#dawn's renovated homes

[sulsulesbian]

🍊🍞🌾

[dawnedon]

They have learned so much about power tools with the chateau renovations. Be afraid.

[adonis-koo]

sweet nothing • 9

| in which he patiently waits one day at a time|

↳ Description: being a guest at the Jeon Estate after a mishap of being kidnapped and dragged into your brothers affairs isn’t all that bad. Truth be told it brings you a lot closer to the mobster and owner of the estate Jeon Jungkook himself.

His two rules are simple, don’t cause trouble and don’t give him a hard time. Somehow you manage to constantly do both in the most endearing way despite being pregnant and waddling around most of the time.

Pairing: Jungkook/reader, ???/reader

↳ Genre: slice of life AU, mafia!AU, pregnancy, there’s like…a little bit of a plot but not a lot, future smut? maybe? it's very domestic!

Word count: 2.9k

Previous | Next

Note: no matter how many scenes i write, they're all sad and i'm kinda sorry bc i said this fic wasn't going to have much plot but it somehow has a lot of plot now??? and its kinda sad??? HERE YOU GUYS GO THO

The commotion going on in the estate wasn’t difficult to tell, men had been actively walking more than their usual rotations required and Jungkook knew this was a sign you were causing some sort of chaos as you seemed to do every day now. 

And upon following the trail it led him just a door down from your own room, items being moved and you were currently pouting as you sighed. 

“Do tell me what your idea is for this little renovation project.” Jungkook hummed, leaning against the door, not actually annoyed at how much you always move things around in his estate in fact…Dare he say he felt a little endeared. 

And Jungkook found himself falling into old habits, habit he found himself missing, such as being able to take the time to admire you, all thoughts of work fading from his head at the sight of your dress, just past your knees and a faded checker blue, flowing sleeves that went to your elbows for room and of course the ever growing bump. 

Your hands were set around it seemingly pouting over something before his words drew you out of your thoughts, “Jungkook, I didn’t realize you were home so early.” 

“I have a meeting I have to attend in person later,” Jungkook replied, “You didn’t answer my question.” 

There it was again, that small pout he hadn’t realized he missed so much until it dawned your lips once more, “Well…” You seemed a bit hesitant before you spoke, “I gave it some thought- what we talked about a few days ago, about a nursery and I figured you were right. It’s better we be prepared for it then not.” 

Jungkook was relieved to hear this because while he was trying his hardest to get something on Wonho, there was a smaller, more selfish part of him that enjoyed this, enjoying having you at his estate.

An even smaller part of him not wanting it to end so soon, he had to let go of you once and no it wasn’t fair, but even there was even the slightest chance…well, he didn’t want to let it slip through his fingers and have to let you go once again. 

Jungkook only nodded, “So what's with the look then?” 

“Well,” You gave him a sheepish smile, “I had all of this stuff moved out and realized I have nothing to actually put in here…” 

Jungkook couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped him as he pushed off the frame stepping into the room, “Hm, that’s a strange way to ask for money.”

“Jungkook I wasn’t-”

“I’m teasing relax,” Jungkook cut you off, your lips tugging even poutier, you had always been like this, since day one in fact, always worried he’d think you were using him for money, always trying to deter him from paying even if you didn’t have the means to actually afford it yourself. 

It was sweet, “But you’re also in no position to not accept it and I have more than enough money to afford it- it’s a win win.” 

You stared at his outstretched hand, black shiny amex in his hand, “I don’t feel right just using it.” 

Jungkook sighed wistfully, “You didn’t seem to feel too guilty helping your brother with rates and statistics for drug sales.” 

Your lips parted somewhat in surprise, “That was different…!” 

“You’re right,” There it was that stupid teasing, charming smile of his, “It was probably worse.” 

You knew he was only teasing, but something about it made you feel gross still, you had a reason you were in that room, a reason that is long gone from you now, “Well it doesn’t matter anymore does it?” 

Jungkook paused at the sight of your expression dimming as you continued looking out the open window as your hand absently rubbed your bump, “I haven’t done that for a long time now…”

“Y/n I didn’t mean-”

“I know,” You cut him off softly looking back at him and there was an unmistakable look of regret in his eyes, not wanting to cross any lines with you but you were afraid they already had, “I just…I guess I just have some regrets about getting involved….I never wanted to hurt anyone,” You whispered out, “I had a reason I was there and it had nothing to do with the money...For myself at least.” 

Jungkook frowned, there were still so many things he didn’t know about you, your time together having been cut short when you both had first met, “What other reason could there be?” 

It was an indirect question, rather than a rhetorical one, you knew what he was asking. 

You hesitated, but then again, you supposed it didn’t matter now, it was all in the past, no matter how dull it made your heart ache. 

“Well…” You let out a soft sigh, “I’m sure you remember I wasn’t exactly financially stable, and for me that was fine. It was enough,” You nodded to yourself in thought, “It wasn’t much, but it was enough.”

“Until…?” 

“I received a phone call,” You mumbled, recalling the event, “A foster agency, telling me that they did a DNA test on one of their cases and it came out as a match on me and my brother. Just a week old, dropped off right outside the police station.” 

You had to bite down on your tongue, you had thought you were over it, but it still stung just as raw, “Since we were her only blood family I was given the opportunity to adopt her…” You let out a sigh trying to keep it together, “Except I was too poor, I didn’t even come close to having a qualifying salary to show that I could be responsible for her and take care of her…”

“What about Wonho?” Jungkook cocked his head to the side, baffled at this information. 

You let out a loud scoff, bitterness that you had tried so hard to let go of coming back up as you shook your head, “Wonho didn’t give a shit, told me that it wasn’t our problem but I struck a deal with him, if I helped him up until his annual evaluation with you for his first year of work, he’d help me get the expenses that were required to foster her.” 

Jungkook’s brows furrowed as he shook his head, “And?” 

There it was, that little niggle in your head that was angry about it all, angry at Wonho, angry at yourself, especially at Jungkook, “Well all of it fell apart. Very quickly, one thing after the other. I mean obviously you dropped off the face of the planet for months so Wonho wasn’t making money- I got let go of my job because of the murder- everything went void.” 

Jungkook looked away with a long inhale as if he had been mentally prepared for the moment you’d finally cave and say it, but it wasn’t as if you were wrong, you were simply stating a fact, he completely ghosted you and civilization as everyone knew it and just like that, he had left your life as quick as he entered. 

It was difficult to not be angry about it when he was the one that convinced you that the very thing you were afraid of wouldn’t happen, just for a few short months later, let it happen. And you were sure he had his reasons, you were certain of it, but it didn’t change the fact that he left you with little to no explanation and just like that, never bothered to come back, didn’t even so much as send a letter, a proper apology, nothing. 

“I’ve…” Jungkook’s eyes squinted on the ground, “I’ve been meaning to talk to you, about what happened.” 

You shook your head, “Jungkook, it’s been two years,” Your voice softened, his eyes glancing up to meet yours and once again you felt the dull ache that never went away, “I shouldn’t of brought it up, I’m sorry…it’s in the past now, life went on.” 

“Well it didn’t for me.” Jungkook let out a small breath and you could hear a hint of bitterness in his voice. 

Your lips quivered a little, “Do you have any right to say that?” 

“Probably not,” When did he get this close to you, “But it doesn’t change how I feel.” 

Old feelings were like a dam bursting inside you and you began to shake your head, “I’m not ready to talk about this Jungkook- can’t we just keep pretending like nothing happened?”

Jungkook shook his head, “We’ve both tried this and neither of us are good at it Y/n, I can’t, not when I have a second chance.”

You raised your brows, “No! No this is…” You took an immediate step back, “This is not what this is Jungkook, what happened is over. I’m only staying here because Wonho has a target on his back and you were kind enough to keep me out of the crossfire.” 

“Maybe that’s how it started out,” Jungkook replied just as quick, taking another step closer to you, “Look…I know it’s not fair,” He frowned, as if he hated saying it, “I had every intention to stay out of your life, it wasn’t fair to drag you along back then and that’s why I didn’t, but…You’re here now, right in front of me. So yes…I do see it as a second chance, and if there’s any way I can make it right, I will.” 

You groaned, “It’s not just making it right anymore!” You wanted to scream! “I have baggage now Jungkook!” Your eyes threatened to water as your hands dropped from your stomach, “A lot of it. It’s not just me anymore I’m getting ready to have a baby, you don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“I know exactly what I’m asking for.” Jungkook sharply replied, eyes brewing with anger, “And what I’m asking for is you, all of you.”

“You had your chance and you left me, plain and simple, you left. I don’t understand why now…Out of all the time, two years later, now…!?” You hadn’t meant to raise your voice, but you were angry, perplexed, scared. 

Scared just the way you were when he was upfront the first time in that stupid bakery you wanted nothing more then to pretend like didn’t happen, you wanted to pretend like you never got drunk at that stupid bar, that he wasn’t late that day, that he didn’t sat down and offer to pay for your meal for making you wait. 

You wanted to pretend like he had actually listened for once when you declined him asking you out, that he didn’t visit you every morning at work, and more then anything you wanted to pretend like you had a stronger will, that you didn’t let him convince, your mind was flooding with so many memories of him. 

His hand trailing down your thigh while drunk in the back of his car, his eyes when he saw the bust in your lip, his smile when your fingers intertwined with his, his skin etched into yours for the first time, ushered sweet nothings that he’d love you forever. 

But at the time you didn’t realize that forever would only be a short three months then just like that, it was over, and oftentimes you were left many sleepless nights wondering, was it even love? Everything had happened so fast, it felt like forever. 

But two years later, standing in front of him you realized it had been two agonizingly long years since you saw him in person. 

“I made a choice,” Jungkook defended himself, “I stuck to that choice…I was leaving you alone, even if I didn’t want to and then…” He ran a hand through his hair, revealing his face in full detail his eyes baffled as if trying to understand himself, “Suddenly one night you’re dropped in the middle of my office. I didn’t have any pretenses, I was just being nice letting you stay here, I had fond memories of our time together, I didn’t want to let you get caught in the crossfire- it was the least I could do after everything.” 

You crossed your arms as he continued, “And then…I don’t know,” He muttered, “I look at you, I see your smile, I see you standing here pouting and trying to do it all yourself, like you always tried to do. And suddenly it’s two years ago and we’re both drunk sitting at the bar talking about what it would be like to be in love. And I feel the exact same way I did back then, looking at you and wondering if maybe I had finally found it.” 

You felt physically sick, it was like he was intentionally wanting to break your heart all over again, “You sent them to raid my home, you can’t tell me this wasn’t planned…”

“I didn’t expect them to fuckin’ kidnap you Y/n!” Jungkook let out a hurt laugh, running his hand through his hair, “In fact I gave them direct instruction to do the shakedown while you were at work and to not destroy your apartment- you were supposed to be at work!” 

“Well I wasn’t!” You shouted back, “I wasn’t feeling well and my coworker offered to cover! You can’t do this to me! You can’t, not after all this time…” You voice died down, “You can’t just…open all of this back up as a second chance because you’re feeling nostalgic over a fling-”

“You were never a fling to me-”

“That’s how I felt after you left-” You suddenly winced, hand immediately pressing to your stomach, instinctual almost despite the pain coming from your chest, Jungkook’s eyes immediately widening and he had closed the small gap between you both. 

“Let’s get you sat down…” Jungkook murmured and you couldn’t help but stare at his hand, big and calloused, multiple rings just the way you remembered, pressed against your bump and a wave of intense sadness thrummed in your heart, what you’d give to go back and change everything. 

You were too tired to fight his touch, and a smaller part of you crying– begging inside your mind to just give in, to put your worries aside and roll the dice again, maybe he’d actually keep his promise this time. 

But you refrained from leaning against him too much as he sat you down on the bed in your room, phone immediately in hand as he called Doctor Choi, after hanging up the air was thick with a silence and tension. 

Jungkook sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed, “...If you don’t wanna talk about it, we won’t. I don’t want you going into preterm…But…I want you to know I didn’t make that decision because I wanted to, and I didn’t do it easily either.”

You self soothed, rubbing your tummy as your eyes closed, “I know you didn’t. At least that's what I told myself the last few years, that surely there was a really good reason…And you wanna know the worst part Jungkook?” You whispered, sad eyes as you opened them to look at him, “I waited…I waited every day, sat at that stupid register hoping you’d come, even after Wonho stopped talking to me I went to the Red Light anyways, hoped maybe you’d be there. There wasn’t a day I didn’t check my phone only to be disappointed by your name not being on the screen…”

It was silent again before you tried to hold back your tears, “You broke my heart. Right in two, promised you wouldn’t leave me, and then you did. And now you’re asking me for another chance?” 

You said you wouldn’t cry, but here you were softly weeping in your bed, feeling like a child once again, helpless and wondering why no matter how hard you tried, nobody ever stayed, you had thought he was different, but it turned out he was just like the rest. 

Jungkook’s hands cupped your cheeks, thumbing the tears away as he pressed his forehead down to yours, “For what it’s worth, I am sorry,” He murmured, “I’m just as much a sinner as anyone else, I’m ill-tempered and cruel, I’ve killed a lot more people then you could ever imagine, but most of all Y/n, I’m selfish, I’m not really a good man. But I could be good, for you.” 

“You don’t know how bad I really want to believe you,” You whispered out, “But I had so long to think about it, to look back and realize I know nothing about you. It was my own fault really, you’re not a good man and I knew that back then, just like I know it right now.”

“I know I hurt you,” Jungkook had a sort of determination in his eye, the kind that you knew was unwavering, he meant every word he was saying, “But there hasn’t been a day I wished it could be different. I’ll do whatever is necessary to earn your trust again.”

You pressed your lips together for a long moment, “I’m not saying it isn’t possible, but you have a long way to go if you really want it.” 

Jungkook’s long slim finger traced down your jawline, “I’ll take it one day at a time, just like the first time.” 

[kimberly-spirits13]

Moving In

Pairing: Jason Todd x reader

Warnings: None

Summary: a short Drabble on you convincing Jason to move in with you

Word Count: 963

Your house was a haven for Jason. It was somewhere where he could lay down and forget all his troubles or simply sit in silence and not be overwhelmed by the life outside of your front doors. Despite the occasional complaints he hears from you about the woes of homeowning, he sees no flaw in your home. You were well off from your job, able to buy a nice home in the same area that Wayne Manor sat. It wasn’t intentional, you had been living in this home before you knew Jason, and through the years you had completed various renovations and upgrades to make it reflect you. There was a garden in the backyard filled with your favorite flowers, a sizeable kitchen where Jason likes to spend most of his time, sunlight poured through the floor to ceiling windows, and a few additional rooms catered to your interests were settled between the walls of the home. Convincing Jason to move in was not a hard thing to do. He hated living in an apartment and hearing his neighbors talk or walk around in the middle of the night when he was trying to sleep. You and Jason also found that it was a hazard climbing into the windows during the waking hours of dawn after patrol. A few close calls meant that most of the time when you were out on patrol, you two went back to your place to crash. It’s easy to say that he was delighted when you offered to let him move in after a long week of patrols gone south. 

         “You know, you should ditch the apartment, Jay.” You were laying on top of his chest, legs sprawled out over his and blankets nearly covering your face.

         “Whatcha mean Doll?” He stopped combing his fingers through your hair and started twisting small loops into it with his fingers.

         “Come live with me. You always talk about hating living in the city anyways and you sleep better there.” 

         “It would make patrols easier.” He commented, “You’re not delirious right, you’d actually want me to live at your place?” There was a tone of insecurity in his voice like at any moment you’d tell him you were joking.

         “I am not delirious Jason.” You sat up and looked at him, “I have plenty of empty room that needs you to fill it.” “There’s plenty of room for your books in the library and you practically already live there. I’m pretty sure more than 60% of your things are already somewhere in the house.” “You could literally move in right now.” 

         “I would love to live with you.” He said smiling, “but I think we’d need to, you know, make sure everything is taken care of before I move out. My lease ends in a week and I’d need to pack everything up” 

         “We can get boxes tomorrow.” You said, “You can just start leaving things for the next week, plus, you don’t have to stay in the apartment even if your lease isn’t over.”

         That was exactly a week ago and Jason was ready to move into your place. He pulled into the space in your garage that was meant for him with boxes loaded in the back of his car. There weren’t many boxes in his trunk, but he had a few odds and ends that he couldn’t send to Goodwill or throwing away. Most of the contents of the boxes were his books, some old mugs and pictures, the clothes that weren’t already in your house, hygiene stuff from his place, and other knickknacks he had around. After a few seconds of collecting his thoughts, he looked up to see you coming into the garage from the side door into your house with a smile.

         You took his hand as he got out of the car and shut the door to walk to the trunk and start unloading. Taking a few boxes at a time, the two of you gradually unloaded everything and put it into the room connecting to the garage. It wasn’t going to take a long time for you two to unload everything, the most daunting thing to Jason was permanently invading your space. Taking the box filled with mugs, you opened the cabinet in the kitchen that kept all the mugs and started carefully putting them in like they were meant to be there. 

         “Hey doll, do you have a place you want all of this?” He asked timidly.        

         Usually moving in somewhere wasn’t a problem for him and he knew where everything was meant. He knew that you didn’t mind and just wanted him to be comfortable, but at the same time, Jason was afraid he would mess something up, make you regret letting him live with you.

         “You know you can put stuff wherever. I mean obviously shampoo and conditioner belong in the bathroom and dishes in the kitchen but Jay, this is your home, I don’t mind.” You said comfortably.

         Jason felt his heart swell at your words. This was his house now. You might have been there first, but you were telling him that this was allowed to be his home. Everything was perfect, nothing was popping Jason’s bubble now. 

         He set his stuff down and watched as you walked over to him and wrapped your arms around his waist. In a moment of silence, he ran his fingers through your hair and put his chin on the top of your head.

         “I’m glad you’re here now.” You said softly, “I hated when you had to leave.”          Jason held onto you tighter and lifted your chin with his finger, “I love you y/n/n. You’ve given me the best life I could have ever lived.”

         “I love you too Jay.” 

[masarrysversion]

daylight

summary: love story of sir lewis hamilton x singer-songwriter!reader

inspiration: madame taylor swift’s discography. her new songs “you’re losing me” // her old songs

author’s note: this is my very first social media au ♡ must admit that I’m not satisfied with it and the end was rushed :/ taylor swift released a new song “you’re losing me” and I’ve seen many parallels with her old songs so I wanted to make an AU but with a different timeline than TS’s real timeline

face claim: chloe bailey 

SEPTEMBER

yourusername

Liked by zendaya and 5 345 851 others

yourusername Surprise!!

Out NOW the new version of my album called Midnights (The Til Dawn Edition) 💙

This edition has a never before heard track called “You’re Losing Me” and it is the official third single from Midnights!!! (Link in bio)

View all 32 377 comments

ynfan IM BAWLING THE SONG IS HEARTBREAKING

loveyn if you have ever been in a relationship that slowly died in front of you while you tried everything to save it but they acted like nothing was wrong, don’t listen to “you’re losing me” you’ll be agonising

midnightslover “I wouldn’t marry me either” anyone would be lucky to marry you, Y/N 😢

user1 you deserve someone who considers you and praises you for existing

yourusername

Liked by elliegoulding, lewishamilton and 3 465 834 others

yourusername THANK YOU SO MUCH, @brits 💖 I can’t believe ‘You’re Losing Me’ won International Song. This song means SO much to me!! The brit is already safe and warm on a shelf at home. What a magical night and what an honour to have been presented this award by two people I highly respect and admire, @elliegoulding & @lewishamilton 🙏

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lewishamilton 💜😍

Liked by yourusername

lewis44ham well... it sure is a normal way to answer an artist you’ve just met... 👀

LHmercfan @lewis44ham Lewis has always been nice like that with everyone lol. It doesn’t mean anything!

ynlover u deserve it so much!!

user47 you transforming your heartbreak into art and getting recognition for it just makes me happy

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NOVEMBER

enews

45 295 likes

enews DATING RUMORS ALERT 🚨 Sir Lewis Hamilton and Y/N were spotted entering a building in Manhattan's Greenwich Village.

It seems like Y/N has made Cornelia Street her temporary abode for a few weeks now as her Tribeca property is undergoing a renovation. 

View all 3410 comments

lavendrshaze NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY

lewissnation They’re not just rumors imo. They have been interacting so much on social media lately!

formulamilton true lmao. and no wonder lewis has posted so many thrist traps since september 🤔

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MARCH

-

JULY

yourusername

Liked by lewishamilton and 8 416 478 others

yourusername Hi loves, my brand new album ‘wholeheartedly’ will be out this friday. Hope you’ll like it as much as I loved creating it ♡

Comments on this post have been limited.

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1 YEAR LATER

lewishamilton

Liked by yourusername and 23 456 120 others

lewishamilton Y/N Hamilton, I would marry you endlessly.

You’re way better than a dream. 🤤

I always knew I was a lucky man but when I met you, I understood that I was the luckiest man ever. Fighting and hardwork have always be in my DNA and yet, fighting for your love and happiness everyday is like no other fights I experienced. It still is my best fight to this day. I will never stop working hard to be worthy of your love and consideration. I thought I had everything until you swept me off my feet at the Brits and finally made me complete that night. 

I love you. Thank you for making me and Roscoe your family, @username 😍❤️

Ps: I never thought I would have love songs written about me. In complete awe of your talent 😳

View all 364 924 comments

yourusername You and Roscoe are the loves of my life. I’m the one who is thankful for you, for having found the perfect human being. I have so much love, respect and admiration for you that it is unimaginable. I love you with all of my heart 💜

189 989 likes

[lionlena]

I can't be everywhere (No outbreak!Joel Miller x f!reader) ANGST! Part 1

Summary: You knew Joel was a busy man, but you never thought that when you needed him most you would hear, "I can't be everywhere." As if your pain meant nothing. So you decided that you couldn't be everywhere either… You couldn't be in his heart anymore.

Warnings: ANGST, miscarriage, misunderstanding, loss, mourning, broken heart, age gap (17 years), Joel is 45, depression, Joel tries hard, but… He can't show his true emotions…

A/N: I added a small cameo from 9-1-1 Texas, Tommy, Nancy, and TK ;)

Part 1

You met Joel by accident when your boss decided to renovate the offices. But no... He didn't transfer employees to another location or to work from home. NO. He decided that somehow all of you would share the space with the construction workers.

You were furious, as were the rest of the employees. You all understood that for the next few weeks, you would be distracted by the sounds of a drill, the hits of a hammer, the smell of paint...

And yet this was not the most distracting thing, at least for women. The Miller brothers turned out to be what prevented you from focusing on your work.

And while most of your friends sighed at younger brother, you couldn't take your eyes off Joel. Those broad shoulders, those biceps straining against the flannel shirt, the dark hair streaked with gray… He was the reason you fantasized during work, something you had never done before.

But you thought that the fantasies would end there. You realized that Joel was almost 17 years older than you. On top of that, he showed no interest in you... in anyone, really. He was a bit grumpy and silent, unlike Tommy who was constantly smiling and talking to all the women in the office.

Thanks to him, you found out that Joel had a daughter who went to college. So you quickly calculated that you were only about 8 years older than his daughter. This definitely didn't sound like a relationship that could work. Even the fact that Joel was single didn't make you dare to go beyond your fantasies.

Until one unlucky evening…

You stayed at work late to catch up. Joel stayed too and started renovating the women's bathroom. This meant that when you felt the need to use the bathroom, you had to use the men's bathroom. Unfortunately, you completely forgot that their toilet has a broken lock that sticks.

So when you calmly did what you had to do, you suddenly discovered that you couldn't leave. You quickly started to panic. It's not that you were claustrophobic. You could stay in tight spaces as long as you knew you could leave. That's why you avoided the elevator because you were terrified of getting stuck between floors.

So of course, being locked in the bathroom must have triggered a panic attack. On top of that, you left your phone on the desk. You stopped thinking straight very quickly. Instead of trying to open the door, you just started screaming and punching the door. You were probably there for about 5 minutes, but it felt like you had been there for an hour and you couldn't breathe.

Suddenly you heard someone's voice saying that he would help you soon. Then the door finally opened and you just ran out into the hall, hitting that person, but you had to get out.

You leaned back against the wall and tried to regain control. Suddenly you felt large, warm hands on your shoulders and you saw those warm brown eyes in front of you. It slowly dawned on you that the person who freed you was Joel.

"Hey… hey, calm down. Y/N, right?"

You nodded without even thinking when he found out your name.

“Okay, Y/N, focus on my voice. You're safe, nothing bad happened. Take a deep breath… and exhale. Yes, just like that. Very good.”

His calm, comforting voice and strong hands brought you back to reality. But the peace lasted only a moment and was quickly replaced by shame.

"Oh god! I'm sorry... I hit you when..."

Joel smiled and shook his head. "Relax. You didn't do anything I couldn't handle." He looked at you gently. "How are you feeling? You had a panic attack... Are you claustrophobic?"

Joel still had his hands on you and you couldn't help but think how good it felt.

"No... I'm just scared when I'm in a closed room... When I can't get out... Thank you for your help."

Joel finally pulled away from you and nodded in understanding. After a moment, he replied: "I'm glad I could help you. What are you doing here, anyway?"

"I'm doing overtime."

Joel chuckled quietly. "That's the two of us."

And suddenly you couldn't help yourself and said. "Would you like some coffee? I know it's late, but since we're both going to work some more, maybe we could use some caffeine."

Joel nodded eagerly and that was how it began.

As they say: the rest is history.

One coffee turned into daily chats and an invitation to lunch. Then an invitation to dinner turned into a hot night. The hot night turned into quickies in his truck as he drove you to work.

Even though the renovation in your office was over, your romance with Joel has only just begun. And when your friends were despairing that they didn't see Tommy anymore, you thought about your next meeting with Joel with a smile on your face.

After half a year of dating, Joel suggested that you try moving in with him. There were several reasons to agree. You kept complaining about the rent. His house was closer to your work. Joel was a busy man and living with him made it easier for you to spend time together.

And you were happy. Or at least that's what you told yourself. Joel was loved. Sex with him was great. His daughter took a liking to you when she came home for a few days, so everything was in place.

You were happy... You repeated to yourself every time your friends told you how they spent the weekend with their boyfriend at the lake, or how they were at a party and you...

You were making dinner for your tired boyfriend. You told yourself it was better this way. You have an older, mature man who gives you a stable life. You couldn't see the fact that he worked hard as a flaw. But sometimes you wondered if Joel regretted his relationship with you. Did he expect something different? He just wanted adventure and then didn't want to break your heart?

And then it happened... You thought one broken condom was no big deal. Joel thought so too. He said you'd have to be very bad luck if you were to get pregnant from one accident.

But it turned out... Bad luck... Except you couldn't think about your child like that, and Joel...

His reaction was… Neutral. He smiled and assured you that he would take care of you and the baby, but he didn't say anything more. There were no happy shouts, no kisses, no belly touching. Only this peace, which you even perceived as cold.

But you consoled yourself with the thought that it wasn't really about you, it was about Sarah's mom. Joel told you about her. About how she wanted to give Sarah up for adoption right after she was born, but Joel convinced her that they would be a happy family. However, when Sarah turned two, her mother decided she had had enough of motherhood and disappeared, leaving Joel with a broken heart and a small child.

So you thought he was afraid of a repeat. You decided that when he saw that you wanted to be a mother and that you loved this child, he would start to show his feelings.

So you loved your unborn child. You stroked your belly and talked to the baby. You took care of your diet and timidly started browsing websites selling cradles.

But Joel didn't notice this because he was practically not home. He worked even harder and you had the feeling that he was doing it on purpose to avoid you. Although he justified it by having to help Sarah stay in college. You felt sidelined.

You were 12 weeks pregnant when you woke up in the morning with terrible stomach pain. You curled into a ball and moaned in pain.

"Joel!" you shouted, hoping that maybe he hadn't left the house yet.

But only silence answered you. You slowly reached for your phone and dialed his number.

'Y/N… I'm in the car, call…'

'Joel! Something's wrong... My stomach hurts terribly.'

You heard a sigh on the other end.

'Honey, calm down. It's definitely nothing serious. Lie in bed and rest.'

You felt tears gathering in your eyes.

'I need you.'

Another moment of silence.

'An investor is coming today. I have to be there, but I promise I'll be back soon. Just try to calm down. Everything will be fine.'

His voice was soothing and even brought you relief for a brief moment. You swallowed your tears and took a deep breath.

'Okay,' you said in a weak voice.

'That's my girl. I'll call you soon. Rest, darling.'

Joel hung up and you felt another painful pressure in your lower abdomen. No matter how hard you tried to calm down. It was getting worse by the minute. And when you felt the wetness between your legs, you panicked. You looked down and saw a red stain. You grabbed the phone and called 9-1-1.

Twenty minutes later, rescuers arrived at your home. A dark-skinned woman in her early 50s was the first to approach you. She smiled at you in a friendly manner.

"Hi, Sweetheart. I'm Captain Tommy Vega, and these are my paramedics, Nancy and TK. We'll do everything we can to help you."

You nodded and moaned in pain. The young man who approached you also seemed very friendly and explained everything he was doing to you. It made you feel a little better. When they helped you onto the stretcher and told you they were taking you to the hospital, you asked:

"Will I lose my baby?"

They looked at you sympathetically. Captain Vega grabbed your hand and calmly replied, "We'll take you to the hospital, they'll check everything there."

You already knew what that meant. You lost your baby, but they didn't want to upset you. They couldn't tell you the truth directly. You nodded and asked, "Can I call my boyfriend?"

Tommy replied, "Of course, but while we're in the ambulance."

Once you were in the ambulance, you tried calling again, but Joel wasn't answering the phone. TK, seeing your sadness, grabbed your hand comfortingly, but it didn't help you much. You were in pain, your stomach hurt and you felt alone and scared. At the hospital, the doctor confirmed what you already knew. You lost your baby.

Joel wasn't there when you cried about it. He wasn't there when they put you in the hospital bed and gave you medication. He was gone... You finally texted him to let him know you were in the hospital and then you fell asleep.

When you woke up a few hours later, you felt someone holding your hand. You looked to the side and saw his brown, worried eyes.

“Joel… Our baby…” you sobbed.

Joel immediately stood up, hugged you, and kissed your forehead.

"Shhh, everything will be fine. Take it easy."

You cried for a few minutes in his arms and waited for something more. You wanted to hear more. That he is sorry, that he suffers too...

You looked at him hurt and asked, "Why weren't you with me?"

Joel grimaced slightly and you saw pain flash in his eyes for a moment, but then it disappeared and he replied coldly, "I can't be everywhere."

You blinked your eyes and looked at him. For a moment you thought you misheard. But his words echoed in your head and burned a mark on your heart. "I can't be everywhere." This wasn't what you expected. "I'm sorry I couldn't be with you." "I would give anything so you wouldn't have to go through this alone." Or at least just: "I'm sorry." You silently looked at him and waited. You waited for him to say something else, something that would even slightly help ease your pain, but Joel just sat next to you and held your hand as if that would be enough. But it wasn't enough. You wanted to cry and scream, but you felt so tired. You finally removed your hand from his and rolled onto your side, wrapping your arms around your belly.

"I want to sleep."

Joel was surprised for a moment, but then he stood up from his seat.

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you in the morning."

He kissed your head and disappeared. And with his disappearance, any remaining illusions you had that Joel wanted this baby disappeared. And why didn't he want to? Maybe it's because he never planned on staying with you long-term, and the baby would force him to do so.

Maybe he never took you seriously. You were just a girl he wanted to play with for a while. Nobody who was important. No one whom he needed. These thoughts washed over you like a wave of a great black ocean and pulled you under. You started sobbing so hard that your whole body was shaking. You've never felt so alone... So broken.

Suddenly you felt a gentle hand on your shoulder and heard the nurse's warm voice.

"Shhh, calm down. I know it hurts. I'm sorry you lost your baby."

Her words only made you cry louder. A stranger showed you more understanding and compassion than your own boyfriend who left you alone.

And maybe Joel didn't love that baby, but you did.

The next day you left the hospital and Joel took you home. Somehow he found time for it. He even told you he took two days off.

Two days!

You didn't know whether to laugh or punch him in the face. Two days for you to heal your heart. Two days for you to come to terms with the loss and return to normal life. Was this what Joel expected?

You didn't know that because you barely talked to each other. You spent most of those two days lying on the couch and staring at the TV. And Joel walked quietly around you. He would bring you sandwiches and water, cover you with a blanket, and sit at the end of the couch. He placed your legs on his lap and massaged them gently. Maybe under normal circumstances, you would have found it sweet, but the pain in your heart and the words he said in the hospital made you grow bitter. You couldn't stand him and when he went back to work, for the first time you were actually happy about it.

For the next few days, life was the same. In the morning he would get up and kiss your head. He asked if you needed anything and you said no. When he left the house, you moved to the couch and spent half the day there. Joel returned in the evening, but unlike in the old days, there was no warm dinner waiting for him. He greeted you and looked at you with something strange in his eyes. You couldn't tell if it was disappointment, anger, or pity.

You didn't care about this. Joel couldn't be everywhere and you were slowly coming to terms with the fact that you couldn't be everywhere either.

A week after the miscarriage, you made a decision. You called your best friend who lived in Florida. You cried and told her everything and heard only one sentence: "Pack up and come immediately."

And so you did. You packed two suitcases and threw them in your car. You left a short note on the kitchen table.

"I'm going away for a while. I don't know if I'll come back. I'm sorry Joel, I can't be everywhere either."

You got into the car and took one last look at Joel's house. You felt tears sting your eyes, but you stopped yourself from crying.

You couldn't be in Joel's heart anymore.

So let me just give up So let me just let go If this isn't good for me Well, I don't wanna know Let me just stop trying Let me just stop fighting I don't want your good advice Or reasons why I'm alright You don't know what it's like You don't know what it's like Don't look at me like that Just like you understand Don't try to pull me back *Katelyn Tarver - 'You don't know'

Tag list: @fahemzzz

Part 2

[fatecantstopme]

That’s Not What I See

Pairing: Elliot Stabler x Plus Size!Reader

Summary: You're a crime analyst on the Manhattan SVU squad. You've been attracted to Elliot Stabler since you first met him, but you knew there was no way he'd be into you. Men who looked like him never were...at least that's what you thought.

Warnings: Use of pet names. Cursing. Mentions of self-esteem issues. SMUT, praise kink, oral (F receiving), multiple orgasm, unprotected sex (P in V)

You walked into the office gym at 5am, thinking there wouldn't be anyone else there. You hated working out, especially in front of other people. Normally, you used the gym in your apartment building, but it was under construction, so you decided to sneak into the office early.

You'd thrown on leggings and a slightly too small t-shirt, and you were tugging on the shirt uncomfortably as you walked into the gym. You just wanted to get on the treadmill for an hour, but your plans were interrupted when you heard soft grunts coming from across the room.

You froze, hoping whoever it was wouldn't notice you. You moved towards the treadmill quietly, using it as a shield so you could see who was in the room without them seeing you.

From your angle, all you could see was a man's legs on the weight bench across the room. He was laying down and preparing for another rep. When his arms came into view, you let out an involuntary gasp. The Marine Corps tattoo on his right arm was a dead giveaway...it was Elliot Stabler.

He racked the weight bar and sat up, eyes looking in your direction. You knew he couldn't see you, but he must have heard your gasp. Shit, you thought to yourself.

"Hello?" he called.

You decided it would be weird if you didn't respond, so you stepped out from behind the treadmill and gave him a little awkward wave. "Good morning."

He smiled warmly when you came into view. "Morning, (Y/N)."

You could feel his eyes on you, boring holes into your skin, and you tugged on your shirt again. You suddenly wished you'd worn something a little looser, but you hadn't expected to see anyone, least of all him.

"Since when do you come to the gym before dawn?" he asked as he stood up and started walking towards you.

"I--uh--I...normally I don't--umm, I use the gym at home. It's being renovated."

"I see." He stopped right in front of you, giving you an up close and personal view of his beautiful body. Every inch of him was toned, muscles flexing under his skin. "I kinda like having the company."

You let out an awkward chuckle. "I was just gonna...umm--use the treadmill?"

He smiled again and your heart nearly stopped in your chest. "Go for it, doll. You don't need my permission."

You grabbed onto the arm of the treadmill to keep you upright--the term of endearment making your knees buckle. "Yeah," you mumbled.

"Let me know if you need anything." With that, he walked back over to the weight rack to finish his reps.

You were about 5 minutes away from having a full blown heart attack, but it would be super awkward if you left the gym now. So you climbed onto the treadmill and started walking at a steady pace. You did your best to keep your eyes forward, but you could feel Elliot looking at you every time he sat up.

After several minutes, he stood up and came across the room towards you. "Mind if I--?" he asked, gesturing to the machine beside you.

"Oh--uhh, sure," you stammered.

He smiled and got onto the elliptical.

You'd been sucking in your stomach as much as possible since the moment he noticed you...it was restricting your ability to breathe properly, but you didn't care. Standing next to a man who looked that good made you feel incredibly uncomfortable, frumpy even.

"How you liking SVU so far?"

Fuck, now he's gonna ask me questions? I already can't breathe. "I like it, but it's not easy work."

He nodded. "No it's not, but it's rewarding."

"Mhmm," you hummed.

"You're the first crime analyst we've ever had on the squad."

"I know," you said quickly. "I hope I'm adding value."

"You add a lot of value, both to the work we do and to the general morale of the squad."

"Oh," you said in surprise. "I, uhh, I appreciate that."

He chuckled lightly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," you said tentatively.

"Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"What?" you asked in genuine surprise. "Why would you think that?"

"Well...you don't make eye contact with me very often and you stutter a lot when you talk to me--like you're flustered."

"I promise, it's not because you make me uncomfortable." It's because every time I see you, I want you to rip my clothes off and bend me over your desk.

You could feel his eyes on you, almost like he was scanning you--trying to decide if you were being honest. You didn't dare turn your head, you'd either fall on your face or reveal the thoughts in your head.

"Okay, good. I just wanted to make sure," he said with a smile. "I like you, (Y/N)...I don't wanna make you uncomfortable."

That tiny naive voice in the back of your mind squealed he likes me! but the more logical part of your brain ignored it. A man that looked like that was not interested in a woman who looked like you.

"I appreciate that," you mumbled. You'd only been on the treadmill for 40 minutes, but you decided that was more than enough. You wanted to get the hell outta there. You hit 'stop' on the machine and hopped off. "I'm gonna hit the shower. See you in the squad room."

"Okay. See you there."

20 minutes later, you were seated comfortably at your desk, going over some reports you needed to write.

You felt Elliot's presence before you saw him, and you did your best to act nonchalant. He walked up to the desk across from yours and leaned against it. He'd clearly showered and was now dressed in his usual slacks and a button down, sleeves rolled up to reveal his toned forearms and his tattoo.

"You smell really good," he commented. "Body wash or perfume?"

"Oh, uhh--maybe both?" It better be that damn perfume. It was expensive.

He smiled. "Well if it's the perfume, I'd recommend wearing it more often. It smells delicious." He shot you a wink before walking over to his own desk and sitting down.

You couldn't help but wonder if this man knew the effect he had on you and if that was why he was flirting with you. Was he even flirting? Hell, you had no idea. The hotter the man, the more awkward you became. You had a hell of a time reading them and it had messed you up in the past.

It's not that you had low self-esteem necessarily, it's just that you'd put on a fair amount of weight in the last couple years and it definitely affected your self-confidence. Hence why you'd started going to the gym every day...you wanted to get that young, happy, thinner version of you back.

As the day progressed, you forgot all about your encounter with Elliot that morning. It was a busy day and it flew by. Before you knew it, it was after 7pm and you were still curled up at your desk, typing away on your computer.

You heard a throat clear to your left and you turned to glare at whomever it was that dared to interrupt you. "Oh, Elliot!" you exclaimed in surprise. "I figured you'd gone home by now."

"I thought you would have too," he said with a shrug. "I'm actually just heading out now, but I wanted to see if you were hungry."

At that exact moment, your stomach let out a little grumble. You realized you'd worked straight through lunch and you were starving. "I could eat."

He raised an eyebrow. "You didn't eat lunch, so I'm betting you're starving."

He was paying that much attention? "Yeah, you're right. It's probably time to get the hell outta here anyway."

"My thoughts exactly. Come on, I'll take you home. We can get dinner on the way--my treat."

You normally took the subway, but it was after dark and the squad didn't like you walking home or riding the subway alone. "Oh, you don't have to do that."

"It's not a chore, (Y/N). We can stop anywhere you'd like."

You bit your lip as you thought about it. You really should turn him down, but if you'd learned anything in your time with SVU, it was that being a woman in New York was dangerous enough without walking alone at night.

"There's a little pizza shop by my apartment," you conceded.

He grinned. "How'd you know I was thinking pizza?"

You laughed. "You eat it all the time...you must think pizza is a vegetable."

He laughed. "It's delicious. Grab your coat."

You hurried to pack up, then you threw on your coat and followed him out to his car. It was a chilly night, but the sky was clear and the air was crisp.

Elliot made small talk on the way to the pizza place. You were thankful that he carried the majority of the conversation and you couldn't wait to have food to occupy your mouth with so you wouldn't sound like such an idiot.

"I don't think I've ever been here," he commented as he found a parking spot near the shop.

"It's the absolute best," you insisted enthusiastically.

He smiled at your animation. "This is the most excited I've ever seen you."

You blushed. "I like food."

"So do I...and I'm starving, so let's go in."

As soon as you walked in the door, you heard a thick Italian accent yell your name. "(Y/N)! Looking beautiful as ever."

You smiled at the older man, embracing him when he came around the counter for a hug. "You're too sweet, Gio."

After he released you from the bear hug, he turned to look at Elliot, clearly sizing him up. "Who is this?"

"This is Elliot. We work together," you said reassuringly. "Elliot, this is Giovanni Romano, owner and chef extraordinaire."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Elliot said as he extended his hand for a shake.

Gio looked him up and down, and apparently decided he liked him because he smiled really wide and said, "No handshakes! We hug here," before wrapping a surprised Elliot into a hug.

You laughed at the look on Elliot's face. Gio finally let him go and Elliot looked relieved, if not a little shocked.

"Maria!" Gio yelled towards the back. "La principessa is here with il innamorato."

You turned red as a tomato and prayed Elliot didn't speak Italian. "Gio!" you hissed.

"My principessa?" Maria yelled as she came out of the kitchen. She bustled over to where you were still standing by the door.

"She's Gio's wife," you whispered to Elliot a millisecond before she grabbed you in a tight hug.

She then turned her attention to Elliot. She nodded approvingly and turned to whisper to you, "Lui è bello."

You blushed again. "Sì," you mumbled back. "Now silenzio, per favore."

She smiled at you and gave your cheek an affectionate tap. "What can we get the two of you, amorino?"

You smiled. "Two of your best pies, Maria." You turned to Elliot, realizing he might not want you to order for him. "If that's okay with you."

He smiled. "I trust you."

"Two pies coming up!" Maria said with a smile. She grabbed Gio and practically dragged him towards the kitchen with her. You could hear her talking about Elliot and you in Italian and it made you laugh.

Elliot followed you to a table near the back of the small building. "So, uh...you come here often?"

You blushed. "Nearly every day when I was in school," you said honestly. "The food is delicious, cheap, and there's free WIFI. Plus, Gio and Maria have become like family to me."

"They seem really sweet."

You smiled fondly. "They're the best. I don't have any family of my own, but they both kinda took me under their wings...like an Aunt and Uncle."

"That's very kind of them."

Gio appeared with two waters, before he disappeared again with a wink in your direction.

"I didn't know you spoke Italian."

"Oh, uh, yeah. Gio and Maria taught me. I ended up minoring in Italian at NYU."

"So, uh...what did they say about me?"

"Hmmm?" you pretended not to know what he was talking about...you really didn't want to answer him.

"Come on, I know they were talking about me."

"Maria said you were handsome, that's all."

He raised his eyebrow. "Why don't I believe you?"

"She did!" you insisted.

"I don't think that's the only thing she said."

You blushed.

"You're blushing."

"It's warm in here."

"No, it's not. Just tell me what she said."

You bit your lip. "Do I have to?"

He laughed. "No, but I'd really like to know."

"Technically that's all Maria said. Gio, on the other hand...well, he called you my um...well in Italian it means 'lover', but you can think of it more like boyfriend, I guess? Or maybe more like sweetheart?" you rambled.

Elliot laughed heartily. He enjoyed watching you fumble for what to say. It was endearing and incredibly cute. "I hope you didn't correct them."

You nearly spit out your water. "What?"

"Well, if you're as close to them as you seem to be...then they would know if you were seeing someone right?"

You nodded.

"And their assumption that I'm your lover means you're not seeing anyone?"

You nodded again, clearly uncomfortable.

"Good."

"Good?"

"Yeah," he said with a smile. "Good." He picked up his water and took a long drink, eyes never leaving yours.

What the actual fuck is happening? "I'm confused."

He shrugged. "Let me put it this way, I'm honored they would think I'm your lover."

You choked on nothing but air. "Excuse me?"

He smiled again, wider than before. He leaned in closer to make sure no one but you could hear his next words. "I'd be lying if I said I haven't thought about it."

Your jaw nearly hit the floor. You stared at him in shocked silence for what felt like an eternity.

Like a little Italian savior, Maria appeared beside the table with her famous focaccia.

You grabbed a piece of the delicious bread and took a massive bite, despite the fact that it was fresh from the oven. It burned your mouth, but you didn't care. You needed something to distract you from the words Elliot had just said and the way he was staring at you.

Maria gave you look that said slow down, but she didn't say it out loud. "The rest will be out soon, amorino."

Once Maria was out of ear shot, Elliot asked, "What does amorino mean?"

"Essentially 'little love'. It's a term of endearment," you answered, grateful for the change in topic.

Elliot steered the conversation in other directions for the rest of dinner. He asked you all sorts of questions about your life and answered several of your own. He didn't mention what he'd said earlier, and you were fine pretending it hadn't happened.

After dinner, Elliot insisted on paying the bill, even though Gio tried to comp it. You knew it made Elliot look respectable in Gio's eyes and for some reason, that made you proud.

"I'll pull the car up," Elliot told you before heading outside.

"He's lovely, principessa," Gio said softly.

"I know, but he's just a friend, Gio."

"Ahh, amorino, you are young! You cannot see," he insisted.

"Can't see what?"

"The way he looks at you, (Y/N/N)," Maria said gently as she joined the two of you.

"Like you hung the moon," Gio finished.

"You two are romantics," you said with a laugh.

"Perhaps, but we are old...we've lived. We both know what it means when a man looks at a woman the way Elliot looks at you," Maria assured you.

She wrapped you in a tight hug and Gio followed.

"Now go, principessa," Maria said with a smile. "He's waiting."

You turned to look out the door and sure enough, Elliot was standing on the sidewalk, leaning against the car, waiting for you to come outside.

You said your goodbyes and met Elliot out on the sidewalk. "Fancy meeting you here," you teased.

He smiled. "It's almost like I planned it that way."

You laughed and walked towards the now open passenger side door. Elliot helped you into the car and closed the door before going to his side and getting in.

During the short drive to your apartment, you watched Elliot out of the corner of your eye. You were looking for whatever it was that Gio and Maria insisted they saw. He was relaxed, more so than he ever was at work, and he seemed genuinely comfortable. But comfort and desire were two very different things.

Much sooner than you would have liked, Elliot pulled up in front of your building. This time of night, there wasn't much by way of street parking, but he managed to snag a spot a block away. "I'll walk you in."

"You don't have to," you assured him.

"It's after 9...there are pervs on the street."

You almost laughed, but you knew he was serious. His statement wasn't funny, so much as the way he said it. "Alright, come on."

He followed you to the front door of your building. You punched in the code and the door unlocked. As you pulled it open, you had a sudden burst of confidence.

"Would you like to come up?" you blurted.

You weren't sure who was more surprised, you or Elliot. He certainly recovered faster than you. "I'd love to."

You just nodded awkwardly and held the door for him to follow you in. The two of you took the stairs in silence, a silence that continued all the way to your door. "This is me," you mumbled.

You unlocked the door without looking at him and gestured for him to enter. You were thankful you'd cleaned the apartment the day before, so everything was neat and organized.

"It's a cute place," he commented.

"Thanks," you moved to the kitchen, needing something to do with your hands. "It's all I can afford. Do you--uh, do you want a drink?"

"Sure," he said warmly as he slipped his coat off and draped it over the back of the chair.

You poured him a drink and poured yourself a double. Lord knew you needed a little more liquid courage than he did. You were taking a risk--making a gamble you weren't sure would pay off.

You came into the living room and handed him his drink before sitting on the couch beside him. You left space between you, just in case he wanted there to be some.

You were drinking your beverage a little faster than you should have and he noticed. "You alright?"

"Mhmm," you hummed.

"Is this about what I said at the restaurant?"

"Umm--uhh--"

"Because I didn't mean to offend you or make you uncomfortable."

"You didn't," you said quickly. It had made you uncomfortable, but not in the way he was thinking.

"Okay, good." He took a sip of his drink. "Because I meant it."

You exhaled sharply and he turned to look at you.

He sat his glass down on the coffee table and scooted closer to you. "I think about it all the time, (Y/N). I think about you all the time. It's almost annoying--you occupy my thoughts all day every day and I don't know how to deal with it. You make me feel like a teenager again."

You didn't know what to say. You'd dreamed of this happening, but you never actually thought it would. Now that you were sitting in this position, you had no idea what to do.

"I know I'm older than you--hell, I might be too old for you, but I can't help the way I feel. I'll never bring it up again if that's what you want, but I wanted to tell you the truth."

"You're not too old for me," you said quickly.

"How old are you?"

"30."

"Oh," he seemed almost relieved. "I thought you were younger than that...I actually feel better."

You laughed lightly. "10 years isn't all that much."

He shook his head. "Not at our ages."

You fell silent again, unsure what to say next. You finished your drink, then set it on the coffee table beside his. "Why me?"

He looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"Why would you want me?"

"Because you're incredible?"

You rolled your eyes. "Elliot, come on. Look at us."

"I don't understand."

You sighed, feeling reluctant to answer. "Look at you. Hot, muscular, in incredible shape. Then look at me. I'm none of those things--I'm overweight, frumpy, and average at best."

He stared at you in silence for a long moment, shock evident in his features. "While I appreciate the compliments, doll, that's not what I see when I look at you."

You almost didn't want to ask, but you had to know. "What do you see?" you whispered.

He moved closer to you so he could take your hand in his. "I see a beautiful woman with warm, caring eyes, and a gentle heart. I see a woman who makes me laugh, a woman who's witty and charming and brilliant. I see the kind of woman I can imagine a future with."

You were breathless by the time he'd finished speaking. No man had ever said anything like that to you before, even before you'd put on weight.

"Do you want more details? I can give you more," he said softly as he leaned forward so his body hovered over yours. You were caged in the corner of the couch and for the first time in a long time, you felt tiny.

You couldn't find the words, so you simply nodded.

He smiled down at you and licked his lips. "I see the sexiest woman I've ever met--a woman I've wanted to touch since the moment I laid eyes on her. Every part of her gorgeous body is perfect...and I want to claim it all as mine," he finished with a soft growl.

Every instinct in your body was screaming at you to just do something and you finally gave in. You wanted this as much as he did, so why not indulge?

You leaned forward and crashed your lips against his, moaning softly as he pulled you closer. He deepened the kiss, desperate to feel as much of you as he could.

You shifted beneath him, allowing him to settle between your legs. He wedged his knee against your crotch and brought his hands down to your sides.

You moaned softly as his lips began to trace your jaw line, then down your neck, then to the sweet spot behind your ear.

You felt his hot breath in your ear as he whispered, "You're so beautiful." You shivered involuntarily and your hips bucked forward in search of friction.

He chuckled softly. "Needy, are we?"

"Yes," you admitted, allowing the desperation to creep into your voice. "Need you."

"Oh sweet thing, don't you worry, I'll take care of you."

"Elliot," you whimpered softly.

He groaned. "God I love hearing you say my name like that."

He grabbed you around the waist and pulled you against him. You instinctively wrapped your legs around him and he whispered, "Good girl."

You shuddered, the praise going right to your core. It didn't go unnoticed by him, and he tucked it in the back of his mind for later.

"Where's the bedroom?"

You pointed to the right and he stood up with you still wrapped around him like a baby koala. "Elliot!" you yelped.

He smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to your lips. "Don't worry, baby, I got you."

He carried you to your room with ease, tossing you onto the bed like you weighed nothing more than a rag doll. You'd never been so turned on in your damn life.

He climbed on the bed, covering you with his large form. His lips sought yours again, latching onto you like you were his lifeline. Your left hand trailed up his back, your fingers gently clutching the hairs at the back of his head.

He continued to kiss you, but your mind began to wander. You thought about seeing him in the gym earlier that morning and your body started to heat up even more. You wanted to see all of him, not just his arm muscles.

You gripped the edge of his shirt and tugged harshly, desperate to get it off him as fast as possible. He chuckled softly as he sat up, just long enough to take off his shirt.

He was back on top of you before you could register the view--and you found yourself annoyed. An idea popped into your head and you smirked against his lips. He might be a hell of a lot stronger than you, but you had the element of surprise.

You wrapped your legs around his waist again, pulling him towards you so you could lock your ankles around him. His groan quickly turned into a gasp of surprise when you flipped him onto his back. You smiled down at him, a mischievous glint in your eyes.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asked lightly.

"I wanted to see you better...so I'm in control now."

He didn't often give up control anywhere, let alone the bedroom, but you looked so pleased with yourself that he couldn't help but acquiesce.

Your eyes had drifted from his face to his exposed torso. He watched as your hands followed the curve of his muscles, eyes drinking in every inch of his skin. The way you looked at him was intoxicating--it was like a drug he didn't wanna quit.

Your eyes flicked back up to his and he saw the unbridled lust in them. It took every ounce of self-control he had to not flip you over and fuck you senseless. All he could think about was hearing you screaming his name, but he knew he had to wait. He had a feeling it would be worth it.

"Can I touch you?" he asked softly.

You nodded and he immediately grabbed your hips and tugged you onto his abdomen. He wanted you to be a little bit closer so he could touch every part of you. His hands slowly slid under the hem of your shirt and for a moment, you froze--panic rising in your chest.

Elliot saw it flicker across your face, so he stopped moving, but he didn't remove his hands. He wanted to make sure you knew he was only stopping to make sure you were comfortable, not because he found something he didn't like.

"Can I keep going?" he whispered.

You nodded cautiously, so he slowly moved his hands farther up your belly. He enjoyed the feeling of your soft curves and he had a feeling he was really going to enjoy holding onto you while he fucked you.

He reached the edge of your bra and paused, waiting for you to indicate it was okay for him to continue. You didn't tell him to stop, so he slid his hands up over your breasts, giving them a gentle squeeze. You released a soft sigh and he did his best to keep moving at a slow pace, despite wanting to literally rip your clothes off.

You allowed him to pull your shirt up and over your head, and it took all the energy you had not to wrap your arms around yourself and hide. When you saw the look on his face--the hunger in his eyes--you suddenly didn't feel as self-conscious as before. Your body reacted to him in the same way his reacted to you, and you felt the desperation begin to creep in.

You shifted your hips, seeking some kind of friction against his body, while your nails raked down his chest. He groaned softly, but his hands didn't leave your body. Instead, they slipped around to your back and quickly unhooked your bra.

The moment your breasts came into full view, his hands began to massage and knead them, fingers pinching and twisting your nipples gently.

You moaned and dug your nails into his sides, gripping them for stability. He looked up at you, at your dark, lust-filled eyes, and he lost control for a moment. He flipped you onto your back so fast you let out a little yelp in surprise.

That yelp quickly turned to deep moans as his mouth attached to your breasts, sending bolts of pleasure through your body. His hands fumbled with the button and zipper of your pants--he was about 3 seconds away from ripping them when he finally got the buttons undone.

"Why are women's dress pants so complicated? There are literally THREE buttons." he mumbled against your skin.

You laughed warmly, knowing he was right. "Try wearing them sometime."

He grinned up at you. "They look better on you, but..." he tugged your pants off and tossed them onto the floor. "...just as I thought, they look much better on the floor."

You chuckled at his joke and rolled your eyes. You were about to comment on the cheesiness of his statement, when he sat up and began removing his own pants. You were so focused on watching him that you forgot what you were about to say.

You eyed his bulge when it came into view and you began to pant with need. Elliot noticed and gave you a little smirk. "Want me to take these off?" he asked, gesturing to his boxers.

You nodded rapidly.

"Sorry, baby, I didn't catch that."

"Yes, please," you said aloud.

"Good girl."

You moaned and rolled your hips involuntarily--the praise going directly to your core.

His words had the desired effect on you and it only made him want you more. He tugged off his underwear and climbed back into the bed, but you stopped him with a gasp.

"Absolutely not," you said with wide eyes.

"What?" he asked in confusion. He followed your line of sight and realized you were staring directly at his dick. "Something wrong?"

"It's not gonna fit."

Elliot nearly collapsed in relief as he started to laugh. "Baby, you had me worried for a minute." He laughed again. "Don't worry, it'll fit."

You shook your head. "I might be a big girl, but my vagina isn't."

He laughed again. "You're perfect, baby, and I promise you, I'll be gentle."

You finally looked back up at him, eyes still filled with doubt. He offered you a warm smile and it helped to put you at ease. "Okay," you murmured. "I trust you."

"That's my girl." He climbed back on top of you and kissed you deeply.

When he broke off the kiss, he began to make his way down your body, lips never more than an inch away from your skin. He was dying to taste you and he was quite certain he'd waited long enough.

When he reached your core, his eyes flicked up to yours to make sure you were watching. He grabbed ahold of the edge of your panties with his teeth and tugged on them--pulling them down your body with nothing but his mouth.

You didn't know why the hell that was so hot, but good god it was. But nothing could have prepared you for the sight of Elliot's large body between your legs, mouth mere centimeters from where you needed him. You'd never imagined he'd look this damn good, nor did you imagine you would feel so comfortable baring yourself to him completely.

Elliot locked eyes with you as he placed soft kisses to your inner thighs and your pussy lips. He breathed in your scent as he did so, and he had to grip the bedsheets to keep from losing his control.

You were panting heavily, the anticipation nearly killing you. "Elliot, please," you whimpered, hips jerking slightly.

He smiled as he placed another kiss to your mound. "Please what, baby?"

"Do something," you begged.

"Something?"

"Anything! Please!"

Normally he would have kept asking until you used your words and told him what you really wanted, but he was having a hard time resisting his own urges right now, so he decided to have mercy on you.

He dove into you with abandon, mouth working you in ways you'd never imagined. It was like having a sex god between your legs--not that you'd ever say that to him, he'd probably find it blasphemous--but in that moment, you couldn't be bothered to care.

Your nails raked against his scalp as you struggled to find purchase somewhere on his body. Your hands finally came to rest on his biceps, nails digging into his skin as you held on for dear life.

Your body jerked beneath him, the pleasure so immense that he had to hold you down to keep you from squirming away from him. He glanced back up at your face to make sure you were enjoying it--and was met with the most beautiful sight.

Your head was thrown back against the pillows, mouth open as you moaned and panted. Your chest was rising and falling rapidly with each heavy breath you took. He wished he could see your face better, but it was more than obvious you were enjoying yourself.

He somehow learned exactly what you liked, and what you needed, without you having to say a single word. You were more than pleased because you were certain you couldn't actually speak. The only sounds coming from your mouth were moans and something that closely resembled his name.

His fingertips were digging into your hips as he held you in place--his grip so tight it was sure to leave bruises. Your legs began to shake around him and your thighs started to close in on his head, but he was more than happy to wear your legs like earmuffs.

Your moans rose in volume and length, signaling you were close. Your nails dug deeper into his biceps, pressing crescent shapes into his skin. It would have been painful in any other setting, but he was more than delighted to bear the pain.

He knew you were close to orgasm, so he sped up his movements, tongue dancing against your clit with expert precision.

You gasped his name, hips jerking against him as you came. He held on tightly as he helped you ride out your high--not stopping even as you began to whimper.

"Too sensitive, Elliot," you gasped.

He lifted his head long enough to say, "I'm not done," before diving in with renewed vigor.

You gasped at the intensity of the sensations and within seconds you could feel a second orgasm building within you.

He lifted his head again. "Unless you want me to stop?"

"No!" you practically yelled. Your hand grabbed the back of his head and pushed him back down and he chuckled warmly at your insistence.

"I didn't think so," he mumbled before licking his way back into your pussy.

Unlike your first orgasm, your second hit you suddenly and quickly--rendering you nearly speechless. You could do nothing but gasp for air as wave after wave of pleasure threatened to drown you in an ocean of passion.

Elliot finally lifted his head, a satisfied smirk resting on his handsome features. You looked down at him, breathless and wide eyed, and he felt his body heat up.

He moved with such speed that it surprised you, nearly pouncing on top of you, mouth mere inches from yours. He seemed to be studying your face and for a moment you felt embarrassed--unaccustomed to such a lustful expression on another person's face.

But the way he looked at you--the desire evident in his eyes--simultaneously put you at ease and made you want him with renewed desire.

He touched your cheek, which was flushed bright red. He could feel the heat radiating from it and he liked being the cause of such a reaction. "You look beautiful like this," he whispered.

Your cheeks turned a darker crimson and he smiled, knowing he'd caused that as well. "I like you like this," he murmured. "Laid out beneath me, pretty eyes wide, lips parted, hair a mess...I've never seen anything so sexy."

"Elliot," you whispered. You didn't know what else to say, so you let your body do the talking for you. You tugged him down to you, lips latching onto his as you kissed him hungrily.

He lowered himself to be closer to you, careful not to put his weight on top of you--he didn't want to hurt you. His hands tangled in your hair as he deepened the kiss, letting you taste yourself on his tongue.

You moaned softly, hips pressing upward against his pelvis. His cock brushed against your core, earning a groan from deep in his chest.

You liked the sound he made and you were desperate to hear more of them, so you did it again, this time more slowly and with more pressure. He pressed against you, his own body seeking friction of its own volition.

You slipped your dominant hand between your bodies and wrapped it around the base of his cock, squeezing gently as you stroked upward. He groaned and his hips bucked against your hand.

Even though he was on top of you, you felt like you were in control...and you were going to use it to your advantage. You slipped the head of his cock between your folds, sliding it upward against your clit. He groaned and bit down into the soft flesh of your neck and you gasped at the mixture of pain and pleasure.

You were about to do it again, but Elliot pulled just out of reach. "Baby if you keep doing that, I'm gonna lose control."

Your eyes widened innocently. "What if that's exactly what I want?"

His eyes widened in surprise. "What?" he croaked.

"What if I want you to lose control? What if I like the idea of you fucking me like a feral wild animal? I want you to fuck me so well I can't walk tomorrow. Make me scream, Elliot. Please."

The seductive tone in your voice morphed into a plea at the end--a plea Elliot could not refuse. Not when you looked so gorgeous and needy beneath him...not when you said his name like that...not when you begged him to fuck you like he'd been dreaming about for months.

He grabbed his cock and began to rub it gently against your entrance, earning soft moans of pleasure from you. He knew you would feel incredible, but he was trying to hang onto whatever sanity he had left.

"Relax for me, baby," he whispered gently. He felt the tension in your body ease a little, but he needed you to be completely relaxed or he was definitely going to hurt you.

He gently rubbed circles into your hips, trying to calm your racing heart. "I've got you, doll. I'll go real slow, okay?"

You nodded, expression still worried.

"Hey," he whispered, leaning forward to kiss you softly. "You tell me to stop, I stop, okay? No matter what."

"I don't want you to stop," you whispered.

He smiled gently. "Just in case, baby." He kissed you again before assuming his previous position. "Just relax, beautiful. It'll feel so good--I know you're ready for me."

You relaxed your body as much as you could, but nothing could have properly prepared you for the stretch you were about to experience.

Elliot began to slowly enter you, eyes never leaving your face. Every time you winced or inhaled sharply, he wanted to stop, but you told him to keep going.

Once he fully bottomed out, your breathing was ragged as your body adjusted to his size. He was using every ounce of will power he'd ever had to just stay still.

"You're doing so well for me, baby," he managed to groan out. "Such a good girl."

Your pussy spasmed around him as the words "good girl" registered in your brain. You suddenly needed him to move...

The moment he felt you clench around him, something inside of him snapped and it was game over for him. Whatever self-control he'd had went out the window and he started to move, setting a fast pace from the start.

Your cries mixed with his groans as he slammed into you with force. Somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind, he worried he was hurting you, but one look at your face shut that voice down instantly.

You looked much like you did when he'd been eating you out, only this time he had a view of your face. It was a sight to behold--one he didn't think he'd ever get over.

"You feel so good, baby," he whispered.

"Please, El--" you whimpered.

He wasn't sure what you needed and you didn't appear to be in any position to tell him, so he decided to take matters into his own hands. He shifted his body so your hips were angled up, one leg on either side of head. As he thrust into you, you cried out desperately, hands fisting the sheets beside you.

He felt as the head of his cock hit that soft spot inside you--and he knew he couldn't stop now. He kept up his pace, slamming into your g-spot with each thrust.

The sounds coming from your mouth were incredible--he wanted to hear them every single day for the rest of his life. You were shaking with pleasure, body writhing against him as he struggled to keep you in place.

He needed to feel you cum around his cock at least once before he found his own release...so all of his focus was on getting you to your next orgasm.

He started to murmur dirty things to you, noticing the way your body reacted to his words. "Your pussy feels so good, baby. So tight and warm--I could stay here all night."

You were way too far gone to respond verbally, but your body told him everything he needed to know.

"You're taking me so well--squeezing so tight."

He placed soft, sloppy kisses to your calves, hips never slowing their intense pace.

"This is my pussy, you hear me? Mine. I'm gonna make sure she feels so good, baby."

You moaned loudly--clearly liking the idea of being his.

"You like that, huh? You like knowing you're mine? Like knowing I'm marking you? No one else will ever compare, baby--gonna ruin you."

"Elliot!" you screamed as your orgasm came crashing down on you. Your pussy spasmed around his cock, squeezing him so tightly he could hardly breathe.

The feeling of your orgasm triggered his own, sending him spiraling over the edge with a deep groan and whispers of your name. He filled you with his seed, letting your legs fall to either side of his hips as he stuttered his last few thrusts.

He collapsed on top of you, whispering your name against your skin like a prayer. He kissed your jaw and your neck--the affection warming your heart as you lay beneath him, slowly coming down from your high.

After several moments, Elliot pulled out of you and rolled onto his back. You both lay on the bed, breathless, as you tried to regain control of your heart rates.

Elliot grabbed your hand and intertwined his fingers with yours as he lay beside you. He turned to look at you and he smiled, taking in your beautiful post-sex glow.

You turned your head to look at him and smiled warmly. "That was..."

"Fucking incredible."

"I was gonna say decent," you teased.

He laughed and jokingly rolled away from you.

"Come back! I was kidding!" you called after him.

He kept laughing as he looked over his shoulder at you. "Come get me then."

"I can't move," you said simply.

He rolled back towards you, body now facing you. "Oh yeah? And it was just decent?"

"Decent--best sex of my life--same thing."

He grinned wolfishly and leaned in to kiss you. "That's more like it."

You rolled your eyes and affectionately smacked his arm. "Cocky, are we?"

"I know what I'm good at," he said with a shrug.

"Smart ass," you teased.

"But you like my ass," he teased back.

"It does look nice in those jeans you sometimes wear. Makes me wanna bite it."

"Oooo, kinky."

You both laughed.

Elliot looked down and his expression immediately sobered.

"What's wrong?"

"I--I didn't--I was so caught up..."

"What?"

He looked back up at you, a look of regret on his handsome face. "I didn't even think about putting on a condom, (Y/N)...I--God, I'm so sorry."

You shrugged. "No need to worry. I trust that you're clean."

"I am," he assured you. "But what about...pregnancy?"

"Oh," you brushed him off. "We definitely don't need to worry about that. I have a tiny sperm murderer living in my uterus."

"You have a what?"

You laughed. "I have an IUD."

He started laughing too. "Oh! 'Sperm murderer'..." he mumbled as he laughed even harder.

You grinned ear to ear. "I was gonna call it a tiny copper knight defending my honor, but I figured that was too much."

"You're so weird," he teased. "Come here."

You giggled as he grabbed you and dragged you against his chest. He held you tightly as he kissed your skin softly. "You're so beautiful," he whispered.

"Elliot..."

"You are," he insisted.

For the first time in a long time, you felt truly beautiful, but more importantly, you felt seen. He knew who you were and wanted you anyway. He liked you for you...and he liked your body, which was really just a bonus.

"What are you thinking about?"

"If we should get a shower...or go for round two?"

He groaned softly. "I'm an old man, doll."

You rolled over so you were on top of him. "Well that's just a pity...there's so much I wanna do to you."

His eyes seemed to burn as he looked at you. There was absolutely no way in hell he could say no to you. "You're gonna be the death of me."

"At least you'll die a happy man."

He grinned. "No man has ever been happier."

Before you could respond, he grabbed you and pulled you down to him, slamming his lips against yours in a bruising kiss. Your last coherent thought before Elliot sent you into orgasmic oblivion again was I guess that's a yes for round two.

[metaphoricgibberish]

Nights Like This One [ joel miller ]

summary: Joel Miller is hired by an elderly woman to fix up her home. However, in the middle of the renovations, she dies and her daughter, Lily, moves from California to Austin to live in her mother's home. Joel continues to work on the house despite the two of them constantly butting heads. Tensions rise and the two are destined to crash whether they like it or not.

(Initially takes place pre-outbreak, story spans through outbreak day, all the way to 2023).

pairing: joel miller x ofc rating: 18+ mdni word count: 3.1k (ongoing 1/24 chapters up) a.n. lol hi!!! i promise i will finish Dawn so very soon, and i know i just put out the To the Light one-shot, but I started drafting this the other day and i was too excited to wait so here's the first chapter! i hope you're all not sick of me at this point, because this fic is a doozy, i'm so excited to finally share it with you after it has lived solely in my head for the last five months.

see tags and warnings on ao3

____________

Joel Miller finds the love of his life right before the world ends.

Read on AO3

Fic playlist on Spotify

[hometoursandotherstuff]

I couldn’t believe it when I saw a pigeon castle in the yard of a home for sale in Rhode Island, USA. I thought that medieval pigeon castles were only found in France. So, I had to go to my archives to revisit their story. 

I was fascinated, and people called them mini castles, playhouses, etc., so I did some research & found out what they really were. Actually, they’re called Pigeonniers.

It all started with this one that was Photoshopped and made the rounds of the internet and Pinterest. I was equally smitten by it. Some said it was a studio, a gardener’s cottage, and even a fairy house.

In the Middle Ages, meat was a luxury and served only on rare occasions. For nobility & royalty, a pigeonnier was extra status and power. Having one was a way to indicate to neighbors that you were feasting on pigeons every day.

Pigeonniers, or “dovecotes” in English, are intended to house pigeons or sometimes doves (Actually, doves are just white pigeons). The birds were especially popular in the Middle Ages for their meat, eggs and fertilizer (poop).

The production of “columbine,” or pigeon feces, was highly sought after as a fertilizer for vineyards, vegetable gardens, orchards and various crops. 

And as we neared the dawn of the 20th cent., Parisians alone were consuming some 2,000,000 pigeons a year! 

 After that, pigeon breeding in France went on the decline as European diets changed and the meat industry evolved.

So what’s inside these grand pigeonniers?  One large open space with walls divided into pigeon holes, or boulins, which can lodge a pair of pigeons. Here a pigeon farmer stands on a ladder, which rotates around the central beam, allowing the breeder to collect eggs from each hole.

The earliest ones were crafted from rock, brick, pottery or even just jars lying sideways.

Many of them even had a bath. 

This old pigeonnier used to be inhabited on the 1st 2 floors by humans, while the 3rd floor was reserved for pigeons. (It’s since been turned into a B&B.)

You can find renovated bed and breakfasts by searching with the keywords “pigeonnier” and “dovecote” on Airbnb.

https://www.messynessychic.com/

[wolfiafuntime]

About The Cultists I

How some members of The Church of Mondstadt joined the cult, what they did in the cult, and where they went when they were told to leave.

The Brainrot that started it all

Ft. Aether, Albedo, Amber, Barbara, Bennett, Diluc, Diona, Eula, Fischl, Jean, Kaeya, Klee, Lisa, Mika, Mona, Noelle, Razor, Rosaria, Sucrose, Venti

Tw: Cults, Children being in cults, Child Abuse

Published: September 3, 2023

Words: 1,704 (1,667 w/o the names)

Pages: 5.1 (4.8 w/o the names)

Aether Via: Was introduced to it by his sister and daughter shortly after waking from a five-year coma. But didn't join until two months later, when he met a third member of the cult; a police officer named Amber. Shortly after joining, he became the one and only mailman for the cult. Or rather, one of the only mailmen, as he prefers to take his daughter with him. Because he doesn't have a car, and it takes a day's walk to get from one compound to another. Was one of the few members that didn't get their own place when everyone was told to disperse. Currently has no job.

Albedo Kriedeprinz: Was introduced to it by his mother's friend Alice, during his college years. Joined shortly after graduating, and after a visit to the Temple of Liyue, he dedicated himself to perfectly recreating Their Grace's appearance. He learned several different forms of art to do so, from crafting stained glass portraits to carving concrete statues. When told to get his own place, he got a two-bedroom suburbian house between his job, a park, and the Church, to make things convenient for him and Klee. Currently works as the Head Forensic Scientist for the Teyvat City Police Department.

Amber Outrider: Was introduced to it by her superiors, Jean and Kaeya, when she was in police training. Joined shortly after her grandfather went missing. She didn't have much to do there, until some teens and kids moved in, which is when she appointed herself as their unofficial PE teacher. A job that she continues after she's commanded to move off-property. She moved into an apartment near the heart of Teyvat City, which she shares with her friend Eula, and Eula's friend Yanfei. Currently works as a patrol officer for the Teyvat City Police Department.

Barbara Pegg: Was introduced to it by her sister Jean, and a nomad named Alice, not long before she became an idol. But didn't officially join until her father found out and kicked her out of the house for "Betraying God". After quite some time there, she became both the Deaconess for the Church, and a nurse for the people living there. Is one of the few that didn't move off the compound when everyone was told to move out. Currently works as an Idol on YouTube.

Bennett: Was introduced to the cult by his childhood friend Barbara, and joined after running away from his abusive foster home. When he's not studying or sparring, he's either wandering the fields that surround the Church, or exploring the distant forest behind it. Due to still being a minor, he never moved out of the Church. Currently has no job.

Diluc Ragnvindr: Was introduced to the cult by his boss, Varka, but didn't join until years later, when the Church of Snezhnaya saved his life. He stayed there for a bit, before discovering that several old friends were members of the Church of Mondstadt. That, combined with the fact that the Church of the first-born was closer to the Dawn Winery than that of the seventh-born, inspired him to move compounds. Sells wine to the cult at a 75% discount. When he was told to get his own place, he simply had a small renovation done to the Dawn Winery and moved in there. Currently works as the CEO of Dawn Winery, and the Restauranteur of a bar named Angels Share.

Diona Katzlein: Was introduced into the cult by Kaeya after he saved her from a fierce winter storm, and joined them shortly after. She was disturbed to learn that the majority of the members drank alcohol, but pleased to learn that none of them were abusive like her dad. She has taken it upon herself to create a drink so disgusting that it would turn her new family away from drinking, but has yet to do so. Due to her age, she never moved off the compound. Currently has no job.

Eula Lawrence: Was introduced to the cult by Amber shortly after becoming a cop, and joined after discovering how geniunely nice a majority of the members were. Teaches the teens how to navigate the wild after noticing them go on multi-day adventures. Gets an apartment for her, Amber and Yanfei to move into in Teyvat City. Currently works as the Captain of Teyvat City's Fourth Precinct.

Fischl Luftschloss-Nerfidort: Was introduced to the cult by Bennett, and joined when she realized that it would surround her with kindred spirits. Was almost overjoyed that they let her crow familiar, Oz, stay with her inside the Church as opposed to outside of it. Often goes on adventures with the other teens, which aid her in remembering tales from her homeworld. Still lives in the Church. Currently has no job.

Jean Gunnhildr: Was introduced to the cult by Varka, but didn't join until after a curropt cop drove her childhood friend away. After joining, she slowly but surely worked her way up to High Priestess of the Church of Mondstadt, and as a reward, became one of the few people in the cult to know who Barbatos was disguised as. Her position as High Priestess gave her permission to stay at the Church when everyone was told to move out, but she decided to get a house in Teyvat's suburbs with Lisa. Currently works as the Deputy Police Chief in Teyvat City.

Kaeya Alberich: Similarly to his brother, he was introduced to the cult by Varka, but didn't join until after Crepus's death, when the Church of Mondstadt saved his life. Out of all the members, he spends the least amount of time on the compound, as he's either busy working, or busy spreading the word of Their Grace. Got himself a one-bedroom apartment when he was told to move out. Currently works as the Captain of Teyvat City's First Precinct.

Klee Hexenzirkl: Was born into and raised by the cult, although it did take her a few years to become an official member, as no one knew what kind of Vision to give her. Spends most of her time creating fun shows for the other members, all of which are loud, colorful, and accidentally destructive. Is the only- if not, then one of the only- members to move out of the Church when the adults received the command. Currently has no job.

Lisa Minci: Was introduced to the cult by her old college classmate, Cyno, but didn't join until after she met and befriended Jean. Is the founder of the Church of Mondstadt's library, and spends her time either managing it, or teaching the teens and kids inside of it. Is currently renting a house in Teyvat City's suburbs with Jean. Currently works as the Head Librarian in the Teyvat City Library.

Mika Schmidtt: Was introduced to the cult by his brother's, Huffman, coworkers back when he was a teen. But he didn't join until after he graduated from police training. His job at the cult is to scout for new members to join, and report all he finds on them to people like Varka and Kaeya. Currently lives in a studio apartment in Teyvat City. Currently works as a patrol officer for the TCPD.

Mona Megistus: Was saved from homelessness by the cult- The Church of Fontain, to be specific- who helped her get back onto her feet. But later moved into the Church of Mondstadt to spare herself from the COF's High Priest. Spends her time predicting either day-to-day events, or bigger, slow-moving ones. Currently lives in a studio apartment in Teyvat City. Currently works as an astrology/zodiac writer for a news company known as The Steambird.

Noelle Maiden: Was introduced to the cult by Jean and Kaeya while at the police academy, but didn't join the cult until she failed her training for the third time in a row. Spends most of her time either cleaning the Church of Mondstadt, or cooking food for her fellow Worshipers. When told to move out, she got herself a job as a full-time nanny for a rich family in Teyvat City. She lives with them in their penthouse.

Razor: Was introduced to the cult when Barbatos and his followers chose their Church of Mondstadt, but didn't join until he befriended Varka and Lisa. Spends his time showing the other teens, and sometimes the children, how to navigate the forest behind the Church. Never moved out because of his age, but technically never moved in, either, as he prefers sleeping in the woods.

Rosaria Church: Was introduced to the cult by Varka, but didn't join until they saved her from a life of crime. She adored the cult's endless kindess to her, and decided to repay it by becoming the first nun of the Church of Mondstadt. But after Morax's disappearance, she was contracted by Varka and Jean to keep the cult safe. Currently still lives in the Church with Barabara and the children.

Sucrose Bio: Was introduced to the cult through Albedo during her college years, but didn't join until after she lost her only two friends. Is constantly trying to invent things to make her fellow Believer's lives easier, or constantly trying to improve the things she's already invented. Is currently living with her coworker, Timaeus, and works as a Forensic Pathologist for the TCPD.

Venti Himmel: Is the first member of Creator's Grace, and was granted the position of Anemo Archon, a vessel of the deceased firstborn, Mondstadt, due to recruiting thirty new members within a month. And is also the only one of the only still-remaining Archons. Prefers to keep his identity secret so he can a) relax more and b) get a closer and more personal look at his follower's lives. As the Archon of the Church of Mondstadt, he was allowed to stay, but decided to move out to keep the appearance of him being 'just another member' up. Is currently living in a homeless shelter, and gains his money by performing street art.

My Masterlist

[sulsulesbian]

gayle's remodeled house 💗💖

[that-struggling-writer-lh]

A Flower For Every Secret Ch. 3 - Basket Flowers

Buckle up my friends because I was giggling and kicking my feet writing this.

WORD COUNT : 1885

WARNINGS: Extreme fluff, mutual pining. MINORS DNI. These guys are sickly in love I can feel it in my bones.

Pair the dancing scene with the song J's Lullaby by Delaney Bailey. ALL THE FEELS.

“You going to Colleen’s wedding tomorrow?” a voice piped from behind the glass window.

“Good morning to you, too. I’m not sure. I feel like it was a tentative invite because I’ve only been here like a month.” I looked up at Agent Carrillo through my lashes, phone on hold between my neck and ear. 

Joel hadn’t been home hardly all week. His truck always leaving at dawn and not back until late, Sarah begrudgingly following close behind him. Both of their clothes had been covered in sawdust several of those days.

He hadn’t acknowledged me much since the dinner he had invited me to, the only conversation being passing hello, how was your day? He didn’t have time to play in the streets with the neighborhood kids, much to the dismay of many parents who had to pay extra attention without Joel keeping watch of the street. He had mentioned a big job in the city, renovating an old shop front into a high-end bakery.

“Still nice to get to know people better, you’re kind of in your own world over here.” he shrugged, leaning past the barrier to peek at my desk space.

I covered the note I was writing, waiting to get it sent out to a patrol unit. A welfare check on an elderly woman, I hung up the line when I was confident my message went through, and sighed. “I don’t have a date. So I won’t know anyone, and I’ll be alone. You have a wife, Carrillo. You have a buffer.”

He seemed to consider, “Find one. I mean this in the most platonic way. You’re pretty. Someone would want to go with you, even if it’s some shitty blind date.”

I chewed the end of my pen gently, the only person that came to mind being the neighbor I’d been pining over for the last week, “I think there’s someone I can ask.”

Joel’s truck was surprisingly in the driveway when I pulled into the cul-de-sac, Sarah in the front yard with one of her friends, laying in the grass with a neatly folded fortune teller. They played the game with smiles on their faces, even from across the street I could hear the flip, flop, flap of the paper with the swish of their hands.

I tentatively walked across the street, “Hey, Sarah. Your dad home?” I questioned.

“In his office, just walk inside and let him know I said it's okay.” She looked away from me and smiled at her friend again, “Pick a number one through four.”

“Joel?” I called into the silent house, “Joel, it’s me, Sarah said to come in. I have to ask you something.”

A shuffling noise and a door opening came from down the hallway and Joel appeared, phone pressed to his ear, he motioned for me to follow, using his spare hand to silently shush me, “Again, it’s not possible with the current price of lumber, tools and extras. I gotta pay my guys, I gotta feed my kid. I’d love to continue offering the labor rate I had five years ago when I previously did work at your home, but I am a small business.” he was rolling his eyes, rolling up his long sleeved shirt to his elbows.

I watched him as he sat at an l-shaped desk, stuffed into a corner of the small room, a window directly in front of his chair. A few photos of him and Sarah framed, dusted. A tiny cactus potted, and neat stacks of binders with printed labels. Money In, Money Out, Project Portfolio, Current Client List and Job Sites, Employee Records/Handbook.

He pinched his brow, exhaling slowly so as not to let the person on the other end hear his frustration, “I offer very competitive rates, you won’t find someone cheaper than me right now, I don’t think. I’ve held off on raising prices again… I understand your frustration, times are changing for everyone. Yes, just let me know. I’d love to be of help to you, have a great weekend Bob.” he put the phone into its cradle and groaned aloud, “Sorry, Sweetheart.” he drawled as he spun on squeaky wheels to face me.

“Sarah let me in, I wanted to ask something pretty big of you this weekend. I understand if it's a no, I just have nobody else I’d like to ask.”

He pressed his elbow into the desk, resting his chin in his palm, “I’m all ears.” 

“There’s this… Thing.” I started, looking up at the ceiling.

He waited for me to continue, “Gosh, I’m nervous.” I huffed a laugh.

“Don’t be nervous, just ask.” he had started grinning at this point.

“The chief’s secretary is getting married tomorrow. I was a last minute invite, I wasn’t planning on going, but was given the option of taking a plus one and-” I froze, trying not to stammer over my words, “I was hoping that maybe you’d like to come. With me. As a favor. It doesn't have to be like…” I trailed off.

His ears turned a soft shade of pink and he looked out the window, now to the side of him, “Let me make a call.” he turned back to the phone and in moments, “Maria.” a pause, entirely too long as he stared directly in my eyes with the phone to his ear. I began wringing my hands together in anticipation. My heart thrumming wildly in my throat, “Nothing serious, just a favor.” he started, “I have uh… A date tomorrow… Need someone to feed Sarah dinner, make sure she’s okay.” he was chewing his lower lip nervously, that eye contact still unbreaking, “Of course,” he was grinning now, the pink in his ears flushing through his cheeks, “I really appreciate you guys. Thank you.”

The phone clicked back into its home on the desk, and Joel stood from his chair, “It’s a date.”

Joel promised to wear his best. Based on what I’d seen I’d hoped it was a little more than a blazer and nice pants. But he could show up in anything and I’d be happy just to hear his laugh again.

I wasn’t sure exactly what to label my feelings for my neighbor as, other than when I look at him it feels like the breath has been taken from my lungs for a moment. I spent all evening laying everything out, he promised to pick me up by three p.m for the four o’clock ceremony in the gardens of the event center. The reception would follow in a large barn. From what I had heard, Colleen’s family spared no expense. I opted to wear a lilac, solid colored dress that ended at my ankles, off shoulder sleeves and tulle underneath the skirts to plump up the whole thing, paired with silver heels. My hair in a french twist with pieces left out to frame my face, my makeup bright, blushy and glossy.

The knock at the door as I put an extra coat of lipgloss on and stuffed touchup stuff into my clutch almost sent me into a panic. I rushed to answer the door, careful not to trip over myself before opening the door. I was not prepared to see him look so- 

“Wow.” we said in unison, wide-eyed.

“You look-” we both started, 

“Handsome.”

“Perfect”

Joel really pulled it off. Hair neatly parted and slicked, facial hair trimmed. He sported a full tux, perfectly tailored. He offered me his arm and I graciously accepted, the cul-de-sac was bustling with life, but it was as if he was the only one there with me. Drowning out everything else in a haze of warm, woodsy cologne and perfect smiles. The warmth made each vein in his large, rough hand rise. It was nearly impossible to keep my eyes trained on any single spot of him. He cleaned up good.

He led me to his truck, opening the door and helping me up.

The ride was near silent, only the radio covering the thrumming of my chest. The nerves electrifying my every fiber.

He kept his hands off of me through the entirety of the ceremony, though our eyes often drifted to each other through the vows. The soft music.

The reception was dimly lit, candles gracing every surface they made sense on, baskets overflowing with blooms of every shade to mark doorways, placed on tables as centerpieces, a chandelier of candles with wildflower blooms laced in every spare beam. 

Joel was seated firmly beside me at a table full of strangers. Eventually his hand found a spot to rest on top of mine, our fingers tentatively lacing together. Both of us obviously nervous. It was different than last week on the walk back to my house from his. I was keenly aware of his every movement, the feeling of his skin. The flush of my face, and each beat of my hammering heart.

Eventually I heard the slow, soft guitar and words sung so softly it was like a private prayer.

Darling I’d wait for you

Even if you didn’t ask me to.

Tie a lasso around the moon

And bring it on down to you.

His eyes found mine again and he rose from his seat, keeping our fingers laced together, glancing around at the other couples slowly moving along to the beat, “Normally I’d say I have two left feet… But this time… Dance with me?”

It took a moment for the words to leave after the nod of confirmation, “Of course.” I whispered as he took me toward the middle of the room. One hand pressed into my lower back, bringing our waists together, his other holding mine so delicately I was sure I must be dreaming. The candlelight illuminated his face in a golden haze. Surely things like this are only in fairytales

Cause, Baby, when your arms are around me.

I’d swear that I’m holding the sun.

“Joel,” I started, “Thank you - for coming with me.” his eyes were so warm I could have melted in them.

“There isn’t a way I’d have missed something like this.” he squeezed his hand at my back, bunching up tulle and soft fabric.

You could have the stars and the trees.

When dividing up the universe.

My breath hitched as words failed me entirely; and my hand, pressed firmly onto his shoulder, loosened, slipping further up and around to the back of his neck, burying in the soft hair at his nape.

His brows furrowed, almost a question. Almost a hope. We studied each other as everything else fell around us. Deeper and deeper. Until all that remained on the crowded dance floor was Joel. Me. And the words of a lullaby.

Darling, I wish that you

Could give me some more time.

To herd the whole sky in my arms,

And release it when you’re mine.

At the same moment he leaned in, so did I. It was hardly even a kiss. More like a tentative brush, testing the waters before making a full swan dive in deep water. He pulled away only to look at me again for confirmation. I nodded and he sealed his lips to mine.

I’d put the beach in your backyard

In hopes to be enough for you to stay.

YOU GUYS PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU'RE LIKING THIS. If you're enjoying PLEASE comment that you'd like me to continue!

[joels6string]

Mistlewoes

Joel Miller x f!reader

Summary: No Cordyceps AU; Despite his best attempts at weaseling out of it, you drag a not-so-merry Joel to finish off the last of your Christmas shopping.

Rating: E

Word Count: 3.2k

Content: established relationship, Joel hates Christmas songs and isn't afraid to make it known, cornered beneath the mistletoe, smut to reward him for his troubles [lingerie, face-sitting, oral f-receiving, unprotected p-in-v, creampie]

December in Texas brought temperatures just cold enough to warrant a sweater. Even after eight years of living in the Longhorn state, you still hadn’t lost the longing for the chill of winter air around the holidays the north had offered. But Texas had offered something even better.

Footsteps thumped on the roof of your covered porch right outside your bedroom window, the sight of long, denim-clad legs visible every so often through the gauzy curtains, a flash of skin catching your eye when the hem of his flannel rode up as he reached up over his head. Ten years ago, you’d come down to Austin for a work conference and left with the phone number of a carpenter you’d met at the bar. Two years after that, you were moving into his house with his teenage daughter, Sarah, thousands of miles from home, and a year after that you became Mrs. Joel Miller in a ceremony under your favorite old gazebo in the park. 

Three light raps on the glass caught your attention as you brushed gloss over your lips, the silver that had begun streaking through his hair over the last few years glittering in the sun as he crouched down with a grin on his face.

“You gonna come out and look?” he asked, despite the arrangement of rainbow lights along the windows and beams being exactly what it was every year, “S’all done.”

“It’s daytime!” you giggled, opening the window back up to allow him to climb back through, “Can’t see anything.”

“You’ll get the gist.”

It was as if he could hear your retort before it left your lips, pressing a gentle kiss to silence it before it could escape before you resigned with a sigh, opting to look at the green wires wrapped around the yellow house he’d spent years renovating to perfection. 

“Did somethin’ a little different this year,” he crooned as he stood beside you in the driveway, “Figured I’d give Jimmy a run for his money.”

With your nose wrinkled in concentration in that way that made the corner of his lips tick up into a crooked smirk, you inspected the tangles of wires looking for a change, his low, affectionate chuckle sending familiar heat rushing to your cheeks.

“You’ll catch it tonight,” he reassured as he rounded and blocked your view with his broad chest, “Where you headed? Or did you get all dolled up just for me?”

“Christmas shopping,” you answered sweetly, eying him warily.

Thick fingers pulled his worn leather billfold out of his back pocket, cueing your own opportunity to allow a mischievous smile to settle onto your features. 

“I got fifty in cash and…” the little blue card he kept under lock and key was folded between the crisp bill, “Don’t go too crazy, now. Just…get what we need.”

“Why are you giving this to me?” you asked, accepting his offering despite your question, “You’re coming.”

“I beg your pardon?”

His beard was soft against your palm as you cupped his jaw, “You said you’d come.”

Watching the realization of last night’s promise dawn on his face had you laughing again, his eyes going from denial to thought and ending on dreaded acceptance. A heavy sigh had his shoulders dropping, your thumb’s soothing path along his cheekbone warming his slightly chilled skin.

“I wasn’t in my right mind,” he defended, and he wasn’t entirely wrong. He’d been at your mercy, your lazy kisses to his softening cock as he lay panting above you in a post-orgasm haze had him ready to agree to anything. “I should get a pass.”

“I think that’s when you’re at your clearest, actually.”

A surrendering scoff was your cue to victory, your teeth sinking into your bottom lip in delight as he went to grab the keys to his truck and lock the house, his gratuitous swat to your bottom as he walked past to get into the driver’s seat enough proof whatever grumpy face he was about to put on was at least donned willingly.

“Where to first, light of my life?” he drawled sarcastically, his head rolling against the headrest as the truck rumbled to life.

“Coffee,” you chirped, snatching the cable leading to his outdated stereo and plugging it into your phone, your favorite Christmas playlist ringing in the cabin along with his groan born of pure dread.

“Do we have to?”

“It’s time to get in the spirit, Scrooge McMiller, Sarah will be home in a few days. She’s worse than me.”

The world blurred past the windows as you sang quietly along with the carols, Joel’s wide palm resting comfortably over your thigh, thumb brushing lightly as you allowed him to hum along with the melodies without meddling. You knew he swore you couldn’t hear him, but that low timbre was a sound you could find in the loudest crowd. 

When you hopped out at the coffee shop he opted to wait in the truck, “keep it warm” he claimed, with a request for his usual. His usual was black coffee with a splash of half-and-half and two sugars, and he never wavered no matter how much you nagged him to at least try some flavor. “I’m a simple man, darlin’,” he’d always say with a quick peck to whatever part of you was accessible, sometimes it was the back of your hand when your fingers were threads through his in the middle seat of the truck, or your forehead if you were on your way out the door, but sometimes he took his time, dragging his nose across your cheek before his lips were pressing to the sharp curve of your jaw so softly it sent a shiver down your spine. Just the thought of it had you twitching as you approached the counter and put your order in. Even after all these years he still made your stomach flip. 

As you made your way back to the car the sight of him on his phone, notepad on his dash with his pencil scribbling furiously siphoned off a little of your joy, the slam of the door as you slid back in slightly overdone as he hurried off the call at your return. 

“No work on Sunday,” you huffed, earning an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, darlin’. It’s goin’ away.” Then he caught sight of your coffee. “What the hell is that?”

“It’s coffee.”

“That ain’t coffee.”

It was a little overembellished, but to you, that’s what the holidays were for–a little indulgence. A mountain of red and green sprinkle-covered whipped cream sat atop your red cup, the smell of the sweetener wafting out with the steam as your tongue lapped out in a way that had his head ticking ever-so-slightly. 

“It’s a sugar cookie almond milk latte,” you continued, swiping your finger through the topping and bringing it towards his slightly parted lips, the way he immediately took it into his mouth to lick it clean making you consider a quick pitstop back at home before continuing on.

“Like I said,” he cooed, “it ain’t coffee. Where to next?”

“The mall.” 

“And here lies Joel Miller,” he began murmuring under his breath as his foot hit the gas, “Died December 18th, 2022 after being dragged–”

Your squeal of delight had his griping cut short as the familiar voice of Mariah Carey came over the speakers, “All I Want For Christmas is You”’s chiming bells being made slightly louder as you spun the volume way as his nostrils flared. You sang along, louder than you had the previous tunes, your little shimmies along with the melody catching his eye every so often as he took in the show, landing a few quips of his own through the ridiculous lyrics.

Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas

I won't even wish for snow (and I) “That’s good, it don’t snow here.”

I'm just gonna keep on waiting underneath the mistletoe “Hopefully not for me, you’ll be there awhile.”

I won't make a list and send it to the North Pole for Saint Nick “Aren’t you on the naughty list this year?”

I won't even stay awake to hear those magic reindeer click “Well you never make it past ten anyway.”

'Cause I just want you here tonight

Holding on to me so tight

What more can I do? “I got a few ideas.”

Oh, baby, all I want for Christmas is you

You, baby “Cheaper for me.”

Singing had never been one of your strongest suits, but the laughter that was pouring free at his commentary was making it even worse. A snort slipped out at one point, your lungs burning as you tried to hit the high notes all while keeping your composure. You were failing miserably.

I just wanna see my baby standing right outside my door “That’s where I’m gonna be if you keep singin’.”

When that final high note was revving up, he gave you a warning glare, your smile stretching as you took in a deep breath. “Don’t…” he cautioned, holding his pointer finger up as if would help, and when it didn’t and your high-pitched squeal reverberated off the glass his face twisted in pain, “You break it, you buy it!”

You were still laughing as he pulled into the mall’s parking lot, a kiss still being requested as he dropped you off at the doors before heading off to search for parking despite the concert you’d subjected him to on the ride over. While waiting for him to catch up, you perused the windows of the shops around you, your coffee still warm in your hand as took in the twinkling lights and garlands, holiday music playing over the speakers as kids ran off from their parents to find Santa and friends squealed over their favorite finds of the day.

“Alright, let’s get this over with,” a familiar voice grunted from behind you as an arm slung around your shoulders and pulled you into a sturdy torso, the familiar scent of sawdust and pine tree washing over you.

Joel followed along dutifully, passing over his credit card at each store, carrying your bags, and glaring at anyone who took too much of an eyeful as you passed them. The last on the list was Sarah, who had sent a small list of things she needed but nothing she wanted, which had set you on a mission to find her a fun little something to open on Christmas morning. Joel wasn’t helpful, being all practical himself and not seeing a reason to get her anything beyond the stuff she needed, but you were hellbent and he went along. 

The crowds had begun to grow, making maneuvering through them that much harder. After snatching the last box of headphones from the Apple Store and hoping that was good enough for Sarah’s surprise, you grabbed Joel’s hand and dragged him through the center of the mall that had been transformed into a winter wonderland. It was mostly to avoid the mob gathering at an intersection of aisles, but the fake bubble snow drifting down from a machine and the glittering decor had captured your attention enough to miss the archway ahead. 

“Ope!” a man dressed as an elf sounded as he leapt out in front of you, causing you to jump back into Joel’s sturdy chest, “Not so fast you two, there’s a fee to pass through these parts!”

“What?” Joel sighed from behind you, his voice conveying his sheer annoyance.

With a mischievous laugh and a point toward the ceiling, you saw the little green bushel hanging from the top of the arch. Mistletoe. Joel’s willingness to participate in PDA in crowded places didn’t go much beyond hand-holding or a hug when you buried yourself into his chest. Affection was something for behind closed doors, where he could enjoy it, savor it, press it to the limit…

“I don’t think so,” he snapped, “Rather go around.”

“It’s a simple fee, sir,” the elf continued, still fully in character, “One kiss, two tickets to Santa’s winter gardens—“

“Do you take cash to let us through to the parking lot?”

“Joel…” you laughed, spinning quickly and grabbing his face between your hands, tugging him down enough to kiss him lightly, his tension melting beneath the gesture, “Look, you lived.”

All you got as a response was a grunt before you sweetly asked him to get the car while you made one more stop, an offer he graciously accepted. 

When you arrived home, Joel took to prepping Sarah’s room for her arrival while you made a small dinner, his excitement to have his daughter home from school for a few weeks revving up as he washed blankets and set out the toiletries you’d collected earlier in the week. When the TV went on after and you settled in for a quiet night, he passed out within half an hour, allowing you the chance to slip away and prepare for the final surprise of the night. 

Freshly showered and dressed for your plan, you returned to the couch to find him still asleep, the credits of the film you’d put on still rolling. You roused him gently, with soft calls of his name and wandering fingers over the stretch of his chest, his grimace as he emerged from his nap wrinkling his nose. 

“I ain’t jinglin’ anymore bells,” he groaned, one eye cracking open to peek at you.

“Thought you might want one of your gifts early, that’s all,” you innocently cooed as he sat up, your satin robe capturing his curiosity. 

“Oh yeah? And what might that be?”

“Open it.”

His eyes followed as your fingers toyed with the sash around your waist and he quickly replaced them with his own, pulling the loose knot free with an anticipatory sparkle in his eye. 

“Christ…” he huffed out in awe, your curves clad in sheer blue lace a feast for his ravenous gaze, “Was I really this good?”

“Mhmm,” you hummed, toying with his graying hair gently as he soaked in the sight of you.

Calloused hands pulled you in by the waist as he sat up completely, latching onto the swell of your breast as he set to lavish your skin with his mouth and hands alike. He squeezed and dragged, his tongue swiping over every inch of skin that made you gasp and shiver. By the time he was finally dragging the fabric down with his teeth to release one of your pert nipples, your skin was tingling, a thin sheen of sweat forming as his lips locked around your little bud and your knees buckled beneath the pressure. 

A groan of appreciation rumbled along your sensitive skin as his fingers swiped through the band of your panties and found you soaked. He’d switched his attention to your other side now, reciprocating all the affection he’d given the other, your hands cradling his head as he took his fill. Where your skin used to redden from the scratch of his beard, now it seared with need and desire, electricity coursing to the tips of your fingers as they wound in his hair and scratched reassuringly against his scalp.

“Lemme in here,” he grunted as he slid down onto the floor between your legs, his hand lifting on to allot him space to perch on the cushions beside his head, “Now you don’t stop til you’re done. Understood?”

That had your breath hitching before you nodded, the air cool on your slick folds as he tore the panties in half, citing it was his Christmas gift to do as he saw fit with before he situated you over his tongue and began lapping out to collect what had accumulated greedily. You started slow, running your slit over him as he kept his tongue flattened and free to use, only opting to suckle and press when you paused for a quick reprieve, wanting this to last longer than your body was allowing you. As always, he was patient in times like this (rarely in others), enjoying being surrounded by you in every conceivable way. It was how he liked to spend his time, at home, buried in you in any context.

“Jesus, Joel,” you whimpered as you began riding his mouth again, knowing this time you wouldn’t be able to repress the fire burning in your belly.

He gave you a muffled grunt as you carefully bounced up and down, the obscene smacking of his lips like gasoline until you gripped his hair and smeared the new rush of arousal your orgasm brought along his lower face, his beard already soaked from his previous work.

“Atta girl,” he commended, kissing up your inner thigh as he returned to his seat on the couch, quickly scooping you up and tossing you over his shoulder to bring you to your bedroom.

After you landed on the bed with a soft, thud, he was quick to strip himself of his jeans and flannel, his eyes locked on your still-damp cunt as he stroked his cock a few times, your thighs spreading to grant him full access. He teased with just the head at first, rubbing it against your still oversensitized clit until you were squirming, pushing into your channel in one hard thrust once your fingernails began denting into the skin of his forearms. 

His thrusts were slow and hard, the drag of him against your inner walls as he pulled out, and the force he rut back in with had you feeling dizzy, your breasts shaking in the confines of the lace with every jolt. He was taking his time tonight, relishing in the way he felt buried deep inside of your cunt, the tightness of you clenching around him with every gratuitous press of his thumb to your swollen clit exactly what he was chasing.

“Joel, please,” you begged as pressure began to build again like the river against a weakening dam, “Please…”

With that small plea, he threw your legs up onto his shoulders and folded you in half as he bent to crash his lips to yours once again. Teeth clacked together as your tongues wrestled, his hips battering against your ass as he fucked you hard enough to have you sliding up the bed. You held him close, whining into his mouth in the way you knew he loved, pathetic and desperate, the little grunts you lived for beginning to flit into the air before you succumbed to the force bearing down on your stomach. Your eyes clenched shut as you screamed, your back arching off the bed as he took advantage of your exposed throat, keeping his own release at bay long enough to fully enjoy feeling yours overtake you.

Seconds after your cries turned to panting breaths he was spilling inside of you, hot and deep, that relieved sigh that signified he’d found the ultimate relief huffing out hot against your neck. As he regulated his own breath your fingers ran up and down his back, tracing the dips and curves of muscle decorating his sun-kissed skin. 

“Merry Christmas,” you giggled as his heavy-lidded eyes lifted to look down at you, a smile stretching across his handsome face.

“I guess all I wanted for Christmas was you after all,” he joked as he rose to get a towel, “Maybe that song was on to something.”

Joel Miller Masterlist

*I didn't proofread this, I die like the amateur I am.

[newtonsheffield]

Could we? Perhaps? See Anthony gift Kate her very own secret garden?

Oh Lieutenant Bridgerton raises many an eyebrow when he buys the cottage at the far end of the lane at the end of the high street. He’s newly discharged, newly engaged to Kate Sharma which has caused a bit of a stir because several of the local boys are harbouring a little crush on the Sharma girls but Kate’s never given them the time of day. And Anthony’s also purchased a shop that’s sat empty since it closed near the beginning of the war. When the man went away and never came back.

They see Anthony, trundling back down the high street the the strangest assortment of things at least twice a day. He’s got some of the local boys setting up his shop for him and books are arriving from god knows where though most of them are secondhand at the moment. What they’re curious about are the renovations he’s making to the cottage. He’s been making enquires about where he can get stone, of all things. The paint he trundles back with in his little cart leaning heavily on his cane while Miss Edwina Sharma calls out to him.

“If Kate finds out you’re doing that you’re going to be in rather a lot of trouble.”

Anthony waved her off, adjusting his hat, “Are you going to tell her?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

“Then I suppose I needn’t worry!” And he trundled off with his wagon full of supplies.

He paints the entire house, inside and out. Sometimes Simon is on the ladder with him, looking very irritated as Anthony gives directions, Sometimes it’s Kate with her hair neatly tied back from her face in her father’s old trousers and shirts as they build their home together. But one day, Lieutenant Bridgerton is seen, before dawn with a whole squadron of the young lads from the village, each of them promised an entire pound for their troubles. Cart after cart pulls up and at first, everyone assumes he’s building a reinforced air raid shelter. Everyone has one of those, these days. But he’s not. It’s curious. He’s building the stone wall higher in one corner of their garden, then squaring it off. By the end of the day a quarter of their large garden’s been walled off completed and a door placed in one wall. And no one, for the life of them can figure out why.

Anthony feels guilty, more than a little, that he told Kate she can’t visit him for a few days. But he just needs to get the walls built and the plants put in and then he should be right. And she’ll love it. He knows she will. And finally, with his back aching and sweat soaking his shirt, he’s done. And he can’t wait to show her.

His heart feels like it’s going to explode as he walks over to Kate’s home, leaning a little more heavily against his cane thinking, not for the first time that he’ll be glad when his car’s ready to be picked up and he doesn’t have to walk absolutely everywhere. His chest’s heaving when he raps on the front door and smiles at Mrs Sharma when she opens it, smiling at him.

“Anthony, are you staying for dinner?”

“Ah… no, Mrs Sharma not… tonight I only… wondered if I might take Kate to the cottage. I’ll have her back straight away.”

“Will you?” He heard Kate’s voice before her head appeared around the corner, “Are you finally ready to show me the mystery project that’s got everyone talking?”

“I am indeed.”

Kate grabbed her coat, tucking it around herself as she made her way out, kissing her mother’s cheek. “He will be back for dinner, Mama.”

She watched him as they took off back down the lane and he could tell she was assessing the way he was walking, eying him. “What have you done to your back?”

“Nothing.” Anthony huffed, “I slept oddly.”

“No you didn’t.”

Anthony sighed, leaning over to kiss her. “Kate, Darling, it’s part of the surprise. Can you not be cross with me, please?”

She eyed him, “I need to see what the surprise is before I know whether or not to be cross.”

“Must you always spoil my romantic gestures?” Anthony sighed as they approached the house and he spun towards her in the fading light. “I’m going to have to ask you to close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Kate,” Anthony sighed, leaning forward to kiss her again, “Please.”

She sighed and covered her eyes dramatically letting herself be lead into the garden. Anthony could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he lead her through the garden, the key weighing heavily in his pocket and he took a deep breath as he stopped. “Hold out your hand.”

He pressed the key into her palm “open your eyes.”

She stared down at the key, and her brow furrowed as she looked up at him and then her lips parted in surprise and her eyes widened. “Anthony, is this… what I think it is?”

“Open it and see.”

Her hand shook as she stepped forward, her fingers running over the rough wood of the door as she slid the key in and the door swung open.

“Anthony.”

He’d built around the old oak tree and planted several other trees, and rows and rows of freshly tilled earth stood around them where flowers would spring to life eventually.

“I um… I planted vines around the walls and eventually they’ll be covered and I’ve put flowers in here and here so the whole ground will be covered with them eventually. And I’m getting Simon to help me with a swing on the oak tree but I wanted to show you now.”

She didn’t say anything. Only stared around her, her hand stilled pressed against the wall.

“Kate do you…?”

“I love you.”

She darted forward and her arms were tight around his waist as her lips found his.

“I love you too.” He said as he pulled back, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“So this is why all the boys in town have been running around with their pockets full of sweets.”

“I’m… trying to support local shops.”

“You’re such a sweetheart.”

[geralt-of-baevia]

Call It What You Want: Chapter Four

Chapter One | Chapter Two | Chapter Three | Chapter Four | Chapter Five | Chapter Six | Chapter Seven | Chapter Eight | Chapter Nine

pairing: nooutbreak!joel x f!ofc (Violet Fletcher)

rating: explicit, MDNI 18+

word count: 1.7k

summary: Seeking solace from a painful breakup, Violet relocates to a tranquil town, purchasing a neglected house to renovate. In her new neighborhood, she befriends Harlow, who introduces her to Joel, a gruff and seasoned contractor with a heart of gold. Despite Joel's initial grumpiness, Violet finds herself drawn to his expertise and hidden kindness.

As Violet immerses herself in home renovations alongside Joel, their dynamic begins to shift, with Joel unexpectedly opening himself up to the possibility of love. Their budding relationship faces challenges as shadows from their pasts emerge, testing their newfound connection.

warnings/tags: fluuuuuuuff. we're getting close! what a nice slow burn it is, huh? bahahaha

a/n: okay so i know that this chapter is a small tiny baby, but I promise we're getting there! this maybe could have been at the end of chapter three, but oh well :P next chapter gets juicy. also, would anyone like to be added to a tag list? let me know!

 

When I woke up the next morning, I panicked a little. I couldn’t remember right away where I was, or whose bed I was in. In the comforting warmth of the bed, I sat and tried to remember where I was. Suddenly it dawned on me, I was at Joel’s. My heart started racing in my chest. I didn’t remember much of the evening before. After they gave me pain meds at the hospital, everything was a blur of images.  

I got up slowly, cradling my arm with my hand until I was able to put my sling back on. The aching pain was starting to creep back and I could tell it was probably time for food and a pain pill. To my right was a black dresser, and without a second thought I went over and started opening the drawers, trying to find a new shirt to wear. The one I was currently wearing reeked of hospital. I’m sure the bedsheets did, too. 

Carefully I slipped back off my sling, changed my shirt and slipped it back on. I tried to be patient with myself as a simple task like this took me longer than normal. I also changed out of my shorts, finding a pair of boxer shorts to wear. If he had an issue with me wearing his clothes, he’d have to deal with it. I also realized I wasn’t wearing a bra or underwear. A fact I was trying to not think about and put to the back of my brain.  

I balled up my clothes that I had been wearing and tucked them under my good arm before venturing down the sairs. About half way down I was struck by the scent of breakfast. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until then. 

When I got to the bottom of the stairs I saw Joel sitting on a couch watching something on TV, only being able to see the back of his head. To my left was the kitchen, food still warm in their pans; two empty plates on the counter. My eyes scanned the room, taking in as much as I could. 

Joel’s place was very nice. Like, surprisingly nice. All of the walls were a robin’s egg green. Both the trim and the A frame ceiling were the same honey toned wood. Decorations were minimal, which is exactly what I expected from someone like him. 

“Good morning,” I said a little too loudly. Joel jumped at my voice, turning around in his seat. His face lit up. 

“Good morning, Violet,” he said, “how are you feeling?”

“I’m okay. Hungry and sore,” I said. I watched his eyes look me up and down, noticing that I was wearing his clothes. “Oh, I hope you don’t mind. My clothes just smelled like the hospital and I was over it.” 

“It’s fine, I never wear those anyhow,” he replied. I furrowed my brow, wondering if he meant just this pair or underwear in general. He got up and made his way over to me, holding out his hand to me. “I’ll take those and wash them for you. Then let’s eat.”

Joel started a load of laundry and then plated us up breakfast: eggs, sausage and toast. He took our plates to the living room area, setting them down on the coffee table. 

“I hope this is enough. I would have gotten more had I known I was going to have company over,” he told me. “Come sit, make yourself comfortable and I’ll get us some coffee.” 

I sat down on the black leather couch, my skin instantly sticking. I reached out and grabbed the toast off of my plate and put it in my slinged hand. With my good hand I then began to tear off the crust. I may be 30, but that didn’t mean I have to eat the worst part of bread. I tossed the useless crust back to my plate and began munching on my toast. 

I looked up as Joel came with two cups of steaming coffee. He set them down on the table next to our plates. 

“And lets not forget these,” he said, pulling a orange bottle of pills out of the breast pocket of his shirt. He placed them down with a rattle. 

“Thank you Joel, for everything.”

He smiled. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing! We’ve known each other for like a week. And now in the last 24 hours you’ve saved my life, become my emergency contact, confirmed that we’re friends and then I slept in your bed,” I said before taking another bite of toast. Through a chew I added, “Which I don’t remember getting into if I’m being completely honest.”

“What do you remember to?” he asked.

“I was conscious until they gave me pain meds. After that it was cloudy. I kinda remember getting in your truck, but that’s it. Everything after that is a blank.”

He took a drink from his cup and set it back down. “Well, you fell asleep in the truck on the way back. Then we got here I carried you upstairs and put you to bed and I came down here and slept on the couch. That’s it.”

“I didn’t say anything embarrassing, did I? The last time I had pain meds like that for my appendix I said a lot of things I wish I wouldn’t have,” I said. He chuckled through a bite of food. 

“Okay, okay. I’ll admit: you did tell me I was handsome,” he confessed, blushing a little under the scruff on his cheeks. 

My cheeks followed suit, burning hot with embarrassment. 

“And then after I laid down I had to google what a ‘silver fox’ was,” he said, causing me to almost choke on my coffee. 

“I’m sorry, a what?” I asked. I prayed I hadn’t called him that. 

“You told me I was handsome and that I was a silver fox,” he said, “so you really meant it yesterday when you said you didn’t mind I was as old as I am, huh?”

My whole body was vibrating at this point. 

“Violet? Are you okay?”

I turned to look at Joel, concern on his face. 

“No- no I’m fine. I just need to have a talk with drugged me. She needs to realize I’m trying to play the long game,” I replied, my heart being rapidly in my chest. Joel reached over and put a comforting hand on my knee.

“I can assure you, we will still play the long game,” he said reassuringly. I met his gaze and smirked. 

“It’s just that I- I just got out of a really intense relationship and I-”

“Violet, it’s okay. You don’t have to explain anything,” he said with a warm smile, giving my knee a squeeze, “We’re going to see a lot of each other this summer so we will have plenty of time to get to know each other.”

“That’s true.”

“And honestly, it’s been a long time since I felt something - anything like this, for someone. So this is like starting over brand new.”

“You mean an old dog can learn new tricks?” I jeered. He narrowed his eyes at me, a reluctant smirk creeping up on his lips. 

“Yes, you could say somethin’ like that.”

We ate the rest of our breakfasts in comfortable silence. Joel put on some spaghetti Western as something to fill the silence. It was nice to have a foundation for whatever it was between us. It was something that was no pressure. I could do that. 

After I was finished eating Joel picked up the pill bottle and got one out for me. I held out my palm and he placed it in the center. Even just his his fingertips brushing my skin sent electricity through me.

I took my pill and chugged the rest of my coffee with it. Joel cleared the coffee table and took our breakfast things to the kitchen. I would have offered to help, but clearly I wasn’t able to. I stared blankly at the TV as the water ran and he cleaned the dishes. Slowly I could feel the pain in my shoulder going away, and sleep starting to creep over me again. 

It dawned on me that I had no idea what time it was, how long I had slept last night or even where my phone was. But honestly, part of me didn’t care. I was just in pain and wanted to sleep. When Joel came back over to the living room area, I look up at him through hooded eyes.

“That pill hittin' you?” he asked, a cheeky smile on his lips. 

I nodded lazily. “Yes, now can I go back to sleep?”

“Do you want to sleep here again, or would you prefer me to take you home?” 

I beamed at his offer. “How chivalrous of you. But no, I’d rather just sleep here and go home later if that’s okay with you.”

“That’s perfectly fine by me, let's get you upstairs.”

“Please, before I say something embarrassing again.”

I giggled to myself before trying to stand up, only for my knees to buckle underneath me. Thankfully Joel was close enough to catch me.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Here, let me help,” he mumbled out. I couldn’t help but close my eyes again as he moved me so that he could pick me up, cradling me in his arms. 

“I’m too heavy,” I murmured. I felt his chest rise and fall as he chuckled. 

“No you’re not Violet. This is how I got you up last night. It’s a breeze,” he assured me. 

“It’s just because you’re really strong and muscley.”

He chuckled harder. 

“Okay Vi, I think that’s enough talking for right now.” I nodded, nuzzling my face into his warm, comforting chest.

Soon enough I felt myself being laid on the bed, blankets being put over my frame. I peeked my eyes open and stopped his hand before he was able to pull it away from the comforter. 

“Thank you Joel,” I practically whispered. 

“You’re very welcome,” he said, brushing my hair out of my face. I felt his lips press against my forehead, his mustache and scruff tickling my skin. “Now get some sleep.”

[aceinacloset]

!FNAF SL REDUX!

Character profile #2

Katherine Afton Schmidt, Age 43

In life, she was a very hard-working woman who tried to put 100% into everything she did. She is a very blunt person. She doesn't sugarcoat things. On the outside, she seems very cold, not talking to others too often. At her core, though, she is very sweet and holds those dear to her very close to her heart. But she can be a bit of an anxious person at times, making her a bit overprotective of her kids

As a mother, she hates when people refer to her as a housewife, not for the reason you may think. It's because she isn't that. She can't say home all day. She has to work. It just irks her when people say that because it is the type of role she wants but can't have.

The good news is that she spends as much time as she can with her kids when she is home. She enjoys those moments. She also has little gifts she wears on her person, which are from her kids.

Now, onto William, I need to be clear. Katherine and William did love each other. Katherine's love for William just began to fade as time passed due to Williams' focus going from his family to his "little" immortality obsession funtime animatronics. Katherine tried to support William as much as she could.

She let William base one of his characters off of her, and she was even the voice for Ballora.

But things would all change once Elizabeth went missing.

Katherine crumbled. It was her biggest fear realized. The fear first sparked when she became a working woman. She became paranoid of the same thing happening to her other kids, but she also wanted to find out what happened to Elizabeth and possibly find her.

So one night, she headed out the last place Elizabeth was seen, Circus Baby's Pizza World, which was currently under renovations. It was a trip meant where she was to be back by morning. She searched the place top to bottom until she found something different, something strange.

She descended deep into this underground facility through the elevator and searched this facility in hopes of possibly finding Elizabeth.

And she would.

Though Elizabeth would already be dead. Williams knew about Katherine's little private investigation plan and followed her, where he would then kill her.

This action would result in Katherine's soul being trapped in the facility along with Elizabeth's soul. Katherine's soul would be one of the top most vengeful spirits in this Au, next to Cassidy, and she would also be one of the most dangerous ones as well.

Now on to what Katherine is capable of, this stuff is simpler since her power is more limited in comparison to Elizabeth. Due to her not being a poltergeist, only a vengeful spirit.

Katherine can control pieces of tech (specifically arcade machines)

She can also dawn Silhouette forms as well, and since she isn't bound by animatronic, she is able to dawn multiple forms. Those are Silhouette Ballora, Freddy, and Foxy

Here is Katherine's living and dead color palette for purposes.