#cutie takes 20 minutes to breathe

[hoshigray]

Having thoughts about Toji crushing on a cutie little cinnamon roll. Maybe they go on a few dates before he finally gets her home with him, and just as things are heating up he realizes oh, she’s a virgin. That doesn’t mean he’s not interested, but it changes how he wants to go about it.

Noonie, yeeeeeeeeessss!!! I had the dumbest grin while reading this in my inbox teheheee~ Longer than I intended but what the hell lol hope you like it!!

Cw: dom! Toji x fem!reader - age gap (the reader is at least in their 20s and in college; Toji is around mid-30s) -missionary position - unprotected sex (PSA: wrap it up, or get the fuck up) - ass grabbing - pussy eating - biting (Toji bites your ears) - edging (fem! receiving) - pet names (angel, baby, cutie, sweetheart, mama, princess) - clitoral play - light comedy bc I do[n't] think I'm funny. Wc: 2k

"Ready, baby?"

Your body goes rigid, fingers playing with the hem of your shirred frilled cami romper. A shaky sigh seethes from a wary smile. "Yes." The man in front of you grins before opening the door to his place, and you enter to your doom.

Toji has been courting you for quite some time. It started with small greetings when he visited the café where you work for his usual order of black coffee. Then those greetings slowly evolved into casual chit-chat, prompting Toji to ask you out because he couldn't resist your kindhearted aura.

How could he when his day instantly brightens when you flash your gorgeous smile every time you see him? Or when you always give him a call or text anytime you return to your dorm after hanging outside campus grounds. And when you're done with work, you let him drive and drop you off at your dorm. But that's because he always stays at the café until you get off: watching you welcome customers who enter the space, offering free treats to kids, or giving him a tiny smile from the other side of the shop whenever you catch him staring. Makes him snicker like an idiot.

But his favorite moment with you was the first time you two kissed on your third date. Oh, Toji could replay the scene all fucking day. With your eyes lidded, lips quivering and gripping onto his leather jacket as the man peppered you in kisses, he adored your display of pleasure. And it was even more adorable when you nervously bid him goodnight before entering your dorm room.

It was entertaining how he was the only one that made you — his cute little darling — so shy whenever he came too close. So much so that it turned him on, his desire to have you under him waxing inside him day by day. Except he doesn't, choosing to wait for the perfect time.

And now, when he finally has you where he's been dying to have you, Toji's allowed to indulge in your charm personally. There are shudders of anticipation around him as he kisses you on the couch, his big hands roaming over your form. A deep chortle vibrates his throat when he bites your bottom lip, resulting in a shivering whimper from your swollen lips. Oh, he's going to enjoy every second of this.

But as someone on the other side of the makeout session, you found yourself in an unpleasant position. Not because you didn't want to be here smacking lips with Toji, oh no. He was a great kisser, taking your breath away simply by his lips. No, the real problem was more personal.

Something so personal that it has your brows trench as Toji's hands snake down to your butt, kneading it like putty. Wait a minute...

"Mmmm, Toji, please wa—"

"Shhhh," he hushes you with kisses down your neck. "Taste so good, angel."

Something very personal that your eyes are towed shut when he creeps a hand inside through the bottom of your romper, a warm palm groping the soft flesh of your ass. Wait, wait, wait!

Something extremely personal that you gasp sharply when you feel two fingers sneak past your panties. WAIT!!!

You push Toji off you in haste, and the older man stops with his hands up defensively. He looks at you with confusion, tilting his head to examine what's wrong. You squeak and throw apologies his way. "I'm so so sorry! I'm-I'm just...umm...."

It takes a few seconds for Toji to piece everything together, with the way you're talking in quiet mumbles, your hands fidgeting with your romper again, and your eyes downward to avoid his gaze. His head straightens with eyes slightly wide. Is...Is she a—

"Are you a virgin, sweetheart?" Another muffled squeak confirms his suspicions, and you nod with hesitance.

What were you thinking pushing him off!? If you're gonna have your first time with anyone, why not be the man you're attracted to? But then again, it is YOUR first time!! In humiliation, you cover your face with your hands, the phone call you had with your best friend earlier replaying in your head ("Get it, girl! You either die a virgin or live long enough to get some good dick in your life." "That's the worst way to reference that movie!" "What-the-fuck-ever, go get that dick!!")

You can hear a chuckle from the man, and your eyes shut as you descend further into embarrassment. Oh God, I should've taken my dumbass home so I didn't have to deal with this later and cry myself to—

Your train of thought grinds to a halt when Toji pulls you into his chest. "Oh c'mere, ya cutie." He rubs circles on your back. "Did my lil' angel save herself up fr' me to deflower?"

"No, you perv!" He barks out a laugh above you, not helping this situation. "I just...I-" You try to retort, but the way he looks at you with a sly look and playful grin has your stomach flip. Why's he so goddamn handsome!? "I was just....never ready."

He hums pensively, still rubbing your back. He stays quiet for a while, and you don't bother fixing that while resting on his chest. He doesn't say anything until a minute later. "Think yr' ready now?"

"I don't know? Kinda scared..." You're honest. "But I...I really wanna do it with you, Toji."

"Then, do ya trust me?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, in that case," Toji carefully pushes you off him before he hoists you up bridal style. The swift motion catching by surprise as you hurriedly wrap your arms around his neck before he starts walking. Amused, he kisses your cheek. "Don't worry a thing, princess. Gonna take care of ya real good."

You gulp as your face goes hot. Oh, I definitely should've stayed my ass home...

Yeah, you definitely should've.

Fifteen minutes in, your senses are already clouded by the lapping motions of Toji's tongue on your vulva. You're lying on his bed, your figure writhing and back arching from the commotion between your legs. You tried to contain yourself by concealing your moans, yet your lips let the pornographic noises fly.

The last fifteen minutes have been spent preparing you for the big event. Toji started by fingering your hole, making you adjust to having a foreign limb within you. When you were wet enough, one digit became two, and you grabbed ahold of his shirt as he did his expert work on your soaking chasm.

Now in your nude, you let the man continue to prep you, his hands holding onto your legs with your pussy out for him to see, for him to toy with his wet muscle between your folds and drinking your essence.

"Ahhhh-Haaaah! T-Tojiii," you look so out of it, your head squirming around the pillow beneath you and your words slurred. You've already come two times; what more does this man need for you to be ready? "Oh God, it's too much fer mee, 's too muuch!"

A sharp cry exits your mouth when the man licks your clitoris, his deep forest green eyes peer up to look at you. He snickers, "C'mon, mama, you know I gotta have my girl ready to take in all of me." He flicks his tongue on your bud, and another yelp escapes your lips. "Lemme finish up here, 'kay?"

And he goes back to finishing you up, his hands grabbing you by the hips to bring you closer to his ravenous mouth. You clutch tufts of his raven hair, and his name comes out in incoherent babbles.

Your eyes start to water as your head gets dizzy with the raunchy noises from down south. Your cold sweat contrasts with your hot bare form, and the throbbing sensation between your legs festers under your skin.

Beads of sweat scroll down your forehead. You're close to release. "Hngg! Toji, I'm gonna cu-cummm!"

Suddenly, Toji removes from your legs, leaving you and your pulsing slits to the substituted cold air. You whine for your neglected orgasm that withers away, propping yourself up to beg him to give you what you want. But your breath hitches before you can make a complaint.

Toji is off his bed, withdrawing his shirt and jeans, freeing his cock from his boxer briefs. You can't help but stare at the member before you. Following the trail of hair from his lower abdomen, his erection sprung up with precum oozing out. Compared to your fingers or toys, his dick is way beyond your comprehension in length and girth.

Oh, to die from the first dick you've ever taken. How poetic.

Toji notices you ogle at his shaft, sneering as he returns to the bed. "Like what ya see, cutie?" You chew on your lip when Toji props your legs around his waist, a hand used to position his shaft to your leaky entrance. "Gonna start real slow, so take some deep breaths fr' me, 'kay baby?" You nod, internally bracing yourself for what's about happen.

The head of his cock touches your slit, and you jolt. "Relax, baby. It's gonna hurt if you're tense like that." He coaxes, your breathing securing you from the intrusion. He watches you; with each exhale, he pushes himself. The unfamiliar limb prying in your vagina and the pain you're experiencing is like no other. But you bite down on your lip to push through.

When the tip makes it in, you gasp. Gradually, Toji pushes his member further into you, stretching your tight hole to accommodate his girth. You try to compose yourself with even breaths, but you shriek when you feel his length brush against your G-spot. When the base kisses your cunt, Toji gives you a few minutes to adapt to him. "How ya feelin'?"

"So full..." You look at him with brows scrunched, eyes hooded, and tears streaming down your pretty face.

"Hmm, I bet." He wipes your tears with the rough pads of his fingers before slowly thrusting into you. You grip his shoulders for support, your pussy tightening around his length while your legs cage him. "Oooooh, Christ, you're so tight, mama. Drivin' me fuckin' crazy."

And you're about to be driven crazier when his hips pick up the pace, his dick hitting your sweet spots with precision. It's so surreal finally experiencing your first time, especially with Toji. Maybe it's because he's older and more experienced, but whatever expectations you had up until this point have been blown out of the water. The slap of his pelvis on your slick-coated folds fills his room, his throaty groans sound way too good to the ears, and his hot kisses on your lips make you melt. It all feels so electrifying.

Just when you thought you were undergoing it all, Toji slithers a hand down to your clitoris and swipes up and down on the pearl with his thumb. A choked sob leaves puffy lips, "T-Toji, I'm so close. Please, please, please, let me—Oh God."

"Hnnmph, oh shit—" He's close, too. He bends down to nibble on your ear yet licks the pain away. "I know, sweetheart. Come on me." His thrusts then go faster, a merciless tempo you were unprepared for. Shrieks go higher as your orgasm climbs up, and it hits you hard when Toji's fingers play with your clit again. Your climax sends shivers up your spine, your tender walls pulsating on Toji's cock.

And the older man pulls his dick out of your sensitive cunt, letting his come spill onto your stomach. It looked so lewd yet deliciously attractive, especially with him heaving on top of you with his black bangs sticking to his forehead.

When you two calm down, Toji scans your disheveled appearance and chuckles. "Damn, yr' gonna have me addicted to ya, princess." Your stomach was wiped off with a towel that Toji had on hand as you giggled aimlessly.

"Wanna go again?"

"......yes?" You avoid eye contact and turn away bashfully. He chortles and kisses your cheek once more.

"So fuckin' cute."

[munson-blurbs]

Single Dad!Eddie x Fem!Reader Series

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15

Summary: You and Eddie finally get some much-needed alone time, and a confrontation at the Hawkins Preschool talent show tests your commitment to each other.

Warnings: smut (18+ only, minors DNI), protected p in v, fingering, oral (m! receiving), lil bit of edging, broken condom, breeding kink, mentions of Eddie's past, bullying, fighting, Jason Carver's mere existence, mostly fluff and smut before the angst of the next two chapters

WC: 9.2k

Chapter 15/20

Divider credit to @saradika Cutie pie Eddie pic credit to @/sunceddie

--

You wake up to an alarm set a full hour later than it typically is on a Friday morning, and the extra rest has you walking on air. Or maybe this newfound floatiness comes from knowing Eddie will be arriving soon, the two of you playing hooky from work to spend the day together. Your insides ignite with a rebellious fire, like you’re skipping class to smoke cigarettes underneath the bleachers, rather than taking a paid sick day that you’ve rightfully accrued.

Sunlight streams through the window, just a bit brighter than the usual smears of pink and orange that you normally see when you awaken. And while you still have to drag your yet-to-be-caffeinated body out of bed, the walk to the bathroom seems slightly less daunting. 

You can’t let Eddie in fast enough when the intercom buzzes thirty minutes later. You were never naïve to the fact that dating a parent would mean having less privacy; what you didn’t know was how strongly you’d crave him. 

Your hands are all over him the moment he steps through the door, simultaneously too much and not enough. Fingers lazily drape across the nape of his neck, and you can feel that his hair is already frizzy from the early April rain. Your breath hitches when you catch a glimpse of the burgeoning outline along the seam of his gray sweatpants. 

His lips find yours easily, aiming to meet in the middle, but you press on your toes and bring your core to his. Your pajama top is thin; not sheer, but flimsy enough that he can feel the way you react to the chill of his leather jacket. 

“Hello to you, too,” he murmurs with a laugh, muffled by a kiss that catches him off-guard. “I was gonna ask if you wanted to grab breakfast first, but—”

You shake your head, grabbing his wrist and pulling him towards the bedroom. “Sex first, food later.”

“Yes ma’am.” He uses his free hand to apply a quick smack to your ass, mesmerized at the way the supple flesh ripples underneath the flannel pants. Jesus, you’ve got him half-hard and you’re still in your pajamas. 

He sits on the side of the bed, and you climb to straddle him, your inner thighs nudging his outer. “Been thinking about you,” you say, tugging his earlobe between your teeth. 

Eddie pulls you even closer, one hand snaking up your shirt to cup your breast. He’s still cold from the rain and early morning frost, and his touch has your nipple pebbling. “What about me?” 

“Well,” you trill, starting to slowly grind against the tented fabric of his pants. He exhales, a shiver of anticipation coursing through his veins. “I believe I promised my rockstar a reward for his amazing gig.” Your thoughts flit back to the night of Will’s party, when you’d snuck backstage and gotten a glimpse of him, his body pulsating with nerves that had almost immediately quelled at your touch. Another sensation had swept over him then, but that was an entirely different type of flutter.

Eddie nudges his nose against yours, a smile tugging on the corners of his mouth. “Your rockstar?” He adores the phrasing. Yours. Belonging to you. And you belong to him; he won’t ever allow you to forget it. “What kind of reward did my favorite groupie have in mind?”

You slide off of him, giggling at the pout he gives you as your body loses contact with his. “Patience, Rockstar,” you warn him, though it’s difficult to contain yourself when you’re salivating just being eye-level with his erection. Your fingers dig into his waistband, and for the second time today, you’re glad for his choice of clothing. You don’t think you could handle buttons and zippers and belt buckles. Not today.

He hisses when your palm brushes along his hardened length, stiffening even while covered by his boxer briefs. A small wet patch marks his tip, leaking precum, and you press a chaste kiss to it. Almost instantly, you feel the tendrils of his thigh hair against your bare arms as his legs reflexively snap shut like a Venus flytrap catching its prey. 

“Too much?” you mumble against his happy trail. While you relish in the thought of overstimulating him, you want to keep him on edge as long as you can. 

Eddie shakes his head, curls scratching against his shoulders. “Jus’ wasn’t expecting it. ‘Cause you were using your hands, but then I felt your…never mind, I’m gonna shut up now.” He settles back into the mattress and eagerly awaits your next move.

You don’t make him wait long, lips drawn to his shaft with a magnetic force. You only stop to shimmy his underwear down his legs, tossing them to the corner of the room. His cock is flush against his tummy; you catch yourself staring at the dusting of wispy curls that trail from his upper groin down to his heavy sack. 

Your dominant hand wraps around the base while the other leans on his thigh for balance. You lean in and spit, letting your saliva dribble down his length before flattening your tongue to lick up the pearly bead forming at the tip. Eddie’s abdominal muscles contract and his fists clench, never taking his eyes off of the beautiful woman on her knees for him. 

He lets out a soft moan as you hollow out your cheeks to take more of him into your mouth. A string of syllables that barely resemble words escapes him. “Mmm, yes, oh, sh–fucking hell–thas’ it…” He twists the bedsheets between his fingers, inhaling sharply as your tongue glides up and down his cock. “S’pretty, fuck, gorgeous girl.” He watches intently, staving off blinks so he doesn’t miss a moment of him disappearing between your lips.

He’d once thought that he could never want more than sloppy post-gig hook-ups in dive bar bathrooms with girls whose names he’d never learned, though he wouldn’t have made an effort to remember them anyway. Girls who had only offered their mouths so they could lay claim to his body; the opportunity to brag that they’d blown Eddie Munson before he got famous.

That was before you, before you’d shown him the intoxicating mixture of longing and belonging, of lust and…

You continue drawing him closer and closer to his orgasm, nose grazing his thatch of pubic hair. His hips buck slightly, but your mouth is so full of him that it threatens to evoke your gag reflex. 

“Shit, ‘m sorry,” Eddie blurts out, unfurling a hand from the sheets to cup your cheek. He pulls out, allowing you to take a deep breath. 

You shake your head. “I liked it,” you tease with a wicked grin, wasting no time assuming your previous position. 

“Oh, fuck,” Eddie throws his head back. “You like gagging on my dick? Fucking hell, babe.”

“Mhm.” The gentle vibration has him twitching, and you know he can’t last much longer. You bring your attention to his tip, sucking and giving soft kitten licks while your hand takes care of the rest of his length. He’s so painfully hard that you wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed that way long after finishing. 

“Jus’…just like that. Oh, fuuuuuck,” he groans, silently calling upon every ounce of willpower in his body to keep his pelvis still so he doesn’t disturb the beautiful rhythm you’ve found. “Gonna cum…shit, baby, if you don’t want it in your mouth, you gotta stop now.”

But you do want it in your mouth, so you don’t stop, feeling warm ropes adorning your tongue just seconds later. He’s panting, chest heaving as though he was the one putting in the effort, but he still notices the way you swallow his thick load without missing a beat. 

“Did you just…oh, my God. You’re perfect.” He throws his hands up in mock defeat. “I can’t…nothing I do will ever compare to you, I swear.” He motions for you to lay down next to him, and immediately climbs on top of you, the sweat from his chest transferring to your shirt. “Off,” he mumbles, pulling it over your head before you get the chance to do it yourself.

His lips swoop down to your left breast, tongue flickering over the nipple, and his dominant hand travels into your panties and expertly finds your clit. You let out a tiny whimper, barely audible over Eddie’s own grunts, finding pleasure in making you feel good. 

“This body,” he mumbles, mouth still attached to your chest, “has me in a goddamn chokehold. It’s all I think about.” That isn’t quite true; he certainly spends plenty of time daydreaming of you, though it isn’t always in such compromising positions. Sometimes, you’re sleeping next to him in bed as he presses gentle kisses to the nape of your neck. Other times, he’ll be cooking dinner and picture you passing him the salt or handing him a serving spoon to dish out whatever noodle-based concoction he’s conjured up. Whatever he’s doing, he imagines you by his side. 

“Can you kiss me?” Your request is timid but dripping with need. 

Eddie nods, bringing himself to eye level with you and closing the gap between your faces. You taste of minty toothpaste and of him, and he curses himself for diving in headfirst without remembering to kiss you. “M sorry,” he apologizes for the second time that morning, and you forgive him with a soft bite to his lower lip. 

Your arms rest on his shoulders and your legs wrap around his calf muscles, desperate to remain as close as possible at all times. No, you can’t stay like this forever, so you’ve got to make it count. “Need you inside me, Eddie.” Your voice nearly cracks, tears pricking at your lash line as the craving for him grows stronger. “Please.”

Eddie musters up a terse laugh. “Sweetheart, I just came, like, five minutes ago. You gotta give me a second to bounce back.” He lowers himself so he can whisper in your ear, “let me take care of you while we wait, hm?”

As soon as you nod, he’s yanking down your pajama pants and panties in one fluid motion. You can’t miss the way his eyes light up once you’re fully on display for him, taking in every centimeter of your body like his existence depends upon it. He starts to shimmy his way down, but your murmured “mm-mm” captures his attention.

“Still want you kissing me,” you say, gazing adoringly into his deep brown eyes. “Maybe you could just use your fingers?” 

His instinct is to protest; he’s been desperate to taste you again ever since his tongue last touched the most intimate part of you, but he can’t deny you what you want. He’ll do just about anything to keep a smile on your face.

Without further hesitation, Eddie’s lips are on yours. He braces himself on his elbows as his hands cradle your cheeks. You can feel the heat of his cock, still spent and flaccid, against the top of your thigh. He shifts slightly so he can press one thick finger into your pussy, dragging in and out so deliciously that you barely notice his tongue slipping into your mouth, deepening the kiss as you moan.

“Y’like that?” It’s a gratuitous question; he can feel how much you like it in the way you’re clenching around him. “Gonna make my girl feel s’good.”

“Call me your girl again,” you whine, punctuating the plea with a gentle buck of your hips. 

Eddie grins, ducking his head where your neck meets your collarbone and sucking lightly. It takes every ounce of strength he possesses not to mark you. He studies the moisture left behind by his lips and wishes it was the exquisite shades of blue and indigo that form when someone’s been claimed. 

He slides a second finger inside you. “My sweet girl,” he coos, just a hint of patronization laced within his deep voice, “you like being mine? Belonging to me?”

Your stomach flips at his words; a gnawing hunger for Eddie Munson. “Love it. I…I love being your girl.” You allow your mind to clear, absorbing his gaze, his touch, his skin. The graceful arch of your back beckons him to move faster, tongue peeking from between his plush lips as he concentrates on your orgasm.

Each stroke within you inches you closer to euphoria. Eddie’s thumb is pressed to your clit, cementing his determination to tip you over the edge. He hits all the right spots, committing them to memory; his own personal pathway to the heavens. 

It’s your turn to grab onto the bed sheets like a lifeline as pleasure surges through you. Your lips coat his in a warm layer of “Eddie, Eddie, Eddie,” the praise a victory chant to him. He waits until your eyelids flutter back open and your breathing steadies before taking his fingers from your center and into his mouth, licking your release off of his skin like a delicacy.

Your body may be splayed out on the bed, but your mind is adrift; its only focus is the float down from the high Eddie’s brought you to. If it weren’t for the throbbing reminder pressed to your leg, you might float right into the atmosphere.

You summon the willpower to prop yourself up on your elbows, watching intently as he fists himself to temporarily ease the ache.

“Why’re you doing that when ‘m right here?” you mumble, wetting your lower lip with a swipe of your tongue. You can only hope that there’s some semblance of a smile in your intoxicated expression. “Unless you…prefer your hand?”

“Fuck, no,” he grumbles, curls dancing along his shoulder blades as he loosens his grasp to dig through your top drawer. He shoves aside stray prescription bottles and various knickknacks that you’ve been meaning to go through until he finds what he’s been looking for.

He snatches up the teal box and practically tears the cardboard in half trying to open it. The snake of foil packets tumbles out and he scrambles for them, but you’re faster.

Wordlessly, you rip off one packet and carefully tear off the top. Eddie hisses as you roll the condom down his hardened length, more than ready to be inside you. 

“Wanna ride you,” you tell him, pressing your palms to his soft pecs. “‘S that okay?” 

“Is that—baby, if I ever say no to that offer, there’s something seriously wrong with me,” he laughs, already laying back on the bed. His hair splays across the pillow, brown curls swirling atop the cotton pillowcase like Van Gogh’s Starry Night. 

Eddie inhales sharply as you sit above him, sheathed cock pressed to your heat in anticipation. He reaches out and grabs your breasts, one in each hand, kneading them in his palms. His thumbs brush over your nipples, gauging your reaction before giving them a small pinch. 

Your moan, coupled with the way you grind against him, confirms your satisfaction, but he still asks, “Y’like when I do that?”

You offer him a little smirk, cocking your brow as you cheekily reply, “You tell me.” 

He doesn’t have time to respond before you lift yourself and gradually sink down onto him, soaking in every moment of the delectable stretch. Bracing yourself on his chest, you feel him bottom out so he’s filling you entirely. 

“Fuck, Sweetheart.” His hands move from your chest to your hips as he helps you adjust to the newfound fullness. “So tight. Feels‘mazing.”

“Just wanna take care of you, Eds. You’re so good to me; I wanna be good to you.” You bounce up and down, moving your hips so no part of your walls remains untouched by him. 

He’s mesmerized at the jiggle of your flesh as it connects with his, momentarily rendering him speechless before he regains some composure. “You are. You’re so, so good for me. Can never get enough of my girl.”

You clench around him at the title ‘my girl’, earning you a smack to your ass. The sting makes you whimper, and he swiftly delivers another. 

“You’re gonna make me cum too soon,” he huffs, blown-out pupils drifting from your eyes to where your bodies are joined. 

You pause your movements to lean down, allowing him impossibly deep within you. “If it’s too much,” you murmur into his ear, hoping your edge-teetering tremble is hidden enough to effectively tease him, “maybe I should just…stop.” You slide your hips forward until only his tip breaches your hole. 

Eddie’s jaw drops in complete disbelief. “You…you can’t fuckin’ do that to me.” You expect him to push the rest of his cock inside you and thrust until he’s completely spent, so you’re caught off-guard when he pulls out entirely. “All fours. Now.” He emphasizes his request with another spank, this one harder than the rest. 

You oblige, palms pressed into the mattress and toes curled as you await him. He taps his shaft against your bottom once, twice, three times, and then plunges into your warmth. 

“Ah—fuck—Eddie!” you cry, feeling the telltale twitch that informs you he’s close. Really fucking close. And then another sensation—a soft pop. 

He realizes what it is before you do. “Fuckin’ condom broke!” he grumbles, pulling out again—even more begrudgingly than before—and tossing the split rubber to the floor. He opens a new one and rolls it on with lightning speed, eager to be enveloped in you once again. 

“Wish we didn’t have to use those,” you mumble, willing yourself to stay steady despite the push from his pistoning hips. “Be so much easier without them.”

Picturing you taking him raw—you wanting to take him raw—is the last straw. “Yeah? You wanna feel all of me, baby?” he growls, nearly inaudible over the sound of his pelvis colliding with your ass. “Want me blowing my load so fuckin’ deep inside you?”

“Y-Yes,” you stammer, feeling that delicate wave approaching the shoreline, desperate to crest. “That’s exactly what I want, Eddie.”

“Keep saying my name,” he orders, wrapping one arm around you so his middle finger lays on your clit. Every part he touches makes you weaker for him, scavenging for the relief of release.

“Eddie, feels s’good,” you moan, legs threatening to crumple beneath you. “No one makes me feel like this ‘cept you, fuck, Eddie!”

You finish around him, squeezing him until he’s spilling into the condom with a primal groan of your name. He stays draped over you for a beat before flopping back onto the bed. 

“You are…” he turns to you and grins as he searches for the right word, “spectacular.” He gingerly removes the barrier from his dick, tying it in a knot and tossing it into the trash can next to your nightstand. “C’mere.” 

You lay on his chest, the sweat cooling as it hits your cheek. “Did you work up an appetite?” you tease, kissing just below his tattoo of a demonic head, “I can grab us some cereal, or we might have some frozen Eggos I could throw in the toaster.”

Eddie smiles so wide it threatens to escape the confines of his cheeks. “Sex and breakfast? You spoil me, Sweetheart.”

“Yeah, well; we need energy to power us through round two.” You scoot upwards to nuzzle into the crook of his neck, the salt of his perspiration tangy on your lips. “Give me a few minutes, okay? Do you like syrup on your waffles?”

“And butter?” he asks with a hopeful smile, peering at you through long eyelashes that would have had you darting to Bradley’s Big Buy if you didn’t already have a stick of Land O’ Lakes in the fridge.

You roll your eyes playfully. “Yes, Your Majesty,” you say, giving his bare thigh a small tap. “Would you also care for some freshly-squeezed orange juice? I can have the chef whip some up right away.”

Eddie throws his head back and laughs, slowly pushing himself up so he can help you in the kitchen. It dawns on him that he hasn’t felt this kind of peace after sex before; his mind has always been clouded with fears of getting too attached, of saying the wrong thing, of deluding someone into thinking he’s enough. 

“God, I love you.” The words tumble out before he can stop them, and he freezes in place, one leg through his underwear. “Fuck, I mean–”

“It’s okay,” you rush to reassure him, noting the red tinge forming on the tips of his ears. “I’d say that to anyone who offered me breakfast foods, too.” You give him room to accept the out, to brush off his confession as a slip of the tongue. There’s no use in awarding merit to an accidental comment, regardless of what your skipped heartbeat tells you.

He considers it, every synapse and neuron firing at warpspeed. Maybe he could convince himself that it was an accident if it was the first time he’d felt this, the way your sunshine radiates through him and warms him from within. But that was far from the truth. 

“No,” he finds himself saying, grasping onto every morsel of confidence he can find, “it’s not because of the food. I love you.” 

Your voice catches in your throat. You want to believe that he’s reciprocating your feelings, but something nags at you. “Are you sure it’s not because we just had sex? Because sometimes that—”

“No,” Eddie repeats himself, unfolding the waistband of his boxer briefs and walking to you. “Because it wasn’t about sex when you calmed me down after the parent-teacher conference. It wasn’t about sex when you taught Harris how to read and bowl and be a better person than I’ll ever be. It wasn’t about sex when you cheered me on during our last gig, and it wasn’t about sex when I saw you holding Ettie.” He takes a deep breath and holds your hands as he gazes into your eyes. “And even after having sex, it isn’t about sex. It’s about you being the one for me. I love you, I love you, I love you.” He kisses your forehead, then your cheek, and finally your lips. 

“I love you, too, Eddie.” 

Just five words, six syllables, and he’s a goner. Seriousness melts into a sappy smile as he cradles your cheeks and presses the tip of his nose to yours. “Holy shit, we’re in love.”

You kiss him, tongue nudging his as your torsos meld together. If your stomach wasn’t gnawing for something to eat, you’d start round two right then and there. 

Throwing on just a shirt and panties, you lead him into the kitchen before either of you can crawl back into bed. His hands never leave your body, snaking around your waist as you rifle through the freezer for the familiar yellow box. His head rests on your shoulder as you drop the waffles into the toaster and press the lever down.

“Eds?”

“Yes, my love?” he murmurs, pecking a soft kiss behind your ear. You both could have sworn that there was nothing better than him calling you ‘my girl,’ but you’re unashamed to stand corrected.

“Could you make yourself useful and grab some plates? Maybe get the syrup or butter?” you tease, noting the dramatic pout developing on his face. “What?”

“I’m keepin’ you warm,” he protests, sliding his hands over the cotton fabric of your faded t-shirt and grabbing your breasts. “And you’re not wearing a bra, so I gotta hold ‘em for you.”

He eventually obliges, setting two Chinette plates on the countertop and padding over to the refrigerator. He plucks the condiments from the side door and places them in the center of the table. 

“Cups, too,” you remind him with a cheeky grin, pointing to a cabinet to your right. “No drinking out of the carton in my house.”

“Bossy this morning, aren’t we?”

The toaster chimes a charismatic ding! as the waffles jump out of their slots, and you carefully drop both onto one plate. “Here ya go,” you chirp, extending your arm so he can take his breakfast. 

“Where’s yours?” His brows pinch together in confusion, a sly smile stretching his lips. “Don’t tell me I didn’t make you work up more of an appetite back there. Shit, shoulda had you ride me longer–”

Your hip collides with his in a purposeful shove. “I’m getting mine ready now. Go sit and eat, you horndog.” 

Eddie drops the plate on the counter so quickly that the Eggos nearly fly off, pulling you from behind for a hug that squeezes all the air from your lungs. You squeal as he bites your neck and barks into it, solidifying that he has indeed earned the new nickname you’ve bestowed upon him.

He takes one of his waffles and places it on your empty plate. “We can eat together.”

You grab the orange juice from the fridge, giving the carton a shake before pouring the contents between the two glasses. It’s not until you sit down that you remember: “Oh, shit—utensils.” You start to get back up, but Eddie puts a hand out in a silent bid for you to stay seated, shuffling back to the kitchen. The drawer rattles as he pulls with just a bit too much strength, and he comes back with two knives and a single fork. 

“You only got one—” you start, but he shakes his head. 

“Don’t need it.” With that, he cuts off a hunk of butter and slathers it on top of his waffle, knife scraping against the little squares. He slathers every square inch in syrup, folds the waffle in half, and takes an exaggeratedly large bite. 

“Eddie Munson!” you lightly chastise, still in shock at what you’ve witnessed. “Did you just eat that like a taco?”

“Sí, señorita.”

You shake your head in disbelief. “Oh, my God, I’m in love with a barbarian.” You reach for the bottle of Aunt Jemima and drizzle the sticky-sweetness onto your waffle. “What else is going on with you?” you ask, cutting the food into strips and spearing it with your fork. “Work’s good?”

“Work’s great, actually.” He starts to bring the waffle to his mouth but pauses just before taking a bite. Syrup drops onto the plate with a plop. “I almost forgot to tell you! The regional manager asked me to go to this thrift market in Indianapolis in a few weeks—all on the company’s dime—and try to snag some vintage records.”

“Eds, that’s amazing!” You leap up from your chair and lean in to kiss his syrupy lips. 

He licks a smudge of butter from the side of his thumb. “Oh, but that’s not even the best part,” Eddie grins triumphantly. “The market just so happens to fall during spring break, and I was hoping you could join us?” His bare foot nudges yours under the table. “That is, if you think you can survive an entire weekend running after Harris?”

Your jaw drops in mock-offense. “One of us chases after children–plural–every day. Besides,” you add, taking a swig of juice, “Harris isn’t the one I’m worried about.” You gesture at his partially-demolished breakfast. “At least when he eats like this, he has the excuse of being a child.”

His reply is a flick of his left middle finger, his right hand busy jamming the remaining waffle-taco into his mouth. “And yet,” he retorts with his mouth full, “you can’t seem to get enough.”

He’s got you there: all you’ve ever wanted is sitting in front of you now, the corners of his chocolate-brown eyes crinkling as he stands. You allow your eyes to roam his body; not with lust, but adoration. Love.

Your cheek yearns to be pressed to his chest, your hand resting where the soft pudge of his tummy barely rolls over the elastic waistband of his boxer briefs. Your legs crave the connection of intertwining with his. You need his arms, biceps strong from lugging around music equipment and holding his son, wrapped around your torso and keeping you impossibly close. Keeping you safe.

You want to spend hours asking about the stories behind the tattoos that adorn his chest, whether meaningful or the result of sheer boredom. You want to curl up on the sofa and put on a movie, absorbing none of it as you spend the entire duration lost in his lips. 

The brush of his thumb against your knuckles stirs you from your roaming thoughts. 

“Can I ask you something?”

Eddie sits up a bit straighter, hand never leaving yours. “Shoot.”

“Is it…” you fumble for the right words, “why are you like this now?”

“I’m sorry?” His brows knit together in obvious confusion. “Why am I like…what?”

“This,” you repeat, gesticulating at the man before you, warm and tender and completely unlike the stranger you’d hooked up with nearly eight months ago. “Why is the guy who once kicked me out of his apartment currently having breakfast with me half-naked and inviting me on a trip with his son?” Your tone is inquisitive, curious, and Eddie heaves a silent sigh of relief when he doesn’t detect a hint of judgment. 

He doesn’t answer your question outright; instead, he poses his own: “Do you not believe that I love you?” He bites his lower lip, mind churning with the early memories you’d made together, the ones he wishes he could lock away and never remember. 

Your heart lurches at your accidental implication. “I do! Shit, Eddie, I know you love me. And I love you, too.” You pause to lift his hand to your mouth, leaving the gentlest of kisses along his fuzzy knuckles. “I guess I just wanna know why you even let yourself love me. Why you didn’t stick to the Cat-and-Mouse. Why…why you chose me.” 

He exhales, an incredulous huff of laughter passing through his lips. “You wanna know why I started only having one-night stands? Or why I stopped?”

“Both?” you try.

“So, um,” his eyes look everywhere but at you, “I never really got attention until I moved to Chicago and started playing with that band. All of a sudden, women wanna sleep with me, and I don’t have to, like, beg them.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “But they didn’t really want to fuck Eddie Munson; they just wanted to fuck the lead singer and guitarist of Hard Knox. Didn’t matter if it was me or some other random guy.

“One night, I’m…y’know…with this one girl, and I asked her to say my name.” His cheeks tinge red and he swallows hard. “And she looks at me with these wide eyes, and I realized she didn’t even fucking know it.”

“Did you know hers?” The question comes out before you can stop it, but you already know the answer.

He rubs his eyes with his whole palm. “After that, I realized that the only difference between the Eddie who got laid and the Eddie who didn’t was that no one I slept with really knew me. And if they ever figured out that I’m just this big ol’ nerd who spent high school playing Dungeons & Dragons, they’d…” He flexes his hands to make a poof! motion. “So I decided not to let them get to know me.”

“But then…”

“But then,” he acquiesces, “you show up at the bar, looking like a goddamn dream, and I put up that cocky lead singer persona on instinct. Because that’s the only version of me that women ever wanted to be with.” He sighs. “And then I let my guard down, ask you to spend the night, and I’m thinking, ‘I gotta get her outta here before she sees who I really am. Before she sees that I’m not a rockstar; I’m just a mediocre dad who sells weed to scrape by.’”

You move so quickly that you practically knock over your chair, standing behind him and wrapping your arms around the top of his chest. Your chin rests on his scalp, and he can feel the vibration in your throat as you murmur, “nothing about you is mediocre, Eddie Munson.”

 He lays his head on your forearm, kissing it softly before lacing his fingers with yours. “Sometimes, I think I’m just buying time until you get sick of me.”

You shift your position so your lips can brush the side of his neck. “I didn’t fall for the guy on stage that night. I mean, yeah, you looked incredibly hot,” you tease and nip at his collarbone, “but I’m in love with Eddie Munson: the man who gets excited when his son reads a new word, who teases me for liking olives on my pizza, who knows the lyrics to every song ever made–including the ones he claims to hate.”

“Well, Eddie Munson–the real Eddie Munson–is so goddamn lucky to be loved by you.” He turns so he’s facing you, strong hands on your hips as he gazes up with starry eyes. 

You cradle his cheeks, stooping down so your noses touch. “You deserve to be loved.”

“Yeah.” The word is more breath than sound. “Yeah, I think I’m finally starting to believe that.” 

The remainder of your day is spent having copious amounts of sex; Eddie had insisted on ‘making up for lost time,’ taking breaks only for a quick lunch and a shower. 

“Come with me to pick up Harris,” Eddie says as he wraps the bath towel around his waist. Water drips from the ends of his curls down to the dimples on his lower back. “We’re going to Jeff and Viv’s after so he can meet Baby Ettie.”

You raise your eyebrows in amusement, bending over to dry your legs. “I took a sick day today,” you remind him. “I can’t just show up there in your car, like, ‘nothing to see here!’”

“I’ll park far away,” he says with a shrug. “No biggie.” There’s a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. “I mean, I could tell Harris that Ms. Sweetheart was supposed to be with us, but she said no—”

You swat at his chest and he pulls back, feigning pain. “You wouldn’t!”

“Try me.”

That’s how you ended up hunched over in the passenger seat of Eddie’s sedan, hiding from any passersby who could potentially recognize you. It only takes a few minutes before you hear the sound of Harris’s little voice, chewing his dad’s ear off about his day at school.

“...and then me an’ Charlie traded me snacks, an’ no one even sawed us!” He’s cackling like it’s the funniest joke. “He had my pretzels and I had his gummies, and it was so silly!”  

“Gummies, huh?” Eddie clicks his tongue, “well, that explains the sugar rush.” Their voices get louder as they approach the car. “By the way, Har Bear, I have a surprise for you.”

As he says it, Harris opens the back door and hops into the car, eyes widening when he sees you sitting up front. “Ms. Sweetheart!” he exclaims, bouncing into his booster seat with pure exhilaration. “What are you doing in Daddy’s car?”

“I figured I could see Baby Ettie with you guys,” you say as nonchalantly as possible, a stark contrast to the little boy practically vibrating from excitement, “if that’s okay with you.”

“Yes, yes, YES!” Harris shouts, his words aimed directly in Eddie’s ear as he tries buckling his son’s seatbelt.

“Jesus H. Christ,” he mutters, wincing as he massages the opening of his ear canal with his forefinger. “Take it down a notch, little man.” He fumbles with the belt until he hears the familiar click. He dons a deep voice to announce, “Keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times,” and Harris draws his limbs inwards with a giggle while Eddie closes his door. 

“Daddy? Can we listen to music?”

“Mhm.” Eddie reaches for the radio dial, then stops. “Should we let Ms. Sweetheart choose the tape? Since she’s our special guest?” He shoots you a grin that sends a flip-flopping sensation behind your ribs. 

Harris taps his finger to his chin in contemplation. “Hmm…okay! Can she pick Metallica?”

“Not quite sure that’s how it works…” Eddie scrunches up his face and scratches at his jawline. 

You turn around to face the boy, whose curly hair is now identically frizzy to his father’s. “Actually, Metallica sounds great to me,” you say, adding a thumbs-up for good measure. 

“Metallica it is!” Eddie pops in the cassette, the mechanical wheels whirring for a moment before Fight Fire with Fire blares through the speakers. He rests his palm on the back of your seat as he backs out of the spot, tongue poking from his lips in concentration. 

Harris alternates between headbanging to the music and babbling about school throughout the drive to Jeff and Viv’s. His energy seems endless as he hops out of the car and races to their front door. 

“Har, remember,” Eddie calls out, “we have to be calm and gentle around the baby. Don’t wanna scare her.”

Harris nods as Jeff opens the door. “Mini Munson!” He gives a tired smile, stifling a yawn. “Ready to meet your new cousin?” He chuckles when Harris jumps up and down and squeals. “I’ll take that as a yes. Go ‘head and sit on the couch, kiddo.”

Harris follows Jeff’s instructions, and you and Eddie trail close behind him. Jess and Robin are also there; the latter woman is currently holding Ettie, lightly rocking the newborn in her arms. 

“Do you wanna hold her?” she asks Harris, who looks to you and his dad in a silent plea for permission. 

“Up to you, Har,” Eddie says with an encouraging smile. “We’ll help you, if you want.”

Harris nods, shuffling so his back is pressed up against the sofa. He squirms anxiously, kicking his feet as he waits for you and his dad to join him. 

Eddie sits on his right side, and you take the empty space to his left. “I’ll help you hold her head,” you promise him. “You can hold your arms out like this,” you demonstrate, resting your forearms on your lap with your palms facing the ceiling, and Harris mimics your actions. “There ya go.”

Robin carefully walks over and places Ettie in Harris’s outstretched arms, ensuring that you’re supporting the baby’s head before she fully lets go. For a few moments, Harris just stares at the little girl, seemingly unsure how to react. Finally, he softly murmurs, “she’s so little!”

“Sure is,” Eddie laughs, poking at one of her tiny toes in amazement. “Would you believe that you were even more little when you were a baby?” His grin deepens when Harris’s jaw drops in disbelief. “It’s true! You were the tiniest little thing I’ve ever seen.” As he says it, a lump forms in his throat, and he swallows it before anyone notices the catch in his voice. You don’t need to hear it, though, and you use your free hand to discreetly rub his back in silent reassurance.

Harris purses his lips as he stares at his new cousin, clearly unaffected by the anecdote. “Does she do any tricks?” 

His question has the entire group stifling laughter, and Eddie turns pink with embarrassment as he quickly explains, “she’s not a dog, buddy. And she was only born a few weeks ago, so she pretty much just eats, sleeps, and poops.”

“Ew,” Harris’s nose wrinkles in disgust at the last activity, though you’re willing to bet a large sum of money that he’s made at least one poop-related joke today. “So when can I teach her how to play Legos?”

“Not for a while,” Viv admits with a kind chuckle, “but when she’s ready, I promise that we’ll let her big cousin Harris show her how it’s done.”

Her answer placates him, at least temporarily, and he cautiously brushes his forefinger against Ettie’s scalp, smoothing down her wisps of hair. You take the moment to glance over at Eddie, only to find him looking right at you.

Hi, he mouths, though there’s so much more he wishes to say. When Harris was Ettie’s age, Eddie was exhausted, overwhelmed, constantly on the brink of breaking down. He’d sworn to himself and anyone else who would listen that he’d never go through the newborn stage again, but he’s mesmerized by the sight of you and Harris cuddling a baby. He wants this, he wants this with you, sleepless nights and spit-up stained clothes no longer strong enough deterrents.

Hi, you mouth back, suppressing words that ache to spill from your lips. Your pulse quickens at the way Eddie watches his son, not with scrutiny, but with admiration and awe, as though he can’t believe he’d created such a wonderful little human. Teaching children never translated over to a desire for motherhood, but you can suddenly picture yourself helping Harris hold your baby, a baby that symbolizes the love between you and Eddie.

“They look like a little family.” Robin’s attempted whisper grabs your attention; a brief scan of the room shows that everyone else is looking at her, too. Her cheeks flush a deep red and she mutters, “sorry,” swooping in to scoop Ettie into her arms. 

An awkward silence hangs in the air until Jess clears her throat. “How was work today?” she asks you, and though you don’t have an actual answer to the question, you’re grateful for the subject change.

“I took the day off,” you reply nonchalantly. “Wanted to catch up on rest, y’know…” You trail off, hoping your non-answer suffices.

“What about you, Ed?” Jeff tries.

“Oh, uh,” Eddie stammers, nervously running a hand through his hair, “I also took the day off.”

Jeff’s gaze flits between the two of you until he finally manages an elongated, “…cool.” 

Luckily, Harris is oblivious to the adults’ conversation. “Uncle Jeff, are you coming to my talent show next week?”

“Talent show?” Jeff glances at Eddie with an amused smirk. 

“Uh, yeah, ‘s this parent-kid thing at his school,” Eddie hurriedly explains, trying not to trip over his words. He’s still stuck on what he’s implied by admitting that he’d also called out of work. “I didn’t know how busy you’d be with Ettie—”

Viv smiles. “I think he can sneak out for an hour to see his favorite nephew.”

“Robs and I can help out here if you need,” Jess offers to her sister, “as long as Jeff brings the camcorder so we have video evidence of this performance.”

“Absolutely not.” Eddie shuts the idea down immediately, but his protest is drowned out by the sound of Harris cheering. 

“Daddy and I are gonna—”

Eddie claps a ringed hand over his son’s mouth. “It’s a surprise.” He looks at you for a moment, bashfulness infiltrating his expression with a timid smile and downcast eyes, and you realize that the surprise is for you. 

Harris wriggles out of Eddie’s grasp with a discontented sigh, sliding off the couch and onto thr floor. “I didn’t tell Ms. Sweetheart,” he protests, and Eddie pinches the bridge of his nose as he gathers any remaining patience. 

Ettie puckers up her face and lets out a wail that seems far too big for her teeny body, but it serves as the perfect reason to leave. You hug everyone goodbye and give the cranky baby’s feet a gentle tickle before you head out the door. Harris gallops ahead, giving Eddie the opportunity to guide you with a soft press of his hand to the small of your back. Before he's fully outside, he leans in to Jeff, whispering “I told her,” ending the statement with a grin. 

“My man!” Jeff grabs Eddie’s shoulder and gives it a small shake. “Let me know when to buy my tux for the wedding.”

“Jesus, you sound like Harris.”

Spending time at Hawkins Preschool outside of contracted work hours would normally be a scenario straight out of a nightmare. This afternoon; however, you’re here to see the most adorable little boy and his handsome dad perform some sort of mystery talent, which makes it all worthwhile.

The cafeteria has been transformed into an auditorium of sorts, with neat lines of metal folding chairs replacing the long tables that typically fill the space. An area at the front of the room has been sectioned off for the performances, and the entire place is abuzz with excitement about the adorableness that is about to ensue.

You spot Jeff and Wayne sitting in the third row from the back and you give them a little wave, bounding over to take the empty seat to Jeff’s left. The smile on your lips quickly transforms into a frown when you see him shake his head, placing his palm on the chair.

“I’m under strict orders to make sure you sit in the front row,” he says with a knowing smirk. He shoos you away, and you begrudgingly turn from their familiar faces, but not before catching a twinkle in Wayne’s eyes. 

Soon after you find a seat close to the makeshift stage, Principal Sinclair steps up to the microphone. 

“Welcome, friends and family, to our annual talent show fundraiser!” There’s a polite smattering of applause before she speaks again. “Our students—and their parents—have quite a show for you all. First up is Miss Abigail Carver and her mom, Chrissy, who will be performing a cheer routine!”

You clap as Abby and Chrissy step out, green and yellow pom-poms in hand. Your student recognizes you immediately, running over to give you a quick hug that elicits a resounding aww from the audience members.  She rushes back to her spot as she and her mother cheer on the Hawkins Tigers in unison. 

Next is another student of yours, Joshua Harrington. His dad hoists a Fisher Price basketball hoop and places it on the ground so the two of them can show off their “slam dunks.”

After a few more students from other classes, it’s finally the moment you’ve been waiting for. 

“Please welcome Harris Munson and his dad, Eddie, who will be singing a song!”

No sooner do you call out, “Yay, Harris!” do you hear it:

“Freak.”

It’s low enough that no one else catches it; you probably wouldn’t have, either, if the culprit wasn’t sitting directly behind you. You turn around to see Jason Carver, camcorder by his side, poorly stifling a snicker. 

Your hands clench, balled into fists, so tight that you feel your fingernails digging into your palms. It’s too tempting to smash his camera—no, smash his stupid face—but you inhale and then exhale for three seconds apiece. Today is about Harris and Eddie, and no overgrown bully is going to ruin that. 

Still, you have to bite back a smile at the thought of Jason sporting a black eye, courtesy of the Freak’s girlfriend herself. 

When Harris and Eddie take to the performance space, your anger evaporates and your heart becomes heavy with emotion. Harris is front and center, body slightly turned as he watches his dad get settled on a wooden stool and gives his acoustic guitar a tune. The boy dons a black suit that’s a size too big for him, his hands barely peeking out of the sleeves. He’s got on a tie that has to have been borrowed from an adult; you can’t imagine Eddie or Wayne wearing one, so maybe Jeff loaned it. The best part is the fedora that rests atop his messy mop of curls. 

“Hi, Ms. Sweetheart!” he says with a grin so wide it likely hurts his cheeks, letting out a shriek of delight when you wave. “This song is for you!”

Eddie murmurs a soft, “two, three, four,” and strums a melody that immediately has your eyes welling with tears. 

“You make me feel so young,” Harris croons, mouth right up to the mic, “you make me feel so spring has sprung!”

To anyone else, it seems like a silly play on the fact that he is, in fact, young. You know it’s so much more. 

“And every time I see you grin, I’m such a happy individual!” 

He’s singing Frank Sinatra. He’s dressed as Frank Sinatra. And you know it had to be Eddie’s idea, considering Harris’s musical repertoire teeters between Raffi and Metallica. 

He skips a few verses, and when he does, Eddie locks eyes with you and offers a tiny close-mouthed smile. 

“And even when I’m old and gray I’m gonna feel the way I do today ‘Cause you make me feel so young!”

You choke down the sob that threatens to escape as they circle back to the chorus. The memory of Grandma’s final Thanksgiving, consisting of singing along to Fly Me to the Moon and sharing store-brand Oreos, soars around your mind. The way she had so easily slipped back into her old self, if only for a moment. The way Eddie had held you and kissed your scalp, protecting you from a force no one could see but everyone could feel. 

“You make me feel so young You make me feel so young Ooh, you make me feel so young!”

The song ends and you leap to your feet, cheering just as loudly as you did the other night at the Hideout for Corroded Coffin. You swipe at a stray tear and force yourself to look at your boyfriend, so effortlessly beautiful in a black t-shirt and jeans. 

Thank you, you mouth. 

I love you, comes his silent reply. 

You gaze into each other’s eyes for another beat before you feel a thud against your legs. Harris stands right before you, ignoring the way all of the other kids proceeded out the door after their performances.

“Are those happy tears?” he asks, brows furrowing in concern as he notices your stained cheeks. When you nod, still too overcome with emotion to speak aloud, his face splits into a grin. “Good.” His arms wrap around your waist in a hug that nearly has you toppling over, and you rest your hand on his upper back to steady yourself.

“Easy, Har Bear,” Eddie’s voice is strong but tender, and your entire body relaxes in his presence. You want to pull him in by his belt loops and kiss him, running your fingers through his curls until you’re both smiling too hard to continue. If only you weren’t at your place of work, if only all eyes weren’t on you, if only–

“Looks like the Freak’s got a crush.”

A smattering of the audience members laugh at this, no one more so than the instigator himself. You whirl around reflexively, eyes narrowing at the smug blonde man behind you. Eddie takes a small step forward, quietly telling Harris to go back with his friends as he zeroes in on his longtime nemesis.

He’s going to hit him, you realize, noting the subtle clench of his jaw and twitch of his flexing bicep. I have to stop him before he does something he regrets.

Eddie’s hand shoots out, grabbing Jason’s collar and pulling him in with a jolt. There’s a soft gasp from the crowd followed by silence as everyone waits for Eddie’s next move. You can hear the scraping of metal chairs on the ground as Wayne and Jeff scramble to mitigate the situation before it can escalate further.

To your surprise–and relief–Eddie doesn’t throw any punches; instead, he grits his teeth and hisses, low enough so only you and Jason can hear:

“Don’t ever talk about her again.”

He lets go with a small shove, and Jason stumbles back just as Principal Sinclair arrives to break it up. While time came to a screeching halt, the whole interaction spanned fewer than ten seconds. 

Wayne and Jeff reach him first, guiding him out of the cafeteria. The older man keeps his eyes on his nephew, but Jeff shoots Jason a steely glare, insinuating that Jason had better heed Eddie’s warning if he wants to live to see his daughter go to kindergarten. You follow behind and attempt to keep your composure.

“I’m so sorry,” Eddie breathes as soon as the four of you are alone. “I shouldn’t have…I just fuckin’ hate that guy.” His eyes dance with anxiety, not sure whether to look at you, his friend, his uncle, or the ground.

You take his hands in yours, imploring him to focus on you as you reach up to brush his curls off of his face. “It’s okay–”

Eddie shakes his head. “I ruined everything. This was supposed to be about Harris, and about making you happy…” He takes a step back, rubbing his eyes with a low, exasperated, “fuck!”

“Baby–”

“I’m gonna get Harris,” Eddie starts to walk away, speaking to himself as though you hadn’t said a word, but he stops in his tracks when Wayne puts his hand on his shoulder.

“Listen to your girl,” he says simply, motioning for Jeff to come fetch Harris with him.

Eddie doesn’t dare protest, trudging back to face you. He’d fucked up royally, and he knew it. What was he thinking, putting his hands on Jason Carver in the middle of a goddamn preschool talent show?

“Eddie,” you take his hand in yours and give it a squeeze, “it’s okay. I’m not mad; I just wish he didn’t get under your skin like that.” You rub your thumb along his forefinger. “He’s not worth it, I promise.”

“I just…” Eddie mumbles, thoughts too scrambled to find the words he needs. He heaves a long sigh. “I shouldn’t have done it here.”

You can’t really argue with that; out of all of the places Eddie could fight Jason, your job wasn’t your favorite option. 

“Can I tell you a secret?” You press onto your toes to whisper in his ear. “I almost did the same thing earlier today.”

“Really?”

“Mhm,” you confirm, nudging the toe of your shoe against his scuffed sneaker. “And I have a feeling most people in this town would agree with me.” The notion makes Eddie smile, and you continue. “Let me take you and Ol’ Brown Eyes out for ice cream to celebrate your amazing performance. Please?” You throw a puppy-dog look his way, though he needs little convincing.

Still, a nagging thought tugs at him that he has to resolve before can allow himself to relax. “There might be people there. People we know.” People like Jason Carver and Carol Perkins, he silently adds. “It’s okay if you don’t want to…we can just grab a half-gallon from Bradley’s and bring it home.”

You shake your head, effectively turning down his offer. “I’m taking my boyfriend and his adorable son to Scoops Ahoy, and the three of us are gonna split a fudge sundae,” you say matter-of-factly. 

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Are you sure you’re okay with people knowing about us? Being branded ‘The Freak’s Girlfriend’? Hearing people gossip about whatever the Hawkins rumor mill has churned out?

The sensation of your lips on his tempers the overworked gear shifts in his brain. When you pull back, you’re smiling at him. 

“Positive.”

--

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[dovesdreaming]

What if Reader accidentally pissed off Wade when they lost Dogpool when walking them and would he take it too far?

Dog kisses

I LOVE DOGPOOL i need that dog!! I will happily write any requests involving that cutie 🥰. I loved this request and hope you can enjoy it too! I decided not to make it very angsty but I am very willing to create a version that is! <3

Wade was out doing whatever a mercenary does in their free time. It eft you and Logan alone in the apartment. You both weren’t really doing anything so when you heard the pitter patter of dogpools feet running towards you, you decided to entertain both of you by taking her on a walk. You offered Logan an invitation but he declined in his own happy way (“fuck off”). You put dogpools new collar and harness on that Wade had recently bought. They had pink flowers on which Wade said “matched her Beauty”. Logan’s reply under his breath had made you laugh “must be inner beauty”.

You decided to walk her through the park as it was a nice and sunny day. You walked around and played fetch with her before sitting down on a bench while eating icecream. You couldn’t resist letting her have some. You sat next to each other and basked in the sun together. When you had just finished the ice cream your phone rang, wades contact appearing on your phone. He wanted to know where you and marypuppins were so he could join. You obviously told him, never refusing his welcomed presence. When you turned back to face dogpool after the call you found she was no longer sitting next to you on the bench, all that was left was her lead. Shit. You should have not taken your eyes off her when you no longer had food to keep her occupied. She was always trying to wonder off and get into all kinds of mischief, reminding you of a certain someone else you knew but loved dearly. That certain someone, Wade, was going to kill you. He loved that dog probably more than you, he had spent the last month that he had her obsessing over her. Spoiling her with more than what a dog could need or want. You were fucked.

You spent the 20 minutes it took Wade to get to the park searching high and low, calling her name and offering food if she came forward. You saw Wade entering the park and your heart sunk knowing you would have to tell him. He bounded up to you excited to see you, he engulfed you in a massive hug, kissing your forehead before spinning around looking for dogpool. You nervously watched him search before he turned to you with a questioning look “peanut, where’s my baby?”. He could tell something was wrong when your face immediately crumpled into a mix of sadness and disappointment at his words. He pressed the question again this time with a slight tone of seriousness. You looked down at the ground while admitting “I’m so sorry Wade, I… I lost her”. Wades heart fell to his ass. He was feeling a mix of anger and sadness. He looked at you with a blank expression that slowly morphed into disgust and anger tied together. He immediately started calling her name, all her nicknames. “Come here marypuppins” or “sweety” or his favourite “shnuckems”. You of course helped him before he turned to you with a nasty look on his face “you’ve already done enough why don’t you just go home”. His words were harsh and blunt. They hurt of course but you understood where they were coming from, you would feel the same if he had lost your dog. You broke your gaze away from him, looking at the ground with a slightly dejected look before nodding, he sharply turned away from you so you began waking away towards the exit. You could hear him still shouting when you got to the gate of the park. You took one last look back before exiting when you heard a familiar ding of a collar. You saw dogpool running out of a bush on the outside of the park, shaking leaves off herself before happily running up to you like nothing had happened, like she hadn’t just caused massive heartbreak. She seemed to be in high spirits though, likely that she had run off with stolen food (it’s happened before).

Wade felt guilty the moment the words left his lips but he didn’t break the stern look on his face. He saw the shine that appeared in your eyes at his words and knew he had gone slightly too far. He knew it wasn’t your fault dogpool ran off and he knew you were only trying to help but his emotions went haywire and he had taken them out on you. He felt like he had lost you now aswell as marypuppins. He mentally and physically slapped himself for his actions but carried on searching, hoping you could forgive him later.

You picked dogpool up making sure she couldn’t run away again and slowly walked back over to Wade. He felt your presence behind him and questioned why you would come back after what he just said to you. He turned around ready to question you but his eyes fell on his beloved baby instead. His heart soared back into his chest and he swooped dogpool back into his arms. He hugged her close to his chest before raising her above him and spinning, like you do with your partner when you’re happy to see them. You still felt guilty and tried to make a quiet exit while Wade and dogpool had their moment but Wade stopped you. “Where do you think you’re gonna?”. You turned back around to be met once again with a smiley Wade. He brung you into his arms, your head slotting under his chin while dogpool licked at your face. You couldn’t help but giggle. “I hope you can forgive me” Wade said while tipping his head down to you. “Only if you’ll forgive me”. Wade was back to his usual self so he jokingly tapped his finger against his chin and turned to the dog in his hands “what do you think shnuckems? Should we forgive them?” The dogs only reply was a kiss to his lips which still slightly grossed you out. He descended into baby talk with dogpool, forgetting what he had just asked. You coughed to bring his attention back to you.

“Someone feeling jealous? Don’t worry I have enough kisses to share” you cringed at the thought of kissing him after dogpool.

Wade would definitely show he was sorry, trying to make it up to you in anyway possible. He also made sure that it wasn’t your fault that dogpool ran away.

Overall, yes Wade would overreact and maybe shout at you but he would realise his mistake and try to make it up to you the best he can. He does however always joke that you’re not allowed to be left alone with his shnuckems anymore though. Your definitely starting to believe he’s going to dump you for that dog soon.

[tteokdoroki]

Isagi is golden retriever behavior. Tell him to bakr he will do it. Tell him to kneel he will. He will protect you with his whole being even if he seems to be nice guy. He isn’t afraid to throw hand s

*ੈ🌩️‧₊˚— as close as strangers + yoichi isagi.

૮˶ᵕ ༝ᵕ˶ა synopsis — while at a bar with your sister, a stranger comes to your rescue and he’s not afraid to come to your defence.

⭑ warnings — please read + mdni ! characters aged up to 20s, fluff, strangers to lovers, meet cute, reader has a younger sister, weird men at bars (harassment kinda? but it’s minor), pro player!isagi, fem!reader - not beta read !

⭑ words — 1.4K.

⭑ notes — thank you nonnie for sending this in!! I got a little itty bit carried away but i hope you like it !! - m.list ✩

unironically, a bar can be one of the most dangerous places on earth. with its overpriced and watered down drinks, loud and disruptive patrons, and not to mention the countless number of men that can’t seem to take a hint. you find the sticky table tops gross and the peanut shells on the floor uncouth but you’re here for your little sister — who wanted no more than drinks and to catch up, filling you in on the details of her latest fling (who she’s sure is the one, despite it being the fifth time) since you returned to Japan.

you work a lot, you travelled abroad for college too so it’s been ages since you’ve last breathed the same air and walked underneath the same sky. you’d feel bad for missing this opportunity to meet someone important in her life while you still had it.

and you love your sister, so while she powders her nose in the bathroom as you both wait for her boy toy, you’ll put up with the stench of beer and the sleazy stranger arms length away from you who just can’t seem to get it through his head that you’re not interested.

“c’mon sweetheart, just one drink. lemme buy you a beer.” the stranger slurs over the top of his own beverage that threatens to spill into you as he encroaches on your personal space. 

shaking your head politely, you lean away. “no thank you. i’m not to keen on beer.” 

“then whas’ your drink of choice, cutie. let me know what i can get’cha.” 

nothing. you refrain from rolling your eyes. nothing that he could afford. grabbing a handful of peanuts to distract yourself, you de-shell them with ease and chew on them to avoid speaking any further. 

“no thank you.” you say plainly, reiterating yourself. 

he still doesn’t seem to understand, cosying up to your side — his alcohol tainted breath cascading over the shell of your ear. “then let’s get out of here, i’ll get you somethin’ you can really enjoy.” 

“i’m waiting on someone.” 

“who? a boyfriend?” 

“yes,” you lie as easy as breathing — you’re almost certain he wouldn’t leave you alone if he found out you were with your sister. “he’ll be here any minute.” 

the stranger lets out a chuff, “i don’t see him, gorgeous girl—“

he reaches for your hand and it causes a wave of uncomfortable goosebumps to rise along your skin. you shudder, hold back a gag, and if only the bartender was closer you could signal for some form of help but you can’t bring yourself to move.

that is until a warm arm slips around your shoulders— and instead of being slimy and unsettling, the presence of this stranger behind you is comforting and safe. “there you are precious,  sorry for being so late, i got caught up with work.” this man’s is smoothe like molten chocolate or rather honey running through your ears, and you find yourself enticed — leaning into him as if he’s a safety net. 

you turn, only just, catching a glimpse of the stranger’s handsome side profile — his skin is golden, glowing as if it had been blessed by the god’s of the son. his eyes are a blue im a shade that you cannot match, it’s almost unreal to you. his hair his soft, his face calm and again, he feels so safe. 

“i missed you,” you breathe the words into existence as if they’re natural, allowing a smile to overtake your features. “it’s okay.” 

the dark haired man gives you a firm nod before looking over your head at the drunkard who had been bothering you. he offers a hand to him. “hi isagi… the boyfriend. do we have a problem, here?” 

you recognise the name from somewhere but say nothing, letting isagi handle the situation from here. 

“n-no sir! i-i’m so sorry i didn’t realise that—“ 

“good,” isagi’s voice lowers an octave, far less welcoming and kind than when he had initially addressed you as your fake boyfriend. “then next time you’ll take a hint and learn to leave women alone when they tell you no the first time. fucking creep.” he spits, squeezing you into his side protectively. 

the stranger’s eyes blow wide and he lowers his head apologetically but you’re too focused on how flustered isagi’s whole act is making you feel. “a-again! i’m really sorry! i’m a huge fan i would never—“ 

“are you just that dense or do i have to repeat myself? scram.” isagi growls once more and does so until the man that had been bothering you flees the scene. within an instant, the tall dark and handsome man jumps away from you with an apologetic smile — and you embarrassingly admit to yourself how much you miss his embrace. “i am so sorry for touching you without asking. i-it’s just that i could see he was making you uncomfortable and no one else was jumping in so i just—“ 

turning around to face isagi fully, you shake your head and offer him your brightest grin. “it’s okay, if it hadn’t been for you i don’t know what would have happened. thank you…”

you pause to give him time and isagi trips over his words to give you his full name. “yoichi. yoichi isagi!” 

you respond with your own name, trying not to dwell on the familiarity of his. 

the pair of you spend the next few minutes chatting about everything and anything. you find out that yoichi likes soccer and has since he was a child. that he was an only child as well, travels a lot and has seen the whole world, though he thinks it gets a little lonely. you shyly admit that you feel the same — especially when work drags you across the globe and away from your family here in Japan.

the flow of your conversation is only interrupted by your little sister emerging from the bathroom excitedly, her nose effectively powdered as she waves an arm at you. “i see you’ve met isagi already!” she beams, sliding into the bar stool on your left while isagi takes your right.

“wait, you two know each other?” you squeak — how mortifying would it be that your younger sibling’s new boyfriend is the man you’ve been crushing on for all of fifteen minutes. “is he…the one?” 

the duo share an amused look over the drinks that your new friend had ordered, your sister shaking you as if to snap you out of your trance of crazy. “god no! isagi is way too polite to be my type. my bachira is a little more adventurous!” she rambles, all love sick like. “no offence yoichi!”

“none taken,” he laughs before focusing all of his attention on you , making you squirm under the surface of his ocean blue eyes. “i’m just here for moral support. bachira was nervous about meeting you so i told him to take a lap around the parking lot to calm down before he came in.” 

“wait bachira— as in meguru bachira? that one player from the blue lock team? i just styled him for my magazine in the US last month? that’s who you’re dating?” you ramble, eyes wide — which only seems to amuse isagi even more.

“uhuh, and this,” your sister grabs you by the shoulders and rotates you to face isagi, who’s cheeks flush red with nervousness. or shyness. “is yoichi isagi. blue lock’s heart and soul and your date for this evening. you’re welcome!” she sings.

“oh my god! i thought i recognised you! s-she used to have posters of you in our room back when bluelock was streaming!” 

“you’re the one that used to kiss them!” 

“you’re the one that’s dating his best friend!” you counter her stubbornly, but her attention is quickly stolen away by the world famous dribbler that slips through the doors — bachira’s own face lighting up when he spots her from across the room. your sister melts, running over and jumping into his arms. you can’t help but swoon, realising that whatever she has going on with bachira is obviously more serious than whatever chance at love she’d had before.

they look happy. you’re happy for her. “they’re cute together, aren’t they?” isagi mumbles, elbowing you gently with the wisps of a smile on his lips. 

“oh yeah, big time.” you agree, taking a sip of your drink as you scoot closer to japan’s beloved striker. “you’re not mad that he swiped her from right beneath your feet?” 

“nah,” yoichi responds simply, scooting closer to you as well. you let your gaze drift over from the happy couple to meet isagi’s fond one, looking down at you as if you’re the most precious thing in the world. “i’d rather have that kind of happy with the girl who was making out with my merch.” 

you punch isagi in the shoulder out of embarrassment, and when his timbre laughter fills the room — you can’t help but think you’d want that happiness with him too.

[kelthebarb]

but you take it - e. landry

warnings - smut blurb, gn reader, handjobs, ethan being pathetic n whiny, sub!ethan, dom!reader, edging, pure filth, use of pet names, begging, lil bit of praise & degradation together

his whimpers echoed in your ears as your hands worked wonders on his hardened cock.

you both had been going at this for a while now, ethan getting so frustrated to the point tears had fallen from his pretty brown eyes.

“please, oh- please,” he’d breathe out, not being able to form a sentence correctly.

“please what, baby?” you smirked, knowing exactly what he wanted.

“please, just lemme cum, i’ll be so- so good, please.”

you continued with stroking him, smiling to yourself as you watched ethan let his head go limp and moan desperately.

you felt his dick twitch in your hand, watched his balls tighten and then let go, eliciting a sob from ethan.

“no- no wait, i’ve been good, i’ve been a good boy, i need to cum, please!”

“but look at you, pretty baby, begging for it like a slut,” you were inches away from his face, not even giving him the satisfaction of a kiss.

“i’ll do anything, just- just please, let me cum,” he sobbed, chest heaving.

“you’ve been so good for the past 20 minutes, haven’t you baby?” you smiled as he nodded. “alright, i’ll let you have it. but i’m not gonna stop till i’m done with you, okay?”

ethan pouted and nodded, a whimper making it’s way through his pretty pink swollen lips, “i just need to cum, wanna- wanna make a mess on your hand.”

“yeah?”

“yeah,” he whined.

you wrapped your hand around his cock again, flicking your wrist up and down in long, quickly paced strokes. your other hand was holding ethan’s, while you cooed things about him doing so good and being so perfect and that you’re proud of him for waiting.

once he came, he came hard. thick white ropes splayed all over your fingers and his abdomen as he heaved and whined.

but, as you said, you weren’t stopping anytime soon.

leetle blurb cus this cutie has been on my mind since yesterday

@tonesrots

[lokicraft]

Self indulgent idea about task force 141 rescuing a wrongly-kidnapped scientist/researcher reader. Gender neutral reader, implied American reader implied violence and torture, implications about the reader looking young (I imagine the reader being between 20 and 30 years old). I see it as future tf141xreader, but feel free to imagine otherwise and/or take this idea and run with it as you please. MDNI.

————

Imagine you are a government researcher. Technically a government employee but you are pretty low on the ladder, just starting out at a research laboratory on a small military base. You are so excited to start working with your supervisor/PI, a very influential scientist who has their fingers in a lot of research pies (some more secret than others).

But you have nothing to do with the secret stuff. You’re more interested in environmental research (of which the military does have to pay at least a little bit of attention to, so you work with what you get).

You’re getting out of the lab late one evening, having to stay even after your PI left to clean glassware (your least favorite task). You lock the door to the research building and walk to your car, only to see someone else parked next to you. The hood of their car is open and they look distressed. You don’t recognize them but it’s not like you know everyone on base. So when they ask you for a jump start you agree and start rooting around your car to pop the hood. You just got your hand around that pesky lever when you feel a sharp pain in the back of your head and everything goes dark.

————

You wake up in a dingy concrete room with your arms and legs tied to an equally dingy chair. You are shocked, panicking and in pain, but through the ringing in your ears you hear shouting from outside the room.

“What do you mean that’s not Dr. Scaffer?” An angry accented voice shouts.

“It was bad intel!” Another voice insists, same accent as far as your fuzzy brain can register, “we did not get any physical description, only that they would be the last one out!”

“A head research scientist with top secret clearance won’t look like a kid who just got out of college!” You hear a muffled bang - your heart stops beating in your chest - but the voice continues, dismissive, “I have to do everything myself.”

He enters the room.

————

Two hours later, not that you can really keep track, you are left alone again. Significantly more injured from what you just went through (your brain cannot even ponder the word “torture” through the unceasing static of your thoughts), you realize that you are going to die. Whoever kidnapped you grabbed the wrong person, and unless they want to know about the water quality of the watershed around base you don’t have any information they want. You are no use as a hostage, and you are going to die. You can only hope it will be quick and painless—

You can’t breathe, you were never good at handling stress.

At least when you’re unconscious it doesn’t hurt anymore.

————

Recovering VIPs is well within their capabilities, Gaz thought to himself as he recounted the brief they were given a short two hours ago. But usually if it was a researcher they were rescuing then their area of expertise would be weapons technology, or infectious diseases, or something that’s not water chemistry. It’s not his job to judge, it’s his job to get you back home where you belong. However the judgmental voice in the back of his mind can’t help but kick in, remembering the profile photo they were provided of you.

“They’re quite a cutie, no?”

Gaz is knocked out of his thoughts when Soap catches up to him, both fully geared up and heading to airstrip. Wheels up is in 15 minutes, and Gaz is sure their Captain and Lieutenant  are already in the transport. While Ghost is probably just sitting and “brooding” as Gaz likes to call it, he gives Price a 50/50 on being on the phone with Laswell. Their Captain probably wants to know how a young researcher got kidnapped from an American military base only to end up as a hostage in Russia. Hell, Laswell probably wants to know that too.

“Time ta go save us a bonnie researcher!” Soap proclaims picking up the pace and rushing in front of Gaz. It’s obvious Johnny shares the same thoughts as Kyle when it comes to your appearance, only one is better at keeping those thoughts to themselves.

“Yeah let’s make sure we get them back alive” Gaz responds, his sharp mind working overtime to calculate how long your captors will keep you alive once realizing you are not a spring of top secret information nor a high profile bargaining chip.

“Of course we will mate,” Soap declares, his sober tone almost catching Gaz off guard, “with LT back on the roster we’re at full strength again, n’one left behind.”

Gaz agrees with the sentiment, and taps Soap on the chest lightly as they approach the transport.

“No one left behind”

————

Thanks so much for reading, this is my first time writing something like this so I’m still trying to get the character’s ‘voices’ right and all that. If you decide to build off this idea please tag me! I appreciate y’all 💚

[lemons4u]

𝐈 𝐌𝐄𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐓 ! - 𝐀𝐋𝐇𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐌

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒┊it’s finally the end of this tiny smau ❤️ i never intended it to be longer than 2 parts but guess what??!! ngl this smau was very very rushed so i may rewrite it in the future

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒┊fluff, modern au, CUTIE PATOOTIE READER, dumbass alhaitham, HUGE timeskips here

today marks officially 4 years of talking to alhaitham.

today is also the day.

alhaitham asked you to meet him at the cafe where you both had your first “date”.

wait, could you even consider that a date?

i mean if it wasn’t what else would it be…

that doesn’t matter though, what matters is the fact that you arrived 20 minutes earlier than you were supposed to.

not even haitham was here, and he always comes early!

did you get the location wrong…? no, you couldn’t have possibly. you’d never forget this exact cafe. ever.

you whine in frustration, today definitely wasn’t your day… yet you showed up anyways.

had you really grown to like alhaitham that much…?

your face almost immediately heats up at that thought.

your thoughts were distrusted by the sound of the door being pushed open.

“ stupid cafe door is always jammed…” a familiar figure muttered under his breath.

his eyes then wandered away from the door, resting on you.

“you’re here early.” alhaitham spoke softly, quickly making his way over to you.

he had one hand behind his back, and he seemed awfully embarrassed— cheeks flushed and all that.

“ do you have a gift for me or something?” you chuckle, resting your head on your palm.

he scoffs, revealing a bouquet of your favorite flowers and two gifts…?

“ you mentioned once that — are you favorite flowers so i decided to get them for you today… or well my roommate suggested i should.” he started, his voice then trailing off.

you chuckled, of course kaveh helped him.

“you remembered that?” you then ask, slightly in awe, as you take the flowers.

he nodded sheepishly before clearing his throat, “i also got you these…” he muttered, handing you the gifts that were wrapped oh so lovingly.

“ what are they?” you blink curiously, admiring the pink wrapping, adorned with a silver bow.

“ open it to find out.” he said, sitting down.

you smiled at him, before digging into present number one.

a photo, a photo graph of you two sitting on a bench outside this very cafe.

the date, same as today, but 4 years ago.

“ we didn’t take any photos that day huh…?” you lifted your brow at the photo.

he cleared his throat, “kaveh took it… he was eaves dropping..”

another laugh escaped your lips before you focused on the next present.

as you picked it up you could see some of the staff shuffling around nervously.

“ hm…” you begin to unwrap it carefully, a jet black box with fancy letters you didnt bother to read was revealed.

slowly, you open it, met with the sparkle of a diamonds.

you looked up at alhaitham who pointed to the sign the staff held up.

‘ will you marry me ’

tears welled up in your eyes and you toppled over the table, reaching to alhaithams seat to hug him.

“ yes! no..? maybe.. if you want me to.. no!”

you took a breath.

“ of course i will.”

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[catgrassplantdad]

tagged by @heymrspatel @gallawitchxx @kiinard @sgtmickeyslaughter @deedala

@energievie for this week's weekly tag wednesday! thanks cuties 🖤

name: jessie

age: 34

location: my living room. listening to my cat breathe loudly in her sleep lol

top sheet, yes or no? yes! i've never had a problem with them, like i don't get tangled in them or kick them down by my feet. but i also sleep like a corpse, so.

how many stuffed animals do you own? one! a platypus squishmallow

the names of your pets (and the explanations behind them): my cat has a human old lady name. because that is what she looks like to me. she actually started with a different name that sounds vaguely like it could be related to her current name, but in the first two years of her life i couldn't stop calling her this name so i decided to just stick with it full time.

favourite color: some days i prefer orange over green, some days it's the other way around.

any tattoos? yeah, i have ten.

how you transport your belongings (purse, tote, hands, pockets, etc.): a black leather backpack or just my pockets.

the last movie you watched: aliens

how long does it take you to get ready in the morning? i give myself a lot of time to get ready in the morning before work because i need to sit and have my coffee and my breakfast and sometimes write a little and just. take my time. exist. so like an hour a half. the actual process of getting showered and dressed is like 20-30 minutes.

favourite weather: either 55 and sunny or 80 and sunny. but also sometimes rain is really nice.

relationship status: i'm super married!

ice cream flavor of choice: mint chocolate chip, usually!

first fandom: ah, kind of spartacus? but really supernatural

how many books have you read this year? big ol' goose egg :( i've started a few but haven't finished any and i feel super shitty about it

first 4 words of your last notes app entry: "gift ideas for greg" lolololol

and finally, if you had to change your URL tomorrow, what would you change it to? maybe i'd go back to metalheadmickey but i really feel comfortable and at home with catgrassplantdad

tagging @howlinchickhowl @whatthebodygraspsnot @whatwouldmickeydo @gardenerian @rereadanon

@crossmydna @mmmichyyy @ardent-fox @softmick @thisdivorce

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[bite-sized-devil]

🌻 500 Followers Bite Sized Event 🌻

Requested by @lolthia 💕

Characters: Obey me Levi X MC

TW: GN! MC, none, just fluff 💕

The sound of his door creaking as it opens draws his attention from his latest game. It's some calming little farming simulator where you can date some of the villagers. This is the thirteenth night in a row you've come to his room late at night. He remembers the first night so clearly, your timid little knock, the way your voice shook as you asked if you could hang out with him for a bit.

He hadn't asked then and he doesn't now. You just take your seat beside him like you have previously, unlike the first time you don't make up an excuse as to why you're here. You both know it's because you're having trouble sleeping. He can see the dark circles under your eyes, the tell tale red rim that tells him you've been crying again.

It pains him to see you struggling, you're usually so bright and bubbly. He misses seeing your smile, you light up every room you're in. That's how he feels anyway, he wants to talk to you about how you're feeling but he knows you're not ready to talk. He's happy to give you his shoulder to lean on, or rather rest on.

You've fallen asleep with your head resting on his shoulder, it usually goes like this. You come in, watch him game and within a couple of hours you've fallen asleep. Every night the time it takes for you to fall asleep shortens. And tonight you're asleep within 20 minutes, it must be the calmness of the game he's playing. It surely can't be his presence. Right?

He waits till you're deep enough in your sleep before he picks you up carefully in his arms and carries you back to your room. Placing you gently on your bed and pulls your blankets back over you and then goes to leave.

Your hand clenched around the back of his t-shirt stops him. This is a first, usually he leaves without waking you up. He curses himself under his breath before turning back to you.

"Sorry MC, I didn't mean to wa-" He starts to apologize before you cut him off.

"S-stay with me... Please." You're looking up at him with wide teary eyes, your voice comes out in a whisper but he can hear the desperation all the same.

He takes your clenched fist that's gripping his shirt so tightly and unfurles it easily, he keeps your hand in his as he says "Scooch over."

The smallest ghost of a smile graces your features while you move over to make room for him, your small hand still in his larger one. He smiles down at you softly as he lets go of your hand and lies down beside you on his back. You lift his arm and settle into his side, your head on his chest and his arm wrapped around you, he starts to rub your arm in small soothing circles. You slide your hand up his chest and rest it over his heart, he can feel it shaking so he holds it with his free hand.

It doesn't take long before he feels you relax beside him. Your breathing deepens, your heart rate dropping back to it's normal rhythm. He doesn't move, happy just to lie here beside you. Under normal circumstances he'd be a blushing mess with you being so close to him. But he doesn't feel his normal anxiety freakout now, he just feels content and calm.

He's almost drifting off himself when he here's you mumble something in your sleep. It's probably some nonsense your brain is conjuring up for you. He starves off sleep a little longer to make sure you aren't having a nightmare.

He looks down at your sleeping face to see your expression, you're smiling sweetly. Clearly you're having a good dream, he rests his head flat on the pillow, satisfied that you're ok. You mumble again and this time he hears it clearly. It might be the single most beautiful thing he's ever heard.

His name, wrapped up in a dreamy sigh spoken unknowingly from the lips of his cherished player two.

Heya cutie! Hope you liked this little piece 💕 Thank you again for requesting, I know you're a new follower 🌻 but I hope I don't scare you off with some of my posts!

Tag list: @delphi-dreamin @sassykattery @alexxavicry @your-next-daydream @rosanism @marvelous-maniac @i-hardly-know @kyungjoon-do @ria-demon29 @itsmeninerz @allielozoya @spookyscaryskeletonn @zarakem @tea-time-writes @ladyofcrowsx @yuujispinkhair @attic-club-sandwich @whimsiecat @simpsations (once again I am panicking about whether to tag y'all or not! I mean it is content by me (an idiot) that you said you wanted to see buuuuut it is an event post soooo?) Idk ignore my self-conscious ass. I've had barely any sleep!

[alluralater]

oh my fucking god okay losing my mind over this and need to tell SOMEBODY so here we go

i was at this bar the other day with a couple friends and i had to run to the washroom. but long story short there’s a GORGEOUS girl in the bathroom, she asks me if i want any of her lipstick so OBVIOUSLY i say yes, she’s like grabbing my face to put it on for me and i’m fucking dying and then she asks me if i like girls. n i’m like yeah is it that obvious. and she’s like. do you wanna make out just for fun

and to clarify. i am NOT the kinda person to do this. like ever. but i’m a little tipsy at this point and she’s offering and she is so fucking hot that i’m like okay. okay yeah

MISS GIRL GRABS MY WRIST AND PUSHES ME INTO THE BATHROOM STALL. and she locks the door and has her hands kinda tugging on my hair and shit and then eventually she (gently) grabs me by the throat and pushes me back against the wall. and see. i did not realize i was into that shit. however,,, it was so fucking hot oh my god. and she’s got her hand around my throat and starts kissing down my neck and we’re both breathing heavily and she lifts her knee up to spread my legs apart a little bit. and so i’m fully letting her and then all of a sudden i feel her hand make it’s way up under my skirt. and she trails it up my inner thigh and just kinda slowly runs her hands along my panties and like,, she didn’t move anything to the side so it was all indirect contact but it felt so fucking good. and i can feel her mouth on my neck and she’s lazily circling my clit over my panties and i’m bringing her head back up to kiss her even more and at this point we’re just there moaning into each others mouths and i’m kinda grinding against her hand and it’s not enough to do anything other than make me incredibly horny but oh my g o d

anyway we were in there for maybe 15-20 minutes and after she was like god that was great but i should probably let you get back to your friends which was totally fair BUT THEN MY FRIEND WALKED INTO THE BATHROOM AS I WAS TRYING TO WASH THE LIPSTICK MARKS OFF MY NECK AND COLLARBONES. so that’s all and i was staying with my friends for a few days so i couldn’t think about this until now but fuck she was so hot and i can still feel her hands on my clit and god i’m gonna be thinking about that for AGES

please oh my god i knew what was going to happen the moment i read that she offered you to try her lipstick. babe i think we will all be thinking about this for ages what the fuck. did you get her number?? will you ever see her again? this would haunt me. i’ve actually had some wild nights with random girls in bar/club bathrooms and the fact that i never got their info literally haunts me to this day. TO THIS DAY IT HAUNTS ME. i will lowkey always be on the lookout for this one particular girl i met at a club down the street a year and a half ago. i hold out just the tiniest bit of hope that i will run into her some time again but i know i probably won’t. we deadass just have to live with the happenings of hot women doing very gay things and move on like it didn’t totally create a new core sexual memory. god. you are so sexy for taking her up on the offer. i love when ‘i never do this’ turns to hot warm moaning into someone’s mouth.

thank you for fucking sharing. btw, this is me in the bar bathroom if i’m not flirting or giving random advice. sometimes you just have to ask cuties if they wanna kiss!!

[keiskake]

more than enough kitty.. (shinso)

hitoshi shinso x gn!reader 

fluff, comfort, shinso being the greatest boyfriend ever, sleeping together (very end)

wordcount ~ 878

summary ~ its one of those days when you just don’t feel like a good enough hero and you’re doubting your ability. but don’t worry, shinso knows how to make his kitty feel all better.

a/n ~ wrote this instead of working, anigomi shinso asmr inspired me to write for the cutie.

shinso had just come home after a dinner with aizawa, he hollered down the hallway that he would be taking a quick shower before he’d join you on the couch to watch another episode of your drama. he was finished in about 10 minutes, walking out in matching cat pj’s you brought for the both of you on valentines day and a towel over his lavender hair. he rubbed his eyes and walked into the living room, calling out for you. “y/n? where are you kitty? i’m done with my shower so are you ready to watch?”.

no response. 

the silence and your lack of presence signalled to him that there was something wrong. something he needed to take care of as your boyfriend. shinso knew that when you were upset you would run into the bedroom and hide in your blanket fort, cuddled up against your white cat, flakey. your muffled sniffles confirmed his worries, and it guided him into the bedroom. 

the sound of a blocked nose and rubbing of tears from your cheeks seeped through the covers of the blanket. he lifted the covers up and snuck himself into your fort. “there’s my precious kitty..” he cooed into your ear, pressing his forehead onto yours and cupping your wet cheeks in his cold hands. you were trying to hold back your cries, but when shinso wrapped his arms around your waist it all came pouring out like a river. a river of emotions. the feeling of not being good enough. never being good enough. 

“hey, hey it’s okay sweetheart, just let it out. i’m all ears for you, promise.” he spoke gently, trying not to shake you up anymore than you already were. he tightened his hold on you, and that brought you great comfort. you felt safe. 

“i- i just don’t... don’t feel good enough shinso- not a good hero..” your words were scattared, your tears and heavy breathing created pauses for your emotions. it hit hard. it wasn’t easy to admit that you also had the thought in your mind, overthinking the idea for the past few days. you had worked so hard to become the best hero you could possibly imagine, being in the top 20 was a miracle in itself. needless to say it didn’t come without hard and disciplined work, training and motivation.

shinso had watched you fight for your dream, chasing the stars and the planets to become the hero you’ve always dreamed of. the air was dampened, shinso’s sadness came from the fact you couldn’t see yourself the way he did. his love was at first admiration. great admiration for the hero who was the top student of UA and now climbing the ranks of the hero world tirelessly. he pulled down the fort, unwrapping himself from you and pushing you back so that you were staring face to face. shinso’s purpose was to make you loved. to make you safe. and seeing you belittle your own efforts broke him. “y/n you’re all wrong, so very wrong.” his eyes were firm, the same way his words were, the same way his grip on your shoulders were.

“you’ve worked harder than anyone else i’ve ever known, and i’ve watched since day one. i won’t let you look down on yourself and disregard all your efforts. you are the best y/n. there is no better, you are the most amazing, selfless and beautiful hero ever to have stepped foot into my life. hell, you’re the most amazing partner i could’ve ever dreamed of.” his words were magical.

words that untangled the knots of thoughts in your pretty little head. words that lifted your hearts into the horizon of happiness and love. and those words came from shinso, who’s always been by your side. who will always be by your side no matter what. flakey purred, curling into your lap and snuggling into shinso’s sweatpants that you had stolen. “shinso...thank you handsome, you always know what to say when i’m down. how do you do it.” you let out a soft giggle as you wipe away any remains water marks on your cheeks. your cute yet stupid giggle was all shinso wanted to hear. he wanted to hear you happy, just like his pretty kitty cat deserved. 

“i’ll always be here sweetheart, not getting rid of me that easily.” he smirked, pushing his lips on your head and laying you down on the bed. “lets get some rest y/n, it’s been a long day and you deserve some good rest.” you nod whilst snuggling into the warm covers and relaxing your head on your fluffy pillow. shinso slides in next to you, putting his arm out so that you could lay as close as possible to him. he knew he’d have a sore arm the next morning but that didn’t matter. all that mattered was you. keeping you warm, safe and close. 

“night night shinso...~”

“goodnight kitty cat, sleep dreams. and y/n, you’re more than enough.” you’re laying on his arm, head buried in his chest and hands wrapped around his neck. he nuzzles his lavender head onto yours, placing another gentle peck on your head before the both of you drift off to sleep. in the comfort of one another.

[bothendsofthequill]

The Rolling Thoughts of a Needy Ler

I literally just wrote this in 20 minutes as a stream of consciousness so I hope you enjoy! I did minimal editing after the fact.

I wanna get alll your soft spots. Yes, every last one. Right under your toes, scritching and teasing with nails. I want to squeeze your thighs from every angle and wiggle my fingers at mach speed all over them. Your hips too! Ohh, having your hips squeezed is sooo good, huh? You're such a good ticklee. My ticklee, and I'll keep you protected here all night, laughing and wiggling and melting into the bed. I promise.

What, you think those are all the soft spots I know? What about your belly button? What about behind your knees? What if I use makeup brushes there while my pointer finger finds it's way into your precious button? Maybe my other fingers can even tickle around it if I'm skilled enough, heehee!

There we go, take a breather, a little water break, good. Now, are you ready for more? Wha- of course there's more, silly! Like I said, you can't fathom how much I crave your laughter right now, so if you want it, if you can handle it, I will cover you in ticklish love until the sun comes up. That's right, all while cuddling you like this too~

Let me see if... ooooo! I can get your hips from here! Haven't tried the makeup brushes on them yet... wow! Didn't expect that reaction, but do keep laughing, ya cutie. You know you're safe in these restraints, where nobody but your tickler will touch you. And he'll touch you all over! Liiiike here, right in between your ribs! Mnnn, such a sweet sound.

Please? Please what? Do you want me to stop? N-no? Ohokay, sweetheart, just tell me if- what was that? Nooo, say it louder! Come onnnnn! You know you can say it, nobody will hear but me.

Haha, YES! Now you've got it! There's no shame for laughing with me, cutie. Keep asking for more and you shall recei- woah!! Is that a soft spot? Is that a soft spottttt? Don't be shy. Hey, look at me, do you want me to take it slow there? Ohohokay, sure! What if I just geeeently trace?

Well, that was fast! Kitchie coo, that's my good ticklee. Nothing but giggles and glee floating around in that head of yours. You want me to set it free? To stroke fasterrrrrr and let all that pent up joy come barrelling out? You want me to scritch like this? Scribble?!

Awwweeeee!!! Good ticklee! Such a good, good, wonderful, precious ticklee, begging for his ler to tickle their most delicate spots~. Can you ask one more time? Just once more, please, I lovvvvve how you need it.

Pfffhehehehe!! Nice voice crack, dorkus. Don't worry, this sweet spot will get alllll the love it deserves... with makeup brushes again!! Heehee, scriiiiible, scribble, scribble! How are you this dusty? That's for old people! Guess we'll have to do some housekeeping or, uh, spot sweeping~. Yeah, I'm clever.

______________________________________________________________

Alrighty, just your other leg to untie... perfect. They weren't too tight, were they? Naw, I know what's just right for my ticklee, don't I? Yeah I do. Get the fuck over here, you ticklish bean.

Thank me? God, no. Thank you for trusting me with your body and, more then anything else, saying "please" and "more" and meaning it. Do you know how reassuring it is to hear those words from the person I love as I'm loving them? It's wonderful.

Here, come closer. I'm no more of a cuddlebug then you, dumbass. Now get your dumb ass over here, heehee.

You're still catching your breath? I didn't go t-too far, right?

Phew, good. You're so sensitive to everything, I get nervous. Can I hug tighter now that you've caught your breath? Mmmmmmnn!! All mine~. I am so lucky to be your tickler~.

[viviennes-tears]

Happy birthday to this guy! (Tom and X reader girlfriend drabble)

18+ blog: It is YOUR responsibility, as a reader, to think about the content that you consume at your own discretion.  ~

A/N: Just a little bit of fluff in celebration of Tom's 43rd Birthday! I hope you enjoy 😊 x

Summary: It’s Tom’s birthday. You and Tom are enjoying a quiet night in watching one of his favourite movies, Heat. Whilst his focus is on the screen you manage to steal his phone to take a photo with which you end up sending to everyone he knows.

Warings: None

------------------------------

You managed to secretly confiscate Tom's phone 20 minutes ago. You even smirk mischievously to yourself for taking it while he remains none the wiser. He's too busy focused on rewatching Heat for the gazillionth time with a bowl full of salted popcorn in his lap.

"Brother, you are going down." Tom started up reciting the lines again, not just reciting them, but fully impersonating the characters on screen. He'd been doing so on and off constantly, you had no complaints though, you found it adorably amusing. 

You soon lent your back against his arm and sneakily held up his phone which you had opened up onto camera mode. Snapping a photo of the pair of you, as he was in the midst of eating the popcorn and gawking at the screen, while you goofily smiled and pointed towards him with your free hand. However the flash in the corner of his eye startles him slightly at first, due to you both being mostly shrouded in darkness, except for the light emitting from the TV. Once recovered he places the popcorn on the coffee table before he pounces on you and begins to wrestle you for his phone back.

"Give it to meee." He says, as he playfully keeps trying to get his phone back, although you both know he could have easily had it sooner, he just enjoys teasing you more.

As he tries to steal his phone back you manage to send the photo to all his friends with the caption "Happy birthday to this guy!," just as it turned midnight making it officially February 9th, Tom's birthday.

Tom ended up tickling your sides to gain the upper hand. "Hey, that's cheating!" You whine, albeit you can't stop giggling either and smiling, especially as his fingers reach beneath your jumper and he doesn't then hold back.

"Sooo?" Tom says grinning triumphantly. His lips then crash against yours a few seconds later, barely even giving a chance to catch your breath from the tickle attack. Suddenly Tom's phone started blowing up with notifications disrupting the moment. He groaned as he stopped tickling you, next he lay across your lap, phone now in hand and he looked at his phone’s screen.

"Who's the girl?! Oh and Happy Birthday!"

"Happy Birthday, mate! 🥳"

"Good lookin' gal you've got there 😉" 

"Hope she has something special planned for you! 😈"

"Happy Birthday, Tom! She's a cutie x" Read just some of the messages that came flooding in.

"Did you send this photo to everyone?" He asked with a quirk of his brow. You've been dating for a few months, but you'd kept it all very private, only family knowing and a very selective group of friends. So this was a very bold move for you to make.

"Y-yeah...are you mad at me?" You asked, while nervously biting your quivering lip.

Tom looked at you as if you had two heads for a moment and you weren't sure if he was definitely mad or not, until..."no, I'm not mad at you." He says and kisses your cheek softly. "I guess the cat is out of the bag now, ehehehe."

You sigh with relief before speaking, "Happy Birthday, Tommy!" You then grab him by his shirt and kiss him passionately.

------------------------------

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Source: @viviennes-tears

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 73.brb x oc

a/n: BOY OH BOY. I was anxious again today but I wanted to post this uwu

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: fluff, dad-honorary grandpa- grandaughter being cute combo PART DEUX

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/

25/26/27/28/29/30/31/32/33/34/35/36/37/38/39/40/41/42/43/44

45/46/47/48/49/50/51/52/53/54/55/56/57/58/59/60/61/62/63/64

/65/66/67/68/69/70/71/72

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-

Nicole, after ‘hugging’ her father and burping, kept her arms around Rooster’s neck and chin on his shoulder, back rising and falling slowly with every breath she took but she wasn’t asleep yet. In reality she was just resting her face on her father’s shoulder as he rocked her in his arms, Maverick sitting next to them, “She isn’t sleeping.”

Bradley looks back down where Nicole was and smiles, “She takes a while,she likes looking around first and then falling asleep.” he explains, watching as Nicole’s little fist held onto his sleeve, the white fabric crinkling in her grasp, “It’s an habit of hers…isn’t that right,cutie?” Nicole just ‘ah’ed back, dropping her head on his shoulder, still holding his sleeve, “She’s a nice baby.”

“She doesn’t cry much does she?”

“Not really.” Rooster kisses the top of her head, “Only when she really needs to.”

“Must’ve gotten that from Beatrice.”

“I wasn’t that loud.”

“One time I stayed over your parents’ house and I had the pleasure to share walls with your room.” Maverick said in a deadpan voice, “You…were very loud,Rooster.”

Bradley just huffed, sinking a bit in his seat as he held Nicole, his daughter’s eyes slowly falling shut as the sleep was finally taking over, the hand gripping his shirt drops to the side and she sighs one final time as she steps into dreamland. Both him and Mav stare at her sleeping form, long lashes on top of cherub-like cheeks making her look like a little doll, “She’s out.” Rooster whispered, “I’m going to put her down.”

“Do you need a pillow?”

“There’s one in her bag.” both of them were whispering,even if Rooster knew that Nicole rarely woke up because of outside influences when she was asleep. He just holds Nicole up as he watches Pete disappear and reappear with the white pillow in his grasp, “Thanks,Mav.”

 “Don’t mention it..” he shrugs, “Now…here,” he sets the pillow on top of the jacket and Rooster gently sets her down so her head sinks into the foam. Nicole makes a little disgruntled noise but doesn’t wake up, in fact she just sighs softly into the pillow and lets herself fall asleep deeply and unbothered. She squeezes the chicken against her chest, it croaks out in agony but Nicole doesn’t wake up.

Rooster and Maverick stood side by side looking down at the sleeping baby, with the youngest of the two smiling with pure adoration, “...she’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen Mav.”

“She sure is.”

“And the fact she’s mine and Bea’s…it’s…it’s crazy.”

Maverick almost rolled his eyes playfully, “Five minutes passed until you mentioned Bea again, the girl’s ears will be on fire because of you.”

“It’s not my fault I love talking about her,” Rooster muttered, “Or thinking about her, or-”

“Alright,Romeo,we got that.” Pete chuckles, holding up a hand, “Now are you going to help me out?”

“In a minute,” Rooster holds out his phone, “I need to talk to her real quick.” Maverick sighed humorously, shaking his head again and then gestured to the side, meaning he could do that and he wouldn’t mind. Bradley just patted his uncle on the shoulder, giving Nicole one last look before he walked off to the side.

Bea would like to know that Nicole was having fun…and was already asleep. He leans against the wall as he calls Beatrice, seeing that his uncle was keeping an eye on Nicole while still working on the bike for the best of his ability. Rooster hears the phone ring once, then twice and finally he hears that lovely voice say

“Rooster.”

Wait that wasn’t Bea.

“Shells?”

“In the flesh,Chanticleer, what’s crackin’?”

He blinks, “...well,that’s Bea’s phone.’ followed by the positive humming from Shells, “So why are you answering it?”

“Quite simple,Rooster. Bea is busy helping the new girl, she knows the kid…I think her name is uhhh…Jessie?”

Jessie. Oh! The girl from months back, the one that Beatrice said reminded her so much of herself! He was a bit happy that she returned to the bar, he remembers Bea saying how upset she acted when she was still in there, “Ah,okay,is she…too busy now? I kinda wanted to talk to her.”

There’s the obvious sound of something being crunched, followed by Shells’ muffled voice saying “Course you do- BEA!” he jumps, clenching his eyes and pulling the phone away from his ear as Shells’ loud voice made it ring. He blinks to get rid of the shock, not hearing when Shells walks away and hands the phone over to Beatrice.

“Hi,Roos!”

Ah, that was much better.

“Hey,gorgeous.” he coos after his ear stopped hurting, “I’m happy to hear your voice…don’t tell Shells but I think she wants me deaf or something.” Beatrice giggles on the other line, the sound of boxes being moved around following, “She told me about the new girl.”

“Yes!Jessie! She’s doing great so far!”

“You sound happy to see her working there.”

“Oh,well,I can’t help it.” there’s a door closing in the background and he hears wind replacing the sound coming from inside the bar “She’s pretty good too! She needed the job and Penny needed the help…I think she’ll do fine! She’ll be around when me and Shells aren’t, we decided she should start with the calmer days too so she’d be used to it. But she also said she can fill in for us, if there is an emergency or whatnot.”

Beatrice sounded way more excited than he’d expect because of the new girl, “Gorgeous,” he smiles, lowering his voice, “What aren’t you telling me?”

He could hear her breathing hitch and then when she spoke he knew she was smiling, “She said there’s a guy at the bar that kept looking at her every time she came by. And I think she is…excited to meet him again. Well, from what she told me that is…and that’s so romantic Roos! If this guy really likes her, they could be a 2.0 version of us!”

Ah,Beatrice, always the romantic. He couldn’t get enough of her, “Gorgeous you are just so precious.” he chuckles, “Of course you’d like that idea, and I gotta admit, it is pretty interesting to see something like that from the outside.”

“I know!Well I don’t want to be that type of person who just, you know, gets excited because of people dating, I don’t even know if they will date but I just thought it was interesting to mention.”

“It was.” he smiles, “And your precious heart couldn’t take it.”

“Hah, not really…anyway, how are you guys? How’s Mav? How’s Nikki?”

Rooster looks up to where his uncle was, messing with the bike with the wrench between his teeth, “Everything is fine, we are working on the bike right now and Nikki is great. She just had lunch and is sleeping right now.”

“Oh that’s really good! No crying,right?”

“Just once when I tried to get her seat from the car because I didn’t want her to sit on the couch.”

Beatrice was silent for a bit, then replied with a confused and chuckled, “What?”

“Mav has an old couch in here, it has seen better days and I didn’t want Nikki to sit on it, so I thought that bringing her seat from the car would help but she started crying and I couldn’t go.” he could hear her trying to cover her laughter, probably by biting her lip, ‘...are you making fun of me?”

“No! No, no, it’s just,” a snort slips out, “I-It’s really cute!”

Bradley purses his lips, he’s not really annoyed, there’s no way he’d be annoyed at Beatrice but her laughter always made his heart spin, “Cute,huh?”

“Yes,my husband is unbelievably cute.” comes her quick reply, softer, almost whispered as if she didn’t want other people to know about it, “And sweet, and handsome and he has the nicest lips I’ve ever kissed. So maybe I’m a bit biased.”

“Just a bit?”

“Just a bit.” she giggles again, “But I’m glad you,Nikki and Pete are having fun together, I know how much you care about her too. And it’s really heartwarming,Roos. It really is. It makes me happy knowing how safe you want us to be.” 

Oh and he melted on the spot. He chuckles, almost embarrassedly, rubbing the side of his face as he turns around to give his back to Mav, nearing bashfulness, “Baby,” he scolds softly, “You are just too sweet for this world…but thank you. I appreciate hearing that from you…when do you think you leave?’

“Um…maybe around three? We have to wait for some deliveries.”

“Hm…well,I was thinking we could go out tonight. You,me and Nikki. It’d be her first time too.”

‘Oh…I’d love that.” Beatrice’s voice was breathy when she replied, almost dreamily, “Do you have a place in mind?”

“Remember that taco truck we went to after the amusement park?”

“Oh, the one you took me to before we invaded the base? Yes,I remember.”

Rooster’s smirk widened, “It wasn't an invasion. It was just…showing up uninvited,gorgeous.” he spins the wedding ring on his finger with his thumb, seeing the golden band glint under the light, “But yeah, that one.”

“I like that. We just need to uh…restock, before leaving.” she says “You know how fast Nikki goes through bottles.”

“That I do,gorgeous.” he smiles, “It’ll be fun, I know Nikki is too young to eat anything we do but the experience will be important for her.” and he could swear he heard Beatrice’s sigh end with a disbelieved chuckle.

“And we can take her these again when she’s older.”

“We sure can. Maybe she’ll grow to love it just like we do.”

‘I have a feeling she will,” Beatrice hummed while still on the phone,”Oh, I have to go back now,Roos. Call me before you leave?”

“Sure thing,gorgeous. Stay safe,love you.”

“Love you too! Stay safe as well!”

He sighs dreamily when he ends the call, rubbing his face with a hand as he smiles like a boy with a crush. Only Beatrice was able to make him act like a fool in love, “Ahem,” after all, she was his wife and he loved her “Rooster,” and there was nothing else that could-”Bradley.” the pilot’s thoughts cease and he slowly turns to face his uncle, who looks amused and annoyed at the same time, gesturing with the wrench to the motorcycle, “Do you mind?”

“Oh,right, sorry Mav.”

-

By the time Nicole woke up they were done fixing the bike, they did all they could and Rooster told Mav to at least take her to a mechanic so they could give her another check up before he got back on her wheels. His uncle didn’t seem pleased, but he agreed to do so after Rooster’s silent but gentle goading - only using his eyes and eyebrows, a technique he got from Carole. 

Nicole whimpered awake, rubbing her tiny fists against her eyes and inhaling deeply, “Look at her,” Maverick smirks, with his hands on his waist, “Slept through the whole thing, didn’t even care about the noise.”

“I told you she was one of a kind.” Rooster says, approaching his daughter after cleaning his hands, “Hi,hi, Birdie.” Nicole’s light green eyes finally met his and albeit still a little sleepy, she gurgled a laugh, reaching out for him, “Hi Sleeping Beauty, come on,” he picks her up with an exaggerated ‘oof!’ and kisses her warm cheek, “Did you sleep well?” Nicole just looks at him again, her pigtails wonky and some of her hair is coming out.

“She looks like she did,” Maverick says as she stands close to Rooster, smiling at Nicole when she babbles at him, “Yes,I know honey! I know, you slept so nicely!” her cute yawn followed by her dropping her still heavy head on Rooster’s shoulder almost made the two men fall on their knees because of cuteness, “She’s so adorable…hey,do you gotta go yet?”

“Um,” he checks his watch, “Bea will get out at three so I have…half an hour yet, why?”

Maverick just looks at his nephew and then chuckles, “Wait here, there’s something I need to show you.”

“Alright. I’ll fix Nikki’s hair.” 

“You can do that?”

Rooster rolls his eyes as he sits down on the couch with Nicole on his lap, “I watch a lot of tutorials. I’m not going to be a dumb dad that doesn’t know the basics because this is ‘girly stuff.’” Nicole babbles in agreement as her father undoes one of her pigtails and combs his fingers through her hair, “Besides, this is fun…and kinda therapeutic.”

Pete stood by the wall and smiled, but this smile was almost…wistful. There was something that Carole told him when she was pregnant with Bradley, that her son ‘had to know a little bit of everything, he’s not going to refuse to experiment because people consider it ‘girly’,Mav.’ and at the time, he had to admit he didn’t get that back then - different times, different minds after all - but now he could see why.

Rooster had become a strong man, a man with a good heart - with some temperamental issues, sometimes with a pinch of self doubt - but he grew up to be…what his parents wanted to. Well,maybe Carole wasn’t as excited for Bradley to join the Navy and follow Goose’s footsteps, but he had a feeling she was very proud of the man he turned out to be.

Not the pilot, but the man, the father, the husband. And he was sure they’d love Beatrice too and Nicole…and…he was hit once again with that awful feeling of melancholy, the heaviness in his stomach and his heart, the sting behind his eyes. But no, he couldn’t be upset now, not when he had things to do, “Be right back.”

“Alright.” Rooster didn’t even look up from Nicole when his uncle left, too busy trying to make the pigtails similar. He leans back against the couch to have a better look, then tilts his head this way and that to be sure they were aligned, “...nice. Not so bad,if I do say so myself,Nikki.” Nicole had no idea what happened, she was just glad to be involved, giggling at him and then falling back against his stomach.

“Got you.” he smiles,picking his daughter from behind and bringing her up to his face, where he proceeds to kiss those chubby cheeks of hers just so she laughed. “There, you look really nice, mommy is going to be proud of my hair styling skills.” he pats Nicole’s shirt, flicking pieces of dust that naturally cling to one’s clothing but he wasn’t happy with that.

Nicole just tried to grab his hand, her own smaller ones wrapping around his ring finger, right where his wedding band was, “Buh!” and she taps on it, he didn’t know what she wanted but he allowed her to do whatever she’d like. He smiles down at Nicole, who amazingly, manages to spin the wedding ring around his finger much like he did with his thumb whenever his hands weren’t busy.

“Look at that.” Nicole is amazed that it moves, “You saw daddy doing it,didn’t you? Aren’t you just so smart.” 

It was almost scary how quick Nicole caught on to things, how unfazed she was with others and how much she managed to do at such a young age.

“Back.” he hears his uncle call, “Took a while to find it.”

“What took you a while?”

“Well,” Rooster looks up in time to see a small aviator jacket…well, small-ish, it was for toddlers if he was right on the size checking even from afar, with patches. Small patches of cute animals - but especially chickens, of course - on the sleeves, “I saw this a few months back and I bought it but…I didn’t know how to give it to you.”

Rooster furrowed his brows, holding Nicole as he stood to his feet to check the jacket once he’s close enough, “Why were you worried?” He holds the small sleeve and rubs the pink cat patch on it, “It’s adorable,Mav.”

“Hah,well,” his uncle sucks air through his teeth, “I don’t know,I guess I was just holding onto some things from the past and I was a bit worried about giving this as a gift.”

Even without him saying it,Rooster knew why Pete was worried about giving his daughter an aviator jacket. He inhales shakily, then chuckles as Nicole touches the sleeve as well,”Well…I like it.” he says quietly, “And so does she, apparently.” Nicole was rubbing the colorful giraffe patch on the front of her new jacket, widening her eyes as it shifted colors.

Maverick was happy with her response, and his, so he handed the jacket to Rooster before grabbing the baby bag he brought along after his nephew said they should go back home now. “Bye Nikki.” Mav smiles, waving at his grand-niece after Bradley buckles her up, “Oh she’s waving back!” Nicole shakes her arm with the chicken still screaming “Bye, pretty thing, bye! Thanks for joining us today!”

After Rooster closes the passenger door, looking at the folded jacket next to his daughter, he faces Maverick. His uncle just gives him a small smile, a bit confused because of how Rooster is staring at him, “...I really wanted to thank you,Mav…I…” he laughs softly, “...thank you, for being here for me…and for Nikki too.”

“Ah, it’s my pleasure.” even if he sounded nonchalant,Rooster knew he felt more emotional than he showed, “It’s what family is for,right?”

Rooster smiles, his eyes shine with unshed tears “...Yeah,” and he wraps his arms around his uncle, who reciprocates the hug, clapping him on the back. Rooster clenches his eyes with a shaky inhale, trembling a bit, “Thank you for staying.”

“...thank you for letting me stay.”

Both men pull back and try, awkwardly wiping their eyes, “Anyway,I better go. We are going out tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, family outing before Halloween.” Rooster shrugs, still wiping his eyes the best he could, “Nicole’s first time out too.”

Pete smiles, touching his nephew’s shoulder, “You guys have fun,you hear?” Rooster nods, thanking him one last time before he walks to the Bronco driver’s side. He waves at the pilot, then at Nicole - who eagerly waves back-  before stepping back to give them enough space to drive off, watching the car disappear in the distance as he chuckles tiredly and walks back into the garage.

[haruniki]

Genshin Impact Characters taking care of you when you're sick- pt. 1/?

a/n: i missed doing stuff like this!! it's usually really fun to write but i stopped doing them bc i felt like they were getting repetitive, but im gonna try to not make them repetitive. Includes the ladies of Mondstat(like 4 bc i dont feel like writing for too many at once)

Jean 6/10 but only bc she's cute or whatever 🙄🙄

Jean doesn't even take time for 5 min break from work, so...

She does have people come check in on you and report back to you. In fact, she has the traveler get medicine for you and to make sure you're okay.

Also has the traveler deliver letters to you with sweet messages on them

Might even see if Lisa can help you get well sooner

If Jean does finish her work for the day, she speeds to your shared room. Immediately, kneeling and grabbing on to your hand. Apologizing that she couldn't stay with you to help you, but that she's here now and will get you whatever you need.

"Apologies, love. I know I should've stayed here with you, but I had to finish those papers. On the bright side, I completed tomorrow's work. I'll be able to stay with you and help however i can."

Lisa 8/10, she may have some medical background right?

Lisa is a alumna from Sumeru's Akademiya and her studies weren't primarily Arcane Arts so it's possible she studied some medical stuff.

Plus she's a librarian, she's mostly read or come across books on medicine or herbs that will help with whatever is wrong

takes double the time off to help you recover even if it's a small cold

Will pamper you, like paint your toenails or brush your hair for you to try to distract from the headache or aches you might have

Also puts the medicine in teas because she doesn't like how bitter medicine tastes and knows it'll help it go down easier, plus warm tea helps soothe your throat!

Tries her best not to get sick, but she might end up getting a small cold or small cough after you get well

Overall, does a really good job at helping you get well

" This tea will help the medicine go down better, plus it'll help clear up your breathing. And you'll be better in no time, but try not to swallow it to quickly. It's still pretty hot cutie."

Amber 4/10 i mean she kinda knows what to do?

Amber wants to help you but doesn't quite know how except to get medicine.

Spends like 20 minutes deciding which Medicine she should get and still doesn't get the right one. Does go back and gets the right one

She pops in on all her breaks to see how you're doing and if you need anything.

Will run and get you whatever you need, no matter how far away it is.

Makes the best soup because she had read somewhere that soup helps when someone is sick.

Also gets sick because she would constantly cuddle up to you because ahe wasn't sure what else to do to help.

"I present Amber's super special soup! I made it with all your favorite veggies! I also picked up some medicine that you can take after you eat. It should help a ton!"

Sucrose ????/10

Sucrose is an alchemist and as such she could be technically labeled as a doctor or sorts. Is she an ethical doctor? Considering what her specialty dish looks like i would say no, but to each their own.

Sucrose would probably use you being sick as amply opportunity to test out some medicine that she had made but never got the chance to test until now. No you may not question why it's an oozy looking purple still not a solid, but also not a liquid texture

However she won't make you her test subject for the medicine if you don't want to Sucrose is totally fine with getting you medicine from Albedo or a local doctor if you would prefer.

Sucrose does try her best to keep you entertained to the best of her ability. She also really tries to get you to sleep as often as you can, it should help speed up your healing process

DONT LET HER COOK FOR YOU

Ask Sucrose for something made by Lisa or Amber, and use that they have a secret ingredient that helps you feel better. Sucrose cooking is a bit of a disaster

Sucrose does try her best for literally everything else and manages to not get sick after taking care of you

"This is a seru- medicine that i made a while ago... I..I didn't get the chance to study what all it does so i was hoping... Oh, yeah.. I suppose regular medicine would be the best route. Wouldn't want you to get worse."

[animehouse-moe]

Media I Experienced In 2022 That I'm Thankful For

It's certainly been a big year in a lot of ways, and everybody makes sure that everyone else knows that, mostly through top lists and favorites and stuff like that. But I'm not good with favorites or Top 10s and the like, so I prefer to do things a little different. I want to take a look back at the year and look over the animanga that I was really thankful to have experienced this year. Fair warning, there's a lot of reading to do, sorry!

Jujustu Kaisen 0

I remember this movie clear as day, come hell or high water I was watching it. It was a cool spring afternoon, I had to reschedule some meetings with professors and even skipped a class so I could drive 20 minutes to go to a theater that was showing it, and I even left early. Of course my luck, a huge traffic accident happened on the highway so there was a massive delay. Do I stick it out or fly down the back roads hoping to make it? Without somehow getting a speeding ticket I made it to my seat in the theater right when the movie started. It was incredible, beautiful even. King Gnu's song for the end credits sticking in my mind even as I went to peruse the bookstore next door with everyone else that watched the movie. Certainly something I'll remember for a very long time.

Heike Monogatari

Initially, I don't even remember if I was going to check this one out, I only really ended up watching it because a mutual name dropped it saying I would like it. They were absolutely on the money. Such an emotional and modern approach to a traditional and incredibly classic story, Science Saru really outdid themselves. Whenever I think of this show, I think of the prayer to the fallen that ends the series. It's just so incredibly beautiful, it's hard not to get emotional when watching/listening to it each time, or reminiscing over the series in general.

⚠️Warning: Video Contains Spoilers From End of Series⚠️

Sasaki and Miyano

What a lovely slow burn romance this was. I don't think I really had any sort of expectations for it, but once I got into it, I fell in love. The characters are all so unique and varied, and they work wonders in tackling the endless angles of same-sex romance, both from a personal and exterior perspective. It just sort of opened my eyes to the genre. I never had much experience with BL beforehand, and it doesn't really have the best connotation within the community, but this does wonders to change your mind. It's so fresh, and open, it gives you an entirely new perspective that Rom-Com watchers most likely do not have. Just a lovely approach that compliments the romance and comedy wonderfully.

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie

I was feeling very burnt by My Dress Up Darling's approach to a rom-com in the Winter season, so I was originally loathing Shikimori for how "popular" it'd become because of Shikimori. Morbid curiosity deemed that I at least check out a little bit of it and I was stunned. Everything that I despised of Dress Up Darling was rectified here. Warm and positive relationships, more than just the main characters, actual romance and development, hurdles, challenges, the triumph of youthful optimism. It's an incredible blueprint for a post-get together rom com. Izumi and Shikmori aren't just lovey-dovey, they don't get focused on alone, the romance has its challenges and steps forward. It was a shock, I really was shocked. And now I have all the volumes out in English on my shelf. It restored faith in the "traditional" rom com, it was such a breath of fresh air in a very much bogged down genre.

Shadows House Season 2

This was more so awe. They changed up the ending for S1 in case it didn't get greenlit for a second season, and they kept expectations for it very low. I was stunned when they announced the second season, and was so incredibly excited to get it in Summer of this year. So more than thankful for what Shadows House itself did (though it's an outstanding mystery series), I'm much more thankful that it got its second season (and I'm hopeful of a third!).

Call of The Night

Yeah, I might be pretty critical on the adaptation for stuff like voice actors, its average creative output, and how much important content it skips, but I'm still thankful for it alongside the manga this year. Some truly incredible character moments in the manga in regards to Ko's development and emotions. It's a beautiful series that takes a look at love and life from an entirely different angle than the norm, and I have to be thankful with the anime encouraging so many people to pick up the manga. And as always, if you want an idea of what the series is like? Listen/look at the lyrics for the song by Creepy Nuts where Call of The Night gets its name from.

Akiba Maid War

The dark horse of the season, if not the year for me. An Uramichi Oniisan experience, where I saw it and thought, "Well, what's the harm in checking it out?", before being blown away by comedy, action, and camp in equal parts. It's a stellar tale of creativity and passion run wild that results in a compelling and helplessly engaging series that feels criminally underappreciated by the community for what it does. Anime Originals have been really rough, but this Fall 2022 season has given me so much faith via stories like this, or DIY!!. Just a moment of restored faith in the creative process outside big names and big productions, a reminder that creativity is still capable of appearing from anywhere and that it doesn't take a hail mary to get surprisingly good series.

Bocchi The Rock

I mean, is this any surprise? Bocchi The Rock quite literally rocked the world of viewer's. It quietly appeared to be scheduled for the season, and after that first episode finished, it was pandemonium. Bocchisweep has trended on platforms like Twitter several times over, and it even toppled the most anticipated anime of the season (and perhaps even year) in overall rating (8.85 for Bocchi and 8.82 for CSM at the time of writing this). It's a beacon of hope to the measure of creativity and freedom in the medium, and for that I'm ridiculously thankful for what it came in and did in 12 episodes flat.

Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide

I was getting very tired of the traditional lens of romance and rom coms at the start of this year, so finding this manga alongside Sasaki and Miyano was really a blessing. Adult characters, a mature look at romance, and worldwide travel? It was really great catching up with the 2 volumes currently released (Vol 3 in 2023!), and it brought forward some great thoughts and approaches to LGBTQ+ romance through its main and supporting characters. Plus? It made full use of the locale to sell the story aspect and even inject some beautiful value about the wonders that the world and its people have to offer. Easy recommend to anyone looking for a nice take on romance that doesn't feel inherently gimmicky.

Nightfall Travelers Leave Only Footprints

You might be thinking, "wow, that's a pretty cover", and you'd be right.... but also wrong. The actual art of the manga is even prettier. It's stunning. It's so unique and incredibly creative.

I'm very much an impulse buyer with manga, and this ended up being one of those volumes. I saw the art and a brief synopsis, and as weird as it sounds, it was love at first sight. The concept was wonderful, discovering the beauty in horror and deepening an emotional and curious bond. It really is a one of a kind story, and along other very niche and off-color series like Sheeply Horned Witch Romi, is a reminder of the awe-inspiring work that waits patiently to be discovered still.

Everybody always says, "Oh this is gonna be the best year for manga! X is going to give us the greatest chapters of the series and this new (and often times generic) series Y is finally dropping!". In a way, they're not wrong, but I feel like it's a misconstrued reason for their hype. Comparison. Everything is compared to something, everything has a sibling that everyone wants it to perform better than, an author that has to one-up their previous work in every way. It's suffocating, especially with the incredible desire for people to rank and compare things in the first place. The reason each successive year is "going to be better" isn't because of some objective reason, it's because of everybody's perception of it. It's another year that you get to immerse yourself in the hobby and medium, another year that you get to set out and discover new series, new authors, new approaches and genres. It's another year of falling in love with all sorts of things. And I remain incredibly thankful for that opportunity. For all the weird and wacky series that I get to place on my shelf year after year, all the new and unique authors that become staple of my collection, the new genres and expanses that continually widen my horizons.