I know it isn’t Daryl.” You admitted, and he knew that you never uttered around anything that was bothering you in the slightest, your straightforward attitude had at first intimidated him, hence the copious waiting time that it had taken him to confess. If you didn't love him, then you wouldn't have said it back. "And I do want all of you in every way, it doesn't have to be in that way, I could wait forever for you. I would if it came to it, I'd die for you if worse comes to worst." At the end of your heartfelt rant, Daryl winced, hating to hear those words leave your mouth. He had ensured your utmost survival from keeping an eye on you, even from afar, and he would not allow any living soul, or even a dead one to rid you from the earth.

Death was not in the books for you, unless the prospect of such a sentence was after you grew withered and old, full of wisdom and fond memories. “Don’ say tha’.” It was a command, albeit one that he wouldn’t physically force you to follow, however it was simultaneously a promise. He would not allow anything to happen to you, not in a million years, and if the only way to prevent any violence from condemning your life upon a noosed risk was by claiming you, then he simply could not reject the compromise. “Ya ain’ dying’ girl, not on my watch.” His eyes traced your the sweet harmony that your facial features composed, brushing the rough edge of his palm across your jawline, causing a wispy breath to escape your more than kissable lips.

It still felt surreal that his body had built up the courageous nerves to kiss you, and he was almost kicking himself for never having done it sooner. “Okay.” You agreed, all too aware that the fluid expense of death could not be decided by the mere human race, but you would try your best to live as many days as you could realistically manage just for him. Daryl was worth attempting the impossible for, he had proven as much through his countless loyal acts, and the fact that he never landed blame upon anybody with moments that could not be reversed. He’d never even been slightly pissed that Andrea had whisked a bullet across his temple, leaving a dangerous graze onto the vulnerable flesh. He still had a faint mark from the bullet engrained gash, and you ran the pads of your fingers across the light skinned line, realising how lucky you remained to still have him beside you.

“An’ don’ worry ‘bout the claimers,” it was difficult not to you thought in a solitary mental notes, cautious of how they would leer in whichever direction you surpassed, “I’ll do it. I’ll claim ya. Jus’ wanna ask yer to be mine first…” His way of asking you to be his partner was not traditional in the slightest, it was very Daryl like, and that made you smile. Your eyes were glazed with the reflection of love, claimed by the contortion of in the moment simply being a woman that felt for a man, and he was the suspect in question for being the thief that had silently stolen your heart and the arteries connected to it. You were like a love strung puppet, your arms noosed around his neck as you held the fixated archer closer, the tip of your noses crossing heartfelt paths in an affectionate notion.

“I already am Dar.” The simple yet confirming statement was the truth, you had reserved your amorous emotions for him alone, and there was nobody else who could capture your attention in such a way like he had. “I think I knew deep down that I did prior to me having the realisation of it.” As you spoke in a sultry tone that was hushed to give more definition to your words, your lips impulsively brushed against his own, until you licked inside of his mouth to explore it again. “So take me, claim me, anything. I just want to be close to you Dar.” To feel his lips coincide against the pressure of your own was still not enough, you rotated so that you were sprawled on your back, Daryl instinctively climbing upon you like a wolf that had began to feast on a vulnerable sheep that had already accepted its fate.

Hearing that you were his was a chronically inducing statement, it felt like he had injected a strong dose of adrenaline into his cordial veins, refracting an affect to take a masculine toll over his body. He had grown endearingly hard for you in his slack trousers, confined by the material that tightly hugged his aroused bulge, his balls felt as though they were being squeezed, driving him to impractical insanity. His torso rotated above you as he devoured your lips, his scuffed palm claiming it’s placement around your face. You had to breathe through your nose, as your eyes were screwed shut, your brows inclined in a distance closer together as your mouth attempted to keep up with the pace that Daryl had installed.

You felt strangely complete, having found a purpose to keep moving forwards in the hardships that were hurled sullenly in your direction. The two of you were alive, and almost strangely you had never felt so alive in your life beforehand, until those amorous words had left Daryl’s lips. No, not that he would claim you, but he loved you. It coiled your heart in tendrils of tender affection, to know that not only were your emotions most definitely reciprocated, but that he would do anything that was required to protect you. In the past, prior to the falling of the world, men had always sought power and held a regarded possessiveness upon anything that they wished, there were some profusely sick bastards out there.

And the pack of claimers were no exception, they’d seen you handle yourself and kill the walking dead with finesse and they still saw you as some sort of object. But you were a person, with shattered feelings and a stubbornness motivation to keep on striding onwards despite all that you had lost. There was a small inkling of a chance that not all of them had possibly have been such atrocious people in advance to the outbreak, though that was a heavy doubt. They acted depraved, and whilst they could physically take anything they saw fit without laws obstructing their greed, that did not mean that you were ripe for the picking. If they had been good men once, they certainly weren’t any more, not like Daryl.

“Ya alrigh’?” The question startled you from your trickling thoughts, grounding you in reality where you were overshadowed in the best way by Daryl’s body, and you reached your hands out, bringing them to his cheeks. You would be fine, his face told you as much without saying anything in regard to your troubles at all. He would be fine. Instead of replying in a verbal manner, you pulled him back down, causing his body to melt into one organism within your own. He sunk into your grip, loving how you tousled his messy locks between your fingers, wrapping your legs around his waist only with the intent to pull him closer.

He could practically quiver, you were both a weakness and a strength to him, there was not a single thing that he would not do in order to keep you alive, and rather than just keeping you breathing, he was making you feel impossibly safe, despite the masses of threats that you faced on the daily; there were obviously the saviours whose eyes roamed despicably over your silhouette, there was the threat of being parched and starved on the road, and of course the walkers that had stalked you both day and night.

All of that was forgotten for a moment of relaxation, as you began unbuttoning Daryl’s shirt, having already discarded the vest that bore angel wings on the back. Daryl almost wanted to object, for the significant scars that were forever painted on his flesh distorted his frame, though that impulse was swallowed down. Time was of the essence as it always was, and he wished not to waste a singular second of it that he had with you. It would be a sin, and whilst he usually did not care for the religious shit, he had to admit that this was rising to be a holy event in his life.

With him helping you, his shirt was tossed carelessly across the room, your own following soon after. There was no dignity held in your need to have your bare flesh entangled with Daryl’s, the hunger to be with him was too strong to restrain yourself. The kiss was messy, a furious sliding of tongues alongside each other, but you couldn’t care, you needed him in ways that you had never needed anything else. His hands scathed the flesh of your back, reaching for the clasp of your bra, though he staggered upon some difficulty in undoing it, so you granted him aid, easily releasing the fabric from its embrace around your form, slipping the straps from your arms and discarding it also.

“Fuck.” Daryl cursed aloud, pulling away from your lips to take in the sight of you half bare to his naked eyes. His hands grasped your waist in a gentle manner, as he regarded you with both admiration and loving lust that reigned his gaze. He was definitely in love. “Yer so beaut’ful.” His head dipped, littering a smattering of kisses along your bare chest, his chapped lips contrasting against the softness of your skin, until he finally got to your left nipple, taking the peak into his mouth, suckling gently causing you to arch your back. This instance had been long awaited, and it had been worth every agonising second of being without his touch. It was more sensual than you had ever expected, exceeding each dream that had occurred in your resting mind.

Your hands braced against the back of his head, gently combing through his hair, as you become wantonly lost in him… something that you had always wanted. “D.” There was an insistent impatience within your voice that made him look up. You were ready to surpass the foreplay and get straight to the main course, but Daryl knew that you deserved better than that. He had acknowledged you, though you refrained from reminding him of the urgency that was boiling in your veins as he began to kiss his way down your stomach, licking at your flesh as he descended.

He made your legs shake in their own spiral of suspense as he slowly dragged down the layers that conformed your lower half from your sights, deadly slow in fact. He was teasing you, leaving you on a jagged edge of screaming from the perilous waiting to be touched, although you couldn’t. You had to remain quiet to sustain a lack of suspicion from the saviours, the last thing you wanted was a singular one of the depraved men walking in, they’d most likely enjoy watching, which was a foul truth that tainted your mouth with disgust. “So pretty.” The scruff that outlined Daryl’s jaw scuffed at your thighs as his hands spread your legs, leaving you intimately vulnerable to his eyes.

This felt like this was the weakest that the man that you loved had ever seen you, despite the gruelling circumstances that you had faced in union, and the injuries that you had each endured that lathered you with the fear of death. You were exposed, and you whimpered at his sentimental statement, pressing your lips together as you watched him lean closer to your cunt. His breathing was laboured, he too needing this as much as you did. He inhaled your womanly scent, memorising it for a second before he leaned in to taste you, a light, restricted groan tumbling from his lips. A sharp inhale of air penetrated your lungs as you held it in, your hands still in his hair as he kissed your lower lips affectionately, spreading them so that he could suckle at your bud.

As he did, you felt his wide fingertips tracing your entrance, and then he slipped one inside of you, both his fingers and mouth bringing you to ecstasy. You just needed a little more and then you could reach that peak that ascended you into bliss, and Daryl seemed aware of that fact to, adding another digit within your walls as he reached inside of you deeper, angling his fingers so that they toyed with that heavenly spot that made you see stars. Daryl rode you through your orgasm, his pace slowed until he pulled away, bringing his cum coated fingers to his own lips, tasting your essence as though he couldn’t get enough of it.

“Ya taste so good.” Daryl confirmed your suspicions, leaning over you so that he could kiss you again, and you tasted yourself on his lips, making you hum in delight against his mouth. There was so much you wanted to say to him, so many thoughts you needed to share, but you dared not think about speaking them - if the claimers heard, then it would endanger your people if they were still out there, having survive the ruin that your home had succumbed to. As you leant away from the kiss, you reached your hand up to trace every line on his face, each warping of his skin that had battled the world long before it had ended. If he was the last thing that you would ever see, then you would die as happy as you could.

“I love you.” You reminded him, knowing that he hadn’t been told that enough in his life, and he repeated your words with a delicate softness that contrasted heavily with the subjected hardness that was pressing against your thigh. He kissed you again as, leaning down as he stood, removing his pants and undergarments to shed himself into full exposure, making you gasp as he clambered atop of you, his body weight pressing into you. It was almost serene, and it would have been if you knew that this blanket of safety would last, however you doubted it considering the companions that had taken you into their midsts. This was the solace that you had sought prior to the outbreak - Daryl. You weren’t willing to let him go any time soon.

Your fingernails dug with a bite into the flesh of his scarred shoulders as he sank into you, his length slowly sliding within your walls until you felt almost unbearable full. He grunted in his own abyss of pleasure, staring at you with eyes filled with love that you had long awaited to be the bearer of, and he leant back, only to thrust back between the apex of your thighs again. He was heaven and bliss rolled into the contrasting, angelic frame of the handsome archer. His movements claimed you with a reverent passion, your flesh pressing tightly against one another as you had the impulse to call out his name, but rather than uttering it loudly for everyone in the house to hear, you whispered it into his ear, like a mantra that you never wanted to stop repeating.

Their eyes continued to fixate upon you, as if you were prey, an animal for the killing and skinning. Len was the worst of them, he licked his disgusting lips with a feverish hunger, like an addict concentrating upon his next hit. It wouldn’t be you, you were secure in that as he traipsed towards you, his toxic demeanour making you wrinkle your nose in dismay. You didn’t like him one bit, any of them in fact. But you had to do what it took to survive, and for the time being it was forcing yourself to be in their presence until you could find a safe locale far away from their greedy hands, hopefully by then having found your friends, or at least the ones that were still living.

“Y/N.” Your name sounded like poison as it left his lips, and you held in your grimace, wishing not to cause more trouble than the group already inebriated like air, pausing your footfalls as you turned your stiff attention towards him. Joe stopped too, watching intently as his follower stalked towards you, grabbing your arm. His grip was too firm to pull away from without causing a fight, and the last thing you wanted was to provoke further bloodshed, despite your feral side wishing to kill him for simply laying a hand upon you. You clenched your jaw, nostrils flaring, as the air around you wafted a breeze.

The trees danced as in applause for the sickly balls that Len had grown since your presence within the claimers, and you resented nature for conforming to the scene. “Let me go.” It was an order, one that fell deafeningly short on the man’s ear, as his putrid grip only tightened, and you were sure that there would be fingertip bruises looming beyond the sleeves of your jacket. You tried to pull back, but it only made you strangle out a small cry of pain, Len selfishly not relenting. Joe cleared his cigarette smoked throat, as if telling him to back off without voicing the threatening tone that billowed in his eyes, clearly wanting to see where this went. Without much else to do, you kicked at his legs, foot landing upon his shin causing him to curse.

“I’m already claimed you fucking bastard.” Joe seemed unsurprised by your words, having witnessed Daryl to slink into the room that you had claimed for yourself. He was gladdened by the fact that Daryl was within the tree line, seeking out a rabbit or some other animal that would contend as supper, otherwise there would be another event to fuel the clear hatred that Daryl and Len regarded one another with. The leader was amused, watching you kick once more at Len until he finally backed off, the bone on his leg no doubt being sensitive from the feel of your boots pummelling it. He knew there’d be trouble allowing a woman within their ranks, and as much as he had the impulse to swoop in and proclaim that he had claimed you, he was far too entertained, and rules were rules, set by his example.

“Yeah?” Len’s teeth were on show as if he were prepared to growl at you from the tenderness and pain you had reigned onto his left limb. “By who?” He retorted, his eyes having gone wild and crazed from the retaliation that you had openly handed him. His gaze seared against your form, trailing down your body as if he were trying to find a name etched into your flesh. The bristle of bushes made his head dart to the side, ready to see a walker stumbling out from the shrouded clearing, but it was only Daryl. There was a rabbit attained to its holding at his waist, the animal helpless and dead, having been struck by a bolt that ended its life and creating a patch of blood upon its fawn brindled side.

“I claimed her. She’s mine.” Daryl had heard most of the interaction, unaware when Len had grabbed you, otherwise he would have revealed himself sooner, the last thing he wanted was for you to be harmed. He stalked closer, pulling you into his side, noticing how tense you were, and that you had your arm held out in flatulent pain. “She’s mine. I claim her.” He repeated, glad that you had fought back. He hadn’t initially wanted to leave you to hunt, but Joe had told him to do exactly that, he spat on the ground towards Len, physically showing his distaste for the man. You were not something to be claimed, you were a human being, one that he cared about, one that he loved. But he and you both would keep the charade up until you could get away, and hopefully return to the people that you belonged with.

It was going to be a gruelling journey onwards with these folks, with Len hissing in jealous spite, but you had each other; that would get you through this, you reminded yourself. You could still feel Daryl’s amorous kisses upon your skin, and it brought you a wave of comfort. Joe cleared his throat, diverting the attention of his men and you and Daryl towards him. “You heard that.” The grey haired man stated with control bordering his voice. “She is claimed.” They all knew what that meant, and they would have to respect the procedure that had you claimed as they would with any other object. Daryl’s hand touched your waist, and that look that he gave you alone was enough to give you something to fight for.

[logaenhowlett]

I ONLY WANT TO BE WITH YOU - L.H.

Summary: The small things are never just small things. For Logan, they're the constellations charting the story of him and you.

Pairing: Logan Howlett x Female Reader

Warnings: Fluff (your heart may not be able to handle this), Established relationship, Domestic AF

A/N: I'll jump at any chance to write for Origins!Logan (he's my man fr). Here's another one for my A Weekend with Logan Howlett event! The prompt was ELATION. Title creds to Shelby Lynne.

MASTERLIST

“Honey, I’m home.”

“In the backyard!”

Keys follow a graceful arc as Logan tosses them into the tray by the door. And as always, they land with a soft clink, a quiet exhalation of metal on ceramic signalling the end of his workday.

The tray itself - a chipped, sun-faded thing you'd unearthed at an antique market one afternoon - bears the loving imprint of time. He remembers the way your eyes lit up immediately, declaring it "perfect" before playfully haggling with the vendor, your laughter ringing through the crowded stalls like a cascade of wind chimes.

Boots thud against the floor. As he toes them off, the memory of your gentle chiding surfaces; "Baby..." drawn out in an affectionate warning as you gestured to the offending muddy tracks.

Logan glances down, half-expecting the telltale streaks of dirt. Instead, the polished wood gleams back, pristine and devoid of smudges. And he knows, with a sweet certainty, that you'll be pleased.

His jacket sways the already-leaning coat rack, adding to the precarious balance of hats, scarves and dog leads you insisted on buying for the neighbour's German Shepherds. Those evenings - leash in hand as the dogs bound ahead, your face alight with a smile rivalling the setting sun - nestle warmly in the depths of his heart.

Couch cushions, dented from countless hours of cuddling and late-night reading, yield lightly beneath his touch as he ventures through the living room. On the coffee table, lit candles cast shadows across faint, nearly invisible rings of condensation, ghosts of beer bottles past.

The fireplace crackles merrily, chasing away the frosty air he'd braved last night to gather the wood piled neatly beside it. "Do you have to?" you'd murmured as he reluctantly unwound himself from your embrace. "I'll be quick, darlin'", the promise sealed with a kiss upon your nose.

Framed photographs adorn the mantlepiece above. One catches Logan's eye in particular: your first Christmas together. The ridiculously ugly sweater you'd crocheted with painstaking - and slightly misguided - enthusiasm encases him. He's tucked into your neck, seeking refuge from both the camera's flash and the itchy wool, but a small, happy smile betrays his discomfort.

Warm apple pie, its sweetness a siren's call, beckons him into the kitchen. A traitorous urge tempts him with visions of a generous sliver. But then he remembers your hand, light yet firm, swatting his greedy fingers away. "Dessert's after dinner, Lo," followed by his usual retort: "As long as you're on the menu, baby."

With a chuckle, he retrieves a bottle of ice-cold water from the fridge, briefly studying the disarray on its shiny surface. Sticky notes, some containing important reminders such as "Bring eggs please!" and "I love you" scrawled alongside silly doodles, compose a riot of colour and ink.

Just beyond the kitchen's threshold, a laundry basket rests patiently under the hallway light. Messy sheets from the morning spill over the rim, tangling with several orphaned socks and those boxers - the unbelievably soft ones you'd gifted him - that Logan swears he can't live without.

Familiar notes sound from the record player. Whistling along, he heads towards the bathroom, the basket bumping gently against his hip. And soon, the rhythmic whir of the washing machine falls in with the melody.

The chipped bathtub stands as evidence of an incident both clumsy and intimate from last week. Steam billowed in a thick cloud as warm water lapped at your shoulders. And in the heat of the moment, Logan's claws scraped a jagged scar across the smooth porcelain. The sudden snikt had been a jarring interruption, but the shared fit of giggles quickly dissolved any tension.

All these thoughts of you urge him straight towards the backyard. And happiness hits him square in the chest, because there you are - kneeling amidst flowerbeds, hands working the rich soil as you nurture your plants.

And then, the pieces fall into place.

Nights whiled away on the porch steps, dreaming about your lives together. The letter, a clerical error addressing you as Mr and Mrs Howlett, which you'd jokingly hung on the wall, echoing a quiet promise. Musings of tiny footprints padding across the floor of what's currently the spare bedroom.

This is it. This is his future.

Without warning, his arm curves beneath you, sweeping you off the ground. "Logan!" you exclaim, clutching his shoulders.

“Marry me. What do you say, sweetheart?"

[fairyofmomo]

Closer than Coffee

Minatozaki Sana x F!Reader

warnings: winners love winning, fluff :3

a/n: hai im formerly momospetdog, coming back after a 6 months break (or maybe not)

There was something comforting about routines. The steady predictability of knowing what came next, of settling into habits that made life feel a little less chaotic. For you, this routine involved a quaint little café tucked between towering office buildings—a warm, cozy sanctuary where the scent of fresh coffee and pastries wrapped around you like a comforting embrace. It is where you could retreat from the humdrum of work, find solace in a steaming cup of coffee, and momentarily escape the weight of deadlines.

You had been coming here for months, always ordering the same thing: a classic flat white with just a hint of vanilla. The baristas, familiar with your routine, rarely needed to ask for your order anymore. It was always ready within minutes, accompanied by a polite nod or a small smile from the usual staff.

But one morning, something—or rather, someone—changed that routine.

The familiar chime of the café doorbell greeted you as you stepped inside, the early morning rush creating a gentle buzz of activity around you. You adjusted the strap of your bag, already reaching into your pocket for your wallet as you approached the counter. But as you lifted your gaze, practiced words of order nearly caught in your throat.

The barista behind the counter was new.

You had never seen her before, and yet, the sight of her was enough to make you momentarily forget what you were even doing. She was effortlessly beautiful—her brown hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her lips curved into a polite, almost playful smile as she prepared an order. But her eyes truly held you captive—warm and bright, like sunlight filtering through honey.

A princess. That was the first thought that crossed your mind.

“Good morning!” The new barista’s voice was smooth and cheerful as she turned to you. “What can I get for you?”

For a split second, your mind went blank.

“Uh…” You glanced at the menu as if you don’t know what you wanted. “Flat white. With vanilla”

The barista nodded, tapping the order into the register. “Coming right up! Name for the cup?”

“Y/N”

The barista hummed thoughtfully, scribbling it down. “Pretty name”

You weren’t sure if it was just casual friendliness or you’re was reading too much into it, but either way, the offhanded compliment sent a small flutter through your chest. You handed over your payment and took a step back, trying to act as if you weren’t sneaking glances at the barista as she worked.

Within minutes, your coffee was placed on the counter. “Here you go, Y/N. Enjoy!”

“Thanks,” You muttered, fingers brushing against the warm cup as you took it. You turned on your heel, heading straight for the door. Even as you stepped outside, the weight of Sana’s gaze lingered in your mind—along with the memory of her bright smile.

With a quiet sigh, you shook your head and focused on the path ahead. You had work to get to.

The barista was already moving on to the next order, but just before you turned away completely, your eyes met briefly.

And then she smiled.

You quickly looked away, heat rising to cheeks.

Oh. you are in trouble.

For the next week, the routine repeated itself.

Every morning, you would push open the café’s glass door, the soft chime of the bell announcing your arrival. The scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries greeted you like an old friend, wrapping around you like a comforting embrace. You would step into line, hands tucked into coat pockets, eyes still heavy with sleep. And there, standing behind the counter, was the new barista.

Sana.

At first, your interactions were brief. Simple exchanges of words, barely a handful of sentences each morning.

“Good morning! What can I get for you?”

“Flat white. With Vanilla”

“Coming right up!”

It was nothing out of the ordinary—just another polite customer-barista interaction. But even in those short moments, there was something about Sana that made the air feel different. Maybe it was the way her voice carried a certain warmth or the way her lips quirked in amusement whenever you stumbled over your words. Maybe it was the way her fingers moved so effortlessly over the espresso machine, as if making coffee was second nature to her.

By the third day, you had learned her name.

By the fifth day, you had memorized the way Sana absentmindedly tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear when she concentrated, how her brows knitted slightly when she counted bills, and how she always hummed softly while steaming milk.

By the seventh day, you had come to anticipate the moment Sana greeted you with that easy, familiar smile—one that felt as if it had been meant for you all along.

A week had passed since you first noticed Sana. Seven days of rushed morning visits, stolen glances, and coffee cups with little notes that made your heart feel just a little bit lighter.

You had gotten used to it now—walking into the café, being greeted by that familiar warm smile, watching Sana work behind the counter with effortless grace. It had become part of your day, your routine, the reason you looked forward to mornings despite the exhaustion of work.

But today, the exhaustion was winning.

You barely made it through the door that morning. Your steps were slower, shoulders heavier, mind clouded with the overwhelming weight of deadlines, endless meetings, and the kind of exhaustion that clung to your bones like an iron grip. You hadn’t gotten enough sleep last night—not even close.

Your eyes stung slightly from lack of rest as you shuffled toward the counter, barely noticing the other customers around you. Your usual crispness was missing—the automatic, half-awake rhythm of placing your order now replaced by sluggish movements, fingers fumbling as you pulled out your wallet.

Sana noticed immediately.

The moment you stepped up to the counter, Sana’s smile faltered for just a second. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was there—the quick flicker of concern that crossed her eyes, the way her fingers hesitated against the register before she spoke.

“Good morning, Y/N” Her voice was as gentle as ever, but there was something else woven into it this time. Something softer.

You barely looked up as you muttered, “Morning”

Sana tilted her head slightly, watching you carefully. “Your usual?”

A nod. “Yes”

Sana hummed, fingers moving over the register with ease. But instead of turning away immediately to make the drink, she leaned forward slightly, resting her forearms on the counter as she studied your face.

“You okay?” she asked, her voice dipping into something quieter—something meant just for you.

You blinked, a little startled by the question. It wasn’t that you weren’t used to people asking about your well-being, but something about the way Sana asked made your chest tighten slightly. It wasn’t a passing inquiry, wasn’t a question asked out of politeness. It was real. Genuine.

And for some reason, that made it harder to brush off.

You exhaled, rubbing a hand over your face. “Just tired”

Sana nodded slowly, as if mulling over your response. Then, a small smile tugged at her lips—one of those teasing, playful ones that always made your heart do stupid things.

“Rough morning?” Sana asked, eyes twinkling with something lighthearted.

You let out a short, dry laugh. “More like a rough week”

Sana clicked her tongue in sympathy, shaking her head. “Tsk, tsk. That won’t do”

You raised an eyebrow, amused despite exhaustion. “Oh? And what do you suggest?”

Sana tapped a finger against the counter, pretending to think. “Well, for starters, coffee. Lots of it”

You huffed a laugh. “Obviously”

“And,” Sana continued, leaning in just a bit, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “maybe… some positive energy?”

You blinked at her. “Positive energy?”

“Mhm,” Sana nodded sagely, her expression perfectly serious. “It’s a scientifically proven fact that a good mood can make your coffee taste even better. That’s why I always make sure to add an extra dose of good vibes when I make your order”

You couldn’t help it—you laughed. It was a small, tired chuckle, but it was the first genuine laugh you had let out that morning. “Oh yeah? And here I thought it was just good barista skills”

Sana placed a hand over her chest, feigning offense. “How dare you doubt my methods?”

You smirked, shaking your head. “Okay, okay. I’ll trust the process”

Sana grinned. “That’s the spirit”

And just like that, you felt a little lighter.

For a few seconds, you had forgotten about the stress, about the deadlines waiting for you. All you could think about was the way Sana was looking at you, the way her eyes crinkled when she smiled, the way she made exhaustion feel a little more bearable.

Before you could spiral too much into that thought, Sana turned back to the espresso machine, getting to work on her order. You watched, leaning slightly against the counter, too tired to stop yourself from staring.

It was mesmerizing, the way Sana moved—her fingers swift and practiced, the way she measured the espresso shots with precision, how she steamed the milk with just the right amount of care.

A minute later, she turned back around, sliding the cup toward you with a flourish.

“Here you go,” she said, that soft, teasing smile still in place.

You reached for the cup, fingers brushing against the warm cardboard sleeve. You were about to mumble a thanks and turn to leave when you noticed something.

Another note.

Handwritten, just beneath your name.

You blinked.

‘You’re doing amazing. Even if today sucks :)’

You felt your throat tighten slightly.

You swallowed, suddenly very aware of the fact that Sana was watching you. You could feel the weight of her gaze, you could see the barely concealed amusement in her eyes as if she was waiting for a reaction.

You cleared her throat, forcing yourself to play it cool. “So… is this part of the good vibes too?”

Sana tilted her head, pretending to think. “I don’t know. Maybe. Does it work?”

You hesitated.

The answer was yes. God, yes.

But you weren’t about to admit that.

Instead, you exhaled through your nose, shaking your head with a small smile. “I’ll let you know after this coffee kicks in”

Sana grinned. “Deal”

And just like that, you found yourself walking out of the café feeling a little warmer—not from the coffee, but from the lingering feeling of Sana’s words pressed against your skin.

For the rest of the morning, you held onto that feeling.

Maybe it was just a small gesture. A silly little note.

But maybe, just maybe, it meant something more.

The low hum of the café was different at night.

Gone was the rush of morning customers, the hurried exchanges of coffee orders, the clatter of cups against countertops. Instead, the air was thick with a kind of stillness that only came with late hours—soft music playing in the background, the occasional sound of a chair scraping against the floor, the gentle clinking of dishes being washed in the kitchen.

It was peaceful.

And yet, for you, peace was the last thing on your mind.

You sat hunched over your laptop, the glow of the screen reflecting off your tired eyes as you tried to focus. Papers were spread across the table, notebook flipped open to a page filled with frantic scribbles. A half-empty cup of coffee sat beside, long gone cold.

It had been a long day—no, a long week. Deadlines were looming over like dark clouds, inbox was a mess, and brain felt like it was running on fumes. The café had always been a safe space for, a place where you could breathe, but tonight, you were suffocating under the weight of everything you had to do.

You barely noticed the way the café had emptied over the past hour.

What you did notice, however, was the presence behind the counter—the one that made your heart do ridiculous things even in a exhausted state.

Sana.

Even without looking, you knew she was there. You could hear her soft footsteps as she moved around, the quiet efficiency with which she wiped down the counters, the delicate clinking of cups as she organized them.

It was comforting, in a way.

But it was also distracting.

You had done a great job of ignoring it all night—of keeping your eyes locked on her screen, of pretending you weren’t aware of every little thing Sana did. But when you heard the sound of approaching footsteps, you stiffened slightly, forcing yourself to look as composed as possible.

A shadow fell over the table.

“You’ve been here for a while,” Sana observed, tilting her head slightly as she studied you.

You blinked up at her, feeling a little caught. “Oh, sorry”

Sana raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “It’s okay. Still working?”

You sighed, rubbing your temples. “Unfortunately”

There was a beat of silence.

Then—

“Want a refill?” Sana asked, her voice dipping into something too soft, too warm. “On the house”

You hesitated. You should say no. You had already had too much coffee today, and needed to get at least some sleep.

But the way Sana was looking at you made it impossible to refuse.

“Are you sure?” You asked instead, glancing between Sana and the empty cup.

Sana’s lips curled into something playful. “I’m the barista. I make the rules”

You exhaled through your nose, shaking your head with a small, tired smile. “Alright, then. I guess I can’t argue with that”

Sana’s grin widened, and without another word, she took your cup and walked back behind the counter.

You watched her go, actually watched her this time—the way she moved so easily around the espresso machine, the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, the way her lips pursed in concentration.

She looked… effortlessly beautiful.

Y/N swallowed, quickly looking away before she got too caught up in her thoughts.

Moments later, Sana returned, placing the fresh cup of coffee in front of her with a flourish.

“There you go,” she said, resting her hands on her hips.

Y/N murmured a quick thanks, fingers curling around the cup. The warmth seeped into her skin, grounding her.

Sana didn’t move.

Instead, she tilted her head, eyes scanning over Y/N’s face like she was trying to figure something out.

“You look exhausted,” she finally said.

Y/N let out a dry laugh. “That obvious, huh?”

“Painfully”

Y/N sighed, taking a small sip of her coffee. The taste was rich, smooth, and just right, as always.

Sana hummed in thought. Then, before Y/N could react, she pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.

Y/N blinked.

“Uh—”

“Just for a second,” Sana said casually, as if she hadn’t just made Y/N’s brain short-circuit. “I’m technically still on my break”

Y/N swallowed. Oh. Okay.

She wasn’t sure what to do with herself now. Her heart was suddenly beating a little too fast, and she had no idea why.

Sana leaned her elbows against the table, resting her chin on her palm. “So, what’s keeping you up?”

Y/N sighed, gesturing to the mess of papers in front of her. “Work”

Sana hummed. “Deadlines?”

“Yeah”

“Annoying boss?”

Y/N huffed a laugh. “Something like that”

Sana’s lips twitched. “Sounds rough”

“It is rough”

Sana tapped her fingers lightly against the table, her gaze never leaving Y/N’s face. Then, with a playful glint in her eyes, she said, “You should take a break”

Y/N snorted. “And do what?”

Sana pretended to think. “I don’t know. Maybe stare dramatically out the window and pretend you’re the main character in a movie?”

Y/N rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. “I’ll consider it”

Sana grinned. “Good. Because if you pass out from overworking yourself, I’m not carrying you out of here”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Wow. So much for customer service”

Sana gasped, clutching her chest dramatically. “Excuse me? I just gave you free coffee. I think that makes me employee of the month”

Y/N chuckled, shaking her head. “Fine, fine. I appreciate it”

Sana’s expression softened slightly. “Good”

A comfortable silence settled between them.

For a moment, it was just the two of them in their little world—the quiet café, the low hum of music, the scent of coffee lingering in the air.

Then, Sana sighed and stood up, stretching slightly. “Alright, I should get back to work before they fire me”

Y/N smirked. “Probably a good idea”

Sana winked before stepping back toward the counter.

And just like that, the moment was over.

But as Y/N took another sip of her coffee, she realized something.

It tasted a little sweeter than usual.

You weren’t sure if that was because of the vanilla…

Or because of the girl who made it.

The morning sunlight filtered through the café windows, casting soft beams of light across the polished counters and cozy tables. It was another crisp morning, and the usual crowd had yet to trickle in, leaving the café feeling calm, almost serene.

Y/N was a creature of habit, and the familiarity of her morning routine was something she clung to. The soft hum of the café’s espresso machine, the quiet chatter of the staff behind the counter, and—of course—her usual order, which she had memorized after weeks of visits.

She pushed the door open with a soft chime of the bell, and the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her immediately.

It was a peaceful morning, just like any other, but the moment her eyes flickered to the counter, she froze.

Sana was there.

She stood behind the espresso machine, her apron tied around her waist, her smile effortlessly bright, and her energy just as magnetic as always. She was so easy to look at, in a way that made Y/N’s heart skip. The barista looked so calm, so collected, and yet so alive with that spark in her eyes—the one Y/N could never quite explain.

Y/N, despite herself, couldn’t help but feel her stomach do a little flip at the sight of her.

“Good morning!” Sana greeted her, her voice carrying the usual warmth that made Y/N’s heart stutter in her chest.

Y/N swallowed before replying, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Good Morning. Same as usual, please”

Sana nodded without missing a beat. Her fingers danced across the buttons of the espresso machine, pulling shots of coffee with practiced ease. But despite her focused movements, there was an undeniable lightness in the air, a tension that was hard to ignore.

Y/N leaned against the counter, absently staring at the swirling steam rising from the machine. She tried not to watch Sana too closely. Don’t be weird, she reminded herself. Just get the coffee and go.

But her thoughts kept drifting back to Sana.

There was something about her—the way her hair cascaded down in soft waves, the way her lips curled into that inviting smile, the way she spoke to her as though they were the only two people in the world at that moment.

“Here you go, Y/N,” Sana said, placing the cup in front of her.

Y/N blinked, startled by the sudden sound. She hadn’t realized she had been staring. “Thank you”

As she reached for the cup, she noticed the way Sana’s eyes lingered on her just a little too long. There was a softness there, something that made Y/N feel a flutter in her chest.

Sana’s smile turned teasing, almost mischievous. “You’re looking extra cute this morning,” she said, her tone light, but the compliment was sincere.

Y/N felt the blood rush to her face immediately. “Huh?”

Sana leaned closer, resting her elbows on the counter as if she had all the time in the world. “I mean, you always look cute, but today especially,” she added, her voice warm and smooth.

Y/N blinked rapidly, her mind spinning. Did she just say that? Did she—did she just call me cute?

She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, and she prayed to whatever higher power was listening that she wasn’t visibly flushing.

Sana seemed to notice. She paused, her lips quirking up in the gentlest of smiles. She leaned down just slightly, almost conspiratorially, as though sharing a secret.

“Are you blushing?” Sana asked softly, her voice taking on a teasing edge.

Y/N could barely form a coherent thought as she stammered, “No—I mean, I’m—uh...” She cleared her throat, trying desperately to regain some sense of control over her body. “I’m fine. I’m fine”

Sana’s smile grew, amusement dancing in her eyes. “Well, you are cute when you blush, so I won’t hold it against you”

Y/N just about melted right then and there.

“Thanks,” Y/N mumbled, feeling incredibly flustered. She gripped her coffee cup a little too tightly, trying to will herself back to normal.

Sana didn’t back off. Instead, she reached for a marker tucked in her apron pocket, the soft click of the cap releasing making Y/N’s heart race for no apparent reason.

Without saying a word, Sana grabbed the lid of Y/N’s coffee cup and started to write something on the edge.

Y/N glanced down, still trying to compose herself, but the curiosity gnawed at her. What was she writing?

Sana finished her note and pushed the cup back toward Y/N. “There,” she said, a hint of mischief in her voice. “A little something extra”

Y/N blinked, taking the cup with trembling hands. As she stared down at the writing on the lid, her eyes widened.

It was a phone number.

Sana’s phone number.

Y/N’s breath hitched in her throat, and she looked up at Sana, who was watching her with that same playful expression, like she was waiting for her reaction.

The tension in the air thickened. Sana’s gaze lingered on Y/N for a beat too long, her smile warm and knowing.

Y/N’s mind went blank. “I—uh...” She fumbled for words, unable to hide the flush that had spread across her face. “You—you wrote your number on my coffee cup?”

Sana’s grin widened. “Yeah,” she replied casually, her voice lowering just a little, “figured you could use it. You know, in case you wanted to talk sometime”

Y/N’s heart was pounding now, and her palms were sweaty around the cup. She could barely look at the number written there, though it was now permanently etched into her mind.

Sana tilted her head, watching Y/N’s reaction with interest. “What’s wrong? You don’t want to talk to me?”

Y/N’s throat felt dry, and she stammered, “No! I—I do. It’s just... I—uh... I didn’t expect this”

Sana laughed, a soft, lilting sound that made Y/N feel like she had just been wrapped in warmth. “Well, I thought it might be fun to mix things up a bit”

Y/N’s brain was still catching up to the reality of the situation. Did she just... flirt with me? Did she just give me her number like that?

As if reading her mind, Sana winked. “You can call or text anytime,” she said softly, her eyes sparkling. “I’ll be waiting”

Y/N felt her stomach do a flip. She couldn’t help it. She couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face and the way her heart was racing.

Sana stepped back, still watching her with a mix of amusement and something else—something a little softer, a little more genuine. “Alright, I’ve gotta get back to work,” she said, her voice light. “But, you know, I’ll be thinking about you”

Y/N barely registered the words, too busy staring at the number on her coffee cup.

As she turned to leave, she heard Sana’s voice once more, almost a whisper now: “Don’t take too long, okay?”

Y/N nodded, barely able to keep her thoughts straight as she made her way to the door, her fingers still gripping the cup. She couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Sana had given her her number. She had flirted with her. And for some reason, Y/N had no idea how to process any of it.

But one thing was certain.

She couldn’t wait to text her.

The day had stretched on longer than Sana anticipated, her mind always circling back to one thought: Y/N. She couldn’t help it. She had given Y/N her phone number that morning, and even though she had acted casual, a small part of her was nervous, her heart fluttering in anticipation. Would Y/N text her? Would she even be interested in talking outside of the café? The possibilities made her anxious yet excited all the same.

Sana had gone through the motions of the day, serving customers, keeping up with her duties, all the while her phone—silent in her pocket—reminded her of that simple, bold act she had taken earlier. She’d left Y/N with more than just her coffee. She had left Y/N with a part of herself, a small invitation to something more than casual small talk.

The evening came, and the café quieted down as usual. The last of the customers had trickled out, leaving only the kitchen staff working in the back. Sana, still running through the final tasks of the day, kept her eyes on her phone. She had the habit of checking it—just in case. A text, even if it was just a simple “Thanks for the coffee” would be more than enough to make her smile.

But there was nothing.

She smiled to herself, trying to shake off the nervous feeling creeping into her chest. It’s okay, she reminded herself, she probably just needs time.

After closing up, Sana sat alone at the counter, scrolling through random videos on her phone, trying to distract herself. But no matter how hard she tried, she kept glancing at her phone screen, hoping for a little vibration, a ding that would signal a message.

Then, as if the universe was listening to her silent plea, it came.

A small vibration. Sana’s breath hitched in her throat. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the notification, her eyes widening at the screen.

It was a message.

From Y/N.

Sana’s fingers trembled slightly as she unlocked her phone. There, right in front of her, were Y/N’s words:

“Hey, it’s me! I just wanted to say thanks for the coffee this morning and well, the note. It made my day a little bit easier”

Sana let out a quiet laugh, leaning back in her chair. She could feel the warmth spreading through her chest at the simple message. Her fingers danced over the screen as she replied, her smile wide.

“I’m so glad it helped! I figured you could use some extra encouragement today 😊”

It didn’t take long before Y/N responded again. This time, her message was a bit longer.

“You were right about that. I needed the motivation. Today was one of those days. But it’s nice to know someone’s thinking about me”

Sana’s heart skipped another beat. She couldn’t help but feel warmth flood her. She quickly typed back, the words flowing from her fingers as if they were meant to be shared.

“Of course, I’m always thinking about you. And if you ever need a little more motivation, you know where to find me 😊”

She pressed send, staring at the message for a moment, a small smile tugging at her lips. The small exchange had already made her heart race, her mind racing with all the possible things they could talk about, things they could share outside of the café.

Minutes passed, and soon, Y/N’s reply appeared.

“You’re so sweet. I really needed this tonight. Thank you for being so thoughtful. I don’t usually talk about how stressed I get, but it’s hard sometimes”

Sana’s smile softened, her fingers typing out a response without hesitation.

“I understand. But you don’t have to go through it alone, you know? I’m here if you need someone to listen. You’re doing great, really”

Y/N didn’t reply immediately, and for a moment, Sana felt that familiar, nervous anticipation creeping back in. But just as she was about to put her phone down, the screen lit up again.

“I’m sorry to keep you up with my rambling. I’m just not used to this kind of support”

Sana couldn’t help but laugh softly, her thumb gliding across the keyboard.

“Don’t apologize! I like hearing from you. And it’s okay to talk about whatever’s on your mind. That’s what friends are for, right?”

Sana felt warmth at the idea of being someone Y/N could turn to. She wasn’t sure what was happening between them—whether it was the budding excitement of a new friendship or the potential for something deeper—but she liked it. She liked the idea of being the one to help make Y/N feel better, to be the person she could rely on.

She added a small, playful note to lighten the mood.

“But hey, I have to warn you. I’m really good at convincing people to get some sleep, so you’re gonna have to listen to me for this one. 😘 You’ve got work tomorrow, right? You need to rest up!”

A few seconds passed before Y/N responded.

“You’re right. I should sleep. But I’m not sure I can”

Sana furrowed her brows in concern. She quickly typed back.

“Why not? You deserve to rest. I’ll even take care of the coffee tomorrow. I’ve got you covered, okay?”

Y/N replied almost immediately, and Sana could hear the small smile in her words.

“You’re too sweet, Sana. Alright, I promise I’ll try to get some rest. And I’m holding you to that coffee”

Sana chuckled, her heart swelling.

“Deal. Now get some sleep, alright? I’ll make sure your coffee’s ready and waiting when you get here. You’ve got this”

Y/N’s response was simple but warm.

“Good night, Sana. Thanks again for everything”

Sana grinned at her phone, her fingers hovering over the screen. She didn’t want the conversation to end, but she knew that Y/N needed rest.

With one final message, she sent her goodnight.

“Good night, Y/N. Sweet dreams, and I’ll see you tomorrow”

Sana sighed contentedly, staring at the phone for a moment before finally putting it down on the counter. She couldn’t stop smiling, couldn’t stop thinking about how Y/N had made her feel in just a few short hours.

Sana had never been one for late-night conversations, but something about talking to Y/N felt different. Natural. Like they were already comfortable with each other, even though they barely knew one another outside of their morning exchanges.

With that thought in mind, Sana went to bed that night a little lighter, a little happier, and a lot more excited for tomorrow.

The sunlight was just beginning to stretch over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow over the quiet streets outside. Inside the café, Sana was already awake and in her element, moving between the counter and the espresso machine with practiced ease. The sound of the coffee grinder hummed softly in the background, a melody she had come to cherish over the past few days.

As the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the space, her fingers found their way to her phone without thinking. It had become part of her routine now—checking her messages before anything else, and today, there was something more exciting than the usual notifications.

She smiled as her thumb hovered over the screen, drafting a message for Y/N. The thought of her had lingered in Sana’s mind ever since their late-night conversation, and she wanted to start the day right—wanted to remind Y/N that someone cared enough to wish her well.

She typed quickly, her fingers moving with ease as she poured her feelings into the short message:

“Good morning, Y/N! Just wanted to let you know I’m making your coffee right now, so it’ll be ready when you get here. Don’t forget to take care of yourself today. You’ve got this! See you later 😊”

Sana sent the message with a smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction as she placed the phone back down on the counter. It wasn’t much, just a little gesture, but she hoped it would help Y/N start the day off right. She knew how hectic mornings could get, especially with all the pressure Y/N had been dealing with lately. A reminder to breathe, to take it one step at a time—it was something Sana wanted to give her.

As the minutes ticked by, the café gradually came to life. The lights flickered on, the first few customers filtered in, and the staff moved about, preparing for the day ahead. Sana took her time with Y/N’s coffee, giving it that extra care she always put into every cup. It wasn’t just about making coffee—it was about making something personal, something that said, I’m thinking of you.

As the coffee brewed, Sana’s mind wandered back to the sweet conversations they’d shared. There was something about Y/N—her quiet strength, the way she carried herself despite the weight of her responsibilities—that drew Sana in. The way Y/N had opened up just a little, letting her guard down to share the smallest details about her life. It felt meaningful. And Sana knew she wanted to keep this connection going.

With a soft hum, Sana placed the freshly brewed cup of coffee on the counter, adding just the right amount of milk and stirring it gently until it swirled into the perfect shade of brown. She looked down at the cup, then grabbed a piece of parchment paper and a pen. The thought crossed her mind, Why not add something else? A little note, something to remind Y/N that she wasn’t alone in her struggles, that there was someone out there who cared enough to make the mornings a bit easier.

She quickly scribbled a short message:

“I hope today brings you a little peace, even in the chaos. Enjoy your coffee!”

Sana smiled at the note before folding it up neatly and placing it under the coffee cup. She could already picture Y/N’s reaction—a small, surprised smile, maybe a soft blush as she read the words. That was all Sana needed to feel good about the day.

But she wasn’t done yet. Sana wanted to make this morning just a little sweeter.

She moved to the counter’s pastry display, selecting a warm croissant that had just come out of the oven. The flaky layers shimmered in the light, golden and perfect. She carefully placed it on a small plate, wrapping it in a napkin to keep it fresh. Then, with a delicate touch, she slid the plate and the coffee towards the edge of the counter.

When the door jingled, signaling that Y/N had arrived, Sana’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up, watching as Y/N walked in, her tired eyes scanning the café as if searching for something familiar. When their gazes met, there was that small moment of recognition—Y/N’s face softened, a quiet smile forming as she approached the counter.

“Good Morning, Y/N,” Sana greeted, her voice soft but warm.

Y/N nodded, her usual order slipping from her lips automatically, but this time, there was something different. She seemed... a little less worn, a little brighter, maybe because of the text Sana had sent earlier, or maybe just because of the gesture she had prepared for her.

As Y/N approached the counter, Sana slid the coffee cup closer. But before she could say anything, Y/N's eyes fell on the croissant.

“What’s this?” Y/N asked, her tone a mix of surprise and curiosity.

Sana grinned, unable to hide her excitement. “It’s a little something extra for you—thought you might want something to go with your coffee this morning. You’ve been working hard lately, right? A good croissant always helps”

Y/N blinked, her cheeks flushing slightly at the unexpected gesture. She hesitated for a moment, but then her gaze shifted to the note that sat beneath her cup. As she unfolded it and read the simple words, something shifted in her expression—a softness that Sana couldn’t help but notice.

“Thank you,” Y/N said, her voice quieter than usual but sincere. “This is really sweet of you”

Sana’s heart fluttered at the gratitude in Y/N’s eyes. She smiled, feeling her face warm. “I’m glad you like it. It’s just a small thing, but I wanted to make sure you had a good start to the day”

Y/N smiled back, a little shy, but the tension in her shoulders seemed to melt away. “It definitely helps,” she said, glancing down at the croissant before looking back up at Sana. “You’ve really made my morning”

Sana couldn’t resist offering one more soft comment, her voice full of warmth. “I’ll always be here if you need anything, Y/N. Just... take care of yourself today, okay?”

Y/N nodded, her fingers brushing against the cup as she picked it up. She was about to turn to leave, but before she could walk away, she paused and glanced back at Sana. There was something in her eyes—a quiet thankfulness, an emotion that Sana couldn’t quite name but recognized all the same.

“See you tomorrow?” Y/N asked, her tone light but hopeful.

Sana smiled brightly. “I’ll be here. You know that”

As Y/N walked out of the café, croissant in hand and coffee warming her palms, Sana couldn’t help but watch her go. A small, contented sigh escaped her lips as she turned back to the counter, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. There was something so simple, so fulfilling about making someone’s day just a little bit brighter—and it felt like Y/N had done the same for her without even realizing it.

That was the start of something special.

The following morning, the door to the café jingled as it always did, but there was something off about the sound today. Y/N stepped inside with her usual pace, but as soon as the warm air from the café wrapped around her, she felt a strange sense of emptiness settle in her chest. She tried to shake it off, thinking it was just the lingering weight of the past few days, but the feeling persisted like a dull ache.

She walked up to the counter, her eyes scanning the familiar space, looking for that soft smile she had come to expect. The sound of the espresso machine filling the background, the faint hum of chatter, the comforting scent of freshly ground coffee—it was all the same. But today, there was no Sana behind the counter.

Instead, a different barista greeted her with a polite but impersonal smile.

“Good morning,” the barista said, her voice a little too cheerful, too detached. “What can I get for you today?”

Y/N froze for a moment, her mind going blank. She opened her mouth, but no words came out at first. Where is she? she thought, her heart skipping a beat as she tried to mask the sudden disappointment that bubbled up inside her. She had expected to see Sana, just like every other morning. But today, the space behind the counter felt colder, emptier. The absence of the warm energy Sana had always exuded was palpable, like a void.

“Flat white. With Vanilla,” Y/N said, her voice sounding more distant than usual as she tried to keep her composure.

The barista nodded and began to prepare the order without much more interaction. But for Y/N, it felt wrong. She watched as the barista moved about the counter, making the coffee with efficiency but no sense of care. No friendly banter, no small talk. No Good morning or I hope you slept well. There was nothing there that made Y/N feel like she mattered in this space, nothing that made her feel like she was more than just a customer.

As the barista worked, Y/N couldn't help but feel the growing emptiness inside her. She shifted from one foot to the other, the familiar routine suddenly feeling foreign. She glanced around the café, hoping to spot Sana somewhere, maybe in the back or taking a break. But there was no sign of her.

She cleared her throat, her curiosity getting the better of her. “Hey, uh, do you know where Sana is today? Is she not working?”

The barista paused for a moment, seemingly a bit taken aback by the question, before offering a polite but neutral answer. “Oh, Sana? She’s actually off today. Took the day off for something personal. Is everything okay?”

Y/N felt a strange tightness in her chest at the mention of Sana’s name. Off today? That was unexpected. She hadn’t even considered the possibility that Sana wouldn’t be there. She had gotten so used to seeing her bright smile and hearing her voice in the mornings that the thought of not having it there felt like a sudden vacuum, something missing in a place that was supposed to be comforting.

“Oh, uh, yeah. Everything’s fine,” Y/N stammered, trying to cover up the disappointment in her voice. She forced a smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

The barista smiled back, unaware of the way Y/N’s heart sank as she watched her prepare the drink. “Here you go,” she said, handing over the cup. “Enjoy.”

Y/N took the cup, her fingers brushing against the warm ceramic, but it didn’t feel like it usually did. There was no sense of anticipation, no flicker of joy that came from seeing Sana behind the counter. It was just... coffee. And it was a little too bitter, a little too cold, without Sana’s touch.

You paid for the order with a small nod, mind still reeling from the revelation that Sana wasn’t there. As you turned away from the counter, you felt a strange heaviness settle in your chest. The café had never felt this way before. The chatter of the other customers seemed distant, the clinking of cups and saucers felt hollow, and even the gentle hum of the machines seemed muted.

It wasn’t like Sana to just disappear. She had always been there, ready with a smile, a joke, or a comforting word. You had come to look forward to those small moments of connection that made you feel seen, made you feel like maybe—just maybe—someone out there was thinking about you, too.

But today? Today, it felt like the café was just a coffee place, no more than that. The quiet hum of the air conditioning, the low buzz of the lights—it all seemed so... unimportant without Sana’s presence.

You took a sip of coffee, but it didn’t taste as rich today. The bitterness lingered longer than usual, as if the flavor itself was mirroring the emptiness in your chest. You sighed and stared at the cup for a long moment, mind racing with thoughts you didn’t want to confront.

Maybe tomorrow would be better. Maybe Sana would be back. But for today, the café felt like an echo of what it used to be, and you couldn’t help but feel that something—someone—was missing.

The evening had been colder than usual, and you stood at the bus stop, tapping your foot anxiously as you checked the time on your phone. You had stayed later than usual at the office, trying to finish up some last-minute work, and now, you were left standing in the gloom of the night, waiting for the bus to take you home.

The rain had started as a drizzle, but it was steadily turning into a downpour. You pulled your jacket tighter around your shoulders, cursing under your breath. You didn’t have an umbrella, and as you watched the droplets race down the side of the bus stop, you knew it was going to be a long wait. You could already feel the chill creeping into your bones.

Just as you were about to dig into the bag for your phone to check the bus schedule again, you heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. You turned, surprised, but your heart skipped a beat when you saw who it was.

Standing there, slightly out of breath, was none other than Sana. Her long hair was damp, her clothes clinging to her in the rain, but there was a bright smile on her face despite the weather. She was holding a large black umbrella, which she had pulled from her bag at the last minute.

“Y/N?” Sana’s voice was warm, even through the sound of the rain. “You’re not going to stand out here in the rain, are you?”

You blinked, still taken aback by the surprise appearance. “Sana? Wh-” You didn’t even finish the sentence before Sana was already stepping forward, opening the umbrella wide and holding it over both of you.

“Come on, you’ll get soaked standing here” Sana smiled softly, her eyes sparkling with a playful glint. “I’m waiting for the bus, too. Might as well share the umbrella”

You stood there for a moment, stunned. The rain was coming down in sheets, but with Sana’s umbrella covering you both, it felt almost surreal, like a small, private bubble amid the chaos of the storm. The familiar scent of Sana—of her perfume and the fresh rain—mingled in the air, and for a brief second, it almost felt like a dream.

“Thanks,” You muttered, suddenly realizing that you had been standing there, staring at Sana without saying anything. You quickly shifted your weight from one foot to the other, suddenly self-conscious of how close you were standing.

“No problem,” Sana replied, her voice light and easy as always. She tilted her head slightly, looking at you with a playful smirk. “I was about to ask you the same thing. You’re out here in the rain with no umbrella? You’ll catch a cold for sure”

You chuckled, shaking your head. “I didn’t think it would rain this hard. I was just waiting for the bus. I should’ve checked the weather before leaving”

Sana raised an eyebrow as if amused. “You should know by now that the weather is unpredictable around here. You’ve been here enough times to know that”

You smiled back at her, the warmth of Sana’s presence making the cold night seem a little less harsh. As you both stood there in the quiet moment, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of comfort, a strange sense of familiarity with this small, unexpected interaction. It was just two people, waiting for the same bus, sharing an umbrella to shield them from the rain. But somehow, it felt like something more than that.

The silence stretched between the two of you for a moment, and then your curiosity got the better of you. You looked over at Sana, who was holding the umbrella with ease, her wet hair sticking to her face but her smile still bright as ever. You noticed the way her eyes twinkled, even in the dim light of the streetlamp, and something in your chest tightened. You couldn’t help but ask, voice soft.

“Hey, Sana… you weren’t at the café today. Is everything okay?” The question slipped out before you could stop it, the concern evident in the tone.

Sana glanced at you, a soft laugh escaping her lips. “Ah, you noticed, huh?” she said, her voice gentle. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze meeting yours. “I’m fine. Just took a day off. Needed some time to myself, you know?”

You couldn’t help but feel a flicker of concern. “Is there something wrong?” you asked, voice a little more serious now. “You’ve been working so hard lately… I just thought maybe you were sick or something”

Sana shook her head, the smile not leaving her face. “No, no. Nothing like that. I just wanted to take a break, clear my head. Sometimes, you need a little time away from everything to recharge. Don’t want to burn out, right?”

You nodded slowly, eyes softening as you listened. You understood what Sana meant, but the idea of her not being at the café, not seeing her first thing in the morning, felt strangely unsettling. You hadn’t realized how much you had grown accustomed to Sana’s presence until she wasn’t there.

“I get it,” You said quietly, a small sigh escaping your lips. “I guess I just missed you being there. The café felt a little… empty without you”

Sana turned her head slightly, her eyes flicking to you with a quiet intensity. “You missed me?” she asked, her voice softer now, almost teasing, though there was a warmth to it. “I didn’t realize I made such an impact”

You felt your cheeks flush, heart skipping a beat at the unexpected question. You weren’t sure how to respond, so you simply shrugged, trying to play it off as nonchalantly as possible. “I mean, it’s just... the coffee tastes better when you’re there, you know?”

Sana’s smile widened, and she let out a small, knowing laugh. “I see. Well, I’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll manage without me for one more day”

You both stood there in the rain, the soft sound of it tapping against the umbrella, as the minutes ticked by. You couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of peace in that moment, standing so close to Sana, sharing the quiet between them. It wasn’t the frantic, rushed kind of silence—it was a calm, comforting kind, as if the world around you had paused for just a brief instant.

The bus arrived then, pulling up to the stop with a soft hiss. You turned and walked toward it together, the umbrella still shielding them from the rain. As you stepped onto the bus, the driver gave them a brief nod, and the two of you took a seat by the window.

The rain was a soft hum against the windows of the bus, the steady rhythm of it lulling the passengers into a quiet, almost meditative state. You sat next to Sana, the shared umbrella now tucked away in the corner of the bus, and you’re both settled into the calm of the night.

The city streets outside were slick with rainwater, the lights from the buildings reflecting in the puddles that lined the sidewalks. The world seemed muted under the downpour, the usual chaos of the city softened by the sound of water falling from the heavens. You’re tired. It had been a long day, and though you’re usually the type to power through the exhaustion, something about this moment with Sana made you feel completely at ease.

As the bus swayed gently on its route, you felt your eyelids growing heavier. You had never been the type to sleep easily in public, but the warmth of the bus, combined with the sound of Sana’s calm voice earlier in their conversation, made it hard for you to keep your eyes open.

Without really thinking about it, your head began to tilt, body instinctively seeking comfort as it fell against the soft material of Sana’s coat. The motion was slow and natural, almost like it had happened hundreds of times before. It wasn’t until your head fully rested on Sana’s shoulder that you realized what you had done.

You froze for a moment, the heat of embarrassment quickly rising to your cheeks. But before you could pull away or apologize, you felt Sana’s arm subtly shift. There was a slight tension in the air, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Instead, it felt almost reassuring, like Sana was accepting your closeness without hesitation. The warmth of her shoulder against your cheek was oddly comforting, and within moments, your body fully relaxed, eyes slipping shut as the exhaustion of the day finally caught up to you.

Sana’s shoulder, soft and steady beneath you, felt like the perfect place to rest. The rain outside seemed distant now, irrelevant to the peacefulness you felt in that fleeting moment. You had no idea how long you slept, but when the bus came to a stop, jolting you awake, you blinked in confusion. The sound of the bus doors opening snapped you back to reality.

“Did I fall asleep on you?” You mumbled, voice still drowsy as you tried to shake off the remnants of sleep.

Sana’s lips quirked into a small smile, and she gave a playful shrug. “You were out like a light,” she teased lightly. “No worries”

You swallowed the lump in you throat, still feeling a little self-conscious. “Sorry about that…”

“Don’t apologize,” Sana replied with a gentle laugh. “You looked like you needed the rest”

You offered a sheepish smile before following Sana off the bus. The rain had slowed to a soft drizzle, the streets now gleaming under the glow of the streetlights. The air was cool, and the world felt peaceful, like a cozy little bubble of calm in the middle of a busy city.

Sana kept pace beside you, but you couldn’t help but notice that she wasn’t in any hurry to part ways. The streets were quieter now, and though you had reached your stop, neither of you seemed inclined to rush off.

“So,” You began, trying to break the silence, “where are you headed? I thought you’d be going home by now”

Sana turned her head to look at you, smile warm and easy. “Funny thing,” she said casually, “I was kind of hoping you were heading in the same direction” She nodded ahead, toward the dimly lit apartment complex just a few blocks down. “You live around here, right?”

You nodded, a bit confused by the way Sana was speaking. “Yeah… I do. Why?”

“Well,” Sana said, a playful glint in her eyes, “I was thinking, maybe we could walk together for a little while”

You blinked, surprised by the suggestion. “Sure,” you said, feeling a bit shy but intrigued. “I don’t mind”

And so, you continued walking together, the soft patter of rain against the pavement accompanying their footsteps. It felt nice—just the two of you walking side by side through the wet streets, a peaceful silence settling between as you took in the nighttime stillness.

After a few more moments of walking, you glanced over at Sana again, curiosity bubbling in your chest. “So,” you said slowly, voice quiet but insistent, “where do you live?”

Sana’s smile widened, and she gave a slight nod. “The same building as you. Just down the hall, actually” She paused and glanced at you with a playful expression. “we’re neighbors”

Your heart skipped a beat, and you stumbled slightly on the sidewalk, completely thrown off by the revelation. “Wait… what?” you asked, voice rising in surprise.

Sana chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Yeah, we’re neighbors. I moved in not too long ago when I started working at the café” She gave you a teasing look. “I guess you never noticed?”

You stood frozen, mind trying to process the information. “So... you live next door to me?” you asked, half-laughing at how bizarre this whole situation was. You had lived in the same apartment building for months, but somehow, you’d never run into Sana before. Not in the hallways, not in the elevator, and not anywhere else.

“I guess we’ve both been too busy to notice,” Sana said with a shrug, looking slightly amused by the situation. “I’m usually up early for my shift, and you’ve got your own schedule, right?”

You couldn’t stop herself from laughing softly. “That’s so weird,” you said, still in disbelief. “I’ve been living next door to you this whole time and didn’t even know”

Sana grinned. “Yeah, funny, right?”

You arrived at the elevator, and you paused, suddenly aware of how close you had become in such a short amount of time. You glanced over at Sana, who was looking at you with a relaxed expression.

“Well, I guess this is me,” You said, your voice quiet but with a hint of playfulness. “You really are just next door, huh?”

Sana looked around before nodding. “Yeah, I guess I am”

You both stood there for a few moments, a comfortable silence between you. You weren’t sure if you should say anything more, but before you could speak, Sana tilted her head, her gaze soft.

“Well, now that we know we’re neighbors,” Sana said with a wink, “I guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other”

You smiled, feeling the warmth of the moment settle deep inside your chest. “Yeah,” you replied, voice steady but with an undercurrent of excitement. “I guess we will”

“Goodnight, Y/N,” Sana said, her voice softer now. “Sleep well”

You watched as Sana turned to walk back down the hall toward her apartment. Your heart felt lighter than it had all day, the weight of the world suddenly much easier to carry with the realization that you and Sana weren’t just connected through the café. You were connected through your homes, lives, in a way neither of you had anticipated.

“Goodnight, Sana,” You murmured, smile lingering as you stepped into your apartment, mind buzzing with the strange, comforting realization that you had just discovered a little piece of fate right next door.

[dearsnow]

HOW THEY ASKED YOU OUT

- in which you reflect on how your relationship with the jujutsu kaisen boys started out. (jjk x gn!reader, all separate headcanons, fluff!)

a/n - back to headcanons!! i loved making these, so lmk if you want other characters :) nanami’s starts with you guys in high school, and gojo’s in the current time. the others are more ambiguous lol

INCLUDES: nanami, toji, ino, gojo, & geto

It was spring at Jujutsu High, and NANAMI had been avoiding you all day. The trees rustled gently in the sweet wind, the flowers were opening their silken petals, and your friend hid behind Haibara every time you walked by. He might’ve thought it wasn’t obvious, but there’s only so much blond the other boy could cover with his shoulder. You thought you had done something heinously wrong, because Nanami was not the type of person to hide from his problems. All day, that spiraled in your head, up until the sun began to set, and you were finally walking away from school. That’s when he approached you, hiding something behind his back, face completely red. You were standing under the big, old tree just outside campus, the dimming sunlight cascading over your features. “I wanted you to have these.” He said softly, handing you flowers, a small box of your favorite treat, and a little plushie of your favorite animal. “Would you like to go out to eat with me? As… as more than friends.” When you eagerly agreed, he flushed harder. “I’m glad. I was so scared I could hardly face you all day.”

TOJI just… didn’t. Not in the formal sense. There had always been some unspoken tension and underlying attraction, but that’s what comes with the dark-haired man—it wasn’t anything unusual. So when you went to bars with him, kissed him in a drunken stupor, and watched movies with him pressed to your side like a lover, you didn’t think you were dating him. He never even gave you any indication that he was only doing these things with you, even though you never once saw him do them with anyone else. He even rejected other people in front of you, but you figured he just didn’t want a new relationship. You honestly couldn’t believe it when he finally brought you to a nice restaurant with a menu so fancy they didn’t list the prices; the lights were dim and hazy, and he was wearing what you considered to be the nicest clothes he owned. It was like he was your boyfriend. When you questioned him about treating you like a date, he just huffed. “Weren’t we dating already? I didn’t think it needed to be said, baby. You’re mine.”

There’s no situation where INO would ask you out on purpose, given he hadn’t confessed already. He wanted to, so desperately it made his head spin, but he was terrified. What if you said no? Would you think of him differently? Would Nanami look at him pityingly for ever thinking he could stand a chance with someone as amazing as you? So, he waited. It burned on the tip of his tongue every time he saw you, and it made him falter in every word. Eventually, though, he was “forced” to when you were both lounging in your bed scrolling on one phone. His chin was resting on your shoulder, staring at the passing videos. You made some off handed comment about him smelling nice. He burned. You said he’d make a good boyfriend. He burned harder. You said something about talking to another guy, but he didn’t have Ino’s pretty eyes. He almost exploded. You turned to look down at his face and smiled, and before you could say another word, the fire erupted and he blurted out, “I like you. I really, really, romantically like you. I don’t know if you feel the same, but please go on a date with me. I beg of thee, my greatest and cutest best friend.” He was slightly incoherent with his medieval jabber, but you laughed, agreed, and kissed him on the cheek anyway.

GOJO asked you out so frequently and extravagantly that you thought it was a joke every time. He never made it seem like anything more, either; you’d smile and open your mouth to respond, he’d turn red, and the words “just kidding!” would spill from his mouth. You brushed it off, because that’s just who he is, even if it stung a little. Inside, though, he was screaming. Why did he default to backtracking so quickly? He knew you probably felt the same, but he was just so nervous and so slightly insecure. He attempted to ask you on a date six times before it worked. 1. He handed you flowers with a location and time written on the card, only to turn it into a “platonic picnic”. 2. He wrote “date me?” On a cake with frosting. 3. He scribbled about how much he liked you in a diary, which he conveniently left at your place after a hangout. 4. He rushed to you, covered in “blood”, with one request: kiss him to save his life. 5. Megumi’s fleeing hares spelled out “go out with Gojo… save me” on the school’s lawn. 6. You bit down on something hard in your mochi, only to discover it was a gaudy plastic ring. The seventh time, he just pulled you aside and let it spill. “I like you. I know I’ve been joking about taking you out, but I wasn’t really joking, I was just scared. You’re too cute for your own good. Please, give me a chance?”

With GETO, you had to take the initiative. Scary, right? It was downright heart-attack-inducing. You always had a suspicion that he felt the same, but it had been two years of this feeling, and nothing had happened. At that point, you thought he was more likely to ask out Gojo. He always brushed your hair away from your face, walked on the outside of the sidewalk, and checked up on you every time he thought you might be down. He was practically your boyfriend already, but you steeled your nerves and decided to make it official. Japan was beginning to transition into autumn, and due to the fluctuating weather, you had neglected to bring a jacket on your walk with Geto. When he saw you shiver, he wrapped his own coat around your shoulders. You looked up at him, then down at the jacket, and up again. You were the most scared you’ve ever been, but you cleared your throat, and said, “Suguru, I think I’m in love with you. Sorry.” His small smile widened exponentially, and he assured you that you never had to apologize for feeling the same way he did (or feeling anything, for that matter). He then invited you to the annual autumn festival within walking distance of your houses, hinting that he would keep his jacket warm for you, just in case.

[4-the-l0ve-0f-art]

"Caleb becomes a wet rat (and gets unpixelated?!)"

Chapter 6: Homecoming Wings

Pairing: Caleb x GN Reader

Word count: 1180

Genre: Reverse isekai, fluff, romance, comedy, supernatural, angst, slow burn

Rating: General Audiences

Triger Warnings: none

A/N: I recommend replaying through Homecoming Wing's first part of chapter 1 while reading this !! i've also made a tag for this fic called fic: wet rat caleb which will be used to post updates on the future chapters and bonus content related to this story, just for fun

<< previous next >> Tumblr Chapter List Ao3 Link

---

Caleb was knocked out of his thoughts by your excited chattering.

“Let’s goooo!!! Caleb’s chapter released!” His head whipped towards your direction.

You looked up, sensing the stare. “Oh, not you, Caleb. I meant, like, Caleb-Caleb, you know? The actual Caleb from the game.” You lifted up the ipad to show him your screen. It was only for a brief moment, and Caleb was unable to catch what was written on the screen.

Caleb’s eyes narrowed. This was his chance.

He walked over and jumped on the couch, sitting right next to you. He glanced at the ipad and then back to your face.

You were staring at him in shock.

Oh. Oh my god. He’s sitting next to me.

He blinked at you with his purple eyes, not saying anything. His tail flicked to his side.

Okay. Okay. Stay calm. You don’t want to scare him away by reacting too loud.

“You really are interested in Caleb, huh? I knew it.. Even cats are going to like him.” You turned your focus back to the ipad in your lap, which was currently on the chapter selection menu for the main story.

Are we really talking about me? This much enthusiasm.. It’s unsettling. 

Caleb was a bit confused. He knew for sure that the man on the screen was him, but he didn’t understand why you were so excited when you saw him. Both of you had watched the same video.

There was still a lot Caleb didn’t understand about the video. The man was him, but it wasn’t him. 

“Did you honestly think I would always be the kind hearted boy from your childhood?”

He was talking to someone. Someone from his childhood?

There was no one. No one worth remembering, anyway.

What disturbed him more was the experiment report.

[They are the optimal weapon for destroying each other. This experiment is never to be restarted.]

One thing he was sure about was that there was no one, absolutely no one, who had been turned into a weapon the same way he was. That is how he rose to the ranks of Colonel, and that is how it’s supposed to remain. There was no one who had been able to endure the experiments long enough to be as powerful as him. 

And that is why he didn’t understand what was going on in the video.

Or what was going on in general, to be fair. He had turned into a cat. A cat!

And here I thought things couldn’t get any worse when grandma was killed.

Snapping back to reality, he read the text on your ipad screen.

Homecoming Wings: Vanishing Skyward.

He watched your eyes twinkle.

“The background is so beautiful. That’s Skyhaven, I think..” 

You were right. It was a picture of Skyhaven from a distance. He could recognize the layout of that island anywhere, it was his base after all. Or his prison. Depends on how you look at it.

“Let’s find out what you’ve been up to while MC has been suffering, Caleb.” You poked his head gently.

He narrowed his eyes on you. It was amusing how you talked to a cat, but the cat was still him. The situation was somewhat laughable, he thought.

You tapped on the block titled “01 Story: Infiltration”.

He read the text on the screen alongside you. It looked like it was written from someone else’s perspective.

“She’s dreaming about the explosion?” You muttered, focused on the screen.

Caleb’s eyes widened as the words “Aether Core”, “Ever”, and Bloomshore District Explosion” appeared on the screen one by one.

The scene seemed to switch from an office to the scene of an explosion. 

Reporter A - “It’s been a week since the explosion in the Cascade District. The Farspace Fleet still has the region under lockdown.”

Caleb was baffled.

…

You stared at the screen in silence for an entire minute once the cutscene ended.

“Did you see that?” Caleb wasn’t sure if you were talking to him or yourself. Frankly, he didn’t care. He was just as shocked as you.

“I think infold really loves to introduce their characters while they kill someone.” You said, referencing a certain white haired man with a crow.

Caleb, on the other hand, was lost in thought.

The scenes that had just unfolded on the screen hadn’t happened too long ago to him. He had killed the man who had tried to sink his ship in the deepspace, on his first mission as Colonel. It had been a couple months since then and Caleb had adjusted well to the endless attempts at people trying to dethrone him, courtesy of Ever.

It was a weird experience watching it unfold from a different perspective, however. And even weirder when it’s from an ipad screen of a random person who didn’t know he was right there, next to them.

At this moment, his life felt like a fever dream.

…

Currently, you’re having the biggest crash out you’ve had since you started playing this game. And a cat was witnessing it all, sitting at his place next to you on the couch.

“Girl, oh my god..” 

“You did not just get drugged by that guy. You did not—” You cut yourself off.

You looked at the cat next to you.

“Caleb, Do you see this shit? Do you???”

Caleb did, in fact, see the shit. And saying that he was flabbergasted would be an understatement. 

“They deserved a better reunion scene. What the fuck was that?? “It really is me.” Who says that after being declared dead?” You mimicked Caleb’s voice line, clearly annoyed.

“And the MC just.. Accepted it? And then proceeded to stay at his home?”

That was not what Caleb was worried about. He was more so focused on the fact that he was a video game character in this world. And with a story which was eerily similar to his own, at that.

Just without the hunter.

I have no idea what you’re talking about. Caleb continued watching as you ranted.

“There's so much shit going on in this story, man..”

Strangely enough, Caleb didn’t think that his actions in the story were out of character for him. He didn’t resonate with the need to protect someone like the MC in the game, but in the end, he had still ended up in the same position as the other version of himself, regardless of whether that hunter was in the picture or not.

He had been forced to survive on his own either way. The only difference was that he had no one waiting for him at the end of it all. His desperation was fueled by his need to feel even a semblance of control over his life, which had been thrown into disarray since he was young.

And it was happening once again. This time, with an obviously cat-shaped dilemma.

Yet, maybe, just maybe, he didn’t mind it as much.

A certain someone sitting next to him was altering his reality, oblivious to it all.

And he was starting to accept it.

---

Taglist: @roseapov @mangooes @zukini-01 @browneyedgirl22 @mavix @staristoo @hohoooowhy @pirana10 @lunia-likes-pomegranet @bertieorangy @heyimseli @xxnessinessiellexx @mcdepressed290 @mentaltrouble2201 @stardustsunflowers13 @I-lover9 @destheoren @ixloom819 @super-nerder @mazlodowki @friedmagazineprincess @celestialzdiviner @deadghosy @fishwasher8 @dummiebunny @etsuniiru @wegottastayfocus @astraecho

A/N: You can DM me or comment if you want to be tagged in this series and it'll be done in the future parts !!

[bleach-your-panties]

1-800 D!CK-DA§H ... × 📞

ft. none other than, who else, but the golden mf trio (renji, izuru, shuhei) + kensei lol. creds to @sacredwarrior88 for the concept!

cw for entire work: fem reader, modern au, explicit sexual content (you literally called a 'dick-for-order' hotline), explicit language, pet names, oral (f! & m! giving/receiving), creampies, cumshots, + MUCH MORE. read at own discretion. individual scenarios + a gangbang at the end. the receptionist is so done with life LOL.

wc: 1.5k

menu: 💨 1. 💨2. 💨3. 💨4. 💨bonus

"Hello and thank you for choosing Dick Dash. My name is Shinji; so, what's your type?"

You had to press your free hand over your mouth to stifle a laugh - when your friend Mashiro told you about this, you honestly thought she was joking.

A point was made in your late-night girl talk about the guys at your university being lackluster in the bedroom and being too lazy to satisfy a woman properly.

"U-uhh, my type?" You stuttered dumbly, "you mean like -"

"Dick size, pubic hair, circumsised-"

You cut him off abruptly, "Oh wow, this is kind of embarrassing."

On the other end, Shinji rolls his eyes. He sat up straighter in his chair and removed the toothpick from his mouth.

"And calling a dick hotline in the first place isn't? Come on; I don't have all day, sweetheart."

'Okay, attitude.'

You let out a huffed breath. "Alright, Shinji, I'd like to place an order: "

"-lots of tattoos, dick length 8.5-9 inches, circumcised, good stamina, and cums A LOT."

Your cheeks were absolutely enflamed as you relayed your request to the stranger over the phone.

"My, that's a tall order," Shinji smirked, "I have just the person for you, doll. He'll be right over. Thank you for choosing Dick Dash!"

And he hung up right in your face.

As soon as the phone call ended, your palms began to sweat.

Were you really that desperate for decent dick to go and blindly order it off the phone like you were simply ordering a pizza?

Nervously, you began to pace around your living room, your hands continuously running over your jeans to eliminate the moisture from your palms.

Ding dong.

Well, you're about to get the answer to that question.

You stood on your tip-toes to look out of the peephole. All you could see was...red.

You unlatched the door and a tall, redheaded male - covered in tattoos, just as you'd asked - stepped over the threshold.

His hair almost matched the color of the red polo shirt that he had on.

A giggle bubbled up in your throat at the fact that they had an actual uniform and everything: red polo, black pants, black belt, and a cap with 'DD' in black lettering across the bill.

"Hey cutie, I'm Renji. You called for me?"

Renji had a cocky confident smirk set across his lips.

Then he started unbuckling his belt.

Your eyes blew wide. "W-wait, you mean we do it right now?!"

Renji shrugged, "I mean...I can wait. Just keep in mind that I get paid per 15-minute interval."

"Oh! Well, that's fine then."

For the first thirty minutes, the two of you just talked. Renji was pretty down-to-earth and funny, in all actuality.

You had tears in your eyes from the stupid jokes that he was telling you.

Now those same tears stung your eyes as you kneeled on the carpeted floor of your living room, your knees getting rug burns as Renji fucked your mouth.

"Just like that, baby. Remember to breathe through your nose. Atta girl.." His thighs clenched when you laved your tongue over his balls, right up through the seam separating them.

Heavy, rough hands pressed down further on your shoulders as Renji groaned loudly with his head thrown back.

His cap rested on the arm of your couch and the hair tie that had been holding his hair up had broken earlier due to his rough thrusting. A few maroon-red hair strands lay slicked against his forehead while the rest cascaded down his back.

The feeling of Renji's cock nestled deep in your esophagus had your pussy running rivers onto the soft beige material beneath you, and even more so when he reached down to rub a calloused thumb against your sensitive button.

Your knees shivered and your stomach buckled in, orgasm washing over you in undulating waves.

"Damn babe, you cum just from sucking cock?" His chuckle was strained and throaty as he moved to stroke his fingers over your dripping cunt before pushing two inside.

"Ohh!"

Renji began fingering your pussy at an insane pace that had your toes curling and tears trickling down your face like a fountain.

You placed your hands on his thighs to try and push back from him but he moved his free hand to take a fierce hold of your hair.

"Nuh uh. Take it. Take it and keep my dick in your mouth while you do."

You did as you were told, but it was a struggle. His heavy balls slapped against your neck while pre-cum and saliva dribbled down the sides of your mouth, coating them.

"Fuck! Gunna cum, gunna cum, gunna cum - oh shitttt." A steady stream of ejaculate shot into your mouth - warm and salty - and you gulped it all up like a greedy whore.

Renji held you by the back of the neck and slowly pulled you off of his dick with a soft 'plop'.

"Fuck, that's a talented mouth you have there, babe. Now, how do you want it?"

You weren’t so hesitant with your requests now.

"Rough. From the back."

"Nasty," Renji smirked, "bend over."

Your aching knees screamed at you as you then planted them into the rough fabric of the couch.

"Arch f' me, baby."

His hands smoothed over the globes of your ass before he smacked each one, enjoying the way the flesh jiggled beneath his large hands.

Hiking one foot up on the couch and taking his heavy dick in one hand, Renji teased you by sliding the head against your puffy clit.

"Please Ren...put it in.."

"Giving me a nickname already, sweetheart? I must be doing something right."

You were about to ask again when he thrust upwards, then dragged the head through your slippery folds until he was slipping inside your hole.

"Oh God.."

Your head dropped to your hands that were gripping the back of the couch in earnest.

Renji was long and thick; the veins trailing up and down his cock massaged your walls with delicious friction.

"Feeling good, baby girl?" He pressed you into a deeper arch and your mouth fell open.

“Y-y-y-” You struggled, stuck on the first letter of the word. Renji chuckled and smacked your ass, jiggling the flesh in his palm.

His brown eyes were transfixed on how his dick was moving in and out of your pussy, your juices covering his length leaving a silky, translucent sheen up to his base and smearing into his red pubes.

“Damn, pretty. Good pussy like this shouldn’t have to order dick. If you were my girl, I’d fuck you good every night.”

Renji’s large hand cupped your ass cheek, spreading you open wider to take more of his thick length, which left you howling. He wasn’t even going that fast, but he was so thick that he could reach all your spots with a few deep strokes.

“You stopped talking to me, sweetheart. Why don’t you tell Ren how good it feels, yeah?”

He sped up his pace, thrusting harder and directly into your G-spot, making you scream out his name in pure bliss.

“Renji!”

Said redhead hummed, moving the fingers of his free hand down to your clit, rubbing it vigorously side to side as his thrusting never slowed. Using his upper body, he pressed you further into the couch cushions. 

The entire couch banged against the wall from the sheer force of his thrusts. Your neighbors might have something to say about that..

“Renji, please..! I’m going to c-cum!”

You had never felt anything like this in your young adult life. Seems that the guys on your campus really didn’t know how to fuck.

“Go ahead, pretty. Make my day and cum all over this dick.”

Strands of his lustrous, dark red hair stuck against your back as your orgasm hit you like a crashing wave, but Renji didn’t stop thrusting; in fact, his thrusts got even faster.

“W-wait!”

There was no waiting when Renji was focused, and right now his focus was getting a second release out of you on top of his own.

“What are we waiting for, pretty? This is what you ordered, right? Come on, you didn’t think I was done that quick, did you?” 

The smirk in his voice was evident as the sly redheaded male quite literally fucked you into the couch. With one tattooed arm wrapped around your middle while the fingers of the other toyed with your sensitive clit, you could feel that same feeling bubbling up in your stomach once again, but more intense.

“Go ahead, and let go for me, babe - oh, holy shit - !”

Renji’s rough, calloused fingers stroking your clit like guitar strings paired with his rough, rhythmic thrusting caused a stream of liquid to gush from your pussy and soak the cushions of the couch. Good thing you lived alone…

Your squirting triggered his orgasm and the redhead pulled out just in time to spray his cum across your plump ass cheeks, some of the white strands hitting your upper back and even landing in your hair.

“Good girl…” He cooed, patting you on the butt affectionately as he climbed off of you and headed to the bathroom to get a cloth to clean you up with.

Meanwhile, you lay flat on your belly in the wet spot, attempting to catch your breath.

Renji had righted himself, looking exactly how he did when he first entered your apartment, smirk included.

After paying, you gave an awkward smile and walked him out so he could return to his shift. The thought of him seeing other girls made you just the teensiest bit jealous, but what could you do?

Turning to walk back inside, you heard a soft crinkle of paper in the back pocket of your jeans. Upon reaching into the pocket, you’d pull out a crumpled note:

‘Think I might call in sick for the rest of the day. Only thing that’ll make me feel better is a 2nd round ;)’

[violentdelightsandviolentends]

Honey Girl. Chapter Five.

Chapter Four. Chapter Six. Series Masterlist. The Playlist.

Chapter Synopsis - Does absence make the heart grow fonder, or does it just make everything ten times more difficult?

Pairing - Dad'sBestFriend!Bucky Barnes x Female Reader - soulmate au

Warnings - smut. cursing. alcohol consumption. angst. mention of illness.

Age Rating - 18+

Word Count - 5.7k

Author's Note - it's here!! as always, I can't thank you enough for your love, support and patience with this fic. us writers lead busy lives, and i've been trying my hardest to find the time to write whenever I can, so it means so much that you guys stick with me - even when things take longer than expected. love you all. you're angels. please feel free to spam my inbox with thoughts and suggestions - it always makes my day when you're all so passionate. mwah.

as always, reblogs, comments and feedback (even anonymous feedback) are immensely appreciated!! your reblogs are the only way to circulate my fics, which keeps me going <3

Masterlist. Inbox.

The sand is warm beneath your feet, cooling breeze cascading across your skin. The waves caress the shore in repetitive motions, lulling you into calm.

Sunlight beaming down, you shield your eyes and look up, sighing in contentment at the shades of blue that paint the sky.

A shriek and a laugh come from somewhere on your right. You look over and see a couple and their toddler running after each other, sprinting down the beach and into the ocean. The little girl can't stop giggling, tripping over her own feet as she chases her parents. Something tugs at your heart, deep and visceral.

It's been three months since you left home.

It's been three months since you saw Bucky.

He calls every few days, trying to give you the space you need while also keeping in touch. You have to resist the urge to call him every ten minutes. It's an improvement, at least. It was five minutes when you first moved.

He texts you good morning and goodnight everyday without fail, just to let you know he's there. You can't sleep until you get his text. It's like a lullaby, reassuring and soothing. Like a chamomile tea, warming and calming you from the inside out.

You think about him the most at night time. Your days are spent running around preparing for the bakery. Testing, retesting, writing up recipes, measuring out quantities. You want it to be perfect.

The baking is taking your mind off Bucky, for the moment at least. You've thrown yourself into your new role, eager and excited. Stella's ecstatic to have you around. You love that you're still just as close as you were, despite the time apart. Friendships like that are rare.

Lacie calls you most nights. She demands to know what you did that day, who you spoke to, what you made. It's like therapy, sitting and decompressing together over videochat. She's a lifeline, whether she knows it or not.

And of course, the most supportive people in your life - your parents. Your Mom is desperate to come and visit, begging that you let her know when you're less busy so you can show her around. She loves the sunshine just as much as you. A woman after your own heart.

On the nights when the doubt creeps in, unwelcome and dark, you remind yourself how lucky you are. Surrounded by people who adore you, support you, love you unconditionally. And then the night doesn't seem so dark. The light pours through the cracks.

You walk home from the beach, warmed and carried by the knowledge of love.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

"This is ridiculous."

Stella's perched on the edge of your countertop, blush pink macaron in her hand.

"Good ridiculous?"

She scoffs, looking at you incredulously.

"Where did your confidence go? You never doubted yourself in school. Yes, good ridiculous. It shouldn't work, but it does."

Shouldn't work, but it does. Seems to be the story of your life at the moment.

"I need these on the menu."

"You don't think they're a little... pretentious? My best seller is a chocolate chip cookie. A honey and rosewater macaron isn't exactly a childhood favourite."

"Babe. That's the beauty of this. You can put whatever the hell you want out in your bakery. So what if they're unconventional? They're delicious. That's all that matters."

"Okay. Fine."

You relent, thinking about her earlier question. Where did your confidence go? When you graduated culinary school, you never doubted your abilities. Your technique, your flavours, your presentation - you had full faith in all of it. Now, you seem to be second guessing yourself.

You know it's because of your Tethering.

Before, you understood how the world worked. Good, bad, in between. Love, lust, the very clear difference between the two. You watched as other people found their forever person, and acknowledged their new journey.

And then you found Bucky. Or, Bucky found you.

Suddenly, the world you'd lived in before no longer made sense. The people, the places, the relationships, all impacted by the way you feel about your soulmate. Everything, everyone, everywhere, reminds you of Bucky. You're experiencing emotions you've never felt before. It's disorientating, confusing, complex. Your understanding of the world has changed completely.

It takes time to adjust.

No one ever talks about the way your Tethering turns your life upside down.

For some, it's completely positive. They enjoy the uprooting, revel in the change.

For others, it's a huge adaptation. One filled with tears, and confusion, and doubts.

Both are valid. Both are understandable.

You remind yourself of this every day.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

"There's someone in the café that wants to speak to you."

The youngest waitress, Isabel, stands in the kitchen doorway, looking at you hopefully. You set down your piping bag and wash your hands, talking to her over your shoulder.

"Who is it?"

"No idea. Some guy. He's kinda hot. Brown hair, tall, beard."

Your heart skips a beat, breath caught in your lungs. Bucky jokes sometimes about coming to see you, but would he just show up announced? Do you want him to?

You can't feel it in your chest, you realise suddenly. You can't feel the ease, the relief, the knowing. Maybe being apart for so long has weakened your connection. The thought makes you strangely emotional.

You inhale carefully and thank her, before making your way out. It's almost closing time, and there's no one around other than the man stood with his back to you.

He turns around, and you realise quickly that your hope was misplaced. You've never seen this person before. He is handsome, admittedly. But he's not your soulmate.

"Hi."

"Hey. Are you the baker here?"

"I am."

He holds out his hand for you to shake, stepping closer.

"I'm Rafael."

You tell him your name, and he smiles, nodding.

"Forgive me if this is weird, but I had to meet you. To thank you properly, in person."

You don't say anything, so he continues.

"Let me, uh, explain. Sorry, should have started with that. My sister is sick. She's going through treatment currently, and it's been super hard on her. She's had no appetite whatsoever, and she's losing weight rapidly."

He takes a deep breath before continuing.

"A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a load of stuff from this place because my Mom was coming to visit. My sister tried your earl grey and lavender cookie, and ate the entire thing. It was the first time I've seen her eat for weeks. So, I came back and bought basically all of them every day."

You laugh, coming to a realisation. You wondered why those cookies were selling so well all of a sudden.

"I just wanted to say thank you. It might not seem like a big deal, but it's really huge for us. I also wanted to explain why all of those cookies were suddenly going missing at like ten in the morning."

You gesture at him to sit, the both of you taking a seat at one of the tables nearby.

You talk for almost an hour, listening intently to Rafael as he tells you about his family. He moved to California to be with his sister Maria when she got sick, no one else around to care for her. He asks about yours, and you tell him about your parents and their constant encouragement. He's also interested in how you got into baking, so you tell him all about culinary school, and the dreams your Grandma gave you when you were a kid.

"You're really talented, you know."

"I bet you say that to all of the bakers around here. But thank you."

His fingers brush yours where they're resting on the table, making you shiver.

"I'll make Maria her own box, if you like. I'll leave them behind the counter, just tell Isabel who you are."

"You'd do that for her?"

"Of course," you smile. "The idea that I'm helping someone with my silly little creations makes me really happy. We can work out a schedule, and I'll make sure I bake Maria some extras when I do my usual batch."

"You're incredible. Seriously. Thank you."

He squeezes your hand and you squeeze back. The two of you are sat in the café as the sun sets, orange glow illuminating the room. You didn't expect to make a friend today. You're glad you have.

"Well, I should probably go and clean up the kitchen. You know where to find me, if you need anything. It was lovely to meet you, Rafael."

He rises when you do, smiling at you earnestly.

"You too. Nice to finally put a face to the cookie, so to speak."

You chuckle and show him out of the door, waving as he walks down the street. Suddenly, he turns around, striding back towards you.

"I'm so sorry if this is forward, and please feel free to say no, but... are you single? If you are, I'd love to ask you to dinner sometime."

The answer to that question is much more complicated than Rafael could ever imagine. So instead, you say,

"I'm not. I'm Tethered, actually."

His brows raise in surprise, but he's smiling.

"You are?"

"Yeah, I am. He doesn't live here, though. He lives back home, where my parents are."

"You guys are married?"

"No! Not yet. It's, uh... a complex... situation."

"Ah," he says, gentle, knowing look on his face. "I thought Tetherings weren't meant to be complex. Isn't that the whole point? That they're easy?"

You laugh, but it's not malicious. You're thinking about how sweetly naive he is, how he's got a huge storm coming his way one day.

"He's my Dad's best friend."

You're not sure why you're admitting this to a man you met an hour and a half ago, but you are. It's almost a relief, to get it off your chest again - to tell someone who's completely neutral, who doesn't know either of you.

"Woah."

"Yeah."

"That... is complicated."

"Yeah," you chuckle. "Understatement of the century."

Rafael leans against the wall, watching you intently. He's curious.

"How did your parents react?"

"They don't know yet."

His eyebrows raise almost comically high.

"Wait, what? How did you hide that? I thought it was supposed to be impossible to hide that you're Tethered. Although, I guess I had no idea, seeing as I asked you out."

"We wanted to figure it out for ourselves first, before telling anyone. And then I moved out here, so we're doing long distance. Like I said, complex."

"Understatement of the century," he laughs.

You look at each other for a moment, before he smiles.

"I'm sorry I asked you out. I wouldn't have, if I'd known."

"Please, don't apologise. I admire your... courage?" you grin. "And I appreciate you coming to see me today. I have like two friends here in Cali, so it's nice to feel like I've made another."

He smiles again, wider this time. Someone's going to be lucky to be Tethered to him one day, you think.

"I know it might surprise you, given my good looks and... courage," he chuckles, "but I don't have many friends out here either. I've been so focused on Maria, I haven't had time to socialise."

"The Universe works in funny ways, huh?"

"Sure does."

You wander back through the door, ready to close up for good this time.

"I'll see you tomorrow, for the cookies. And I'd love to meet Maria one day, if she's up for it."

"I'm sure she'd love to meet you. I'll bring her by."

"Thanks, Rafael."

"Of course. Thank you."

"Of course."

That night, when your Mom calls, you get to tell her you've made a new friend. That makes the both of you very happy.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

You're testing out a recipe in the kitchen of your new apartment when your phone rings.

"Hey, Dad."

"Hey, kiddo. You doing okay?"

"Yeah, I am, actually. I'm settling in."

"Good, I'm glad. I don't wanna keep you on the phone for too long, but I wanted to ask you something."

"Go ahead, Dad. Anything."

"How would you feel about surprising your Mom for her birthday?"

"What kind of surprise?"

"I know you haven't been gone all that long, and I know it's kind of last minute, but, I was thinking you could come back to... be her gift? She really misses you, you know."

"I miss her too," you say softly, trying to keep your voice even. "I'll talk to Stella, see if we can figure something out. I'd really love to see you guys."

"We'd really love to see you too, sweetheart."

"I'll call you back later, when I've organised everything. Love you, Dad. See you soon, hopefully."

"Love you, kiddo. Proud of you, you know."

"I know," you smile. "I know."

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

The journey always seems shorter when you know you're going home.

You make it back in record time, salty ocean breeze whipping through your hair as you cruise along the roads. You take a deep breath and sigh it out, relief filling your lungs. It's good to be back.

You can't let your Mom see you, so you head straight back to your apartment. Your Dad told you they're in the process of renting it out, but they haven't made much progress yet. For now, it's still yours.

You inhale the familiar scent, smiling gently. There's something so particular about the way a place smells when you feel like you belong there. It's like home and comfort and ease all rolled into one.

You unpack a little, folding your clothes and tucking them into the dresser. You told Stella you'd probably stay a few days, wanting to spend as much time with your family as possible. You're rifling through the refrigerator and thinking about a grocery list when there's a knock at your door.

You know who it is.

A feeling of relief washes over your body, tension melting from your shoulders. Your lungs fill easier, your breath falls deeper, everything is a little brighter, a little more colourful.

You open the door to be met with the sight of Bucky Barnes.

He's in work pants and a white t shirt that's stained with grease and oil, heavy boots on his feet. He must have come straight from the Garage.

He looks at you carefully, as if he isn't sure that you're real. You rake your eyes over his form, trying to drink him in. All the pictures you've taken and saved don't do him justice.

He exhales, beaming grin appearing on his face.

"You're here."

You can't help but smile back, his happiness spreading through you.

"I'm here."

Bucky rushes forward and scoops you into his arms, enveloping you completely. He wraps himself around you as he tucks you into his chest, his grip tight and unrelenting. You breathe him in, overwhelmed with emotion and sensation. You didn't realise how much you needed this. Three months is too long.

"What are you doing here?" he asks, slight shake in his voice. He's holding off tears. So are you.

"My Dad wanted me to surprise my Mom for her birthday. It's all a secret."

He smiles, before leaning down to capture your lips in a knee buckling kiss. A kiss that says I missed you. A kiss that says I need you. A kiss that says please don't leave me again.

"How did you know?" you whisper when you pull away for air.

"I felt it. I think I knew the moment you arrived back in town. Thought my mind was playing tricks on me, for a second. But there's no mistaking that feeling. I had to come and see for myself."

"We're getting pretty good at this whole soulmate thing, huh?" you laugh, unaware of the tears running down your face. "I missed you, Buck. So much."

"I missed you too," he murmurs, kissing you again. "Didn't think I was going to survive, some days."

"Me too. Do you know how many times I stood with my car keys in my hand, ready to drive back to you?"

He chuckles and then sniffles, emotion dripping down his cheeks.

"I did exactly the same thing. So many times."

You wrap your arms around his middle, reveling in the way he smells like gasoline and home.

"How long are you here for?" he murmurs, worried he'll disturb the peace.

"I'm not sure. A good few days, at least."

"Okay," he breathes. "I can do a few days. We can do a few days."

"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't know, to be honest. It was all kinda last minute."

"It's okay, pretty thing," he mutters into your hair. "It was a nice surprise."

"You're coming tonight, right? To my Mom's party?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

You stay wrapped up in each other for a little while longer, savouring his warmth. He rubs absentminded patterns across the skin of your back, committing the softness of it to his memory.

"I should probably get back to work. I took off with no warning."

"You're the boss. You're allowed," you chuckle.

He laughs with you, and the sound lights up your nerves, illuminates your bones. It settles itself in the hollows of your ribcage, tangles itself in your heartstrings. It's like medicine.

"Can't wait to see you tonight," you whisper. "Wear something cute."

"I always do," he winks, pressing a kiss to your forehead. "Miss you already."

"Miss you more."

He looks at you, smiling.

"Man, we're the worst."

"Truly."

He kisses you once, twice, three times before finally leaving, reluctant to let you go. You spend the rest of the afternoon floating on air, relaxed and at ease. You haven't felt like this in a while.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

Your Dad sneaks you into the house through the side door, hiding you in the kitchen as he ushers your Mom through to the back yard.

It's decorated with floral garlands and streamers, flowers in vases covering the table he's set up. The golden, warm fairy lights illuminate the space, keeping it soft and intimate. He's been watching, carefully observing the way that she does things. He's recreated her party style perfectly.

There's a few of her closest friends waiting for her, gifts littering the spare chairs. Your Dad walks her outside, hands covering her eyes.

"Surprise!"

You watch through the door as your Mom gasps, grin on her face.

"Oh my God! You guys!"

She runs into your Dad, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I can't believe you managed to pull this off," she says in disbelief.

He sets her back down on the ground and kisses her gently.

"I got you something. I hope you like it."

That's your cue. You sneak out as quietly as possible, standing behind her.

"Happy Birthday, Mama."

She whips around to face you, shock written across her face. Her eyes well up, tears threatening to spill. Yours do the same, bottom lip quivering.

She throws her arms around you, tugging you into her.

"I'm so happy you're here, baby girl. I missed you so much."

"Missed you. You look beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you! Look at you, all sun kissed and glowy. You look so pretty, sweetheart."

You grin at her and she does the same back, your Dad beaming at your identical smiles.

"You're the best gift I've ever received. Then and now."

You're overwhelmed, suddenly, by the realisation that no matter what happens, no matter what life throws at you, no matter how many miles are between you - your Mom will always be in your corner. Your Dad will always be in your corner. Bucky will always be in your corner.

You think, for a moment, that despite everything, you might just be okay.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

The night goes off without a hitch.

You drink, you laugh, you sing. You and your Mom dance to ABBA, Bowie, Donna Summer. Your Dad joins in, and can't help but grin every time he watches his girls together.

What a life, he thinks. I'm the luckiest man in the world.

When everyone gets a little past tipsy, your Mom changes the music to something slower, jazzier, richer. Your Dad pulls her into his chest, holding her close as they move to the melody. You're sat at the table taking off your heels when Bucky slides into the seat next to you. He pulls your foot into his lap and undoes the strap, sliding the shoe off gently. He rubs his thumb into your sole, smirking when you groan.

"Have you been avoiding me tonight, pretty baby?"

His cheeks are flushed slightly, top few buttons of his shirt open. He's been drinking a little, his walls lowered more than usual.

"I have to."

"Oh yeah?"

"I feel like I'm gonna burst into flames every time you look at me," you whisper. "I kinda want to rip your clothes off, baby."

He groans at the nickname. You know exactly what you're doing.

"It only takes one look for a minute too long to figure out how I feel about you, Buck. They'll work it all out instantly."

"Dance with me," he murmurs suddenly. "Your parents are too busy staring into each others eyes. Come on, honey. One dance."

His big blue eyes bore into yours, and you know you're fucked. You're never going to be able to say no to him.

"One dance," you whisper.

He takes your hand and leads you to the decked area, brightened by the golden lights. Bucky slides a hand over your back, resting there carefully. You intertwine your fingers with his and step into him, embracing the warmth that rolls off his body.

I'll Be Seeing You by Billie Holiday begins to play, and the two of you start to sway gently, eyes never leaving each others. Bucky pulls you in closer, and you melt into him. You don't care about the repercussions anymore.

Maybe it's the wine talking. Maybe it's something else.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

"That was close!"

Your Mom's giggling as your Dad holds her, having just saved her from tripping down the front steps. Everyone's giddy, both from drinking and from laughing.

"Sweetheart. Bucky. Come back for lunch tomorrow. Your Dad ordered too much catering, and we need help eating it."

"Mama, are you sure?"

"I want to see you as much as possible before you go, babygirl. You too, Buck. I feel like we don't see you as much as we used to."

"He'll be there," you reply before he can protest. "We'll carpool, and I'll bring a strawberry and cream tart that I made for you."

She kisses you on the cheek, your Dad leaning in to kiss the other side.

"Love you both."

"Love you," they say in unison, laughing and yelling jinx. "Get home safe, you two!"

"I'll take care of her," Bucky chuckles. "Always."

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

"Why don't you see my parents much anymore?"

You and Buck are walking home along the sandy coastal path, fingers intertwined and sides pressed together. You look up at him, frowning slightly when he hesitates.

"Don't lie to me, James. I can feel it, remember."

You place a hand on your chest to remind him, and he nods.

"It's not the same here without you."

You weren't expecting the sincerity. It knocks you off balance a little.

You stop when you reach a wooden bench, sitting down and pulling him with you.

"So you're isolating yourself from the people who love you?"

He smiles, sadness rife in his eyes. Your tough guy act is crumbling.

"Not on purpose. It just kinda happened."

"You promised you'd talk to me, Buck. Especially if it got too hard. You need to accept support from people, or everything is going to come crashing down."

"I know. I know. But every time I go to their house, I'm expecting you to be there. Every time I go to the beach, I'm expecting you to be there. Every time I walk past your building, I'm expecting you to be there, waiting for me to pick you up. Even when I'm sailing, I can't stop thinking about that day we spent on the boat."

"The other day I had to make three batches of buttercream, because I messed up the first two. I was so distracted thinking about you that I split them both."

He laughs, then, wholehearted and genuine. You can't help but join him, shaking your head at the absurdity of it all.

"Bucky, you have to promise that you'll keep going, even without me. You have to see my Mom and Dad like you used to, you have to still sail and go to the beach. You can't put your life on hold for me."

He takes a deep breath, sliding an arm around your shoulders to pull you in closer.

"Okay. I promise."

You whip your head around to look at him.

"Just like that?"

"Just like that, honey. You're right. I've been waiting for you to come back, so I can start living again. But life is still happening, whether you're here or not."

"Wise words, wise man," you smile. "Not a minute goes by where I don't think of you. You know that, don't you?"

"I know. I feel it."

You watch as he brings your linked hands to his chest, placing them there. You rest your head on his shoulder, lulled into calm by the steady melody of his heart. You swear it beats to the rhythm of your name.

✵  ✵    ·　 ✵ 　　 *  · ✵

The two of you can't bear the idea of separating, so Buck comes home with you.

"Have you got a blanket?" he asks as he's kicking off his shoes.

"I have. What for?"

"The couch."

You process for a moment before it clicks.

"You're not sleeping on the couch, Buck."

"No?"

"No. I want your ridiculous, radiator-like body heat in bed with me."

He smiles, all giddy and lopsided, before striding across the room to you. Cradling your face in his rough hands, he kisses you with fervour. He's making up for lost time.

You tangle your fingers into his hair, tugging and pulling, smirking when he groans. He retaliates by grabbing your ass and picking you up, wrapping your legs around his waist. He carries you through to your bedroom, lips never leaving yours.

Throwing you down onto the bed, he pulls his shirt over his head, watching you hungrily as you do the same with your dress. You're left in your underwear, leaving little to the imagination.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs. "Makes me want to cry."

You reach for him as he settles on top of you, your hand sliding along his stubbled cheek.

"I'm so glad you're feeling what I'm feeling," you whisper. "I'd think I was going insane otherwise."

Bucky kisses you again, before trailing his lips across your jaw, your ear, your neck. He's careful not to leave any marks, as much as he wants to. You glide your hands along the expanse of his shoulders, his back, his biceps. He's so strong, so broad. It makes you ache.

"So fuckin' pretty," he mumbles against your chest. "Like a goddamn dream."

You throw your head back as he attaches his mouth to your tits, nipping and sucking as he goes. Your hands are in his hair again, reveling in the way his groans vibrate through you.

Bucky slots his knee in between your legs as he kisses across your chest, smirking when you grind your hips into it. You chase the friction as best you can, moaning when it hits you just right.

"Needy baby. You don't want my fingers? My mouth? No? Just my knee?"

You nod, then shake your head. You're not sure what you're asking for, drunk on him already.

"Please, Buck. Anything."

"I'll give you whatever you want if you keep saying my name like that."

He makes quick work of pulling your underwear down your legs, swiping his fingers through your wet heat.

"Oh, fuck," he chokes. "Fuck, honey. Is this all for me? Hmm?"

"Yes, yes, yes."

"Yeah?"

"It's yours, Buck. I'm yours."

Bucky drops his head forward, bumping your nose with his.

"I think that's my favourite thing you've ever said," he mumbles against your mouth.

You reach up to kiss him, sucking his tongue before biting at his lips. You can't get close enough. Every inch of your skin is pressed to his, and you still want more.

Bucky crawls down the bed, situating himself between your legs. He nudges at you with his nose before diving in, lapping at you like a man starved.

You'd forgotten what people said about sex when you're Tethered, but it all comes back to you now. Everything is heightened, your senses on overdrive. It's like Bucky has the handbook to your body, and all he has to do is read the instructions the Universe has given him.

He's got you teetering on the edge in no time, right on the precipice. No ones ever made you feel like this. It feels like some sort of small miracle is happening, an otherworldly connection.

"Give it to me, honey baby," he murmurs into you. "Let me see how pretty you look when you come."

You tug at his hair as you reach your climax, the vibrations of his groan only prolonging your release. Bucky helps you ride it out, only ceasing his action when he's satisfied you're satisfied.

He rests his head against your thigh and looks up at you as you come down, breathing heavily.

"You good?"

"So good," you grin. "Never better."

"Me neither," he whispers, crawling up your body to kiss you again. You taste yourself and whine, desperate to feel closer to him.

"Need you," you demand against his lips. "Need you more than anything."

"I know, baby," he soothes as he smooths the hair back from your face. "Gonna give you everything you want. Anything in the world."

You're on the verge of tears again, completely overwhelmed. He's looking at you like you hung the stars in the sky just for him. You think maybe you would, if he asked you to.

Bucky slides home in one gentle thrust, easy as breathing. The both of you exhale, savouring the moment. It's like nothing either of you have ever felt before.

You pull his face down to you, resting your foreheads against each other.

"Buck, I-"

"I know," he breathes. "Fuck, I know."

"Need you to move, baby."

He nods and kisses you sweetly, before pulling his hips back and gliding forward. The angle is just right, both of you keening.

"Fuck, honey. So pretty. So tight. Fuck."

Bucky sets a steady rhythm, not too fast, not too slow. It's like he can read your mind, knowing exactly what you need. All you can say is his name as stars cloud your vision.

He slides his hand down your front, rubbing perfect circles on your clit with his fingers. You clamp down on him and he groans, low and gutteral.

"Need you to come, pretty baby," he whispers hoarsely. "Please. Waited so long for this. Please."

The desperation in his tone is what throws you into your release, muscles tensing and back arched. You grip his biceps, scratching your nails into his sun kissed skin.

Bucky can't hold on any longer, falling over the edge with you. The way he says your name as he does will be ingrained in your mind forever.

He drops his weight onto you entirely, no longer able to hold himself up. You wrap your arms around him, drawing absent minded patterns across his back. You're both sweating and panting. You're both completely content.

"Holy shit," he whispers after a while.

"You think it's gonna be like that every time?" you ask, grinning.

Bucky rolls off you and lands on the bed beside you, pulling you into his chest.

"Honey, just you wait. I've got moves you've never seen."

You snort, unable to hold in your laughter. You're floating on cloud nine, satiated and warm.

"You're the worst," you giggle, running your fingers over his abs gently.

The two of you stay intertwined for hours, enjoying the way your bodies fit together like two pieces of a puzzle. You both drift in and out of sleep, conversing in the gaps. At some points, you just lay in silence, completely comfortable. No one needs to say anything. You both know what the other person is thinking.

Eventually, the sun rises, casting the room in a golden orange glow. Bucky looks like an angel, illuminated by the morning light. You wonder for a second if he is, sent down as a gift to you.

Suddenly, you feel an intense sadness in your chest. You look up at Bucky from where you lay across him, and see a single tear drip down his cheek.

"I don't want you to go."

The only sound that can be heard is his sorrow hitting the pillow.

"I don't think I want to go."

He strokes your hair softly, taking a deep breath to try and get a handle on his emotions.

"You have to, baby. It's your dream."

Your bottom lip wobbles for a second, before the words come spilling out.

"You're my dream."

Bucky sniffles, and you continue.

"I could have nothing, but I have everything if I have you."

You sit up and Bucky does too, capturing your lips in a tear stained kiss.

"We'll be okay, my honey girl."

You crawl into his lap and wrap your arms around his neck, letting his warmth bleed into your bones.

"I know," you say, unsure if you're trying to convince yourself or him.

You know you'll be okay. It just doesn't feel like it right now.

You wonder how many times you can keep leaving and coming back before one of your hearts breaks for good.

tag list part one

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[bunny-jpeg]

Hello!! Could I please get an order for Charles leclerc for chocolate cake and berry trifle on the house?? Thank you I love your writing :))

bakery menu

want to submit your own order? then hit up the menu for more information! i know some folks have been asking if i write for other fandoms and i do! i accept from the likes of bg3 to call of duty, but i'd love to experiment outside my comfort zone! all i ask is that the person or character is over 18 (for obvs reasons)! as for this sweet little prompt, i couldn't say no to a lovely little fic starring charles! i chose for the on the house order to be an AU for school, just to switch things up (i hope that's okay!) but thank you!

chocolate cake ("do you feel that? that's what happens when i think about you all day.") + berry trifle ("wrong. try again.") + on the house: coconut water (alternate universe - university au) served by charles leclerc (formula one)!

cw: smut/pwp, university au, missionary, gentle sex, praise, romantic, student!reader, student!charles

it had been a busy last couple of weeks, with the wind down of university. you were rather tired, often spending nights in your boyfriend's apartment due to it being closer to the university you both attended.

the apartment was three bedrooms, where charles and his two brothers all lived. it was a bit of a party when you slept over, and you were certain that arthur was using the shampoo you left there. regardless, you still got a good night's sleep and breakfast in the morning.

dinners were more your forte.

charles wrapped his arms around you and dipped his nose into the crook of your neck. he moved you from side to side as you checked on the pasta noodles. he whispered in your ear, an intimate moment between you two, "do you feel that? that's what happens when i think about you all day."

you giggled and looked over your shoulder to get a better view of him, "are you sure you're not trying to seduce me to get my recipe."

he kissed your cheek softly, "no, no. if i wanted that, i'd simply marry you. then you can make it for me for the rest of my life." he laughed.

"where's my plate?" you heard arthur's voice at the front door. you froze for a moment as the youngest brother put his bag down and headed towards the small kitchen.

charles looked his brother and said, "wrong. try again."

the two men looked at one another and arthur said, "you can't be hogging all the food, charles. you have to share too!"

charles glared at his brother, "my girlfriend is making it! you can make your own. don't you have somewhere else to be tonight?"

you chuckled and got out of your boyfriend's arms to strain the noodles. you couldn't deny, it wasn't a day without interest when you stayed with them. you'd like to say that the three of them got along quite well, but they were all brothers after all.

after dinner, you and charles went to his bedroom, leaving the dishes to be done in the morning. once the door was closed behind you, he started to pull at the bottom of your t-shirt, getting it over your head.

your lips touched his and you started to undo the buttons of his shirt before it was off your shoulders and your hands were splayed across his chest. the kisses were tender, but they were slowly starting to grow more hungry.

he stripped you of your clothes with a little help from you then he was taking his own clothes off. he loved the sight of you by him, in the low light of his bedroom.

the city was alive outside and the lamp on his nightstand cascaded a warm light throughout the room. his hands trailed along your body and you kissed him deeply on the lips. he loved the taste of the chapstick you often wore, he melted a little further into your kisses before he got you onto your back.

he propped himself by his hands on either side of you. he looked down at you and rubbed his cock up against you. you blushed and wanted to cover your face with your hands.

"no, no." he said softly, "i want to look at you, you're so beautiful. especially when i am having sex with you." he guided his cock into you and watched you squirm a little bit.

oh, you were so beautiful was all he could think about as he slipped in nicely. you tensed up and clung to his shoulders. there was a soft intimacy to it as the two of you kissed once more. you could feel the pleasure wrap in your gut as you moved against him.

"i love you." you said.

"i love you too." he panted, "you're beautiful. stunning and so smart. i want you for the rest of my days. i cannot wait until we have our own home together." his kisses were sweet as he rutted against you.

you smiled up at him, "you're such a sucker for me."

charles said, "then i'll be your sucker" he knew you loved him too, you just had a hard time accepting his praise. but too bad, he'll keep praising you for the rest of your lives! even when you are old and grey.

you leaned into his touch and moaned against him as your bodies moved together. you held onto his shoulders and your expression changed when he rubbed up against the sweetest parts of you.

"i want you forever, charles." you said softly, "i'm so happy to be with you. thank you, you've made university more manageable because you're with me. so thank you."

he chuckled and pressed his forehead against yours, his body still moving, "no need, my love." then went in for another tight kiss.

you two were a good fit, you studied together, ate together. you both had friends of course, but charles enjoyed spending time with you. you remembered one time he went clubbing with a few people in his program and you received a photo from carlos of charles passed out on a couch with his phone open. on his screen was a picture of you, he had fallen asleep looking at you.

it was endearing, and it made the blush got up to your ears.

"i need you." you said softly.

"i need you more." he replied with the same tenderness.

you held onto him and kissed him deeply as you tightened your legs around him. the kiss grew hotter as you felt yourself reach the peak of climax. you moaned into the kiss and clung to him tightly.

his pace started to stagger after you climaxed. he groaned into your kiss as he started to really push his cock as deep as it would go. his head felt heavy with lust as he moved against you. when he broke the kiss, he looked at you with a big smile on his face and said, "i love you." before he got every last centimeter into you and climaxed.

he continued to move against you for a couple more moments before he slowed down to a stop. he kissed you roughly on the lips and said quietly, "mine." before he laid out beside you on the bed.

both naked, sweaty and tired. charles pulled you against him and kissed the side of your neck. he basked in your warmth and whispered sweet nothings into your ear.

"you're still not getting the recipe." you giggled.

he held onto you tighter and said, "my love, i already told you my plan. once we're finished with school, i want to marry you. and you can make me that pasta for the rest of my days." he laughed a little and kissed you once more.

you felt gooey inside and nestled against him. you sight contently, that sounded like a plan. <3

[kwanisms]

Kinktober 「10:30」 — b.seungkwan

» seventeen menu | seungkwan menu | kinktober masterlist «

➮ gorgon!Seungkwan × fem!Reader wc: — summary: Seungkwan is the youngest of three siblings and the only male gorgon in his family. Probably due to his half-human heritage on his father’s side. He’s lucky that his appearance is much more human than his sisters’. Although he looks mostly normal there are still some things that aren’t quite… human. His inhuman strength and other snake-like features set him apart from the rest, so why his best friend and roommate likes him so much, he doesn’t know why. All he knows is that he’s madly in love with Y/N. genres/themes/au: angst, smut; supernatural, horror, thriller; non idol au, monster idol au warnings: adult dialogue, female reader, alcohol consumption, supernatural and horror themes, MORE TBD; sexual content (18+ mdni), see smut warnings under the cut! taglist has been moved to reblogs join my taglists! kinktober taglist is CLOSED! Strikethrough means I cannot tag you.  MINORS WILL BE BLACKLISTED & BLOCKED. AGELESS BLOGS WILL ALSO BE BLOCKED.

a/n: this could have been longer but tbh i’m tired of Kinktober lmao i’m ready for it to end already. I love Seungkwan and I would love to write something longer for him like he deserves but I don’t have the time anymore. I’ll make it up to him another time. Thank you for reading and as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only.

smut warnings: teratophilia (aka monsterfucking), shower sex (this is dangerous. Proceed with caution), drunk sex (unless previously discussed, do not do this either), oral (f receiving), unprotected sex (use protection!), no one is dom or sub they’re just hella whipped for one another, use of pet names (hers: baby, darling, angel, etc.; his: babe, Kwannie, love, etc.), I think I got everything but of course, let me know if I missed some! kinks: Shower sex + drunk sex dialogue prompt: ❛❛ We’re not just friends and you fucking know it. ❜❜

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════

“But, we’re friends,” Seungkwan,” you whispered, back pressed against the white tiled wall of your shower as your best friend stood in front of you, hands resting against the cool tile as the hot stream water cascaded down to the mat, splashing your feet. The only thing shielding you from your best friend’s gaze was a thin towel that barely covered anything.

Seungkwan’s eyes narrowed as he looked down at you. You weren’t sure what the driving force behind his actions was. Maybe it was the alcohol or maybe it was the years of pent up love and adoration he only just spilled out of mouth in the confines of your small bathroom. His confession came as a shock to you although, if you looked back, it only made all of his past actions make all the more sense to you.

But you couldn’t take a trip down memory lane right now, now when you were staring into the bright, almost glowing, green eyes of your best friend. Eyes that looked at you with a mixture of frustration, love, and another emotion you never expected to come from Seungkwan.

Lust.

The night had started innocently enough, attending a simple house party with your best friend. The night had gone as expected, drinking whatever mixed drinks Seungkwan made for you because he refused to let anyone else do it, downing a few shots and joining a couple rounds of whatever party games were going on. The night ended quickly for you when you couldn’t get up alone after a round of Truth or Drink and Seungkwan had to all but haul you out of the living room, very nearly carrying you out of the house.

Seungkwan didn’t exactly look like he possessed a lot of strength but looks were deceiving with your best friend. He was the product of a human and a gorgon falling in love and marrying. His sisters had taken after their mother, inheriting her snake-like attributes but Seungkwan on the other hand took after his father, only his eyes a physical give away to his half monster nature.

He didn’t mind, in fact glad that he could pass for human. It also meant he didn’t have to wear special blinders and be confined to the house as he didn’t inherit the Gaze like his sisters did. He could make direct eye contact and not have serious repercussions. He was also the only person who could look his mother directly in the eye and not be affected.

His human nature meant he wasn’t tormented or heavily bullied like some of the other less than human looking classmates. He also was a child who never took shit from anyone. One of the reasons you liked him so much. He made it his role to stand up to the bullies and look out for his fellow non human classmates. This made him extremely popular with the other kids as well as he stood up to all bullies, not just playground ones.

As he grew up, he gained more and more popularity due to his good looks, kind nature, and friend disposition. Despite how popular he became, he never let that go to his head. Well, not too much. He always made time for you and insisted you were his only true friend.

He wasn’t sure when the line blurred and he started loving you but he just knew one day, you weren’t just a friend to him. He wanted more with you but he never spoke out. He was far too shy and afraid of you rejecting him so he stayed silent for years until that night. The night he finally let it all out and confessed his true feelings and what he really thought about you.

After returning to your apartment, you had said you wanted to take a shower. Normally Seungkwan would wait on the couch and watch TV or play a game on his phone but you insisted he sit on the toilet with the lid down and keep you company while you showered.

He knew it was a bad idea, being that close to you when you were vulnerable on the other side of a thin sheet of vinyl and fabric. He should have just said no and sat on the couch like he usually did but he wasn’t thinking clearly. Neither of you were.

And so there he was, sitting on the toilet while you chatted about the most mundane things until you made an offhand comment about your shower head and how you were so glad you replaced the standard shower head in the apartment with this one you had gotten online. It had more settings than the standard one, was detachable, and came in handy when you needed to get yourself off.

That was the comment that had Seungkwan’s breath catching in his throat, his cock twitching in his pants and his heart racing. The idea of you in the shower, using the pulse setting to pleasure yourself. It made him bite his tongue almost hard enough to make him bleed. You had noticed he’d gone silent, cause of course you did, and asked him if he was still awake.

Seungkwan had to take several deep breaths before finally answering that he was awake and that he needed to leave. You whined, asking him to stay, insisting that he stay, asking him what was wrong and that was when he snapped, blurting out the sentences that would change your lives forever.

“How can you expect me to stay after saying something like that? How can you expect me to sit here and pretend like I’m not imagining you doing that right now? How can you expect me to sit still when all I want to do is rip this curtain open and take you against the shower wall?”

Initially you wanted to laugh it off but something in his voice told you he wasn’t kidding. You grabbed a towel, holding it over your chest and letting it fall to cover your mound before pulling back the curtain to peer out at him. “Are you being serious?” you asked. Seungkwan looked up, eyes meeting yours and he quickly turned away, averting his eyes.

“Don’t,” he grunted. “I can’t look at you right now. I won’t be able to stop myself.”

You weren’t sure if you weren’t taking him seriously or just being stupid but you pulled back into the shower and challenged him. “Maybe you shouldn’t stop yourself.” In an instant, Seungkwan had gotten up, pulling back the curtain abruptly which led to where you were at that moment, back against the tiled wall as he caged you in, ignoring the water splashing his clothes.

“We’re not just friends and you fucking know it,” Seungkwan said under his breath.

He wasn’t entirely wrong. There had been some… experimentation in your youth. You both had agreed to keep it a secret but when you were around the age that you started learning about yourselves, there had been a lot of talk, stolen kisses. It had been mostly innocent but when you were older, in college, it had continued. Neither of you had dated in high school, only spending time with one another outside of school events.

You managed to get a dorm to yourself when your assigned roommate dropped out just before classes started. Seungkwan would come over to your dorm most of the time to study but you didn’t get much studying done. You’d never gone all the way but there were times where you ended up straddling him, tongues meeting in a frantic mess as you grinded against him until one or both of you came in your pants.

There had also been times where Seungkwan’s hands wandered when he had you on your back, fingers slipping into your panties to touch and explore your bodies. You never dated, never went out once, and yet throughout college, you fooled around a fair few times. Yet you both always introduced one another as your friend. But friends didn’t do that, right?

Your eyes watched Seungkwan’s dip down to your lips quickly before you reached up, your wet hand curling into his hair. “You’re right,” you murmured. “We aren’t just friends.”

You pulled him in for a kiss, your lips meeting in a very practiced dance. This was familiar for you. Kissing Seungkwan was familiar. You let out a sigh as his lips kissed across your cheek to your ear. “I want to take my time with you,” he muttered. “But I can’t wait. I’m sorry.”

Your hands moved, pulling at his shirt, untucking it so you could help him pull it off, tossing it to the floor. The rush to get him undressed left your towel forgotten and it slumped to the floor, landing on the mat where the shower water started to soak it. Seungkwan kicked his pants off before rejoining you in the shower, tugging the curtain back to block the rest of the bathroom as he guided you under the stream of hot water, drops cascading down both your bodies as his hands grabbed your hips.

“Do you trust me?” he asked as he backed you against a different tile wall. You nodded as you looked at him. He leaned in, pressing a much softer kiss to your lips before he started to slowly kiss down your body as he lowered himself to his knees. You watched as he lifted one of your thighs over his shoulder, glancing up at you briefly before pressing slow, deliberate kisses along the inside of your thigh, moving closer and closer to your aching heat.

You let out a gasp as he nipped at the soft flesh of your inner thigh. Your fingers tangled in his hair as you felt his tongue lick against your clit. “F-fuck,” you cursed, head falling back against the hard tile, eyes sliding shut as Seungkwan’s tongue moved over your most sensitive parts. This was new territory with him. You’d never gone this far before and you were regretting not doing it sooner.

“Kwannie,” you moaned as he teased your clit with his tongue. “I need m-more.” You stumbled over your words. “Need your c-cock.” Your cheeks burned as Seungkwan licked and sucked at your clit, the shower barely covering up the lewd sounds.

He pulled back, looking up at you. “So impatient?” he muttered as he slowly got up, lowering your leg back down. “Fine,” he said as his hands moved up to your hips. “But remember, you begged for this,” he added as he turned you around to face the wall, pulling your hips back and making your back arch. “But I wanna see,” you whined as he guided the head of his cock to your entrance.

You heard him chuckle from behind you as he rubbed the tip against your folds. “If you think I’m not going to spend all night fucking you in your bed after this, you don’t truly know me,” he said as he pushed into you, groaning as he very quickly slid in until all of his cock was nestled deeply in your cunt, your warm walls wrapping around him, hugging him tightly.

“Holy shit, Y/N,” he groaned, resting his forehead against your back as he leaned over, ignoring the stream of water falling over the both of you. “You feel so fucking good, baby.” You pushed back against him, urging him to move. “Kwannie, please,” you begged. “Please fuck me.”

Seungkwan let out a breathless chuckle as he stood up straight, his grip on your hips tightening. “Oh don’t worry, angel,” he said as he pulled out slightly, thrusting into you roughly and shutting you up immediately, only a moan leaving your lips.

“I plan to.”

©️ kwanisms 2024 | all works on this blog are protected under copyright. Do not repost, continue, or translate my works. All graphics made by me.

[jeonsbabygirlsworld]

SUMMARY : In which you let your husband take your virginity on your wedding night.

PAIRINGS: Dilf Taehyung x virgin reader

WORD COUNT :2K

SMUT WARNINGS: Unprotected sex (off course) ,cum eating, oral f. Eating out over panties, fingering, squirting, mention of blood (her cherry popped)! Titty sucking, aftercare ladies <3

A/N: A little something as I’ve reached 1k heheh thank you so much lovelies and i hope you liked this one and thank you my love 💖 @jj-one who helped me with this one and also @kingofbodyrolls who made this sexy banner💖

The beach was filled with fragrant blooms, an array of white and pink tulips adorned the set up, a gentle breeze softly tickles the groom's hair and he smiles looking at you walking hand in hand with your father holding a small bouquet of lilies.

Your wedding veil cascades down your back, complementing the silk lace and pearls embroiled on the dress, making you feel like a fairy princess. Nervously walking down the aisle with your father you blush the moment you see your husband, soft music and doting cheers follows in the background the moment you took each step.

Soon reaching upon you face the love of your life Kim Taehyung, your dad places your hand on your husband’s and some tears brim his eyes, asking him to always protect you and keep you happy forever. He chuckling upon his request, promising to keep you happy for the rest of his life while kissing the back of your palm and whispers "you look so beautiful my love." You visibly chuckle and mutter him a small "thanks, you look handsome as well".

You never thought you would end up with your casual fling that you met from an app, remembering it was one of your friends who had signed you up on the app after you broke up with your toxic ex. On the other side, Taehyung's friend, Jungkook, had signed him up when divorced his wife, thinking it was a good idea to get out of the grief and have some fun.

Your interests he was afraid if he came clean about his son you would leave.

He was sure he had fallen in love with you over the past year from just chatting and calling each other daily. It made him feel like he was a young man again and not a 38-year-old man who had a kid who would depend on for a few more years.

Taehyung was also afraid of the 16-year-old age gap, thinking it was too soon for you to commit to a lifelong relationship which included a child.

He had enough of it when he finally decided to take you on a date and coming clean about it. He came fully prepared to tell you about his son and break this situation you were in, he liked (read: Loves) you, but he didn't want you to live with the pressure of living with a child as you were young, and you had so much to experience.

In the cozy coffee shop, soft jazz played in the background while you nervously fidget on the chair, summing up the courage to tell him that you had started liking him and can see a future together. The man in front of you gave a crooked smile, continuing to surf through the menu.

"What will you have Y/n?" Taehyung asks as he skims each and every item written on the menu, his leg bouncing under the table due to anxiety.

"I love you Taehyung," you say at the same time as he began talking, he goes blank, the menu dropping from his hands while you mentally facepalm at yourselves. "Fuck I shouldn't have dropped this bomb this early.”

"What?" Taehyung gasps and then visibly gulps, and you return a crooked smile back. "Yes tae, I love you I've been loving you for a while now.." you confess once again, and he shutters "We-ll y/n m-e too" he says as if he's exclaiming, and you smile wide.

"But wait y/n, before I properly confess I want to tell you something," Taehyung nervously adds, becoming restless. Observing his moments you grab his spare hand which rested on the table and tell him to calm down.

"Y/n, you know I’m divorced, right? But I'm sorry I have hidden something very big from you, I have a five-year-old son Yi-hyun" he says, and you gasp "Oh my god, tae why did you hide this for so long?" you question, he fiddles with his fingers and explains his insecurities and chances of you leaving him.

"No tae, I would never, in fact, I love children and I would really love to spend my whole life with you." You blush as those words come out and Taehyung giggles, "I'll be more than glad and feel honored to stay with you for the rest of my life."

Taehyung gazes into your eyes, his eyes full of love and promises, the gentle breeze makes the few whips of your flix fly, and he thinks you look so pretty, soon the calm breeze carries out your wedding vows and seals all the promises of this lifetime commitment.

Yi-hyun stands right in the middle of you and Taehyung's parents, an uproar of cheers and claps filled the atmosphere when you exchange your rings. Glancing at him, you give a flying kiss and he acts to catch it, your husband won't stop at looking you with heart eyes.

It was soon evening while you and your husband basked in the warmth of newly wed love, surrounded by all your supporting family and friends. He occasionally steals a few kisses from you when you both slow danced and enjoyed the dance until it was time to make your grand exit and walk hand in hand till you reached your car.Your parents insisted on keeping your son for a couple of days until you come back from the honeymoon.

"Yi- hyun, don't trouble your grandparents okay baby? Be a good boy for me and your mom okay?" Your husband tells your son and he nods , he kisses yours and his father's and climbs down from his grasp and tells you both a "goodbye".

"Let's go baby been waiting for this day ever since I met you, gonna fuck you hard," Taehyung says with lust-filled eyes, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck. He lays a few soft pecks, soliciting a gasp from you, letting out the smallest whimper of his name.

The ride to your house was short, your husband helped to get you out of the car and quickly thanked the driver, not even a minute later your back meets the door of your penthouse as your husband starts to devour your mouth with his, heavy kisses full of spit coats your lips.

You were taken aback for a few seconds until your mind processes his action, kissing your lover back with the same burning passion, you struggle a bit until you get the keys from the back pocket of Taehyung's pants.

"One Sec baby, let me just open this, and we can go inside," you say almost breathlessly in between kisses, turning around. Once inside, both you and his clothes join the ground soon. "I'll go slow baby okay? It's your first time, right? Gonna savour every last moment of this." Taehyung assures you, and you nod.

Never in your twenty-two years of living did you have sex with your boyfriend. Sex was a whole different thing you’ve yet to experience but you weren't a saint when it came to it either, the curious teen in you would look up porn and even tried masturbating before, but you just didn’t feel anything from it, you thought you were doing something wrong.

Taehyung helped you to get comfortable in the bed whilst he removes the last piece of his clothing, his boxers, while you had kept your panties on, feeling your cunt coating the plumpness of his lips with your slick. You moan at the movement as he hovers above you, "ready baby?" your husband sweetly asks, you nod and voice a simple "yes.”

Soft, gentle kisses are first felt on your neck and the light touch of his fingertips tickles your lower belly, coming dangerously close to your core. His nimble fingers nudge the bow on your lace panties, sucking in your breath when he slowly goes down to explore the rest of your body, sucking on your skin lightly as he trails his way down. Soon purple hues are decorated all over you.

Once he faces your core, his hot breath leaves you tingly inside, whimpering out his name as he slowly licks a wet strip of over the fabric of your panties and sucks on the ball of your clit, repeating his languid motion again and again, his eyes watching you above him. You’re left nothing short of a moaning mess, "fuck feels so good tae, just like that baby.." you express him how good he’s making you feel when he sucks and licks you over your panties, this new sensation was like no other.

Soon after a while he completely removes them off your body, groaning at the mess you made and his fingers rub over it so he could have some of you on his fingers. "Open baby" he affirms, you ecstatically take them in your mouth sucking off each finger one by one, he chuckles and bites back a moan. He thinks you’re the sexiest woman he’s ever seen.

"Gonna finger you baby, stay calm okay? I promise it's gonna soon feel okay." He assures and slowly inserts one of his fingers, you moan out loud as it feels different from what you felt while playing with yourself.

One finger soon turned into two and you felt something weird coming out, "Taehyung stop-stop, something's coming out," you breathlessly warn but he tells you to go on and doesn’t stop fingering you, only upping his pace. Liquid soon gushes out, "fuck baby, pretty girl" never failing to fluster you and make you blush, shying away and looking everywhere but his eyes.

His frame hovers above yours and tells you to rest properly, "Baby, is it okay?" He asks before continuing. His hard cock brushing over your soaked pussy lips, itching to be inside your warm cunt, his fingers part your lips while you involuntarily twitch, feeling weightless as his thumb rubs gentle circles along your sensitive clit. "Ready y/n? Look we don't have to do it tonight you can always back out baby" he says while you whimper at the loss. "N-no want it so bad I can take it" you eagerly said, leaning in to kiss his lips. "It might hurt at first, but then it's going to be okay, I promise my darling." With that, he slowly aligns himself with you and enters inside, causing you to both moan in unison.

Kissing your forehead to calm you down when he sees faint tears brimming your eyes, he pulls out just enough so he can spit in between you two to make the slide much easier. He notices some blood as you were still a virgin— up until now, beads of sweat drip from the sides of him and some of it lands onto your boobs. He attached his lips to suckle them, seeing your pretty mouth open wide and decides to slip his finger in, your body rises a bit when he tells you to see the bloody mess and you whimper while he pets your head with his other hand.

"Calm down baby you’re gripping me so hard.." he groans from the way you’re sucking him up and you try your best to relax your muscles and try to enjoy this feeling while occasionally kissing him, moaning at his touches. He rests his forehead on top of yours and soon he cums inside, gasping from his overwhelming orgasm, he slowly pushes himself up and removes his now softened cock. You feel the cum dripping down to your ass. “Wait up baby, I'm gonna get something to clean you up.” He smiles dotingly and you nod back at him.

Soon he cleans you both up and brings you a glass of water to drink, he’s cuddling with you as his fingers lace with yours. Soft kisses resound the room until you both knock down in each other's embrace.

You decide to wake him up with a good, morning blow job but who knew it would be him to be waking you up instead.

[drcomttheo]

MATTHEO RIDDLE x YN

summary: You have to ask Mattheo on a date... part 2 warnings: Fluff, Angst words: 1505 a/n: Slytherin Boy oneshots—ML Slytherin Boy oneshots—AO3

𝖣𝖠𝖳𝖤 2

The days of the week slipped by in a blur, and suddenly, Friday had arrived.

It was on this day that I was to go on a date with the Slytherin Prince, Mattheo Riddle.

The final class of the day flew by with such swiftness that it almost felt as though it had not occurred at all.

My mind was consumed by thoughts of the date and the curious reason behind his invitation, especially since it was my turn to extend the offer.

Maybe he had the same plan as me?

The next thing I knew, I was in my bathroom, getting ready for a date.

A date.

One with Mattheo Riddle—it seemed more foolish the more I thought about it. I couldn't stop arguing with myself long enough to decide whether or not I was going on this date because I wanted to or because I had to, but deep down, I knew it was because I wanted to.

I felt more mindless the longer I thought to myself. I have had a crush on him since he sat next to me in my first year. It was Muggle Studies, and of course, he had to be my seatmate.

He was a boy who harbored a deep-seated hatred for me and anyone who wasn't pure blood.

I quickly applied some makeup, finished getting dressed, and headed out to meet him at the Three Broomsticks. I walked inside the noisy building, immediately feeling overwhelmed.

This feeling subsided as soon as I saw him.

He stood up to meet me as I walked over to his table.

He donned a sleek black suit jacket that hugged his frame perfectly, the turtleneck beneath it adding an air of effortless sophistication. It struck the ideal balance, neither too casual nor overly formal; it was simply perfect. His brown curls cascaded in perfect waves, a testament to his effortless charm, as always. His eyes sparkled with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine as they met mine, a silent promise hanging in the air between us.

"You look lovely, Y/LN," he said, the corner of his mouth lifting in a smile. "Surprisingly," he added quickly.

"I can't believe I was actually going to receive a compliment from you," I said, rolling my eyes slightly with a smile. I settled into my chair as he graciously pulled it out for me, and together we found our places at the table.

With a playful smirk dancing on his lips, he opened his menu, his gaze flitting over the words as if searching for something special hidden within the pages.

"Oh, come now, Y/LN," Mattheo teased, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "You know I've showered you with compliments before."

I let out an exasperated sigh, my eyes drifting upward in a dramatic display of annoyance.

"I don't remember receiving any compliments from you, Riddle," I remarked, a teasing lilt in my voice. "Maybe I've just forgotten."

He let out a soft chuckle, his deep brown eyes sparkling with mischief as they locked onto mine from above the edge of his menu.

"Maybe I was just too subtle," he mused, a playful smirk curling at the corners of his lips. With a dramatic roll of my eyes, I couldn't help but express my exasperation once more.

"Mhm, you really think you're the king of subtlety, don't you?" I remarked with a hint of sarcasm in my voice. He let out a soft chuckle, a warm smile gracing his lips as he closed his menu and set it down gently on the table.

"You know, Y/LN, it is possible to have a conversation without sarcasm and rolling your eyes," he teased.

A soft smile tugged at the corners of my lips, amusement dancing in my eyes.

The conversation and laughter continued as the date went on, and I found myself actually enjoying his company. 

Of course, I would never admit to him that I was enjoying his company. There was a part of me that wondered if he was actually enjoying himself as well, but he was too adept at masking his emotions to give anything away.

In that moment, a realization washed over me; I had neglected to pose any of the inquiries that Ron and Harry had so eagerly urged me to ask. A faint frown crossed my face as the memory of that brief conversation resurfaced in my mind.

A wave of guilt washed over me as I considered the deception; his sincerity was palpable, almost disarming. Yet, one could not forget that he was Mattheo Riddle, a young man who bore the weight of his lineage, clinging to many of the same convictions that had shaped his father's dark legacy. 

"You're awfully quiet all of a sudden, Y/LN," Mattheo remarked, pulling me from the depths of my reverie.

I abruptly emerged from the depths of my musings, summoning a faint smile to grace my lips.

"I'm just thinking; you've barely insulted me at all this evening," I remarked, striving to maintain a playful tone in our exchange.

"Oh, trust me, Y/LN, there’s still plenty of time for that," he replied, a smirk dancing at the corners of his mouth.

With a playful roll of my eyes, I conveyed my amusement.

"I’m not so sure, Riddle; it seems to me you might be losing your edge," I teased, relishing the playful exchange that danced between us. He let out a soft chuckle, reclining in his chair with a sense of ease.

"You wish, Y/LN," he replied, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "My insults are as sharp as ever."

A smile crept upon my lips, for the manner in which he uttered my name never failed to evoke an unusual sensation within me.

~~~

As we strolled through the well-known, softly illuminated corridors of the castle, a genuine smile graced my lips for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

We paused before the Gryffindor portrait, and Mattheo grasped my hand. His touch radiated an unexpected warmth.

"Well, this is where we leave each other, then," he said, smiling slightly.

"I suppose it is," I responded thoughtfully.

He leaned forward, and in that instant, my eyes widened with surprise, a fleeting shock that swiftly faded as his lips brushed against my cheek. Yet my cheeks remained aglow.

"Goodnight, then," he remarked, retreating slowly while maintaining eye contact, a smile gracing his lips. With a playful wink, he pivoted gracefully on his heel, and in an instant, he vanished down the corridor.

Stop smiling.

Stop smiling.

Stop smiling.

Merlin, this was ridiculous. I quickly tried to hide away my smile as I made my way to the Gryffindor portrait, but I failed miserably, as I couldn't get the rose color out of my cheeks. Or the smile off my face.

I shuffled into the common room, making my way over to Harry and Ron, who were sitting on one of the couches.

"Y/N, you're back!" The boy with the lightning scar.

"How did it go with Riddle?" Ron asked his question with a slightly sarcastic tone.

I couldn't help but smile; even if I tried to hide it, I would be lying. And they would know. They knew me too well.

"It was... fine," I said lamely. Immediately, Harry and Ron started rattling off questions.

"Did you get any information?"

"Was he nice to you?"

"Did you enjoy your time with him?"

"Why are you smiling?"

"Do the Riddles have a plan?"

Their questions echoed in my mind, intertwining and creating a cacophony that left me uncertain of which to address first. I opted for a comprehensive overview.

"It was lovely," I said. "He was lovely. We didn't really talk about that..." Instantly, their expressions shifted, a palpable wave of disappointment washing over their faces as they fixed their gaze upon me.

"You didn't talk about his plan?" Ron inquired, his voice laced with barely contained fury. "That was the whole point, Y/N; don't tell me you're actually falling for the git's lies and distractions? You're smarter than that, Y/N."

I cast a disapproving glance at Ron. "All I am going to say is, I don't think you have to watch out for Riddle," I smiled, but it was extremely sarcastic.

"Please, Y/N, he's using you!" Ron remarked.

Yeah, because how could anyone like Riddle actually like me?

I grabbed my bag, standing up abruptly and angrily.

"For your information," I said, my throat beginning to burn. "Riddle was perfectly kind to me tonight. And I had a lovely time, and neither of you cares because I didn't ask him your stupid questions!"

"Y/N," Harry started, but I cut him off.

"No! I don't want to hear it. I'm going to bed." I stormed off, taking the stairs to my dorm two at a time and slamming the door behind me.

Why the hell couldn't they just let me be happy for once?

With a simmering frustration, I commenced my preparations for the night ahead. All that occupied their minds were those foolish, intrusive little schemes. As I drew the blankets tightly around me, the chill of the winter air sent shivers down my spine.

Yet, warmth blossomed within as I reminisced about our date, a smile gracing my lips. In that fleeting moment, the anger I felt towards Harry and Ron faded into the background, eclipsed by the joy of that cherished memory.

@thoughtdaugh7er

[softcursechoso]

Somewhere, We Do: Ch. 1

JJK x Reader

Nanami x Reader

Masterlist

MDNI! // 18+ //NO SPOILERS ARE OFF LIMITS!

Ch. 1 Warnings: None

Summary: Drowning in the monotony of corporate life, you and Nanami both find yourselves at the end of your ropes—exhausted, overworked, and utterly disillusioned. The world of deadlines and fluorescent office lights has drained you both, but fate has other plans. In each other, you find solace, understanding, and a passion neither of you expected. But in a world where duty always comes first, can love this intense truly last?

Words: 3.5k+

HAZELNUT ESPRESSO

Shinjuku : 1:30pm : The Flour Garden

“If I have to remake one more goddamn Iced Honey Lavender Matcha with oat milk, two pumps of vanilla, one pump of caramel, light ice, and a dusting of cinnamon I’m gonna lose my shit!” The voice of a very impatient barista cut through the crowd like a knife. 

The Flour Garden is where you were. A modern jungle of caffeine fueled chaos was clearly on the menu today. It was nestled in the heart of Shinjuku. The cafe was an architectural fusion of industrial minimalism and warm organic textures. There were polished concrete floors, matte black steel framing that ran down the glass windows and let in the hazy midday winter sunlight.

Hanging ferns and pothos cascaded from geometric planters, and was a nice counter to the contrasting monochrome furniture. It was a nicely decorated spot when it wasn’t packed practically shoulder to shoulder.

Every table was filled, and every booth occupied. The sheer volume of conversation created an ever-present buzz that crackled with frustration- which is what probably ticked off the barista. But shit, it was lunch time in one of Tokyo’s busiest districts.

Maybe the frustration was getting to you too. “Tch, be a little more unprofessional for those in the back, lady.” You mumbled under your breath, “Is it too much to ask for a black coffee and a damn donut? The hell are these people ordering?” 

A low grunt of agreement rumbled behind you, “Tell me about it.”

The line inched forward at a snail’s pace. No, worse than a snail’s pace. Was time reversing? 

You crossed your arms over your chest, “The cafe up the street has food twice as good with half the attitude.” 

The stranger behind you spoke again, a tinge of irritation behind it. “I have to be back to work in thirty minutes.”

You laughed, exhausted, from the relatability. “Same, and it’s so dumb. I spend half my break walking to this shitty cafe, just to stand in line for ten minutes. I sprint back to work, and attempt to scarf it down in five. How the hell does an hour lunch turn into five minutes?” 

Ughhh, you were pulling your hair out… well, not actually. The swoop bun was quite sleek today. Couldn’t mess that up. 

“That’s a desk job for you.” The person sighed.

The words were a little too close to home. Who were you talking to? 

You finally turned around, and when you did, you stalled… like completely. The man behind you was tall, broad, and absolutely miserable looking. Somewhere between wanting to wither away and wanting to beat everyone's ass in this godforsaken cafe. 

His blonde hair was neatly parted to the side, and you couldn’t really see from this angle, but it kind of looked like he had a bit of a fade going on in the back perhaps? Maybe a little undercut or something? He was very handsome, and his features were sharp. Kento Nanami.

He radiated exhaustion and the kind of stoic indifference that only came from years of corporate suffering. You knew it all too well. 

“Tell me about it.” You laughed slightly nervous over knowing who you were talking to now. “Where are they overworking you at? Cause listen, I-”

Before you could finish talking, something slammed down hard on your foot. Your right black pump was scuffed. Why?

“Ow!” You reeled back.

A man had stepped in front of you, cutting in line. His heavy boot stepped on your foot in the process. 

You stare at the man with knitted eyebrows, just baffled at this shit. “Um, excuse you?”

“Excuse you.” He snaps back at you with unwarranted sarcasm. 

You gesture behind you at the line that stretched all the way to the entrance and nearly out the door. “The line starts way back there. You can’t just cut—and also, you stepped on my foot, hello?” 

The man barley even turned back your way, waving a dismissive hand over his shoulder. “Shut up, bitch. I only stepped out of line for a minute.”

First of all… what? You didn’t know where to begin. The fact that he was in line, sure, but he definitely had been gone for like fifteen minutes. Or maybe the fact that he never asked you to hold his place. Or the fact that he was so casually calling you a bitch!

Yeah, he picked the right one today. You took a sharp inhale, preparing for rebuttal when- a delicate hand is placed on your back for a brief moment. 

“Excuse me.” The businessman stepped in front of you, partially blocking your view. “You can either step out of this line, or you can step outside.” 

Oh shit!

His tone was calm, but the weight of it was deadly. It felt like the temperature shifted. It was winter in Tokyo, but that ice had nothing on this man. It was suddenly very cold in here.

The man who cut you turned around and immediately froze up. It was as if he had sensed something primal and inescapable. A hulking businessman at the end of his rope? He didn’t want this fight. 

“Whatever. Food sucks here anyway.” He hurried away.

“Hold on.” He placed a powerful hand on the man’s shoulder, “You stepped on her foot.”

It wasn’t just a comment. It was a very stern suggestion to do something about it. Make amends if you will.

The wiry man looked at Nanami with the fear of God in his eyes before turning them to you. “My- uh, my bad lady.” He shrugged out of the light grasp and hastily left. 

Nanami took a step to the side, gesturing for you to resume your spot in front of him. Almost like the warmth had returned in one fell swoop. Could this guy control the temperature or what?

You turned to him with a grateful smile, “Thank you so much. That was very kind. You didn’t have to do that.” 

Before he could respond, the barista’s sharp voice rang out. “Hello?! It’s your turn miss there’s better food up the street.”

Oh damn, she heard that? 

You bowed politely to the man behind you once more before stepping up to the counter. The menu loomed before you and suddenly you went blank. What did you want again?

“Hmm…” You tapped your fingers against the counter, eyes skimming the options. “Strawberry danish… nah, might be too sweet. Chicken Pesto Sandwich- I’m not gonna finish that. Miso butter toast?” You sucked your teeth, “That’s not a meal though…”

The barista sighed loudly, “Are you being serious? You spent all that time complaining about the service and you have the audacity to come up to this counter not knowing what you want?”

This lady was so rude, but unfortunately she was very right. You couldn’t even be mad. 

“Hold on, that’s not true. I know what I want… I juuuuust…” Panic began to set in. Fuck! You were taking too much time! “I waaaant theeee…”

“Ma’am?!”

“Hojicha dirty latte and gochujang miso grilled tofu?” You regretted it right after saying it. Why were you trying something new? This never ended well. Oh well.

“Finally.” The barista huffed under her breath as she began to put in your order. 

Before you swiped your card, you leaned in a little bit. “Oh, can you also ring me up for a hazelnut espresso for the guy behind me?”

It was your way of saying thank you. After she took your name and you paid, you’d scan the cafe for an open seat.

Like the heavens above blessed you with luck, a small group walked away from a booth. Ah! Yes! And they didn’t leave a mess. Amazing.

You swooped in immediately and slid into the seat. You’d smooth down your black pencil skirt before sitting down. Yes, a black skirt suit is what you wore. Black blazer and white button up with a black tie. Just like the guy behind you said- that’s a desk job for you. 

You’d pull out your phone while you waited for your name to be called. The cafe remained a chaotic blur of white collar workers rushing in and out. Groups of college students huddled in conversations. Overworked baristas slamming espresso shots into machines. Meanwhile you were half tuning out when you got a message notification.

Your best friend and coworker. It was always a risk opening her messages in public… or private. You clicked it open absentmindedly and immediately regretted it.

[Kaya 🤡]: LOOK AT THIS DICK PIC MY STALKER EX SENT ME! LOOK AT IT! WHY WOULD HE SEND THIS?!?!

Your phone nearly slipped your grasp as you attempted to click off, “Holy-” You slapped the phone face down on the table hoping no one in this crowded ass cafe happened to see. 

It was never a dull moment with this woman. The two of you met back in high school. You remained tight despite going to different colleges, and serendipitously ended up working at the same office. 

With a heavy sigh, you typed back: 

[You]: Why the hell would YOU send ME this?!

The message was read immediately, and three little dots danced as she typed back.

[Kaya 🤡]: Because I needed to share my pain. That’s what best friends do. Now you have to suffer with me.

[You]: Block him.

[Kaya 🤡]: No, because then where would I get my daily dose of horror?

You exhaled sharply, shaking your head with a faint smile. This was absurd, but it was also the nature of your relationship. Never failed to exhaust you. Never failed to entertain you.

As you buried your face in your phone, your peripheral vision caught movement. You glanced up to see a small plate with mont blanc set in front of you. Chestnut strands cascading in delicious swirls and dusted with powdered sugar. Mmmm!

Your eyes traced the retreating hand that placed it there, following it up the sleeve of a well tailored black suit. Oh..OH! Him!

“Consider it a thank you for the coffee.” He gave an almost imperceptible smile.

You gazed up at him with a slightly amused smile. “I bought the coffee to thank you for earlier though. Seems you’ve one upped me.”

His expression didn’t change much, but there was something subtle in his eyes. Something knowing.  “So it seems.”

You exhaled a small laugh, “Well at this rate we’ll be locked in a cycle of favors. I’m not sure if I’m ready for that kind of commitment.” 

He made a faint sound, almost a hum of amusement, though his face remained neutral.

You tilted your head slightly, “Where did you say you worked again?”

“I didn’t.” He replied simply. “But I work about three blocks away. Stockbroker.”

You let out a knowing- “Ooh. Salaryman?”

He exhaled through his nose like something caught between a laugh and a sigh. “Something like that.”

You pointed at yourself, “Human Resources. I’m in that similar direction.” You nodded to the empty seat, “Would you like to have a seat? I dare you to find somewhere else to sit. It’s packed in here.”

He hesitated, “I couldn’t impose.”

You rolled your eyes with a light scoff, “Sure you can. It’s just a seat, not a ticket to a luxury resort. If it were, then yeah, I’d reconsider.” 

Something flickered in his gaze. Interest perhaps? Small, but distinct. “Dream vacation, I assume?” 

You nodded, resting your chin in your palm. “I’ll only talk about it if you impose on my lunch break.” 

He gave a soft nod before taking a seat opposite you in the booth.

Hell yeah! You just secured the sexy salaryman at your table! Okay- play it cool…

You smiled, “Just so we’re not total strangers, you can call me-”

You perked up upon hearing your name get called for your order. Finally.

“That.” You gestured toward the counter, “You can call me exactly that.”

For the first time the faintest trace of amusement crossed his features, “Nanami.” He nodded, “And I appreciate your generosity.”

“You’re welcome Nanami.” You pushed yourself out of the booth, “I’d ask you to save my seat, but then you’d be one upping me again and I just can’t have that. I will be right back.”

You made quick work of collecting the food you definitely didn’t care to eat or drink before you returned to the table. You’d scoot back in the booth and start digging into that mont blanc.

“So,” he prompted, lifting his cup. “Tell me about this dream vacation.”

You stuck your fork into the dessert, a smile crossing your face before you started, “Oh, I’ve put a lot of thought into this. It’s been a long time coming.” “Let’s hear it.”

“Malaysia.” Your smile softened. “Waking up in an overwater villa with the waves gently lapping beneath me. The sunrise spilling gold across the ocean. I want my mornings to be slow. Just wandering the streets, sipping teh tarik. Maybe visit the market and buy some tropical fruit. Quiet afternoon in the Cameron Highlands. At night I wanna see the lantern lit markets and just enjoy the life of not having to send another goddamn email explaining that begging your coworkers to invest in your pyramid scheme does not qualify as networking… even if for a moment.” 

The words just poured out of you. It was unfiltered and passionate, and although Nanami didn’t outright smile, you noticed how he never interrupted. He sat with his elbows on the table, fingers loosely curled around his espresso cup, and his hazel eyes fixed on you. 

You’d continue, your eyes turning slightly out the window beside you now, “I think I’ve been putting it off because I have a feeling that if I go I’ll probably never come back.”

There was a silence. Comfortable silence. Like the words were being considered and taken in. But it was then that you realized that was probably way too much to be saying to a stranger.

“I am so sorry.” You frowned just slightly, “I feel like for someone who works HR I should know social boundaries a little better. That was probably a lot for someone I just met.”

The blonde shook his head, “Not at all.”

There was no false politeness in his tone. No empty courtesy. It was just calm and measured with sincerity. It was like he meant it. 

You took another forkful of the mont blanc, “I usually don’t talk this much.”

“I usually don’t listen this much.”

Well that caught you off guard. 

“So what I’m hearing is, I’m special?” You tilted your head, smirking.

“I might phrase it a little differently, but sure.”

You chuckled, “Careful Nanami. That almost sounded like a compliment.”

He exhaled, “Well, slip of the tongue I suppose.”

You grinned, “Well since I completely overshared, it’s only fair you do the same. Dream vacation. Let’s hear it.”

You could see his eyes almost dim. Like there was something so real about the answer he was going to give you.

“Home.”

Shit…

Maybe it was an answer far too real. If home was a dream vacation, then that meant he was being far more overworked than he ever let on.

The conversation continued, and the hustle of the city roared outside. It felt like time was kind enough to slow down for you just a little bit so you could enjoy this conversation with a relatable stranger. 

The smell of brewed espresso and cinnamon wafted through the air. It was like a warm moment of peace. 

“Yeah, so I studied at Duke. Four years, in and out and then I came back to Japan.” You shrugged, “What do I have to show for it? A mountain of debt hidden by a prestigious name.”

Nanami made a quiet, amused sound. Almost like he knew.

“That sounds like higher education.” He took a slow sip of espresso. “And unfortunately, not an uncommon story.”

You sighed dramatically, slumping in your seat just a tiny bit, “I know, but you see, I had this idea that I could be the exception. Get my degree, come back, and just boom! Instantly land a high paying job with a great title and live up to my full potential.”

“And instead?” He quirked an eyebrow.

“Instead, I came back as another statistic, Nanami.” You sat back up.

Your words were clearly amusing to him.

You leaned forward now, resting your chin on your palm, “I didn’t go to one of the best schools just to have some underqualified middle manager with a big ego push all their busywork onto me… but according to my bank statements- yes the hell I did.” 

And with that, something incredible happened. You actually got the stoic man to laugh. Not exhale. Not smirk. Not just a hint of amusement. A low, but very real and genuine chuckle. That honestly felt like a win, and you would certainly count it as one.

You wouldn’t call him out for actually having laughed for the first time during this conversation, but you were going to internalize it for sure. 

Still smirking, he rested his arm on the table, “Alright then, tell me this. What is the worst part about your job?”

You let out a long, suffering sigh, “Oh God, I have decision paralysis now. There are so many options. I guess I have no right to really complain because I just got this job like three months ago, but it’s the same shit as the last job. The work life balance speech they sell you during orientation is a joke.”

The man nodded as his intrigue deepened. “Yes, the infamous corporate lie.”

You nodded, “Yeah, they're like we want you to thrive. We care about our employees. Take your time to adjust. Go at your own pace.” Your eyelids lowered in irritation, “Then a month in they start sending emails at 11:42pm like- Hey can you circle back on this?”

There it was again, you coaxed another laugh and it was so worth it.

He set his cup down, “And of course they follow up the next morning asking you something else as if you weren’t already up to your neck in work.”

You slapped your hand against the table. “Exactly! And you can’t even be mad because technically they didn’t say you had to answer last night, but if you don’t you're suddenly not a team player and you’re the unreliable one in the office now.”

The blonde sighed deeply, “Ah, corporate manipulation at its finest.” He’d pause for a brief moment, “So you think there is more to life than just work?”

It was a simple question, but he asked in a way to gauge where your head was at. It wasn’t that he was seeking an answer to some deep philosophical question. But, come on, did he know who he was asking?

“I think that most people convince themselves that work is the means to an end, but that’s just because they don’t know what they’d be doing otherwise.” You shugged, “I mean there has to be me more to life than this, because I for one cannot put up with this shit for the next forty years.” 

He’d chuckle once more, and you could tell he was getting comfortable with doing so.

You’d continue. “I think life is about building character.” Your fingers traced the rim of your now finished latte. “It’s not about standing on the shoulders of giants, but becoming one yourself. Forging your own path.” 

Once again his gaze was steady and calculating. Listening.

“You either stand with the greats or look up to them as far as I see it.” You grinned, “And I don’t know about you, but looking up for too long makes my neck kinda hurt.

He laughed once more, “You’re an interesting one.”

What a compliment! Or, at least you’d take it as one.

Before you could respond, your phone vibrated against the table. Your alarm! Shit! You were supposed to be back already. Your lunch break was over, and you were officially late. It was worth it though. This conversation was nice. 

“Damn, back to work for me.”

Nanami finally took the last sip of his espresso and collected the trash from his lunch. “Same here.”

You smiled at him, genuinely, “This conversation was a surprising pleasure.”

His eyes stayed locked on you, like he was taking in the moment one final time before the interaction was up. “The pleasure was all mine.” He’d pause for a beat, “Should our paths cross again, you can just call me Kento.”

Ah! Your heart! Did it speed up or stop?! It was so hard to tell! Kento?! First name basis?! 

“Alright, Kento. I’ll be seeing you.” You’d gather your purse and your tray with your now eaten lunch before heading back to the corporate battlefield.

You’d take a half step away before turning to him again, “Thank you.” Your voice was softer this time, “It’s been a long time since I laughed like that.”

He didn’t know it, but you felt like you were drowning lately. It was like you both met at the end of your rope and somehow combined it to buy each other a little extra time. It was more than just a pleasant conversation, for both of you.

Your feet felt like anchors now. Were you really about to leave? You were going to let this sexy salaryman with all this potential walk out of your life like that? Your heart was pounding. Could you ask for his number? Would that be weird? Too suggestive? Shit!

You’d take a few steps away, but something was gnawing at you. Don’t do it. Don’t leave yet! You turned around…

“Hey.” You both spoke in unison.

“Yes?” You replied first.

“Please, after you.” 

You hesitated, forcing your nerves down, “Do you want to exchange numbers?”

His eyes stayed on you, and the faint smirk crossed his lips, “You read my mind.”

Play! It! Cool! 

You pulled out your phone and handed yours to him, and he’d do the same for you. This was not the day you were planning on having, but honestly, after all the corporate bullshit you’d been putting up with lately… it was the one you deserved. 

Kento Nanami

New Contact: Saved

[gigglesandfreckles-hp]

@jilymicrofics august 5: coffee

There’s a knock at the door, but James keeps his eyes on the computer screen, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the keys as he scans the inventory sheet.

“Oi.”

James's brow furrows slightly. "Hang on."

“We’ve got a customer situation.”

James looks up, his eyes meeting Sirius's. Sirius stands in the doorway, his tall frame filling the space, knuckles still poised over the doorframe.

"What sort of customer situation?" James asks, his voice edged with impatience.

Sirius grins widely. “A mad bird sort.”

James scoffs, running a hand through his hair as he shifts his focus back to the computer. "Why can’t you deal with it?"

Sirius sighs dramatically and leans against the doorframe. “She’s stubborn. Insists on talking to the owner.”

With a huff, James pushes away from the desk, the chair rolling back with a squeak. He stands up, stretching his back, and makes no effort to hide his annoyance as he shoulders past Sirius. This was the one hour of the day he managed to sequester himself in the cramped back office to catch up on paperwork. Coffee shops don’t run themselves.

Sirius follows hot on James's heels as he navigates his way back to the counter, snickering at his shoulder. He narrowly misses a full-on collision as James comes to a dead stop upon seeing her.

Her. Because she’s here.

“She’s fit, huh?” Sirius smirks. “I mean, if you don’t want to deal with it, I suppose I could—”

“I’ve got it.”

Sirius doesn’t reply, just shaking his head knowingly. James can’t even be bothered, because he knows he’s a besotted fool, but he doesn’t care.

“Oh, there you are,” she says as he walks over. Her eyes sweep shamelessly over him, and he feels a spark of that old adolescent pride. She’s stunning, with warm auburn hair cascading over her shoulders and striking green eyes that seem to burn as they lock onto his. “You’re the owner?”

“That’s me. How can I help you?”

“Well, I’ve heard great things about this place,” she says, eyes drifting briefly up to the menu board behind him, then right back to his eyes. 

“It’s… a great place,” James says lamely, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.

Her eyes sparkle with mischief, clearly enjoying being noticed by him as much as he’s enjoying being noticed by her. She leans forward on the counter, her delicate fingers tapping lightly against the surface. James takes a small step back to put some distance between them, so he doesn’t do something really stupid.

“What’s the specialty?” she asks, her lips curling into a playful smile.

“I don’t usually make the drinks,” he confesses.

She lifts an eyebrow. “But you’ll make one for me?”

James glances around the shop, ensuring Sirius isn’t idling nearby and that there aren’t any customers waiting in the queue. The cozy café is alive with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of conversations, but the coast seems to be clear.

“You know,” he says, dropping his voice, “it’s pretty bold of you to come in here looking like that.”

She smirks, pleased. “Looking like what?”

“Oh, don’t give me that rubbish,” he says, scoffing. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“I’m just a girl looking for a nice cup of coffee,” she says, shrugging. She pushes her hair over her shoulder in a fluid motion, her deep auburn locks catching the light. James’s eyes follow the movement, and when he looks back at her face, her knowing smirk tells him it’s what she intended all along.

“You’re lethal is what you are,” he mutters, then without turning, calls out, “Sirius!”

Almost immediately, Sirius appears, clearly having been eavesdropping. “Alright?”

“Make my wife a vanilla latte, yeah?”

“Fucking hell,” Sirius grumbles. “I hate it when you do this. Just for the record. It’s really terrible.”

“Extra vanilla, please, Padfoot,” Lily adds, her gaze still locked on James, her green eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Learn to have foreplay like normal people, please,” Sirius sighs, glancing dully between the two of them, before heading to the espresso machine, muttering, “You two were supposed to get less weird when you got married.”

[badboydevotee]

Beneath the Glitter

"Today is my birthday, so you're dining in style. I'm not going to eat any though, so you can finish it off." -Fico's birthday voiceline.

The restaurant was as extravagant as it was exclusive—a gleaming beacon of opulence nestled among the glittering skyscrapers. Its walls were adorned with velvet drapes and the air was filled with the gentle hum of classical music, the subtle clink of silverware, and the rustle of hushed conversations. Outside, the city glittered under the fading light of dusk, but inside, it was a world of indulgence, where the rich and powerful gathered to feast, to gossip, to flaunt their successes. You sat across from him, your heart a tangled mess of confusion and hesitation, unsure of what to make of the invitation. Romeo Scorpius Lucci, the man who oozed wealth and arrogance with every step he took, had asked you to join him for dinner. On his birthday, no less. But there was something unsettling about it—something you couldn’t quite place. His gaze was sharp, his posture immaculate, but his lips were pressed into a thin, cruel line. 

You had known Romeo for a while now, ever since you had crossed paths at the casino. He was a man of sharp edges, a man whose temper could ignite the room with a mere glance. It wasn’t hard to hear the stories—the whispers about how he had once been the crowned king of the fashion world, only to watch it crumble down to dust, and how he had clawed his way back from that fall with a vengeance. Everything about him screamed ambition and control, but today… today, he was different. The usual fire in his magenta eyes was muted, replaced by something unreadable.

He took a sip from his glass of wine, his lips curling slightly as he glanced at you, still silent. His hair, perfectly styled with the right side falling slightly longer than the left, caught the light from the chandelier above. The tips of his short gray hair darkened almost imperceptibly as it cascaded over his earring—each one a solid gold hoop, gleaming as brightly as the man himself. Despite the tension in the air, he looked… untouchable. Beautiful, even, though you’d never admit that to his face.

“This is a fine dining experience, BB” he said, his voice low but sharp, like the edge of a well-honed blade. “They’ve prepared a special tasting menu just for us.”

His tone held a hint of something else—something strange, like a thin layer of ice coating his usual arrogance. As he looked down at the elegant table setting, his red eyes—darker now in the dim lighting—flashed with irritation. You knew better than to speak when he was in one of these moods, especially when his temper seemed so volatile.

“It’s too bad you don’t have any appetite for the finer things in life,” you said softly, hoping to ease the tension in the room, to break through the wall he’d built around himself.

Romeo chuckled darkly, his lips curling into a wry smile. His voice came out clipped and almost condescending, like he was humoring you—one of the few things he ever did with genuine attention.

“Today is my birthday,” he declared, the words sharp and almost bitter as they passed his lips. “So you’re dining in style. I’m not going to eat any of it, though,” he added, leaning back in his chair with a languid stretch. His fingers grazed his gold earring absentmindedly, a habitual gesture that you’d seen him do countless times before. It was almost like he needed it to remind him that he was still in control. “You can finish it off.”

A part of you wanted to protest. You knew how meticulously Romeo valued every detail, every ounce of luxury and decadence. To see him not even touch the food—food that had been specially prepared—felt… wrong. But it wasn’t your place to question him. Not now. Not when his presence was so overwhelming, like the dark storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

The waiter approached, setting down a series of dishes one after the other: delicate amuse-bouches, perfectly seared foie gras, intricately arranged seafood towers, and the main course—a tender cut of wagyu beef, its rich aroma drifting through the air. It was a meal fit for royalty, but Romeo, true to his word, didn't so much as glance at it.

You stared at the plate before you, the warm light of the candles reflecting off the fine porcelain. The aroma of the food was intoxicating. It was rich, indulgent, everything he loved. Yet, there he sat, staring at his glass of wine, as if lost in thought, as if the celebration wasn’t for him at all.

“I told you, didn’t I?” Romeo said, breaking the silence, his voice now sharp with a hint of something deeper. “I’m not here to enjoy this. I have no time for pleasure when I’ve got more important things to attend to.”

You raised an eyebrow, a fleeting moment of disbelief washing over you. His obsession with money and status had always been something you’d never fully understood. But this… this felt like more. There was something in his eyes now, a flicker of vulnerability that he desperately tried to mask with that familiar sharpness, with the cold indifference that kept everyone at arm’s length.

His fingers drummed impatiently on the table, the sound of his rings against the fine wood the only noise in the otherwise still room. It was then that you realized the truth: this wasn’t a simple birthday dinner. He was fighting something. Fighting it in a way that was both desperate and painfully obvious.

“You don’t have to do this, you know,” you said quietly, pushing aside the delicate silver fork, suddenly aware of how strange the situation was. You’d never seen Romeo act like this before. He was always so in control, so driven by his insatiable hunger for success and wealth.

Romeo’s eyes flicked to you, his magenta irises flashing dangerously. His hand shot out, his fingers tightening around your wrist as he leaned forward, his voice low and unyielding. “You think I’m doing this for you? For anyone?” He let out a short, derisive laugh. “No. I’m doing this because I can. Because I have to.”

You didn’t pull away from his grip. It was firm, a reminder of how tightly he held everything in his life—his empire, his ambitions, even his emotions. You could see the strain in his jaw, the barely concealed rage flickering in the depths of his gaze.

“You can’t outrun your past, Fico,” you said softly, using the nickname he’d always insisted on. “You can’t keep punishing yourself like this. You deserve to enjoy something—just once.”

Romeo’s expression faltered, just for a second. It was as though your words had pierced through that armor of pride and defiance. His grip on your wrist loosened, and for a brief, almost imperceptible moment, the walls around him seemed to crack.

“I’m not like you,” he muttered, a rare admission slipping from his lips. “I can’t afford to be.”

You reached out, gently taking his hand. The warmth of your touch seemed to ground him in a way that nothing else had been able to. His eyes met yours, and for once, he didn’t look away, didn’t snap, didn’t rage. He simply stared, as if weighing the unspoken connection between the two of you.

“Maybe you can,” you said quietly, your voice a soft whisper in the midst of all the grandeur and extravagance. “Maybe you just need to let someone in.”

The air between you seemed to hum with something unspoken. He exhaled sharply, as if the weight of everything was momentarily too much to bear. For the first time in ages, Romeo Scorpius Lucci didn’t seem like the cold, calculating man who’d clawed his way to the top.

For a fleeting moment, he simply looked… human. And in that moment, something shifted between you both.

With a slow, almost reluctant movement, he picked up his fork, piercing a delicate slice of wagyu, before setting it back down with a soft sigh.

“Fine,” he muttered, his usual arrogance slipping back into his voice. “I’ll have a bite. But only because it’s my damn birthday.”

And for the first time that evening, you both shared a genuine laugh.

You couldn’t help but smile as Romeo finally took a bite of the wagyu, his eyes momentarily closing in appreciation. It wasn’t much—a small victory—but it was something. It was a crack in the armor, a rare moment where the walls around him seemed to crumble, just a little. And as he chewed slowly, his usual sharp gaze softened ever so slightly.

“You’re impossible, you know that?” you said, teasing him gently as you picked up your own fork. You couldn’t resist—he might be insufferable at times, but there was something undeniably magnetic about him. His stubbornness, his pride, even his scornful nature—everything about him was a puzzle that you couldn’t seem to put down.

Romeo's lips curled into that familiar smirk, but it was different now—less biting, more amused, like he was letting you in on some private joke only he understood.

“I’m not the one who’s impossible here,” he shot back, his tone still sharp but with a hint of warmth underneath. He leaned back in his chair, looking at you as though he were sizing you up, like you were the most intriguing thing in the room, despite the luxury that surrounded you both. His gaze lingered longer than it should have, as though he were trying to figure out why you, of all people, had the ability to disarm him so effortlessly.

You tilted your head, studying him in return. It wasn’t the first time you’d seen him so vulnerable, but it was the first time he’d let you see it without the walls of anger and pride. For all his bluster, Romeo was a man driven by a hunger that went deeper than money or power—it was something else. Something raw. Something broken.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at, Fico,” you said, leaning in slightly, your voice low and steady. “But you don’t have to keep pretending you’re some perfect machine, only running on fuel and ambition. You’re allowed to—”

“Stop.” He raised a hand, his voice firm but not hostile. There was a slight tremor in his fingers, a hint of something beneath the surface. "I don’t *need* anyone’s pity or concern."

You couldn’t help but chuckle at the defensiveness in his tone. “I’m not offering either of those. Just... maybe a little bit of understanding. Maybe I’m the one who’s trying to figure out the puzzle.”

Romeo stared at you, his magenta eyes gleaming in the low light, and for a moment, the world outside the restaurant seemed to fall away. It was just the two of you, in this little bubble of rich, warm air, surrounded by fine dining and too many untold stories.

“I don’t need understanding,” he muttered, though there was a softness to his words that didn’t match his usual fire. “I just need what’s mine. What’s owed to me.”

You nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth in his words. His relentless pursuit of what he had lost was something you couldn’t ignore. The dreams of grandeur that haunted him. You could see it now, clearer than before—the weight that crushed him. It wasn’t just about money, not really. It was about power, control, and reclaiming something he had once thought was within his grasp, only to watch it slip away.

"Then I guess that makes two of us," you said quietly, and for a second, you wondered if he understood the subtle implication.

Romeo didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took another bite of the food, his lips pressing into a thin line as he chewed thoughtfully. His magenta eyes flicked up to meet yours once more, the tension between you thickening as the air seemed to charge with something unspoken.

“I’m not someone you should get close to, you know,” he finally said, his voice low and earnest, a trace of something vulnerable creeping into his tone. "I’m not the kind of person who lets anyone in."

You knew that already. You knew that better than anyone else. But you also knew something he didn’t seem to realize—that sometimes, letting someone in wasn’t about fixing the broken parts. Sometimes, it was just about *being* there, without the expectation of anything in return.

“And yet, here we are,” you said softly, offering him a wry smile. “Maybe you don’t have to let me in. Maybe I’m just here for the ride.”

For a moment, Romeo’s gaze flickered, like he was deciding whether to laugh or argue. Instead, he simply looked at you—really looked at you—and the tension between you seemed to soften, just a fraction. The walls that had always been so solid around him were starting to bend. You weren’t sure if they’d ever come down completely, but for now, this—this strange, tentative truce—was enough.

Romeo took another sip of wine, his posture returning to something more casual, almost like he was letting go of some of the weight that had been pressing down on him all evening. His magenta eyes softened, not in affection, but in a quiet understanding that he didn’t need to push you away. Not yet, at least.

“So,” he said, his voice returning to its usual cocky tone, “this is a fine meal, but I expect you to finish it all. It’s my birthday, after all. And I do have a reputation to maintain.”

You raised an eyebrow, amused despite yourself. "You *really* are impossible," you muttered, but there was a smile tugging at your lips that you couldn’t quite suppress.

Romeo’s lips quirked into a smirk, his eyes glinting mischievously. “You’ll get used to it. Eventually.”

And just like that, the moment passed, and the two of you fell back into the dance you knew all too well—his sharp remarks and your knowing smiles, the ever-present tension between you both. But now, there was something else there too. A hint of understanding. A crack in his façade. 

Maybe he didn’t need to admit it out loud. But for once, Romeo Scorpius Lucci wasn’t the terrifying, untouchable man he always tried to be. And maybe—just maybe—neither were you.

The rest of the evening passed in a strange, comfortable silence, punctuated only by the occasional teasing remark, the clinking of silverware, and the soft sound of laughter that lingered between you both. And for once, the glistening city outside didn’t feel so far away.

It felt, for the first time in a long time, like it was within reach.

Ao3 vers.

Please love Romi <3

[s0ft-d3cay]

Playful Flirtations

Leon Kennedy x Male Reader | This took WAY to long to write, what originally was an old work I wrote a few years back. I remember enjoying the concept so I rewrote it and edited it best I could. Hope you all enjoy!!

Warnings: A nice little confession(we all need one of those), both are very touch starved so there’s a lot of that, they flirt, they kiss in the end too, use of Y/N

WC: 664

Y/N’s eyes playfully squinted at Leon, arms crossed and leaned back against the red vinyl couch, facing one another on opposite sides of the private room. An older building covering in celebrity memorably, covering the walls and floor were black and white menu items, a quaint hideaway of a far away past in the atmosphere. "Are you asking if I’m single?" He asked point blank, head cocked to the side, gaze analyzing the blond.

Y/N and Leon had their fair share of close calls in the past few weeks. From meeting in passing missions, uncovering the hell that was Umbrella's fuck ups to now. It seemed the universe had a plan of its own for the both to stay close. Leon's  exhales a soft laugh, lips spreading to a sly smile. "And what if I am?" He replied smoothly.

Confidence and infatuated interest waving off him like a summer's breeze, electric blue eyes somehow glowing under the warm magenta lighting. "I am, are you?" Y/N passed back the question, grinning towards the man with a hopeful gaze. Leon wet his lips as they turned up in a giddy smile once the question was thrown back, taking him by surprise. “I am and I'd like to know more about you on a more…personal level.” Leon answers, eyes cascading over Y/N's frame with heated want.

The man's hands fidgeted with the hem of his long sleeve over the table, gaze shifting down towards their own hands. "I wouldn’t mind giving us a shot." Y/N commented softly, biting his own lower lip. Leon couldn't help but chuckle at how adorable the man was, from the nervous fidgeting to his ever-wavering kindness. Placing a large hand over the other’s, gently grasping Y/N, "Well, I'd be honored to get to know you…"

Y/N’s flushed face only darkened at the action, eyes widened as his heart skipped and swooned. "You stole my line." He teased with a coy expression, hand turning to grasp back. Fingers hesitantly clasping over Leon's fingers and palm. “I’m looking to hopefully steal something else too.” Leon teased back, his fingers playing and curling between his and Y/N fingers. The sight of the other's flushed face and giddy behavior was endearing. Realizing just how soft the man in front of him was inside and out.

"Like what?" Y/N asked back with bashfulness, a hint of mischievous coy tactics. He scoots to the edge of the seat, knees pressed against Leon's beneath the table. The man let out a chuckle, mirroring Y/N as he moved closer, fingers still played and curled between heated fingers and palm.

The warmth from Y/N's hand enticing the man to bring them up to his lips, his gaze flickering between his awaiting lips and playful eyes. "Come on Leon, I wanna hear you say it." Y/N egged on, now pressing themselves halfway against the table. Nose barely touching the man's, they're so close.

Bringing up a free hand to caress his cheek, lightly tracing over his scruffy jaw and cheekbone. Leon chuckled softly, the soft and gentle voice teasing him to make a move. It was hard not to do things to please Y/N, the man was just so alluring. He dreamily let out a sigh, eyes flickering back to Y/N’s. Gazing into them as he barely brushed their lips together. "Can I maybe steal a little kiss?”

"I’m not gonna say no to a kiss." Y/N whispered with an airy laugh, eagerly smiling bright as their blush darkened. Leon chuckled softly, tempting him further to push more buttons to tease and embarrass him. "I mean…if you want my hands and lips all over you, all you gotta do is ask.”

The Y/N completely froze at that comment, eyes growing wide with genuine surprise. Heart racing as his brain scattered in all different directions and future ideas. "Now you’re just threatening me with a good time." Y/N answered in a low whisper, leaning in to capture the man's lips with his own.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights of any of the characters I write about, all the rights go to their respective creators.