#g go one day without drawing hands challenge

[sixteenthtry]

B&w version because lately I started hating coloring as a whole

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[the-californicationist]

Cali's Kinktober: Day 12

Kinktober Masterlist vi coactus - "under duress" Simon "Ghost" Riley/TF141 x f!reader Kinks > SHAME, forced orgasms, bimbo/dumbification Full tags on AO3 - MDNI - Read at your own risk.

“Under duress” — A quick exfil means limited seats in the TAC-V. Simon lets you sit on his lap, but it’s a really bumpy road. When you realize that his thigh is the perfect shape, and that it’s pressing against your most sensitive spot, there’s not much you can do to stop yourself. Might as well enjoy the ride.

Warnings: SHAME! EMBARRASSMENT! SHAME!!!!, mean teasing, slut shaming, it's not non-con but no one asks for permission; this truck is not a safe-space.

No one said a word. Once the noise of the petrol explosion and the machine guns faded from your ears, all that you could hear was the rattle and rumble of the engine of the TAC-V. The mission had been successful, but barely. You’d secured the package, but it had cost you the chopper exfil that you’d been desperately counting on. What was a quick twenty minute flight was now an eight hour drive through the bumpiest mountain road known to man, and you were sitting on Ghost’s lap for the entire trip.

The TAC-V sat two in front and three in back, so with Price and Gaz up in the driver and passenger seats, you should have been able to fit in the rear with Ghost and Soap. But, the care package was taking up your spot. As the smallest member of the squad, you were relegated to lap-status, much to your audible dismay. 

“Shut your mouth and get in the truck, Corporal!” Price had shouted, spraying cover fire over the hood of the vehicle. 

So, that’s where you found yourself. Mouth shut. Seat secured. 

There was only one problem. Ghost’s thighs were enormous. He never skipped leg day, and when you tried to sit against his hips to distribute your weight, his gear vest was in the way. So, he’d shifted you over onto his right thigh, forcing you to straddle him, and now you could feel… everything. 

Every time Price hit another bump – which was once or twice every few seconds at this point – Ghost’s rock-solid quad muscle would jerk up into your pussy, shaking your most sensitive bits. It was savage, but it was making your body respond in ways that you did not appreciate. And now, you were in the middle of fighting off the most embarrassing orgasm of your life. 

You could feel how wet you were through the canvas pants you were wearing. Your panties were soaked in the first hundred kilometers, so they were useless against your slick pleasure. Soon, Ghost would be able to feel the warm stain of your cunt imprinting itself on his own trousers, and there was nothing you could do about it. 

You had tried to shift away in the beginning of this trip, rotating your hips back and forth, trying to search for a less-shameful angle, but he had grumbled, 

“Sit still, love. Tha’s enough squirmin’ around.”

His hand had reached out to secure your hip, pulling you down into a deep seated position, crushing your soft lips against his thigh and spreading them apart unknowingly.

You’d managed to suffer in pure silence so far, but that was becoming more and more challenging as the ride got rougher. The desire to roll your hips against him to take the edge off of the blinding friction you were experiencing was mind-numbing. You were sweaty from battle and now you were sweaty from nerve-racking lust, and there was no escape. You still had hundreds of kilometers to go, and you didn’t know what you were going to do.

Your body knew exactly what it was going to do, though. It was going to come whether you wanted to or not. 

“You alright, lass? Car sick?” Johnny asked, peering over at you as your head rested against the driver’s headrest in front of you. 

“Need a break, babes?” Gaz turned in his seat to check on you. 

“No can do,” Price shook his head and peered at you in the rearview mirror, “Still in the red zone. We can’t stop here and expect to make it out without drawing unwanted attention.” 

“Here,” Gaz reached back and unclipped your vest, “At least take this off so you can catch a breath.”

You let him slip the vest off your shoulders and stuff it in the footwell on the floor in front of him. He passed you his canteen, and you tried to open it with trembling hands. 

“She’s not fuckin’ sick,” Ghost hissed, grabbing the canteen and opening it for you before lifting it to your lips so you could drink.

The rest of the truck-full of men waited to hear the rest of Ghost’s explanation. You felt heat rush to your cheeks in painful humiliation as you waited for him to reveal your predicament. You knew, now, that he could feel you. You had thought you’d gotten away with it so far, but it was too obvious. He could feel the wet, sticky patch on his quad growing with every tremulous shake of the truck, and he knew what was happening to you. You could almost hear the jeering smile on his lips when he told them, 

“She needs a quick wank, innit that right, Corporal?”

You tried to keep your eyes trained on the floor, but you had to see what their faces looked like. You lifted your gaze to meet Price’s bright blue eyes in the mirror, the evidence of Ghost’s truth written all over your expression. 

The silence was broken up only by the road noise. No one spoke and no one breathed. You looked to Gaz and saw his mouth open in shock, curling at the edge of his lip with a boyish glee. Soap’s brow was furrowed in disbelief,

“S’that true, bonnie?”

Ghost didn’t even give you a chance to answer him. He shoved his gloved hand under your crotch as if to feel the evidence on his hand that he was sensing on his thigh, chuckling at your sorry predicament,

“Bumpy road, been wet and warm for almost an hour. Gonna have myself a pretty little pussy stain by the time we get to base. And if I give her somethin’ to work against…”

Your lieutenant curled his fingers that he had shoved underneath you, finding your swollen clit with a surprising ease. As if he’d pushed a button, you let out an obvious moan. You cut it short, unable to hold it back from crawling out of your throat, but the damage was done. 

Silence again, and then Gaz’s low voice,

“Holy fuck.”

Ghost removed his hand and settled back in his seat, keeping his grip on your hips with a steadfast strength. He was looking at you in the mirror along with Price who kept glancing up from the road. The message in Ghost’s eyes was a clear challenge; he wasn’t going to give you any more relief, and if you wanted to come on him, you’d need to figure it out yourself. 

The urge to hump his solid thigh was overwhelming, and now that the cat was out of the bag, you thought it wouldn’t be possible for you to be any more ashamed, so you started to hump your pussy against him, ever so slightly, almost imperceptibly… but, Ghost couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

“See? Needy thing’s grindin’ on me. Can’t help yourself, huh, love?”

You shook your head, looking to Price for some sort of rescue, but what could he do? Your captain was driving as fast as he could out of enemy territory, and you were stuck in place, tumbling into an orgasm and suffering the pain of embarrassment in front of your whole squad. 

You moaned, trying to hold your breath, but your whole body shook as you came. Your hole was so wet and burning hot, and you could feel yourself gush as you clenched your muscles around nothing, wishing you had something… someone… inside of you. 

“There she is… good girl,” Ghost teased you, rubbing your back as you shuddered above him, rolling in your high. 

“Did she just…” Soap gaped.

You looked up at him, and even though your eyes begged for pity, you received none from him. He met you with a filthy grin,

“Come over here with me, lass. I’ll give you somethin’ to fuckin’ sit on.”

He reached for your arm, attempting to drag you over the care package, but Ghost jerked his hand away and wrapped his arm around your belly, forcing you to lean back against him, the tools in his vest digging into your flesh,

“She’s fine where she is, Sergeant. Aren’t ya, sweetheart?”

You felt hot tears stinging the corners of your eyes, and you squeezed them shut, whispering,

“I’m s-sorry…”

“Shh, love. Nothin’ to be sorry for. Can’t be fuckin’ helped. C’mon,” he snarled in your ear, his mask smelling like his menthols and sweat, “Beg me to help you. Beg for my fingers, princess.”

“Simon,” Price warned, watching your degradation unfold behind him. 

“Eyes on the bloody road, Cap,” Ghost chuckled, “Bumpy enough back here as it is.”

Gaz hadn’t stopped staring, and you watched in horror as he palmed his hard length over the rough denim of his jeans. 

You felt yourself building to another crescendo, the waves of your first orgasm swelling to threaten a second, easier now that you’d let down so much silky come, allowing your pussy to slip that much faster over Simon’s huge thigh. 

“Beg me, baby,” Ghost growled in your ear, “Beg me to fuckin’ touch you right here where they can all watch me make you come.”

“No…” You gasped, “I can’t… I’m not…”

“Not what? Not a dumb little slut? Oh, sweetheart. Yes, you are. You’re so fuckin’ wet it looks like you pissed yourself. I bet those pretty knickers are fuckin’ ruined, aren’t they?”

He grabbed you by the chin roughly, startling you, making your core clench tight, turned on by his cruel aggression as he almost shouted in your ear, 

“Aren’t they? Tell the fuckin’ truth. Tell it to him,” Ghost’s eyes turned toward the rear view mirror and you looked up at Price, pleading with him for forgiveness in your tone. You mumbled, 

“My panties… are…”

“He can’t hear you, baby.” Ghost held your face, forcing you to look at his captain in the eyes through the reflective glass.

“My panties are ruined, sir.”

“Is that so, Corporal?” Price asked in a low droll, and you saw him readjust himself in his pants before putting both fists back on the steering wheel, gripping it so tight that his knuckles turned as white as bone. 

“Better see for myself, yeah?” Ghost chuckled, unbuttoning your trousers and yanking down the fly. 

He reached inside and grabbed the fabric roughly in his hand and, with a strength that shocked you, he tore them right off of your body with a loud rip, breaking the elastic at the seam and slipping the scrap from under your lips and ass. He held it up for the entire truck to see, showing them how the gray cotton was stained dark from your wetness, how they gleamed in the light of the setting desert sun. 

Soap reached out and snatched them from his hand, and Ghost laughed out loud, watching Johnny shove them to his nose and moan out a breath of satisfaction. 

“Go on, then,” Ghost turned his attention back on you, “Beg me for it. I wanna hear you say please, sir. You got that, Corporal?”

He snaked his hand back down the front of your belly, barely touching your furry mons, resting his gloved finger just above the hood of your clit, touching you with a light, teasing pressure. 

You could feel the rough canvas against your soft pussy now, and the seam was giving you something to grind against, but it was nothing like the feel of a strong finger. You chased another orgasm, but it was just out of reach. You were humping him lewdly, at this point, rocking your hips back and forth with abandon, unable to stop yourself from chasing your second, hard burst of pleasure. 

You bit your lip, struggling with all your might, but you were failing to surge over that exaltant peak. You needed his help, but you didn’t want to beg for it. You couldn’t. You were too dismayed at your fallen state.

You looked at Gaz, hoping he could talk some sense into your lieutenant, but he was jerking himself off with a hand down his pants, watching you through hooded eyes. You turned your gaze to Soap who had your ripped panties in his hand and was using them to wet his own heavy cock, smearing your juices all over his ruddy head. 

Ghost’s grip tightened on your jaw, and he turned your head toward his passenger window, stopping you from looking at the other men, 

“They can’t help you, love. Just me. Now, use your fuckin’ words.”

“Please… touch me,” your voice was barely a whisper.

“Please, what?” He bit back.

“Please touch me, sir,” you whined, sick to your stomach at your own weakness.

“Tha’s a good girl,” he smiled.

He moved his fingers lower, shoving two of them between your lips, applying firm pressure to your clit. He didn’t even need to rub you. Your pussy started to come the moment it had his relief, and you cried out like a paid whore, keening into the hollow cab, rolling your hips against him, chasing your crashing orgasm. 

Then, he started to move his hand frantically, rubbing you back and forth, dragging out your bursting come even further than you thought was possible, turning one orgasm into two, back to back, a painful overstimulation, enough to make your body convulse from his effort.

“No, no… oh, fuck!” You screamed, trying to close your legs but his thigh was in the way, and all you could do was ride him. 

“Yeah, tha’s it, love. Give it to me. Come on me, you filthy fuckin’ slag. Let ‘em hear what I’m doin’ to this needy cunt.”

“Mmngh! Please… Ghost, please, oh, fuck…” 

“Listen to that sound, lads,” he grunted, commenting on the wet, milking noises your cunt was making under his hand, “Runnin’ like a hot tap.”

“Hurry up, LT,” Soap barked, pulling on his cock with your panties wrapped around the hard shaft like he was furious with it, “I’ll only be so patient.”

Ghost shook his head,

“Tsch, tsch, alright, Johnny. If you insist. C’mon, baby. Keep those legs spread f’me like a good girl, yeah?”

You felt him ruck down the back of your pants and shove them onto your legs, exposing your ass to the whole truck. Then, you felt the tell-tale drag of his cockhead over your folds, and before you could even think to protest, he was shoving himself inside of you, slipping through your slick without much resistance, your wet come helping guide his length all the way up to your womb. 

Once he had whet his prick down to its root in you, he used both hands to lift your hips and slam them back down, using you like a cocksleeve. He was so thick, but your body was primed and ready to take him, and you found yourself without words, only able to moan and whine as he filled you up. 

Gaz reached over, leaning out of his seat to grab your face, turning you towards him so that he could kiss you. You couldn’t even kiss him back, you were so mindless, and he spent most of his time licking your lips and sucking on your tongue as you whimpered for Ghost’s heavy dick, your body jerking up and down as he slammed you onto his steel-hard length repeatedly. 

“Does he feel good, babes?” Gaz asked you, sticking two of his fingers into your mouth and down your throat, making you choke on him until you started to instinctively suck and swallow against him, “Tha’s it. Pretty thing just needed somethin’ in her mouth, didn’t she?”

Every time you choked from Gaz’s hand in your throat, you clenched around Ghost’s cock, and he begged his sergeant for more,

“Choke her again, Garrick. Makes her so fuckin’ tight.”

Gaz laughed, full of mischief, and reached up with his other hand to pinch your nose. Then, inside of your mouth, he pressed his fingers in a downward motion over and over and over, making it feel like he was fucking your face with a throbbing dick, too big for you to breathe. You gagged, and then, when you tried to take a breath, you gagged again, your whole body spasming, fighting for air. You could only suck in short breaths when you opened your mouth wider, and Gaz held the relief of those moments from you for as long as he could. 

Finally, Ghost wrapped both of his hands around your torso and ripped you away from Gaz’s cruel hand, laying you against his chest and fucking his cock up into you from below, creating loud, pornographic slapping sounds that filled the truck. 

“Fuck!” Ghost groaned, “Gonna make me come, love. Say please, baby. C’mon. You can do it. Say it.”

“Dinnae think she’s still with us, LT. Fucked her brains right out of her head,” Soap chuckled. 

“She can do it,” Ghost insisted, “C’mon, sweetheart. You’re not gettin’ my come until I hear you beg for it.”

 You looked at his eyes in the mirror again, not recognizing yourself in such a mindless state of indulgence, drowning in pleasure and losing yourself to it. He was looking at you with such an intensity, you wanted to please him. You wanted to follow his orders. You wanted to show him that you could be such a good girl. 

“P-please…. Please! Ungh, please, sir… Give me your come. Please, sir… I need it. I need it. I need… mmnff-fuck!”

You felt his cock swelling, throbbing, and bursting with hot, sticky ropes of his cream, buried deep inside of your walls, coating the head of your womb as your pussy squeezed out another orgasm, milking him like a hungry mouth. He pulled out a bit only to ram himself back in, deeper this time, stretching to touch the end of your sheath, aching to plant his seed. 

“Fuck, finally,” Soap grunted, reaching over the crate with both hands this time to drag you from Ghost’s lap, “Couldnae wait much longer, LT.”

You felt Ghost’s cock slip from you, spilling his come down your leg, your pants sliding down to your boots as Soap dragged you into his lap.

“There she is,” Gaz smiled, returning to his efforts and shoving his fingers back down your throat, this time shifting them back and forth, massaging your tongue as he fucked you on his hand, “Suck them for me, baby. It’ll be my turn, soon.”

“Better enjoy the easy ride while you can, Corporal,” Price sneered, “You’ve got PT in my quarters as soon as we get back to base. Might take all night.”

As Johnny’s fat dick squeezed into your come-soaked pussy, you wanted to protest. You wanted to make some snide comment back, but your usual biting retorts were unavailable at the moment. You really were blissed out of your mind, and the only thing you could do was fuck and suck like the dumb little slut that you were.

If anyone comments on this OBVIOUSLY TAGGED shame kink fic that it was "too embarrassing to read!! huehueuhe"/"i tried but i couldnt do it. too cringe!", I'm gonna come to your house and shit in your shoes, you coward. Get the fuck off my page.

[jazzyblusnowflake]

Alright, we've had Nuzi headcanons. We've now had Vuzi headcanons... Let's heart it, you're Violent Biting Biscuits headcanons, N x Uzi x V... Or if you'd rather complete the set, eNVy headcanons. I am curious of both. (Your headcannons are just super cute)

Holy hecc, I'm so sorry for answering these asks so late but i'm gonna be honest- I just never think anyone likes my writings or ever reads them XD

okay then lets see- my ViolentBitingBiscuits headcanons- i will put eNVy for the next ask because someone else asked for it too and they wont all fit here lol.

My NUziV headcanons ovo<3 :

[once again these are only the drone versions, the human versions aren't involved / also i may add some 🔞🔞🔞 ones this time lol >:3 also uhhh apologies in advance but this one is long as all hell so....um]

K we know the drill, they are all together- hopefully in the future- even if any of them dies i'm gonna pretend i do not see 🙄 deadass gonna treat this like the jjba fandom- my faves are ALIVE AND WELL SHUT UP ARAKI-

Okay so there's some things that we have already mentioned in the previous headcanons- ill try to not repeat them unless they are necessary but ill also try to treat this as its own post and lightly repeat them real quick too-

N and V started out fighting over Uzi, and Uzi obviously was mostly into N at first- but after a while i guess Vs advances got to her- especially since she was- in a way- so desperate for attention/affection, so it felt a little overwhelming to her but in a good way. they very obviously flirted with her which got them silently treating it as a challenge- and Uzi being Uzi obviously loved the attention she got out of it- opting to let this just... kinda continue lmao. she didn't expect to let it go far enough for her to end up with both of them but here we are XD

We slightly touched this topic before about V but to reiterate- all of them have different levels of trauma that they all deal with and currently V has gone through the worst of it, both having to endure Cyn's torture in her mindspace and also having to watch N get slaughtered in front of her and possibly even having a hand in it. She fears losing people that mean to her so she became avoidant with a difficult personality to guard whatever's left of her. It took a really long time for her to decide to be with the two and to protect them and not run away from her feelings for anyone or anything. but some days its still difficult for her so sometimes N and Uzi have to literally trap her into a wrestling cuddle pile or something to get her to just... exist, without feeling like the whole universe is weighing her down. N and Uzi want her to know they are there to protect HER from those inner demons too.

sometimes the cuddle piles end up with N and V once again trying to get Uzi's attention lmao which ends up with them being a little too horny on main- whoops :) - everything starts with a little nibble here, a small bite there - maybe some pillow fights and climbing over eachother or holding one another down in different positions- aaaand then they wake up a few hours later with Uzi having regrets cuz these two are horny as f-

ANYWAY- N is probably the most patient of the 3, and although he usually never breaks up fights because he trusts the other two to handle their own problems without him needing to mom them, sometimes Uzi and V go a lil too far and he gets very tired of dealing with this kind of behavior. he never blows up at them- but he usually goes away to take a breather- sometimes hanging out with Thad or the other drones- and during this time Uzi and V kinda feel bad- but then they would think of stuff like maybe planning dates or getting food for him, draw stuff on cards and etc- or go around trying to find gifts to make him happy<3 sometimes they might add some extra kisses and unwinding sessions in the end as an extra treat :p N always forgives them obviously, he just needs some guys night out every once in a while or something lmao-

Getting close to Uzi became an excuse for N and V to get closer to eachother too. ironically, it first started with them bantering about who is better at what- but then it turned into unironically flirting and teasing eachother- but after a while they realized their relationship isn't going to ever be the same as what it was back in their old days but its also something completely new, so they become more willing to accept one another and explore their newer dynamic.

they all love being coddled and pampered every now and then. Uzi and V may not outright admit it- but they really do too. so they take turns with who they put in the middle of receiving affection :p

N and V are VERYYYYYY over protective of Uzi. to the point that they wouldn't even let the doctor [for tech repair obviously] check Uzi or touch her in any way when she had a small virus case lol. Khan had to pay the poor doctor extra for that.... deciding to leave his daughter in her room in a cuddle pile of two murderous demons that have glowing cat eyes every time he comes in the room smh.

V and N really like cuddling Uzi and sticking their hands under her clothes. or sometimes just flat out sleeping or cuddling naked. its less of a sexual thing and more so to do with the fact that the two MD's have higher body temperature and a less efficiant body for cooling- since they have a more compact torso and a lot less oil and coolant fluids going through them [since they need to consume it continuously] and having a bunch of working nanobots and nanites shoved into them to turn into weapons/wings/etc- and Uzi- although having the AS- is still very much less in need of cooling due to still having a more efficient body design for a "exoplanetary worker unit", with a still functioning cooling system inside that doesn't necessarily need extra oil to make it work unless under stressful conditions.... even if she probably does have worms and fleshy tentacles inside her now lmao. But either way Uzi's body is still a lot colder than the others so she's usually shared in the middle and at this point Uzi cant even be embarrassed when they slide their hands under her clothes and grab her wherever smh..... although V also does it as a semi possessive thing so there's that pfft. she was especially handsy after that doctor left XDDD.

Yes Uzi has very much in fact ended up at the medical/tech repair unit multiple times because N and V have sometimes ended up being a bit too much for her to handle- and the doctor [a character yall shall meet later] has absolutely had it. She had to literally sit the 3 down, explain to them their body differences via scans and the damages they may cause Uzi and it was basically the robot version of having "the talk" with your child- and Uzi wanted to die there and then.

Uzi sometimes just tells the two to drink blood from her- the first time they wanted to share oil they were scared about accidentally causing Uzi to overheat- but after a few times of trying it, they continued doing it more frequently either by kissing and regurgitating or taking turns to bite Uzi or vice versa. N and V typically don't use one another's oil because they already have high usage as it is, it wouldn't be efficient. admittedly N and V always have concerns when it came to biting Uzi- but somehow they found out Uzi actually enjoys it a little when they do it and well...they get ideas lmao- they just make sure to lick her indents clean with their regenerative saliva to make the AS work as little as possible on Uzi's body.

N really enjoys seeing his partners smooch..... for study purposes ofc lmao- actually he uses his visor to take pictures sometimes- let the man be a little horny in peace smh. and don't worry Uzi and V know all this- they just wanna tease him a little bit :p

Uzi and N usually chit chat while they are in the bed until they fall asleep- but V prefers to just hug Uzi on the side listening to them while they talk until she falls asleep too

they love going around in human based areas with shops and stuff to find books to read together or any other fun human stuff they can find- maybe table top games? lol- V goes for the sports stuff. she kinda wanna try hitting something with a bat...

[okayyyy so tumblr doesn't let me write any more XD i def have more ideas but oh well. also ill save the eNVy for another ask that i have in my inbox so you'll get that soon too :p]

[bubblybloob]

I dare you to draw smitten with either cold or the beast, you pick.

This is because I said I hadn’t gotten many asks for the Smitten, huh?

This might actually be a bit more Cold focused, long thing I wrote below.

There were fights, a lot of fights, actually. How could there not be? Eleven voices given form, only to be cramped back into one space. At least this time it was a house, not a body.

It wasn’t a bad thing, far from it; Hero wagers most were thankful for the permanent, familiar company, while the rest indifferent. Hero himself quite enjoys chatting or playing games with the others, it isn’t uncommon for him to seek out one of the voices simply so his stirring thoughts can have an outlet.

However, sometimes the others don’t click. Usually it was fine- Broken, Hunted and Contrarian seldom got physical. Opportunist and Paranoid might if they felt strongly enough about something to throw away their pretenses or fear, but they weren’t often the issue.

The rest tended to jump to bold accusations and wild conclusions, looked forward to it even. Skeptic occasionally found himself going from relatively mundane quarrels to all out brawls from causing accidental offense. Stubborn and Cheated had a tendency to get too excited about coming out on top in one way or another, and the other two…

Sometimes it felt like they only ever fought each other.

Okay, that was lie, Cold purposely ruffled the other’s feathers out of pure boredom. Hero wondered if he had made up some sort of challenge to see if he could get the non confrontational voices riled up for a fight, given how often he pushed their buttons. Once he flat out punched Contrarian in the face just to see if he’d retaliate.

If Cold couldn’t get them to crack he’d sigh with something akin to dejection and approach someone like Cheated, maybe Stubborn if he was feeling risky- pretty much anyone with a shorter fuse so he could get some form of thrill.

But they weren’t his go to, that would be- of course- Smitten.

“You vile, wretched thing! I won’t hear another word of nonsense out of you. Begone! Foul creature!”

“Call me all the names you like, you won’t get the response you’re looking for.”

It happened just about every other day: Cold would say something off putting, Smitten would respond with something that would offend anybody else, a bit of snarky back and forth later, and suddenly hands were being thrown.

“What are they arguing about this time?” Cheated grumbled, coming up to stand beside Hero, whose eyes were encircled by dark shadows.

“I ‘dunno, woke up to them yapping at each other, or at least Smitten’s yapping, I don’t think Cold has ever raised his voice.” Hero yawned out, scratching at his horn tuft.

“With how often those two are at each others throats, I think we should count ourselves lucky one is so soft spoken.” Cheated stretched his arms and body upwards, his wings instinctively snapping outwards and flapping as he tried to relieve his muscles. The large wings smacked Hero’s side as he did, which had the heroic voice stumbling backwards as Cheated mumbled a small “sorry” out.

“It’s fine. I think it’s less that he’s soft spoken and more that he’s sharp spoken. He talks like he knows where all your vitals are.” Hero responds, shivering at his own words.

Cheated shrugs. “Probably does, he’s our resident freak after all.”

“How is it then that you feel nothing? Without feeling one will rot away, yet you’re still here.” Seems Hero had missed part of drama during his and Cheated’s little chat. Smitten had now grabbed Cold by the chest feathers and was looking ready to tear into him.

“Who knows, really? Maybe I’m like a ghost, haunting the remains that our godly self expelled. Or maybe we simply can’t die, I haven’t eaten in a while.” Cold replies with a sharp whistle.

“Ooo, he shouldn’t be so candid about saying that out loud, never know when Hunted’s listening.” Cheated says behind a wicked smile. No doubt the avian had tucked the information away for blackmail, or to get a favor from Opportunist, who also found a new joy in digging up dirt on the others for his own benefit.

Hero was about to step in at this point. Smitten looked ready to let loose, and Cold seemed to be passively soaking in the drama of it all. But before Hero could open his mouth, Smitten’s hold relaxed, and his head hung low.

“No, I see through your tricks, scum. I will not loose myself to anger over frivolous things such as this. Leave, now, I must prepare myself for the morning time.” Smitten let’s go of Cold’s feathers, which were not bunched together and frayed. Cold hums something tired.

“Weak willed of you, can’t approach her killer?” Cold tilts his head.

A flinch. “I know what you’re doing, I won’t fall for it this time, villain!” Smitten whips around, and goes to walk from the conflict.

Cold’s wry smile falls flat on his face, he turns his head toward Cheated.

“Not today pal, Paranoid seemed extra twitchy though, probably didn’t get much sleep. It’s still early and he isn’t fully alert in his head, might be able to start something up with him if you push hard enough.” Cheated suggests. Hero punches him in the arm, just when he thought there would be no morning fight to put down.

Cold’s brow raises, evidently interested in a fight with someone who rarely raised his hands. He moves past the two, already on the prowl for their jumpiest member.

“Troop on, you emotionless fuck- ow, stop that!” Cheated yelps when Hero punches him again, this time a little harder.

Cheated’s words seemed to have stopped Smitten in his tracks however, he mutters something to himself, and whips back around. “You can’t be as dispassionate as you claim! You’re merely afraid of your own feelings!”

The accusation makes the Cold stop dead. His expression is hidden, but Hero swears he sees his feathers puff out. He expects them to quickly flatten back down.

But they don’t.

Cold slowly turns the upper half of his body, his face looks… almost strained. His composure had finally cracked.

“Hmm?” He darkly hums. It’s an oddly moderate response, given how Cold takes any and all opportunities to tease whomever he talks to, especially for outlandish claims such as this.

They were outlandish… weren’t they?

Hero had a bad feeling in his gut, one he couldn’t explain.

“I’m right.” Smitten looks a little surprised, before a damn near elated expression creeps onto his face. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

Cold doesn’t respond, still half turned to leave. He hasn’t moved, hasn’t swayed in the past ten seconds. Hero wonders if he was still breathing.

“You aren’t unfeeling at all, are you? You’re full of emotion! What’s is it then that makes you push them under the deep, dark waves of the heart? Fear? Want? …Guilt? I can guess what it’s for.” Smitten continues with his theory, the Cold still hasn’t retaliated.

“Ooo, might be onto something there, Smitty.” Chester looks almost excited as he says this. His words seem to encourage Smitten further, who puffs up under the praise.

Cold stands there.

“Go on then, tell us the harsh truth, fiend. You’re no emotionless husk.” Smitten moves closer and closer to Cold’s position. Hero wonders if he should put himself between the two, but he can’t say he isn’t interested to where this is going.

Smitten stands face to face with his Cold counterpart. Hero swears Cold shrinks back under the close attention.

“You’re afraid.”

For a moment, they stand there, a stare down. Hero briefly hears the faint phantom sounds of glass breaking under the weight of godhood.

In a blink Cold draws his arm back, and his fist connects to Smitten cheek.

—

WoooOooO cliffhanger that might never keep going.

I’m unsure if this is common theory or whatnot, but I’ve not for a moment believed Cold was emotionless. I think he’s hurt by what’s happened to him, so much so that he thinks being emotionless, acting only to entertain will bring him some form of twisted comfort.

I think he’s too afraid to let himself feel, so he pushes his feelings far, far down, and pretends he feels nothing. He’s so good at it that he believes it to be true.

He’s so good at ignoring both physical and mental feeling that he himself believes he is nothing but a thrill seeker. In reality, his emotions, his physical needs, it all hurt him, so he squashes both.

Think about it, you usually get him by killing the princess in cold blood, and then subsequently stabbing yourself. Both hurt him. He only knows hurt from both, so he throws them aside.

[akell1e]

CONFIDENCE — Laughing Jack & Sally ♡ ༘

This is a translated piece of writing that I started on November last year. I was able to finish it some days ago, and want to post it also because its S3xu4l Assault Awareness month, and also, due to Sally's birthday on April 5th.

The scenario is placed in an AU of mine. Drawing is from November!

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Disclaimer: This writing is located in the past! of the GloomKnitts lore. (Selfshipp AU) Because of what happens in it, it will have repercussions, of course, later. 

Jack and Jade haven't met yet. 

Set 2 years before Jack decided to go to the city. 

The evening sun was already setting, putting an end to that new day lived. The atmosphere in that somewhat neglected house remained the same, although now quieter. Many of those who lived there left on their own, and would return later. 

One of them had decided to stay, as he did not feel the specific need to play with anyone this time. In the living room was Laughing Jack, his fingers tangling between the ends of a deflated balloon, twisting it and tying knots, then undoing them. He entertained himself, he found it funny, but soon sighed a little, continuing to focus on his own thing. 

Or at least that's what he had intended to do, until the sound of a rapid approach made him raise his head above the couch, looking toward the open entrance of the house. There, running and jumping, a little girl with curly hair appeared, wearing her casual salmon dress, which now floated around her due to the speed at which she moved, finally entering the house. But she didn't expect that suddenly, large black hands would grab her waist, making her laugh, because in the blink of an eye, she had Jack in front of her. 

─── Little Sally! Where are you going in such a hurry? ─── the clown questions with amusement, looking at the girl with a smile. 

She laughed a little again, keeping the corner of her lips turned up high. 

─── Smile and I were playing outside! I challenged him to chase me to catch up with me, but he fell a little behind.

Just seconds after what was said, they both looked towards the door to see the canine standing there, its tongue out of its mouth as it took a breath, then shaking all his fur. The older one laughed in the same way, without taking long to notice that now the surroundings of Smile Dog were stained with mud, which was not there before. He turned his head once more towards who he was carrying, looking her up and down, noticing how Sally was covered in mud everywhere. 

─── Wow, you're full of mud!───, Jack tells her at this, tilting his head to the side, ─── and your pretty dress, oh, Sally. 

The youngest looked down at her own body, observing herself carefully. ─── Since it rained yesterday, there was nothing left to do, right?─── she says, shrugging her shoulders. 

The clown nodded. 

─── I agree with you───, Jack replies, then looking at her once more, ─── but I think, as fun as it was, it would be better if you cleaned up, don't you think? Slendy can come back at any moment. 

After saying that, Sally remained looking at her opposite, before the monochromatic-looking one lowered her back to the ground, now standing in front of him. 

─── Also, while you weren’t here, I'll admit that it occurred to me to do something more entertaining later...,─── he began to say, leaving a space to create suspense that in the end was effective, ─── I was thinking of baking a cake!, and for that, we both must be in conditions. 

─── And to you, since when is it important to be in “condition”? 

The question made the clown laugh a little, and he smiled again, amused. 

─── For certain things, always. No one would want mud in the mix,─── Jack replies. 

The little girl didn't really seem convinced about going to bathe, at least not now, and the clown completely didn't know why, but he noticed it. Still, Sally thought for a moment before speaking again, suddenly a little shy. 

─── Okay, I'll go take a shower so I can bake with you, Jack. If... you can accompany me,─── she asks the taller one, with her hand taking one of his straps. 

The named one looked down at the girl, somewhat confused at first by the request that was made to him, thinking that he really didn't have to be in there, for respecting the privacy of his little friend. However, the way she looked at him when she said that, made it impossible for him to refuse. 

He couldn't say no. 

It ended up that Jack carried the girl in his arms again, now going with her to the bathroom of the house to prepare everything, so that the mud could be removed from her body. 

─── Have you found anything new on your journey today?─── Jack asked Sally sitting on the edge of the bathtub, while behind him the water could be heard running, filling it. Nearby and still standing, the brunette placed a pair of leaves and stones, one next to the other on the sink. ─── M-hmm!, these ones, I brought them in my pocket.─── she commented as she pointed to each one, all of them being somewhat “strange”, different from the green and brown tones that were usually seen in the forest. The clown assumed that was why they caught the opponent's attention, and he kept his smile, thinking that something similar would have happened with him. 

─── They are very pretty,─── Jack then turns around to turn the faucet and turn off the water, soon lightly feeling the temperature of it with his fingers, ─── that's fine. 

Upon hearing those two words, Sally dropped the stone she had in her hand and looked at her latter, ending up turning towards him completely. An unexpected silence was present between them, the same silence in which the clown stood up again and moved away from the bathtub, giving way. 

── Go ahead! The warm water awaits you.── Jack exclaims, seeing how the girl was now walking towards it. And before anything else happened, the eldest covered his eyes with both hands, also turning towards the door. ── Let me know when you're ready, okay, little one? 

It was after his last action that the brunette sighed, indicating that she heard what was said, thus proceeding to undress the dirty stockings that she was wearing on her feet, and her dress. She ran a hand through her hair, looking down at the water, so that with the help of the wall for support, she would soon get in. 

The warmth that embraced her feet was the best invitation she could receive as a start, as a “taste” of what awaited her... and once she bent her legs a little, taking both edges of the tub with her hands, her entire body was slowly surrounded by water, the next sigh leaving her lips being noticeably different from the first. It was one of relief, of tranquility. 

Her wavy hair fell past her shoulders, the ends of it barely touching the water, which made her giggle when she noticed it. Sally hadn't noticed how cold it was until she agreed to the change in temperature. 

── You can turn around now, Jackie.── She let her friend know, her hands also sliding under the water along with the rest. 

Once he heard that, he turned back to where Sally was. He saw that her dress and stained stockings were lying aside on the floor, and she was already sitting in the bathtub. ──Hey Jack, since we're here,── she spoke again, drawing the man's attention, ── I was wondering if you could, add some bubbles? with your magic? 

The way the girl had made the request certainly made the clown laugh a little, to which he assented. ── But of course, dear! Otherwise, this bath would be somewhat boring. 

So, to keep it simple, and to keep his abilities special in her eyes, with a single snap of his fingers Jack made foam and bubbles appear above the water. Sally's face lit up immediately. 

And so the time flew by, in a way that neither of them fully realized, because they were having a good time in each other's company. 

She felt safe in his presence., feeling how the brush was now slowly passing through her soapy hair, while her back leaned against the wall of the bathtub. Jack, apart from this, found the situation very nice. There was silence again, but this time it was quiet. 

── Relaxed, honey? ── questions the clown, hearing a giggle from the latter shortly after. 

── Yes, I think that brushing my hair like that only makes me more drowsy. ── Admits the girl, who until that moment had kept her eyes closed so that soap wouldn't get into them. It was after this that Jack carefully gathered all of her hair, and then dipped his hands into the water. 

── Okay little one, stay away from the edge because I'm going to rinse you off── The oldest warned, so that Sally formed a kind of “shield” over her face, soon feeling the water falling over her head. ── That's it! 

The steam still floated between those four walls, maintaining the heat of the environment, the warmth of it. 

—Now turn around, okay?, so we proceed to the last thing to finish── Jack said as a sponge appeared in his hand, which he sank to moisten, since now he would wash the girl's face. 

However, when she turned to look at him, something made him pause briefly. 

At a short distance from the brunette, he looked at her, her face covered in blood, the same way as always. Something seemed to squeeze inside his chest. 

The sponge touched her cheek, gently passing it over it, and when the red fluids seemed to be gone, they returned. 

It was an indelible scar. 

Those green eyes just stared at him, Jack choosing to place a serene smile on his lips again. 

── If you want, I can help you get out now.  ── he tells her, to which the brunette blinked twice before smiling again. 

── Good!, so we can start baking. ── The youngest mentions happily, to which he just sighs, calmed by hearing her. 

Not wanting to wait any longer, the brunette looked down momentarily, adjusting herself so that she was kneeling, then approaching the edge to rest both hands on it. 

But when she looked up again, she didn't expect that everything she had seen up to that moment would change, fading completely, leaving him in his place, something she would never have wanted to live again. 

Her surroundings suddenly became dark, lacking in color. Her ears began to perceive a type of annoying ringing, which increased, stunning her, not letting her be. But that was not the worst of all, but that the clown who was with her was replaced by someone else. 

Jack disappeared. And the place was given to the most undesirable man Sally had ever known. 

Those blue eyes, carrying indecency, stared at the girl, while his arms stretched out to grab her, to take her back to him. Her face was stained with frustration, fear, in which she now moved as far away from the edge as she could, hugging the wall behind herself to stay. She only asked for that, to stay right where she was, that he didn’t dare touch her again. 

── Sally? Sally! can you hear me? ── The male questioned at the other side of the bathtub, not knowing exactly what to do about the situation. He had never moved from his place, he was there, but the one who didn't seem to be was the minor. Seeing her so terrified destroyed him. ── Honey, please wake up. Nothing bad is going to happen. 

The monochrome tried to stretch his hand towards the little girl, but her quick and aggressive response caused him to turn back. Those green eyes were now shining from the slight shadow cast by the bathtub curtain, and was frowning, when in truth, her body was even trembling. 

── D-do not come close to me, I don't want to play with you anymore, do you hear me? ── the youngest said now with a trembling voice, ── you only hurt me and confuse me very much, you are not who I knew. Not anymore. ── Were the words she said, in which her frightened gaze suddenly became cold and fixed on her opposite. 

That turned out to be what made him realize, that Sally wasn't fully conscious at the time. Jack looked down briefly at his large hands, trying not to question things too quickly. What could he have done that would trigger some bad memory in the girl?

Something that made her see him as someone who for her, was bad. 

But he didn't allow himself to continue sinking into his thoughts, he had something more important to settle in front of him, before it was too late. The clown looked up again at the person in front of him, his expression soft at first, before he couldn't help but frown slightly. 

── Nobody said things would be easy, Sally ── he began to speak to the figure of the minor, kneeling on the other side of the bathtub, and without taking his eyes off her. His hands went from being suspended in the air to being on his thighs.  ── You didn't deserve to be hurt, corrupted. Have that fairy tale you lived in, in which you were a princess, be condemned, locking you up in the highest tower, far from what you used to know. 

The brilliant shine in the brunette's eyes, slowly decreased. That dark aura, alike. But he doesn't notice it. 

── It's true, maybe I don't know half of what you've had to go through, I'm not trying to say that I understand it, no ── he adds, a hand starting to go up the top of his outfit. ── I'm just trying to tell you that I empathize with you, and with your pain. That whoever has hurt you never deserved to have someone like you in their life. They never deserved a person so made of light, so capable, as incredible as you are, little one. 

His fist closed on his chest at the end of that sentence, and then he took the towel that was placed at his side earlier. 

── They should never have tried to shut you off. 

Silence once again appeared before them, so that he immediately stood up, adjusting his position and crouching down again, only now on one knee. He spread the towel in front of him, thus removing himself from the girl's field of vision momentarily. He ended up looking away and closing his eyes, waiting for the latter to come out on her own, without rushing. 

Before Jack saw it coming, without giving him time to ask her if she was okay, hearing nothing, it wasn't long until he felt the child's body manifest, and she abruptly hugged him from the other side of the towel. She was soon sobbing in his arms. 

He was stunned by this, his hands still outstretched at the sides, remaining motionless by the sudden occurrence. She seemed to have returned, her crying being a possible response to the words that were given. 

Slowly, he closed the distance, gently wrapping it around her, his claws trembling slightly because of the care he was taking, guided only by what they felt along the way. Once she was completely wrapped, Jack finally had the confidence to hug her back.

He closed his eyes once more, then picked her up, as a cloud of black smoke now surrounded them. ── I have you ── he stated.

In the blink of an eye they were out of the bathroom, reappearing in the hallway closest to the entrance of the house, where Sally looked at when she realized. 

To see that not so far away, two familiar faces were approaching, who also saw her go in the arms of Laughing Jack, straight to her room. 

And when that door was closed, the entrance remained open as the newcomers entered. 

The black-haired man between them sighed, throwing the bag he was carrying on the ground so that who was next to him could see it, afterwards pointing forward. There was a roll of eyes on Jeff’s part, when he straightened up again. ── Yes, I saw ── the one with the burnt face responded briefly, immediately walking towards the nearest chair, only to throw himself in the couch. ── Whatever happened, he will know how to handle it. Now bring the bag to take care of what he told us.── The one with blue eyes exclaimed, without the need to check that Eyeless Jack complied, because he heard his footsteps just seconds after what he said. 

His head turned a little, catching a glimpse of the dull fuchsia that adorned Sally's door, where the taller one had entered with her. 

And the expression on his face changed. 

In the midst of the silence that still surrounded them, Jack sat the little girl on the bed, making sure the towel held around herself. For a moment they exchanged glances. 

Those green eyes were expectant. 

That somewhat calmed the tension that was still hanging in the clown's chest. 

Without saying anything, although his parted lips made it seem like that would happen, the monochrome turned around towards the girl's closet, then looked around at the different sets of clothes. Behind him, the brunette leaned forward a little, focusing her gaze on the clothes at the same time.

They stopped on a slippery dress that had fallen from its perch. 

── That one there ── Sally exclaimed, making the clown see exactly what she was referring to. ── It has a unicorn on the front, and it's pink. I like it.  ── The minor added, in her words showing a mood that prolonged her past absence. 

Following this, a slight smile was able to return to Jack, accepting the girl's request, and grabbing the dress. ── Okay, the unicorn one will be. ── He accepted, walking towards the bed to get closer. 

Once it was in her hands, Jack stepped away briefly, coming to look out the bedroom window. It was already night, everything was dark. 

The question crossed his mind as to what the girl could be thinking after what had happened recently. If she really had heard him, if her perception of him had changed at all, because of how he didn't know how to react at first. He didn't quite understand why he was thinking this now. 

Anyway, he soon turned around again, seeing out of the corner of his eye that Sally was standing in front of her closet already dressed, grabbing a pair of white socks along with her underwear. This made the clown immediately look towards the window again.

Her little steps back to the bed made a certain echo in the room, soon the clown heard the shuffling of sheets, somewhat confused. ── Jack, you can look now. ── The minor reported a few moments later, ending up seeing her already sitting inside the bed, with her legs under the blankets. The taller one sighed, approaching one side of the bed somewhat slowly, his step unsteady. She watched him, barely tilting her head to the side.

── Is something wrong? ── she questions shortly, seeing the expression that soon took possession of that face. Jack sat on the edge. ── I'm sorry little one, really... but I thought you wouldn't want to see me after what happened before ── He admitted quickly, his hands playing with each other on his thighs. ── My intention wasn’t hurting you, not at all. 

¿Why?, was what was expressed by the way Sally was now looking at him, remaining silent. She was hoping the clown would say more to that. 

── I'm not sure what you saw in the bathroom, or why I awakened that in you. All I want is to keep you safe and be your friend, just like I promised you that day. ── The monochrome added, his eyes on the girl. 

In response, after remaining silent, she initially smiled slightly at him. ── But Jack, you already do that all the time ── was what the minor answered to what she heard, making the older one look confused. After that, she settled into place, finally lowering her head onto the pile of pillows that waited behind her. A hand extended from under the sheets, until it came out in the other’s direction, as if it wanted to reach him. ── Are you coming? I would like you to keep me company when I sleep. Would it be too much to ask?

The question left him perplexed for a few moments, looking at those little eyes that were still barely glassy. In itself, from now on he had to stay out of it and prevent his from doing the same. 

That feeling surprised him. 

He didn't leave her waiting, but first of all, his claws reached for her hand, settling under it, holding it. They smiled at each other at this action, and then Jack laid down next to her on top of the blankets.

 

Not a fly flew around the room, with the sole exception of the chirping of crickets outside the house. Sally looked out the window, her eyes ready to close, while the clown was still near her, slowly caressing the arm with which she hugged her teddy bear. 

She had asked for it so she could fall asleep. 

── We didn’t bake any cake. ── The brunette commented out of nowhere, making the opponent let out a chuckle as he reminded her words. 

── The situation did not allow it to be done today, princess, it was complicated ── He explained to her, without ceasing his caresses. ── But don't worry, I promise you that in what’s left of the week, there will be plenty of time to cook together, okay? 

To his question, there was a slight nod of head in response from the minor. She snuggled a little closer into place, the space between her and her stuffed animal scarce. 

The one between them was still a lot. 

Nobody said anything anymore. Jack felt like he still had words stuck in his throat, things that he doubted was the time to say, fearing that they would be forgotten by the girl's tired mind. They were like darts sticking everywhere except their target. 

He took a breath as he opened his mouth, hoping to say at least something of what he intended, however, he stopped. Sally's slow breathing made him realize that she was already in a different world.  

Jack slowly sat on the bed, his torso leaning a little above the brunette's body, thus seeing her closed eyes, that calm face. 

It didn't give him so much calm back. His interior was in disarray anyway. 

He ended up straightening up again, looking at her out of the corner of his eye one last time for that night. Until the creak of the door, along with a row of light in its open path, made him look up. 

Jeff appeared at the entrance to the room, looking for the clown without taking long to find him, then contemplating the scene before doing anything at all. 

His light blue eyes landed on him. 

── Is she asleep already? ── he asks, his hands inside the large pocket of his hoodie. At the clown's positive response, the shorter one sighs, scowling at him to get out of there. ── Come, let's go. 

The two men soon met in the hallway, after the door closed behind Jack's back. His height made him sit just below the frame. 

Jeff noticed how quiet it was, until the clown broke through the ice himself. ──I'm worried about Sally── he expressed, his look now sad. Until that moment, he had not allowed himself to be seen that way in front of the minor for any reason. 

The shorter one looked confused for a moment, smiling only seconds later, rolling his eyes. ── Oh come on, tell me something I don't know about. ── is what he answers, hoping for some kind of follow-up to his comment. However, his gaze remained on Jack, who was looking down at the ground, and not at him.

He was serious, apparently. 

A certain weight suddenly fell on Jeff's shoulders, which he quickly dismissed, before clicking his tongue, and taking his face in his hands. It made him straighten his head to look at him.

── Sorry. I don't mean to minimize what happened ── he said first, observing that the clown's pupils were focusing on his figure again. ── It was in a good way, I mean, you always worry about her. That was it, okay? Nothing can happen now that she’s just sleeping. ── He concludes, hoping that, with those words, the grimace that Jack maintained would change. And so it happened.

His eyebrows relaxed, no longer frowning. ── I guess you're right, Jeff. ── He confirms at the end, feeling how his cheek was now caressed by one of his thumbs, sending a shiver down the monochrome's spine. 

He didn't think that after that, the burnt-looking one would bring his lips to his, bringing them to a kiss. The distance between their bodies was small, but it was a little annoying, so Jack took a single step forward, processing what was happening, finally closing his eyes when his hands reached Jeff's shoulders. 

Something about that union didn't resonate much with him. Maybe it wasn't the right time yet, or well, he didn't know if there really should be, or he just didn't feel well emotionally. 

Still, he liked the fact of being with his partner again after such a long day. And thinking so much about it brought him back to reality when he felt something wet stop right at the entrance of his mouth, barely touching his sharp teeth. He moved away on instinct. 

The pale-skinned one now looked somewhat serious, while Jack rewinded the moment in his head. How long had he had his eyes open for?

── I… I'm sorry, Jeff ── he apologized when he realized what had happened, grabbing his opposite arm. ── but I would like to rest right now, is that okay? ── he asks, not knowing what the other could be thinking. 

And he only relaxed his expression a little, but not completely. ── .. Yeah, sure. Let's go for once. ── was his only response, to turn around and walk, leaving Jack with the only alternative of following him, and so he did. 

Jack had the feeling that he had ruined something again. He felt tired, and at the same time, he didn't think he could sleep tonight. That was going through his head when he stepped into the latter’s room. He found himself looking around, at the cracked paint on the walls, the dust on the floor, made visible by the night light coming through the window. Due to the lack of cleanliness and order. Illegible, untidy writings adorned most of them. 

While Jeff was already quickly lying down.

── It's strange ── he was heard saying suddenly, capturing the attention of the clown, who still did not see him. ── the same situation keeps repeating itself. I don't understand why she wanted it to be you this time, really. 

It was with that that Jack looked at him, blinking once. ──Eh? 

── It's not something of first instance. Sally has already had nervous breakdowns numerous times, always with someone different. Today it was your turn ── he said, twisting one of the straps of his hoodie between his fingers. ── We think she's still not completely used to the house or something, many things seem to be trauma triggers. 

The monochrome remains static in place, while those words entered his ears. Had he triggered trauma in the girl he loved so much? Was that why? 

It wasn't good news. It only made him realize that in reality, he didn't know Sally as much as he thought he did. His hands closed on the sides of his body, and without saying anything else, he walked towards the bed and sat down on his corresponding side. His head, a whirlwind of thoughts. Some not good at all. 

The one surnamed Woods turned towards him due to his silence, because he didn't look at him, and didn't even lie down. He ended up sitting back down briefly, before moving closer to brush his lips against the clown's cheek, later placing a brief kiss on it. ── Jack, do me the favor of ending the day and just go to sleep, okay? I’m begging you. 

Those blue irises saw him, without a word, before nodding. Jeff did the same, his hand brushing his partner’s on the bed, intertwining their fingers, and lifting it up a little to invite Jack to come closer to him. 

The two men ended up in the center of the mattress, facing each other, but emotionally separated. The night light fell on the figure of the youngest between them, making him look beautiful as always in Jack's eyes, who now held tears in them, internally praying that Jeff was really asleep. 

A hand was brought to his lips, covering them. 

He thought he had done enough. He hadn't felt that way in a while, and it was affecting him too much. It was affecting one of the people he loved the most. 

And in the morning, he’d be hesitant to fulfill.  He wouldn't hurt her again.  If it meant sacrificing seeing her, he would make sure to follow through.

A continuation of this has been thought of as an animatic. Stay tuned!, if you like.

[television-overload]

beautiful (X-Files fanfic)

Rating: G

Word Count: 4,985

Summary: Weakened by her latest round of chemotherapy, Scully doesn't feel much like herself. Mulder helps her find the strength to keep fighting.

Read on AO3

“I wish you weren’t seeing me like this, Mulder,” she says out of the blue, drawing his attention away from the magazine he was idly flipping through at her bedside. Immediately, he sets it aside, dropping his feet to the ground from where they were perched up on the hospital bed.

“What do you mean?” he asks, grabbing her closest hand and running his thumb over her knuckles.

Scully sighs. “Don’t make me say it,” she responds. The answer looms over them both, and she’s right. He doesn’t like hearing it spoken aloud.

Dana Scully is wasting away, and there’s nothing he can do about it.

This latest round of chemotherapy has hit her harder than the first, and he’s starting to see the physical changes. She’s thinner, paler. There are dark circles under her eyes. The doctors have noticed it too, recommending that she stay in the hospital for a few days or even a week rather than recover at home.

Of course, she had refused on principle until Mulder told her he was being forced to take a few days’ leave anyway to use up some vacation time, which wasn’t exactly true, and she probably knew it.

But either way, she had let him accompany her to her appointment, which was more than he could say for her previous round of treatment.

“I look like the night of the living dead,” Scully mumbles, fiddling with the scratchy blankets on her lap.

Mulder tries not to show a physical reaction to her choice of wording. “Don’t say that,” he pleads, shaking his head. “Please don’t say that.”

Scully smiles wryly. He’s as predictable as ever.

“I just mean, I don’t look like myself. I don’t feel like myself.” She says this with such an unaffected voice, that anyone less familiar with her tells would think this was just some passing annoyance, but Mulder knows. He can see the way this has grated at her, and he just wishes he could take this all pain away from her. “I can’t even do my makeup,” she adds, throwing a breathy laugh in for good measure at the end of her sentence, as if to say, ‘but why should I care about that?’

Mulder tugs on her hand, and she follows his unspoken cue and meets his gaze. “I like you just fine without makeup,” he says, his eyes communicating the sincerity of his words. “Besides, who is there to impress anyway?” he asks, gesturing at the empty room over his shoulder to emphasize his point.

Scully gives a tired smile. “You’re a guy, Mulder, you wouldn’t understand.” Squeezing his hand once, she adds, “But thank you,” and he gives her a smile back. He wishes he could do something to help her.

She hasn’t had the strength for much, ever since they began the treatment two days ago. She’s having a better reaction to it than she could be, but he knows the fatigue is frustrating her. She’s told him a thousand times that he doesn’t have to stay here with her, but he does anyway, even when she’s sleeping for hours on end. When she’s awake, he reads to her, or they watch something on TV, whatever she’s feeling up to. If it weren’t for the harrowing circumstances, he might even be really enjoying this time spent together outside work.

“Don’t take this the wrong way,” Scully speaks, drawing his attention back to her. “But you’re not looking so great yourself.” Her teasing tone is softened by her genuine concern for him, but he can’t help but play along.

His eyes narrow at her in mock offense. “Just what every man likes to hear,” he says sarcastically. “Scully, you wound me.”

This earns a patented Scully Eye Roll.

“Go home and take a shower at least,” she amends, looking at him fondly. “You could use one.”

He simply stares at her, challenging her to more of this banter.

“Are you gonna just keep insulting me until I finally leave?” he asks.

“If that’s what it takes,” she answers. “I could touch on your poor posture next, if you want.”

Mulder laughs, waving a hand dismissively as he stands. “Alright, alright, I’m going.” He looks back at her, pauses, and pointedly straightens his posture before grabbing his bag and taking a step toward the door. “You’ll be okay while I’m gone?” he asks, unable to help himself.

Her gaze softens, her playfulness turning back to seriousness. “Yes, Mulder, I’ll be fine. I probably won’t stay awake for much longer anyway.”

He nods, shifting to take another step, but on looking at her again, changes his mind. He turns back, crossing the floor to her bed and leaning down to press a quick kiss to her cheek. The hand that isn’t busy holding his briefcase gives her left shoulder a squeeze before he pulls away.

“I’ll be back soon,” he promises, tucking her blankets back up to her chin.

She smiles, her eyelids already growing heavy. “I know you will.”

-.-.-

True to his word, Mulder makes a stop at his apartment to shower and change, trading out the books they’d already finished with new ones that she will probably roll her eyes at. He has to admit, he feels like a new person as he steps out of the shower. He needed that more than he thought he did. There was something to what Scully had said earlier, about feeling like yourself. It gave him an idea.

As much as he wants to get back to her, Mulder knows she’ll be out like a light for at least a few hours. He decides to make another stop before heading back to the hospital.

It’s still fairly early in the day when he knocks on the door and waits for a minute. He hears the shuffling sound of someone approaching on the other side before the door creaks open.

“Fox?”

“Hi Mrs. Scully,” he says, giving her an awkward half smile, his hands jammed deep into his front pockets.

“What are you doing here? Is it Dana?” The woman is understandably worried; it’s not like Mulder to show up out of the blue like this unless there’s some kind of terrible news to convey.

He is quick to reassure her. “No, no, nothing like that. I just had something I—I wanted to ask you, if it’s no trouble.”

Maggie’s brows pinch together in that distinctly Scully way as she pulls him into her home, shutting the door behind him.

“What is it?”

Sheepishly, Mulder rubs a hand over the back of his neck, feeling less and less certain of what he came here to ask.

“Well, it’s just—Dana mentioned something earlier about wishing she had her makeup on, and I wondered… You know, her strength isn’t what it usually is, so I thought maybe I could—”

Maggie’s hands wrap around his forearm, halting his rambling speech. He looks up to see tears glistening in her eyes, and she nods in understanding.

“That’s very sweet, Fox.”

He nods, hoping his cheeks aren’t turning pink. He doesn’t do well with motherly praise.

“So, are you wanting me to show you how?”

He lets out a breath, relieved that he doesn’t have to find the words himself. “That would be great, actually.”

Mrs. Scully smiles, jerking her head toward the stairs so that he would follow her. “Come with me, I’ve got some stuff we can use.”

He dutifully follows after her as she leads him up the stairs. This is the furthest he’s been inside Maggie Scully’s house. He wonders how much of her belongings are mementos from Scully’s childhood, whether a certain painting hanging on the wall appears in her family Christmas photos or if it was bought recently.

In his perusal of the house itself, he nearly collides with someone he knows by name only. “Mom, who was that at the door?” the man is asking, and the moment their eyes meet, the air in the room thickens. “What’s he doing here?” he demands, looking to Maggie for answers.

Maggie is quick to come to Mulder’s aid. “It’s none of your business, young man,” she says, shooing him toward the stairs they had just come up. Despite his protestations, she continues, “Why don’t you go to the drugstore and pick up some eyelash straightening cream for Dana, we can bring it to her when we go visit later this afternoon.”

“But—”

She swats him on the arm. “No buts. Dana would really appreciate it if we brought it.”

He grumbles all the way down the stairs, but does as she told him. As soon as he’s grabbed his jacket from the coat closet, he’s out the door and starting up the car.

“What was that for?” Mulder asks, breaking the silence that had settled after the front door shut.

Maggie gives a pleased little smile. “There’s no such thing as eyelash straightening cream. Bill will be there for thirty minutes at least. As I’m sure you can imagine, knowing my daughter as you do, he doesn’t like asking for assistance if he can help it.”

Mulder lets out a surprised laugh. This woman runs a tight ship, and he has to respect her for it.

“Alright, now sit right here, Fox,” Mrs. Scully orders, pulling out a small stool from the vanity in her bathroom. She quickly leaves and returns with another chair from the bedroom, placing it across from him. She hums quietly as she rummages through her drawers, extracting several mystifying objects and setting them on the counter. “Now, let’s start with the foundation. I’ll show you how, and then you can do the other side of my face, sound good?”

Mulder nods, sitting up straighter to watch as she blends the creamy substance onto her skin. She’s narrating as she goes, and Mulder commits her words to memory, hoping his ability to replicate them will be as good as his ability to remember her instructions.

“Here, now you try,” Mrs. Scully says next, handing the brush to Mulder. He pushes aside any lingering feelings of awkwardness or embarrassment and sets in on applying the makeup. Maggie’s lips curl in a smile as she watches him, tapping ever so gently on her face as if he might break her. She wonders if he’s done this before. “You’re a natural,” she praises, “Are you sure this is your first time?”

He lets out a breath of laughter, shaking his head. “I’m no expert,” he answers. He’s silent for a moment, not breaking concentration, and then adds in a quiet voice, “My sister had this play makeup set, real cheap quality stuff. She’d sometimes force me to be her test subject.” His eyes grow distant as he remembers.

It wasn’t all that long before her abduction, he thinks, the last time they did this. It always went the same way. He’d sit patiently—or as patiently as an eleven- or twelve-year-old boy could—while she clumsily dabbed colorful eyeshadow onto his eyelids. He’d learned early on that it was better to just go along with it, having suffered the wrath of Samantha Mulder once before for refusing to be her dress-up doll. The makeup rarely stayed on for more than a minute after she declared him done, scrubbed off like some kind of deadly germ in the sink, but it was enough to appease her.

When she was finished, she’d beg him to help her with her makeup, putting that pouty lip out that she knew he couldn’t say no to.

“Stop blinking, Sam,” he’d say, focusing intently on brushing on the mascara she’d stolen from her mom’s makeup bag. “You’re gonna mess it up.”

He remembers these times fondly, of rare moments where he managed to be a good big brother, instead of pretending to be annoyed by her like he often did. He’d give anything to be teased by his peers for spending time with his kid sister, if it meant having her back.

With the utmost care, Mrs. Scully walks him through the remaining steps, patting him gently on the cheek once he’s put on the finishing touches.

“You’re a good man, Fox,” she says, her fondness for him evident in her smile. “Dana is lucky to have you.”

Once again, Mulder shrugs, uncomfortable with the compliments, no matter how sincere they are. “I’m the lucky one, Mrs. Scully.” He thinks he’s never meant something more in his life. “But I appreciate you saying so. Thanks again for showing me everything.”

She pulls him into a hug. “Of course, you call me if you ever need anything. We’ll be by sometime this afternoon.”

He nods, and is thankfully out the door with time to spare before Bill can get home.

After a brief visit to Scully’s apartment to grab some of her things, he drives back to the hospital. When he arrives, Scully is awake in her bed, her upper body elevated so she can look out the window. She greets him with a warm smile, and he can’t help but grin back.

“Sorry I took so long,” he says in apology, “Had to make a quick pit stop.”

This catches Scully’s attention, and she watches as he produces a bag from behind his back, setting it on the tray table in front of her and starting to take items out. She recognizes it immediately, and looks up at him in wonder.

“Mulder,” she says, her tone jokingly admonishing. “You didn’t have to bring me this.” She’s smiling still as she starts to sit up, reaching out to grab a tube of lipstick, but he stops her.

“No, no,” he says, gently lowering her hand back down to the table and urging her to sit back and relax. “You take it easy, I’ll take care of this.”

She gives him a look with a furrowed brow, but eases back, watching him suspiciously as he selects a bottle of liquid foundation and a brush.

He sits sideways on her hospital bed so that he is facing her. With the limited space, his thigh brushes up against her blanket-covered one, but it barely even registers. This kind of closeness is nothing particularly unusual for them. If nothing else, it is an added comfort to them both.

“You ready?” he asks, makeup brush poised to start.

Scully searches his eyes for a moment and, deciding she trusts him, gives a nod. “Okay.”

With a pleased little smile, Mulder begins applying a light layer of foundation, leaning in closer to reach as he gently blends it into her skin.

Scully can only watch him, his brows drawn together in focus as he works to meticulously apply the makeup. Her eyes wander over his face, over the sharp lines of his nose and the roundness of his lips. Occasionally his tongue peeks out in concentration, and she can’t help but fall a little more in love with him.

She didn’t ask him to do this. If he thought her needless grousing earlier was a request, she felt terrible. He isn’t her servant. He doesn’t exist to make sure she has all the niceties of her normal life in this cold, sterile place. The last thing she wants is to be a burden, especially to him. He’s had enough to deal with in his life without having to look after his terminally ill coworker.

But that isn’t all they are, is it? They’re friends—the closest of friends. This isn’t the first time he’s gone out of his way to do something nice for her, and she suspects it won’t be the last, no matter how little time she has left. For some reason, he’s taken it upon himself to be with her throughout this whole ordeal, even when it means holding back her hair as she heaves into a trash can or when she can’t adjust the covers over her cold feet.

The words jump into her mind unbidden: “In sickness and in health.”

It’s funny, in a distinctly unfunny way. She supposes she should be thankful that someone cares enough for her in that way, even if they are nothing more than friends and coworkers. In some ways, their partnership is more of a marriage than many people will experience in their lifetimes, and for that she is exceedingly glad. She couldn’t have asked for a better person to have in her life than Mulder.

He’s moved on now to powdering her skin with translucent powder, beginning with her forehead. As he brings the soft brush down between her eyebrows, she scrunches her nose up, hiding a smirk from him. His sloping green eyes soften from their earlier focus and he lets out a chuckle, playfully tickling her nose with the brush.

“You’re not gonna sneeze on me, are ya?” he asks, getting back to work on her cheeks and chin.

Her only answer is a quiet, affectionate smile.

After a careful application of blush on the apples of her cheeks, it’s time for her eyes. She watches him open her eyeshadow palette and rub a brush over one of the colors, and she quirks an eyebrow in concern. As he brings the small brush closer to her face, she draws back and looks at him doubtfully.

“Don’t put too much on,” she says, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.

Mulder rolls his eyes. “Relax, Scully, I got you.” He starts in again, shifting a few times to find the best angle before gently brushing over her eyelids in an arc.

“I like the brown color,” Scully informs him, her eyes fluttering in an effort to stay closed.

“I know,” Mulder answers. He pulls back just long enough to show her the tip of the brush, which is covered in a tasteful brown, exactly the right shade.

Before she has time to process that he knows what color eyeshadow she likes, she’s being told to close her eyes again and she complies, soaking in the feeling of being taken care of in such an intimate way.

“How did you know what eyeshadow I wear, Mulder?” she asks during a moment’s respite, while he returns the brush to the palette to pick up more of the colorful powder.

Now it’s his turn to glance at her disbelievingly. “I look at you every day,” he answers, as if it were obvious.

She takes in a breath, willing her heart to start beating normally again. The look on his face makes it clear that he’s laughing at her, amused by her lack of self-awareness in this respect.

“And…” he adds amusedly, “this one has clearly been used more than the others.”

Of course, she laughs to herself. There’s no way he was looking at her close enough to guess what shade of eyeshadow she wears. Although his perception of the finer details is greater than that of the average man. He has his Oxford education and eidetic memory to thank for that.

“Who knew a background in profiling could come in handy as a makeup artist?” she says as he finishes blending out the color.

“It was actually one of the main selling points when the FBI recruited me,” he deadpans, enjoying the banter. He could almost forget why she wasn’t able to do her own makeup.

The mascara comes out next, and it requires Mulder to encroach on her personal space even further, to the point where she can feel his breath on her face. He smells of peppermint toothpaste and hazelnut coffee, and she even catches the scent of his shower gel, like fresh rain water. All of this she counts as a marked improvement to the antiseptic smell of the hospital. It smells like their office. It smells like home.

When he’s done all he can to her eyelashes with her eyes closed, he asks her to open them so he can give them the finishing touches. Her eyes flutter open, and she is mildly startled to find him hovering only inches away.

“Do you have to be that close to my face, Mulder?” she asks, carefully hiding her nervousness behind a laugh.

Mulder chuckles and goes back to work, gingerly running the brush over her lashes. “That depends, do you want to be poked in the eye, Scully?”

Resigned to their positioning, she fights the urge cup his elbow with her hand, steadying him as he completes arguably the most delicate part of this routine.

“There,” he says, leaning back at last. “I think that about does it. Except—”

He pauses, reaching onto the tray table to grab the lipstick she’d picked up earlier.

“I knew I was forgetting something.” Before she can prepare herself, he’s removing the lid from the tube and drawing closer again, his hand finding its way to the back of her head to hold her still. She hardly dares to breathe, feeling his fingers threading through her hair as he carefully runs the tip of the lipstick over her lips, depositing the bright color on their surface.

She looks more alive than she has in a while, even if it is a false image.

She wants to avoid eye contact, being this close, with him doing this thing for her, but she can’t. Her eyes are locked on his as they focus intently on keeping the color within the lines of her plump lips. A few times, his eyes flick up to hers, and she catches the way the corners of his mouth quirk up when they do. She wonders what he’s thinking.

In no time at all, it’s done. Every last detail has been tended to, and he pulls back to survey his work. The hand that was resting on the back of her head drags forward along her jawline, and ever so lightly, his thumb comes to rest over her newly-painted bottom lip.

“There’s my Scully,” he says quietly. Proudly.

She feels the tears pooling in her eyes, but there’s nothing she can do about it. He, thankfully, doesn’t mention it.

“Can I see?” she asks, her voice managing not to waver too badly.

He smiles and nods, reaching for a handheld mirror and holding it out to her.

She’s not sure what she was expecting—clown makeup, maybe—but that’s not what she sees at all.

“Oh, Mulder…” She’s finding it very difficult to withhold the tears that are trying to escape. “You—you did a great job.”

Aside from perhaps just a little too much blush, everything is as it should be. She looks healthier, more confident. Her makeup is a mask. It is comforting to her, makes her feel like she can face whatever it is that lies before her. Mulder has always been able to see past that mask, and if it were anyone else, it might bother her. But not him.

“You didn’t cover my mole,” she says, reaching up to touch the offending spot beneath her nose.

Mulder takes her hand and pulls it away from her face. “Cause it’s cute,” he answers simply, smiling at her almost reverently.

She’s surely blushing now.

“How do you feel?” he asks. What a loaded question that is.

She tilts her head, surveying the surface of her face from every angle in an effort to stall long enough to regain her composure. It’s a placebo, she knows, but she feels reinvigorated. Ready to fight another day.

“It’s been a while since I’ve felt like myself,” she answers, her voice thick with emotion. “I… I look beautiful.”

He nods, an unnamable look in his eye, and she swears she hears a mumbled, “You’re always…” before he trails off, dropping his gaze to his lap. He subconsciously squeezes her hand once before letting it go, instead occupying his hands with putting everything away.

“You really did do a good job, Mulder,” Scully speaks after the somewhat awkward silence had persisted long enough. “Have you done this before?”

With a zip of her makeup bag, Mulder looks up at her with squinted, suspicious eyes and jokes back, “What me and the Lone Gunmen do on our boy’s nights is none of your business.”

Scully laughs, amused by the imagery that conjures. Never one to be thrown off, however, she persists. “Well, someone must have taught you,” she declares, raising an eyebrow in his direction. “Who was it?”

She gets a devious look in return. “I’ll never tell.”

-.-.-

As Bill pulls into the driveway after his wild-goose-chase trip to the drugstore (“You made me look like a fool, Mom!”), Margaret Scully greets him, sliding into the passenger seat with a bag full of goodies for her daughter.

He seems to finally be getting over his mother’s betrayal by the time they arrive at the hospital. They walk in, accepting visitor’s badges which they stick on their shirts before taking the elevator up to the oncology ward.

Bill’s admonishing tirade, which had persisted throughout most of the car ride, lingers on between intervening silences as they make their way down the hall. Once they approach Dana’s room, however, Maggie shushes him, holding out an arm to stop him.

Through the window, she sees Mulder setting a tube of mascara aside and exchanging it for lipstick. Bill’s curiosity gets the best of him, and he leans over his mother’s head to see for himself what it was that made his mother pause.

“Let’s give them some privacy,” she says, putting a guiding hand on her oldest son’s arm.

Inside the room, Mulder pulls back, and Bill can see even from this angle how his cheeks widen in a smile. His sister looks like herself again, and he doesn’t miss the shine of tears in her eyes, or the wobbling smile on her lips. Since they were children, he has kept a careful eye on her, monitoring her emotions, the protective big brother that he is.

And that’s why now, he understands. He hadn’t realized before, his own fault for not wanting to believe it.

His sister isn’t being dragged through hell by a sadistic partner, bent on destroying her life and everything she holds dear in one fell swoop. No. The truth is that she does it willingly, walks by his side through even the darkest shadows.

Because Dana is in love with her partner.

And he is undeniably in love with her.

The pieces slowly come together in his mind, everything he knows about Fox Mulder. His mother must have seen it long ago, hence her willingness to help him this morning. And he would have stood in the way.

The thought fills him with shame.

Mulder’s love for Dana goes so far beyond what Bill himself knows about love, that he had almost missed it entirely. What a blessing it is for his sister to experience it, for however brief a time.

With one final glance into the hospital room, Bill allows himself to be pulled away and toward the cafeteria.

“You see now, don’t you, Bill?” his mother asks as they walk, her eyes looking to him hopefully.

He nods, feeling his throat close up with unexpected emotion.

“Yes,” he answers. “I do.”

-.-.-

An hour into Mulder’s in-depth explanation (and diagramming) of the anatomy of dinanthropoides magnipus, otherwise known as “sasquatch” or Bigfoot, someone gently taps on the door.

“Come in!” Scully calls out, thankful for the reprieve.

“I hope we’re not interrupting…” Margaret Scully says as she enters, followed closely behind by Scully’s brother.

Mulder scoots back in his chair, shuffling the papers he’d strewn about and trying his best to fade into the background to provide them some privacy.

“Not at all,” Scully says, and she’s sounding better already than she has since they’d gotten here. “I’m glad you came by. Bill, I didn’t know you were in town.”

Bill clears his throat and steps forward, looking a little uncomfortable but otherwise happy to see his sister.

“I had a few days’ leave. Tara and I decided to make a weekend of it.”

Scully nods and looks between her brother and Mulder, realizing they’d never actually been properly introduced. She hopes they’ll both behave. Lord knows she’s told Mulder enough about Bill over the years, and she’s very familiar with her brother’s opinions about her partner.

She coughs. “Oh, uh, Mulder, this is my brother, Bill. Bill, this is Mulder.”

The two exchange an odd look before Mulder stands, and Bill meets him in the middle with a firm yet friendly handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Mulder,” Bill says with a pointed look, not at all unfriendly.

Mulder nods with a funny half smile. “Likewise.”

There’s another look exchanged briefly before they let go, returning to their respective awkward stances.

“We wanted to bring you some new magazines,” Maggie speaks, carrying a tote bag over to Scully’s bedside. “And Tara sent us with some crayons and coloring pages, in case either of you gets bored.”

Scully smiles, her fingers dragging the corner of Mulder’s silly sasquatch diagram out from its hiding place under a stack of other papers.

“I’m sure Mulder will appreciate being able to enlighten me on the specific coloring of Bigfoot’s spleen,” she says teasingly, and Mulder briefly wishes he could disappear, fearing the look on Bill’s face.

When he looks up though, both son and mother are smiling in amusement, not a hint of malice on Bill’s face.

Maggie leans in to place a kiss on Scully’s cheek, holding her daughter’s hand in hers.

“You’re looking like you feel a bit better,” she says as she pulls away, brushing her fingers over her brow and pushing back a lock of hair. “Lovely makeup, too.”

 With these last words, she looks to Mulder and—discretely—winks.

“Doesn’t she look beautiful, Fox?” Maggie asks, goading him knowingly.

He rises to the challenge, his eyes finding Scully’s and holding.

“Beautiful as always.”

-.-.-

The TikTok video that inspired this made me sob uncontrollably, so I hope I captured some of those same emotions here. I beg you to go watch the video too, but have tissues at the ready. It seriously hasn't left my mind since I saw it the other day. I hope we all have the chance to find a love like that in this lifetime.

Tagging some people: @today-in-fic @teenie-xf @cutemothman @queenlovett @tygertygerfoggybright @baronessblixen

If you ever don't want to be tagged by me, just let me know! You won't hurt my feelings. Alternatively, if you want to be tagged if/when I write more X-Files fics, let me know and I'll make a list!

[lanceappreciationblog]

(Hey, it’s Johto Elites anon back again! :D) Well, since you asked so nicely (<3) I do have some ideas for an anthology planned out already, but I will have to do some character sketching to figure out exactly how I want everyone to come out! The Elites are harder to pin down than Lance because they don’t have much media to draw on, but looking at their outfits I think I can get a pretty good idea lol. Here are the rough ideas I already have rotating in my head:

The beginning, middle, and end of the three-way prank war between Will, Karen, and Koga. (And, as a bonus, Lance’s revenge >:))

Will inviting Lance to join him for a joint meditation session. Lance has a great time as someone who hasn’t relaxed in three years straight. Will has a terrible time as a psychic/empath who is slowly being crushed by the actual spiritual manifestation of Lance’s stress.

Lance meeting Janine for the first time when she takes over the Fuschia Gym. New achievement unlocked: Become an honorary bruncle (big-brother-slash-uncle?) without even doing anything.

Lance getting injured (poisoned, perhaps, if I choose to be so evil 😏) on a big, hush-hush espionage mission and accidentally outing himself as a G-Man to the Elites in the worst way possible.

Koga and Bruno sparring and wrecking the crap out of the dojo, and the aftermath.

Clair meeting Karen for the first time when she visits Indigo Plateau to see Lance. Cue the world’s pettiest cat fight.

Agatha giving Lance some mean old grandma advice that almost makes him feel better after he loses to Ethan.

Lance challenging Bruno to an arm-wrestling match. An outstandingly stupid decision, honestly.

Bruno giving Elite Four-era teenage!Lance some unsolicited advice for how to get closer to Lorelei. Never mind that Lance absolutely did not ask and could have lived a happy life without ever having had that conversation. (Outing myself as the second Lance/Lorelei anon here because I think baby!Lance having an awkward crush on Lorelei is cute :’3)

Lance helping Lorelei out of a bind when some guy hits on her at a League party.

Karen taking Lance back to his room when he gets drunk at a League party. (I won’t lie, I also kind of ship Lance and Karen. I love me a tsundere x oblivious nice guy ship.)

Lance feeling bad and making up with Clair after they have an argument over her conduct as a Gym leader.

Agatha paying Professor Oak a visit after she retires from the League.

Karen feeling insecure about her place on the Elite Four, and Lorelei giving her some much-needed advice. (Because they should be gal pals!)

This is a lot, but I hope it satisfies so far!! I’m not sure if I have the commitment to truly make it happen but if not at least I’ve sent these ideas out into the aether for other people to read. I do want to make it happen though so I will be back when I get working on it :’)

Anon, my dear anon. These are all excellent!!

Oh my goodness. If I could animate I'd make these all into shorts because I can imagine them so vividly!

There's so much potential in character dynamics here!

I can imagine the anthology ending with one big Johto surprise event for the Indigo League members, but they aren't aware of it happening so they're all sitting in the league, bored because challengers have been quiet that day, and when someone finally suggests they go outside they get flashbanged by a festival happening right outside the league and all the Johto Gym Leaders, the Johto protag trio, and Silver of course! run to take them by the hand and drag the dwelling workaholics to take the rest of the day off and celebrate!

(Horray for dance party endings 😆)

[unblockedgamesforschool]

Top 10 Best Unblocked Games At School

Are you feeling constant pressure to meet project or assignment deadlines or have a hectic life or busy schedule? Want to have fun or take a break from work but can’t go out? Online games are the best and most popular way to have fun without leaving your workstation or desk.

Have you also tried to play online games but can’t connect due to a firewall? Many colleges and offices use firewalls to block access to gaming websites, making having fun hard. Well, don’t worry.

This blog has uncovered some great unblocked games to play at school or the office.

Best Online Unblocked Games At School

Sometimes, killing time at school or the office is hard; you need something to refresh your mind. We have listed some great unblocked games for school. Try today and have fun.

1. Coreball Game

Coreball offers an enthralling online gaming experience, drawing inspiration from timeless arcade classics and the widely celebrated console game, AA Ball. Your primary objective? Skillfully navigate a ball to the central core while avoiding collisions with other balls. This might seem straightforward, but don’t be fooled! Coreball challenges players with a rigorous blend of patience, accuracy, and timing. Prepare to immerse yourself in the captivating universe of Coreball, where countless hours of exhilarating entertainment await.

2. Happy Wheels – Games to Play at School Unblocked

In the physics-based ragdoll game Happy Wheels, players guide characters in wheelchairs through dangerous levels. To keep your character from dying, you’ll have to use the WASD keys to guide them through tight spots, over gaps, and around obstacles.

3. SuperCook – Unblocked Games for School

If you like to eat, this is for you. What can you make with the random things in your fridge? Just type in what you have on hand, and the SuperCook will give you ideas for recipes that will work with what you have. Useful when you need money quickly or have only a few days left until your next paycheck. You could also search for recipes for molasses and dates.

4. The Oregon Trail – Fun Unblocked Games for School

Oregon Trail is a game that brings back memories for many people. Playing this game might remind you of the long hours you spent hunched over a big computer, praying that your kids would survive the winter and that your wife would get better after being bitten by a snake.

5. Slope 3 – Fun Games Unblocked

It is one of the most played unblocked games on the web. Slope 3 is a running game that people of any age can play. This is because Slope 3 is fun to play and easy to figure out how to play.

The point of the game is also clear. A ball will be rolling down a slope on the player’s screen. Your only goal is to keep the ball from hitting anything in the way. Go ahead and try it if you think it might be fun.

6. Atari Breakout – Unblocked Games for School

Atari Breakout is a classic game that old gamers will remember. We urge you to do so if you have yet to try it. Did you know the classic Atari game Breakout can be played on Google? One of the hidden games you can play for free on Google is Atari Breakout, which you probably wouldn’t expect.

All you have to do is type “Atari Breakout” into Google’s image search. Once you do that, the game will load, and you can start playing this great old game immediately.

7. Minesweeper – Games to Play at School Unblocked

Minesweeper is a game you’ve played before if you know how to use Windows apps and programs. It’s an old game that has come with Windows since the beginning. In Minesweeper, you have to finish each level without setting off any of the bombs or mines that are hidden.

8. Flappy Bird – Fun Unblocked Games for School

This is another fun thing to do in the classroom or at work. Flappy Bird is a game that most people with smartphones have heard of and played at some point. Due to how popular the game is, an Instagram filter was just added.

Like other unblocked games, Flappy Bird is easy to learn. The game aims to get a bird that can fly through a maze. And all it takes to keep the bird flying is a steady hand on the mouse.

9. Symmetry Artist – Fun Games Unblocked

A website that lets you make art in any way you want, with a dash of math for flavor. There are so many different things to do in this one; it’s crazy. What’s the strangest thing? There are almost no limits to where you can put these lines and shapes. This one is so cool; you won’t believe it. Remember to move any new entries around using the arrow keys!

10. 2048 – Unblocked Games for School

After you start playing, it could be days or even months before you finally win. Cupcake 2048, Cat 2048, and many other games are based on this original. Here is a full list of all 2048 games for people especially interested in how the game works, its code, or other technical details.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these top 10 unblocked games provide a diverse range of entertainment options for students or workers looking to unwind during breaks.

From classic arcade-inspired challenges like Coreball and Atari Breakout to engaging puzzle games like 2048 and Minesweeper, there's something for everyone's taste.

Moreover, educational options like SuperCook and Symmetry Artist offer unique experiences that blend fun with learning. These games not only offer a refreshing break from daily routines but also foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and strategic thinking.

Whether you're into fast-paced action or relaxed artistry, these unblocked games provide accessible avenues for enjoyment and mental stimulation, making them ideal companions for moments of leisure at school or the office.

[queenslandgasket]

CNC Cutting Made Easy: What Everyone Should Know About This High-Tech Craft

In today’s world of fast and precise manufacturing, CNC cutting plays a vital role. Whether you're crafting custom furniture, designing signage, or developing machine parts, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) cutting provides the accuracy and efficiency that traditional methods often lack. But what exactly is CNC cutting? How does it work? And why should even everyday people understand it?

This blog will break it all down—from basics to benefits, from challenges to real-world applications—and give you a step-by-step guide on how CNC cutting works. Let’s dive in!

What is CNC Cutting? A Beginner-Friendly Overview

CNC cutting refers to a manufacturing process where pre-programmed software dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery. The term “cutting” usually means removing material from a workpiece using tools like routers, plasma torches, lasers, or waterjets.

Instead of manually guiding tools with your hands, CNC machines follow digital instructions to carve, cut, or engrave precise shapes and forms.

Materials Used in CNC Cutting:

Wood

Metals (steel, aluminum, brass, etc.)

Plastics

Foam

Acrylic

Composite materials

Title: “Digital Scissors: Why CNC Cutting Is the New Standard in Fabrication”

Gone are the days when hand tools ruled the workshop. CNC cutting has become the go-to method for precision, reliability, and speed. Whether it’s industrial production or DIY crafts, CNC systems are now as essential as electricity.

Why is CNC so widely adopted?

1. Precision Like Never Before

CNC machines cut down to fractions of a millimeter. That means fewer errors, tighter tolerances, and higher quality products.

2. Consistency is Key

Once the machine receives its digital instructions, it can repeat the same cut dozens or hundreds of times with no variation. This is perfect for mass production.

3. Versatility Across Industries

CNC cutting is used in:

Automotive manufacturing

Aerospace engineering

Furniture making

Advertising (e.g., signage and displays)

Architecture (decorative panels, models)

Title: “From Sketch to Sculpture: The CNC Cutting Workflow”

Let’s look at the entire process—from concept to final product.

Step 1: Design the Part

Everything begins with a digital design. Using CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software, you draw out the part you want to cut.

Step 2: Convert Design to CNC Code

The design is converted into a language the machine understands, usually G-code. This code dictates movement, speed, depth of cut, and other vital parameters.

Step 3: Set Up the Machine

The operator sets up the cutting tool and secures the material (e.g., sheet metal, wood block) to the CNC bed.

Step 4: Execute the Program

Once everything is ready, the machine follows the program and begins cutting. Sensors and software ensure accuracy throughout the job.

Step 5: Post-Processing

After cutting, the part may require sanding, polishing, or deburring to clean up the edges or surfaces.

Title: “Challenges in CNC Cutting You Need to Know Before Starting”

While CNC cutting is powerful, it’s not without its hurdles. Here are some common challenges users face:

1. Steep Learning Curve

Understanding CAD software, G-code, and machine operations can be overwhelming for beginners.

2. Material Limitations

Some materials (like certain plastics or composites) may warp or melt under specific cutting conditions. Not all machines can cut every type of material.

3. Initial Cost

CNC machines—especially high-end ones—aren’t cheap. While prices have dropped, it’s still an investment.

4. Maintenance Requirements

Like any high-precision machine, CNC systems require regular maintenance to prevent errors and prolong their lifespan.

5. Programming Errors

A tiny mistake in your G-code can result in ruined material, wasted time, or even machine damage.

Title: “Step-by-Step Guide to Your First CNC Cutting Project”

Let’s walk through a beginner-friendly CNC cutting project to see how everything works in practice.

Project: Custom Wooden Nameplate

Step 1: Choose Your Design Software

You can use programs like:

Fusion 360

AutoCAD

SketchUp

VCarve

Draw out the name or design you want to cut on a wood plank.

Step 2: Convert to Toolpath

Use CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software to convert the design into a toolpath. This defines how the cutting tool moves.

Step 3: Load the Program into CNC Machine

Save the G-code to a USB drive or transfer it directly to your CNC machine.

Step 4: Secure the Material

Clamp the wood securely on the CNC bed. Make sure it’s level and won’t shift during cutting.

Step 5: Run the Cut

Start the CNC cutting process. Watch the first few passes to ensure accuracy.

Step 6: Finishing

Once the cutting is done, remove the wood, sand the edges, and apply a finish like varnish or paint.

Congratulations—you’ve just created your first CNC masterpiece!

Title: “Common CNC Cutting Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)”

Everyone makes mistakes when they’re new. But you can save time and money by avoiding these common pitfalls:

1. Using the Wrong Tool for the Material

Different materials require different bits. For example, cutting aluminum with a wood router bit can damage both the tool and the workpiece.

Fix: Always check compatibility between material and bit.

2. Incorrect Feed and Speed

Going too fast or too slow affects the quality of the cut and the lifespan of your tools.

Fix: Use online calculators or reference charts to determine the correct settings.

3. Forgetting to Zero the Machine

If you don’t zero the machine properly, the cut may start in the wrong place.

Fix: Always set your X, Y, and Z axis zeros before starting.

4. Weak Material Clamping

Loose materials shift during cutting, ruining the job.

Fix: Use clamps, vacuum tables, or double-sided tape to secure your material.

Title: “Why CNC Cutting Is Great for Small Businesses and Creatives”

CNC cutting isn’t just for factories or industrial giants. Hobbyists, artists, and small business owners can benefit too.

1. Start a Side Hustle

Use a CNC router to create custom signage, furniture, or décor and sell them online.

2. Personalization at Scale

Easily add custom touches to products—like engraving a name or logo—without extra labor.

3. Prototype Your Ideas

Inventors and creators can use CNC cutting to build rapid prototypes of their designs.

Title: “Types of CNC Cutting Machines You Should Know About”

Different machines are used based on the cutting method and material. Let’s break them down:

1. CNC Router

Best for: Wood, plastic, foam, and soft metals Commonly used in: Cabinetry, furniture, signs

2. CNC Plasma Cutter

Best for: Conductive metals (steel, aluminum) Common in: Metal fabrication shops

3. CNC Laser Cutter

Best for: Thin sheets of metal, wood, acrylic Popular for: Jewelry, model-making, signage

4. CNC Waterjet

Best for: Almost any material, including glass and stone Known for: No heat distortion

Title: “Top Software Tools Used in CNC Cutting”

Here's a quick list of some commonly used software tools for CNC cutting:

Software

Purpose

Best For

AutoCAD

Design

Engineers

Fusion 360

Design + CAM

Hobbyists, pros

VCarve

CAM & Layout

Woodworkers

Mach3

Machine Control

CNC hobbyists

Easel

All-in-One

Beginners

Title: “Real-World CNC Cutting Applications That Might Surprise You”

You might think CNC cutting is just for factories, but it's used in surprising ways:

Musical Instruments: Guitars and violins cut with extreme precision

Theater Sets: Elaborate stage designs using CNC woodcutting

Sculptures: Artists create layered 3D art using CNC machines

Jewelry: Laser CNC machines carve intricate designs into metals

Footwear: Midsoles and soles are prototyped via CNC

Conclusion: The Future is Automated, and CNC Cutting is Leading the Way

CNC cutting is more than just a fancy machine—it’s a tool that has revolutionized industries, empowered creatives, and opened new doors for small businesses. It combines precision, automation, and innovation in a way that’s accessible to everyone willing to learn.

Whether you're a business owner, DIY hobbyist, or just someone curious about how things are made, understanding CNC cutting gives you insight into the future of manufacturing.

Now that you know the challenges, process, and benefits—why not try a project yourself?

Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

CNC cutting means computer-controlled precision cutting of materials.

It's used in many industries, from art to aerospace.

There are challenges (like cost, learning curve), but rewards are great (accuracy, consistency).

With a step-by-step plan, even beginners can try CNC cutting.

The keyword cnc cutting will only become more relevant as automation grows.

[alj4890]

Anytime, Anywhere

(Liam x MC) in a Choices The Royal Romance drabble

Thirty Kisses in Thirty Days Challenge with the prompt: kissing at a crowded party.

Choices May Monthly Challenge: love | engagement | finally putting self first | lust

Rating G for steamy fluff

A/N Taking inspiration for this prompt from Book 3's diamond scene when the MC can tell Liam he doesn't have to hold back anymore from kissing her whenever he wants to.

@gkittylove99 @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @yourmajesty09 @mom2000aggie @twinkleallnight @lodberg  @amandablink @neotericthemis  @mm2305 @sfb123 @tessa-liam @thesvnsins @krsnlove @busywoman @choiceschallenge-may2023 @jerzwriter

Masterlist

She could feel it again.

Riley searched the crowded room for the source of goosebumps going up and down her body. Her dark eyes collided with a pair of hooded blue ones that never failed in making her heart hammer in her chest. That type of heated glance was one she noticed ever since she gave that one little word answer in front of the Statue of Liberty a couple of months earlier.

"Have you given any thoughts to what types of flowers you want for the wedding?" Hana asked, drawing Riley back into the conversation.

She pulled her attention away from Liam's steady gaze and refocused on the group of ladies surrounding her.

"Um, not really. With the unity tour and all, I've been letting Madeleine and Regina make all the wedding plans."

Kiara's eyes widened. "You must trust them a great deal to not even suggest which ones you'd prefer."

"I think for my wedding, I would love to have a bouquet of purple flowers." Penelope added with a dreamy sigh. "I know with my duchy's colors I should have them anyway, but I just adore that color!"

Riley was already tuning them out. Honestly, she could care less about flowers and decorations. All she worried about was finally being united with the man she was hopelessly in love with. They could get married right now in the clothes they were in with no flowers or anything special at all and she'd be thrilled.

She might as well save Regina and Madeleine time and effort to try to get her involved in the wedding planning. Giving them free reign made them happy and saved her from numerous headaches of having to pretend she was interested.

"Would you excuse me for a moment?" She asked the group.

They all smiled at her and continued to discuss how their own dream weddings would look.

Riley began to edge her way through the party guests. She'd last seen Liam stuck in conversation with Godfrey and Hakim near one of the bars. She decided to save him and perhaps find somewhere they could be alone.

She inwardly frowned over that. It was odd that she was with a man who could be so passionate in private yet hold back as if they weren't really together in front of others. Yes, he escorted her everywhere, but she was the one to initiate any type of affection in public. She was the one to kiss him without worry of who was looking.

She didn't doubt for a second that Liam wanted her or else she would be back in New York still searching for Mr. Right. Though, would it kill him to show everyone they knew just how much he did?

It wasn't like she expected some epic, make you melt kiss every time they were near one another. She wouldn't mind some sort of affectionate peck or his arm around her instead of just his hand at the small of her back.

She jumped when she felt his hand in that very spot.

"Enjoying yourself?" He asked with a tender smile.

"Of course." She replied. "Who doesn't love another good party?"

Liam chuckled in response. "We have been forced to attend a lot of these, haven't we?"

"A little." She grinned at him. "I'll be glad when we begin enjoying evenings alone for a change."

"So will I."

Riley felt heat flash over her as his fingers brushed the cutout at the back of her dress. He seemed to linger on her exposed skin.

"Would you like to slip away for a moment?" He whispered

"For?" Riley teased him.

Liam's smirk caught her attention.

"I think you know the purpose of my wanting to steal you away from here."

"Is it to kiss me?"

"Always." He replied.

"I see."

Liam's eyes narrowed somewhat at the sound of disappointment he could detect.

"What's wrong, my love?"

"Nothing." She lowered her eyes from his. "Where should we go?"

Liam grasped her wrist when she began to pull away from him.

"Riley?"

She grimaced then finally said what was on her mind.

"Liam, you never kiss me in front of others."

"Excuse me?"

She had to fight from rushing to reassure him. If they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, then it was only fair that he understood what she needed.

Perhaps it was because the majority of their relationship was so different from every previous one she'd been in. After all, how many people had to compete the first go around to simply be with someone then turn around and be their secret lover before getting engaged? Weird didn't even begin to cover it.

"I can feel your eyes on me wherever we go." Riley explained. "I know what you want and I want it too."

Liam's brow furrowed as he listened without interruption. His hand loosened and fell away from her wrist.

"We're together now. Really together. We don't have to hide our feelings anymore from the world." She huffed in irritation. "We're getting married in a few weeks!"

When he remained silent, she softly groaned.

"What I'm trying to say is that you can kiss me whenever you want, regardless of who's around."

She forced herself to look up at him to see how he was taking this. Maybe it was some kind of royal protocol that she wasn't aware of yet that kept him from showing affection in public. Or, what if he wasn't into PDA?

Madeleine certainly had been the one to initiate the kisses to the cheek when she was engaged to Liam. Riley guessed that was how it was going to be from now on.

She believed she could live with that as long as he was still affectionate in private. She knew she shouldn't wish for something that probably wasn't that big of a deal.

But...

She needed him to show the world she was his choice. She needed them to know she was the only one he wanted over and over again. She wanted everyone to know the type of love they had for one another.

They weren't getting married because of some archaic law so he could meet the requirements to be king. They were doing so because they were in love and couldn't imagine spending another single moment without the other by their side.

Was it too much to ask for a spontaneous kiss every now and then?

"You wouldn't mind my doing so?" Liam asked.

Her eyes flew to his.

"Kissing me?"

He nodded.

She thought he was heartbreakingly adorable in his uncertainty. Didn't he realize how crazy in love she was with him?

"Liam, you can kiss me anytime, anywhere." Riley nervously gripped her hands together. "I would love it if you kissed me whenever you felt like it."

The slow smile forming on his lips drew her attention.

"You are giving me far too much power, my love."

Chills of delight ran down her spine. His seductive tone slipping out right now was enough to make her launch herself into his arms alone. It took every bit of her willpower to see what he would do next.

He raised one hand to her cheek. His thumb brushed along her bottom lip drawing an involuntary gasp from her. His eyes raised briefly to hers before settling once more upon her mouth.

In the blink of an eye, he had his free hand slide around her waist, drawing her flush to his body. Desire burned in the deep blue depths of his eyes over the feel of her being right where he wanted.

Riley thought she would collapse from the anticipation. Her heart pounded in her ears when he slowly lowered his mouth towards hers.

There was no gentle brush of his lips to check to see if she was truly willing to be kissed. Instead, his mouth covered hers in blatant ownership. His tongue parted her lips while his hand wrapped around her hair, keeping her at the perfect angle for his ravishment.

His arm around her waist locked in place, daring her to even think about moving, as he drew a whimper from her.

Her arms hung loosely at her sides until it hit her that this was truly happening. She wrapped them around his waist and surrendered completely. Her last coherent thought was she hoped everyone was seeing this.

Liam's hand tightened around her hair in response. He continued to devour her, finally giving himself what he'd craved from the first moment he ever saw her.

Perhaps a part of him had still been in disbelief that he could truly win her and her love. But now that he knew she wanted him to touch her as much as he did, that she needed it, it set off a part of his soul he wasn't aware existed.

He could care less who saw them. He didn't mind it for a second. His entire life was paraded before the world. He was more than willing to show them his favorite part of existing.

And it had everything to do with the woman returning his kiss with the power to make his skin deliciously burn with desire.

After one last caress of his tongue, Liam lifted his head to see the effect his kiss had over her.

Riley stared at him in wonder. Her lips were still parted as if ready for another kiss. Her breaths were quick little gasps while her cheeks were rosy from the encounter. Her eyes kept returning to his mouth as if in awe of the power it had over her body.

"Now that," she smiled at him, "was a kiss."

Liam laughed, leaning down to tenderly kiss her.

She hummed her approval of such a response to her observation.

"I like that one too." Riley admitted, her smile growing bigger with each brush of his lips.

"How about this one?" He whispered, gently biting down upon her earlobe.

He felt her hands drift down to grip his rear in response.

"I like it." She breathed, her eyes closing as he dotted slow kisses along her jawline. "I love everything you do to me."

"Good." Liam's voice deepened, his lips hovering over hers once more. "Because I don't intend to ever stop."

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

Can you update the Steter BroTP tag (I think it's been 2 years since the last update), preferably sterek romantic pairing or gen

Sure.

(as the question) so the answer by RosePerSomnium

(1/2 I 925 I Teen I No Pairing)

Sidetracked from his current project, Stiles investigates Peter's aversion to touch.

You Salvage The Ashes Of Who I Once Was by Lamely_Me

(1/1 I 1,929 I Teen I No Pairing)

Peter has been hunting Stiles for months now when Scott has come up empty in all ways possible, to absolutely no one's surprise. It takes time and expenses and desperation, but Peter does find the human.

Except that the boy is no longer human.

Peter has a decision to make.

Wild (Blue Neighborhood) by BeautyOnFyre

(1/1 I 11,029 I Teen I Sterek)

Peter's lethargic body was unresponsive as he sat in the wheelchair, endlessly staring out the window of his hospital room. His side twinged a bit from the rough scrubbing the nurse had given his mottled flesh earlier and he ached to move even a finger.

"Uncle Peter?" The small voice was behind him in the doorway. He remembered that voice. Contrary to the title bestowed from the small girl that rounded his chair into his line of sight, Stiles Stilinski was not related to Peter at all.

Or how Stiles and Peter became best friends for life and brought Stiles into the Pack.

This love is like wildfire by adara

(2/2 I 12,058 I Teen I Sterek)

In which Stiles is a volunteer firefighter dealing with a fire that's creeping up on Beacon Hills and Derek and Stiles both realize they've been missing some important information over the years.

It takes a village by pixieblade

(10/? I 24,970 I Mature I Sterek)

Stiles is tired. He's tired of always having to defend himself to his so-called best friend. He's tired of being ignored and he's tired of the Pack never having his back.

So this is his line. He'd draw it in the sand, but all he has is a glitter sharpie.

It'll have to do.

I've Lived A Better Day by HelloWhyTheFuckAmIHere

(18/18 I 32,818 I Not Rated I Sterek)

When Stiles comes across a rogue Alpha during his first year at Berkeley, the ensuing fight doesn't exactly go his way. He calls an unlikely ally to help him with his transition, and finds out his new pack isn't quite who he might have thought it would be.

Stiles is now left with the task of trying to figure out how his old life will fit in with his new, but that is not without its challenges.

A Wolf's Ribbon by Dexterous_Sinistrous

(6/6 I 36,091 I Explicit I Sterek)

Derek had been coached on how to approach the child heir apparent while hundreds of eyes watched him. He kept his eyes focused on the cradle, leaning over the edge as best he could to see the baby everyone had been talking about.

Stiles smiled when he saw Derek, kicking his legs out as he reached a hand up for him. He cooed at Derek, his fingers grabbing at the older boy in an attempt to touch him, all to no avail. He gurgled out a laugh when Derek reached a hand down into the cradle, snatching hold of his fingers as best he could.

Derek offered a small smile in response, allowing Stiles to playfully tug on his hand.

The two children made an adorable sight before the Court and their parents. That was the moment Queen Talia and King John decided to arrange their marriage. Every second was planned out without the voiced concern of the children.

Baseball Bats and Sour Wolves by Erin1324

(65/? I 81,149 I Teen I Sterek)

Derek is cursed with some sort of spell, and for some reason only responds to Stiles as a result. He tries to attack everyone else, even his Alpha, he's also acting super overprotective of Stiles, hardly letting anyone get close to him.

Joining the Fang Gang by AClosedFicIsNeverRead

(21/? I 87,655 I Explicit I Sterek)

“SSTTIIIILLEESS!” Lydia’s wail tore its way from her throat right in the middle of a pack meeting.

“Lydia? Lydia, look at me,” Derek urged, a slight tremor in his voice as he fought to be gentle with her despite his alarm. She blinked through tears and struggled to meet his gaze as he crouched in front of her. “What did you see?”

“Forest… It’s dark… His Dad is screaming for him…” Her lips trembled as she shook her head and gasped, “Oh, God… He’s dying, Derek. I can feel it… It hurts so much… Oh, poor Stiles…”

- OR -

The one where Stiles is turned into a vampire, hides it from the pack, and tries to manage his new 'condition' without them noticing.

[multifandomfix]

Rowena MacLeod Yandere Alphabet

A = Attachment (How do they show their love and affection? How intense would it get?)

Rowena showers you in gifts and makes your life easier in any way she can. If that means hexing a few people into giving you what you want, then so be it.

B = Blood (How messy are they willing to get when it comes to you?)

She doesn’t like when things get messy, but she’ll get as messy as she has to if it’s for you.

C = Clingy (Do they require your attention at all times? How do they act when you ignore them?)

She likes acknowledgement for sure, but she doesn’t need your attention all the time. It actually mildly annoys her sometimes if you’re too clingy.

D = Dependent (Are they codependent? Do they want you to rely solely on them for your care/protection?)

She wants you to turn to her first for any care or protection you may need, and will certainly feel slighted if you go anywhere else.

E = Excess (Would they spoil or pamper you? To what extent?)

Oh yes! To the most extravagant extent possible. She likes to live in luxury and she wants that for you too.

F = Fatal (Would they kill you? Kill for you?)

She’d never kill you, unless in an apocalyptic scenario and with your express permission for the good of the world and all that nonsense. But kill for you? Sure, if she had to.

G = Give Up (What are they willing to sacrifice for you?)

Pretty much anything but her magic, she could reasonably see giving up for you. Her identity as a witch is where she draws the line.

H = Harsh (How do they take to you mouthing off to them or saying something they don’t want to hear?)

She finds it kind of amusing when you mouth off to her. Cute, even, when she’s in a good mood.

I = Inseparable (What are they like when you’re not with them? Do they check in on you constantly, or feel lost without you?)

She does check in on you if she feels there’s need for concern, especially if anything requires you to be with the Winchester boys. Then she’s using her magic to watch you like a hawk.

J = Jilted (How do they act when met with rejection from you?)

She doesn’t take it well. She may even cast a spell to make you change your mind, at least until you’ve changed your mind for real.

K = Kidnap (Would they ever abduct you just to have you to themselves for a while?)

Quite possibly, yes. If you had been avoiding her for some reason, or just haven’t been spending enough time with her, Rowena would take matters into her own hands.

L = Lines (Do they cross lines with you? What ones? Is it something they know they’re doing?)

No. She’d fear the pushback too much. When she gets close to crossing a line, she definitely realizes it and backs off.

M = Manipulation (Would they manipulate you? How? And would you realize that’s what was happening?)

In her early days before the Winchesters’ influence, she would have, probably without a second thought. Now, very less likely, but not entirely impossible.

N = Naive (Do they like you pliant or do they prefer you to challenge them?)

She prefers a challenge, but not too much. She wants to feel like she can win you over without completely changing you as a person.

O = Ownership (Do they feel possessive of you? How do they act when you’re around others?)

Rowena is so possessive. She doesn’t trust anyone with you, but she usually keeps her cool, assured that if they do anything she doesn’t like, she’ll be able to correct that problem.

P = Petulant (Are they moody? Easy to anger? Or are they patient and forgiving around you?)

Rowena can be moody, but she tries not to take her bad moods out on you. She’s definitely sweeter around you than most people and it frequently confuses the people who know her.

Q = Quit (Would they quit any of their behaviors for you if you asked?)

There’s no controlling Rowena, so it’s doubtful she’d change herself just at your request, but she may start making a conscious effort to behave in a certain way less when she’s around you.

R = Rules (Would they have rules for you? Brainwash you? Teach you the right way to be theirs?)

No. She wouldn’t want her independence stripped from her and she won’t do that to you, either. She doesn’t need any false affection.

S = Stalker (Would they stalk you? How far would it go?)

To a minor degree, perhaps. But only to make sure you’re safe when she has reason to suspect you’re going to do or encounter something dangerous. Then she’ll covertly tag along to cover you if you need it.

T = Target (What do they wish to do to you? How twisted are their ideals?)

At first she wants to train you, bring you into her coven, but then she just wants you. She wants you to respect and love her, be the person she’s always wanted in her life.

U = Utopia (How much effort do they put into making you happy?)

More than she does for anyone else. She wants your happiness almost as much as she wants happiness for herself.

V = Violence (Would they ever be violent with you?)

Forceful, maybe. Violent, no. She may grab you by your shirt or shove you out of the way of danger, but her intent is never that of hurting you.

W = Will (Would they ever do anything against your will?)

If she thought it was in your best interest, yeah. Is she misguided in that? Possibly, but there would be a noble intention at least.

X = Xoanon (Would they revere or worship you? To what length would they go to win you over?)

She wouldn’t worship you, but revere wouldn’t be out of the question if you treated her as an equal rather than a villain and loved her like she’s always wanted.

Y = Yowl (Do they ever make you cry? Do they enjoy your tears?)

She doesn’t enjoy your tears in the slightest. She never wants to see you cry, and she isn’t the best at handling it when you do.

Z = Zenith (Would they ever break you just so you’d stay with them?)

No. That’s the last thing she’d want. It would break her to break you.

For @marril96

Rowena MacLeod: @beth-gallagher22, @goldenwinegirl, @danzalladaggers, @thegirlwhoistrying, @justbeingsimple, @chaos-and-food, @hc-geralt-23, @m-rae23

[inkstainsxxonxxparchment]

Relief (Dracula/Van Helsing)

A random drabble from the love of sick!fics where someone is feverish and the other cares for them comes a telling of this between Dracula and Van Helsing for...reasons. And ever and always dedicated to my darling, @thatdoodlebug.

It had started out simply enough as a cold and he’d been warned to be mindful of making it worse. So of course being caught in the chilly rain was a recipe for disaster. And it’s a terrible thing in his chest a day later along with his skin prickling with heat. Dragging the covers off and being in a thin night shift is still not enough for the sweat slicking his skin. He shifts restlessly before moving and sluggishly opening the window. The air is balmy and brushes across his skin but it’s more warm than anything. He stumbles and crawls onto the damp sheets energy draining quickly even as a rattling cough escapes him. Blasted thing was a nuisance. Just some sleep. That was it. “Van Helsing…” 

The way his name is whispered is cold and prickles along his nerves even as he gives a soft unhappy groan. He was trying to sleep. 

“Van Helsing, let me in.” 

“G-go ‘way…” he slurs out pressing his face into the pillow with a soft sound. He’d almost been asleep. Nearly there and … “Van Helsing, come now and let me in.”

He just wants to sleep and get better and that means making the voice be quiet. His befuddled state has him giving a panted, “F-fine, fine. Just be silent.”

And there would be a swishing sound he almost doesn’t register before the bed dips and there are hands on his face, cold hands whose chill seeps in and draws a sigh from him as he leans into the touch. Blessed relief from the suffocating heat. 

Those fingers move from his burning cheeks down to his neck making him shift and tilt willing that coolness over his body without the realization of just who is staring at the pulsepoint of his throat bared willingly. The sight is a temptation of the dubiously welcomed count but he can tell the other is ill and that takes away some of the fun of their chase so he continues to draw his fingers down and slowly finds himself opening and peeling the shift from the other’s body, eyes roving over the figure. And what a sight he made despite the pallor of sickness and it doesn’t escape his notice how interested in the other he has become. Obsessive almost. Fingers slide down over his chest and hips pausing at the thin boxers. He’s tempted so tempted but decides that might be a step too far. He had respect in ways of the other and that was not a boundary to be crossed. So he merely shifts so that he can remove his cape giving a soft, “Merely a small pause, Van Helsing. You need to be cooled down.” It’s not something he’s used to, stripping down so that he can draw the other’s mostly nude frame against his own but the reaction is immediately as the other curls around him with a soft whimpered sound tucking his head under his chin seeking the chill of him. It has him wondering exactly when things had gotten like this between them and merely settles in with the other making himself entirely too comfortable against his colder body. Hopefully, he would be more comfortable by morning so that he might return to his coffin but at the moment, there is something about the feel of him clinging in a way that has him just waiting. He wants his adversary at his best to challenge him. That’s what he tells himself. 

There is no fun in a weak opponent and Van Helsing was one of the most determined men he’d met. So he’d make sure their final clash was when the other wasn’t burning up and unsure who was in his room. He gives a low chuckle. “You have surely made some sort of fool of me, Van Helsing,” he murmurs, “Bewitching a vampire, however have you managed it?” 

In the morning, upon waking, he feels less like he’s suffocating and he stretches wondering what fevered dreams had a hold of him before rolling and freezing. There on the bedside a single black rose and a small card with a flourished, “Do get well, Van Helsing. I very much look forward to our next meeting.”

His fingers tremble as he reaches and touches the soft petals and stares at the card before his gaze shifts to the open window in some alarm. He’d actually invited the fiend into the sanctuary of his room?! His gaze returns to the card and the flower and still his fingers are gentle with the objects. He should hurl them, probably have a drink and a smoke. But all he feels is relief at not suffocating as he had been. He carefully sets both down. “As do I, Count Dracula,” he whispers to the empty room, “As do I.”

[wedreamedlove]

[FIC] I Love You 115 (10/115)

Rating: G Characters: Osborn/Reader Word Count: 1060

A/N: Inspired by a Tea Break moment.

Summary: There are a lot of sayings about moles.

"Give me 5 more minutes." You glance at the reflection of the man leaning against the bedroom doorframe in the dressing table mirror while smoothing out your foundation.

"There's no rush, take your time," Osborn replies, his mint-green eyes full of interest as he watches you.

"Aren't you bored? You can play on your phone, you know?"

You're not entirely sure why Osborn enjoys watching you do your makeup before you two go on a date so much but, almost without exception, you can find him hovering around you whenever you're getting ready. At the beginning, his staring made you nervous, which has led to one or two incidents of him teasing you and you attacking him with makeup in revenge, but gradually you grew used to it and he also ended up with general knowledge of what all the brushes and bottles on the dresser are for.

"Nope, I like to watch."

You joke, "Keep staring and you'll get sick of the view one day."

"Impossible," Osborn's answer comes firmly without hesitation.

You dust more setting powder than is needed onto your cheeks to hide the heat that rises there. "Such a sweet mouth."

"Why does that sound familiar?" He laughs lowly, "Do I get a reward?"

"Complimenting your girlfriend deserves a reward?" You pretend to be angry and turn your head to glare at him in person instead of through the mirror.

"Of course not." He raises his hands in surrender.

You harrumph in satisfaction at his attitude and then turn back to finish your makeup. But, at the very last second, after taking another glance at Osborn through the mirror, you grab your eyeliner and place a dot right below your left eye.

Osborn blinks. "Why did you draw a mole on your face?"

"Of course it's to be like you~."

He looks you over slowly, eyes lingering on the spot where you drew the mole, before he says teasingly, "Miss Directionally Challenged, do I also need to teach you left from right?"

"Hehe, I just knew you'd say that. This is where you don't understand, it's all about the aesthetic!" You hop up from the chair of the dressing table and run over to him to drag him to the full length mirror set beside the walk-in closet and place yourself on his left side. "Look, the moles are balanced with yours on the right and mine on the left. And then..."

You circle around to his other side and tug him down so you can press your cheeks together, aligning the moles. While doing this, you also take out your phone from your pocket and snap a photo of the two of you.

"See! Now they fit perfectly!" You do a quick crop and edit before sending a copy over to Osborn's phone.

In the photo, you're grinning brightly at the camera while Osborn has a small smile on his lips. From this angle, the two moles on your cheeks are actually barely visible but you still stare at Osborn's face, lost in thought.

Osborn rubs the top of your head gently. "That's a serious look. What are you thinking of now?"

"Do you know what they say about moles?"

"Can't say I pay attention to those kinds of things."

Such a straight man. You click your tongue inwardly and put your phone into your pocket before you turn to face Osborn, reaching up to tap your finger on the beauty mark below his right eye. "Moles near the eyes are called tear moles and supposedly signify bitterness and suffering in life."

His long and dark eyelashes quiver at the presence of your finger near his eye, but he still looks down at you, motionless and quiet. In this moment, you don't need to read minds to know you're both thinking about his mother, about Yu Da Academy, about Ye Chuan, and about the bounty hunter guild. Suddenly, his mouth starts to curl into what you know will be a sardonic smile, and so you take your finger off his mole and press it against his lips, stopping the motion.

"I don't like that saying though, I like this one better. That every mole on your body represents someone who loved you in your past life." Your finger lifts from his lips and drifts down to his collarbone and then his waist. "Boss Osborn must have been dearly loved in the past."

What you don't say is that you hope you will also appear as a mole on his body in his next life to prove that your love for him is enough to be carried on. So that, wherever and whoever he is in the next life is still accompanied by a memory of you, even if neither of you remember this.

Osborn's eyes have darkened into a color that is more gray than green, as if there is a storm brewing behind his eyes. You two know each other well enough that, although he cannot tell exactly what you're thinking of, he also knows they aren't entirely happy thoughts. His arms, which already wrapped around your waist at some point, tighten fiercely and your lower halves are pressed flush against each other. Still though, his voice is light compared to the gravity in his eyes.

"Whatever was in a past life has nothing to do with me now. I only need you in the present to love me." He thinks for a moment and then lifts a hand to tap the dot you placed under your eye with a chuckle. "But I also like this saying, because that means Lil' Xiao Five's mole is one that appeared because of my love for you."

You open your mouth to object to that weird reasoning, except you realize that it actually makes a strange kind of sense. You only drew this mole under your eye because of him. You start laughing together with him. "OK, OK, I can't outspeak you. Let's get going before we're late to the movie."

As you grab his hand and start to walk towards the front door, you feel him automatically slide his fingers between yours, interlocking your fingers together and clasping the heart of your palms together. What's past is past and the future is indeterminable, so he's right, you will just cherish the present you have with him.

[lumosatnight]

💞 Saffic September: Soulmates AU 💞

Part 3 of my Saffic September Rec List Series! Check out @hpsaffics for more info about their Daily Prompt Bingo Challenge! Today is a FREE SPACE, so I decided to go with Soulmates AU in honor of @hp-soulmates fest finishing posting. We have some matching marks, enemies to lovers, and a plethora of misunderstandings. Also for the @sapphic-september prompt vows. 1 podfic + 2 art + 6 fic + 1 combo recs. Enjoy!

PODFIC

💞 Heaven When We're Home [Cissamione, T, 1 hr 32 mins] read by @arcamenel-alatariel 💞 Oh, the interactions between Hermione and Narcissa are delightful. The reader also captures their essence during this gem of a podfic.

5 Times Hermione and Narcissa aren't ready to admit they're soulmates + the 1 time they are.

ART

💞 A Sweet Memory [Parvender, G, Digital] by @pygmy-puffy 💞 Not technically soulmates, but a super sweet look back on Lavender and Parvati's wedding day.

Looking back at the sweetest of memories.

💞 A Lifetime of Love [Ronerva, G, Comic] by @potter-art 💞 Also not soulmates, but I just want to stare at this comic all day. A sequence of panels going through the life of Rolanda and Minerva. Absolutely superb.

A lifetime of shared experiences. A lifetime of shared moments of quiet and peace, joy and love, grief and loss. A lifetime with a partner who’s always at your side, and a moment of just one more way to show that love to the world.

FIC

💞 we built this fucker stone by stone [Minmione, G, 13.3k] by elainebarrish 💞 This story is a lovely mix of growing up, war angst, and finding your soulmate along the way. Minerva is just the right amount of stern and sarcastic.

Getting to know Minerva McGonagall takes a lot of patience, even with her shade of green dark on your shoulder, even though you're sure that the matching green stains her fingertips and the palm of her hand... You wait, and you wait, and eventually, eventually, she comes around.

💞 Luck of the Draw [Petcissa, T, 10.1k] by @madetofly 💞 A fascinating take on soulmates. Petunia as a Muggle in the magical world and bonded to Narcissa is wonderfully done in this story.

After Severus Snape revealed that Lily was a witch, Petunia wasn't surprised... What she wasn't expecting was to get an invitation to Hogwarts herself. No, she's not a witch like her sister. She's something else: a soulmate. She doesn't understand exactly what that means until she gets there.

💞 Falling and Flying [Kalicia, G, 2.5k] by JoRaskoph 💞 I adore this soulmates AU. The ending is a twist, and yet not a twist at all. I love the idea that you can hear your soulmate's thoughts!

Alicia Spinnet has a lot to deal with, even before she develops a crush on Katie Bell, who most definitely isn't her soulmate.

💞 you are my symphony [Susanne, T, 2.7k] by Someone_aka_Me 💞 The imagery and concise prose makes this story a breeze to read!

Susan has a symphony growing on her ribs every time she talks to Daphne, but there's also a war to deal with.

💞 And If I Had To Choose [Pansmione, M, 3.7k] by flipflop_diva 💞 Enemies to friends to lovers with forced proximity and bits of humor sprinkled in. A great build in only 3k words.

In a world where soulmates are discovered via a type of internal explosion, Hermione is bound and determined to have nothing to do with hers for as long as she possibly can.

💞 cor aut mors [Linny, T, 3.0k] by @darkmagicalgirlwrites 💞 This story gutted me while also making me smile. It weaves through canon events so smoothly and with so much emotion.

Ginny was born without a bondmark.

FIC + ART

💞 Time is whit A’ hauld between [McClaw, E, 74.4k, Traditional, Digital] by @aibidil, @artymakeart, @canttouchthis87 💞 Time-travel, soulmates, Minerva McGonagall in Founders Era!!! AHHHHH, this fic is a ride, and I love it so much.

Minerva learns she must travel to the year 1008 to save Hogwarts's magic. And incidentally, the soulmark on her arm indicates she met her soulmate 991 years ago. Och!

← Part 2: Coffeeshop AU | Part 4: Pirate AU →

[the-penguin-of-baskervilles]

Bucky Barnes is a Traditional Man

- Bucky Barnes is a traditional man in the sense that his woman comes first.

- You have more doors held open for you than you could have imagined before you began dating Bucky.

- Door to buildings, your car door (always!), he even moves one step ahead of you when you walk down the stairs in heels so he could break your fall, just in case.

- James Buchanan Barnes is quite protective of his girlfriend.

- He’s in love with you and it finally allows some of the deeper wounds from Hydra, from the war, and losing Steve to heal.

- His heart was cold and aching before he met you. Now it’s warm and soft.

- Your perspective on the world is something that attracted him to you in the first place. You’re an optimist in a jaded world and vibrant with life in a way he’s not sure he’s even capable of.

- But somehow, being with you helps bridge the gap. He can look in the mirror and not see the Winter Soldier looking back at him. Instead he sees the man from the 1940s who loved to dance and who hoped to win a boxing title.

- You gave him that man back with your care and affection, even before the two of you fell in love. And he feels such a gratitude for that his heart throbs and his eyes glass over when he thinks about it for too long.

- Bucky is a man in love and you’re happier with him than you ever thought was possible to be. Things are so good between you two; easy, light, and sweet.

- Then one night at dinner Bucky forgets his phone. He asks to borrow your to check the score of a baseball game.

- And he accidentally finds an open porn tab. Curious, he turns the screen so no one else can see and watches. His stomach twists. The appetizer from earlier suddenly isn’t sitting so well.

- Choking.

- You watch porn with men choking their women.

- He’s not judging. He’s really not. But he’d been hoping for something he could replicate for you, and this? He can’t. Not in a million years.

- He’s afraid of hurting you.

- He doesn’t say it out loud because it feels like speaking one of his worst fears into existence. He doesn’t want even the words to pass his lips and take root in your imagination.

- You can’t see him like that. Like a monster. Too many others have and there’s enough truth behind the title for him to sleep well at night, despite all his progress. But most of the time, he sleeps well. It’s because of you and he knows it. Your comforting presence allows him to relax.

- He sleeps in bed with you nowadays. He likes how firm your mattress is.

- He struggles through dinner, the video playing through the back of his mind. When you ask him what the score of the game was he can’t figure out what you’re talking about. It’s an awkward moment.

- The thing here, is that Bucky Barnes is a traditional man. His woman comes first. So he’s going to do whatever it takes to please you and he knows it.

- You always come first. Both in the bedroom and out of it. That’s one of his rules. So he’s already forming ideas about how he’s going to accommodate your kink.

- Two weeks later is your anniversary. He gets flowers, takes you to a nice restaurant and when you get home, brings up the thing.

- “I found your porn open when I borrowed your phone. I’m guessing that you like choking, doll?”

- Your cheeks turn bright red. And you stammer.

- “Hey. Don’t be embarrassed. I want to know this stuff. I need to. How can I please you if we don’t talk about it?”

- “Bucky, you don’t have to... I would never ask you...”

- He smiles. He loves that you’re protective of him in your own way. Knowing this has done a lot for his mental well-being. It makes the relationship between you two solid and strong.

- “I want to give you everything you want in bed,” Bucky says.

- “But you already do!”

- That’s true. Too many of your ex-boyfriends were quick and rough without taking the time for foreplay.

- Bucky is an expert at foreplay. He’s able to build the tension until you fall apart for him is an addiction that he feeds as often as he can. Knowing he provides for your needs like no other man before him is a point of pride for him. (Private pride, that is. Even Sam doesn’t know anything about his sex life. Some parts of 1940’s discretion is very much ingrained in him. It’s not shame. He just likes keeping intimacy... intimate.)

- Bucky is slow and sensual in bed, warm and passionate. With him sex really does feel like making love. It was on your first night together that you’d fallen for him and his patient, gentle way of touching you.

- Orgasming had been so easy when you felt worshiped and safe. And it remained that way with him. Later, these feelings heightened your desire for rough sex with your boyfriend. Because sex with Bucky was a place of security for you. He was utterly harmless towards you and in that context, rough sex would be amazing.

- But things between you two are pretty much vanilla.

- He’s always soft with you. Things can be heightened and swirling with passion, but he’s never show even a flash of aggression or force.

- The super soldier serum means he has stamina for days. He can accomplish and position you want to try, even if it involves lifting you for long periods of time. And there’s no question if he’s going to last. Also, his recovery time is so short “round two” sometimes blurs in with round one.

- But he’s careful about using his strength against you, even more so during intimate situations.

- You’re not “breakable” and he knows that. But you’re precious to him and leaving a mark that isn’t from pure passion would wreck his mental health. Permanently. He’d never forgive himself.

- You know this too, which is why you never asked him to choke you.

- “Baby doll. I want to give you your fantasy. Will you let me? Do you want that from me?”

- You do. You really, really want to be choked by him. So you quietly respond, “Yes.”

- Before he starts, you two sit on the couch and he holds you while you tell him about your fantasies. He takes off your heels while you tell him all your darkest desires. And he gives the sore arches of your feet a massage, listening intently.

- One comforting thing for Bucky is that having been a soldier, he knows how to choke someone. He’ll be able to tell if it’s too much for you. He knows how long before it would damage you. There’s some confidence forming that this will be safe and he won’t hurt you.

- It’s nice that for once his violent past is proving helpful in your relationship. He thought agreeing to choke you might rattle him a little, stirring up old emotions, but it’s soothing. He’s enjoying using what he knows to make this experience good for you.

- He lets things get rough when you go to bed. He doesn’t hold back the passion tonight. Instead, he focuses on eating you to orgasm and holding you on the edge until you pull his hair.

- “Bucky! Please!”

- Then he slides two fingers inside of you and draws fast little circles on your g-spot until you break.

- He lets up on your clit but as the orgasm fades, slides in a third finger and pounds the spot until your pussy creams on his hand and your groans are low and raw, filled with ecstasy.

- “That’s it, doll. Just like that. So pretty when you cum for me. Keep going, baby girl. I’m right here.”

- His metal arm wraps around your waist when you arch your back, holding you so he can keep toying with the spot as your hips begin to jerk away.

- When he’s finally done with your g-spot his hand is drenched. So is the sheet and your inner thighs.

- And you’re gasping for breath from the intense orgasm. When it comes on this hard you can’t really tell if it’s one long orgasm or three separate ones that came almost back to back.

- Bucky takes you in his arms, cooing sweet nothings into your ear.

- It helps you calm down when he talks in a soft soothing voice. The man should narrate meditations.

- His voice is silky and smooth for you, yet rough with repressed need. You can hear the need and it feeds your desire.

- “Please, Bucky. I need to feel you inside of me.”

- You find yourself underneath him, with your legs pushed apart and his body selling between them.

- You love feeling the weight of him on top of you.

- Then, he gently opens the petals of your sex and guides himself inside of you.

- There’s a stretch and burn as he enters you, just like there always is. Your body never quite adjusts to his girth. Each time you have to relax for him.

- He knows it’s a challenge to take him at first. He’s always careful and there’s a tube of lubricant in the side table. It’s not always needed but he’s always prepared.

- His hips begin to roll, and he sets a steady pace that pushes the tip of his cock against your spot with each thrust. At first his thrusts are shallow but as you begin to relax around him he goes deeper. His body moves forward to cover you and he starts fucking you hard.

- Each snap of his hips has you keening. Your body is so sensitive from your earlier orgasms. He keeps up the pace steady and constant until you’re begging. Then he reaches out with his metal hand and covers your throat. At this point, your channel clenches around him, almost in orgasm.

- “You wanted my metal hand baby, didn’t you?”

- Yeah. You had. The idea had fueled your fantasies night after night.

- The cool press of metal into your throat makes you moan and tremble.

- Bucky feels the shiver and worry flashes through his eyes. “This okay, doll?”

- “Yes, harder, please!”

- He can feel your body responding and it encourages him to press down, finally choking you the way you’d dreamed of.

- You orgasm almost instantly as he chokes you through your climax.

- Bucky lets go when your fluttering muscles start to ease. Suddenly he’s driving into you hard. He drops his hand from your neck, needing both to balance his weight as he seeks his own pleasure.

- The wild, rough movement is harder than the two of you have ever gone before.

- Because he’s always been afraid of hurting you with his enhanced strength until he was too far gone to think.

- When his orgasm hits, his sight goes white and he jerks against you, pumping his seed into you. Then he collapses.

- You hold him tight, savoring the press of his body and the feeling of his release inside of you.

- “You okay, doll? I wasn’t too rough?”

- “It was perfect.”

- Your hand strokes through his hair as you lay together in the same position for several minutes. Heartbeats pounding, your minds still struggling to return to equilibrium.

- Bucky recovers first. Damn that super soldier serum. It’s not fair that you’re still limp and dazed.

- He slips out of you and rolls over, bringing you with him. Your head finds its cradle in his shoulder and your eyes drift shut.

- Recovery isn’t going to happen for you tonight. You’re just going straight to sleep. You’ve earned it.

- Bucky shifts you onto your side. He gets up and you hear water running in the bathroom before a cool cloth touches between your legs, cleaning you.

- You murmur a thanks, half asleep.

- He comes back to cuddle you into his arms, adjusting the pillows around you before he lays down.

- When you throw a leg over his hip, he draws you closer so that you’re lying almost on top of him.

- “You make such a good pillow of someone with so many hard muscles.”

- Bucky chuckles and kisses the top of your head.

- “I’m glad. Go to sleep, doll. I love you.”

- “I love you too, James.”