#even if he watched over the Date and ensured their success

[deathfavor]

“When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.”

Now when I tell you this is Soma and Seiroku coded-

[inkskinned]

the thing about some men is that they want you to remember, at all times, that you are underneath them. that with one word or look or "joke", you will stay beneath them. that even "exceptions" to the rule are not true exceptions - the commonly cited statistic that one in eight men believe they could win against serena williams.

women's gymnastics is often not seen as real gymnastics. whatever the fuck non-euclidian horrors rhythmic gymnasts are capable of, it's often tamped down as being not a sport. some of the most dominant athletes in the world are women. nobody watches women's soccer. despite years of dancing and being built like a fucking brick, men always assume they're faster and stronger than i am. you wouldn't like what happens when they are incorrect. once while drunk at a guy's house i won a held-plank challenge by a solid minute. the party was over after that - he became exceedingly violent.

what i mean is that you can be perfect, and they still think you're ... lacking, somehow. i hope you understand i'm trying to express a neutral statement when i say: taylor swift was the possibly the most patriarchy-palatable, straight-down-the-line woman we could churn out. she is white, conventionally attractive, usually pretty mild in personality. say what you will about her (and you should, she's a billionaire, she can handle it), but a few things seem to be true about her: 1. she can write a damn catchy song, and 2. the eras tour truly was a massive commercial success and was also genuinely an impressive feat of human athleticism and performance.

i don't know if she deserves the title of "woman of the year," i'm not debating that in this post. what i am saying is that she was named Woman of The Year, and then an untalented man got onstage at the golden globes and made fun of her for attending her boyfriend's football games. what i am saying is that this woman altered local economies - and her dating life is still being made into a "harmless" punchline. the camera panned, greedy, over to her downing a full glass of champagne. congratulations taylor! you are woman of the year! but you are a woman. even her.

fuck, man. write better material.

a guy gets onstage at a college graduation and despite the fact like half the crowd is made up of women, he spends a significant proportion of it warning these people - who spent possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars on their education - that they were lied to. that the "real" meaning of femininity is motherhood. that they shouldn't rest on the laurels of that education-they-paid-for but instead throw it away to kneel at a man's heel. imagine that. sweating in your godawful polyester gown (that you also had to pay for!), fresh out of 4 years of pushing yourself ever-harder: and some guy you've never met - who knows nothing about you - he reminds you this "win" is a pyrrhic one at best. you really shouldn't consider yourself that extraordinary. you're still a woman, even after years of study.

god forbid you are not a pretty woman, but if you are pretty, you must be dumb. god forbid you are not ablebodied or white or cis or straight or good at swallowing. you must be beneath a man, or else they are not a man. the equation for masculinity seems to just be: that which is not a woman or womanly (god forbid). anything "feminine" is thereby anathema. to engage in "feminine" things such as therapy, getting a hug from a friend, or crying - it is giving up ones manhood. therefore women need to be put in their place to ensure that masculinity is protected.

this is something i have struggled to explain to terfs - they are not doing the work of feminism, but rather the patriarchy. by asserting that women and men must be (on some secret level) oppositional and in conflict, they also assume that being a woman is akin to being another species. but bigotry does not stem from observational truths or clarity - that is what makes it bigotry. there was nothing in my childhood that made me fundamentally different from my brother. we are treated differently nonetheless. to assert there is some biological drive that enforces my gender role is to assert that women have a gendered role. men do not see women as equal to them not because of biological reality - but instead because the core tenant of the patriarchy is that women aren't full, realized people.

we are told from a very young age to excuse misbehavior as a single man's choice - not all men. it is not all men, just that one guy. all women are gold-digging bitches who belong in the kitchen - but if a man is mean, bigoted, or violent to you, it's just that particular guy, and that means nothing about men-as-a-whole. it is only one guy who got mad when you gently rejected him. it is only one guy who warns her this trophy is heavy, are you sure you can hold it? it is only one guy who smashes her face into the cake. it is only one guy talking into a mic about hating our bodily autonomy.

i have just found that they often wait until the moment we actually seem to be upstaging them. you sit in a meeting where you're presenting your own findings and he says get me a coffee? or you run to the end of the marathon and are about to finish first and he pushes your kids out in front of you. you win the chess game and they make some comment akin to well, you're ugly away. we can be the billionaire and get the dream life and finally fucking do it and yet! still! they have this strange, visceral urge to say well actually, if you think you're so great -

it's not one just one guy. it's one in eight.

[peachsayshi]

thinking about this sukuna au: baby daddy!Sukuna on his redemption journey, who knows he fumbled the bag with you. who is now clean, and keeping on the straight and narrow. who dotes on his daughter like she’s the most sacred thing he has ever seen. who is making an effort on ensuring that you two have a solid and steady relationship. who hasn’t had a sip of alcohol, a blunt, or sex in four years.

you guys had a good thing. he knows he fucked it all up. but he’s trying.

he swapped out bar fights to teach at the gym. spends most of his time with his daughter. brushes off the many, many women who flirt with him.

and the thing is, he’s a good dad. like, a really good dad. you thought he wouldn’t be because he was a terrible boyfriend.

well, not terrible for the most part but difficult.

the terrible part was him was him making out with a stranger while piss drunk.

that part hurt.

but he’s grown up a lot. changed. a lot.

doesn’t even mind that you’re dating someone else right now, even though you can see the jealousy written plainly on his face. old sukuna would have instigated problems, but new sukuna keeps his snide remarks solely for your ears alone. he’s polite, cold but polite, whenever your date rolls around to pick you up while he stays over to watch your daughter.

you can’t help but feel a flutter in your chest when he shoots a message telling you to text if you need a getaway for any reason. and you don’t know that he secretly hopes you will every single time.

you ponder a second chance with him often. think about it when you watch his daughter play dress up with him. when he gives her mini boxing lessons. when he brushes aside his little successes of recovery like it’s no big deal when it’s an extremely big deal. when the two of you converse and you notice his eyes naturally dipping to your lips, or neck…

would it be so bad to just try again?

[saturnville]

brown sugar

pairing: lewis hamilton x black oc (victoria "tori" scott). summary: he loves her. she’s too blind to realize it. warnings: angst. reference: brown sugar (2002). wc: 5.9k. an: this took forver, ngl. and I don't even know if I like it for real LOL, but I hope you all do! tags: @boujiestpoet @mauvecherie-writes @saintslewis @greedyjudge2 @vile-harlot @emjayewrites @ggaslyp1 @neewrites @cocobutterqwueen

Working hard for what he desired was a concept that was instilled in him from a young age. If he wanted something, his father would say, it was up to him to put in the work to make it happen. He'd have help, he'd have support, but the grit had to come from within. It was a lesson he carried with him throughout his life. 

As a child, he was determined to become a successful racing driver. He'd now become the primary name in Formula One as one (if not) the greatest racing driver and the first Black driver, especially of his caliber. He'd broken barriers and found himself doing things he'd never thought he'd do; designing, producing, and mentoring. 

He was determined in every aspect of his life, including his love life. Or, the lack thereof. He was used to the fast life of money, cars, and women, but as he grew older, it seemed unappealing. Bringing random women homemade his stomach clenched in discomfort, staying out too late made his head hurt, and having a large bed to himself grew lonesome. 

But, he knew what he wanted. He put in effort to ensure that, even selfishly, he got wanted; always did. And it was going to be her.

-

"Hello?" Her voice reverberated throughout the airy penthouse. Her heels kissed the hardwood floor as she entered the foyer of his home. Her nostrils widened as she inhaled deeply. He was still present. The scent of his favorite cologne lingered and tickled her senses. "Lewis!"

"Do you like yelling my name or something?" he joked as he came around the corner. As he came into view, she smiled gently. He looked very comfortable. He wore a pair of loose-fitted black sweatpants and pulled the matching sweatshirt over his head. His hair, as usual, was pulled into a low bun and a lazy smirk played on his lips. 

She rolled her eyes playfully and welcomed his hug and kiss on the side of her neck. She shuddered. "Try again. I came to drop this off." In her hand was a black restaurant-like bag. Lewis dropped his hand to her waist and turned his head to the side. He watched as she swallowed thickly. She said, "Nothing much. I cooked and had a lot left over." 

Lewis' eyes lit up in excitement. Her love language was cooking. Her grandmother was the 

chef of her family, often teaching everyone, including herself, her family recipes. And since leaving the States to move to Europe for business, her grandmother's recipes were the bridge that kept her connected with her Mississippi roots. Lewis was always an indirect benefit of her love for her roots. 

"You spoil me," Lewis said boyishly, allowing her to put the bag in his hand. The scent was familiar. Greens, green beans, cabbage, vegan mac n' cheese (an extra step she took), black-eyed peas and rice, and a small portion of. "Thank you." Lewis visited the States plenty of times, but nothing was as fulfilling as Grandma Eve's cooking, and he learned that from the first time he went to Mississippi with her. 

"Something like that, but that's all I wanted." 

Lewis's face turned upward. "You're not staying?" She shook her head. 

"I have a date." That didn't go over well with Lewis. He grunted in disdain and took a step back from her. She pursed her lips and turned her head to the side. "Don't act like that. I told you I had a date three days ago." 

He never forgot about her date. He simply didn't care. Not because he didn't care about her happiness and romantic prosperity, he didn't believe that the guy (or any other guy, for that matter) that she'd gone out with, was worthy of her. They weren't worthy of being in her presence, let alone breathing her air. He never forgot, he just knew she deserved more. 

"Mhm," Lewis hummed. He dug into the bag and plucked a piece of cornbread from the napkin atop the containers. "Yeah, I know. Guess I gotta eat all this by myself..." She chuckled and waved him off. She dropped a kiss against his cheek and waved, "I've got to go. I'll tell you about it later." 

Lewis nodded. It made his chest hurt saying, "Enjoy, love," but by the smile on her lips, he knew she appreciated it. 

"Thank you, baby!" 

He huffed deeply as she left his home, the nickname she gave rubbing his insides warmly. He only hoped he'd still hear her say it. 

-

She met the man. She said she met the man, who took her out and was everything a partner should be. He was kind, generous, and a leader--the overall catch. He tried not to show the jealousy, the envy, the discomfort on his face when she spoke of him, of this David character. 

He tried to stay happy, smiling and supporting her newfound love with the man who seemingly swept her off her feet. Lewis kept showing up for her in every way he could until he couldn't anymore. 

There was no reason (in his opinion), to show up when another had filled his place. Lewis knew it was wrong, but how long could he accept being pushed into the background by the woman he'd come to know and love in a way most wouldn't imagine? He knew it was wrong, but his heart couldn't take it. 

Once her phone calls slowed, texts grew less, and she stopped showing up how she used to, he didn't force it. He did what most hurt people did; he fell back. 

-

"You talk to Lewis lately?" Her friend asked. Tori thought for a moment. She hadn't seen him, she hadn't spoken to him, and she hadn't been to his races in a while. Life had been on the rise and her schedule grew busy. She'd accepted the position as senior partner at the law firm and had found love. Her life had changed so much that she hardly realized their disconnect. 

Tori took a sip of her almond red wine and twisted her lips. Suddenly, the sweet red was bitter against her tongue. She didn't meet the eyes of her friend, Jen, who grew curious with her silence. Tori swirled the liquid in the cup and shrugged. "No, it's been a while. He...he reached out to congratulate me on the promotion and I was told he came to the party, but I didn't see him. I haven't heard from him since." That was a month ago.

"I did," Jen countered. "He spoke to everyone, left a gift for you, and tried to get to you, you weren't around, so he left." 

Tori's stomach jerked. How had she not seen him? She'd known Lewis like the back of her hand, which included being able to sense his presence. How had she failed? 

"You were with David for most of the night, so, that's expected. I know you two are close, so the fact that you haven't said much about him is shocking. Did you at least thank him for the gift?" 

Shame fell over her. "I never knew he got me one. I just assumed he came and went because I didn't see him. I was so focused on everything else." 

Jen's eyes narrowed. This was odd. "So you don't remember the black box with the gold ribbon? Cursive writing on the bottom?" Tori shook her head. At first, she thought it was from David, but when he did not take credit for it, she simply pushed it into the corner of her room and said she'd get to it later, along with the other gifts that awaited her attention. 

Tori groaned, "I feel terrible." She hadn't known her best friend come to celebrate with her, she hadn't recognized his handwriting on a gift he got her, and she made no effort to show up for him within the last few weeks. And even worse, she hardly realized the shift. 

"You should," Jen shrugged. "I'm all for expanding your circle, trying new things, exploring new people, but abandoning your friend in the process isn't cool, T, and you know it. He loves and cares for you a lot, so I can only imagine how it feels to ignore my calls and texts while you're living la vida loca with this new guy and his circle." 

This time, Tori's eyes narrowed. "What does David have to do with this?" 

If only she wasn't so naive sometimes. Jen chuckled and shook her head, "I see you don't know your friend as well as you think you do." 

What was that supposed to mean?

-

Tori went home that night and sauntered to the corner of her room where the remaining gifts resided. Her friends and family were quite generous, having blessed her with money for new outfits, a new lunch box to carry, coffee mugs, and decor for her new office. However, her eye was trained on the black box with a gold ribbon. It was off to itself in the corner, hidden by everything in front of it. 

Tori crawled toward it and shuffled it toward her. It was heavy in her hands. She shook it. On the bottom was the cursive writing. To My Love, congratulations on all you've accomplished. Xx, LH. 

Her forefinger and thumb pulled the ribbon and opened the box after. She couldn't stop the tears from swelling once she saw what was inside. There were small knickknacks, such as her favorite snacks that she never had the time to get and a pearl necklace that matched his. But, what tugged at her heartstrings was the letter that was framed beautifully. A letter to herself, from herself. One that she swore she'd never see again. A note was on the front. Since your dreams have become a reality, here's your reminder that you can do all you put your mind to, Xx, LH.

"I wrote myself a letter. I don't remember what I did with it, but I wrote to my future self. All things that I'd hoped to accomplish in five years." 

Lewis turned his head, "And what's that?"

Tori sighed dreamily. "I want to make senior partner. Hopefully, own property and stop renting. I want to travel and go places I never thought I'd be able to afford. I want to find love. I want to be happy, Lewis. Truly happy." 

"And you think you'll get there in 5 years? To true happiness?"

She nodded, "I do."

Dear Tori, 

I can't believe you did it! Promotion to senior partner is no easy feat. Not only are you a senior partner, but you're the youngest in company history. When the world kept trying to decline you a seat at the table, you brought a folding chair and made your presence known. I hope you're proud of yourself. 

Did you ever take that trip to Athens? I hope so. I know you're a mythology nerd. I hope you went with Lewis; he always supported your nerdiness. 

And love? Is it there yet? How is the dating pool? Is it still terrible or have you found a man that you love? Is he caring, humble, generous (not just financially), and supportive? Make sure you're not settling! You know Lewis wouldn't approve of you settling. You're too good to settle. 

Write back in five years. I can't wait to hear about what you've done. 

I'm proud of you. All the love, 

Tori

Tori sighed heavily. She'd accomplished a lot that was on her list. She made senior partner, she explored Greece, Rome, and Alexandria, Egypt for her birthday the previous year with Lewis, and had more fun than she could have ever imagined. She remembered the trip like the back of her hand. From how he surprised her with the tickets on a Saturday morning and sent her on a spa day to prepare. How he had an itinerary planned for their 14 day excursion across two continents. His intentionality and persistence in ensuring she was fulfilled never went unnoticed...until recently. 

It made her wonder...did she have everything she wanted? Sure, she got the promotion she desired and deserved, she bought a home, and she met a good man. But, did she love David, was the question, and if she didn't love him, how did she allow him and her newfound success to blind her from the genuine connections she had before? When and why had she changed? 

Her eyes wandered over the box again. To my love. She missed him, she had to admit. Seeing his beautiful smile and eyes light up whenever she walked into a room and feeling his warmth whenever he hugged her. She wondered how he was doing. Would he pick up if she called? 

-

Lewis sat on the balcony of his penthouse humming along to the music that played on the outdoor speakers. His eyes caught the twinkle of the stars above and the winks of buildings. The night, quiet and gentle, had settled into a familiar sense of loneliness. He nursed a glass in his hand, swirling the liquid around, its color catching the light of his environment. The weight of the past few weeks had weighed on him heavily, especially with the growing distance between him and Tori. 

He missed her presence in his life--their conversations, her laughter, and the way she effortlessly made his house feel like a home. He replaced their last interaction in his mind, the way she casually mentioned her date with David. The bitterness ate at him ever since, not because she was with someone else, but because he hadn't been honest with her or himself. 

Lewis sighed and set down the glass. He picked up his phone and scrolled through the messages he'd sent her, most of which went unanswered. It hurt to feel her drifting away, especially knowing she was happy with someone else. But he couldn't keep pretending that he was okay with just being her friend. He couldn't keep pretending that he didn't love her. 

His phone buzzed. A message from Tori. He felt a strange mix of hope and dread as he opened it. 

Tori: Hi...I've been meaning to catch up. It's been a while since we talked. Been thinking about you. How are you?

He stilled. She thought of him. After all this time, she thought of him. 

Lewis: Hey love. It's good to hear from you. I've been okay, just busy with everything. I'd love to catch up if you're up for it.

Lewis gnawed on his bottom lip as he awaited her reply. He saw the three bubbles appear, but they disappeared just as they appeared. Fifteen minutes went by. He sat in the same place, phone in hand, tapping the screen every time it tried to go to sleep. His jaw clenched in annoyance and his stomach churned with an emotion he couldn't identify. 

She reached out once after not speaking to him in so long, and once he replied, she disappeared. Was she purposefully playing with him? 

Lewis: I see you're busy. I hope everything's okay.

Twenty minutes later, he received another message. 

Tori: Sorry, Lew. Dinner w/ David and his friends. Can we catch up another time? 

He didn't reply. Lewis stood from the seat outside and walked into his house, leaving the phone by its lonesome all night long. 

-

There was a gathering for her friend, Tone. He wanted to celebrate his birthday at his pool house and invited his closest friends and acquaintances to join him. So, Tori packed a bag, put on the best swimsuit she owned, and walked through the double doors with a smile on her face. 

As she moved through the room, her eyes scanned for familiar faces, until they landed on Lewis, standing on the balcony, looking unusually distant. 

Even from her position, she noted how different he seemed. His usual warm and welcoming demeanor was replaced by an aloof presence. He chatted with people, but Tori noticed he wasn't as animated, not as lively. 

She debated on if she'd approach him. Before she could finish debating, her feet carried her to him, her heart inexplicably heavy. 

"Lewis," she called softly. A small smile was on her face as she stepped closer. He turned to face her. The expression on his face was unreadable. "Hey, stranger."

He offered her a small smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Hey, Tori. Long time, no see."

An awkward chuckle fell from her lips as she felt the sting of his words. However, she continued, "How've you been?"

Lewis shrugged once. "Busy." There was tension in the air, palpable and uncomfortable. Tori shifted her weight, unsure of what to say next. His demeanor was so different from what she knew. 

She looked around, noticing how everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, oblivious to the sudden awkwardness that grew like a weed. "I've missed hanging out with you," she said gently, hoping to prod at something within him. 

Lewis nodded, but there was a coldness behind his eyes. "Things change, I guess." 

Ouch. Tori swallowed hard, trying to understand where he was coming from. "You seem different. Is everything okay?"

He looked at her for a long moment. Even so concerned, she still managed to miss the point. In the same flat tone, he said, "I've been dealing with some things." He avoided her gaze after that. 

Tori's chest tightened. She realized she hadn't been there for him, too caught up in her own life to notice the distance that had grown between them. But she couldn't understand why he was being so distant now, so cold. 

Tori chewed along her lip, hesitating before she spoke again. "Is this above David?" she asked, her voice hardly above a whisper. 

Lewis's jaw ticked. He turned to face her fully, a mixture of frustration painted on his features. His eyes rolled once. "It's not just about David, Victoria," he said, his voice low but firm. She gasped slowly. "It's about everything. You're so caught up in your new life, your new job, your new boyfriend. Have you forgotten about the people who were there before all of this?"

His words hit her like a ton of bricks. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She hadn't realized the extent of the distance she manufactured and hadn't noticed how her actions were affecting those around her, especially Lewis. She felt a lump form in her throat, guilt washing over her. 

"I'm sorry," she finally managed to say, her voice cracking. "I didn't mean to push you away. I didn't realize..."

Lewis shook his head, a sad smile on his lips. "I know, love," he interrupted softly, resignation evident in his voice. "But it happened. And I can't just ignore that."

Her mind raced back to her conversation with Jen and her revelation while opening gifts. She was losing touch with what truly mattered. Standing here now, feeling the weight of Lewis's words, she understood that her new life, while exciting, had pushed away those who had been there for her. Her realization about David became clearer-while she cared for him, he didn't understand her in the way Lewis did. David's presence highlighted what was missing, rather than fulfilling her in the way he had hoped.

"I miss you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Her eyes welled with tears as she faced the uncomfortable truth and consequences of her actions. 

Lewis looked at her, his expression softening for a moment. "I miss you too...but I can't keep pretending that everything's okay when it's not." 

The weight of his words settled heavily between them. They stood there in silence, the noise of the party fading into the background as they stood in the thick of it. Just as she prepared to say something else, she felt a hand settle around her waist. She looked up--David. Her eyes cut to Lewis, who chuckled lowly. 

"Hey, babe. Got off early." David pressed a kiss against her forehead and looked at Lewis, who stood expressionless. 

"Lew..." 

"I'll catch you around, V." With a nod toward David, Lewis set his cup down and walked away. If things kept going the way they were, he'd never speak with her again, and she couldn't live with that. 

-

A week passed and she hadn’t heard from Lewis. Her messages went unread and her calls went unanswered. It had been a week since she saw Lewis. She'd sent messages and called, all of which were ignored. She went as far as sending flowers. Flowers! David never got flowers from her. But Lewis did. 

She couldn’t get ahold of him and it drove her mad. She often pondered about what could possibly be going through his mind--was he fed up with her? 

She spent minutes, hours, and days with her eyes trained at the nearest blank wall, going through the motions in her head. Save for tonight, she didn’t have much time for that. She had an evening event planned with David that she couldn’t get out of even if she tried; she confirmed her RSVP and paid the registration fee. She’d have to suck it up and deal with it like a big girl. 

When she heard a knock on her door, she sulked to the entryway and unlocked in reluctance.

David’s presence filled the space as she stepped away from the door. "You alright?" he asked, concern knitting his brow as he took in her somber demeanor.

She forced a smile, but it felt like a mask slipping from her face. "Yeah, just a long week."

“M’fine,” she mumbled, avoiding his gaze. She swiped her purse off the side table. She tucked it under her arm, rolled her shoulders back, and nodded. “Let’s just get through tonight, okay?”

David eyed her intently but said nothing further. He opened the door and allowed her to walk ahead of him to the car, which she got in herself, as she often did because he was too busy trying to race to the driver’s side.

She scoffed. Lewis would never let her touch a door handle. 

-

The ride to the event was turmoil. David was oblivious to her turmoil as he mindlessly hummed to the pop songs on the radio as he drove.

When they arrived at the event, Tori plastered a smile on her face. T the atmosphere was vibrant--an array of colors as the theme was tropical living, with a surplus of exotic foods and drinks from all over the world. However, the underlying tension between Tori and David crept through. 

“Gonna get a drink,” David said in her ear. “Do you want anything?” Tori rejected and ushered him to enjoy himself. He pressed his lips against her forehead, to which she gave a tight-lipped smile. 

David nodded once and retreated toward the bar. She watched from a distance as he spoke with the bar attendant, breaking her gaze every once in a while to speak to others she was familiar with. But, when she saw his eyes light up and his smile widened when a woman made her way toward him, her eyes lowered. 

Who was she? She was pretty, Tori admitted. She was taller than she was, curvier in shape with light eyes. The woman leaned in, petted David’s color, and giggled at whatever he whispered in her ear. Her jaw ticked. 

The icing on the cake was when her lips touched the corner of his mouth. He did nothing. He only pressed further into her space. He seemed comfortable, which meant he’d done this before. Her tongue ran over her front teeth as her stomach bubbled and her throat grew tight, She turned on her feet and walked toward the bathroom. 

She dapped water on her face and looked in the mirror. This was not the place to fall apart. 

Tori returned to the event a few minutes later and still, David was entertaining the woman with no more shame than he had lacked before. 

As the night grew, her discomfort and frustration did, too. She spent most of her night alone speaking to familiar faces while David smooth-talked that woman. And soon enough, she couldn’t take it anymore. The more she glanced over, the more tears pooled her eyes, the shakier her voice got when she spoke, and the quicker her resolve wore down. 

“Excuse me,” she said quietly, swiftly exiting the conversation. She opened her clutch and fished out her cell phone. One way or another, she was going to leave before she suffocated. Her thumb hovered over the dial pad as she debated entering the 10-digit number she knew by heart. If she called, would he answer?

Tori gnawed on her bottom lip as she debated. Her determination to get out of the door curbed her ability to hear David calling after her. “Tori! Where are you going?” 

“I’m leaving,” she said quietly, not turning to face him. “You can continue with the girl you were with.” 

David huffed and rolled his eyes, “It wasn’t like that. You’re overreacting.” 

Tori turned slowly. “You mean to tell me that you come to an event with your girlfriend, go to the bar, snuggle with some broad, and you think it wasn’t like that?” 

The disrespect was glaring. 

David’s hands went up. “Because it wasn’t! She’s a co-worker.” Tori rolled her eyes. He disrespected her and was okay with it. He was comfortable with disrespecting her and saw no fault in it. She could only imagine what happened when she wasn’t in the room.

“Consideration is one of the best things someone can give another person,” Lewis told her as they walked along a trail. “If something would hurt you, I’d never do it to you. And if I did hurt you, unintentionally, it’s up to me to listen to you and take accountability, even if I didn’t mean to. It’s the kind thing to do.” 

What a difference between the two. Originally, David fit in the picture of what she thought she wanted, but everything was a facade. If he couldn’t admit his faults, how kind, generous, and supportive was he? What kind of leader did that make him? But Lewis, her partner through life’s ups and downs embodied empathy, understanding, and emotional maturity. 

The realization hit her hard. A mix of sadness and clarity. She’d been naive and out of the loop for so long, but in this bittersweet moment, she began to understand how she felt. Her life was good, but there was potential for more. David filled a space, but there was still a lingering emptiness without Lewis. 

Then, her conversation with Jen registered in her mind. How Lewis brought her that considerate gift, handwritten and thought out. David didn’t get her anything. Nothing but congratulations, a kiss, and an offer to buy her coffee on her first day. Her connection was nowhere near as deep and genuine as she had hoped and thought. 

The dots connected. Lewis loved her in a way she didn’t think to acknowledge. And with the revelations she had, the recent interactions with David, and the lack of interaction with Lewis that had her in emotional turmoil, she understood that she may have loved him the same way.

Everything became clear.

“Go back to her,” Tori said after some time. She held the phone to her ear and listened as it rang. “We’re done.”

The phone rang and rang. Her heart sank further as the waiting period grew longer. Then, she heard him. “Hello?” she heard on the other line. “Tori?” Hearing his voice made her eyes water. 

“Will you please come get me? I’ll be at the hotel on Fourth Street. Will you...” Tears began to flood her eyes as her frustration broke through.

She heard ruffling in the background and keys jingling. Lewis’s voice was clear, “I’m on my way.” 

Lewis arrived fifteen minutes later, waiting by the passenger door. Tori sighed in relief. When she was close enough, he opened it and assisted her in the car. 

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Lewis nodded, his eyes still trained on the road. “Anytime.”

-

The silence from the car ride lingered, thick with unspoken words and emotions. Tori stood awkwardly near the entrance, arms wrapped around herself, feeling the weight of everything she’d endured. Her eyes were red from holding back tears and her body was tense, still bracing for the chaos she left behind with Lewis. 

Lewis moved with quiet grace. He didn’t rush her, rather approached her with a familiar tenderness she forgot existed. “C’mon, let’s get you comfortable.” 

Tori found her way to the couch. Lewis knelt in front of her and lifted the hem of her dress. He took her foot in his hand, one by one, and plucked the expensive heels off her feet. Tori watched him, her breath caught in her throat. She could hardly believe how natural the ordeal felt. His touch, even in this simple act, was a balm to her frayed nerves. Her feet slipped free and she wiggled her toes, sighing in relief.

Lewis stood and offered his hand. A beat passed between them. She felt an array of emotions. Vulnerable by the events of the last few days, but she pushed them aside and took his hand. They made it to his room a few moments later. Tori followed him to his closet where a drawer full of her clothes was located. 

Without being prompted, Lewis’s hands were steady as he unzipped the back of her dress, giving her space to shrug it off. As her dress slipped down her waist and pooled at her feet, Lewis rummaged for something for her to wear, wanting to give her privacy and the dignity of handling herself. 

She couldn’t help but note the distinct difference in the approaches between David and Lewis. There was never such a powerful, wordless communication that made her feel seen. Lewis allowed her to control the pace. So, when she walked toward the bathroom and beckoned him to follow, he did. 

They faced the large mirror and Tori’s heart fluttered. He was very handsome, she noted. Still dressed from the evening’s excursions, she presumed. He wore a blue and white sweatshirt with baggy jeans and boots. A hat covered his unbraided hair but it still didn’t mask his beauty.  

Without much thought, she leaned into him. The warmth of his body eliminated the coldness she felt earlier. She closed her eyes and basked in the steady rise and fall of his chest. As she found herself relaxed against him, Lewis’s hands found their way into her hair, fingers deftly undoing the pins and ties. The sensation sends a shiver down her spine. 

Tori’s mind raced as she felt overwhelmed by the gentleness of his touch. It was all too much and yet it was exactly what she needed. Every brush of his fingers against her scalp, every slight shift of his body to accommodate her, spoke volumes. She felt her defenses crumble and a soft sob escaped her lips. 

Lewis didn’t speak; he held her. His arms wrapped around her, firm yet tender like she was a precious jewel. Tori buried her face in his shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of him. It was intoxicating; a mix of nostalgia and comfort. His grip on her was tight—he’d never let her go. Through her pajamas, she felt his warm hands caressing her back as she shuddered with emotion. He whispered sweet words in her ear, further accelerating her emotional rollercoaster. But after a few moments, ori pulled back slightly to look at him. His eyes are filled with concern and something much deeper, something that made her heart ache with longing and desire. She missed this, and she missed him much more. She missed how he saw her and knew her so well. He knew her.

“What did he do?” Lewis’s voice was low. He released an arm from her body and wiped her tears away from her eyes, ignoring the brown makeup stains on his sweatshirt and the black mascara under her eyes.  

Tori smiled sadly and shrugged her shoulders. Simply, she replied, “He wasn’t you.”

The words cycled in his head like a wheel. What did she mean by that? Did she mean it literally or was there something hidden behind her words?

“Tori…” Lewis dropped his hands from her waist and sighed. “What are you talking about?”

He needed to hear her say it all. Everything he desired to hear, he needed to hear her say it. 

“He wasn’t…he isn’t you, Lewis.”

He said nothing. 

“I don’t know what I was so clouded by but,” she paused, taking his hands in her own. “He’s not as considerate or kind, not as sensitive or sincere. He was all on a girl this evening and saw no issue with it. He didn’t open my door and saw no issue with it. Then I started thinking…you’d never do that to me because you never have.”

Lewis’s face turned up. “So it’s about what I can do for you.”

Tori’s eyes widened. “No! No, it’s about the intent behind what you do that sets you apart. You…are just so kind and considerate without wanting anything in return. Not saying you don’t deserve it, but your selflessness and overall nature are so beautiful and I cannot believe I was blind to it all this time.” Her cadence increased as she continued to rattle off her enwfound revelations regarding him. 

Lewis’s dark eyes studied her face. He searched for any trace of uncertainty. His heart pounded so loud that he heard it in his ears; a mix of emotions swarmed within him.

“Do you mean that?” he asked quietly, his voice tinged with vulnerability. 

Tori nodded empathetically, squeezing his hands tighter. “Every word. I mean every word. I was so caught up in what I thought I wanted, in what looked good on paper. But you—you’ve been the one who’s always been there, who’s always seen me, even when I didn’t see myself.”

She took a breath, “David was what I thought I wanted, but you...you’re what I need. And I can’t believe it took me this long to see it.”

Lewis swallowed, his throat tight. “It’s nice to know you might feel the same way…” His voice was thick with emotion, and for a moment, they both just stood there, letting the gravity of the moment sink in. The air between them crackled with unspoken words. Tori’s heart ached as she saw the pain in his eyes, the hurt he’d been holding onto for so long. “I’m so sorry, Lewis. For not seeing you, for not appreciating you like I should have.”

Lewis shook his head, a small, sad smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re here now, though.”

She blinked back tears, overwhelmed by his forgiveness. Always so kind. She stepped closer, closing the gap between them, and rested her forehead against her chest. “I’m here,” she whispered

Tori pulled back slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. “I do now,” she said softly. “And I’m sorry I made you wait. But I’m here, and I’m yours, Lewis. If you still want me.”

Lewis’s eyes darkened with emotion, and he gently cupped her face in his hands. “I’ll always want you.”

He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers in a kiss that was tender but laced with the promise of everything he’d been holding back. It was a kiss that spoke of his love, his desire, and his quiet, steadfast determination, despite all the ups and downs, to finally have what he’d always wanted—her.

[informalcrybaby]

Travis Kelce x Reader (Always You)

You had known Travis Kelce your entire life. You grew up in the same neighborhood, with only two houses between you. If you were to close your eyes, it would be easy to relive years of school, football games, dances, and long nights of getting into trouble with friends. You always knew that you were attracted to him but wouldn’t ever risk losing the bond you shared by telling him your closest-kept secret. So, you watched him date the prettiest girls and listened to your friend's fantasies about him at sleepovers. All, while dying just a little bit more inside.

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            You watched from the Kelce box, high above the crowds of screaming fans in the stands, as your best friend achieved what he had been working for his entire life. Tears that you didn’t even know had started falling down your cheeks, falling to soak the neckline of the Chief’s jersey bearing his name. His mother was silent beside you, beaming with pride but holding her excitement back for Jason’s sake. Silently, she reached for your hand and squeezed. You squeezed back in acknowledgment.

            A security guard entered the room, alerting the players’ families that it was time to go down to the field to celebrate with their boys. You followed the throng of excited people downstairs and through the tunnels, absorbing the energy they were radiating. Absentmindedly, you placed your hand against the front of your jeans pocket, ensuring your hearing aids were still safely inside. You had taken them off when the timer hit zero and the cheering in the room became too loud for you to bear.

“You ok honey?” Mr. Kelce signed to you clumsily and her heart swelled. The Kelce family had all learned basic signs over the years, but Travis was the only one she would consider fluent.

“I’m just so happy for him,” You wiped your tears and signed back slowly, “He really did it.”

            Fresh tears began to fall as the crowd pushed forward and you couldn’t help the ache that overtook your heart. You remembered all the times you spent talking about your dreams and the phone calls shared from faraway points in the country when you both got older, and your lives weren’t linear. He was always there for you, through everything and you loved him deeply for it in secret still.

            Suddenly, the crowd parted, and warm light hit your face. Confetti fell around the arena, blanketing the players and their families. She watched as wives threw themselves into their tired arms, parents wept for their son's success and children ran around enjoying the atmosphere. You spotted Travis and Jason on the 40-yard line, heads bent together. You could see Jason’s lips moving but couldn’t read them from your current position. When Travis beamed as his mother approached, you assumed Jason had told him to enjoy his victory. His smile had always been the most beautiful you had ever seen but, in this moment, it was the sun.

            You hung back and watched as the Kelce family simultaneously celebrated and comforted each other. When Jason’s wife and children surrounded him, Travis’s eyes began to search the crowd and fell on you. He smiled brightly and you couldn’t help but smile back.

“What are you doing all the way over there?” He signed quickly, the smile never leaving his handsome face.

“Letting you enjoy your family,” You signed back, flashing him a smile of your own, before adding “I’m so fucking proud of you Travie.”

            The use of his childhood nickname made his chest vibrate with laughter and he began walking towards you. Your heart threatened to stop beating in those few moments before he reached you and when he finally did, you could have sworn that you were living a dream you had had for years. Without hesitation, his still-gloved hand reached into your pocket and extracted your hearing aids.

“I want you to hear me when I say this.” He signed before handing your devices to you.

            With shaking hands, you managed to secure them around your ears and noise flooded your quiet world. The atmosphere around you was electric but the only sound that you were concerned with was the voice of the man before you.

“It’s always been you y/n.” He said firmly before putting an arm around your waist, drawing you close to his body. You gasped, placing one shaking hand over his chest pads. His familiar scent clouded all your senses.

“Travis, I don’t understand.” You stammered in response as his hand squeezed your hip.

“I knew I loved you my whole life,” He breathed, his face inching closer to yours until your lips were inches apart, “But I’ve been too stupid to do anything about it until now.”

            His lips met yours softly at first but quickly became demanding. You met his advance hungrily, gripping the back of his shaven head and pulling his body closer to yours. You had only ever imagined what this moment would feel like before and now that it was happening, you’d be damned if you didn’t put your years of longing into this one kiss.

“I love you.” He whispered softly, the hand on your cheek holding firm.

“It was always you too, Travis,” You smiled while wiping a piece of stray victory confetti from his stubbled cheek, “Always.”

[l33bang24]

OMG It’s You (Part 6)

YouTube! Fem reader x Stray Kids

Summary: Y/N’s YouTube channel is taking off after her reactions to Stray Kids MV God’s Menu. Now she’s making videos nonstop along with working a full time job. What would happen if she got offered a job of a lifetime and met the boys of her succession?

⚠️Warnings⚠️: rambling, rambling, and more rambling

🏷️: @laylasbunbunny @weirdowithaphone @silverstarburst @jusanontstuff @anxiousskylar @drewsandsebastianswife @amararosesblog @niaalove (Taglist open)

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 2.5 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6.5 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9

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Y/N’s POV

I felt a sense of being overwhelmed as I attempted to set up the PO Box address. Gasping for breath, I went to my desk to power up all the necessary devices. I sank into my chair while waiting for my computers to boot up. I had just started reading an email when I received a call from the post office. After logging into my laptop, I returned to the email to continue reading.

Dear Y/N,

We closely follow your channel and greatly appreciate your insightful reviews on K-pop albums. On behalf of everyone here at JYP Entertainment, we are pleased to offer you exclusive access to Stray Kids' newest mini album, Oddinary. We kindly request that you refrain from releasing the video until the official release date. We would also request early access to the video to arrange for Stray Kids to watch it together before the release. We sincerely appreciate your continuous support for Stray Kids. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Park Jin-young

I almost wanted to roll my eyes when he asked me not to release the video until everyone could access the mini-album. Like, I would even think about doing that anyway. I click on the attachment below where the mini album sits, waiting to be listened to. I look back at all the stuff I brought from the post office and drop my shoulders. ‘Do I want to record this video first, or wait and make a video about all the stuff I got from the fans?’ That thought alone was already making my head hurt. “On one hand, if I go ahead and listen to the mini album, all I’ll have to do is edit it. However, I’ll have all these packages and letters littering my room.

On the other hand, if I do the stuff from the fans, I might be unable to record the mini album video before it releases.” I say aloud to myself. I knew that no longer sitting here would prevent me from doing anything.

After making up my mind, I decided to make a short video showing all the stuff I got from the post office and then review the mini album. So that way, I can edit it and have it ready. In the meantime, I can start opening up the mail I’ve gotten from the fans. Satisfied with the plan I’ve conjured in my head, I get started on executing my plan.

Before I go any further, I type up a professional email to JYP thanking him for the access and promise not to release the video until everyone else has access.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After creating a brief video showcasing the items I received and promising to film myself opening the packages, I uploaded it to my channel. Next, I retrieved the attachment for the mini album. I reached for my headphones from the rack on my desk and plugged them into my laptop. After conducting thorough sound checks to ensure the viewers and I could hear the music clearly, I proceeded to freshen up and grab something to eat once everything was set up to my liking.

Returning to my seat, I feel refreshed after showering and having a satisfying meal. I lean back and settle in, cleaning my teeth thoroughly with brushing and flossing. I need to present myself well to my audience, and I want to avoid any distractions, like food stuck between my teeth, that could detract from the experience. The thought of it gives me chills.

Grabbing my favorite pair of over-ear headphones, I carefully place them over my ears, ensuring they fit snugly. I double-check the microphone to ensure it's picking up my voice clearly, adjusting the distance as needed. Taking a moment to compose myself, I settle into my chair and take a deep breath to calm my nerves. With everything in place, I press the button to turn on my camera and count to five before flashing a warm smile and beginning my address to everyone watching.

“Hello Lovelies! So, I have some fascinating news for all of you. I received an email from a certain company and have been given early access to this artist's mini-album. That’s right! JYP has given me early access to Stray Kids newest Mini Album!” I start excitingly clapping to myself and smiling as wide as I can. “Now, while I may be getting to listen to this early, this video will not hit my channel until the actual release date comes. I will also upload this video once everyone has access to it. As most of you know, I listen to the whole album and then talk about it—what I like about it, what stands out most, etc. Still, in the end, I will give this album an honest review and rate it from 1 to 10. So, let’s get started.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Third Person POV

The boys were called into one of the offices, and you could say they did not feel this would be a good meeting. Even when they get to the room, they see their boss already there with a laptop. Chan, getting ready to take the heat from their boss for the group, gets stopped by JYP. “I didn't call you here because you did anything. I called you here for quite the opposite.” The boys were about to ask him what they were called in for, but their boss beat them. “I have something that I want you boys to watch. I think you will enjoy this. Leave the laptop when you’re done and press play when ready.” He tells them, leaving them with the laptop. Once he leaves the room and the boys can no longer hear his footsteps, they rush to the computer. They hesitate before pressing play, but what they see leaves them speechless.

It’s a video of Y/N, and they see that their boss gave her early access to their comeback album. Before they get too far into the video, they get chairs to be comfortable while watching her listen to their music. Changbin brings up the idea of connecting the laptop to the projector so it's not crowded around a small screen. They all agreed and fixed everything; all they had to do was press play on the laptop. Once everything is set, Chan clicks on the play button. All attention turns to the screen showing their favorite YouTuber.

“So, Stray Kids newest comeback album is called Oddinary and I will edit in a picture of what the cover looks like.” Before talking about it, she adds a picture of what their cover looks like. “Just from looking at it, I would say it looks pretty dope, like a screen-like mannequin head with screws showing out of it. Their color scheme is green, black, silver, and maybe purple. The titles on the album are, in order, Venom. Maniac. Charmer.Freeze. Lonely St. Waiting For Us with Bang Chan, Lee Know, Seungmin, and I.N. Muddy Water with Changbin, Hyunjin, Han, and Felix. I like all these song titles. Waiting For Us will be a tearjerker, so I must have my tissues on standby.”The boys start laughing and nudging each other. She bites her bottom lip while moving her cursor to the first song. “I’m going to listen to the songs in order, and I might save Waiting For Us last since I want to make sure Muddy Water gets a fair chance. Plus, I would cry in the end. Okay, without further ado, let’s get started.” The boys watch and gauge her reaction to each song. She tells them that she will talk about each song after listening to them all. When she reaches the end, she stops playing the last song. “Wow. I’m trying to save all my thoughts until after I listen to Waiting For Us. Why am I so nervous about listening to this? I know it will be a good song, but this one might knock it out of the park.” She shakes her head. “Alright, let’s do this. I’ve got my tissues on hand.” The boys laugh with her. The music starts to play, and her reaction changes right away.

Chan sees her go ahead and grab a tissue. Lee Know sees that her eyes start to look shiny. Changbin says that she’s gripping the tissue in her hand tightly. Hyunjin notices that she’s trying to keep her face neutral but fails to smile. Han watches as a stray tear falls down her face, even though she’s happy. Felix’s eyes follow her hand as she wipes her face with the tissue. Seungmin looks as she replays the song again. I.N. watches as she closes her eyes, listening deeply to the words, and tears stream down her face. At the very end, she removes her headphones, looks off to the side, and then laughs.

“I told you I was going to cry. I knew it was inevitable.” The boys smile at the girl on the screen, waiting for her review. “I will give this mini album a 100 out of 10. It has some great aspects to it. I love how each song fits and feels with the album title. There was a reason why I left Waiting For Us last: because I knew I would fall in love with it and did not want to listen to the other tracks. As it turns out, I was right.” She and the boys laugh.

“One thing about listening to a song for the first time is that not all click with you immediately. Everyone is different. Sometimes, it may take a few listens before you think, ‘I dig this song.’ Others will like it right away. I would say that I loved each song, but a couple of songs that didn’t click right away were Venom and Muddy Water. Now, does that mean I don’t like those songs? No, I enjoy them. That’s like the IN LIFE album. At first, The Tortoise and the Hare didn’t click with me. I loved the lyrics and the music, but a couple of parts in the song threw me off. Now that song can be put on repeat, I wouldn’t get tired of hearing it repeatedly. The moral of all the nonsense I’m saying is that sometimes songs don’t click right away but end up promising.”

The boys, watching her intently, wait for her final words. “I made two edits of this video since I knew I wanted to send one to the guys.” The boys freeze up as she looks straight into the camera before continuing. “Stray Kids. If you’re watching this right now, I want you to know how proud I am of all of you. You’ve come this far, and you’re still doing an amazing job. You keep showing Stays daily that you still have tricks up your sleeves.” She smiles at them. “Keep up the good work, but take care of yourselves. That means taking breaks, ensuring you eat, and getting the necessary sleep.” She points at the camera, “That means you too, Christopher.” She raises her eyebrows. “Don’t make me fly over there and force you to sleep.” The boys start to tease their leader with her mocking words. He waves their hands away, trying to listen to what she has to say. “Well, that’s it for the video! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did until we meet again. Bye!” She smiles, waving at the camera.

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(A/N: I decided to add this in because why not 🤷🏻‍♀️ The reader gets first access to Stray Kids mini album and Stray Kids get early access of the reader reacting to their newest comeback. I’ll be doing a second part to this chapter specifically to the reader videoing herself opening the packages from her fans (Including the boys 🤪)

(With a special surprise 😏)

[bits-and-babs]

𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍

↳ summary: Paired with him on a bounty hunting mission, you find irritating Mando so much fun. The result is even better.

↳ pairing: the mandalorian x f!reader

↳ word count: 2.3k

↳ content: 18+ MDNI. Goading, irritating an already frustrated Bounty Hunter Mando. Mando is very dom!vibes in this one. Oral (m receiving), gagging, dirty talk, use of ‘good girl’. This is a @beskarbabs remastered fic - original post date 2021.

din masterlist ୨୧ main masterlist ୨୧ join taglist ୨୧ ask

The ferocity of the irritation that burns through the Mandalorian’s veins is akin to the most violent sand storms on Tatooine, coarse and red hot if the tightness of his fists were anything to go by. At some points on this trip, in search of the bounty, he had questioned whether his vexation was rational. At one point, Mando even considered that maybe he was being indignant and overly emotional— but the moment you had opened your mouth again, he realised he was entirely justified in his vehemence.

A fellow Bounty Hunter Guild member, you had been asked by Greef Karga to join Mando on a mission to collect an assassin and mercenary who had been wreaking havoc all over the galaxy. Despite Karga briefing you for hours that this assassin who had been working for the Hutts with a clean record for kills would bring in a lot of credits if you were successful, you hadn’t required convincing. Your assigned partner was all you needed to take the job.

The Mandalorian had caught your attention from the moment you stepped into the Guild. Not for his creed, no. It was his altogether cantankerous personality. You hadn't come across many Mandalorians in your lifetime, but you had heard of their reputation as the galaxy's ultimate warriors. What you hadn't expected, though, was his personality being as flat and emotionless as his beskar helmet. The man had scarcely acknowledged you, and when he did, it was a simple grunt or irked one-liner. You plan to change that. Plan to force him to talk to you, even if it is for more than a couple of seconds.

Undeterred by the Mandalorian lamenting and proclaiming his distaste for partner work, Karga had confirmed that the two of you would be collaborating on this particular task. And he clearly despised you for it.

You had tormented the fellow bounty hunter the entire journey to find the target, had commented on how he probably looked better with the mask on anyway, and that Bantha shit was presumably more appealing. Went from claiming he was a shit shot to teasing him over his flying abilities. Always picking on him for sounding like a droid due to his modulated voice- this irked him the most, oddly enough. However, even though his distaste towards you and seemingly everyone else was obvious, you knew he wasn't entirely callous.

You had seen his attentive nature towards the little green critter that accompanied the beskar-clad man over the journey it had taken for you to pinpoint the bounty. He watched closely, ensuring the 'wamp-rat" was safe at all times. You’re uncertain how long the two had been together. Still, it was clear that the creature had broken through the bleak exterior of the Mandalorian, as you’d often happened upon candid moments where Mando would pass The Child a little silver ball from his navigation sticks inside the cockpit or the two snuggled up during sleep.

Despite these facts, you can’t help how you enjoy tormenting the Mandalorian. You revel in his short temper and moody fits of frustration. When paired with The Child's altogether cheeky personality, you knew that Mando was consoled by the fact that both of you had managed to locate and capture the bounty, and he would only have to spend a few more hours with the both of you torturing him.

Regardless, you continue to prattle on at him, much to his irritation after what must have been hours of this already.

"You knoooow, maybe I was wrong..." you continue, watching the beskar helmet tilt towards you. He doesn’t say anything, but you know he’s somewhat interested in what you have to say. You bite back a smirk, trying your best to remain unreadable in your expression and what you have planned.

"Maybe you are quite good-looking under that helmet. You always act so suave. Only a man with a big dick and a handsome face would walk around with that much confidence," you point out boldly. A soft, distorted sigh of frustration works its way through the modulator of his mask, making it evident that you were, indeed, still annoying him.

"Come on, Mando~" you smirk, leaning forward in your seat as if trying to get a better look at him- like you could see through his visor, "Can’t you give me just a little peek?"

He doesn’t answer. You could predict what he would say if he did; 'You know I can't'.

"Don't you want to? Don't you want to show people what you look like? Maybe there are beautiful women you've met in bars that you want to charm- or men, I'm not one to judge," you shrug, holding your hands up. He scoffs.

"No?" you arch an eyebrow. He turns back to the view outside the window, voice monotone as he answers.

"I don't remove the helmet for any reason. The only time would be after a wedding ceremony back at the tribe." You give a groan of protest at that, falling back in your chair as you tilt your head to look up at the ceiling.

"You're saying I'd have to marry you to see your face?!"

"I'd advise against it," he grumbles, fiddling with the controls before him, even though he had been on autopilot for a good few hours. You can see you're getting under his skin talking about this. Was he... flustered?

You sit up again, considering your next move, feeling the excitement of toying with him build in your chest as you lower your voice.

"Why not just... Enjoy yourself. There's no need to be so uptight..." You murmur, ever so slowly getting up out of your seat. He watches you closely as you make your way across the durasteel floor, closing the small distance between the two of you quickly. There's a moment of silence, thick and tense, that you swear you can feel run down your spine and settle between your legs. How you wished you could see his expression. Would he be glaring? It was so hard to navigate without being able to read his face.

Regardless, you push ahead with your plan. Deliberately and gradually sinking down to your knees in front of Mando, you see him stiffen at the sight of you between his legs.

"What are you doing?" he asks, the invariability in his voice cracking despite the modulator, and you hear something akin to surprise seep into his voice. You don't answer at first, laying your cheek against his thigh and gazing up at him provocatively.

"It must have been a while..." you mumble, feeling him jolt as you trace your fingertips on his flightsuit-clad thigh through the gaps of his beskar-plate armour, "Aren't you worked up?"

Mando looks away, holding tightly onto whatever sanity he has left.

Yes, he’s worked up. You know he’s wound up so tight it fucking hurts, and it’s entirely your fault. You'd been teasing him like this for days on end, so much so you’d forgotten how long you had actually been working together on this mission. Has it been five days? A week? Three? You knew Mando felt the same. His days had all melted together after the third sleepless night, disturbed from sleep by the viscous mixture of intense sexual frustration and exasperation.

You made his life difficult the moment you stepped onto the Crest. Working to ensure your body seared itself into his mind. To make him swear that your unique smell had somehow seeped its way into even his own clothes.

You see his helmet till down suddenly in shock, a groan slipping past his lips at the sudden feeling of your nose pressing into the bulge of his already-hardening cock. He watches your tongue glide across the fabric of his pants as you let out your own whine at the feeling of him trembling beneath you.

The strain of the leather in his gloves crackles in your ears as he balls his hands into fists at his side when you pull away, a smirk on your lips. He's practically shaking- with rage or pleasure, you're not quite sure. Though, you're enjoying it. Enjoying this hold you have over such a powerful man. Mandalorians were meant to be fearless warriors, revered across the galaxy. But this one was so... Needy, even if he refused to show it. It boosted your confidence and made you feel almost... transcendent.

Undeterred, you bite back your smug grin and begin to stand again. You stare into the visor of that dispassionate mask, the one he hid all his emotions behind, as you wish you could gain some insight into what he’s thinking. You give a slight shrug of your shoulders when Mando doesn’t respond to the absence of your touch or the intensity of your gaze.

"Perhaps I was wrong, after all..." you hum, holding the fixed look before turning away from him as you continue to speak with your back turned to him, "Maybe you don't have as big of a cock as I thou-"

It all happens so fast that it was like you had unwittingly jumped into hyperspace. You feel the leather grip of the bounty hunter's hand at the base of your neck, pulling you so hard that you turn to face him and bump into his chest plate. The intensity of the collision practically winds you, and paired with the power of the aura the man wearing it was exuding, you forgot how to breathe.

"You don't get to look at me like that after that little performance," Mando rasps softly, fingertips digging into the back of your neck ever so slightly. Before you even have the opportunity to respond to this assertive behaviour, he's pushing you to your knees once again.

You hit the durasteel with a stinging thud, the pain of the pull from your skin under your own body weight against the cold, hard flooring jolting you from the daze his gravelly voice imposed on you. His palm lays at the back of your head, pushing your face back into his stiff cock. You moan, flattening your tongue against him through his pants as you hook the waistband of his trousers under your thumbs, tugging them down slowly.

The husky growl of approval that leaves his throat is almost divine, sending tremors through your thighs. Wherever this powerful, demanding side of him came from, you wanted more of it. Whimpering as you take his free cock from his trousers, you note how thick he is. The head of his dick is so swollen and red, so desperate for your touch. Not wanting to waste any more time, you trace your tongue over the tip, savouring the taste of the precum that has beaded there.

He grunts, the pads of his leather-clad fingertips pressing into your scalp as you continue to lick and kiss gently before taking him into your mouth with a soft hum. The vibrations must feel good because his hips jolt forward suddenly. The reputable, almost legendary bounty hunter of the Guild is coming apart on your tongue. The thought was enough for you to feel a searing heat blaze between your thighs, and you take him deeper into your mouth, running your tongue against the veins on the underside of his cock.

"See how you’ve shut up now, little brat? Taking my cock like this.” He murmurs, looking down at you as you take him to the point that the tip bumps into the back of your throat. He keens slightly, losing his train of thought as he feels the back of your throat strain against his length.

"Yes, good girl… Is it as big as you thought?" he rumbles, moving his hand underneath your chin, thumb and forefinger pressing into either side of the curves of your jaw with his palm against your throat.

"I want to feel you take my cock, yes, good girl," he lets out a throaty growl as he begins to thrust into your mouth, pressing his palm harder against your neck to feel his length move in and out of your throat. You rest your hands against the beskar on his thighs, the cold of the metal easing the searing heat of your skin.

You press your nose into his pubic bone, taking in the musky scent of his pubic hair. He smelt so fucking good- you swear your mouth waters.

"Fuck," he growls loudly, beginning to ramble, "Know your place, you little brat. This is my ship, my rules." His thrusts harder, setting a brutal pace that makes your eyes water. You shift your gaze to stare into his visor, but his head is tilted back, lost in the pleasure you're giving him. You see the exposed underside of his throat this way, littered with dark stubble. He has facial hair. How would that feel between your legs-?

You moan, and he grips the back of your head again, pushing your head down to take him even deeper. You're gagging, loving every minute of him using you, punishing you for your bad behaviour.

"Fuck-" he gasps out, the sound so fucking sexy with the modulator as his hips stutter and his balls pull tight. His cum hits your tongue, and you pull back enough to lap at the tip as he cums, his back arching slightly as you relish in the salty, delicious taste of him as he throbs against your tongue. You savour him in your mouth until he's absolutely spent, and soft moans that are barely audible filter into your ears.

Pulling back slowly in an effort to catch your breath again, he grabs your chin and forces you to look up at him as he pants in time with your unsteady, shaky exhales.

"Behave."

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[joon4eva]

forg_tful — kim namjoon.

summary. where namjoon's forgetfulness gets him into trouble.

genre. established relationship ✰ angst ✰ fluff

word count. ~3,482 words

tags/warnings. angst; lots of it, crying, namjoon is a green flag idc, oc is whipped, apologies and a happy ending, oh also here's this to give you an idea of how i pictured joon towards the end of the story

masterlist :)

"sorry"s and "i forgot"s seemed to become part of your daily conversations.

tonight was the night you'd been waiting for, the evening you finally introduced namjoon, your boyfriend, to your parents over dinner. to your relief, everything went smoothly and your parents adored him.

however, despite the outward success of the event, frustration bubbled deep within you.

the reason for this internal turmoil stemmed from multiple factors. first and foremost, you were late to the dinner; an issue in itself.

but what added fuel to the fire was that your tardiness was a direct result of namjoon forgetting about the event altogether.

this wasn't simply a matter of being late - it went much deeper than that.

you had done everything possible to ensure he would remember – leaving sticky notes on the fridge, setting calendar reminders on his phone – but to no avail.

in the beginning, namjoon's forgetfulness was almost endearing – he would forget where he'd put his keys or the name of that movie you both watched last weekend. but eventually, this tendency seeped into larger aspects of your relationship, causing him to miss important dates or appointments - moments that mattered a lot to you.

it seemed like you were constantly having to cut him some slack and reschedule plans, hearing apologies aplenty.

but somehow, namjoon always knew how to make it up to you - showering you with kisses and sweet gestures, making incredible plans for recompense on another day, or even demonstrating his love physically in ways that left you dizzy and unable to walk straight for days afterwards.

but this time felt different.

this time, it felt like his apology was more of an afterthought than a genuine act of remorse. it felt like he simply didn't care – as if your frustrations were utterly inconsequential to him.

before leaving for dinner, shit really hit the fan; heated words were exchanged at lightning speed through clenched teeth and narrowed eyes.

his defensive attitude made it apparent that he simply believed another quick apology would be enough to sweep his negligence under the rug.

as much as you tried to suppress it throughout the night, frustration eventually took over your usually sunlit demeanor.

somehow, both of you managed to plaster on fake smiles upon arriving at your parents' house, pretending that everything was fine between you.

every warm smile felt forced and every tender touch unnerved you.

you could barely bring yourself to look at him the whole night, and every time he tried to make a reassuring or affectionate gesture by holding your hand or wrapping his arm around you, you subtly but firmly rebuffed him.

by some miracle, your parents remained oblivious to the storm cloud hanging over the two of you.

somewhere deep down, you knew you couldn't simply let this go – not this time.

and so, this brings us to where you find yourself now – in the car with namjoon in the passenger seat as you both return home in silence.

the quiet is deafening, your demeanor frosty, and your eyes stubbornly focused on the road ahead, while namjoon's eyes occasionally dart towards you nervously. at red lights, your vision blurs as you stare resolutely at the world outside, acutely aware of his silent presence beside you.

namjoon, usually so adept at reconstructing bridges burned in anger and patching emotional wounds with well-timed humor, seemed at a loss for how to approach this situation.

this time, it appeared he couldn't simply laugh and charm himself out of this.

he exhales deeply, running a hand over his face. "i really am sorry-" he begins, but you cut him off, your voice barely containing the pain you felt.

"namjoon, please. i don't have the strength to listen to another one of your apologies..."

he blinks at you for a moment, wordless. his heart aches with guilt as he sees just how upset you are - more than he had ever seen before.

he opens his mouth as if to say something more but ultimately decides against it.

"i just want you to care, namjoon," you murmur through quivering lips, tears balancing perilously on the edge of your eyelashes. "that's all i want. am i asking for a lot?"

sudden honking from behind startles the both of you as the car behind you grew impatient with your delay at the green light.

with a jolt, you press on the accelerator, driving on towards home as fresh tears threaten to escape from your eyes, your throat growing increasingly tight with unshed emotion.

with a quiet sob firmly concealed behind clenched teeth, you bite your lip and try to focus on the road ahead – unsuccessfully fighting against a flood of fresh tears cascading down your face.

namjoon quickly averts his gaze, allowing it to wander aimlessly beyond the confines of the car, seeking solace in anything but the heart-wrenching sight of your sadness.

the elevator ride up to your apartment was filled with deafening silence - one where neither of you dared utter a single word as if doing so would shatter what little remained between you both.

as soon as the apartment door creaked open and you stepped inside, your resolve seemed to enter shaky territory.

for a brief moment, you stand still just inside the doorway, your clammy hands still clutching onto the keys.

your eyes follow namjoon as he takes several steps into the entrance. he removes his shoes and coat, seemingly on autopilot.

however, he soon pauses his actions and turns to face you, visibly aware of your eyes scrutinizing his every move.

"i think…" the words caught in your throat, "i think i'm going to spend the night at my place." your voice was barely audible, even to yourself.

namjoon's face registers surprise, and he stops in his tracks, eyes studying you intently for any sign that might reveal your thoughts.

after a brief pause, he moves to slip his coat back on again, his brows furrowing in concern.

"okay. i'll come with—"

"no, namjoon," you interrupt him firmly. despite the hitch in your voice barely rising above a whisper, there was no doubt how serious you were. he stops moving – his face reflecting his surprise and confusion.

namjoon has always been inseparable from you; there hasn't been a single night he has spent away from your side since you've been together.

"i could take the couch if that's..." namjoon starts again tentatively.

"just… let me have this space tonight. please."

his broad shoulders tense and he lets out a shaky sigh, turning his head away for a brief moment so that you wouldn't see the hurt that flickered across his eyes or the subtle gestures as his fingers came up discreetly to wipe at them.

he turns back to face you again and there's a vulnerability in his gaze – his normally confident exterior now replaced by feelings of insecurity and genuine fear at what this separation might mean.

as if propelled by instinct, namjoon crosses the distance between you both faster than you can react. he wraps you tenderly in a warm embrace, his arms enfolding your body against his firm chest.

his hand comes up to cradle the back of your head as if trying to protect you from the world or, perhaps, himself.

as you lean into him, the warmth of his body seems almost too much to bear – like walking on hot coals or holding fire in your hands – yet you know that it's exactly what you're yearning for.

his arms draw even tighter around you, and he lowers his head to press it lightly against your hair; the familiar scent of your shampoo wafting towards his nostrils.

he exhales tenderly before murmuring your name softly. with a voice strained by raw emotion, he whispers hoarsely, "i love you," allowing each precious syllable to crack the tiniest bit.

"and i'm sorry. i know i messed up. but please remember that i love you."

—

the drive back to your apartment is hazy, almost as if your body transported you there without any conscious effort from your mind.

your hands grip a duffel bag stuffed with essential toiletries and a few changes of clothes, enough to last a couple of days.

the thought of turning back and returning to namjoon crossed your mind multiple times. the lingering sensations of his arms wrapped around you were still so vivid; his heartbeat pounding against your chest felt as if it was still happening.

and as difficult as it was to admit, by the time you had managed to finally step through the door and leave the house, a part of you had already forgiven him.

when you unlock the door and step inside your old apartment, you notice that everything is exactly as you left it; eerily clean along with the darkness that envelops the space, the accompanying emptiness, and the lack of life within.

the emptiness is almost palpable, with a barren fridge and clean empty shelves serving as a stark reminder of the life you've temporarily left behind.

the only reminder of your presence in this apartment is the furniture that you bought brand new when you first moved in - before namjoon had ever asked you to live with him.

rather than feeling like home, your apartment appeared abandoned and forgotten; a place where no one had ever taken residence.

with a flick of a switch, dim light fills the living room casting shadows on the surrounding walls.

you stand there, rooted in the center of your living room, as a memory suddenly resurfaces:

you and namjoon had been dating for nearly nine months at the time. by then, both of you were comfortable enough with each other to spend nights together at each other’s homes; so much so that it almost seemed natural for your things to mingle together.

you were both sitting cross-legged on your couch together, warm cartons of chinese food cradled in your hands while letting a cheesy romantic comedy flicker across the tv screen on netflix – his selection no less.

the remnants of dinner were almost gone when namjoon ventured deep into the takeout bag and emerged triumphantly with two fortune cookies clasped tightly between his fingers.

handing one over to you, he flashed a warm and playful smile - the kind that seemed to make his dimples more prominent than ever.

"i'll open mine first," he declared confidently.

you watched him fondly as he eagerly cracked open the cookie, listening intently as he read aloud:

all things are difficult before they are easy.

he pondered the words for a brief moment, then, in true namjoon fashion, nodded to himself and adorably popped both halves of the cookie into his mouth.

reclining against the couch cushions, he gives you a playful wink and motions for you to proceed. "your turn," he mumbled through his self-satisfied grin.

you broke your own cookie, feeling the small slip of paper between your fingers, and your eyes raced across the message before they stopped dead.

the words printed there sent your stomach tumbling, your heart performing dizzying backflips inside of your chest:

your fortune: move in with me?

you glanced up at namjoon just in time to notice him observing you intently, a smug expression dancing across his face – it was clear he was enjoying the sight of your reaction.

"well?" he asked innocently, feigning ignorance as he leaned in closer to where you sat on the couch.

"what does it say?"

—

in a fit of frustration, you spin around, clutch your duffel bag tightly, and trudge towards your bedroom with heavy, slow steps.

pulling on your pajamas and brushing your teeth almost mechanically, you finally crawl into bed – but sleeping alone feels alien to you.

the chill of the empty sheets envelops you, and try as you might to shake it off, it's an uncomfortable sensation that clings to your skin. your heart grows heavier as blankets enshroud your shivering form in a futile attempt at comfort.

when morning arrives — or perhaps it's afternoon by now — you find yourself even more exhausted than before if that's possible.

the sunlight filtering through your curtains causes a strain on your groggy eyes as they slowly crack open.

with one arm stretched out from beneath the covers, you reach for your phone — clinging to a fragile hope that maybe, just maybe, namjoon had called or left a message while you were asleep. reality's cold slap stings as your screen is devoid of notifications.

although space was something you thought you wanted – needed even – it was never something that felt so crushing with its absence filled by namjoon.

groaning slightly, you sit up in bed and stretch before rising unsteadily on weary limbs.

coffee – that's what you need right now.

you were sure that you didn't have any cream though, but perhaps the bitterness of black coffee would suit your current mood; it's almost as if the scent of it was already lingering in the air.

you groggily shuffle down the hallway with bleary eyes. except for an odd denim jacket tossed on the counter, nothing seemed out of place.

your eyes widened at the jacket as you halted abruptly: buttoned cuffs, oversized, and slightly faded.

it was namjoon's.

your eyes quickly dart to the entrance, where a pair of shoes that couldn't possibly be yours were thrown carelessly next to the door.

your heart skips a beat as adrenaline momentarily jars you awake.

the sound of rustling emanates from the kitchen, and with bated breath, you walk towards it. cautiously, you approach and peek around the corner.

there stands namjoon with his broad back overshadowing everything else in view.

he's clad in a crisp white tank top, toned arms on display and muscles subtly rippling beneath the fabric. his back faces away from you as he appears wholly engaged in some task at hand.

you rub your tired eyes and squint, trying to recall whether yesterday's events were merely figments of your imagination or if they genuinely transpired.

you remember everything vividly: it really did happen.

absentmindedly perched on your kitchen counter are two mugs; namjoon smoothly fills each with coffee while he hums to himself.

what catches you off guard is the presence of your favorite hazelnut creamer next to the mugs - something he clearly must have picked up for you - as well as an all-too-familiar takeout bag from your favorite bagel shop.

the creamer— so delightful that on one occasion, you could have sworn you were hallucinating when you swung open the refrigerator door, only to find that namjoon had stocked it with multiple bottles. they were meticulously arranged in such a way that they occupied the majority of the uppermost shelf.

"so you won't have to worry anymore about running out too quickly," he had explained that day.

a mixture of emotions bubbles within; anger competes with relief, anxiety dances with affection.

you wanted this, didn't you? your secret desires brought to life with his unexpected presence, yet simultaneously neglecting the boundaries you had asked for.

it was difficult to deny how alluring he looks in that tank top, the very image of domestic perfection as he prepares your morning coffee and a fresh breakfast spread.

and then he turns around, clutching both mugs in his hands.

he freezes, seeming equally startled by your sudden presence – as if he wasn't expecting to be discovered just yet.

his lips quirk upwards in a hesitant, yet warm smile as his eyes take in the sight of you—sleepy, tousled hair, and the adorable pout that comes with a still-drowsy state. "good morning," he murmurs softly.

"hi."

the two of you stand there for a beat, the awkwardness of the situation settling like a thick blanket around you.

the question spills out of you without warning:

"how did you get in?"

he glances down at the coffee mugs still cradled within his grip, cautiously responding, "you always leave a spare at our place. i thought it would be nice to talk over breakfast."

your voice falters as you try to respond, but any words that might have come forth dissolve into the swelling lump forming in your throat. instead, you opt for a subtle nod before turning away and leading him towards your small balcony.

as you step outside, the bright morning sunlight makes you squint, still adjusting from having just woken up not too long ago.

you take a seat with namjoon at the small table on the balcony, silently munching on cream cheese-slathered bagels and sipping coffee, which slowly helps lift the fog of grogginess clouding your mind.

your eyes occasionally flicker towards namjoon, whose pensive gaze seems fixed on some far-away point in the distance.

a somber cloud seems to hang over him and a sinking feeling in your stomach tells you that he's here to bring an end to something.

"i fucked up yesterday,” he says, breaking the silence, “i know that.”

your head turns to look at him, saying nothing.

"i'm sorry," he begins softly. "i know i can't make it up to you now, but i genuinely am sorry."

namjoon's eyes remain locked on the same distant point as before, and as he continues to speak, they're filled with a profound sadness that seems almost unbearable for him.

his voice begins to tremble ever so slightly as he starts to explain himself further. "i've always been forgetful; it's among my most significant flaws. but i want you to know that it's never been out of carelessness when it comes to you. sometimes, my mind just gets overwhelmed."

he takes a deep breath, glancing at his hands before turning to look at you and adds, "i promise i'll do better; not just because i need to but because i love you. and the fact that i was in bed without you last night made me realize just how much i truly hate being apart from you."

pausing for a moment, he reluctantly allows his hand to hover over yours before gingerly placing it atop your own.

"i understand if it takes time for you to forgive me – i'm not asking for it right now," he admits quietly, his voice wavering slightly. "all i need is a chance to prove to you that i can change and be there for you when you need me."

namjoon then slowly removes his hand and looks away, giving you space to consider his words while fidgeting with the coffee mug handle.

you release a heavy sigh and look away too, trying your best to hold back tears. "oh, namjoon," you murmur, forcing a weak, watery chuckle.

this man, you think to yourself, will be the end of you. gently, you reach out and take his hand once more, interlacing your fingers with his.

"you cannot do that to me again."

in response, he turns his head to look at you once more - tears brimming in his eyes as they drink in every detail of your face. his expression softens with love and relief as he nods earnestly, "i won't. i promise."

holding namjoon's hand firmly in yours, you slowly stand up from the cozy, cushioned chair, beckoning him with a subtle nod of your head, signaling him to follow suit.

he rises from his seat, his tall figure towering over you as he instinctively stretches his arm wide, then gently pulls you into a tight and loving embrace.

his arms envelop you while his cheek tenderly rests on the top of your head. sighing contentedly, you nuzzle your face into the comforting fabric that covers his chest.

"namjoon," you quietly ask, snuggling deeper, "have you slept?" you can hear the slight rustle of fabric as he shakes his head.

"nope," he replies, his voice resonating through his chest.

he presses a tender kiss onto the top of your head before continuing, "you know i can't sleep without you." his words bring a smile to your face and a chuckle bubbles up within you.

"let's go back to bed, then."

you both walk back inside your apartment and into your bedroom where everything feels warmer than it did just yesterday: the bed that awaits you; the covers that promise to envelop the two of you in their cozy embrace; and namjoon himself, whose presence brings solace to your heart.

and as you lay down next to him and rest your head upon his chest, namjoon's heartbeat fills your ears—slower and steadier than it was the day before.

the sound is a soothing lullaby that leads you both to fall into a deep slumber, allowing you to sleep better than you have in what feels like an eternity.

[hauntedhokage]

kiss prompt: kissing tears from the other’s face from this list

word count: 616

There wasn’t any kind of injury that could be considered less than a catastrophe in Sae’s world. He worked so hard to keep his body in top shape; extensive hours of stretching, never skipping a warm up or cool down, and intentional focus and care into recovery all to ensure that he didn’t get injured and have to miss any practice or match time. Lost time meant lost progress, and lost progress made for a very grumpy Sae. 

The ankle sprain of 2020 was an event his manager would never forget and something you’d been given the in depth story on as a warning for what you would be getting into by dating Sae. 

But this was worse than a sprained ankle during practice; that was something explained off without going into detail about the extent of his alleged injury. The scene you were watching was so much worse. He’d lost traction on the grass due to the rain and mud while mid pass, and from where you sat it looked like he had twisted his knee in the fall. This was horrifying, and you hope to never see him look so pained ever again. 

He’s bitter and volatile while getting evaluated by the team’s doctors, less so with the nurses when you’re sitting in a hospital room with him, and eventually he simmers down to just being bitter and frustrated when you're arranging him in the hotel room to keep his leg elevated the way you’d been instructed to. He wouldn’t need surgery, thankfully, but a week of bed rest followed by two-to-four weeks of only light solo exercise and physical therapy before he could be cleared to get back on the field was the equivalent to his life ending. 

He's quiet as he watches you navigate the room to make sure your bags were packed, you think he’s trying to figure out how to navigate public spaces without using the crutches he’d been told to use. You know he’s miserable, and if you could fix it you certainly would, but nothing you could say would have a high rate of success in making him feel better so you don’t know what to really say. 

“Babe, do you think my neck pillow around your knee would help?” you ask, turning to face him with your adjustable neck pillow in hand while you try to adjust it to how big you thought Sae’s knee was. What you see is Sae looking back at you, bottom lip caught between his teeth with his brow furrowed. This was a face you’d seen on a few very rare occasions, which has you dropping the pillow on his gear bag in your hurry to get into the bed with him. The tear streaks are clear now that you’re closer to him, your hands settling on his cheeks as you lean in to kiss his nose. 

“Crying like an infant, it’s shameful,” he mutters, making you shake your head as you tilt his head back to look up at you properly. “I’m not supposed to make mistakes.”

“You did today, but you’re human and that’s okay,” you whisper, kissing his cheek along the trail of fallen tears. “People thought you were playing like a true European and selling hard for the other team to get carded.”That earns a snort from your frustrated midfielder, and you kiss his cheek once more before pulling back to rest your forehead against his. Your request that he stop beating himself up is met with a sigh, his eyes leaving yours momentarily as he tells you he’ll try - which was close enough, you weren’t expecting even an attempt at getting over this for another two weeks.

[scarletttries]

Kendall Roy Dating Reader with different jobs... (Succession Request)

Pairing: Kendall Roy x F!Reader

Word Count: 1.7k

Warnings: Just fluff, nothing explicit.

Author’s Note: I've had a bunch of different requests for what Kendall Roy would be like for a reader with a specific career/background so I thought I would write some headcanons for each job in this one post, enjoy! :)

Kendall Roy Dating Reader with different jobs...

Teacher! Reader

- Kendall never really considered the kind of selfless person you need to be to take a job that is endlessly tiring, chronically underpaid and completely underappreciated. His world was about hoarding money and power, leaving morals by the wayside once they started to get in your way.

- But trying to be a better dad to his children, he scheduled time once a week to pick them up from school himself, trying to be a more active parent now that he had lost his own. As his car finally rolled to a stop at pick-up after twenty minutes of sitting in traffic caused exclusively by black SVU's, he could feel his commitment to this wavering, willing himself to stroll up the front entrance and stand with all the other parents, like he was just one of the masses.

- That's where he saw you, perched on the stone steps, taking Iverson through his schedule for tomorrow as Sophie peered over your shoulder, voice so soothing Kendall could feel his shoulder began to drop as he stepped slowly towards you, a grin forming across his cheeks as he watched his son smile at your instructions.

"Dad!" Sophie would notice him first, pleasantly surprised that he not only followed through with his promise, but even looked happy to see them, running over to crash into his arms.

"Hey Soph! You and Ives ready to go, or are you still talking to Mrs...?" This wasn't the first time you'd had a dad trying to scope out your situation, but you couldn't help but warm towards him a little as his kids clung eagerly to his hands.

"Miss (Y/L/N), it's nice to meet you." You offered, extending your hand towards him in time for Sophie to let him go just long enough for him to reach out and shake it.

"Kendall Roy, I'll be doing pick up once a week now, so I'll see you around." He tried to say it casually, but you could tell from his beaming smile this man would be nothing but trouble for you.

- Surely enough the next week Kendall returns, having thought about little else and prying a few details unsubtly from Iverson about what turned out to be his favourite teacher. Expect weekly pick-up to start including gifts (for the kids and for you), Kendall insisting it's the least he could do for someone 'with an actually difficult job' finally building up the nerve to ask you if he can take you out for dinner the week before Winter break, as a thank you for being Iverson's favourite teacher.

- Once you accept, prepare to be fully suckered into Kendall's charm; this man knows how to plan a first date. He'll have orchestrated everything to give you the date of your dreams, before casually dropping into conversation that he's made an enormous donation to your school to ensure student have only the best supplies 'since he knows they already have the best teacher.'

- Seeing the way his kids adore you would have Kendall immediately thinking long term with you, exactly the type of kind, selfless, wholesome person that he has always wanted to be with.

Ballerina! Reader

- Kendall could hardly believe that Connor had dragged him out to some ridiculous ballet, just so Willa could rub shoulders with the theatre director in the hopes of producing another failing Broadway show. As he slumped into his box seat and leaned down over the railings he could almost peep behind the curtains at the side of the stage, seeing a few elegant forms flitting about as the lights began to dim.

- The moment you stepped on stage, he was captivated. The lightness with which you moved, the emotion your body portrayed so beautifully, the glistening beauty of your face as you stared up into the spotlight. Kendall felt like he couldn't take a breath the entire performance, hooked on your every step, everything about you ethereal and otherworldly.

- Kendall was rarely nervous, but he felt the butterflies stirring through his stomach as Connor and Willa dragged him backstage after the performance, leaving him alone and face-to-face with the object of his obsession. He'd walk past every other performer, you standing out to him even in a crowd of matching costumes and make-up. Gushing about your performance, his intensity might take you by surprise for a moment, but only long enough for him to completely win you over before you've finished your first glass of champagne.

- Once you start dating, Kendall is at every one of your performances, watching you dance from his private box and feeling like it's for him alone. His perfect performer, shining so brightly for him to marvel at. He'd consider inviting his family, so proud of the way you dance, but ultimately decides it feels too intimate to share with anyone else, a private dance for him every time you're on stage.

- After rehearsals expect Kendall to be cooing over your aching body, running luxurious baths full of oils and steaming salts, settling in behind you and having you lay back against his chest, soothing your tired muscles with soft strokes of his hands for as long as it takes for you to feel rested again. If you're sat on his sofa with him, he'll pull your feet onto his lap and knead the flesh gently, in awe of just what they can do in those slippers.

- Whenever you're at a bar or a party he loves to hit the dance floor with you, watching you sway in perfect time, so in control of your body, feeling endlessly privileged that he's the one that gets to dance alongside you at moments like this.

Waitress at your Family Restaurant

- Your parents had never been rich, but they'd put every effort and penny and hour they had into the family restaurant and you'd never felt like you missed out on anything because you came from a working class background.

- Growing up your family was always close, spending your teenage years waiting on tables, and then sticking with it, knowing one day the family business will be yours to take over. Your parents were so proud of you, and you knew they would have supported you in whatever you wanted to do, but this was where your heart was always going to be.

- You'd never had a lot of money to play with growing up, so you never really cared about having fancy things, knowing you had everything you needed to live a happy life.

- When Kendall ends up in an unfamiliar part of town, and you serve him one of the most spiritually fulfilling meals he's ever had, he leaves you his number with a tip that could pay off a mortgage and you realise just how rich he is.

- Kendall would quickly notice how out of place you feel at the elaborate events his presence is required at, realising just how privileged he is to have an unlimited wardrobe that constantly updates with the latest styles - and so he takes you shopping on your third date.

- Shopping with Kendall is a marathon, him excitedly pulling you into every store and watching as shopgirls that would usually turn their nose up at you suddenly start fawning over you and rushing to bring you dress after dress once they see one of Kendall's assistants pull out an array of black credit cards. It would feel a little uncomfortable having Kendall pay for thousands of dollars of designer clothes, but the sheer joy on his face as you parade in and out of a dressing room in items chosen by him would quickly let you know he's enjoying this even more than you are. Everytime he sees you in an item he chose on that shopping trip he feels a rush of pride, so happy he can treat you to all the amazing things you deserve.

- And this is anything but one-sided as Kendall gets more and more accustomed to visiting your family's restaurant, absorbing all the positive energy your parents emit as they gush with pride and remind him he's always welcome, and a part of the family.

Fashion Designer! Reader

- It's no secret that Kendall considers himself someone with an eye for fashion, enjoying wearing the latest trends and finding unique items that help him express himself more than he can in his usual corporate uniform.

- So when he's at yet another new york fashion event and he hears rumours about a new designer showing a collection that afternoon, he's more than a little intrigued. Then he sees your designs strutting down the catwalk and he can tell there's something really special to this person, their creative eye resonating with exactly what he looks for in art, without even realising and in a way he can't quite put his finger on. Kendall scouts the after party excitedly, trying to track down this up and coming star, ready to negotiate a deal for a custom design he can't wait to brag about. But what he wasn't expecting is for the beautiful brain behind his new favourite looks to belong to such a beautiful person.

- By the end of the night he's secured a jacket from your upcoming collection, and a brunch date that weekend.

- Kendall would be your biggest supporter, investing emotionally and financially into your brand, your designs and your business, and using every resource he has to make you the star you deserve to be - just be prepared that he's going to want to buy one of everything.

- Definitely claims to be your muse at fashion shows, letting you use him as a human mannequin when you get struck by inspiration and your staying over at his place.

- He can no longer get dressed without asking for your input, looking momentarily unamused in just his underwear when you say he's in the perfect outfit as he is, before that mischievous grin flashes across his face and he's diving across the bed to ask you to make a lingerie collection and model it for him.

[writing-house-of-m]

No More Interruptions

Taylor Sloane x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Comfort, Angst

Warnings: Anxiety/depression, cheating, asshole-ery, swearing

Word Count: 6,943

Summary: You and Taylor are friends. When her husband becomes insecure in their marriage and cheats on her, you help Taylor as much as you can through her divorce while you hide your true feelings for the blonde.

A/N: The request can be found here. I hope you enjoy anon! (I'm sorry it took so long)

You have been in love with Taylor Sloane and there was nothing you could do about it. 

The two of you had become good friends. Great friends even, which is why you couldn’t say anything. You didn't want to ruin what you had. Not to mention the fact that she was married. 

And you had to watch.

Watch the couple’s interactions with a smile on your face. Listen to everyone commenting on 'how cute' they were and how they were the ‘perfect couple’. 

Every word felt like a knife was being twisted in your chest. Over and over again. 

You tried to move past your feelings. Spent some time away from her, admittedly it helped for a little while. You even started dating again and started a relationship with someone but as soon as you were back in Taylor's orbit all your feelings came rushing back. 

Eventually, you and your, now, ex-girlfriend split amicably. You tried to love her but when those words didn't ever come from your mouth after she said them to you, you knew it was unfair to hold on to her. 

On the other hand, Ezra, Taylor’s husband, was jealous of you. He had it in his mind that you would make a move on his wife. Regardless of your feelings towards the blonde, you would never have come between them. 

However, having had enough of living in her shadow on top of being so convinced she would cheat on him, using his own words, - 'I cheated on you, before you could do it to me.' 

Taylor was heartbroken. She loved the man wholeheartedly and felt betrayed. 

She wasn't aware of his jealousy. She hadn't caught on that he would be overly affectionate when you were around. How he would grit his teeth when his wife would talk about you to others. He’d be so caught up in his jealousy that her words about him being 'so talented,' and 'the best husband anyone could have asked for,' fell on deaf ears. 

After Ezra's cheating scandal and their divorce was caught on by internet gossip sites, you tried to be there for Taylor but, with her ex-husband spilling lies about you and her, you found it was better to keep your distance and only met up with her in small groups of people. Never just the two of you alone. 

As the months passed by, you helped with as much as you could while Taylor grieved her relationship with Ezra all the while dealing with her divorce. It got to a point where you had made a schedule so that someone was always with her to ensure she wasn't alone. 

Because it couldn't be you. 

… 

Music was blasting through the house as you stood in the kitchen with your friend, Dan.

“She’s so fine, Y/n!” He was talking about a girl he had been talking to and you were standing there smiling at his antics to bed the, in your words, poor woman. 

He knew about your feelings for Taylor, as well as everything you were doing for her, so he made sure you turned up to this party to give you a chance to relax a little. 

He was successful for the most part, seeing you speak to new people, making new friends. He even helped be your wingman a couple of times. Even so, while you were pretending to listen to these girls you had a different one on your mind the whole time. 

He took a swig of his drink and asked “Anyone caught your eye? I saw you talking to that brunette, are you taking her home tonight?” 

You told him you appreciate what he was doing but you just wanted to see Taylor. It had been over a month since you last saw her. 

He shook his head disapprovingly but sympathised with you. "So, who's with her tonight?" He asked, satiating your need to talk about the woman that wouldn't ever leave your thoughts. 

Finishing the sip you had just taken of your drink, you struggled to keep a straight face when you told him, "Nicky," forcing yourself not to smirk, waiting for his reaction. 

His face scrunched up when he caught on, "Nicky?!" You scoffed at his facial expression. "Nicky? Her brother? The ‘always-wasted’, ‘ready-to-party’, Nicky?" He questioned. 

You chuckled slightly, "Yeah, that's the one." You took a mouthful of your drink, before continuing with a smile on your face, "He's actually stepped up in a big way and been really protective." 

"I don't blame him. This Ezra sounded like a dick. I would have kicked his ass a long time ago," he says and before either of you get to say another word you hear someone shout, "LET'S PARTY MOTHERFUCKERS!" Recognising the voice instantly you move to the main room of the house, with Dan following. 

You see Nicky waving and saying ‘hi’ to several people he probably didn't even know, as you walk up to him. He sees you so addresses you too, "Y/n! It's about time I saw you at one of these again!" The blonde says as he pulls you into a tight hug. 

You return his greeting and when he lets go, with furrowed eyebrows, you can't stop yourself from asking, "Why aren't you with Taylor?" Voice raised so he can hear you over the music. 

He shrugs his shoulders, "She told me she wanted some time alone," he says nonchalantly.  You're about to scold him for leaving her but he stops you because he's been on the receiving end of this before, having had this kind of conversation with him a few times already. 

He puts up his hand to stop you before you start, "Wait, just listen," He pulls you to a different room where the music is a bit quieter, "I told her I would stay with her but she insisted. She said she was just going to sleep anyway." He clarifies and from his expression you can see he's telling the truth. 

He is looking around at the other party goers, giving someone a head nod and another person a wave, while you nod your head, "Ok," you say solemnly and hesitate to continue. "How is she?" 

"Ehh…" He was trying to think of the right words, "She's… better than she was but still has a while to go," then blurts out an afterthought, "She always asks about you, you know?" Someone dancing catches his attention and his face lights up. While you're distracted thinking about what he has just said, the excited man sees this as his opportunity to leave you. "Gotta go bros!" He says to you and your best friend before rushing off. 

Dan starts to speak from behind you so you turn around, "Look, I know you think you're helping by not going over. But it's been long enough since you last saw her." He pats your arm grinning, "Go over and just say 'hi'." 

“Maybe you're right,” You smile at him. 

“I’m always right,” He responds, going in to hug you goodbye. 

"Plus,” you both pull away, “I gotchu bro!" Dan says comically, mimicking Nicky and making you laugh. 

… 

It doesn't take you long to get to Taylor's from the party. You thank the driver and make your way to her door.

You know it will be fine but you feel nervous. It feels like a lifetime has passed since you last saw her. 

After a few knocks and no answer. You think she could be sleeping so you are about to leave but just before you do you figure, since you're already there, you could at least text her to make sure.  

-

Upstairs, Taylor,  already looking at her phone, smiles when sees your message pop up at the top of her screen:

I know you're home. Come and answer your door, lazy 😴

She considers not answering because she's been crying and doesn't want anyone to see her like this. She’s been laying in bed for a few hours reading comments about herself online. 

She hears her phone ping again: 

Don't leave me on read now Sloane 🤨

She laughs tearily at the message and types her reply. Once it is sent she moves to her bathroom to splash some water on her face hoping it will soothe her eyes and irritated skin. 

When it obviously doesn't work she throws on a hoodie bringing the hood over her eyes hoping to keep you from seeing them. 

-

You smile when you hear your notification sound.  

You're not allowed to comment on how I look 

After a few minutes you hear the door unlock. Taylor is standing in front of you, drowning in an oversized hoodie. 

"When you said I couldn't comment on how you looked, I thought I'd at least be able to see your face and crazy hair," you say with a smile. 

"And yet, you still commented on it." She retaliates. 

You laugh at her jest. 

"Hi Taylor," you say, still smiling. 

She whispers a "Hi," and you see a small smile because it's all you can see of her face. 

"Can I come in?" 

She moves to the side as you step in, not going any further. Once she has locked the door and faces you, you open your arms. She falls into you without hesitation. 

With your arms around each other, her head against your chest, you press your cheek on top of her head. 

"I've missed you," She says in a small, sad voice that you can't help but feel a twinge inside you. 

"I've missed you too," you reply. 

"Sorry, it's been so long," you whisper into the dimly lit house. It's so strange to see the bubbly blonde so down, you still haven't gotten used to seeing her like this. 

You place a kiss on the crown of her head and stand there for a little while longer enjoying this moment you've been longing for the past few weeks. 

It’s been quiet for too long, so you decide to break the silence, "You haven't gone to sleep on me, have you Sloane?" You quip. 

The blonde laughs and sniffles as she pulls away. 

"You've been crying," You knew it as soon as you heard her voice when she first opened the door. "Is that why you're not letting me see your face?" 

She finally looks up from the ground to your eyes and when you see hers, your heart breaks with how sad she looks. "Maybe," she whispers with a small smile on her face. But a tear falls and you can't help but pull her in for another hug. 

The two of you stand there for a few more minutes until she apologises; for crying and for ruining your shirt. 

You can't help but laugh at her as you grab her hand, "You have nothing to apologise for." 

She looks at you again with teary eyes. 

You just want to wrap her up so you can keep her with you and make sure she never hurts again. 

Using your other hand you brush away a stray tear and cup her cheek, "Do you want to talk about it?" 

.

You're in her room, sitting across from each other on her bed. 

She has finally taken off her hood and you can see just how broken she looks. 

Messy hair, red and swollen eyes. You don't think you've ever seen Taylor this sad before. You hate that she's feeling like this. 

The influencer opens up about everything going through her mind. All about how she didn't know Ezra was feeling insecure in their marriage. How she lost you because of everything. Her insecurities about finding love again - If she'll ever find 'the one'. 

You talk her through it all, reassure her and call Ezra a variation of names from 'dick' to 'the worst type of scum' gaining a few laughs from the sad girl. 

Overall she looks better. Relief settling in her bones after getting all of this off her shoulders. She couldn't be happier that you showed up. And being honest with yourself, you felt better too. 

"I saw what they were writing about you. Online. What he said about you. I know that's why you stay away." She thinks to not say her next thought but continues anyway, "I would stay away from me too." 

You give her a puzzled look, "Taylor. I didn't stay away because of you, I stayed away because of them," she returns your look. "I stayed away so they wouldn't have the ammo to use against you with these lies, I never want to be away from you. I really have missed you." 

Taylor's eyes fill with tears again, only this time they're happy tears. 

“You’re kind of my favorite person,” you say, pushing her shoulder teasingly, which she laughs at. 

You talk even longer. Hours and hours of talking about everything and nothing. 

You talk about some of the weirdest influencers you've come across, Nicky and Dan arguing over stupid things - in your opinion,  they'd both die first in a zombie apocalypse. "I know! Nicky couldn’t stop going on and on about it when he came here that day!" The blonde adds. 

You're both laughing when you look out of the window and see colors of the sunrise. You hadn't realised how late, or early, it had gotten. 

"Oh wow, I should really go," you say, taking out your phone to look at the time. You see a flurry of notifications you didn't know about because you had put it on silent earlier. While you have it out you quickly read over a few messages as you pull down the status bar on the screen and stand from the bed. 

You don't see the way Taylor's face drops at the prospect of you leaving. 

Her voice stops you from picking up your jacket.  

"Stay." 

The word comes out so soft, that if the room wasn't so quiet you would have missed it. 

You look up from your phone and see green eyes shining at you, begging you to accept her request. 

There's a hopeful look on her face and you knew from early on in your friendship you wouldn’t ever be able to deny her of anything, especially when she's looking at you like that. 

"Okay," You smile at her. 

Who knew one word could make someone so happy? She's beaming as she slides to the other side of the bed pulling her covers over so you can get in. 

You're not sure if you should face her or not as you put your phone down next to the bed and move to lie next to her. But when you see her facing the middle, you do the same. 

Once you’re both comfortable, you look over and see her smiling at you. You can’t help but smile back. 

Goodnight’s are whispered to each other and Taylor is asleep within a few minutes. 

You gaze at her sleeping figure. She looks so peaceful, so soft. You make a mental note to text Dan thanking him for pushing you to see her. 

With your mind going one hundred miles a minute it takes you a while to fall to sleep. 

…

From then on you had both been texting and calling frequently but avoided meeting in person to avoid any complications while her divorce was being settled and rumours were still circulating. 

It only took a few more weeks but once the divorce was done, you were able to be Taylor's close friend again. Physically speaking. 

Even though your feelings were as strong as ever you never overstepped that line of friendship. 

You didn't want to ruin what you had. 

You couldn't. 

… 

Life, from there, carried on for Taylor. She was back on Instagram, made a few videos about her divorce and talked about how she was going to fully embrace this time she had to herself. 

To work on herself. 

She was happier, your friendship was better than before and you both frequented different social events while pushing one another to be better in your respective circles. 

Everything was good for months until she ran into Ezra at a grocery store. 

… 

Nicky was in town and staying with Taylor. 

After the incident, he tried all he could to console her but whatever he was trying didn't help. 

Many failed attempts to comfort her later, he called the one person he knew could help. 

-

You were away for some humanitarian work and were going to be out of service for at least a week. 

When you told Taylor you were going she whined asking you to let her tag along next time. After explaining it wasn’t her scene because there were no five star hotels… or any hotels as a matter of fact - her face wilting was the only answer you needed, making you chuckle. 

"Just hurry up and come back," she whined. 

-

When you got back and saw the amount of missed calls and texts you had from Nicky, you called him as soon as you could. 

Whenever you were away from Taylor, be it in meetings for work or away for whatever reason, witty messages from the blonde were usual - ‘You better be missing me,’ ‘I’m bored,’ ‘Hurry up and finish what you’re doing,’ etc. 

So when her brother explained everything and told you Taylor hadn't been herself for days, you weren’t surprised. You had deduced that much when you saw her messages had stopped around the same date of the confrontation Nicky filled you in about. 

He had been making sure she was eating and taking care of her basic hygiene but overall she wasn't doing well even if she was pretending she was fine. 

When you got to Taylor's house you used your emergency key to get in. 

You raced to her room but entered slowly. 

You spoke cautiously "Taylor?" She was laying in bed, back facing the door. "I know what happened," you say softly as you approach her. 

She looked so small. 

-

Ezra had fast become the biggest lowlife you'd ever come across and that was one of the nicest ways to put it. 

While Taylor went shopping and was in the produce section, he and his new girlfriend surrounded her. Talks of her using her fame to bad mouth him, making him look bad while Taylor was playing the victim. 

She got out of there as fast as she could. It was a good thing Nicky saw her being ganged up against and stopped her ex from saying anything else by sucker punching him in the jaw. 

He drove her home but she didn’t say a word to him the entire drive. 

When he explained to you what had happened you knew she would fall back into that state you found her in months ago. 

She'd come so far since then and all it took was a few words from this literal piece of shit to bring her back down. 

-

"You're so much better than him Tay," she stays quiet. "Remember when I called him the scum of the Earth? I found a better way to describe him - 'dung nugget'," you try, but still nothing. 

As you shrug off your jacket, placing it to the side on her chair and sitting on the bed so you can almost see her face. You change your tone to a light hearted one, "I guess I need to bring out the big guns to make you laugh," you're met with even more silence so you carry on. 

"Did you know the first french fries weren’t cooked in France?" You see her eyebrows furrow, confused as to how you went from trying to cheer her up to something so random. 

She wonders if she should say something even though she doesn't have the energy but you don't give her a chance as you continue, "They were cooked in Greece," you smile, proud of yourself. 

Still nothing so you carry on. 

You make a fake face humming like you're thinking of your next joke even though you have a few ready to go. 

"Why did the scarecrow get an award?" She wants to roll her eyes but she just lays still on her side. 

"Because he was out standing in his field." She bites the inside of her lip to suppress a smile but remains quiet. You see some movement of muscles on her face and try to suppress your grin because you have one more you’re sure will work. 

"What do you call a dinosaur that uses really cheap toilet paper?" She closes her eyes, pursing her lips because she thinks she knows where the joke is going to go: she's wrong. 

You end your ‘pause for dramatic effect’, "Mega-sore-ass," you hear her scoff and you let out a chuckle too, "I knew you'd like that one." 

As your laughter subsides, you hear her speak, "I thought you were going to say something about the ‘dung nugget’," she says quietly. 

You smile, shaking your head, "Damn, that would have been way better. When did you get funny?" 

The blonde reverts back to silence until, "Y/n, I know what you're doing, and it's sweet, but I just want to be miserable." 

You press your lips together and let out a breath through your nose. She thinks you're going to leave but you’re taking off your shoes to then slide in next to her on the bed. 

She automatically moves so she can lean into your side with her arm over your stomach. You get comfortable by placing your arm around her and pull her close to you. 

Once you're both settled, with her head on your clavicle, you hear her release a shaky breath and feel her relax into you. 

You kiss the top of her head and begin to stroke her hair while you lay in silence. 

After a few minutes you break the quiet atmosphere, "I know it doesn't feel like it but you won't feel this way forever. One day, you'll be so happy that nothing will bring you down." 

"How do you know I'll be happy?" She asks with a sniffle. 

With your chin leaning on her head and you smile to yourself, "Because I'll be there to make sure of it." 

Taylor brushes a tear gathering in the corner of her eye with the sleeve of her hoodie wrapped around her thumb and says, "How? With your lame ass jokes?" Finishing with a small chuckle. 

You let out an exaggerated gasp, "How dare you insult me like that Taylor Sloane!" You begin, as you pull away from your cuddled position.

Taylor's disappointment from moving away from your warmth doesn't last long because you continue, "You know what I have to do now, don't you?" 

Looking at you confused, Taylor is about to ask what but before she can say anything you answer your own question with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "Payback," not giving her any time to react you start to tickle her. 

She screams and starts to giggle from the sensation of your attack on her ribs. Her giggles turn into howling laughter and soon you're both laughing at each other because Taylor doesn't back down from a challenge. Not with you. 

She tries to retaliate but you have the upper hand because you've moved on top of her. 

You grab her flailing arms by her wrists and pin them down to the bed either side of her head. You both breathe hard, as your laughter slows, "I guess I win, Sloane,'' you say with a smirk on your face. 

She tries her luck by pushing her arms up but you push back not giving her a chance, making you both chuckle at her failed attempt. 

When she sees she is trapped she realises something, “So what now, huh? Your hands are too busy to attack,” she says smugly. 

You smile down at her. 

She looks so beautiful. 

Even with her messy hair that's tied up in a bun giving you a full view of her face. 

Her tired,  shining emerald eyes look at you the same way you're looking at her. 

You take in every detail of this moment which feels like an eternity. Both your smile's lost as this boundless moment drags on. 

Her gaze drops quickly to your lips then back to your eyes. 

You look at her lips a second longer she looked at yours, thinking to yourself; Is this really going to happen? 

When both your eyes meet again, you are waiting for her to tell you to stop as your head lowers slowly. 

Just as you're almost at the finish line, the tip of your nose brushing hers, you hear the front door of her house open, "Taylor!" You hear the voice of her brother and the rustling of some bags making you pull away at a record speed. "You better not be moping around! I bought us some food!" He shouts. 

You get off her sitting on the edge of the bed, moving to put on your shoes, your back facing her as she sits up looking at you. 

No words are exchanged as she walks out of the room first. 

Taylor makes it into the kitchen but you hang back a little while longer, mind reeling at your almost kiss. 

Nicky smiles and Taylor gives him a full one back, it's not like one of the half-assed smiles he's been getting from her recently. He sees her eyes are not as dark as they have been the last few days too. 

As you make it to them soon after, you look up to see Nicky sorting through the food, plating it all up. "Y/n, I didn't know you were here," he realises now, why Taylor looks better and offers you a smile that you easily return. "There should be enough food for the three of us." 

‘Maybe it's not meant to be.’ - This is the mantra that always goes through your head when you're with her recently. 

"I should go," you smile and start to turn to leave. Just before you do you whip your head around, "If you need me just call me, okay?" You say to Taylor once she makes eye contact. 

She smiles and nods her head. "Thank you," she rushes out before you turn to leave again. "For today. I feel better." 

You give her a small smile, "I'm glad," you reply. You say your goodbyes to them both and leave the house. 

Taylor stares at the spot you were standing as you leave. She hears the door shut and lock, while her mind replays the moment on her bed. Nicky's voice brings her back to her standing in the kitchen, "Is Y/n alright? They never say no to free food," he jokes as she turns to look at him. 

She smiles at his comment and starts to help him with the plating. 

When he starts talking about one of his 'bros doing a backflip into a pool' her mind goes back to you and his voice turns into white noise. 

If Taylor was being honest with herself; 

She would admit that she had imagined a future with you; 

Your kind and loving nature had only pulled her in more and more; 

That she was in love with you. 

… 

A few weeks pass by and while you and Taylor haven't been avoiding each other your interactions have been… less. 

Nicky has left the city again but not before making sure his sister was going to be okay without him, speaking to you to make sure you were going to be around more than you had in these weeks. 

The two of you have only met a couple of times since the day in her bedroom. Neither of you mention it when she calls you on a random Thursday morning asking if you’re busy. 

Her house is running out of necessities so she needs to go shopping. While Nicky was there he would do it but now that she has to do it, she doesn't want to go on her own. 

You agreed to go with her but under one condition: you would drive. 

The two of you have a long running joke about how bad of a driver she is. She, on the other hand, doesn't see it. 

Her laughter in response was music to your ears, you had hated being away from her. 

.

Greeting Taylor, albeit a little awkwardly at first, the two of you fall into your rhythm once more after a few jokes and insults like the way you both usually interact. 

When you get to the grocery store Taylor is sitting in your passenger seat, working up the courage to enter. 

You sit there giving her the time she needs to build up the courage to enter the store. "It's always been so easy, to just walk in," Taylor says as she plays with her fingers, replaying the last time she was here in her head. 

You reach over and take her hand in yours, "Take all the time you need Sloane," you smile at her. 

She takes a final deep breath as she reaches for the door handle and leaves the car. You follow her lead by stepping out of the car and moving inside. You make sure the blonde takes her time walking through the aisles. 

You manage to complete the shopping trip without a hitch. There was an almost incident where Taylor thought she saw Ezra after rounding a corner. Before she could freak out though, you wrapped your arm around her, hand resting on the shopping cart handle, "You're ok, it's not him," you said calmly, as you successfully walked past the man. 

Now that all of her shopping bags were bought in from her car and resting on the counters in the kitchen, it had finally caught up to Taylor. 

She was shaking and you did what you always do which was take her in your arms, "You’re safe now, I’m here." 

Once her trembling stops, she takes a step back and looks at you, "I don't know what I'd do without you." 

Smiling you say, "I know you'd be fine because you're Taylor fucking Sloane," making her chuckle. 

When the moment passes, Taylor takes on a more serious expression, "Really, Y/n. You mean so much to me, I can't imagine my life without you," she says, truthfully. 

You look to the floor and then back to her eyes, "You mean a lot to me too, Taylor," your heart begins to race. 

Your mouth is getting drier by the second. The expression on your face is so serious, Taylor is slightly taken aback. 

You play with the keys in your hands and take this opportunity to say the words you've longed to say. 

"Tayl-" 

Both of you look in the direction of the front door when you get interrupted by the doorbell ringing. She mumbles something about going to see who it is so you nod your head acknowledging her. 

You take a deep breath and jump slightly when your phone rings. 

By the time she gets back she hears the end of your speech, "I'll be there soon, bye," she can't help the frown that takes over her face. 

You turn around seeing the look on her face, you ask,  "Everything ok?" She smiles, explaining it was a package for Nicky. 

She can't help but ask, "You have to go?" 

"Yeah, there's an emergency with some photos and I'm the only one that can deal with it I guess," you say and she smiles softly at you. 

"Saving one person at a time," you smile at her comment and want to say you would always drop everything to save her, but you don't. 

You wrap her in another hug after making sure she will be alright. You then say goodbye before leaving. 

Before Taylor gets on with sorting through the shopping she finds herself spaced out once again after another interaction together. 

A major thought being: ‘What were you going to say?’ 

… 

You had been so caught up with everything going on with Taylor and distracting yourself with work you don't know the last time you spoke with Dan. 

The two of you arranged to meet, so right now you were both sitting outside enjoying a day of leisure together. 

Once he had updated you about his life, you started with yours.  

He already knew about the almost kiss in the bedroom but you use this time to catch him up with the latest. 

When you get to the part about you almost telling Taylor how you feel about her in her kitchen he called you- "dumb! You are such an idiot Y/n!" 

"Thanks," you deadpanned. 

"For real Y/n, why can't you just tell her how you feel?" He sounds frustrated and you can’t blame him. He has had to listen to you talk about the same girl for over two years. 

"We keep getting interrupted, I think it's a sign," you exasperate, as you look at a few clouds in the sky leaning back in your chair. 

"Bullshit!" He shouts out and you turn your head, smiling, to look at him, "What about all the times in between when you haven't even tried?!" His expression is serious and you lower your eyes to the bottle in your hand for a second and back to him, "You need to tell this girl how you feel," he lowers his voice, accentuating his serious expression. 

You're not smiling anymore and he knows where your mind is going to go with this "I-" 

"No!" His voice goes back to being raised. 

You try again, "You don-" 

"I do understand, because I know exactly what you're gonna say," damn, he knows you too well. 

You sit there for a few seconds shaking your leg while you chew your lip in thought. 

He leans forward in his chair, elbows resting on his knees as he looks at you, voice lowered and a lot softer than before but still as threatening, "I know what's going on in that head of yours. I can literally hear what you're thinking," 

You pause your ministrations and squint at him, "Bullshit, you don't know what I'm think-" 

Before you can finish your accusation he is already saying what's on your mind, albeit, cynically, "Oh I don't want to ruin our friendship(!) The universe is against me(!) Wah, wah, wah. You big baby," he finishes leaning back in his lounge chair. 

You look down while you stay slouched in yours. "You're an asshole, you know that?" You say, smiling as you look back at him. 

"You know what? I do know that, I know I'm a correct asshole and you need to get your head out of your own ass," he finishes. 

You scoff, "Dick," then go silent as you start thinking and considering he's not letting you speak, now he's not going to let you think either. 

"Y/n, no. No big romantic gestures, no big speeches just tell her how you feel." 

Wow, he really does know what you're thinking, it's kind of scary. 

"Alright! Alright," you sigh, leaning forward. "I'll talk to her, but-" 

"No. Shut up," You laugh again at his abruptness, "You said yes, so you have to do it now. And by now, I mean NOW," he waves his hand as if to shoo you away, "Get the fuck off my property."  

You stand up, you can't believe you're about to do this. But before you leave you you’re about to voice a doubt in your head, "What if-" 

You shouldn't be surprised to get cut off yet again, "Y/n, man. If you don't leave right now. I will get violent," with his threatening voice you scoff and shake your head. 

As you start to walk away you pause before continuing and turn back to him, "Thanks Dan," He stopped himself from heckling you again when he heard what you were saying, "For everything, really. You're a great friend." 

"Bitch, I know. Now get outta here before I hose you down." He says, then takes a sip from his bottle. 

You walk with renewed vigour in your step. 

You were really going to do it. 

You are going to tell her. 

… 

As you get to Taylor's house, instead of letting yourself in, you knock. It wouldn't feel right to just walk in. Not with what you have to say. 

Looking at your shoes you don't have to wait long before she opens the door. Your head flies up and when she sees you, she smiles. You automatically smile back. 

"Hi," you say uneasily, hands balled into fists in your pockets. 

She doesn't understand why you look nervous, so her greeting comes out as a question, "Hi?" She laughs, "Y/n, what's wrong?" She looks a little worried but still has a smile on her face. 

You let out a breath, you didn't realise you were holding, as a shaky laugh, "I actually wanted to talk to you about somethin-" 

"Taylor? Who is it?" You hear a deep voice coming from behind the door making you pause. 

The door swings further as someone pulls it open to see you standing there. It’s a man you don't know. He’s holding two wine glasses, it doesn't take much to piece it together. 

She was on a date.

Your tense muscles collapse just as your facial expression does. 

She smiles at him, introducing you to each other. But you can’t hear anything. Blood is rushing in your ears and your throat feels like it’s about to close in on itself. 

The whole situation is overwhelming, you can feel your eyes filling with tears so you look away. You need to get out of there quickly, before you break down, "Sorry for interrupting, I'll leave," you hope you manage to say. 

"What? What was it you wanted to talk about?" She asks, confused. 

You’re already turning on your heels so you rush your words out, "It's not important, bye," walking away as fast as you can. 

Taylor calling out for you falls on deaf ears because you knew this was a stupid idea, you knew you shouldn’t have even thought about talking to her about your true feelings. 

You’re not sure if it's from the speed you’re walking or because of this whole situation or both but your heart is racing and your breathing picks up quickly. 

Everything is confusing but one thing is for certain - you feel yourself breaking. 

It's only when you're halfway down the street that you realise tears have spilt over. 

You finally take in your surroundings and can hear someone closing in on you. 

It's Taylor. 

"Y/n, what's going on? You're scaring me," she asks, as her brisk walk reaches you. You take a step back when she goes out to reach for you when she sees your tears. 

She's in front of you and you can’t stop thinking about her and how pretty she is. How much you feel for her. 

Your chest is heaving, your breathing heavy, the lump in your throat doesn’t ease off. 

You couldn't have stopped your next words even if you tried. You’re not thinking properly and the words you've been wanting to say for so long finally spill out. 

"I think I'm in love with you," you can't stop blinking. Whether it's to blink away your tears or from your nerves, you don't know. 

Taylor is looking at you, speechless. She always wondered if there was something in your feelings towards her but always brushed it over thinking it was all in her head. 

"No, I-," you scrunch your eyes closed for a second taking in the fact that you're really saying this, "I am in love with you," you finally say your truth, looking her in the eye. 

All the blonde can do is stare, bewildered as you look at her. 

You've gotten this far, why should you stop now, "I've loved you for a while now and I didn't know what to do so I kept it to myself." 

All the times you held back has led to this moment where you can't stop rambling, "I came here to tell you, but now you're on a date with someone and I-" 

You've lost count with how many times you've been interrupted today but this time it was because Taylor's lips were on yours. 

It takes a second for your brain to catch up to what's going on but eventually you kiss her back. 

You pull her in by the waist as her hands cup your cheeks so she can fully kiss you. It feels eternal and you're kissing her like your life depends on it. 

You both need to stop for air, breathing heavy. 

"It isn’t a date, he's a friend of Nicky's," you rest your forehead against hers, scoffing at how ridiculously you acted with your overreaction. 

You pull back again so you can look at her properly. She's smiling. She's smiling so brightly that she could be compared to the sun. 

You take your time looking at one another so you can take in this moment. 

Even with how fast your heart was beating and the loud rush of blood still in your ears, you hear her say the words you could have only dreamed her saying before now loud and clear,

"I love you too." 

A/N: Thanks to Reddit for ‘Dung nugget’ and to @8bitscarlet for the French fry joke lol

[doctorgerth]

hello hello!

could you do a modern au and the types of dates Ace, Katakuri, and Usopp would take you on? Preferably a gn!reader if possible! (you can add other characters too if you want!)

a/n: Ok I just want to say that this was SO incredibly fun to write!! There’s really some unique date ideas out there and I probably could have listed more, but these are what came to mind! These boys would make sure you’re enjoying yourself no matter where they take you <3 Thanks for requesting and I hope you like it, darling! x

featuring: Ace, Katakuri, Usopp x GN!Reader

warnings: Modern!AU, one brief mention of making out in Ace’s section

TYPES OF DATES

ACE —

Ace loves both new adventures and nostalgic activities. His dates are exciting and lively, all the while romantic in a unique way. Likes to explore new things and let the little kid within him have some fun! He just wants to ensure you have a good time with him. Any date with you is an adventure to him!

Taking you kayaking/canoeing is a must. He loves to be out in nature, and being out on the water is always relaxing to him. Swimming usually comes with this and though he’s in his twenties, he’s still always down to play Marco Polo and other various child-like swimming games.

Speaking of being in nature, expect some hiking! If you’re not seasoned, just going for a walk out in the woods or around a local park is enough for him. Always enjoys the conversations the two of you have when walking together. He’s got lots of energy, so he likes to stay active.

Ace loves drive-in movies for innocent reasons and those not so much. The prospect of getting to sit in your own car and enjoy a movie will forever be a cool concept to him. It really heightens the experience and privacy, and it feels very vintage. With this privacy though, you find that he likes to indulge in not watching the movie and enjoying a little bit (or a lota bit) of making out instead.

He’s a child at heart, so please, take him to the arcade. Even if it’s a single room with a claw machine and a dusty PacMan at your local bowling alley. Always insists you watch him, chest puffed out proudly as he tries over and over and over and over again to win you a plushie. Is not usually successful and pouts when you run out of quarters. Visiting a full arcade room is enjoyable though. He’ll want to play just about every game with you or have you watch him play the single-player ones!

Ace seems like he’d be into sports, so going to a sporting event would be a fun date to him. If you’re into sports as well, even better. Heavily enjoys the beer and food and cheering on his favorite team with you by his side! Will definitely be decked out in his favorite team/player’s gear. Probably gets a little too into it. Dances just to embarrass you if the camera catches him. Will smooch your face off for everyone to see if the kiss cam points at the two of you, so be prepared!

Insists that paintball/laser tag will be fun, but gets competitive every time. Shows zero mercy on you. You’ll need to get in touch with your competitive side for this date. Pouts if you beat him lmao

Loves the lights and atmosphere of amusement parks/carnivals. Not scared of any rides so he’s going to try to get you on each and every one of them with him. Kisses on the ferris wheel! <3 Not into rides? He’s down for carnival games! Insists that the games are rigged when he consistently loses, but he does eventually win you something you like! Eats too much greasy carnival food and ends up a little sick every time :-(

Whether it’s flying kites, building sandcastles, watching the sunset, or catching ghost crabs with you at night, Ace loves going to the beach with you! It’s a fun time and a perfect opportunity to show off his romantic side as he holds your hand when you walk along the shore, pulling you in for a kiss as the sun is setting, reminding you with a cheesy grin that you are far prettier than even the prettiest sunset <3

Total foodie and is dragging you to each and every food truck when they are parked near your home. Has to try everything and tries his best to get you to do the same. He can be a bit persistent if you’re a picky eater, but will also gladly eat what you don’t want – more for him!

KATAKURI —

Katakuri enjoys dates that are more personal and a great use of quality time. Though he does entertain his family with some shared dates and family events, Kata enjoys spending time with just you the most and finds that even something as simple as binging your favorite shows at home can be romantic.

Preparing snacks together for a picnic is only the beginning of a fun date for Katakuri. Loves to get you out under the pretty sun, enjoying a private meal together out in nature. Always knows the best spots because he’s constantly scoping out for them when the two of you are out! The more secluded, the better.

On the way to or even after, Katakuri also enjoys taking you for a bike ride. There’s something oddly romantic about it to him, plus the wind in your hair and the smile on your face makes his heart swell ten times its size in his chest.

Just strolling through downtown with you on his arm is enjoyable! Though your arm is around his, you’re really leading the way. He loves how you excitedly drag him to whatever store or booth that piques your interest. Will take you anywhere you want and won’t hesitate to buy whatever you want! Smiles to himself when you ask to stop by the water so you can feed the ducks and always keeps a bag of feed with him. <3

Visiting local bakeries/pastry shops to try the newest desserts on the menu!! The local donut shop owners adore you and Katakuri and always love it when the two of you stop by. They usually have special donuts on the house saved just for you two.

Being from a rich family, Katakuri is used to others cooking/baking for him. But he wants to learn for your sake, and what better way than turning it into a date with you learning right beside him? The two of you are regulars to cooking/baking classes and even if sometimes what you make ends up atrocious, it’s the fun in trying together that makes it all the worthwhile! Plus, Katakuri has now learned a few things to cook better at home for you <3

These cooking classes also help the two of you get better at hosting events for family! Hosting a dinner together feels so incredibly domestic to Katakuri, it makes him want to put a ring on your finger pronto if he hasn’t already – and if he has, well, who’s to say he couldn’t just marry you all over again? He’s usually one to partake in his various siblings’ hosted parties, so getting to host one with the love of his life feels very special to him.

Speaking of family, weekly game nights with his family are a must. Loves to see you interacting with his many brothers and sisters – you look like you fit into the Charlotte family so perfectly, and though he can get competitive and butt heads with his siblings at times (plus he has this strange foresight ability about him that he often gets called a cheater for…), combining two of his greatest loves – you and his family – is always a good time for him.

Stay at home dates are probably among his favorites. Far from the lights and busy crowds and family antics, he gets to have you all to himself, enjoying some much needed quality time together. There’s nothing more romantic to him than the two of you comfortable in your own home, enjoying each other’s presence and finding joy in the simpler things such as cooking dinner together or watching a movie <3

USOPP —

Usopp loves dates that are easy-going and an opportunity to make you smile and laugh. Indulges in double-dates/group dates from time to time because the two of you love spending time with friends. Usopp is wonderful about capturing memories through videos and pictures of your many dates and keeps them in a scrapbook!

Usopp is very artsy and likes to find any excuse to be close to you, so a pottery class is a date idea. It’s silly and a little messy, but the two of you always have the greatest time. Though his goal is to be close to you, helping you mold the clay with his arms around you and hands over yours, he still ends up a flustered mess at the intimacy of it all!

Perusing a local farmer’s market is a regular date for the two of you. He likes to chat up the vendors, the two of you shopping for fresh produce and discovering new interests in locally made goods. You somehow always end up leaving with full bellies from all the free samples and way more items than you intended on buying!

Taking you for a stroll around the botanical gardens shows off Usopp’s romantic side. Holds your hand as the two of you walk around and he excitedly talks about and admires each plant. This also serves as a good opportunity for some photo ops! Usopp loves to take pictures of you in front of the pretty gardens and they always turn out so stunning. <3

Usopp is surprisingly quite good at bowling! Bowling alley dates are always fun and he thinks you look unbearably cute in your goofy bowling shoes. Plus, it’s always a good opportunity for a double date, or for any friends to tag along.  

Likes to take you to concerts or music festivals! Will play it fair if you don’t end up having the same music tastes – he’ll gladly accompany you to visit any artist you wish if you do the same for him! Takes lots of pictures and cute recordings of you dancing and singing along. <3

Usopp is a firm believer that you are never too old for mini-golf! It’s a very light-hearted date but such a fun time. You can carry on conversations about anything and enjoy each other’s company all the while enjoying a game. He most definitely will cheat to avoid a penalty stroke when you aren’t looking lmao 

Visiting zoos and/or aquariums are always a go to date. Doesn’t matter how many times you’ve gone, the two of you have seasonal passes and visit regularly, even knowing the names by heart of some of the animals! Any new city you two visit, if it has a zoo and/or aquarium, you are going to go!

Usopp loves to laugh and loves hearing you laugh even more, so going to a comedy show seems ideal! There’s a comfort in being able to laugh whole-heartedly until your belly aches and tears are blurring your vision. Seeing you enjoy yourself and being so authentic with your amusement makes him fall even deeper in love with you!

[prsk-krow]



Hi! I love your work. As someone who has various circumstances as well, I love Kanade a lot and. I would like to request a (R) Kanade x Reader to fill my Kanade shaped hole in my feelings and my brain. Thank you!

{Kanade general headcanons!} [R]

.‿︵‿︵‿୨♡୧‿︵‿︵‿.

)─── ･ ｡ﾟ*.☽ .* •ﾟ. ───(

Taking care of Kanade. This shouldn't be a surprise, especially if the relationship was planned, which it should be with Kanade. And with taking care of her I mean in more than one way!

Physically! Make sure she gets at least one walk around the block daily, accompanying her and making small talk to distract her from the tired feeling on her legs! Trust me, even this is far better than what she'd do normally...

Mentally! Check up on her every half an hour once she stuffs herself into her room, or simply stay with her inside! Chat with her to ensure that she isn't overworking, or stressing out over anything!

And emotionally! Keep her spirits up by complimenting her work, and ensuring that her will stays strong! This may be easy at first, but it does start to get tough once her father comes into the mix.

You'll accompany her with her visits to her father, and eventually he'll accept you to take care of his kid! After all, he can notice how different Kanade is alongside you, in a good way!

"You know, I was a little scared of introducing you to him, but... I remember now, how kind he always was to me when we were young... He praised me, took care of me, inspired me to be better while he knew that I was leaving him behind on talent..."

Sometimes she'll start to feel bad again, and miss her old life. It's up to you to ensure that these small periods of time don't end with her overworking or refusing to eat as she used to do before she met Nightcord!

Now, dates. Most of the time, you'll spend visiting her in her home, and just relaxing. The shut in likes to analyze music in various shows and movies, so your couch watching sessions will definitely be a unique experience!

She'll teach you all about the specific details of music that most people watching these films don't know about! Not just with music though, sound effects are in her area of expertise too! It's wild to see how much she knows.

However, you also need to take her outside from time to time, and not just on walks! Go buy her a drink, or maybe even eat at a nearby restaurant! Trust me, the experience will 100% inspire her once more. She can draw ideas out of practically anything.

Maybe you can even convince her to go out on a picnic at a nearby field! It may take a bit into the relationship to get to this point, but having her lay on the grass, while you both eat sandwiches is quite the special first time...

"To be completely honest with you, I... I never imagined myself doing this. I used to think that the outdoors life and I were incompatible, but... You've shown me just how nice it can be alongside the right people. That's right, I don't think this experience would've been this special without someone like you next to me. You have no idea how much I appreciate you..."

Outside of dates, you'll also learn to brush and wash her hair! Yeah, she may know how to do it, but it's so much more relaxing for her when you do it instead... It definitely helps a lot with her nerves and stress.

And also you'll be the first person she shows her demos to before showing them to Nightcord! At first you'll just compliment her, but as she teaches you about musical theory, you may even get the chance to make helpful constructive feedback!

She'll also enjoy you bringing extra clothes over to feel what other ways of dressing feel like! She definitely doesn't like fancy stuff, but it's definitely gonna be a massive success when you convince her to buy a hoodie, or a new jacket!

Overall, life with Kanade as your partner is sweet, and overall quite a calm experience. You definitely need to help her out with her own problems, and to take care of her lifestyle, but when she shows such kindness and love in return, it's clear how worth it it is.

[drabbles-mc]

Hi! Hope your day is going well! For the ask game could you do a perspective flip for « Better than him » Please? That’s my favorite fic of yours💕

You're so sweet! I most definitely can! I'm not gonna do a flip for the whole fic because that was a long fic and it was a beast to write even though I thoroughly enjoyed it hahaha. But here are a couple scenes from it from Angel's POV from Better Than Him! (you can find the ask game Here)

Coming back to add an extra comment after writing the perspective flip: Just want to say that I really fucking LOVED writing his POV on this. A little humor, a little angst. I just. Yes. This was fun lmao.

With everything that was happening around him in the clubhouse, Angel was surprised that he even felt his phone going off inside the pocket of his kutte. Beer in one hand, he used the other to fish it out, almost rejecting the call out of instinct until he saw that it was your name on the screen. He caught himself smiling, a strange kind of hopeful as he answered.

"You change your mind about the party?" he asked, pinning the phone as close as he could to his ear to try and muffle the background noise around him.

Your reply was short, mumbled, not nearly matching the emotion he'd answered with as you said, "No."

The disappointment in your voice threw him off. He tried to pull answers out of you, somewhat successful in his attempts, as he tossed his beer bottle back onto the bar and made his way towards the door of the clubhouse. As soon as he opened the door, everything already felt quieter, your soft voice already seeming louder in his ear. He was glad that you couldn't see the look on his face as he listened to you talk about the fact that your boyfriend had bailed on another date night. He rolled his eyes, shook his head at you. Mostly, though, he was glad that you couldn't see the frown on his face.

"I don't wanna hear it," you said, trying your best to sound annoyed but he wasn't buying it.

Your tone got a smirk out of him, another expression he was glad that you couldn't see. "What do you wanna hear then, hm?" he goaded, a little braver and more flirtatious than he had any right to be with you.

When you asked if he wanted to come over, of course his knee-jerk reaction was to say yes. He didn't want to give in without a little bit of a fight, though, didn't want to seem too eager. He knew that it was bad enough that he was so excited at the prospect of it in the first place, so ready and willing to say yes.

~*~

Nothing about his entire evening with you had gone the way that he thought it would. Over and over again he found himself in moments that he knew should've made him backpedal. But it felt too late to do that now, with his hands up underneath your skirt, with his heart pounding rapidly against the confines of his ribcage.

Part of him was still waiting for it to be a cruel trick on your part, a gotcha moment, something to ensure that you weren't going to suffer alone in your disappointment of the evening. The farther his hands traveled, the more he found himself waiting for you to stop him, to push him away, to go to bat for your shitty boyfriend who should've been the one in Angel's position, with his fingertips running over the lace of your underwear. But you didn't say anything. You just watched him, the slightly dazed look already on your face making Angel feel like his skin was coated in flames.

Each time he asked to make sure, he was waiting for you to rescind the offer. What was happening now between the two of you felt like something out of his own playbook, not yours. He didn't want to ruin it for himself but he couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that you were letting this happen, that you wanted this to happen.

But then he heard you moan, the sound better than any time he'd try to imagine it, and he knew that he wasn't going to cost himself what might be his only chance to feel you, taste you, have you, outside the confines of his own imagination.

~*~

When it was all said and done, and Angel was getting himself redressed, he found himself caught somewhere between relieved and anxious. All the times he'd thought about you, about having you the way he did, and he finally got you. It was better than he could've ever dreamt of on his own. But there was still a nagging sensation in the back of his mind because he knew that this whole situation was either going to end up being disappointing for him, or extremely fucking messy.

He could see the apprehension on your face when he asked you about it, and he tried not to let himself feel too disappointed, or show it at all. He knew that this was a possibility. He was no stranger to the rejection, to the feeling of being used. He just didn't like the idea of you being the one using him.

"So, what," you said, and he could feel you studying his expression, "you think I should just leave him and be with you?"

What he wanted to say was, "Fucking obviously," but he knew that wouldn't do him any good. Instead, he said, "I didn’t say that. I mean, you should," he laughed, "but I didn’t say that. Him being a waste of your time has nothing to do with me."

"Really? This feels like it has a lot to do with you."

"Yea, 'cause I was inside you like two fuckin' minutes ago." He paused, hiding how deeply he was trying to think of the right things to say with getting himself dressed and situated. "You gotta make that choice. I'll be here no matter what you end up doing, but this is your mess to figure out."

He meant it, too. If this ended up just being something that you needed, a distraction, something to make yourself feel better, he'd take that on the chin and keep going. He cared about you enough to stick around after the fact, even if you didn't care about him the same way. He didn't want to spell it all out for you like that, though. That felt too much like pressure for both of you. He wanted you. Of course he wanted you. But if he couldn't have you, he'd learn to keep living with that.

"Why'd you come over then?" Your question snapped him out of his thoughts.

"I like you." The answer came out so second-nature, a weight to it that he hadn't meant to apply when he said, "You knew that, though."

He saw the shift on your face, almost wanted to take it back. Maybe he'd made it too real, pushed things just a bit too far. Too fucking sentimental for the circumstances the two of you were in.

"I know," you replied, the softness in your voice putting a twinge in his chest.

He changed the subject, lightening the mood the way he always did when he got himself in too deep with something. By the time he was walking out the door, it seemed like you were just saying goodbye after a normal evening of hanging out. He wondered if you were just a really good actor, or if his version of a worst-case scenario was actually coming to fruition. He stuffed down those feelings, leaving you with a smile and a kiss on the forehead rather than all of the things that he really wanted to say, really wanted to give you.

He lingered outside your closed door for a moment, thinking back on everything that had happened. His heart was still working double-time in his chest. Shaking his head at himself, he tried to remember to enjoy what he'd had with you while he had it. If he was lucky, or just really fucking reckless, maybe he'd get to have it with you again.

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February Day 9: Storm

SWTOR

Time: 3648 BBY (5 ATC)

~~

All the lights went out in Virtue’s Thief.  Everything went dead silent for a second, including, much to Eva’s panic, the life support system.  Then the backups kicked on.  She sat, terrified, in the pilot’s seat, with the orange glow of the emergency lights.

She’d taken her first nightshift on the Thief, and she broke the ship.  Somehow. Ma was going to kill her.  Absolutely.

And indeed, Eva heard the second her mom’s boots hit the floor.  Shit, she’s up.

Dad wasn’t going to be.  He was probably going to sleep through the whole thing, as he did these days.  Getting out of bed was a two-man operation, and her mother was already on the way to the cockpit. 

Eva turned to Huck, who was riding shotgun in the co-pilot’s seat.  “Remember, you’re not allowed to kill me, no matter what she says.  I’m only 15.  It’s your primary function to ensure I survive –”

“Interruption: to the date of your majority on your chaincode card.  Correction:  the chaincode card supplied to me by your mother.  That is already 21.65 years old.  Conclusion: my primary mission of ensuring your survival to the Republic age of majority has already been a success.”

Eva gave him a filthy look that only a foiled teenager could.  “You can be a real massive bag of robo-dicks, Huck.”

“Objection!  -- ”

Just then, the door hissed open.  Athene Corolastor’s red hair was braided tightly to keep the curls under control, and she’d thrown on a thermal top over her sleepwear and put on the socks with the little grips on the bottom that she and Eva squabbled over.  “What happened?”

“I don’t know, I swear to the Three Moons.”  Eva leaned back the captain’s chair, away from the dashboard.  “We were going along fine – and then it all shutdown.”

Athene frowned.  “No contacts on the sensors?”

“Not even space junk or an asteroid.”  Eva tapped at the nav computer.  “We were on the course you plotted before going to bed.  Didn’t touch nothing.  Just made sure all the green lights stayed green.”

Athene nodded, distractedly.  “I think…” she trailed off.  She consulted the trajectories she’d charted and the current state of the ship.  “We might have nicked the edge of a geomagnetic storm.” 

Eva made a face.  “How’s that happen?” 

“Local sun might be throwing solar winds and agitating the planetary magnetospheres – mostly self-contained, but if things line up, they can get cranky enough to mess with planets that are in the system – or are passing through hyperspace at the time.”  Athene rattled off the explanation as if it were nothing.  It was needed to know for the business of galactic smuggling; the rest of her education (and Eva’s) was nowhere near as impressive.  Athene motioned for Huck to get out of his chair.  He immediately acquiesced and disappeared down the hallway.

Eva nodded, as if she understood any of that.  “So not my fault?”

“Nope, not at all,” Athene replied, eyes still watching the lights on the dashboard slowly go green again.  “You just hope it doesn’t happen in hot pursuit or take you out in a less than friendly territory.”

Eva slumped into the chair in relief.  “I thought I broke the ship.”

“Happens to all captains, at some point.”  Satisfied that the ship was recalibrating and resetting appropriately, Athene let herself sit down in the co-pilot’s chair.  “Just part of learning the ropes.  What you can predict… and what you can’t.” 

Eva let out a sigh.  “Feels like I’m always going to be learning – never a master –”

“Honey, don’t think you’re going to be one of those skypirates from those books,” Athene cut her off before she could whing.  “We’re small-time.  You’re clocking 1500 hours as if you were some real important pilot that would fly ships that took people places; this is all pretty demanding, for what we are…”  Athene shifted in her seat.  “But I want you to learn it right.  I want you to be ready for anything.”

“Magnetic storms,” Eva gestured out the front viewport.

Athene nodded.  “Fires.  Hyperdrive failures.  Fuel issues… All the things that are going to be yours one day.”

Mother and daughter exchanged smiles. Virtue's Thief was destined to be Eva's, hopefully far, far in the future.

The door chimed and slid open, and in skittered Hylo the cat, unable to bear being separated from Eva a second later.

And then his paw hit something on he way up the dashboard and the ship was plunged into darkness –

“..but I never had a cat on here before.  That can be your new problem with the Thief.”

“…can you at least help figure out what he did?”

“…yeah.”

~~

@fluffyfebruary

[lsvdw-blog]

Drained (4/?)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC

Word Count: 1.2k

Warnings; Rating: Brief mention of mast**bation, Angst; 18+ (to be safe)

Premise: The aftermath of Ethan finding out Serena is leaving.

Author’s Note: Y'all asked so you shall receive!! Happy holidays, everyone!! Sending all of you so much love, light, and joy 💖💖 Also, lol I'm so sorry for this chapter. I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading 💖

Serena turns on her heels and power walks out of the office, Ethan hot on her tail. 

"Don't you walk away from me!" 

Every staff member looks up from their task at hand, heads whipping to the sound of Ethan's voice reverberating through the hallway. 

"I effectively just handed you my resignation; therefore, you are not my boss anymore and can't tell me what to do!" 

Serena is blazing down the corridor, her white coat catching the breeze she creates, her back to Ethan. 

"I'm not done talking about this!" 

Serena whips around, coming face to face with Ethan, causing him to stop on a dime. 

"What else could you possibly have left to say?"

"My apologies, I wasn't aware that you going after something meant our relationship would become collateral damage, that you would throw us away!" 

Serena throws her hands up in the air and spins in a circle, exasperated beyond belief. 

"You are one to talk! What about Miami?! The Amazon?! Your precious reset?!" 

They're practically screaming at each other now and the entire hospital has gathered on the floor to watch the golden couple of Edenbrook hash it out. 

"How convenient that it absconds you from any consequences when it's your idea, your moral compass lighting the path; but when I follow suit, I'm cold and heartless!" 

"I did those things for you! Which is more than you can say about your act rooted in pure selfishness!"

"I wish I had some popcorn right now," one of the staff members whispers. 

"I have gone over this with you, again and again, Ethan! You're not listening!" 

"I'm liste—" 

"No! You may be hearing me, but you're not listening! You say I'm throwing away our relationship, but there is no relationship, Ethan! Not since you became Chief. You left me to sink or swim as Head of the DT, both professionally and personally. It's like you expected me to grow wings mid-air and learn to fly before I fell, but what I really needed was your guidance. But when I came to you for that, you were either too busy to listen to me or dismissed me as immature and incapable. 

"A relationship should constitute supporting one another and rooting for each other's success. But you dropped me off in the Diagnostics office and never looked back.

"Nowadays, we are always Dr. Harlow and Chief Ramsey. You are constantly in your home office, you miss gatherings, cancel dates, and I can't even count how many nights I went to bed alone, waiting for you! 

"You have become so utterly consumed by this role that it's clear I pale in comparison." 

"That is not true! I love you!" 

"Where?!" Serena flails her arms. "Where?! You say these words, but I can't see them and I certainly don't feel them anymore.

The ink has dried; it's done; there's no going back, Ethan." 

With that, Serena turns and walks away, leaving Ethan standing alone. He doesn't miss the way he's being gawked at by everyone who had gathered to watch the show. 

"All of you, back to work. Now!" 

Everyone scatters and scurries away, while a furious, and deeply hurt, Ethan storms back to his office. 

~~~~~~

In the heat of the moment, consumed by white hot rage, and betrayal, both Serena and Ethan said words they didn't mean, words they regretted. 

Words as sharp as knives, intended to pierce the heart. 

Blood dripped from their egos, shards of their broken hearts scattered around them, digging themselves deeper at every mention and longing glance. 

In her remaining weeks, Serena distracted herself by ensuring a smooth transition of the team to Tobias and packing up her life, getting all of her affairs in order. 

On her last day, fifteen minutes before her shift ended, she entered Ethan's office, signed resignation letter in hand. 

It's empty and she lets out a sigh of relief. She gently lays the letter down on his mahogany desk, fingers trailing along the grain. 

All of the little moments they had shared surround her: the harmony of their laughter, the unspoken conversations through a charged look, the ecstasy they had chased. 

She knows in her heart of hearts that she's doing what is best for her, but she is sorry for how everything went down, a sad smile blooming across her face. 

What she doesn't know is Ethan is quietly watching her from around the corner, the glass walls finally good for something. He swallows over the lump that has taken permanent residence in his throat in the past few weeks. 

Too wounded to make amends, they just miss each other, walking in different directions, one on either side of a chasm widening ever further between them.

~ 1 Month Later ~ 

Ethan blazes through the corridor, hell-bent on what? No one really knows, but they can make an educated guess. 

Ever since Serena left, Ethan's usually grumpy demeanor turned into straight hellfire. His lectures now veering on tirades, the smallest things setting him off, nit-picking anything and everything concerning the hospital. 

As soon as the familiar sound of his dress shoes clicking against the linoleum echo through the halls, everyone makes themselves scarce, diving into any nearby crack and crevice, hoping against hope that he isn't looking for them. 

His tough exterior has grown impenetrable, walls as high as a fort. 

But what they don't see is the mask slipping every single night when he returns home. How he can't go anywhere in his apartment without being reminded of her. 

How she'd curl up with Jenner on the couch, decompress with her phone on her side of his bed, wrap her arms around his neck right after spraying her perfume. 

The last time she'd made dinner in his kitchen. Where things went straight to hell.

All of these images, and more, play on repeat in his mind, the only things numbing the pain being Jenner, scotch, and slumber, when he's lucky enough to actually fall asleep.  

He sits shirtless, propped against his headboard, a crystal tumbler in hand, and looks out his bedroom floor-to-ceiling windows every night. 

But the view no longer looks the same; it's now dull and noisy and the windows themselves are a different type of hell. A constant reminder of the first time he touched her, tasted her, felt her.

Their bare skin touching, sliding across one another, their eyes conveying more than words ever could, their moans and groans intertwining together as they made love. 

More often than not, the memory turns him on, and he's reduced to reaching down his boxers to take care of himself. 

But nothing will ever come close to the real thing. To her. 

The way she always has them laughing in the afterglow, planting loving kisses across his chest, her head over his heartbeat, and their fingers interlaced.

A wave of self-loathing always follows. He doesn't need to do this - he could go out to any bar in Boston and come home with any woman he wanted. 

But he doesn't want anyone. 

He wants her. 

He needs her.

And knowing that he played such a pivotal role in driving away the person he loves most in this world, suffocates him.