#he thought that it was okay for a select few to die | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

roosterforme · 1 year

Text

Right Girl, Wrong Time Part 7 | Bradley Bradshaw x Reader

Summary: Your weekend is over and you say goodbye to Bradley, but you both hope that it won't be another ten years before seeing each other again. Bradley was desperate for more of you, and this time, he'd make sure to do whatever he needed to get it. He just needs you to fulfill your end of the deal first.

Warnings: Smut, fluff, swears, and angst

Length: 3400 words

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader (former fuckboy college student Bradley)

This is a sequel to accompany my story Old Habits Die Hard (you'll want to read that one first)!

Check my profile for my masterlist

You didn't want to move. Ever. You just wanted to lay here on top of Bradley on your bed in your little house. Keep him with you forever.

This moment was too perfect. His hands rubbed your back underneath the soft fabric of his Grateful Dead shirt, and he was singing to you. He was singing the lyrics of your tattoo, with something extra added on.

You don't know how easy it is to love you, Sugar.

Part of you wanted to fall asleep like this, absorbing his body heat, and his voice, and his love. But you didn't know for sure when you'd get to see him again. You didn't want to think about the possibility that you might not.

Because admitting that you loved each other ten years ago and saying you still felt that way now.... well, that didn't necessarily mean that you and Bradley would be able to mesh your separate lives together into something you could both live with. Although, this weekend that you got to spend reunited with him did feel more serendipitous than you'd like to admit. Your mind was still reeling, still searching for the logic in this situation.

When Bradley stopped singing and you felt his fingers at the back of your neck, you sighed and let yourself enjoy this moment. After you pressed your lips to his scars, you asked him, "Will you send me those selfies you texted to Nat?"

Bradley studied your face, and even with the soft lighting, you could tell his cheeks were flushing with color. "Sure." He kissed you gently and then slipped out from under you to retrieve his phone from the bathroom while you located yours under a pile of discarded clothing on your floor.

"What is it?" you asked, when he sprawled out on your bed once more. "You're blushing right now, Beer Boy."

He handed you his unlocked phone and cleared his throat as you crawled over next to him. "You can send them to yourself. I already saved them to a folder."

"Okay," you said, taking his phone and looking at the wallpaper, which was a picture of his Super Hornet. "Which folder?"

You tapped on the photo gallery and it opened to neatly organized pictures with labels and dates. He had things pertaining to his aircraft, one labeled 'House Projects', and then you saw one that made you suck in a short breath.

There was a folder labeled 'Sugar' at the top of the gallery.

"You have a whole folder of...me?"

He just nodded, his brows furrowed now. "The passcode is your birthday. Text whatever you want to yourself." You could tell he was trying for a tone of nonchalance, but it wasn't translating as cool as he probably thought it was. You typed in your four digit birthday, and the folder opened.

At the top you saw the selfies he had taken just a few hours ago, the ones he sent to his best friend. You started to select them, but then decided to scroll down to see more.

"I thought you said you had one picture of us that you showed to Nat and Bob," you whispered, but Bradley just shrugged.

The folder was filled with candid shots of you from ten years ago at frat parties and in the library study room. There were some where you were smiling and biting your lip, others where you were concentrating on a textbook and paying him no mind. He had even taken a picture of his bedroom door at some point, on which he had written 'SUGAR what's your number?'

"Bradley," you whispered, but he was running his hand through his hair and looking at the ceiling. The pictures you had taken to make Phoebe jealous were all there, too. You and he were in the kitchen at the Beta house, enjoying your fake spring break together. There were photos of you kissing and licking his lips, one of you sucking melted chocolate off of his fingers, and several of Bradley touching and kissing your bare breasts.

"I took those to make Phoebe jealous," you whispered, looking at him while he still avoided your gaze. "I thought you would have deleted them."

He shook his head. "Couldn't bring myself to. Couldn't delete any of them."

You paused for a beat, looking at a selfie of the two of you a few weeks before graduation. He was standing behind you with his arms wrapped around you and his chin resting on your shoulder. You both looked unbelievably happy.

"Did your other girlfriends mind that you kept these?"

Bradley rolled his eyes at you. "Why do you think it has a passcode? None of them knew about it."

You bit your lip and inched closer until your knees were bumping his side. "Do you have a folder for each of your other ex girlfriends, too?" you asked softly.

Bradley finally reached for you, pulling you so you were straddling his lap and looking down at him. "You see any other folders in there?"

You didn't need to scroll to know he only had a folder of you, so you shook your head and started selecting all of the pictures in the 'Sugar' folder to send to yourself.

"It's just you," Bradley whispered. "I've only ever been in love with you."

You hit send and leaned down to kiss him while your phone lit up across the bed.

"I can't fucking believe I could have been texting you this whole time," he said as you kissed his cheek. "I figured you'd blocked me permanently. Or that you had a different phone number. I thought you were probably married."

You laughed and asked, "Would you have really texted me?"

"Hell no," Bradley replied, holding you against him. "Couldn't deal with the disappointment of you not remembering who I was."

You kissed him for a long time. Eventually you both slipped under the blankets, rolling onto your sides and sharing the softest touches. Every gentle brush of his lips against yours felt like the promise he made to you, felt like he would wait to hear your answer after you visited both schools.

"You think I could forget you? I've only ever been in love with you too, Bradley."

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

Every time Bradley pulled you close to him, you lit him up with your laughter. "I don't want to leave," he whined over and over again as you and he made breakfast together on Sunday morning. He couldn't stop touching you through the soft fabric of his old shirt. "Fuck the Navy. I'm staying here."

"You don't mean that," you said with a smile. "Don't you miss your friends? And your Super Hornet?" You were being coy now, and he didn't know if it was because you were going to miss him too, or because you wanted to know where you ranked.

Bradley groaned dramatically. "I don't miss Nat. She was downright sweet to you when you were texting last night. But she's never that nice to me. And I guess I miss flying, but pretty soon, I'll be doing that every day for six weeks."

"That's true, I suppose."

While you tried to plate some pancakes, Bradley whispered, "I'd rather be doing you every day for six weeks."

You giggled and looked up at him over your shoulder. "You always were smooth, Beer Boy. Too smooth for your own good. But does that mean you'll be thinking about me at night? On the aircraft carrier? When you're tired and unable to sleep?"

His eyes drifted closed. Now he had a whole arsenal of images he just knew would be circulating through his mind; 21 year old Sugar and 31 year old Sugar. Both too sweet for him, but exactly what he wanted.

"Not only then. I'll be thinking about you a lot. Waiting to hear from you as soon as I dock back in San Diego."

You fed him bites of pancake while he caged you in against the kitchen counter. "How will I know when you get back? Do they tell you the date ahead of time?"

"Yeah, but sometimes it changes according to the weather and mission parameters. I'll text you as soon as I can. Don't worry about that. You can tell me about the schools, and we can talk on the phone and catch up."

"Okay," you agreed, setting the food off to the side and wrapping your arms around him. And now Bradley was feeling guilty again. He shouldn't be talking to you like this right now. There were too many things up in the air. But he'd be lying if he said he wasn't thinking of ways to get a transfer to Florida if you picked Miami. He couldn't live without you now.

He took your face in both of his hands, running his thumb along your swollen lips and smiling at the dark smudges under your eyes. Neither of you had slept much last night, and Bradley had been kissing you almost nonstop. "I love you, Sugar."

Your eyes drifted closed briefly before you nodded against his hands. "I never thought I'd hear you say that."

"I don't know if I can stop now."

"Don't."

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

After you ate, you spent hours in your bed with Bradley, talking and touching each other. Your words grew softer, and you found yourself clinging to him a bit more as the morning turned to early afternoon. You were laughing, and he was kissing your shoulder when suddenly a soft sob escaped your lips.

He pulled back to look up at you, but you just shook your head. "I don't want you to leave."

Then he was looking at you like he was in agony. "I would stay if I could. You know that, right?"

"Yeah."

"Our timing kind of sucks, but maybe we can figure it all out. You're smart, Sugar," he murmured as his lips found your tattoos. "You'll figure it out and let me know where I stand." When you opened your mouth to tell him you could figure it all out right now, he kissed your lips. "But not yet," he added.

Did this man really think you'd fall in love with Miami more than you loved him? You almost laughed, but then he was sucking on one of the spots on your neck that was still tender from last night's activities.

"Bradley," you whined softly. He was hard and pressing against your clit just right. His tongue and lips were soothing your neck only to be met with his prickly mustache.

"I need to leave soon, baby. Tell me how you need it."

The most unholy moan left your lips, and you were surprised you could sound that needy. "Slow. Just go slow."

He nodded against you, sliding through your silky wetness and entering you so leisurely, it somehow felt filthy. When you tried to press up against him to take him faster and deeper, Bradley scolded you.

"No, no. You're getting it slow, Sugar. It's what you need. I need it, too."

"Fuck," you gasped, winding your fingers in his pretty hair while he spread your pussy wide, squeezing your thighs. "Bradley."

And you knew this might be your last time with him like this. At least for a while.

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

Bradley was in heaven, basking in the little sounds you made just for him. You had told him he was the best and that you still loved him. But he wanted to be your only one.

As he worked his thumb softly along your clit, he paused his ministrations each time he felt you clench around him. "Please." Your voice was soft and broken, and after he'd taken you close but not all the way a few times, you were begging. "Bradley."

He responded by kissing his name on your lips and tasting your tongue. He swiped his fingers against your clit just the way you liked it best, and you anchored yourself to him with your fingers tugging on his hair.

"Shh, nice and slow," he grunted next to your ear, and once again you were clenching around him. Your moans were building like a crescendo, and soon he was panting just like you were. "I love you. I'd wait forever to be with you again."

He watched a tear leak from the corner of your eye, and he kissed it away as you came on his cock. Bradley rocked into you slowly, watching you squeeze your eyes shut as he filled you up, rubbing his lips and mustache along your neck.

Finally you were looking up at him again, and he was just as mesmerized by your beautiful, expressive face now as he had been in college. Your voice was soft and spent as you whispered, "I love you, too, Beer Boy."

But he knew it was time to leave you. The idea of being away from you again had him panicking like it did before. What if you changed your mind while he was gone for six weeks? Completely out of contact with you? "I'm not going anywhere, Sugar. But I do need to leave."

"I understand." You smiled softly at him, and then your lip quivered as your eyes filled with tears. Bradley withdrew himself from the comfort of your body and wrapped you in his arms.

"I'll text you when I get back. You can let me know when you're able to call me, and we can figure this shit out, okay? I'll text you before I even text Nat, and she's the one who's supposed to pick me up."

You laughed softly against his ear. "Promise me you'll be safe when you're deployed."

He kissed your temple. "Sugar, you know I can't promise you that. But I can promise you that I love you now, and I will still love you in six weeks no matter what happens." He held onto you until the last possible minute, knowing he'd miss his flight if he waited any longer.

When he stood up and started to gather his clothes, you tracked his movements with your eyes. "I'll come to the airport with you. I can Uber back," you told him, jumping out of bed and pulling on the tie dyed shirt and some shorts.

Bradley watched you move around your bedroom, slipping on shoes and grabbing your purse before tucking yourself against his chest.

"We're just prolonging the inevitable, baby."

"I don't care," you replied defiantly. "I'll get an extra thirty minutes with you."

The way you could make Bradley's heart soar left him grinning. "Alright, Sugar. Let's get me to the airport."

The ride was quiet, but you held his hand in both of yours while he drove, and he sang a few Grateful Dead songs. "Sing me my song," you demanded softly, kissing his fingers.

Bradley laughed softly. "You know, you're so perfect, Sugar, it probably was somehow written with you in mind." And then he sang for you until he pulled into the airport to return his rental car.

You kept a firm hold on his hand until you walked him as far as you could go without a boarding pass. When Bradley set down his bag to give you a proper goodbye, your lips were immediately on his. "I love you, Beer Boy," you whispered between kisses. The brush of your lips against his mustache had him holding you tight against him, and he dug his fingers gently into the back of your neck. He kissed you so hard, you were moaning into his mouth, swiping his tongue with yours.

"I never stopped loving you," he panted, breaking away and resting his cheek against your forehead. "You seemed like a mirage the other night, at the bar. I never thought I'd get a chance to look at you again."

You laughed softly. "You can do more than look at me, Bradley. Anytime you want."

Bradley wanted a commitment now. He could feel in his very bones how right that would be. But this wasn't the time for it. "Remember what you promised me."

You nipped along his jaw, saying, "I'll look at both schools, Lieutenant Bradshaw. And then I will report back to you when you are once again on dry land."

"That's my girl," he crooned, and your gaze met his with so many unspoken questions and answers. "I'll be thinking about you. Just like I always do." He kissed your cheek and then pressed his lips to your mouth in one final kiss before getting in line for security. You stood there in his favorite shirt and watched him until you couldn't see him any longer, your arms wrapped around your midsection while you cried.

He used his phone to call you a ride back to your house and texted you the information. You wrote back right away.

This was the best weekend of my life.

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

You were so antsy to talk to Bradley. You were thinking about him all the time now. As you sat on your desk in your office, eating a sandwich and looking at your packed boxes, you wondered if he was eating dinner. Or maybe it was the middle of the night where he was. Maybe he was thinking about you, too.

This room reminded you of him, and he had only been here once. This desk especially reminded you of him. When you passed Ted, the security guard on your way in earlier, you thought about Bradley while Ted blushed and greeted you softly.

And that's how it had been for the past two weeks. You had Beer Boy on your mind almost nonstop. Sure, he'd popped into your thoughts pretty frequently over the last ten years, but this was overpowering. Now that you knew you could reach him by phone if you wanted to, you hated that he was deployed and out of contact.

You sighed, giving in to your urge once more to scroll through Nat's Instagram page. You had already memorized every post with Bradley in it, but it didn't hurt to look once more. And then you told yourself it would be okay to look at all of the photos that had been in his secret Sugar folder.

You had to tip your head back and press your lips together to keep from moaning, because just the thought of Bradley keeping those pictures for ten years made you want him badly.

And then started the vicious cycle of hating deployments.

"Fuck," you groaned, tucking your phone away. You would drop your boxes off with your friend Veronica, and then you had another week in Virginia before you started your adventure.

First stop, Miami.

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

Bradley was laying in his tiny bed aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, thinking about you. He wondered if you were in Miami or San Diego yet. He wondered if you had visited either of the schools. He wondered if you had made a decision and how he would fit into it.

He was halfway through his deployment, and it had been so boring. Even though he desperately wanted to talk to you, he had decided to give you some space while he was gone. So instead, he'd used his one facetime call to talk to Nat, but he had spent most of it catching her up on his weekend in Virginia.

"You're still in love with her," Nat had said with dreamy eyes.

"Yes. I am still in love with her. And I've given her the power to break my heart a second time. Nat, I won't survive."

But in typical best friend fashion, she had been able to calm his nerves and tell him he needed to focus on work for now and give you some space. He would give you as much time and space as you wanted or needed, if he just knew for sure he could see you again.

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

They parted ways, and I want to cry. Thanks to @mak-32 and @beyondthesefourwalls

PART 8

@hotch-meeeeeuppppp

@swthxrry

@chassy21

@yaboid19

@solacestyles

@avoirlecoupdefoudre

@daisyhollyxox

@callsigndiamond

@harper1666

@throwinsauce

@beebslebobs

@awesomebooklover17

@wintercap89

@whosyourgnomie4

@rosesinmars

@blog-name6996

@bcon24

@wishfulwithwine

@backinwonderl4nd

@monte-carlando

@tetragonia

@gingerbreadandpaper

@emptyloverofmine

@apparently-sunshine

@chaoticassidy

@missmirandafe

@topgunbb

@changlingkhat

@sugarcoated-lame

@callsign-jupiter

@avada-kedavra-bitch-187

@katiebby04

@marantha

@averyhotchner

@abaker74

@andycanbeemotional

@heli991113

@k-k0129

@noz4a2

@tallyovie

@shanimallina87

@starlightstories

@teddyluvs2sing

@little-wiseone

@ccbb2222

@lilyevanswhore

@o-the-o-grim-o-reaper-o

@hecate-steps-on-me

@xoxabs88xox

#bradley rooster bradshaw x reader #rooster x you #rooster fanfic #rooster x female reader #rooster x reader #bradley bradshaw fic #bradley bradshaw x female reader #bradley bradshaw fanfiction #bradley bradshaw x reader #bradley bradshaw imagine #rooster bradshaw x female reader #bradley rooster bradshaw #bradley rooster x reader #top gun imagine #top gun fanfiction #top gun maverick fanfiction

773 notes · View notes

nvrsaidiwasinurcloset · 7 months

Text

Flames - Ethan Landry x Fem!Reader- Part 2

Summary: You have your friends to help you through your pregnancy as Ethan gets the help he needs.

Part 1, Part 3

Contains: Fluff, Angst, Mentions of pregnancy

A/N: HI! I'm currently in the process of trying to update all my fics to include what's in the fic because I'M AN IDIOT and completely forgot about that😅

When you found out Ethan had something to do with what was happening a few weeks before, you were devastated. The kind, sweet Ethan that you first met when you were thirteen and went to visit Dewey and Gale in New York. You tried to have a long-distance relationship with Ethan until you met Amber in your sophomore year. Then you realized that you needed to be with someone that could physically be there with you, and you were wanting to explore your sexuality. Ethan was sad about it, but he understood. When you reached back out to him after everything happened with Amber, you’d learned that he’d lost his brother around the same time. You leaned on each other to grieve your losses, and you started to get your feelings back.

Your mom was so close to Gale, and after everything happened to Dewey, she flew out to New York for a while because Gale took it really hard. That’s when Gale suggested that you going to college there and getting out of Woodsboro might be good for you. You and Tara both decided to apply to the same school, keeping your fingers crossed that you’d both get in. Mindy and Chad did the same, and after a few months, you all got your acceptance emails on the same day.

Ethan was so excited when you told him you got into the same school as him. He was hoping the two of you had a chance to pick up where you’d left off years before. But then his dad came up with a plan. Ethan felt sick as he listened to his dad talk about you being one of the targets.

“I won’t be a part of this if you want to hurt her,” Ethan said, as his dad eyed him curiously. “I know her, okay? I really care about her.”

“You can’t be serious…you want us to spare a girl that had something to do with Richie dying?” Wayne questioned, “How do you know her?”

“It doesn’t matter how I know her, you aren’t going to hurt her,” Ethan had a scowl on his face, “And, Amber stabbed her first. She didn’t hurt him.”

“Fuck it, she can live…but everyone else dies.”

Ethan nodded at his dad’s words, “She doesn’t know you or Quinn, so this could work.”

Ethan spent days trying to hack into the university’s computer system after he realized that was a way to get close to Chad. Once he was in and was able to select him as his roommate, he started to search for ways Quinn could help. He talked to you about your plans and where you were going to stay. When you mentioned that you were moving in with Tara and Sam, and were hoping to find a fourth roommate, he knew that he needed to make sure Quinn got that extra room.

Wayne made it clear to both of his kids that they were to act like they didn’t know each other, and that Quinn was to be the only one to interact with their dad. Ethan started to get nervous when you got close to Quinn, but she felt like she could get close to you, because you weren’t going to die. Plus, she really grew to like you. When she found out you were pregnant, she couldn’t tell Ethan. She knew that he would probably back out of the plan, and it would ruin everything they’d been working towards.

When you left, Ethan was rethinking everything. All he wanted was to be with you, and when you went back to Woodsboro, he thought about hopping on a plane and leaving his dad and Quinn to do all the work. He knew he couldn’t, because they’d come to find him, and you wouldn’t be safe.

As Ethan and Quinn snuck into the abandoned theater that night, she knew his head wasn’t in it.

“Ethan, pay attention! We don’t have much time,” she whispered, observing Tara, Chad and Sam explore around the theater from the balcony.

“I don’t think I can do this,” he sighed, pulling the mask off.

“What the fuck are you doing?” she asked, “You’re going to ruin everything!”

“I have to stop this,” he said, standing up.

That’s when Quinn pulled the knife out, stabbing him a few times. His eyes were wide in pain and shock, not thinking his own sister could do this to him. He started to groan when she put her hand over his mouth to muffle him, not wanting anyone else to hear him.

“I’m really starting to understand why Richie was dad’s favorite son,” she said, as Ethan lost consciousness.

Quinn and Wayne tried to finish the job that night, ultimately losing their lives as they attempted to kill the Carpenter sisters. When the detectives discovered Ethan’s body in the balcony, he was immediately considered a suspect, because he was wearing the robe and the mask was on the floor beside him. He miraculously had a faint pulse and was able to be saved.

As you kept up with your friends and what was going on with Chad, Tara started to bring up Ethan.

Tara: I just wanted to let you know that Ethan’s going to be okay. He’s going to be getting the help he needs. I don’t know if you wanted an update, but I thought you would because of the circumstances.

You: Have you heard why he was a part of it? I haven’t seen anything new about it.

The details surrounding the situation were kept quiet. They wanted to verify all the information before it was released to the public.

Tara: I asked about it…and I don’t know if you want to know.

You: I need to know…I’m literally pregnant with his child.

Tara: Have you told your mom yet?

You: Yes, already had my first appointment. Everything’s looking good so far.

You: Quit trying to change the subject

Tara: Alright…Quinn was Ethan’s sister, and detective Bailey was his dad.

Your heart was pounding as you read the message. You started to feel like you didn’t know Ethan at all. He’d mentioned his dad a couple times, but you’d never met him. And he definitely never brought up having a sister, even when you were younger before all of this started.

Tara: They did it for Richie. He was Ethan’s brother.

You: What the fuck?

You started to sob as you held your tummy. As much as you wished the condom hadn’t broke that night, you still loved the tiny little person that was growing inside of you. You knew you’d do whatever you needed to, to make sure they’d always be safe.

The months passed quickly, your belly getting bigger by the week. Your friends flew back to Woodsboro for your baby shower, and decided to stay until after you had the baby. Yeah, you had your family, but you were so thankful to have your best friends by your side, too. Your parents decided to convert the large office they had into a nursery, which you were so thankful for.

“I’m happy you aren’t doing the stereotypical ‘everything must be pink’ thing,” Mindy said, as you walked through the baby section of the store with her and Chad. “What color are you thinking for the walls?”

“I think I want gray, but a light gray. I am going to have a little bit of pink in the room, and I think it’ll go well together,” you said, holding one of your hands against your belly as you felt your baby girl kick.

“Is this the crib you want?” Chad said, attempting to lift the heavy box. You nodded as Mindy helped him grab the other end and put it on the large cart.

“Please be careful. I know you’ve been going to physical therapy for months, but I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” you said to Chad, his face still wincing from the weight of the box. He still had some muscle damage that he was hoping could be fixed.

Chad was especially helpful. He built the crib, painted the room, assembled the changing table. Tara and Mindy took you shopping for baby clothes and all the little things you’d need for the tiny new person when they made their way into the world.

“Everything is so tiny,” Tara said, as she helped you fold the freshly washed baby clothes.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a mom soon,” you smiled, adding a stack of clothes to a basket.

“I know we don’t really talk about Ethan, but do you think you’re ever going to tell him?” she asked, looking over at you.

“I thought about it, but I’m going to keep her safe. I don’t want him to know,” you sighed, “I know he’s getting help, but I can’t put her in danger.”

“It makes sense. She’s got all of us, anyway. You won’t ever have to worry about doing this alone,” she smiled, “We might be transferring back here.”

“What?!” you squealed, before you started to think. “You guys can’t do that…you’re about to start your second year.”

“Yeah, but the core five has to stick together,” she said, as Chad’s head popped into the room.

“I just hung the shelves and the pictures you wanted on the walls. Wanna come check it out?” he asked, a huge smile on his face.

“Yes!”

You walked into the room and immediately started to tear up. You noticed that Chad had finished everything, from the fitted sheet on the crib mattress and the white fluffy rug on the floor, to the light pink curtains that looked great with the light gray walls.

“Chad…thank you,” you cried, as he pulled you into a hug. “These pregnancy hormones will be the death of me,” you laughed.

“You’re welcome. Now everything is ready for the little lady,” he said, as Tara walked in with the basket of folded clothes.

“Almost, we just need to put these away,” she said, walking over to the dresser.

Not even a week later, when you went with Mindy to make sure the car seat was correctly installed, your water broke.

“Oh fuck,” she said, your eyes wide as you looked over to the older gentleman that had just finished looking at the car seat. “Uh, I think we need to go.”

“Well, the car seat is good to go. Just in the nick of time too, it seems,” he chuckled, looking down at the wet spot on the ground. “Don’t worry about that, go have that baby.”

He was nice enough to bring a towel out for you to sit on as you made the trip down the street to the hospital.

“Shouldn’t you, I don’t know, be screaming in pain right now?” she asked, as you rolled your eyes.

“The contractions still feel the same way they have all day,” you sighed, as Mindy drove about ten over the speed limit in the residential area. “Slow down.”

“Slow down? You’ve been having contractions all day and didn’t think to tell someone?” she asked, her voice raised as she panicked.

“I’ve been tracking them on the app. They aren’t close enough yet. Now that my water broke, I think we should get to the hospital, though,” you said, so nonchalantly that Mindy was confused.

“Are you nervous?” she asked, as you started to laugh.

“Yeah, but I don’t really need to show it when you’re freaking out enough for the both of us.”

The truth is, part of you wished Ethan was there with you. You couldn’t help but hate him a little, his shitty decisions leading to you doing everything without him.

When you made it to the hospital, and Mindy called your parents and friends, everything moved quick. Mindy opted to be in the waiting room, as Tara and Chad stayed with you until Chad started to get a little squeamish.

“Okay, uh, I think I need to get out of here,” he said, feeling dizzy.

“It’s fine,” you groaned, before looking at Tara. “You can’t leave though.”

“I’m not going anywhere, you’ve got this,” she encouraged you as you started to push.

It only took twenty more minutes for your baby girl to make it into the world. When the nurse asked you what her name would be, Tara perked up, dying to know what you’d decided. You didn’t want to tell anyone the name you’d picked out until she was born, but you were also nervous about everyone’s last name reactions.

“Um, River Judith Landry,” you said, Tara’s eyes going wide.

“Your last name isn’t Landry,” the nurse said, as she wrote it on the whiteboard in the room.

“It’s her dad’s last name,” you said, “He couldn’t be here.”

You wanted to avoid the awkward conversation. How do you explain to someone that your child’s father was in a psychiatric hospital for plotting to kill your friends? You knew you didn’t want him to be around your daughter, but you also didn’t feel right just pretending that he didn’t exist.

As the nurse walked out, Tara looked over to you, “Landry?”

“Yeah, hopefully she doesn’t hate me someday for giving her that last name,” you said, looking down at the tiny human in your arms. “I guess we could always change it one day if she does.”

“Maybe one day when he’s better, things will be different,” she smiled, looking down at your daughter.

“Maybe.”

You’d been home from the hospital for a few weeks. Your friends all got the transfer to the local college, even though you begged them to go back to New York and live their lives. They made the trip back to get their stuff, so you’d been doing almost everything on your own while your parents were at work.

As you shushed your daughter who’d just woken up from a nap, you heard a knock on the door. You walked over to it, your eyes not leaving her. You gently bounced her in your arms as you opened the door, instantly filled with fear the second you saw who was standing there.

“Ethan?” you said, your voice shaking. “What are you doing here?”

He had a million things he wanted to say to you before he made it to the door, but when he saw you standing there with a baby, his brain stopped working.

“I think you should go,” you said, starting to close the door.

“Wait,” he said, “is that baby yours?”

#ethan landry #ethan landry x reader

163 notes · View notes

dark-frosted-heart · 2 months

Text

Roger Barel Main Route - Chapter 8

As usual, can’t guarantee 100% accuracy on this. I’m doing this for archiving purposes and you can probably find a better translation out there.

Entrusted with an undercover mission for Crown, Roger and I headed to a village in the countryside.

We were about to unveil the true identity of the Spirit God who claimed to hold great power when—

Roger: Did you never learn to let people finish talking while you were in your mama’s womb? Sure, treatment for tetanus isn’t widely available. But if you don’t have it, then you make it.

Spirit God: You can’t possibly…

Roger: As a former doctor, I can.

Spirit God: A…doctor? Lies. You’re just saying that to take my place…

Roger: …Shut it.

Roger cut the man’s ranting with a sharp yell.

Spirit God: …

Roger: While you’re so busy ranting, this little girl’s gonna…die.

The anger in his eyes gave me chills.

(That murderous intent is…incredible)

(...Ah, I see now. Roger’s furious)

(I’ve never seen Roger’s emotions be…laid so bare)

Child’s mom: ……her. Please just save her…!

A powerful cry shook the air.

Holding her dying daughter in her arms, the woman looked at Roger with pleading eyes.

—The man called the Spirit God had his hands bound with rope, and the villagers kept watch over him.

We were given a room where we started working on refining a treatment for tetanus.

Liam: Roger, I brought the drugs you asked for from the storehouse!

Roger: Perfect, thanks. We gotta get the lil’ girl comfortable. Hurry.

Kate: On it!

Roger removed his vest and started looking over the medicine collected.

(There’s not much I can do, but I want to help in any way I can)

Kate: I’ll sterilize the test tubes. You can use carbolic acid, right?

Roger: …O_O

(Huh? Was I wrong about carbolic acid…?)

Kate: Um…Roger?

Roger: I thought you were getting up to something at night. Turns out you were studying medicine.

A large hand ruffled my hair.

Kate: …

I felt like Ale receiving pets.

Despite that…I felt my heart beat a little faster.

Roger: You’ve saved me the trouble. Thanks, Kate.

Kate: No…it’s just some knowledge I crammed in my head. You’re still going to have to guide me.

Roger: Then I’m gonna make you do a lot of work.

(Why am I so happy…to receive praise from Roger?)

Somehow, my heart was beating differently than usual.

(No, no. Knowledge is a part of strength. I was just happy that I got a little stronger)

(...but)

—After selecting some drugs and running tests, a tetanus treatment was refined.

Roger: Alright…now we just need to run clinical trials and then we can give it to people.

(Doing clinical trials means…)

Kate: You’re going to test it on healthy bodies to study the effects.

Roger: That’s right. This time it’s to see if it’s safe to take.

Liam: I’ll do it, Roger. I’m healthy, but if anything happens, it’ll just be to me.

Liam raised his hand first and Roger gave a wry smile.

Roger: Liam. You think I’d just let you give in to your “bad habits”?

Liam: Ah…

Curiosity—that was Liam’s curse.

Roger: Too bad for you. I’m feeling thirsty.

With that said, Roger took the bottle of medicine in one gulp.

Kate and Liam: Eh!

After being stunned by Roger’s bold move, I came back to my senses.

Kate: Roger, what are we going to do if something happens to you!

Roger: It’s fine. My body’s stronger.

(Is it really okay…?)

I was feeling both confidence and doubt toward Roger.

But the man himself…

Roger: We’re gonna have to wait a bit for it to take effect. I’m gonna take a nap. Kate, wake me up in an hour.

With that said, he crashed on a bed—

Kate: Huh, Roger?

Within a few seconds, he started snoring.

Kate: He…fell asleep…?

I blinked at how fast he fell asleep and Liam laughed.

Liam: Hehe, you couldn’t kill him if you tried. I’m going to check on the villagers. Kate, I’m leaving Roger in your care.

The door closed, leaving Roger and me in the room.

When I sat on the edge of the bed, Roger’s hand fell from his chest onto my lap.

(He’s really asleep…)

His gloved hand was large and bony.

I gently touched his fingers which laid vulnerable on my lap.

(This hand’s killed before)

(And it’s kept many people alive)

The way Roger’s living, it's like he holds life and death in his hands—a terrible contradiction.

There’s no way a man as smart as him didn’t see that.

He’s an egoist with a rifle as if carrying the sin of killing, claimed to be a former doctor, and lived in darkness.

(...Roger, what are you trying to do with Crown?)

~~ Flashback ~~

Kate: What are you researching, Roger?

Roger: Cursed Ones—and how to rid the word of them.

~~ End flashback ~~

(Did he perhaps mean—)

I shook my head, trying to gather my thoughts.

(...No, let’s not jump to conclusions)

No matter how much I thought about it, I’d never reach the truth about Roger.

(At least, not with the way I am now…)

Roger woke up without any issues.

The tetanus drug was given to the infected girl and the villagers watched—

The girl woke up just as the sun rose.

Roger: …Pulse is normal, no numbness in her limbs. Looks like the medicine did its job.

(Thank goodness…!)

Mother’s child: Thank you so much. You’re a god.

Roger: …Me, a god? Don’t make me laugh. I’m just an ordinary human as you can see. If I were a god, I would’ve rid the world of all its absurdities.

(...Roger?)

Cold eyes betrayed the warmth in his words.

But then it disappeared in an instant.

In its place was a cynical smile.

Roger: Humans can’t become gods, no matter how hard they try. That’ what makes them so interesting.

Spirit God: …Argh, shut up!

A yell interrupted the peace in the room and we all turned toward the source.

Kate: Huh, Spirit God?! I thought he was captured and kept under watch…

The sudden appearance of the Spirit God confused the villagers.

Man of the village: When did you get free?! Everyone, run.

The Spirit God, who seemed to have escaped on his own, had an ominous smile on his face as the room fell into chaos…

(He’s coming this way…)

I tried to run, but he jumped at me from behind.

Kate: Eek…!

Roger: Kate.

Roger, who was standing by the girl, tried to reach for me, but it was too late. I was captured by the Spirit God.

Liam: Kate…

Roger: …

Spirit God: If you don’t want this woman to be killed, forget everything you saw in this village! That way, I can live as a god again.

(What a mess…Still, he’s surprisingly strong.)

(...What do I do)

His arms wrapped around my neck, cutting off air.

In my desperation, I looked up and met Roger’s gaze.

Roger: …

While everyone else turned pale, Roger was the only one smiling.

(...Huh? Why are you smiling…at a time like this?)

“You’ll get stronger, right”—the amber color happily threw at me.

(T-this guy…!)

(But…)

It’s better to be amusement than to be looked down on for being useless.

(Calm down…and remember what you learned about self-defense from Roger)

~~ Flashback ~~

Roger: Step two, what to do when someone holds you.

Kate: Hey, wait. What should I do?

Roger: Hey, I told you that trying to force your way out’s gonna make it worse.

First, go limp, like a puppet that just got its strings cut.

~~ End flashback ~~

I calmed my mind and released all tension from my body as I exhaled.

Spirit God: …What the, you got heavy all of a sudden.

(Now.)

While the Spirit God was confused, I pushed his arms up from below.

Roger: Well done, Kate. Now keep leaning forward.

The moment I escaped the Spirit God’s hold, Roger took over.

Kate: …!

A powerful jab in the jaw knocked the Spirit God unconscious.

(His eyes rolled back. He’s completely out…)

Kate: A one-hit K.O…What’s with that brute strength?

Roger: I didn’t tell you? I’m a heavyweight boxing champ.

Wow…

Really?

You’re one heck of a guy +4 +4

Kate: Hmm… Wait! You’re just casually mentioning that you’re a heavyweight boxing champ?!

Roger: Haha, amazing, aren’t I?

(He’s not joking. He really is one heck of a guy…)

I would’ve loved to spend an hour or so asking him about boxing, but I had something else on my mind.

Kate: He’s not dead is he…?

I checked the Spirit God for a pulse.

Kate: Ah, he’s breathing…

Liam: He’s breathing, but won’t wake up for a while. Well, it’s for the best.

(He’s not dead, which is good for now…)

No matter how evil a person was, seeing them die before your eyes left a bad taste in your mouth.

Blonde child: …Mr. Glasses.

The girl seemed well enough to get out of bed and approached Roger.

Roger: Hm, what is it? Does it hurt anywhere?)

Blonde child: No. Um…Thank you…For making the pain go away. And…thank you miss and Mr. Pink…

Kate: I’m glad you’re feeling better.

Liam: Mr. Pink. How cute.

Roger: You’re welcome. This is the best reward I’ve gotten.

After waking up, the Spirit God admitted to all his crimes and was sent to the police.

Victor arrived later and told us that the village, which had closed itself to the public, would now open up with financial support from Her Majesty.

As for me—

After parting ways with Victor, who stayed to clean up the mess, and Liam, who volunteered to accompany him, Roger and I boarded the train back to London.

From outside the window, twilight dyed the sky.

Roger: Pfft, haha.

Roger, who sat across from me, suddenly burst into laughter.

Roger: The look on that guy’s face when you slipped out of his arms was a masterpiece.

(Thinking about it…)

A smile formed on my lips as I recalled the Spirit God’s dumbfounded expression.

Kate: Heh, hehe… Wait, why am I laughing. I thought I was about to die.

I glared at Roger, but he just smiled and propped himself up against the windowsill.

Roger: Sorry, sorry. But the way you handled self-defense techniques honestly had me impressed. Not to mention you secretly studying medicine. So Kate, close your eyes.

Kate: …Don’t do anything weird, okay?

I closed my eyes after that warning.

…Then, I felt fingers touching my neck.

(Lace? It feels like a thin tie…but it’s nice to the touch)

Roger: You can open your eyes now.

Kate: …

I slowly opened my eyes.

Roger: …

Through the reflection of his amber eyes, I saw myself wearing a lovely choker.

Kate: This is…

Roger: A collar of course. You’ve now been promoted from dogsbody to pet. Congrats.

#ikemen villains #ikevil #ikevil jp #ikevil translations #roger barel #ikevil roger #ikevil roger route

74 notes · View notes

sweetsweetjellybean · 2 years

Text

TW: Smut-tacular 3 way smut. Angst. NSFW. 18+

AN: See end of chapter Word Count: 11.6k (sorry, she's a long one)

Beta'd by @superblysubpar

Series Masterlist Fic Menu

The look on Eddie's face as you descend the stairs is totally worth the extra time you spent on your hair and make-up. His eyes darken as they move over your fishnet-clad legs and your very short, tight jean cutoffs. The Metal Showcase Showdown is tonight, and you are dressed to impress.

"Jesus H, baby, are you wearing a bra under that?" He uses one finger to pull down the low neckline of your halter top, answering his own question when he sees the hard peek of your nipple.

"Nope," you say, popping the P and looking up at him under your lashes.

"How am I supposed to concentrate with you looking like that? I'm gonna be hard all night," his arms go wrap around you, bringing your body flush against him.

"You'll just have to try really..."

Kiss.

"Really,"

Kiss.

"Hard."

His full mouth stretches into an affectionate smile, "You're killing me, baby, but I'm going to die a happy man."

After the night you kissed Steve, things have returned to normal in the Harrington household. Necessity has a way of shortening memories, and everyone in this house needs something. Eddie isn't someone who holds a grudge, and his relationship with Steve hasn't suffered any. They say the path to hell is paved with good intentions and the ones you love litter the roadside. Despite not knowing what path or what road you're on, you've done your best to dedicate yourself to Eddie and avoid Steve. The two of you haven't been alone together since the kiss, but that hasn't stopped the hungry looks he casts your way.

Steve comes around the corner with an apple in his hand, takes one look at you, and promptly turns to go back into the kitchen.

"Steve, where you going, man?" Eddie asks, releasing his hold on you.

"I forgot my water," he hedges, "what do you need?"

"I was hoping you could get our girl here to the show tonight?" Eddie asks, lightly smacking your butt.

"Wait. I thought I was riding with you," the disappointment is evident in your voice.

"The van is full of all of the band shit. Besides, I gotta leave right now. You would be sitting around in an empty club for hours while we set up. Ride with Steve and Robin, okay?" He kisses your forehead, "You're still taking Buckley, right?" He asks Steve over his shoulder. Maybe he isn't as forgetful as you thought.

"Well, we were going to ride with Nancy and Jonathan," Steve says, shrugging his shoulders and biting into his apple.

"There you go, Harrington. Cut loose a little. Have a few," Eddie encourages," Just what the doctor ordered. I'm sure Wheeler's got room for one more, right?"

"Yeah, I'll call her and make sure she's driving the wagon."

"Thanks, buddy," Eddie puts a hand on Steve's shoulder, "I know you don't need my help, but this isn't your usual crowd. Don't wear a Polo if you want to get laid."

"Thanks, but I wasn't planning on it."

"Getting laid or wearing a Polo?" Eddie asks, feeling him out.

"The Polo," Steve says, glancing over at you.

"Nice," Eddie gives his shoulder a pat as he brings his hand up to block his mouth like you wouldn’t hear him when he says, "There should be quite a selection,"

"Good to know," Steve says shaking his head a little.

"Don't forget to wrap it. You never know where some of these chicks have been," Eddie says, leaning in closer to Steve.

Steve gives him a little push, "Get out of here. I'll see you at the show," he says before jogging up the stairs.

"Okay, baby. I'm going to take off. Do I look alright?" he steps back and holds out his arms.

"Hmm," you walk around, pretending to inspect him. A Metallica Tee with cut-off sleeves and a ripped neck shows off his arms and chest nicely. And the way his jeans cling to his ass has you reaching out to cop a feel.

"Hey, what do you think I am? A piece of meat?" he grabs your wrist, bringing you back in front of him, "You make me feel so cheap," he says, palming your breasts and giving them a squeeze.

"What am I supposed to do?" you ask, trying to sneak your hands back to his backside, "If you're dressed like this, clearly you're asking for it."

"I should have fucked you before you got all dressed up," he says before kissing you breathless, "I guess now I have something to look forward to."

He pulls down half of your shirt and sucks a nipple into his mouth. The current of electricity running straight from your breast to your pussy have you looking forward to it as well.

"Alright, baby, I got to go," he says, tucking you back into your shirt and kissing you quickly, "Remember, your names are on the list, so you can get in early. I'll see you tonight, okay?"

"Okay. Good luck," you give him one more smack on his bum on his way out the door.

You're peering at your reflection in the hall mirror, using your finger to apply a thin layer of gloss over your lips, when Steve comes down the stairs pulling a tight gray tee over his head.

"What do you think? Will this work?" Steve asks. Rubbing your lips together, you tighten the top on the little tub of gloss and try not to stare at the line of hair disappearing into his tight, worn black jeans.

"You'll pass," you say, trying to sound nonchalant, tucking your gloss back in your bag.

"Do you wanna know how I think you look?" He asks, crowding into your space.

"No," you step back until you're pressed against the wall.

"No?" one of his arms lands on your hip while the other presses against the wall, boxing you in.

"What are you doing?" you ask as he starts running his hand up your side. Your hand goes to his chest, keeping some space between your bodies, "We can't."

"That's not what you said the last time we were alone together," his eyes dip down to your lips before moving back to your eyes.

"I was confused," you don't sound convincing, not even to yourself.

"I think you know exactly what you wanted."

"I want Eddie," this time, your voice comes out sure and clear.

"Maybe. But he's not the only one you want," he covers your hand with his own, "This thing between us is more than just sex. The way you kissed me, the way you begged me, I could feel it," he moves closer pressing his body against you, "God, I wanted you. I would have fucked you right there in the kitchen if Eddie hadn't come home. And you wanted it just as much as I did."

"No. I would have stopped," you say, shaking your head, trying to clear it as things get a little hazy.

"I think you're wrong, and it's worth staying around to find out," his mouth starts moving toward yours at the same time the door opens, and Robin peeks her head inside. Steve quickly steps away.

"We're here," she says sharply before turning on her heel and slamming the door behind her.

Robin is unusually quiet, sitting between you and Steve in the back of Nancy's station wagon as you travel through the backwoods of Shelbyville on the way to the venue.

The Stone Church is an icon. Well, at least as close to an icon as you will get in this part of Indiana. Not much was known about the crumbling limestone church left to rot in the woods before it was developed into a live music venue and bar. It has become the spot to play for lesser-known and up-and-coming new acts, even boosting surprise performances from some big names looking for a more intimate setting.

Gravel crunches under the tires of Nancy's wagon as she turns off the pavement onto the flattened dirt road that leads farther into the woods. The parking lot is packed full, and Nancy has to park in a grassy area along the treeline. Everyone climbs out of the car and stretches a bit after the long ride. The sun is just beginning to set behind the church's steeple, which still houses bells that ring to mark the opening and closing of the bar every evening.

Closing the car door, you lift up the handle to be sure it is locked. Clouds of weed and cigarette smoke hang heavy around the groups of Metalheads gathered in the parking lot, waiting for the main doors to open and the showcase to begin. Following Nancy and Jonathan, you walk through the maze of cars and people besides Steve and Robin. Someone calls your name, and you raise a hand, greeting a group of guys you know through Eddie. Steve's hand is on the small of your back, gently maneuvering you between him and Robin. Questioning the sudden change in position, you look up at him, but he's not looking at you. With tense shoulders and a tight jaw, he scans the parking lot like he's scrutinizing anything and everyone for a threat. Apparently, you aren't the only one to notice the change in his demeanor.

"Steve, are you alright?" Robin asks as your group comes to a stop at the side door. Nancy turns around with concern as Jonathan gives your name to a guy with a clipboard standing at the door.

"I'm fine," Steve says, still looking around, "it's really crowded." He tries to hide it from the others, but he takes a few deep breaths through his mouth. Stepping closer to him, your fingers wrap around the hand hanging limply at his side, you give him a gentle squeeze before letting go, but he circles your wrist and joins your hands, keeping them low between you, away from the eyes of the others. The man with the clipboard opens the door ushering you inside. His hand lets go and moves to your hip, guiding you in ahead of him.

"I'm getting a beer before there's a line," Steve says, moving toward the bar.

"I'll come with you," Jonathan says, stepping around Nancy.

"Bring me back one," Nancy calls to Jonathan as you and Robin follow her to find a table.

Your eyes wander toward where Steve is leaning on the bar, waiting for his order with one foot up on the brass bar rail, his black jeans hugging his legs and ass in all the right places. A blonde in a tight leather mini squeezes in beside him placing her hand on his arm, and you turn away quickly, a sour feeling forming in your belly. Robin's eyes are on you, her face giving nothing away, but you can feel the judgment in her stare.

The noise level in the club goes up a notch as the first band starts setting up their instruments on the stage. Unlike The Hideout, where recycled pallets serve as the platform for musical acts, Stone church has a real stage with professional sound and lighting, giving every group that performs a taste of rock stardom. The original church has been extended into a crucifix-shaped building with a generous backstage area, pool tables, and long double bars that line the walls with back bars lit in red neon holding shelf after shelf of bottled liquor. The enormous red neon cross that hangs above the stage and the dark wood and religious imagery keep the theme going through the interior of the space.

Jonathan walks over, sets a beer in front of Nancy, and takes the seat beside her. Steve's just behind him, two brown bottles in each hand. Robin takes one out of his hand, and he sets one in front of you before placing the other two on the table and pulling out the chair beside Robin.

Warm arms circle your shoulders, and you smile as Eddie presses his soft lips against your temple. Turning toward him, your lips meet his for another quick kiss.

"I didn't know if we'd see you before the show started," you happily capture one of his hands between both of yours.

"I had to come out and make sure my lucky charm is in the audience," he says, kissing the back of your hand while crouching between you and Nancy, "Thanks for coming out, Wheeler."

"We wouldn't have missed it," Nancy says warmly. Eddie's cheeks tint a soft pink, still not used to others showing up for him.

"Byers, good to see you, man," Eddie says, standing and nodding toward him. Jonathan leans back and gives him a two-fingered salute as he sips his beer.

"What do you say, Buckley? Are you ready for some real music?" Eddie puts his arm around Robin and shakes her a little.

"I'm ready to get my face torn off," Robin holds her hand up in the rock 'n' roll salute.

"Melted off, not torn off, but I appreciate the effort, doll," he says, holding out his hand to Steve, who responds by doing a half-shake half-slap greeting, "Thanks for being here, dude."

"Sure, man," Steve says, "break a leg or whatever shit you're supposed to say."

"Aww, buddy, I'm touched," Eddie rests a hand over his heart. Steve rolls his eyes and waves him off, "Alright, wish me luck," Eddie says, rubbing his hands together, "I'll try to come out after our set," after a chorus of good lucks, Eddie disappears into the crowd.

The stage lights begin to circle and change colors, and a round of hoots comes from the crowd as a man with shoulder-length blonde hair wearing a Winger shirt and ripped jeans walks to the mic.

"Welcome to the Stone Church. I'm Mack The Knife, your host for this year's Metal Showcase Showdown. If you're looking for the David Hasselhoff concert, this ain't it," a burst of laughter comes from the crowd.

"You know how this works, ten bands battling it out for a weekly spot here at the church, and just to make it interesting, we've got some new prizes this year. There are two open spaces at The Indianapolis Metal Fest this summer. That's right, the winners and the runners-up will be heading to Hoosier City to melt some faces. Third place gets to clean the johns at the end of the night. Alright, thrashers, let's get our first act out here. Let's give a big church welcome to Iron Spawn."

A round of cheers and applause comes from the audience as Mack The Knife leaves the stage, and the group launches into their first song. The metalheads in front of the stage start moshing, causing those who wish to stay out of the fray to step back, making the crowded space feel even tighter. Leaning forward, you look down the table at Steve to see if he's reacting to the crowd. His head is tipped back with the beer bottle at his lips, chugging down its contents. Nancy mirrors your position looking down the table.

"Hey Steve," she yells over the din, "Are you double fisting?" she tips her head toward the second beer in front of him. He leans around Robin and yells back.

"I'm not driving. I'm not babysitting, and there's nothing trying to kill us. Seems like a good reason to have a few," Steve raises his bottle to clink with Robin's.

"I'll drink to that," Jonathan says, raising his beer.

Nancy notices the confused look on your face and leans towards you, "He's kidding," she says, trying to explain Steve's odd toast, but you don't know if you're buying what she is selling. It's useless trying to get any information out of this group, who all seem in on whatever secrets Eddie and Steve are keeping, "When does Eddie go on?" she asks, changing the topic.

"I'm not sure," you yell into her ear, "Each band plays four songs."

Nancy nods in understanding, "It's too bad Dustin is too young to get in. He would have loved this," she gestures around at the dimly lit space packed with people swinging their heads in time with the hard rhythm of the song.

"Next time we'll sneak him in," you say, and Nancy laughs. Although you doubt Nancy will make metal shows a regular thing, you peg her as more of a pop-synth girl. Jonathan seems to like it, you note as he lightly head bangs from his seat.

"Eww, gross," Robin complains when Steve pulls out an unopened pack of cigarettes from his pocket and tosses it on the table, "Where did you even get those?" She crosses her arms while yelling at Steve.

"From the vending machine," Steve shrugs, taking a sip from his second beer, the first bottle sitting empty on the table next to him. He taps the box on the table a few times before unwrapping the cell phone and pulling a matchbook from his pocket.

"I didn't know you smoked," you yell, partially leaning over Robin.

"Only when I drink," he replies, putting a cigarette between his lips and striking the match. He takes a drag and rests an elbow on the table, the other moving to the back of his seat, his tight t-shirt stretching across his chest as he leans back, crossing his legs before he purses those pouty lips, letting the smoke slowly trail into the air. Your pulse skips, and you grab your beer, taking a long pull.

"I think I'm having an asthma attack," Robin yells, fanning the air in front of her and pushing the ashtray further down the table.

"You don't have asthma, Robin," Steve yells back.

"I might now. Prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma," she puts her hand on her throat and coughs.

"Can I have a drag?" you ask over the music.

"You smoke?" Robin asks like she found out you eat puppies for breakfast.

"I do. Just usually not cigarettes," you wink at her.

"I guess that shouldn't be surprising," she says, catching on.

"It really shouldn't," you say, laughing, after all you're dating Eddie. Steve reaches across Robin offering you his cigarette.

"Oh no," Robin says, jumping to her feet. I'm not sitting in between you if you're smoking, "I can feel my throat closing up. Anaphylaxis. I think I'm allergic," she leans forward with an exaggerated wheeze, "Switch seats with me if you're both going to smoke." Steve's mouth stretches into a cocky smirk.

"No, that's okay. I don't have to smoke," you say loudly, waving her off.

"Come on," Steve yells, "She could pass out. We'd have to call an ambulance." Robin's eyes get big, and she starts shaking her head at you.

"Fine," you grumble, sliding your beer down the table as you move into the seat next to Steve and angle your body away from him.

"You better give her a little more space," Steve says, grabbing the bottom of your chair and pulling it until it's touching the edge of his. Under the table, you cross your legs, but he just spreads out further until his thigh is pressed right against yours. "Is that better, Robin?" Steve yells around you, smoothly moving his arm to drape over the back of your seat. She nods, still clutching her throat and hyperventilating.

"That was mean," you yell. He takes the opportunity to lean even closer to you, pretending he can't hear.

"She'll be alright," he says into your ear, tipping his head towards Robin, who is already laughing with Nancy and Jonathan. He extends his hand, offering you the ciggy he holds between two fingers. His eyes are trained on your mouth as you bring it to your lips, inhaling the thick smoke into your lungs. The gentle headrush hits you as you exhale, but you're not sure if it's from nicotine or Steve's fingers trailing down the bare skin of your arm. There's a satisfied look on his face as he takes the cigarette back from you.

The lights flash, the audience cheers, and claps as the first band finishes their set and starts to unplug their guitars. The chatter from the patrons seems quiet compared to loud music, and it feels like you're hearing everything underwater. The reprieve from the loud volume is short-lived as Mack runs back on stage to announce the next band. The new drummer holds his sticks above his head, tapping them together, setting the beat for their first song, a cover of Dream Warriors.

Goosebumps break out across your skin as Steve lifts his thumb from the back of your chair to trace patterns up and down your spine. The way it leaves you tingling, you wonder if everywhere he touches will be permanently marked. You're starting to second-guess your choice of shirt. If you asked him to stop, you know he would, but it would let him know how much his simple touches were affecting you. He seems unphased as he watches the band letting the cigarette hang between his lips. Picking up your beer, you hope concentrating on draining the rest will give you a distraction. Steve stubs out his cigarette and takes a sip of his beer, his lips lingering on the head of the bottle. Inhaling deeply, you can't seem to look away. He sets down the empty bottle and turns to you, brushing the hair off your shoulder before leaning so close his lips brush your ear as he speaks.

"You wouldn't let me tell you earlier, how you look tonight," his fingertips drag over the uneven texture of your fishnet-covered leg. "I think you're the sexiest fucking thing I've ever seen," he moves his mouth lower and tongues the sensitive skin right beneath your ear before his lips close over the same spot, gently sucking. Warm waves of arousal fill your pelvis, and you squeeze your legs together as you tilt away from his mouth and steal a nervous glance down at the other end of the table, but no one is watching. If they were, it would look like Steve was in your ear, trying to be heard over the music. Sure he was a little close, but that wasn't unusual for Steve.

"I dressed like this for my boyfriend," you brush his hand from your leg.

"You keep telling yourself that, sweet girl, but he's not the only one that knows how you taste," he pulls back, giving you a little space as Jonathan passes by the front of the table. He pauses and yells over the music. "I'm getting another round. Want anything?" he points toward the bar.

"I'll go with you," Steve yells back, and you notice he adjusts himself under the table before standing to go with Jonathan. At least you're not the only one affected. Grateful for a moment alone, you try to calm down.

"Are you alright?" Robin leans towards you, "You're a little red," her finger points at your face making a circle.

"It's hot in here," you fan the air in front of you and try changing the subject, "Are you having fun?"

"This is wild," she says smiling, "I like the energy."

More metalheads have entered the pit thrashing along with music. The third band has taken the stage and is playing Metal Health by Quiet Riot by the time Steve and Johnathan make it back from the bar carrying three beers each. Steve sets the bottles on the table, sliding one in front of you and keeping the other two for himself as he settles back in his seat.

Lifting an eyebrow, you ask, "Trying to get me drunk?"

He smiles and leans in. "No, I'm trying to get me drunk," he lifts his beer, taking a long pull as if making his point.

"We're going to the bathroom. You wanna come?" you jump at the sound of Nancy's voice in your ear, so wrapped up with Steve that you hadn't noticed both she and Robin standing right beside you, "I'm okay," the two of them walk off to stand in, what you're sure is a very long line. Turning your head, you watch Jonathan alone at the end of the table, nursing his beer, air drumming from time to time. Eddie might make a metalhead out of him yet.

Something warm and wet presses against your bare shoulder, you close your eyes, and you know Steve's kissing you. His mouth drifts across your skin, hot and smooth. Your toes curl inside your shoes, and your pussy clenches around nothing. Since your conversation in the hallway, he's had you in a state, heating you up and then letting you cool down, and each time the ache gets more intense, you've had enough.

"Stop teasing me," you demand, spinning your body towards him, dislodging his lips from your shoulder.

His mouth twists into a smirk, "I like seeing how much you want me," his hand moves to your leg, "It's only fair. It's easy to see how much I want you." Like magnets, your eyes go straight to his lap, his tight jeans doing little to hide the outline of his girthy hard cock.

Looking away quickly, you pick up your beer, a light condensation clings to the outside of the bottle, and you hope the cold liquid can cool you down. But it's too late, images of Steve driving into you fill your mind, your breathing fluctuates, and your clit pulses. Those long blunt fingers start to work their way between the gaps in your stockings, rubbing against your overly sensitive skin and leaving you shivering.

"Fuck, your nipples are so hard, I can see them through your shirt," his eyes are locked on your breasts where your hard nipples strain against your shirt, the outline of your puffy areolas clearly visible. The attention has your breasts feeling heavy and aching to be sucked and fondled.

His face is inches from yours, his breath coming in pants through his parted lips. His eyes don't leave yours as his finger jerk, "Oops," his eyes look black as he tears your stocking, "I'll buy you another pair," his fingers widen the hole as they move in circles on the inside of your leg.

"Steve," you moan, sounding breathy and as out of control as you feel. Clamping your hand on his wrist, you mean to pull him away but end up holding him against you.

"Jesus, I know, sweetheart," his mouth brushes down your temple, moving along your jaw, "Are you wet?" His words have your legs parting and your whole body trembling, "Not going to tell me?" feeling too dizzy to speak, you stay quiet and let your head lean against his forehead with his lips at your ear.

"I guess I'll have to find out," he rasps, his fingers moving to the inside of your thigh, high up at the very edge of your shorts. There's an audible rip as he shreds your stockings, thick fingers working their way into your shorts toward your very wet panties.

"And next up, all the way from Hawkins, we have Corroded Coffin," The host's voice is like cold water cutting through the haze of your lust. Nancy and Robin appear out of the crowd. Coming towards the table, you shoot out of your seat and away from Steve. Without looking back, you grab onto Robin's arm. "Let's get closer," you yell in her ear, pulling her behind you toward the stage.

Eddie is just starting the first gentle chords of Fight Fire with Fire by Metallica when the two of you make it to the front of the stage, carefully staying off to the side, so you don't get dragged into the pit. The two of you scream as the band blasts into the hard and fast tempo of the rest of the song. Robin falls against you, laughing, getting high on the crowd's energy.

Your breath is still coming in pants, clit throbbing, and watching your boyfriend on stage is doing little to curb your needy state. The whole band looks formidable under the swirling colored lights that change with the beat but Eddie…Eddie looks like a rockstar. His fingers fly over frets, not missing a note, his eyes moving over the crowd connecting with them, drawing them in. Jeff belts out lyrics into the mic, and Eddie jumps into the air at the key change. The extra practice has been worth it, he makes the complicated song look easy, and the crowd is eating it up.

Sweat coats your skin as people brush against you, but your eyes are on him, thoughts filling your head about finding him backstage and how hard he would fuck you while coming down from his performance high. Steve finds you both and slides his hard cock against your ass-pushing it inside. Fuck, what is wrong with me?

Eddie moves to the very edge of the stage, his arms making big movements as his guitar whines out the song's last notes. Someone in the crowd screams, "fuck yeah!" as the band is treated to heavy applause. Eddie looks over at you and winks, you never would have guessed he even knew you were there between the bright lights and his intense focus. He steps up to the mic and sings the opening lyrics to Cum On Feel The Noize. His voice flows smoothly through the speakers with just the right amount of rough edge for this song. Jeff joins him for the chorus, the two of them playing back to back. The hot lights show off the light sheen of sweat covering Eddie's bare arms, his muscles flexing as he plays, tattoos peeking out from the rip at the neck of his shirt. There is no doubt he belongs on a stage.

Yelling out the chorus, you and Robin bounce on your toes. Every movement has your nipples scraping against the fabric of your shirt, sending little shocks through your body. Eddie's eyes are on you, tongue sneaking out to run along his top lip.The ache to be filled is overwhelming as a fresh wave of slick has your panties sticking to your pussy. The song ends. Gareth bangs out a quick beat on the drums transitioning to Hot For Teacher. Eddie jumps in with a brutal riff, followed by the rest of the group. He moves around the stage, jamming out, almost randomly heading back to the mic to belt out a few of the sexual lyrics, clearly having a ball covering this song.

Without warning, he rushes to the side of the stage where you're standing, leaning forward and singing directly to you.

"I've got it bad, I've got it bad, I've got it bad"

"I'm hot for teacher"

"Ooh, yeah"

Hollering like fangirls, you and Robin pretend to faint against each other. Eddie's smile widens as he dashes back across the stage for the song's end. It's clear he's having a blast, and it's well-deserved. Jeff waits for the applause to die down before he addresses the audience, "This is the last one from us," a wave of disappointed noise rises out of the crowd. Jeff and Eddie give each other an amused look.

"We'll miss you too," Eddie blows the crowd an exaggerated kiss, and they react with light laughter.

"Hopefully, we will be back real soon," Jeff says into the mic," You can come see us at The Hideout in Hawkins every Tuesday night. It's been real fun playing for y'all. Here's one you might know," Jeff steps back.

The bass and drums set the fast-paced rhythm for Ace of Spades, another guitar-heavy song spotlighting Eddie's skills on lead guitar. More moshers join the pit, the metalheads cheering their approval.

"They're gonna win this thing," Robin says in awe, looking out into the crowd.

Grabbing her hand, you move her pointer over her middle, "Fingers crossed."

All the bands tonight have been great, some a little more seasoned than Corroded Coffin, but none of them have matched their energy, and Eddie is untouchable on guitar. Life has dealt Eddie a shitty hand, but he pushes on. Whistles and yells accompany the clapping as the last song closes and the band gathers their instruments. "Please let him have this," you mumble in prayer to whatever gods are listening.

"They were so good," Robin says, wiping the sweat off her forehead as the two of you work through the crowd.

"They really were," you agree," thanks for braving the crowd with me."

"Are you kidding? I loved it. Sign me up for the next show," she says as the table comes into view. Steve and Nancy are sitting close, talking, but as if he senses you, his eyes snap to yours, an intense expression taking over his face, stopping you in your tracks.

Robin grabs your forearm, her eyes bounce from you to Steve and you can feel her hesitancy before she says, "Someone's going to get hurt."

"It's too late," you say, shaking your head, "we all are." Turning away from her, you push back into the crowd, trying to get lost amongst the mass of bodies.

A little pocket of space opens up just before the bars, and you settle there, trying to look like you're watching the show. A metalhead and his girlfriend to the right of you, eye you curiously as you stand there panting, your body tense with alarm.

An audible moan leaves your mouth as a big hand slides around your waist to your stomach, fingers working their way under your shirt. Steve sloppily mouths your neck, his wet tongue licking off your sweat. He pulls you back into his hip, his erection pushing into your ass. With eyes closed, you melt into his strong chest and wrap your hand back against his thigh.

"We're always getting interrupted," he says into your ear before giving your earlobe a little nip. The smell of beer and cigarettes mix with his usual scent.

"Are you drunk?" you ask as his fingers pop open the button of your shorts.

"Maybe a little but not enough to forget how much I need you." his fingers are slipping into the front of your pants, "Kiss me."

It's a demand. His other hand grips the back of your neck, and it's all too much, your mouth finds his, and you slide your tongue inside. He groans against your lips, and the hand in your pants slides farther down, cupping you over your stockings and panties, rubbing over the wet material.

"Someone is going to see," your hips roll in a slow rhythm grinding against him.

"I don't care. I want inside you. Now," his other hand drops to your breast, kneading it over your shirt, "Come with me. We'll find someplace to be alone."

Yes sits on your tongue, waiting to push past your lips. He's rubbing you faster, and you're not going to last much longer, the coil already tightening in your belly. Your eyes flutter open, and through the haze, they land on the side door next to the stage. The one that Eddie has just walked through. He's moving in the direction of your table.

Steve calls your name, but you're already walking away. Bodies brush against you as you push through the crowd, heading straight towards Eddie, your vision tunneled solely on him. A soft smile tugs at his lips when your eyes connect, and he starts moving to meet you. His damp curls stick to his forehead, and his arms and neck still shine with sweat.

"What did-" you cut him off, grabbing his jaw and attacking his mouth. His arm goes around your waist, pulling you closer as he opens for you, and you waste no time licking inside. The kiss is sloppy, all tongue, mouths open wide. It isn't enough, you end the kiss biting his lower lip and grabbing his wrist.

"Baby," you ignore his endearment as you pull him behind you towards the side entrance hall, "Baby, where are we going?" He asks, chuckling, not put off by you taking control. Long lines snake down the hall, and people wait impatiently for one of the four bathrooms. A door opens as someone exits. Curses and moaning follow as you cut the line pulling Eddie inside behind before you turn and lock the door. The fluorescent light flickers overhead, the sink drips, and the trashcan is overflowing with paper towels, and God knows what else, but you don't see any of it as you push Eddie up against the wall, rubbing your body against him and sucking on his tongue. His hand moves to your ass, trying to bring you closer as you grind all over him, your hands clawing at his wettish shirt. Your mouth moves to his neck, licking and sucking his salty skin as your hands unbuckle his belt.

"Jesus, baby, what are you doing?" he asks as you pull his jeans and boxers down enough to free his cock. Dropping to your knees on the filthy bathroom floor, you hold his eyes as you lick the silky head of his hardening cock.

"Okay…fuck," he pants as your other hand rolls his balls. Licking up and down his veiny shaft, you drool out as much spit as possible, soaking his cock before your hand wraps around the base. Sucking the red leaking head into your mouth, you hollow your cheeks while the tip of your tongue pushes into the slit tasting the precum.

"Goddam Baby, that's it," his hands move to the back of your head as you start shallow, bobbing your mouth while your hand works the velvety skin of his hard shaft with smooth regular strokes. His blown-out eyes are almost black as he looks down at you, moaning with your mouth full of his cock. Your cunt is wildly clenching, the ache turning painful. With your free hand, you rip down one side of your halter freeing your breast so you can tug on your hard nipple.

"Can you take me deeper?" His hands gently press on the back of your head, guiding you down until you're gagging when his cock hits the back of your throat. He lets go expecting you to back off, but your hands run up his denim-covered thigh until you're gripping his ass, holding him in place as you swallow him down until your nose is pressed into the coarse hair at his base. A string of curses leaves his mouth as he turns into a moaning mess above you. You release him when you're struggling for air, spit running down your chin and eyes watering.

The pumping bass reverberates through the black-painted walls of the tiny bathroom, and the antiseptic smell of the cheap pink soap dripping from the dispenser fills your nose as you breathe deep, catching your breath while continuing to stroke his wet length up and down with your hand.

"Oh my god," he pants, gently stroking your hair, softly tucking it behind your ears.

A frustrated cry spills from your lips as you try working your other hand under the tight waistband of your stockings and panties, the material sticking to your sweaty skin.

"Touch yourself," Eddie encourages, his hooded eyes drinking you in.

"I'm so wet. I need to come," you whine, tears rolling down your cheeks, your fingertips finally reaching your engorged clit, your hips rolling and grinding against your hand.

"I want you to come while I'm in your mouth," his request has you moaning as you return to him, working him deeper and faster between your lips.

The emptiness inside you nudges away the pleasure. Like a cheap knockoff, your fingers feel inadequate after Steve's touch. The fierce craving to be stretched and filled consumes your thoughts. Eddie would have fucked you. Held your hands against the wall while his hips pistoned, driving into you or watching your face in the mirror as he took you from behind. But you hadn't asked. The whole truth hitting you at the same time as your orgasm, it wasn't Eddie you wanted inside you. That's why you are on your knees in a dirty bathroom, working toward repentance, letting him use your mouth while you ache for someone else. The guilt fizzles out your climax leaving you wet and uncomfortable.

He moans above you, lost in his own haze, "I'm so close..so close," he swells in your mouth, the taste of him changing as he leaks in a steady drip.

Letting him slide past your lips, you give his tip one more kiss while you free your other breast, lifting yourself higher, "Come for me. Come on my tits," you plead, rubbing his dribbling head against your nipple.

"Oh fuck I'm coming," he groans, voice rough and rasping. He nearly falls forward with the force of his release, batting away your hand so he can paint your chest with the hot sticky ropes of his cum.

When his last spurt is dripping down your breasts, he grabs you under your arms, lifting you to your feet, pushing you into the opposite wall. One hand grips your chin, opening your mouth for his plundering tongue, kissing you in a frenzy. While his other hand kneads your breasts, catching your nipple between his fingers while he rubs his cum into your skin. His kiss turns lazy as his cock softens against your belly.

"I love you," he presses small kisses to your lips, "did you cum?"

"Mmmmhmmm," you mumble, nodding your head, kissing him back, and enjoying his hands on your skin.

"What got into you?" he asks, peppering kisses over your face.

"I wanted you to have the full rockstar experience," you lightly brush your hand against his cock, and he shivers.

"I don't even care if we win anymore. That was the best head I've ever had," he says, sucking down your neck. Shame washes over you.

Clamping down in his hair, you pull his head back until he's looking into your eyes, "You were fucking amazing. I've never heard you sound so good. I'm so proud of you."

He smiles and kisses you. Someone starts banging on the door. The two of you go about cleaning up and redressing. You're met with more curses and boos as you leave the bathroom and walk down the hall. Eddie has to return backstage until the end of the showcase when they announce the winner. Before he walks away, you grab his hand, "I really love you," you say, suddenly overcome with emotion. Whatever has happened hasn't changed that. He pulls you into his arms, his hands tangling in your hair.

"I love you too," he says into your ear. He holds you a minute before waking away, and you stand there watching until he's through the door. Deciding you need a drink, you wait in line at the bar, not in a hurry to return to the table. When it's your turn, you order and wait patiently at the busy bar for the bartender to serve you. He pushes a bottle your way, and you pull a couple of folded bills from your pocket and leave them behind. Stepping away from the line, you pause to sip your drink, but the bottle slips through your fingers and smashes on the stone floor. The sound is barely loud enough to be heard over the loud metal music, but a bartender with a weary face slips out from behind the bar with a towel and broom.

"Are you alright?" He asks, wondering why you are standing there frozen in a puddle of beer and broken glass. Stepping back, you run your shaking hands through your hair and mumble your apology, still unable to take your eyes off Steve. He's at the end of the bar standing close to a stool taken by his new blonde friend from earlier. His tongue is in her mouth, and his hand is up her skirt. She's enjoying it, holding his head in place while she tries to swallow his entire face.

Turning away, you wrap your hands around your middle, feeling sick and gut-punched. He's not yours, and you know that. If the pain you're experiencing can be used to measure the depth of your feelings, you've fallen further than you thought possible. Feeling foolish and angry, all you want is to leave, but you can't. You're not going to ruin this for Eddie. Swallowing your anguish, you walk back to the table and plaster on a smile as you sit next to Robin.

"What happened?" Robin asks, pointing to your legs. Besides the holes Steve ripped, your stockings have sizable holes in each knee, and your skin is scraped and scunned.

"I tripped," the lies are stacking up. Her expression doesn't hide her disbelief.

"Have you seen Steve?" she asks, studying your face.

Shaking your head from side to side, you quickly turn away from her, swiping some wetness in the corner of your eye. He's not getting your tears.

"They should be announcing a winner soon. I think this is the last band," you try changing the subject.

"Do you want to talk about it?" she asks in a lowered voice.

"No…but thanks, Robin," your smile is sincere. The two of you sit and watch the last band finish up. During the break, Nancy and Jonathan pull you into a conversation about some things happening at school, reminding you that graduation is right around the corner. Eddie's taking you to pick out a car next week. Maybe you can get a second job, and when Eddie finds something, you can bring up moving into your own place again.

The stage lights start circling and changing from purple to red to yellow and back again. The members of the ten bands crowd onto the stage followed by Mack who steps up to the mic, "Alright, Alright, another Showdown has come to an end and this was one for the books. If metal is God's apology for pop music, then we worshiped hard tonight, my friends."

The crowd cheers, and Mack waits for the noise to die before continuing, "And now for the winners. Let me tell you, the judges had a hard decision to make. It was close. Closer than your balls in leather pants, and many of you know how close that is," Mack points at a few people in the audience, "Second place who will be joining us at this summer's Metal Fest.."

Eddie's standing with his hands behind his back, nervously looking down at his feet. Everyone at your table is holding their breath.

"Is our new friends, Corroded Coffin," Mack says, pointing to the group. The boys' mouths fall open, and you jump to your feet, yelling and clapping. Jonathan whistles loudly. Nancy and Robin join you, cheering for Eddie and the rest of the band.

"These guys are definitely the ones to watch at next year's Showdown. Congratulations, guys," Mack joins the rest of the audience clapping. Jeff slings his arm around Eddie's neck as he stands there dumbfounded. The rest group is fist-pumping and high-fiving.

"Now for this year's Stone Church Showdown winners, one of our long-time favorites, Severed Monkey Heads," Mack points out the other band, and the applause continues, "Thanks for coming out tonight, thrashers. We hope to see you all back at the Church real soon. Now you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here."

After another few minutes of applause, the stage empties, and people start to shuffle out of the building. Nancy and Robin are beginning to get concerned with Steve's disappearance, and you're trying your best to act like you don't notice. Out of the corner of your eye, you see Eddie walking toward the table, a big smile plastered on his face.

With a smile, you run over to meet him, and he sweeps you up in his arms.

"Babe, you are so metal you're going to rust in the shower," you say, peppering his face with kisses.

"You've been saving that one up, haven't you?" he laughs, "but I am pretty metal."

"So metal," you agree. Nancy, Jonathan, and Robin start clapping and congratulating Eddie as he takes your seat and pulls you onto his lap.

"You're too kind," Eddie says, soaking up their praise.

"Not that second place isn't a perfectly respectable position, but in my humble opinion, you definitely melted the most faces," Robin says, "You should have come in first."

"Well, thanks, Buckley, I'm going to put you in charge of our fan club," Eddie laughs, "but the good news is Jeff is backstage right now talking to Mack about booking us a few gigs here."

"That's great, Eddie," Nancy says genuinely, "Don't forget to call Dustin when you get home. You know he's waiting by the phone to hear, and I don't want Mike telling him before you get a chance."

"Will do," Eddie says, giving her a salute, "Baby, your knees," Eddies says, noticing your scraped skin and wincing, "I guess we got a little carried away."

Robin bites her lip, trying to hide her smile as she shakes her head.

"Are you guys taking off?" Eddie asks, looking around the empty club.

"We're just waiting for Steve," Nancy tells him.

"Oh shit, I was supposed to tell you," Eddie says, smacking his forehead, "I saw him when I came out. He left with some girl and told me to tell you he got a ride."

"What girl?" Nancy asks.

"Did he give you a phone number? She could be a serial killer," Robin panics.

"Calm down, mother hens," Eddie says, making a downward motion with his hands. Jonathan snorts, and Nancy smacks his arm.

"He's getting laid. He's a big boy. He can handle it." Eddie assures them as you try to act indifferent.

"Eww," Robin blanches. At the same time Nancy says, "Really, Eddie?"

"Just get my girl home, okay, Wheeler? If he doesn't show up by tomorrow, we can send out a search party," Eddie turns to you, "I've got to get all this shit back to Gareth's. I'll be home as soon as I can."

"Okay," you say, kissing him and standing up so he can go get packed up.

"Tripped my ass," Robin says, elbowing you on your way out of the bar.

The house sits dark and imposing, the tall tree's swaying in the light breeze. You wished you had somewhere else to go for the first time since moving in. The key sticks in the lock, being recently cut, not having the wear of an older key, you have to jiggle it a little to get it out. You go straight to your room without bothering with any lights and strip off your clothes. The stockings go into the trash, and you let the shower run, filling the room with steam while you look at your reflection in the mirror. Once you're in the shower, you allow yourself a little cry. Just once, where it won't hurt anyone, your tears disappear into the water flowing over your face. Does it even really count? The peach-scented soap scrubs away your makeup and your sweat and both their touches. Stepping back into your bedroom, you pull a tee over your head, and it's not until you're crawling into bed that you realize it's Steve's. Your hands clutch the hem, wanting it off your skin, but in the end, you leave it and burrow deeper under the covers.

When you hear the first bump, you're not sure if you have actually been asleep or just hovering in the space between. Heavy, uneven footsteps stomp up the stairs, an occasional thud as something hits the wall. The first giggle leaves you nauseous, an acid burning in your gut. A deep exhale leaves your lungs as you hear his door shut, and you shut your eyes, trying to head back into oblivion. The moans started low at first but quickly ramped up to almost screaming. Obscenities of all kinds yelled in a high-pitched voice accompanied by a rhythmic banging of something hitting the wall. But the first "please, daddy" has you burying your head under the pillows. It seems like it had been going on for hours when you feel Eddie sliding in beside you.

"Are you still awake, baby," he asks, rubbing your back.

"What do you think?" you ask grumpily as the sex olympics continue across the hall.

He chuckles, "Harrington picked a real screamer."

"It's not funny, Eddie. I'm tired. I have to work tomorrow," you roll over to face him.

"Not until tomorrow night. You can sleep late tomorrow morning. You don't have to get up with me," he's trying to be helpful, but rationality has gone out the window with the mood you're in. With a quick succession of bangs and an exaggerated, long shriek, the house goes quiet.

"There you go, baby. All done. Let's go to sleep," he wraps an arm around you, and you rest your head on his chest. Your heart rate is just returning to normal when the whole thing begins again.

"That's it," you say, sitting up, "You need to go say something."

"I'm not going to do that," he says, clearly annoyed by your request, "If he wants to bang her all night, it's his own business. Besides, we're not exactly quiet."

"Are you saying I sound anything close to that?" You point towards the door as the sound of a cat being strangled echoes through the house.

"Not you. I'm talking about me," he tries to joke, tugging you down next to him, "You know we could always make a little noise of our own," his fingers are sliding under your shirt.

"I think I had too much to drink. I'm really tired. Let's just go to sleep," you say, rolling away from him.

He sighs and rolls away from you.

There is nothing but the sound of Eddie's deep breaths filling the room, but you're still awake. Frustrated, you stare up at the dark ceiling, wondering when things got so complicated. The floor feels cold after the warmth of your bed as you leave the room, making sure to close the door as quietly as possible, not wanting to trigger another round of…whatever they were doing to each other in that room.

Only turning on the small light above the sink, you fill the kettle and pull a box of tea from the cabinet. Once the water is ready, you fill a mug and sit at the table, dunking the tea bag listlessly while you watch the soft waves moving on the pool's surface lit up by the underwater lights. The water is soothing. Its motion lets you shut off your brain and just be still.

You're taking your first sip when Steve comes padding into the kitchen, hair a mess in just his boxers. He heads straight to the refrigerator. The light from inside makes the circles under his eyes look deeper. He pulls out a can of beer and chugs it while leaning against the kitchen island.

"Finished performing your exorcism?" you ask from your seat at the table.

"Sorry. Am I keeping you up?" he doesn't seem surprised to see you. He didn't even jump. He knew you were there.

"She's pretty… um…vocal," he says with a little smirk setting his can down on the counter.

"No, I enjoyed it. It sounded like a bad porno," you sip your tea calmly.

"Trust me, that would have been quality porn," he throws out flippantly as he rubs his chest.

Getting up from your seat, you dump your tea in the sink, "I can't believe you brought her here. Did you want to rub it in my face?" you ask, placing your mug on the counter and turning to face him.

"This is my goddamn house," he puts his hands on his hips, "You can't be mad at me for that. You left me there… ready and needing you."

"You sure didn't have any trouble finding someone to give you what you wanted," you turn to leave, but he grabs your wrist.

"At least I know who I fucked. Who were you thinking about?" he boxes you in against the island, "Who made you cum? Him or me?"

There's a sting as tears fill your eyes, "What do you want from me, Steve?"

"Everything. I want all of you," in this light, his eyes look more brown than green as they bore into you.

"Go back upstairs. She's waiting for you," you keep your voice even trying to sound sure.

"I don't want her," his hands move gently over your jaw, "Don't you know that? Don't you know you're all I can think about," he uses his thumb to brush away the tear that was running down your cheek.

"Kiss me."

"No," you pull his hands off your face and shake your head.

"Kiss me like you did the last time we were here. Like I'm the only one," he moves closer, putting his hands on your hip.

You turn your head away from him, repulsed, "No, I can't. God, I can smell her all over you."

His mouth opens in shock, his hands drop, and he steps away from you. He's pinching the bridge of his nose and leaning against the counter as you rush out of the room.

To say your shift was miserable would be an understatement. Your sleepless night has left you grouchy and clumsy. The latter you discovered when you bumped into another server who was carrying a tray full of dirty dishes that went crashing to the floor. Fortunately only one broke. The night was busy enough to keep Leigh out of your hair, the one bright spot of the evening. Two tables left without tipping which you’re certain had nothing to do with your sunny disposition.

Steve is standing on the curb leaning against the BMW when you walk out the front door of Enzo’s at the end of the night. Crossing your arms, you huff and start to walk down the sidewalk.

“Hi, Steve,” you shake your head when you hear Leigh's voice behind you.

“Hi, Leigh,” Steve calls over his shoulder as he catches up to you and stops you with a hand on your arm.

“Where’s Eddie?” you ask, shaking him off.

“Wayne needed him for something. I told him I’d come and get you,” he looks more like himself today, showered and shaved. And fully sober.

“I’d rather walk.”

“Yeah, well, we both know that’s not happening so can we please just get in the car,” he stands there, arms crossed, voice full of reason.

Rolling your eyes, you change direction and walk back towards the car, hating that he's right.

He doesn't say anything else as he pulls onto the road. After he misses a turn you realize he's not taking you home.

"Where are we going?" you ask as you stare out the window at the houses blurring past.

"Somewhere we can talk," he says, heading toward the edge of town. Turning, you look behind you at the way you came, surprised when he turns off the pavement following a set of tire tracks up a grassy hill. It flattens out when you reach the top, there's an antenna that looks homemade, the headlights bounce off a few pieces on the arms wrapped in tinfoil. When Steve cuts the engine, the lights from downtown seem brighter. Hawkins looks serene spread out below you like a picture from a book.

"I'm sorry," he says quietly, keeping his eyes on the view.

"For which part?" you ask incredulously. There have been too many transgressions.

"I'm sorry you weren't the one in my bed last night," he's looking at you now, gauging your response.

Covering your face with your hands, you slide them up, raking them through your hair before you get out of the car and slam the door.

A weariness hangs off your shoulders, one that you are too young to be carrying, one that comes later when you've been beaten down by life. It clings to this whole town. Disaster after disaster breaking down its residents, leaving them to clean up the broken pieces. Leaning against the car, you wonder if you'll ever make it out.

The car door opens and closes. And Steve is standing in front of you.

"We're just hurting each other," you say, trying to get him to understand.

"What's hurting us is being apart," he's so sure. How he can be that way when you feel nothing but confused.

"Remember what I told you about when you first showed up with…Eddie. Fuck, I can't even say his name anymore," he scrubs his face with hands.

"Maybe that should tell you something, Steve," you say, trying to catch his eyes as he looks all around the hilltop, "This is wrong to do to him."

"I know, okay. It's eating me up. After what we went through," his hands move to his hips, "I tried. I really tried to stay away from you. When you moved in I was so fucked up. I was so alone. I watched you with him. At first I thought I just wanted someone to look at me the way you look at him but I was wrong. I wanted you. And just having you around was enough but then he…offered you. I couldn't say no," he moves closer, his hand slides down your arm until he can wrap his fingers around yours, "I wanted to kiss you just once and you said yes. After, I noticed it. You were looking at me…the way I wanted you to. I hadn’t seen it before."

"No, Steve-"

"Why did you say yes?" he's asked you this question before, you didn't want to answer, didn't want to think about it but you knew. When you stay silent he steps closer, his body brushing against you, he asks you again, "Why did you say yes?"

His eyes are so hopeful, his heart wide open and you can't hide when he's looking at you like this, so you try and look away. His hand moves to your neck holding you in place. Your head is swimming, and you can't think straight with him this close.

"Tell me," his hand tightens on your neck, not allowing you to run from his eyes.

"Because I wanted you," you cry out.

"And now?" his eyes are pleading.

"I still do."

The words spill from your lips, a defeated cry, too weak to fight any longer. His thumb traces your bottom lip just before he seals his mouth over yours, claiming you, and there's no going back. The sounds of his longing escape into the night as his tongue delves inside, hot and slick. He's an arsonist, setting you a blaze, your whole body fully consumed in the white-hot flame, nothing existing beyond this kiss.

Strong hands dig into your thighs as you're lifted onto the car's hood. The cool metal chills your exposed skin when your skirt rides higher as you spread your legs, the hard length trapped in his jeans pressing against your wet panties. The kiss breaks as your shirt is peeled over your head. He licks his way down your neck while his hands rip down the cups of your bra, exposing your soft full breasts into the cool night air, leaving your nipples incredibly hard and aching. His wet, open mouth kisses a painfully slow path until he finally fastens onto your riotously sensitive nipple. He moves from one to the other and back again. The combination of his light stubble and grazing teeth has you singing a chorus of desperate moans.

"Steve," your soft plea brings his mouth back to you while his hands take turns teasing your breasts, sending sparks to your core.

Your greedy fingers work their way under his shirt, needy for the feel of him. Knowing what you want, he pauses to remove his shirt, a silent pledge that he will never deny you his body. All the beautiful freckled skin covering his lithe muscles is finally accessible to your covetous hands and mouth. There's not an inch you don't want to taste and touch.

A gruff hum sounds from his throat as your lips close over his collarbone while your nails scratch through the trail of light hair on his belly. His patience is slipping, he cups your jaw bringing your mouth back to him to indulge in one more sweet kiss before he gently encourages you back onto your elbows. His hands stroke up your legs, the stiff corduroy of your skirt is roughly pushed around your waist, and your panties are gone a moment later. Your teeth bite into the flesh of your lip as you watch him free his hard thick cock from his jeans.

"Tell me to stop," his voice shakes while he glides his fat tip up and down the folds of your drenched core.

"I can't," you gasp as he bumps your clit.

"Please, tell me to stop," he pleads. The two of you stand at the edge of betrayal, your feet struggling for purchase on the rocky cliff. His loyalty for Eddie a fraying teether just about to snap.

"I need you," wrapping your leg over his hip, you nudge him closer, "I want this," you’re too far gone to think of the consequences.

He surges inside, every inch of him stretching you to complete fullness. Euphoria spins dizzyingly, taking hold as he begins to stroke into you.

"You feel so fucking good," he breaths, his cock draging along your insides, "I knew.." His hand presses into your stomach while his thumb circles your clit. "I knew once with you was never going to be enough." You knew it too. All along from the very first kiss.

Lowering your head, you lie flat on the car's hood. The rigid steel is unyielding against your back, his wet saliva cools on your breasts, you look up and see stars. The black night sky teams with the glimmering light, and he sees them too, reflected in your eyes.

"You feel so…" he captures your hand and places it just above your pelvis, covering it with his, pressing down so you can feel him moving under your skin, "you feel like…." he stutters as his tip kisses your cervix, "Mine."

His deep voice is so full of emotion as his rhythm picks up, and he drives into you harder, "Tell me you're mine," he begs.

"I can't," you can't give him this, he's already taken too much. Above you more stars appear like an enchantment as your eyes dilate and adjust.

"Please," a piece of his heart has broken off and lodged in his plea, another one he'll never get back.

"I love you," his confession cracks you open, your heart bursting in exultation and agonizingly breaking, "I do. I love you."

"Tell me," His hips snap punishingly, "Say you're mine." His body owns you while his heart begs for you. Tears blur your vision, and the light from the stars fuse together and streak across the sky. You begin to climb toward the edge, almost frightened at how high he's taking you.

He tugs you up, hugging you closer, his heart drumming wildly against yours, and you wrap your arms and legs around him, trying to protect you both, his cock still thrusting inside-pleasure mixing with the heartache.

"I love you...I love you…I love you," he chants against your mouth. The words long held back, his only defense against you destroyed, and now they tumble out eternal and unrestrained.

"Please, I love you," tears run down his cheeks, mingling with yours. Flowing past your lips until their salty taste mixes in his kiss.

"I love you too," you quaver, the words rushing out, finally admitting the truth as your climax hits and you fall, waves of ecstasy cresting endlessly, body trembling around him, the verity that you love them both shattering you into thousands of sharp pieces that slice you from the inside.

Your forehead rests against his, fingers smoothing along his jaw, your body still shaking and milking him, you say it again, "I love you, Steve," wanting him to know he's not alone, wanting your words to soften his fall. His muscles tense as he clings to you, a sharp inhale of breath through his parted lips that keep brushing over yours, exhaling a groan as he comes with his cock buried impossibly deep, warmth filling you as he pulses.

"But I'm not yours."

“I know it’s not supposed to be like this,” you say, sitting in his car parked in front of the house, “I love you, but I love him too.”

“So what do we do now?” he asks, looking up at the light coming from your room.

“I don’t know,” you know you're hurting him but you're being honest, “Can you give me some time?”

He nods his head but doesn’t look at you. “Are you coming in?” you ask with your hand on the door handle.

“No, I’m going to drive around for a bit,” he tries, giving you a little smile.

“Okay,” the door creaks as you open it and climb out.

He leans toward the open door, “I never would have shared you.”

“Isn’t that what you're doing now?” you close the door without waiting for an answer and watch as he backs down the driveway.

Part 7 The End is live.

AN: Thanks for your patience. I know it's been a while between chapters. This one had me in a state. I felt like it ripped out my insides and put them on a platter. Let me take a moment to thank the folks who poked and prodded and seasoned them up for your consumption. @loveshotzz @myobmaya @superblysubpar @boomhauer

Tag List @boomhauer @onlyangel-444 @breehumbles @myobmaya @arsenicred @kiki17483 @stolen-in-moonlight @sometimesamysometimesjo @ladybug0095 @sammararaven @tlclick73 @munsonology @totally-bogus-timelady @katelyndestini95 @munsonswhore86 @kelsietilley-blog @figmentofquinn @champagne-glamour @ilovecupcakesandtea @bimbobaggins69 @munsonsgirl71 @sidthedollface2 @eddiessweetheart86 @miarosso @micheledawn1975 @eddiescorrodedcoffin86 @takeitsteddie @tiannamortis @sllooney @manda-panda-monium @prestinalove @sunfl0wern1kk1 @pbeckn26 @yogizzz @justmeandmymeanderingthoughts @samunson83 @spidey-fez @loving-and-dreaming @sl-tfor-joseph-quinn @harrys-tittie @hoesbloated

#eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fanfic #steve harrington #stranger things #steve harrington x reader #eddie munson smut #eddie munson #steve harrington smut #steve harrington fanfic #stranger things fanfic #steddie x reader #steddie series

555 notes · View notes

my1guilty1pleasures · 1 year

Text

Love's Curse

part 2

3k words

Looking up at the sky, you sighed. Yuji had just asked you about the most interesting curses you knew of or had run across. Your answer had been love. It had confused him, how could love be a curse?

"Tell me Itadori, what would you do if you fell in love with someone?" You asked

"Love?"

"Yes. What would you do if one day you found someone you cared about?"

"Uh, get to know them, I guess?"

"And if they were a regular human? Going to a regular high school? You wouldn't get to spend a lot of time with them."

"Oh... well that's okay. It just makes it more special!" He answered, his eyes lighting up.

"And what if they liked you back? What would you do?"

"Well that would be great! I'd ask them out!"

"Even if you could disappear for weeks at a time?"

"What? Disappear? Why would I disappear?" His excitement gave way to confusion.

"You fight curses, you're going to be sent on missions, you're going to get hurt, you're going to need time to recover. What are you going to tell them? Are you going to lie to them?"

"I-"

"Are you going to tell them the truth? That curses exist and that you fight them? That there are horrible creatures out there that want to hurt and kill humanity?" You cut him off.

"That's, I mean-"

"What do you think would happen? Would they call you crazy? Leave you for being insane? Maybe they'd believe you. What if they believed you? Forced to live the rest of their life in terror, knowing the truth of the world?"

"Hey! That's not-"

"Fair? Neither is life or love. Every time anybody falls in love, they're taking a risk, putting their heart on the line. It's why so many people are afraid of confessing. They're afraid of the heartache. But what about jujutsu sorcerers? We experience things nobody else does, we fight things nobody else knows about. Can we truly fall in love knowing that we put another person at risk when we do so? It might not be as big of a problem if two high ranking sorcerers fall in love, they're both strong enough to take care of themselves. But what about those people who aren't strong enough? What about people who fight and go to war and fall in love and fear the person they love will die or worse. Be used against them? Tell me, Itadori, would you risk putting somebody in harm's way?" You asked, Itadori looked at the ground sadly.

"I.... I suppose.... I.... I don't know. I don't want them to be hurt because of me but at the same time, if they're really special to me...." He said, a little disheartened.

"And that is why people fear love, Itadori. That is why I exist."

"What do you mean?"

"Another time, Itadori. Another time." You said softly before walking away.

It was a few days later that he approached his teacher, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Sensei, can I ask you a question?" He asked tentatively. Turning to his student, Gojo noticed the look on the boy's face, instantly switching from his usual playful self to something more serious.

"How can I help?" He asked, wondering what was bothering the boy.

"It's Y/n-sensei. I was talking to her about curses and one particular one came up. She said it was the reason she existed. Do... do you know anything about the curse, love?" He asked, rubbing his arm nervously. Gojo's face took on a certain melancholy look.

"I know a bit. It's a pretty old, special grade curse. It was sealed away by Y/n's clan centuries ago. There isn’t a lot known about the curse anymore, everything known about it is kept inside the family and even then, only by a select couple of elders, the previous family member, and the current person in charge of dealing with it. Nobody knows what happens or what they do. Some say that the curse is sealed inside the strongest member of that generation, others say that the curse takes away their ability to love, but no one actually knows anything. Y/n was the last person to deal with it. It was a little over 10 years ago. She changed after that, she always seemed so… sad. Like something was weighing on her, but she couldn’t say anything.” Gojo said, staring out across the courtyard. He was thinking about a time long ago when you were close friends with him, Geto, and Shoko. Laughing as you ran across the courtyard, Gojo’s glasses in hand. Itadori looked at his teacher in shock.

"But... that's... that's unfair to whoever has to take it on! Wouldn’t it be better to have more than one person to take care of it? Instead of putting everything on one person?”

"I don't know. All I can tell you is that every time a new person takes on the curse, they're never the same. Before the curse, Y/n was so lively, caring, compassionate, and happy. After? She was... the woman you see now." Even with the blindfold, Yuji could see the sorrow on his sensei's face.

"You loved her, didn't you?" He asked after a moment, watching as the man nodded.

"So much. I always thought to myself 'this girl is the one, she's the one I'm meant to be with.' And then she came back changed. I asked what happened. I begged her to talk to me, I told her how I felt in the hopes that she would open up, that she'd tell me... something. But she just told me that she and I had no future together and walked away." Gojo's chest clenched, his heart aching at the memory. He was thankful for the blindfold as the fabric caught the tears that slipped from his eyes. Itadori stood silently next to him, staring at the ground. What a cruel fate, what a sad past.

The truth behind the curse wasn’t quite what the rumors assumed. The curse was sealed deep under the family’s house. Each generation, the strongest child was chosen to, indeed, take it on. You were pitted in a fight against the curse. From the day you’d shown cursed energy, from the moment you could walk, you’d been trained to fight the curse. And on that day, you did as you were ‘destined’ to. You sealed the curse and walked out changed. But not changed like people thought. After fighting the curse, each family member gained a ‘blessing’. Though you were pretty sure that was just a way to make themselves feel better. Your mother had been given ‘Matchmaker’. Anybody she matched would guarantee love and a strong child. People went to her to find love and if she gave them her approval, they always found a good future. But she could only tell who would make a good match, she couldn’t make people fall in love. That was your grandmother’s ability called ‘Cupid’s Arrow’. She could make anybody fall in love with anybody. It was an ability she almost never used. You? You were given ‘Soul’. The ability to see soulmate strings. Your mother had been ecstatic when you told her she and your father were true soulmates. Seeing your own soulstring, your family urged you to find yours, especially after learning he was another sorcerer. You were a strong sorcerer, to have a strong soulmate? A child born of such a union would be sure to end in not only love but in a child that could rival even the great Gojo Satoru himself! Until you told them that your soulmate was Gojo Satoru. It had brought chaos to the family.

In the past, any males had been absorbed into the family, but Satoru was the heir to the great Gojo clan. They would insist that you become a part of his family. And then what of your family? Who would take on the curse next? So they forbid you from telling him, from being with him. You’d been crushed, offering solution after solution to the dilemma, but each one was rejected. Your mother had attempted to find you another match, but each one ended in a loveless marriage, a weak child, or both. It sent you spiraling into despair, knowing that you’d never be able to be with your soulmate. What was the point of seeing soulmate strings if you couldn’t be with yours? While you never gave up the jujutsu world, from that day on, you didn’t train as hard, you turned down missions, and stuck mostly to yourself with the exception of your students.

Unsure of what to do next, Itadori had gone to Megumi and Nobara. He wanted his sensei to be happy, but in order to do that, he had to figure out why you’d turned the man down. In order to figure that out, it would be best to figure out what had happened with the curse, but to do that meant that you had to be comfortable to open up to them and how could you do that with them? You’d seen Itadori talking with Gojo a lot, so that might put you on edge. Megumi had been taken in by the man, so that was a definite no, and while they thought Nobara might be a good choice at first, a passing Maki had mentioned that Nobara seemed like a gossip and was one of Gojo’s students meaning that you wouldn’t be comfortable with her either. All of this had led them to Maki, Inumaki, Panda, and Yuta. Almost immediately Yuta had been taken out as an option because of how he idolized Gojo, as well as Inumaki due to his cursed speech. After a small debate, they’d decided that Maki would be the best option, being human, female, and with no real relation to Gojo.

Sitting under one of the trees in the courtyard, you stared off into space, letting your mind wander. The first year students showed a lot of promise, making you rather hopeful for the future. If this was the future of the jujutsu world, then you had no worries about the future at the moment.

“Hey Y/n-sensei?” a voice called, drawing your attention to the dark haired girl.

“Maki, how can I help you?” you asked, putting on a small, albeit melancholy, smile.

“I uh, had a question, if you don’t mind.” she asked, sitting down when you patted the spot next to you on the bench.

“Alright, shoot.” you said. Maki hesitated for a moment, taking off her special glasses and looking up at the sky.

“I overheard Itadori and Gojo-sensei talking recently. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I was kind of walking by and was wondering what this love curse was? I went to the library to look it up but I couldn’t find anything. I was hoping you could tell me more about it.” she asked, making you chuckle. It seemed everybody wanted to know more about the curse lately.

“I’m not surprised you didn’t find anything, in fact I’d have been more surprised if you did find something. Almost everything about the curse was removed a long time ago, only my family has any knowledge on it. So is there anything in particular you’d like to know? That I can tell you, that is.” you asked, looking over at the girl, making her smile.

“I suppose as much as you’re willing to tell me. I mean, we’re told about all sorts of strong, special grade curses. We know about Sukuna’s fingers, about curses like Kurourushi or Tamamo-no-mae. Heck, we even know about possible curses that are so ancient we know nothing about them. But an actual ancient, special grade curse? One that’s so powerful it has to be locked away like that? Wouldn’t it be better to have more people know about it rather than hiding that information away?” the girl asked, drawing a small laugh from you this time.

“I asked the elders the same thing when I was younger. Why keep the knowledge to just my family? What if I were to fail? Wouldn’t it be best to have someone else who could handle the curse as well? Heck, Gojo is the strongest jujutsu sorcerer around, wouldn’t he be a better option?” you asked, giving a genuine smile as you shook your head, “Apparently not, though. I can’t tell you much. A sort of ‘sworn to secrecy’ kind of thing. Only those in the family are allowed to know, but I’ll tell you what I can.” you paused for another moment, looking up at the sky with Maki. “What I can tell you is this. Despite how the curse was created from the fear of love, it has the power to manipulate people into feeling love. The reason for this is because if they feel love and affection for another, they’ll become afraid of their feelings. Worse yet, if they get rejected, the negative feelings can sometimes become even worse. Thereby feeding the curse and allowing it to grow. Before it was sealed, it ran around sowing chaos in this manner. Making people fall in love, many of them being rejected, others becoming obsessed or crazed, it all fed into the curse. My clan soon found out and decided to try to exorcize it. I can’t tell you the specifics, but I can tell you that the only thing they managed was to seal it away.”

“Was it really that strong?” she asked in shock, staring at you in surprise.

“That’s not something even I know. But supposedly, yes. My family keeps a lot of things secret for a lot of reasons that, quite frankly? I don’t agree with or don’t understand. But it’s their traditions and there’s nothing I can do about it. About 11 years, the responsibility fell to me. I did what I was supposed to do, had a celebration in my honor, and promptly told to tell nobody. Not even my future husband. Not that I think I’ll have one at this rate.” you said sadly, taking a deep breath to hold back the tears.

“Why not? Haven’t you looked for someone? Tried dating? Or maybe there's somebody you already care about?” Maki asked in confusion, looking over at you, not saying anything about how she noticed your lip quivering.

“There’s only one person in this world that I love and I’m not allowed to be with him. Yes, I tried dating, tried to get over him, but it… never worked out. The ironic part? I’m not allowed to be with the man I love because my family is worried about the next generation to handle the curse, but I doubt I’m going to have children because there’s nobody I want to have children with. I can’t leave it to another family member, my aunt never had children and I’m an only child. So either the line ends with me and they’re forced to bring in somebody else, or they find a way for me to have a suitable child.” you said with a dry laugh. Maki stared at you for a moment, trying to process things.

“Then wouldn’t it be better to have children with that guy instead of ending the line? I mean, there’s got to be a way!” she defended, suddenly finding herself more and more invested in this curse and your love life.

“That’s what I said. My family elders don’t exactly agree. So they’re still trying to find me a good match. Honestly, I’ve wanted to run away from all of it and be with him anyway and to hell with my family. Except he can’t just run away either. He’s a strong jujutsu sorcerer with his own responsibilities.” you said with a sigh, feeling the girl next to you put a comforting hand on your shoulder.

“If you don’t mind me asking… who were, uh, who are you in love with?” Maki asked, looking around the courtyard. Who here could be so important that you were forbidden to marry him? You hesitated, looking out at the courtyard for a moment.

“You’ll probably call me crazy for this, but it’s Gojo. You kids don’t know him like I do. Yes, he’s perpetually late, he’s immature, he can be a massive idiot, and has way too much of an ego… but he’s kind and caring, he’s protective, sweet, fun, he makes me laugh, and he’s handsome to boot.” you said softly, quickly wiping away the few stray tears before they could get too far. Things were silent for a while as Maki stared out at the courtyard with you, processing everything you’d just told her. Maki suddenly looked at you, a thought crossing her mind.

“Wait! I thought the curse took away your ability to love!” she protested, making you laugh once more.

“Maybe I’m lying, or maybe I’m just so strong that I overcame that and can still love somebody, or maybe my love for him was so strong that it could only dampen my feelings.” you said with a grin. You had to let the rumors persist, it was what your family insisted on. Besides, you enjoyed watching the frustrated looks on the students’ faces as they tried to determine which it was. While you’d opened up a little about the curse, she was still left with so many questions. You’d said ‘handle’ the curse, how did you handle it? Did it really make people in your family unable to love? Why couldn’t somebody help? Why keep you from the person you loved? Wouldn’t a child from the Gojo clan be a great thing? They could handle the curse and still be the next head of the Gojo clan as well as the child of the strongest sorcerer!

“I uh, thank you for telling me, Y/n-sensei. Whatever happens, I hope you get to be with Gojo-sensei one day, even if I don’t understand how you could like somebody like him.” she said, getting up and bowing to you. You smiled and nodded, watching her walk away. Closing your eyes, you tilted your face to the sky. You hoped you’d get to be with him one day as well.

#jjk #jujustu kaisen #jjk gojo #jujutsu satoru #jujutsu gojo #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen satoru #jujutsu kaisen gojo #gojo satoru x reader #gojo satoru #satoru gojo #gojo x reader #gojo satoru fluff #satoru x reader #satoru gojo x reader #gojou satoru x reader #jjk satoru

98 notes · View notes

kaaaaaaarf · 1 year

Note

hi k! do you have fics that u rec for wolfstar?

HI CECI!! 💖 Boy, do I! I've selected a few that I think are not talked about as much as they should be:

A Brief History of Dragons by @eyra - along with Beneath a Big Blue Sky by the same author, this is my ultimate comfort fic. It probably has the most hits of any fic on this list, but I don't hear enough people talking about it. I don't know how to describe it, other than that it feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day. Better In The Morning by BrigidFaye - this is Sirius falling back through the veil six months after everyone thought he died. It's a one shot, it's fucking beautiful and there is a scene that hurts so good. Remus needs a gd hug. It also features a soul mate bond, which we love. Like Real People Do by third_crow - a coffee shop au for people who hate coffee shop aus. Remus has epilepsy, Sirius is raising Harry. It's wonderful, and even has a sequel!

Twin High Maintenance Machines by @behaveddestroyerrating - I can't get through a rec list without something from B. This is technically a WIP but every chapter acts as it's own separate story within a universe. This features maybe my favourite Sirius and Remus of all time. They are both unhinged and in love. It's hilarious. Remus is suffering (and he thrives on it). This is a forever fav and everyone should read it over and over. Drover by @krethes - cowboy wolfstar. that's it, that's the post...it's also extremely fucking hot. It's only 1k so it's a quick read, too. wine of the body and the shape of longing by @greenvlvetcouch - I couldn't believe how few hits this fic has when I checked. It is GORGEOUS! Yes, it's dead dove and there is so much blood (read the tags), but honestly that's the appeal. Underground fighting as foreplay. Hot as fuck. The Hut of the Mistold by @lynxindisguise - gorgeous fairy tale au!! It really feels like you're reading from an old collection of stories and they weave together beautifully!! Side note, it's a WIP, but updating regularily. The Mayors of Simpleton by @fruity-individual - I will bang on my drum about this until I die. WOLFSTAR DIVORCE! WOLFSTAR RAISING TEDDY! BLIND REMUS! Listen, the way Sash writes Remus is downright poetic. It's also a regularily updated WIP. her body is a temple down in the frozen food aisle by @achilleslikespeas - this one has everything: lesbian wolfstar. body horror. time loop. poetic descriptions of existing in a grocery store. The way Claude manipulates text in this to further the narritive is just — chef's kiss. Honey Sweet by @vajazzly - You know this one, Ceci, but HIPPIE REMUS. CITY BOY SIRIUS! This fic really made me smile so wide and God was it hot.

Okay, I could seriously go on and on and on so I will leave it at that! I hope you find something that you haven't read yet and will love!!

#fic recs #ceci tag #ask me #ao3 #wolfstar #remus lupin #sirius black #marauders

165 notes · View notes

shookie-y · 2 months

Text

Wisteria Blooms (2)

Pairing: Giyuu X Reader/ Tanjiro X Reader

Desc: (Y/n) is Giyuu's Tsuguko. Ubuyashiki appointed him to train her a year after he met Tanjiro. (Y/n) has had strong feelings for the water pillar for a few months. During a mission with Giyuu she runs into the two Kamado siblings. For Tanjiro it was love at first sight. What happens when (Y/n) has to fight her feelings for not only the two slayers but also keep up with the fight against the demons?

A/N: All of the characters are slightly aged up or down to make this story work. Tanjiro will be 18 and Giyuu will be 20. (Y/n) will be 19. If anyone has any questions about the other characters ages feel free to ask.

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

"Kanao! Look out!" You tackle the girl to the ground. The demon growls as its body hits the rough dirt. You jump up, moving your sword in front of you to defend yourself. It was dark and neither of you could see very well. "Get behind me. We need to work together." Kanao's back presses against yours.

How did you get in this situation? The first three days of the final selection went by without a hitch. Now here you are, you have a deep cut on your leg and you can feel the blood trickling down it.

Focus (Y/n). The demon could be anywhere and it can strike at any moment. Final selection is only supposed to have lower level demons and yet something is different about the one that attacked you. She looks frail and weak but her attacks are quick and stronger than anything you've fought so far.

Your eyes flicker around quickly in the dark, looking for any signs of movement. There's a small breeze making the tree branches sway and hit against each other. Is the noise just from the wind? Or is it the demon jumping from one branch to another?

"There." Kanao's voice is soft but sharp. You feel her move from behind you and can hear the sound of her sword clashing into something. You turn around just in time to see the demons arm fall off. It hisses and goes to grab Kanao.

You rush towards her and use your sword to slash the demons other arm off. “Now Kanao!” At yours words the younger girl swings her sword towards the demons neck. You make the same move, it won’t manage to dodge both of your attacks.

Both of your swords cut through at the same time. You watch as the demons head thumps to the ground and slowly rolls to a stop. “No! No! I can’t die this way. Not by the hands of you two! I’ve been here for 4 years! I’m supposed to get stronger. Like the guy with all the hands. That should be me!” She’s crying but her tone is spiteful and loud.

Her body slowly starts to disintegrate into nothing and her cries slowly die down. The woods grow quiet around you and you take a breath.

“What was that? I thought it was only lower demons…” You glance at Kanao, who seems okay, and then back towards the trees around you. There doesn’t seem to be any demons around you for now.

“We should keep moving.” Her voice is quiet and it startles you a bit. “We need to find more demons to kill.”

You’re quick to follow after Kanao, who walks forward, there seems to be almost no emotion in her. She didn’t react much during that last fight, or when you ran into a demon eating someone. Such a strange girl.

The next few days are harder on you. The cut on your leg seems to get worse as the days go by. It only makes fighting harder. Luckily, all the demons you've encountered since have been easy kills. The final day arrives and you make your way out of the woods.

"Welcome back." Ubuyashiki's kids greet everyone with a smile.

"I am glad you are safe."

"There appears to be only five of us. Including me and Kanao.

There's a boy with yellow hair. He's mumbling to himself. "Die... I'm going to die. Die, die, die, die. Even tough I've survived here, I am going to die in the end."

There's two more boys as well. One you've met before. Genya. He was a mean kid. You didn't talk to him much. You only really know him because of Gyomei. Genya was trained by him. You two didn't really get along from the few interactions you've had.

The last boy seems to be studying everyone else as well. He has dark short hair with burgundy tips. He is wearing a blue kimono with a cloud pattern. His eyes meet yours and you freeze. His eyes are beautiful. They are a dark red. He gives you a soft smiles and you blush.

"So what am I supposed to do now? Where is my katana?" Genya's voice startles you and you quickly look away from the other boy.

"First, we will provide your corps uniform. We will take your measurements and then engrave your rank."

"There are ten ranks. Kinoe, Kinoto, Hinoe, Hinoto, Tsuchinoe, Tsuchinoto, Kanoe, Kanoto, Mizunoe, and Mizunoto. Right now, you are all the bottom rank of Mizunoto. Today you will choose the ore for your sword. Then it will take up to two weeks for the katana to be finished."

"Then we will assign you a Kasugai crow."

Several crows fly down. One for each of you.

"Huh? A crow? But this is a sparrow?" The yellow haired one pokes at his bird.

"Kaw. Kaw." Your eyes flicker down to see a small crow in your hand.

"Hi. You're so cute." You reach up and pet the small creature. It rubs into your hand and you smile.

"Kasugai crows are generally used for communication but not always."

A loud sound echoes across the grounds and everyone turns to look at Genya. His bird flies off. He seems to have hit it. "I do not care about crows!" He storms up to the two kids and before you have a chance to move, he hits the white haired one over the head and then grabs her hair in his fists. " Katana! I want my katana! I want it now!"

The young girl stares up at him. The dark haired boy rushes forward and grabs onto his arm. "Let go of this child! If you don't, I'll break your arm!" His voice was demanding yet somehow he sounded nice at the same time.

"Who are you!?" Just try it!" Genya seems pissed. The other boy didn't waste a second before crushing his arm. Genya gasps in pain and rips his arm away.

He opens his mouth to say something. "Cut it out, Genya." Your voice is rough and you sound annoyed. The two guys turn to you and Genya huffs in annoyance, but he listens and lets it go.

"Are you done talking? Then come over here and please choose the ore for making your katana."

"I'm probably going to die soon anyways." The yellow haired one mumbles as everyone makes their way forward.

There's multiple ores laying out on a small table. They vary in size and color. You look around before our eyes settle on a little black one. It has white and blue speckles on it and it seems to shine as the sunlight hits it.

Everyone chooses their ore before you all get sent on your way. "Let's head back. I'm sure they're waiting for us." You give Kanao a small smile and then begin your way back to the butterfly estate.

#giyu x reader #giyuu tomioka #giyuu x reader #kimetsu no yaiba #tanjiro x reader #tanjiro kamado #kny tanjirou #kny giyuu #demon slayer #demon slayer x reader #kny

34 notes · View notes

robsterskellington · 5 months

Text

Shin Soukoku again being the more popular vote, huh? This snippet has Vanitas being more of a side character, but he's still involved.

Context: "In six months time, I'm going to kill you." Akutagawa never breaks his promises, right?

*It's time.*

That text had frozen Atsushi's heart, and made him feel sick. After getting the date confirmed, he realised that it had been exactly six months since the end of the Cannibalism Incident, and thus it was time for Akutagawa to fight Atsushi to the death.

*Why? Why did this have to happen? I thought we were getting along, I thought we finally understood each other!* His thoughts weren't helping matters in the slightest- he felt betrayed, but how could he not? Akutagawa had been hanging out with him a lot; sometimes they sparred and fought, sometimes they simply met for tea, and sometimes Akutagawa would simply be there whenever Byakko needed to run around in that beautiful forest.

But clearly it was all for nothing. Akutagawa would never break a promise, especially not for an *enemy*. That's all Atsushi was, in the end. And it hurt, oh God it hurt. He had to excuse himself and run to the bathroom, crying his eyes out. This was always going to happen, Atsushi knew that, but... knowing that the time had come, knowing that Akutagawa was ready to kill him, it made him throw up.

Eventually he emerged, and simply texted back to ask where to meet. Maybe Atsushi would beat Akutagawa? But then would Akutagawa stop if Atsushi defeated him, or would the fight only stop when one of them died? Atsushi had to come to terms with the fact that it was likely Akutagawa had only been so kind, so good to him, to soften him until he refused to fight him, which would just give Akutagawa an easy win.

His sour mood didn't go unnoticed, but nobody spoke to him. Vanitas seemed keen on keeping everyone away from him, and Ranpo was helping. Dazai wasn't in the office, he was likely bothering Chuuya. Atsushi suddenly growled and faced them, "What's the deal with you all?!"

"Atsushi, just calm down." Vanitas spoke softly and looked at him, "Just go meet Akutagawa, and we'll talk later, okay?" Vanitas had been informed of the promise, but he didn't look nervous. If anything, there was a slight smile hidden on his face, and Atsushi noticed a twinkle in Yosano's eyes. They were up to something, obviously.

Atsushi was texted a bunch of coordinates- he still struggled to read them, so he showed Kyouka, who instructed him to go to the Port, and to an abandoned warehouse that had red paint, crumbling off on the outside. She then gave Atsushi a big hug, since she clearly wasn't in the same know-how as Ranpo, Yosano and Vanitas, and whispered softly, "Even if he begs you, don't kill him. And please don't die, I can't lose you."

He held her tightly, then kissed her forehead. She truly was the little sister he wished he had. After taking a breath, he left, his tears dry and his heart hardened.

****

After a walk that took entirely too long as a result of Atsushi dragging his feet, he arrived at the designated location. The whole area was barren, save some dilapidated buildings. The warehouse he was sent to was empty, just the main structures and some railings remained.

Akutagawa was stood leaning against a pillar, scrolling on his phone, not even dressed in his usual gear- his iconic coat was nowhere to be seen, he was wearing black jeans, black converse and a sky blue hoodie. Only a select few people, (meaning Dazai, Gin and Atsushi), knew that Akutagawa's favourite colour was actually lighter shades of blue.

The outfit was... inappropriate. Not because of the clothes having anything wrong with them, but because Rashōmon wouldn't have a good reach with them, though Akutagawa obviously didn't care. He looked completely relaxed, as if he hadn't just summoned Atsushi for a death match. That sight completely enraged him and he clenched his fists.

"*AKUTAGAWA!!*"

Atsushi jumped down, shaking with fury, but Akutagawa looked calm. In fact, after seeing Atsushi, he grew a warm smile, one that made Atsushi's heart skip a beat, "Greetings, Weretiger."

"...*greetings*?! That's all you can say right now? Fucking *greetings*?!" What was Akutagawa's play? This was insulting and ridiculous, and Akutagawa had the audacity to downplay his feelings?!

Akutagawa stood up properly, and walked calmly towards Atsushi, keeping his hands in his pockets, "You're upset, but you shouldn't be." Before the younger man could shout again, Akutagawa gently continued, "Jinko. I've spent my entire life making and keeping promises. I've never broken a promise. Only now do I realise just how idiotic that is."

That wasn't what Atsushi expected. It wasn't stupid to keep promises, was it? That was when a horrible image flashed in Atsushi's mind- Fukuchi and that cursed sword, slashing Akutagawa's throat. If Atsushi hadn't made Akutagawa promise not to kill, they might not have even gotten to that point. They could have killed the bastard before he could summon the sword. He couldn't speak, and he couldn't look at the man in front of him.

Akutagawa saw Atsushi's expression, and took that as a sign to continue, "These past six months have taught me so much. Finding ways to resolve situations without killing is certainly a good alternative, and it's less paperwork." He was only half-joking, but saw that Atsushi didn't even crack a smile. Taking another breath, he got to his point: "I can't kill you. I don't want to, so I refuse. This will be the first promise I *break*."

"...what?" This wasn't real. It couldn't be. But he hoped it was, that he wouldn't wake up and find out that this was just a dream.

Akutagawa took a step closer and smiled at Atsushi, "I... wanted to know what my actual feelings were. So during the time limit I set for us, I decided to spend time with you. I've been alive for nearly 21 years, and I swear that I've never laughed, cried, or enjoyed myself as much as I have when we're together. Being around you simply feels right. If I kill you, then that's all gone, and I cannot allow that."

He couldn't ignore his emotions anymore, and he didn't even really understand his jealousy in the first place! Sure, Atsushi got all of Dazai's attention and praise, but one, he'd earned every word of encouragement and kindness, and two, Akutagawa was dealing with a version of Dazai that was toxic and cruel. The facts of the matter was that they were a great team, the New Double Black, and knew that they could trust each other in any life or death situation. Akutagawa was done being cold to Atsushi, the man he willingly gave up his life for.

Atsushi was shaking, he felt more emotional than he'd done in a long time. Without thinking, he hugged Akutagawa tightly, sobbing into his chest. The tears fell more when he felt the other wrapping his arms securely around him, the two of them just embracing. After a little longer, Atsushi sniffed, "...Ryū? Is this really what you want?"

"I want a lot more, but that'll come later." He chuckled weakly, stroking the back of Atsushi's head, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the Weretiger's warmth, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I wanted to, but I was so scared you wouldn't believe me. I didn't want you to hate me again, we've come so far from when we first met."

"Still, I'll get you for scaring me like that, you lunatic." They both laughed a little, and Atsushi finally calmed down, pulling away and wiping his eyes. They needed to talk things through properly, but while his emotions and mind were a bit fried, Atsushi looked up at Akutagawa, "I was scared. I didn't wanna die, I didn't wanna hurt you. Seeing you die on the ship..." he frowned then tilted his head, "You never answered my question. Why did you save me that day? Was it because of Dazai's orders, or because you wanted to kill me yourself back then?"

"Actually, when he ordered me to protect you, I initially refused at the time, like a fool." Akutagawa reached out and stroked Atsushi's cheek, "I saved you, simply because I wanted you to live. I wanted you to see that even if you thought you had no right to live, other people like myself disagree. You have every right to live, and I'm so grateful every day I see you, alive and well. No more suffering or pain."

He'd never heard those words before. Atsushi had never been told that others wanted him to live. Sometimes implications weren't enough. Sure, Kyouka had asked him not to die, but it wasn't quite the same. Someone being grateful that Atsushi was alive felt so foreign to him, so alien. Coming from Akutagawa, it felt sincere. Leaning into Akutagawa's touch, he felt tears well up again, but he didn't fight to keep them, just letting them fall.

Once he regained his composure, Atsushi assumed that maybe they could go out for tea or something, but Akutagawa looked nervous suddenly, "Actually, would you mind taking me to the Agency? I believe your head detective will have figured out that I'm not keeping this particular promise, so there's no need for hostility."

"I mean, sure. I can bring you." He knew now that after six months of not killing, Akutagawa had changed. There was no way he'd flip like a switch now, especially when Akutagawa had since acknowledged that Dazai belonged at the Agency. Akutagawa was in the Port Mafia, so killing was unavoidable, but Akutagawa would *try* not to, so that gave Atsushi some peace. But still, "May I ask why, first?"

"You may, and I shall tell." Akutagawa looked uncomfortable for a moment, then looked at Atsushi with a soft expression, "As you're aware, I have a lung disease that's slowly but surely killing me. However, five months ago, Vanitas had given me a medicine to soothe the pain, and allow me to breathe properly. Because of it, I have grown physically stronger, and I feel healthier."

Atsushi knew all this, of course. Vanitas had given Akutagawa the herbal remedy he'd concocted while the Port Mafia were still Vampires, and he'd been taking it for so long that his coughing was a rare occurrence now. The problem was that lungs, once damaged, tend to remain that way. The medication helped with the breathing difficulties, and helped Akutagawa do more with his body and life, but the lung disease would kill him in the end.

He felt his heart fill with light when Akutagawa continued: "Before, I was so weak that if your Doctor Yosano tried to use her Ability on me, I would have died before Thou Shalt Not Die could activate, which is one Hell of a feat, considering it can cure death in certain circumstances." He cleared his throat, "Now... I'm not that weak anymore. I can survive. So, please take me to her... so I can get rid of this cursed illness once and for all, and live for as long as I can."

Atsushi was having a day of emotional whiplash. What started off with pure fear, was now a situation that filled him with so much joy that he couldn't see straight. Acting without thinking, Atsushi threw his arms around Akutagawa, who held him securely and swung him around using the momentum created, laughing! It was so ridiculous, but they were both happy and clearly doing things in the heat of the moment. This was completely verified by Atsushi, slamming his lips onto Akutagawa's.

The Black Caped Beast, the Rabid Dog of the Port Mafia, was stunned silent and completely red in the face as the infamous Weretiger of the Armed Detective Agency kissed him like he needed Akutagawa's lips in order to breathe. In that moment, Akutagawa felt the same way, his arms holding Atsushi close, both of them aware of Byakko and Rashōmon purring within them, also happy.

Once they pulled apart, Atsushi grabbed Akutagawa's hand and practically dragged him to the Agency; it was a good thing that Akutagawa's lungs were already on the mend, at least now he could keep up without losing breath too fast and feeling like trash! He didn't want anything to ruin the moment they just had...

****

Vanitas and Ranpo had smug looks on their faces when they saw the boys return, and Akutagawa glared, "...you both really did call it."

"Yep!" Ranpo grinned as Vanitas explained, "However, we didn't want to risk anything going wrong, so we kept it to ourselves. The only other people who figured this out was the President, and Doctor Yosano."

As if summoned, Yosano came from the infirmary, looking surprised when Akutagawa bowed to her, "Doctor Yosano, after everything I've done, I understand if you refuse, but... I'm in desperate need of healing. Even with Vanitas' medicines, I'm not going to live too long with my lungs in this state. I'm willing to pay any price-"

Yosano cut him off by raising her hand, and looked at him, "You're a patient in need of help, and I'm aware that Vanitas' medicines can only do so much, while Mr. Mori is useless when it comes to diseases. You don't need to pay me anything, I'm just proud of you for finally admitting that you need help." She looked towards Atsushi and smiled, "You can trust me with Akutagawa's health."

It wouldn't take long, but Atsushi was still nervous at seeing Yosano drag Akutagawa into the infirmary. Kyouka had to hold him back when he heard the chainsaw whirring and Akutagawa's scream- he'd never heard Akutagawa scream with utter fear before, and he silently vowed that he would never let Akutagawa scream like that ever again. Kyouka hugged Atsushi, and he leaned into her. Obviously he knew that Yosano would cure Akutagawa completely, but it was still nerve-wracking to wait.

It was only a couple of minutes before Yosano came out, with a satisfied look, "Okay, that lung disease is all gone! And *yes* Atsushi, you can-" He zipped right past her before she could finish her sentence, but she found herself still doing so, "...see him now."

Vanitas laughed and went to make Yosano some tea to help her recover, "How bad?"

"If you hadn't given him that stuff, Akutagawa's lungs would have gotten worse. That boy hasn't smoked in his life, but his lungs were in a similar state to a chain smoker." She looked tired, but it was obvious that she thought it was worth it. "He probably would have died before meeting the six month deadline he'd set for Atsushi."

That was depressing, but unfortunately that was how unlucky life could be for some people. Akutagawa was already sickly, prone to infections and illnesses of all kinds. It was good that now he had support, and was able to trust people enough to help him. After giving Yosano the tea, Vanitas and Kyouka peaked inside the infirmary to see that Akutagawa was sound asleep in the bed, with Atsushi holding his hand and resting his head on the edge of aforementioned bed.

Vanitas smiled and grabbed an extra blanket, covering Atsushi's sleeping form before taking Kyouka's hand and leading her to the café to relax for a while. He'd already taken note of the fact that Akutagawa's breathing sounded steady, and he didn't look uncomfortable anymore. His chest no longer rattled, and he didn't cough himself awake.

*****

Akutagawa woke up an hour later, and he could immediately feel that he was *better*. It didn't feel like smoke was filling his lungs, and he couldn't taste blood in the back of his throat anymore. He felt someone squeeze his hand, and turned to smile at Atsushi taking a nap close to him. His heart hammered at the memory of that kiss, and he blushed to himself.

Maybe this partnership had more similarities to Chuuya and Dazai's than he thought. Working together, capable of destruction, and at the end of the day, they completed each other. Akutagawa and Atsushi weren't a single soul in two bodies, but their Abilities in the form of Kokko Zessō absolutely was.

Akutagawa smiled to himself as he watched Atsushi slowly awaken from his nap, and he couldn't help but stroke Atsushi's face when he saw that sleepy smile, "Ryū... how you feeling?"

"Healthy." That was honestly the best way to describe how he felt at this moment. Akutagawa leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Atsushi's, the pair of them holding each other like that for a moment.

It felt like now or never, so Atsushi spoke softly, "I... Ryū, I think I've made my thoughts clear, but I'm still gonna say it. I don't want us to be enemies anymore, or rivals. You may be in the Port Mafia, but that doesn't matter to me. I just... I just want to spend my life with you..."

That was something exceedingly dangerous to ask of a Mafia member, however Akutagawa completely returned that sentiment. He'd known Atsushi for months now, and they'd been through so much together. All Akutagawa wanted was to watch Atsushi live his life, while standing beside him the entire time. He'd never attack Atsushi, and he didn't particularly have any beef with the Agency, so a feud was pointless in his opinion.

All Akutagawa could do in response was pull Atsushi onto the bed with him, hold him close, and kiss him again. Atsushi squeaked, but wrapped his arms around Akutagawa and let them both sink into the bed, staying there for what felt like hours.

This was trust. This was loyalty. This was *love*.

26 notes · View notes

xxlady-lunaxx · 8 months

Text

I couldn't, I thought I would lose you too... | {MasaNemi/SaneKana/SaneGiyuu}

Theme:Fluff, Angst, Fluff, repeat ✨ (No because there was more angst than I thought there would be)

Note: Yk, I don't have any pictures with all three of these ships ofc so It's just Nemi up there❤ Also goddamn the title is long as fuck 🥲 Btw, sorry if I don't get Masachika's personality right, I don't know much about him and haven't read a single fanfic with him in it so.. yeah, sorry in advance 😭

This oneshot has lots of spoilers for no real reason except it give it more action tbh 💀

[Slightly gone through and edited]

When Sanemi met Masachika, he knew there was something different about him. Though Masachika was just an ordinary demon slayer who Sanemi had shouted at, the two ended up bonding rather quickly, despite their contrasting personalities.

Masachika was one of the few—or rather, the only—who was able to calm Sanemi. They grew closer the more time they spent together, doing nearly everything aside the other. After passing final selection together, the two's feelings for each other pushed past friendship, crossing the line between friendly to romantic. Sanemi ended up being the first to express himself, though more on accident, when Masachika had gotten hurt on one of his solo missions. He'd been frantic when he heard this and rushed to Masachika's side. Luckily, his injury hadn't been deep enough to be fatal, though the spot where the wound was had been was dangerously close to his heart.

Then was when Sanemi had told Masachika how he'd felt. He'd not even realized it until Masachika took his hands and said he felt the same. Sanemi had been so worried, his own heart pounding in his ears as he'd shouted, "You fucking bastard! You have to be more careful!! The other people were far behind you, you had abolutely no fucking right to put yourself in such a fatal position and nearly get yourself killed! I can't fucking lose you, I love you and if you do go I won't be able to live!!"

Masachika, though weak from the wound, had heard this and smiled. It was clear that Sanemi hadn't even realized he'd said the words himself, but that they were very much true. He held Sanemi's hands in his and said, sweetly, soft, "Sanemi. I live for you, and you alone. I wouldn't leave you if I had a choice, I love you as well."

Those words brought Sanemi's head to clear. He shook, still, from the fear that had coursed through him when he'd heard that Masachika had been badly injured, but also from.. from a sort of contentment. Or relief. As the words sunk in, he realized what they really meant and his eyes opened wide, staring at the pale face of the one person he wanted to call his lover. He wrapped Masachika in his arms and bit back tears, cradling the one he loved in his embrace.

Since then, before each mission they had, the two swore they would never forget the other, knowing that this mission might as well be their last. Before this, before when their love was only friendship, they only expressed the hope of the other's safety. Now they would hug the other tightly as they said their goodbye's, hoping that it wouldn't be the last.

So again, when the crow came down and shouted their orders of a new mission, they were quick to get ready. Even on their joint missions, they said goodbye, because who knew if one might die, or if both, or none. They couldn't know.

Masachika prepared himself by making sure his katana was in place and Sanemi got the two some water before they headed off. Both stared at each other for a second, then Sanemi mumbled, "Masachika? I have a bad feeling about this mission."

Masachika laughed, though nothing about this was humorous. "You always say that, who's to say this one will be different? Don't make yourself worry, Nemi, we'll get through it as we always do. And even if we don't, you know I'll love you through anything, okay?" He hugged his lover tightly, and Sanemi wrapped his arms around Masachika.

That may be true, it may be just paranoia, but Sanemi felt a sickening feeling that this might be the last time he and Masachika could talk safely—or as safe as they could ever be—ever. He breathed in deeply Masachika's scent, a comforting smell, something he always associated with love. He let go of Masachika and said, "Nevertheless.. Please be careful, I don't want to lose you. Okay?" Then, though a little begrudgingly because he always felt these words were a little cringy sometimes, he added, "I love you too." He turned away abruptly, marching on his way towards the mission. Masachika followed with a teasing grin playing on his face.

~~~

He should've been more careful. He should've pushed Masachika away when he'd seen the demon lunge. But Masachika had said to prioritize the bystander's life over Masachika's and he had to. Because that's what being a demon slayer meant. Choose one or the other. He'd.. he'd mistakenly chosen the bystander's. The stranger hadn't even been in danger so pressing that he wouldn't get there on time if he had protected Masachika first. But it was done in a flash. Sanemi watched right before his eyes his lover, falling, blood, shouting. Sanemi was quick, then, shooting forward and cutting the demon's head off. Masachika did the best he could to help, his katana gripped tightly in his hand. The demon had been a Lowermoon. Too strong for Masachika alone, who had already been injured from one of the other demons who had paired up with the Lowermoon.

Sanemi fell to the ground, his arms around Masachika. He shouted, his voice emitting noises he couldn't comprehend. Then he heard Masachika, his voice thin, weak. "Sa..nemi.. Don't w..worry about m..me.. Pleas..e.. Just move.. move on.. You can't.. save me.. now.." he was whispering.

"No, no! I'll help! I.. I learned a little about healing once! I can save you! Just don't die! Don't close your eyes! Please! Please don't.. don't leave me," Sanemi choked out. "I love you," he whispered, the words more urgent now. "Please, please, I love you, Masachika.."

Masachika's mouth twisted into a smile. And, though it was forced through the pain, it looked so sweet it broke Sanemi's heart. "I love you too, Sanemi," he said, sighing gently against Sanemi's arms. Blood was spilling out of whatever wounds he'd acquired from the demon as his eyes fluttered close. Sanemi shook his head desperately, but he knew it was useless. He really couldn't do anything for Masachika. Nothing.

He pressed his lips gently onto Masachika who, with his last strength, kissed back. His muscles, previously tensed, instinctively trying to stop the blood, loosened, and Masachika was gone. Dead.

Sanemi whimpered, tears pouring down his face. He couldn't bear this. He didn't want this. Why.. why Masachika. Why..!

~~~

He became a Hashira. Masachika would've as well if he'd survived, but he didn't. So now it was just Sanemi. Sanemi, alone, broken, and a fucking Hashira. He was greeted by this 'Ubuyashiki' whom they called Oyakata-Sama. Why must he bow? To this fragile, delicate, useless man?! After his lover, his best friend, the one person who understood him, had died.. How. Why.

But Kagaya knew Masachika. Somehow. He.. he gave Sanemi Masachika's will. It was somewhat heartbreaking to read, and he didn't object to anything else Kagaya said.

He met the other Hashira. Gyomei Himejima, Kanae Kocho, Tengen Uzui, and Giyuu Tomioka. There weren't many but of course it wasn't easy to aquire many people who met the expectations of being a Hashira. Apparently there was another, Shinjuro Rengoku, who was, from what he knew, mourning his wife and didn't want to attend the meeting.

He kept his distnce from all Hashira and jut went by his missions numbly, as if he was on autopilot. This didn't go on for long, though, because Kanae Kocho had caught an interest on him. She would follow him around a lot more than he was comfortable with, and she would comment on every little detail on him, around them, or just anything.

He might one day escape her but she would always find him again. By the end of the week, he already knew how she'd become a demon slayer, her family, including an adopted sister, where she lived, what her sister expertised in, what she was best at, her hobbies, about 50 different types of flowers, several more types of plants, how to best grow them, the pace the clouds were moving on Wednesday, her own weather predictions, where she tended to have her missions at, her crow's name, and the exact curve of the scars on his face.

He was, as you might expect, rather overwhelmed by all of this, something Kanae hadn't noticed yet. One day, however, he began to see Kanae in a different light. She'd found him one afternoon and had sat next to him. As usual, she went off with her usual chatter and he tuned her out, focusing on a tree off in the distance. But then her face popped up in front of him and he jolted back, surprised. She had laughed then said, "Shinazugawa, look! I found this flower that reminds me of you. It's white and purple, purple as in your eyes and white as in your hair! It's really pretty, too. But it has a fierce sort of look, so it really suits you." She'd smiled then and showed Sanemi the flower. He only studied it for a second before she promptly tucked it behind Sanemi's ear and her smile widened in amusement. "It looks lovely on you."

This little action had surprised Sanemi, somehow. As if he'd been blind all this time but when she did this, smiling and showing him the flower, reciting what kind it was, he'd gained the sense of sight. Like he'd opened his eyes for the first time and saw, actually saw this girl in front of him.

He didn't understand. Had Kanae done something different with her hair? Was she in a better mood today? No, she was the same. Maybe it was Sanemi. Maybe Sanemi had.. had acquired something new and he had to figure it out.

It didn't take long for him to find out what it was, though, because he'd felt this way before. Except this time, the feeling came a bit more suddenly. Not quite as gradually as before. Love. He was beginning to love Kanae.

But why? He still loved Masachika, though he knew that he should move on. But what was so different about her? Her... her energy. It was so wonderfully active and sweet, like Masachika. Except Kanae had always been like this, so it couldn't be his lingering feelings for his fallen lover making him think of Kanae as him. It had to be something else. Or maybe it wasn't anything in particular, it was just.. just her. Kanae.

He didn't want to move on, though. He wanted to be loyal to his promise of loving Masachika forever. But.. but he liked Kanae. More than he wanted to supress. He.. could protect her better than he had with Masachika. Yes, yes he would do that. Who said you couldn't love two people at once? He would never get Masachika back until the day he died, and he was still being true to his word, so.. so loving Kanae would be almost freeing. It would soothe his broken heart in a way he would be truly loving someone else and moving on. Moving on in a way that he could do what Masachika wished for him and still be loyal to Masachika.

Sanemi never told Kanae, straight up, that he loved her. Kanae had said she loved Sanemi equally, only knowing though not because he'd said that he'd loved her and she loved him. She had for a while, but Sanemi had never caught on. They dated, but their affection came mostly through actions because it was easier for Sanemi to handle. Kanae was great with words though. She could bring the most ordinary, boring words to the most wonderful sounds to Sanemi's ears. She held Sanemi together and in her arms and was Sanemi's comfort.

A month or so into their relationship, Sanemi realized he should tell Kanae that he loved her. He'd held back for so long, still holding onto the small part of him who wouldn't let go of Masachika enough to say so. But he felt he was brave enough to do so now, so he would try. The way he'd confessed to Kanae had been by kissing her. He never told her that he loved her, though she knew that he did, so he never felt he had to say it. But now he thought it wasn't fair to her because she would constantly tell him her love for him so he wanted to say it back.

Kanae was on a mission, currently, so he would tell her when she got back. Sanemi slept that night rather peacefully, for he had finished his own mission early, but he woke up in distress. Though he had no idea why. He got up and noticed that the sun was just now rising, so he went to the butterfly mansion to wait for Kanae to return. Shinobu, Kanae's younger sister, he recognized, came back. She was in tears and he thought none of it until he noticed the Kakushi behind her, supporting a body. A familiar one. Kanae's.

Dread pushed him up and to his feet, running to Shinobu, panicked. "Ka.. Kanae.. I.. What happened," Sanemi breathed, quickly scrambling down the steps and to Shinobu and the Kakushi.

Shinobu looked away and the Kakushi did nothing but give Sanemi a grim look. Sanemi shook his head, again, his panic filling his body and overwhelming him, trying to force his way out. He put his hand to his stomach, his shock and pain, though none of it physical, had him trying not to vomit. He clenched his fists and bit back tears as he stared at Kanae's body, draped over the Kakushi's back, lifeless, dead.

The word rang through his mind, over and over. Dead. Kanae. She was dead. She.. dead.. All over again. Just like Masachika. He couldn't bear this. Not another.. not another death. His.. he loved her. So.. So much. And yet she was taken away from him. Just like Masachika had been. Everyone he loved was falling before his eyes. He didn't want this. He couldn't fucking take it anymore.

Sanemi fell to his knees and ripped at his hair in anger. He shouted out in desperation and it hot tears poured down his cheeks. He was angry. He was shocked. He was so desperately in need of someone, anyone, who might love him, who might care for him, who wouldn't die. He was crying, shouting, ripping at his own skin. Why. What the fuck did he ever do? His family, dead. Masachika, dead. Kanae, dead. Who was next? WHO THE FUCK WAS NEXT?

He felt a gentle hand on his back, and for a hopeful second he thought it was Kanae, about to scoop him up in her arms and cradle him lovingly. But then he looked up and saw Shinobu, her pitiful gaze upon him. He backed away. He didn't want her pity. He didn't want Shinobu, the girl who was the one he just lost's sister. The one who had also lost someone. He was being selfish. Shinobu had lost someone as well. But had Sanemi ever given a fuck about Shinobu? No. He would go, leave, somewhere where Kanae's lifeless form didn't lay hovering near him. Somewhere where he could grieve over her without the pitying eyes of someone who had also lost her. Somewhere where he could be as selfish as he wanted to be, somewhere where he could tear himself inside out until he was nothing.

Sanemi got up and ran. He ran, his hands closed so tightly blood pricked from under his fingers. Pain. Pain would distract him from this. All of this.

He enclosed himself in his house, slamming the door and breathing heavily. He gripped onto the handle for a minute, unable to move. Then he slid down the door, his body on the floor, limp. He cried. He cried because he'd lost Kanae. He cried because he'd never truly told her he loved her. He cried because he'd lost Masachika. He cried because he could. Because he could let out his pain now, here, by himself, alone, in the form of tears. Water. He cried because he was so fucking useless. He cried because he hadn't protected anyone. Because he had failed. Again, again, and again. No matter how many times he'd sworn to protect, he failed once again. He poured his heart out and his hands gripped his arms, scratching lines into his skin. He stayed there for a very long time, unwilling to move until it all ended. Hoping that maybe, just maybe, he would cry himself dead. Because he deserved hell right now. For failing to protect the people he'd sworn to never let die.

~~~

Sanemi was a mess the next few months. He was either very loud and violent or quiet and ignorant. He avoided most people and spoke only in shouts. One day, he ventured to a training area and found Giyuu, who was training in hand-to-hand combat, his katana kept on his belt. Sanemi watched for a beat then walked over, moving to put down his waterbottle to the side. Giyuu decided right then to kick and only just noticed Sanemi walking. Giyuu managed to rectract his leg so it wouldn't hit Sanemi but it sliced the waterbottle in half instead and water went splashing over the two of them.

Giyuu spluttered and stumbled back, wiping at his face. He mumbled a quick sorry, preparing for the shouting that... never came. Sanemi was staring at him and Giyuu was confused.

Sanemi felt his head clear for a moment. For the first time in months. He blinked. Giyuu looked.. kind of, maybe, a little, well, yes, but no, he.. he looked somewhat pretty. His wet hair framing his face, his eyes blue and clear and wonderful, and.. and just him.

Sanemi shook his head, water spraying around him. Giyuu stepped back, confused. Then Sanemi was back to normal. He said, "Get the fuck away from me, I'm going to train. And unless you want me to slice your head off you better stay out of my way."

Giyuu nodded and walked away, going to dry himself in the sun. Sanemi watched him until Giyuu was completely out of the training site and then started his own training. He often trained to vent out his feelings, kicking and punching the air, imagining it to be whoever—whatever—kept taking those he loved from him. It often made him cry anyways but at least he could pretend he accidentally grazed his own eye or something. This time, though, he thought about Giyuu. Thought about how Sanemi had felt, seeing Giyuu like this. He rarely paid attention to the Water Hashira who was always only there but never putting himself up front, always hovering somewhere in the back quietly. They had another Hashira meeting soon, he could study Giyuu's behaviour this time.

~~~

Sanemi watched Giyuu, though he tried to be subtle about it, as he kept his eye on the Water Hashira during the meeting. This time, their meeting began with the arrival of some random demon slayer who appeared to be traveling with a demon. Sanemi had walked in and, figuring the best way to watch Giyuu was continuously calling him out, so he stabbed the demon in the middle of the field and shouted at Giyuu about why he kept staying to the side when it was his fault.

Sanemi noted how Giyuu kept his back away from everyone, though he seemed as perceptive as ever, and he said little to nothing, no matter how many times people called out to him. He saw overall Giyuu's way of ignoring, but he also noticed the little things. The way Giyuu's eyes flicked towards everyone as they shouted to him, and the way he reacted ever so slightly, his body moving for less than a second as if it had a mind of it's own before Giyuu caught it. Sanemi never realized how much there was to learn about this particular Hashira.

That's when it struck him how little anybody seemed to know about Giyuu. Nobody knew about his family, or his past, or anything. Everyone at least had a slight idea of the other Hashira's pasts, except Muichiro who had forgotten it—which was very odd but he seemed extremely forgetful anyways—Gyomei who never spoke of it unless asked, but it wasn't something that usually came up, and Obanai who prefered to keep it to himself, though they had a vague idea that Kyojuro's father was involved with his. But those three, except Muichiro of course, all spoke more and were more open. In fact, they didn't even know much about Giyuu's present life, besides the fact that he was a Hashira. It was strange. Could his past be that bad or was he just very distrustful?

Sanemi continued pondering this as time went by. He would watch Giyuu and eventually the two got used to each other company—though that didn't mean they actually talked. Sanemi found Giyuu was good company when he wanted to be near someone with no questions asked. Everyone else would worry more, talk about nonsense, or just bother Sanemi. For a reason he didn't know, Giyuu didn't bother him anymore. He turned out to be somewhat comforting, though he never said or did anything.

Sanemi and Giyuu started having some conversations eventually, except they were all just one or two sentence conversations, short replies, and then silence. Not an awkward silence, however, but a silence as if to say, We don't have anything to talk about, we're just here because we want to be. Not exactly familiar, more so as neither minded it and felt like the silence would be more fitting than talk.

And then came the feelings. Again. Sanemi couldn't stop them before he realized they were there. He didn't want to fall in love. Not again. Not when everyone else he loved had died. He couldn't bring himself to admit it and shoved them deep down, though he knew he could never make them go away like that.

Months passed in a blur and so suddenly he found himself in the midst of a battle that would be sure to wear him to the bone. Kagaya was dead. A lot of Hashira were sure to die, too. And Muzan. Muzan was there. Muzan was there and Sanemi would fucking grind him to dust for taking away all he'd ever known to love.

He fought almost carelessly, as if he couldn't bear letting himself live but had to fight forward to save people. Everyone. Those who were still alive. Genya.

Genya was gone. Where? Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Where was Genya? He had his crow lead him to the nearest Uppermoon. Upper one. And there. Right next to the demon. Genya. Genya, sliced in half, useless, injured. Badly. Sanemi rushed forward, fast. He got there right before the Uppermoon killed Genya. He had to protect Genya. Now.

As he fought, he realized he didn't know where Giyuu was. He was glad, though, because if he hadn't heard anything from the crows about Giyuu that meant he was still okay. Last he heard, Upper three had been killed. Giyuu must've moved on with the Kamado boy to the next demon.

~~~

Sanemi felt like he would collapse. He was badly injured. And he would let himself collapse if it wasn't for Muichiro and Genya. Gyomei shouted. Shouted words that took him a second to register in his mind. "Don't let Tokito and Genya's lives go to waste!" he had shouted. Genya's? Genya was dead. He.. what..

Yet again, Sanemi had failed. He couldn't fucking believe it. He let the tears flow because stopping them would make it harder to fight, more effort he'd have to put in. He sliced at Kokushibo, his anger growing furiously. Why had he let down so many? He had sworn to himself to protect Genya. Not to get close to him, to make him leave the demon slayer corps and fucking take care of himself. So why? Why couldn't he do that? Why, of all people, did Genya have to die? When all he had done was good? When Sanemi should be the one to die. Why the fuck must it be like this?

And then it was over. Kokushibo was gone. Finally. Sanemi was unconscious though. Fighting, swinging his katana in the air, hitting nothing. He slumped against Gyomei's steady arm.

It wasn't long before he awoke. He awoke and saw his brother crumbling to dust before him. No. No, no, no, no. He couldn't take this. Please. Stop. Help. He needed help. He had to protect Genya. Please. Why him too. Genya wouldn't stop though. He was saying something. Apologizing to Sanemi. Why did he apologize? He did nothing wrong. Nothing. This was all Sanemi's fault. Maybe if he'd let Genya talk to him, maybe then he would've left.

And then..

And then Genya was gone. He.. gone.. Sanemi clenched his fist around Genya's clothes. All that was left. All that was fucking left.

He rose at Gyomei's command. He would fucking kill Muzan. He would protect the last person he loved. He would protect Giyuu if it was the last thing he would do.

~~~

Giyuu was already there when Sanemi and Gyomei arrived. Muzan.. Muzan looked different. His aura was horrible. It cut through Sanemi like a knife. Danger. Every one of Sanemi's senses told him to run. Far away and never look back. Which was why he dove right in, slicing Muzan in half—though the demon instantly regenerated. He threw multiple bottles that Muzan instantly crushed. The liquid in them splashed all over Muzan and Sanemi was quick to incinerate him. Fire. Anything to stop Muzan. To save at least one.

Sanemi shoot forward and cut Muzan again and again. He managed to get onto the side Giyuu was and he decided to stay one pace ahead of Giyuu, so he could always protect him. Every Hashira left, fought with all their might. Press him down. Until dawn. Don't allow him to escape. Not now. Not when they were so close. Not when they'd already lost so many.

He barely registered what was happening. Blood, screaming, shouting, pain, ...fight. Fight until your arms fall off then fight with your legs. Fight until you can't move but keep going forward. Fight until all you can do is stand in front of those who can still move. Fight until all you can do is die. Fight to death and don't you dare let your guard down. Don't let everyone down. Don't let it be your fault we lose. Don't let us lose. Fight. Fucking fight.

Sanemi felt his arms would fall, but he gripped tightly onto his katana. Muichiro had managed to hold onto his blade even after his body had been cut in half. Muichiro had been 14. Too young. So young. If Muichiro could do that, Sanemi would push on. Forward. Don't stop.

He saw Gyomei, clashing his weapons together. They turned red, red like the blood Muzan spread so carelessly. Sanemi dashed to Giyuu. He would make their blades turn red by doing what Gyomei had done but with their katanas. And as their blades turned red, Sanemi whispered, "Please.. stay alive." He wasn't even sure if Giyuu had heard, or if he'd imagined this, but he vaguely made out two words that made him stand straighter, stronger, "You too."

They fought. An hour till dawn. Half an hour. Twenty minutes. Sanemi was badly injured. Blood continuously spilled out of his wounds. But he wouldn't lay down and let himself heal. No, not yet. He got up once more. He heard shouting. He saw Tanjiro and Obanai. Then Giyuu. Then Muzan. And the sun. The sun was rising.

Sanemi shot up, ignoring the pain that dashed through his body with him. He ran towards Muzan and everyone pressed him in. They had to keep him in the sun.

Then it was over. Muzan was dead. And so were so many other people.

Sanemi blinked, noting he was about to pass out. He turned his head, looking for Giyuu. Right before he blacked out, his eyes met those wonderful blue ones and he smiled ever so slightly. Giyuu was alive.

~~~

It was quiet when Sanemi came back into consciousness, though he could hear someone walking around him. Then a thought occured to him and he sat up straight, forgetting how bad his injuries had been before. He looked around blearily, stifiling a groan as pain shot through his body. Giyuu's arm had been cut off during the fight, was he okay? He blinked several times, trying to make sense of where he was.

His gaze focused and he saw Aoi, someone who worked at the butterfly mansion, he remembered vaguely. He stayed still, waiting until the pain faded slightly then said, "How long have I been out?"

Aoi sighed, looking a little worried. "Only a few days, I'm surprised you already woke up. You nearly died. Especially right after Muzan did, we thought you wouldn't make it. How do you feel? Your wounds are still bad, but the lesser ones have already started healing. You're sure to have more scars now but you already had so many, I doubt it'll be noticable."

Sanemi cleared his throat but it still felt dry like sandpaper. Aoi quickly helped him drink some water and Sanemi tried again, his head still a little dizzy. "Pain all over. Headache. It's not that bad though, I guess. How is everyone else?" He hesitated. "Giyuu?"

"Well, Tomioka is as good as he can be with one arm missing, but overall he's.. healing. Out of all the Hashira, only you and Tomioka survived." Aoi looked away. "Shinobu, Himejima, Iguro, Kanroji and Tokito all died. So did many of the other demon slayers. There were still many lower-ranked demon slayers surviving though, luckily. And Tanjiro, Agatsuma, Inosuke, Kanao, Nezuko, and so on are also alive. Though Kanao and Nezuko came close to dying."

"Oh," Sanemi said. His mind was focused on the first part of what Aoi said so it took him a second to register all of the rest Aoi had explained. "Nezuko? The demon Kamado girl? How is she alive?"

"The serum they made to turn demons back to humans," Aoi said, bustling over. "You should lay down, it's not good you're up already right now. You don't want to open your wounds."

"Right, right. Did it almost kill her, then?" Sanemi asked, wondering how that made sense. Aoi put her hand on his chest and on his back, guiding his body back down to the bed.

"No, Tanjiro turned into a demon and he bit Nezuko," Aoi said almost dismissively.

"What?!" Sanemi shouted, jolting back up. He winced at the pain and slowly lay back down. "What do you mean? And how is he alive then? What about the sun?"

"Sorry, I forgot you were unconscious at that time. Muzan turned Tanjiro into a demon right before he died. Nezuko would've... Actually, all of us would be dead, most likely, if Kanao hadn't had one more of the concoctions they'd made to turn demons into humans again. Sh..Shinobu had given it to her before," Aoi explained. "Tanjiro, much like Nezuko, was able to resist the sun, so.."

"Oh. But they're all okay, no?" Sanemi asked.

"Yes, everyone who I said was alive is alive. This happened right after Muzan died and they were able to get Tanjiro back eventually," Aoi said with a sigh. "I'll get you some food, please let yourself rest. And don't get up."

Sanemi nodded absently. Aoi walked out of the room and he stared up at the cealing. So everyone had nearly died again and he'd been asleep? Goddamnnit he was useless. At least Giyuu was okay. Alive.

There was a knock on the door and he turned his head slightly to face it. Aoi sure had gotten the food fast. "Come in," Sanemi mumbled, his voice raspy from the lack of water.

The door opened and, instead of the girl he'd been expecting, there stood Giyuu. Giyuu in all his wonderful, sleepy mess. He stood by the door, one arm held up in a sling, his hair a mess, and in the clothes Aoi provided patients who stayed here with. Giyuu looked adorable in them, for he looked so tired and the clothes looked loose and messy and fit him right.

"G..Giyuu..!" Sanemi said in surprise. He struggled to get up and then he stood, regretting his actions immediately.

Giyuu walked over and helped Sanemi to stand and lean against him. "Hi. Shouldn't you be resting? I thought you would be asleep," Giyuu said quietly. He sounded tired too. And god had Sanemi missed this voice. Rough with sleep, quiet, gentle, and so, so lovely.

"Yes, but, what are you doing here? Are you okay?" Sanemi asked.

Giyuu nodded. "I heard from the hallway you had woken up."

"When did you wake up?" Sanemi said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yesterday."

"Ah."

Then it was silent. Though Sanemi's head pounded and his heart as well, though for completely different reasons. The two Hashira—or, perhaps, former Hashira—gazed into each others eyes, finding comfort in the other.

But the quiet didn't last long when the door opened and Aoi marched in with a tray of food. She took one look at the two and sighed, irritated. "I thought this might happen," she grumbled. She put down the tray on a table nearby and shooed Giyuu away. "You're supposed to be in your room resting!! Just because your injuries aren't as bad as some others doesn't mean you can just go on, prancing about. Go sleep! If you want something, then ask for it."

Giyuu left, waving to Sanemi as the door closed. Then Aoi rounded on Sanemi and he quickly sat down on his bed. Aoi stalked up to him and poked his chest lightly, as if wanting to make a point but not wanting to injure him further. "And you. I told you not to get up! Just because you Hashira are stronger doesn't give you the right to go walking around as if you didn't just participate in the most dangerous thing you ever have and will be in!! You are going to rest until you're fully healed, at least as much as you can in this state, and you will listen to me. Understood?"

Sanemi nodded. He quickly lay back down and tried to ignore the way Aoi reminded him of Kanae and Masachika when they worried. He waited as Aoi prepared his food and thought silently, pushing away all the pain he felt right now. Giyuu had come to see him. And Giyuu was okay. He was okay.

~~~

It didn't take too long for Sanemi to heal and Aoi let him off saying, "I swear, you Hashira are some miracles to be healing practically inhumanly fast.."

Sanemi walked down the hallway of the mansion, looking for Giyuu. He bumped into Nezuko who unfortunately—or maybe not—brang back some memories he had of Genya. He decided that she was a good kid.

He turned and continued walking, finding himself in front of Giyuu after a minute. He blinked, surprised, for he didn't remember seeing Giyuu. Then he realized he'd zoned out and he quickly stepped back. Giyuu hadn't moved, and was just staring at Sanemi quietly.

"You cut your hair?" Sanemi asked, after a moment of silence.

"Yes. I didn't do it by myself, though. It's hard to put my hair up with one hand," Giyuu said simply.

Sanemi nodded. That made sense. Giyuu looked beautiful with his hair short as well. "Eh, when were you let out?" Sanemi said, when Giyuu didn't say anything else.

"Around a week ago. We have a meeting with Master Kiriya in two hours, I was going to tell you." Giyuu moved then, as if to do something, then decided against it. He leaned against the wall, his hair moving over of his eyes slightly.

Sanemi nodded. Of course. "Right. How are they? Kiriya and the other Ubuyashiki's? It must be hard for them after all of this," Sanemi said.

"I don't know, I haven't been to see them yet. A crow informed me," Giyuu explained. "They must be handling it, though. All three of them are strong. Even at such young ages."

"Yes."

And then they were quiet again. Their conversations tended to die out eventually. It was alright though, it gave Sanemi the chance to inspect Giyuu for any sign he wasn't actually okay.

But then Giyuu spoke. "Shina.. Sanemi?" he said quietly. "Could we.. go out for a little? On a walk before we head to the Ubuyashiki mansion?"

Sanemi nodded, surprised. "Yeah, sure, of course."

Giyuu gave Sanemi the faintest hint of a smile then started towards the entrance of the butterfly mansion. Sanemi followed after a second, his mind replaying Giyuu's smile over and over in his head.

The two walked for a little in silence, and Sanemi wondered why Giyuu had asked him to go on a walk with him. Giyuu finally spoke up and said, "How.. how are your injuries?"

"Healed, only lost two fingers," Sanemi said. "I was quite lucky."

"I heard you were nearer to death than I was, no?" Giyuu pointed out.

"Well, it was mostly blood loss, I guess. No lost limbs, just a lot of wounds," Sanemi corrected.

"Ah, okay."

Sanemi nodded and then Giyuu stopped. He stopped as well and turned to look at the other Hashira. "Hm?"

"Sa..nemi, can I ask you something?" Giyuu said quietly.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Do you.. Ah, how to say this.. Kanroji-San, before, when she was alive, said that.. that maybe you, uh," Giyuu paused, his voice faltering. He continued after a beat, but his voice was quieter. "You might like me? She said it wasn't in 'the way of friendship,' but rather, well, ah. Sorry if it isn't true, but, she said that you might love me. In the.. In the way she and Iguro loved each other?" he suggested, trying to make himself clear.

Sanemi froze, his gaze drifting away from Giyuu for the first time since they left the estate. He was so uncharacteristically quiet that Giyuu felt the urge to apologize again. Before he could, though, Sanemi looked up and met Giyuu's eyes. His gaze didn't falter and Giyuu saw, in the way Sanemi stared at him, that what Mitsuri had said was true.

"Oh," was all Giyuu could say.

Then Sanemi broke their eye contact and looked away. His voice was soft and quiet, something Giyuu wasn't used to hearing from Sanemi, as he said, "I suppose you don't feel the same. Is that what you wanted to tell me?"

Sanemi didn't get a response and he thought Giyuu might've left. But when he looked up to see, his eyes landed on Giyuu, who stood in the same place as before, but with a sort of determined and defiant look twisted onto his features.

"No, I came for confirm and, if.. if they were true, to.. accept," Giyuu said, his voice strong and certain.

"Are you trying to make jokes because you decided to stop being sulky and to and come out of your shell?" Sanemi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Giyuu was confused and shook his head. Then he smiled, a ghost of a smile more like, and said, "No. I have no promises I'll 'stop being sulky,' but I am coming out, I guess you could say. Not out of my 'shell,' rather I'm coming out, as I think it's said, out of the closet."

Sanemi laughed at that. "Oh, really?"

"Yes."

Then the smile dropped from both of their faces and Sanemi stepped forward slightly. "Are you.. are you just saying this because you pity me, or..?" he prompted.

"I have no reason to pity you," Giyuu said, moving forward as well.

"So you truly do.. do like me as well?" Sanemi asked.

"Truly, certainly, yes," Giyuu said, now only an inch away from Sanemi.

"Then.. would you let me kiss you?"

Giyuu responded by pressing his lips onto Sanemi's and his arms wrapped around the Hashira. Sanemi copied the motion, his hands running through Giyuu's soft hair and the two stayed in the embrace for a little, until Giyuu pulled apart, breathing heavily.

Sanemi smiled slightly, resting his forehead against Giyuu's. "I promise I'll always stay with you."

"Mm, then I promise to always love you," Giyuu whispered back.

Sanemi smiled in response. Yes, he would stay with Giyuu for the rest of their four years together. Sanemi could finally love in peace.

{Word count: 6867}

Love it when motivation randomly strikes me

Btw sorry if some of the events that canonically happen that I included in here aren't accurate, I'm writing those from memory- Ngl I like writing action through emotions it's so fun and just.. just yes ✨

OKAY BYE ML'S<33 HAVE A GOOD DAYYY (or night or whatever idk..)

Edit (me only some minutes later forgetting to put this in-):

Watch your goofy author struggle with not typing too fast 💀

Sanmi and Sanmeir..

Poor Sanemi

Not me renaming him several times

#shinazugawa sanemi #kny #sillyness #kimetsu no yaiba #angst #fluff #demon slayer #sanegiyuu #ships #kimetsunoyaiba #masasane #masachika kumeno #sanekana #kanae kocho #giyuu tomioka #angsty #idek #weee #i love how this turned out

43 notes · View notes