#he wants me to wake up at 8:30 even though i can never get to sleep before 12:30am? that’s fine

[piracyandpumpturns]

why do i fucking say yes to everything

[iisasarcasticlittleshite]

Hi, this is my first time requesting anything on this site holy fuck.

could you write a Sukuna x M!Reader? it's a struggle finding any lol. I don't really have anything specific in mind but it would be cool to read a fic where he's not to OOC and lowkey treats the reader like shit, but it's completely up to you hehe

I am so sorry this took so long! I re-wrote this like ten times before finally deciding to just keep it simple and spicy!

Be warned: This is Sukuna people, it toes a line, it gets suggestive, no actual smut though. Proceed at your own risk.

You groaned, reluctant to be awake at this hour, much less to the sound of someone sneaking into your room. Again.

'Dude, it's like 8:30, what're you doing in bed?'

You cracked one eye open, scowling at the pink haired vessel stood over your bed. He had no idea what the hellspawn he hosts does to you after dark.

Yuuji has total control of his body, most of the time, except, as you've learned, if he sleeps too deeply. Sukuna can occasionally slip through, and though he can't go running wild and waking up Yuuji, he can, and will make his way to your room, and keep you awake until all hours.

You won't be telling Yuuji about this because the poor guy would trip over his own guilt, so this leaves you here, sleep deprived at eight in the fucking morning.

'Sleeping, what's it look like?'

'If you don't get up Gojo-sensei's gonna come poor water on you again.'

You whined, driving your head into the pillow before reluctantly throwing the covers off yourself. 'Fine fine, stave off the blindfold demon.'

Yuuji chuckled, throwing your uniform at you, followed by an apple. 'Just hurry up, you promised Maki you'd spar with her today.'

'Oh fuck!'

Eyes wide, you dressed in a panic, hoping the adrenaline would help wake you up. Sparring with Maki is not something to be half asleep for. Never mind that you only had ten minutes to meet her.

Yuuji rolled his eyes, throwing an apple at you next, oblivious to the fact that he's the reason you've been struggling to be a functional human being.

He's also the only reason you manage to get to any one class these days, so as far as you're concerned, he evens out his evil twin pretty well.

'You were impressive this morning.'

A sigh left your lips, spitting into the basin as you hurriedly finished brushing your teeth. 'Evening to you too, your majesty.'

'Attitude, brat.' Sukuna purred, his claws brushing across your bare back, watching the shivers shoot down you spine and the gooseflesh ride in his wake. 'Why you bother covering up during the day is beyond me.'

'I'm well aware of your opinions on shirts, Sukuna.'

Slowly, you turned to face him, wary of any sudden moves the curse may interpret as an attack. He's half naked, as usual.

His upper lip curled in a sneer, sharp teeth almost reflecting the moonlight pouring in through your window. 'Ridiculous things, how you fight in them is beyond me.'

'Is that true? Or you just wanna show off?'

Over the weeks that Sukuna's been paying you these night-time visits, you've grown desensitised to the danger you're actually in. You know you'd be dead if he wanted you dead, so why not have a little fun with it?

The curse's grin could have swallowed you whole, his hand suddenly clasped around your throat, forcing you to his eye level with his other hand digging into the flesh of your back, leaving you to wonder of he drew blood.

'You like what you see, twisted little brat.' His breath fanned your face, presence looming over you. You can feel the power rolling off him in waves, power you couldn't possibly rival. You were helpless compared to this creature.

So why go out crying?

A smile curled your lips even as he restricted the air in your lungs, making your head feel floaty. 'I'm starting to think you do too. You haven't killed me yet, bastard curse.'

Sukuna laughed, and now, you're sure he's drawn blood, you can feel it sliding down the curve of your back in tiny rivulets from where his nails broke your soft skin.

'You don't have the power to back up this kind of foolishness, boy!' He snapped.

Your heart stuttered with the growl in his voice, and despite any kind of better judgement, you melted into it further.

'Then why come here every night?'

'Why haven't you told the sorcerer?' Sukuna countered, his grin turned knowing. 'The brat, the Six Eyes, any one of them could stop me from doing this, you've had ample chance, and you've told, no one.'

You averted your eyes, ears growing warm as Sukuna eased his grip, only to yank your head back by your hair, teeth and tongue assaulting your neck.

This. This is why you've told no one. Gojo would know in an instant that you'd let the King of Curses in your pants, or worse, Sukuna would tell everyone himself, and you couldn't stand that kind of embarrassment, even if the choice had been amazing sex, or die.

Sukuna laid you out on your bed, stealing the breath from your lungs as he nipped at your ear lobe.

'You'll tell no one brat, because you're mine now.'

[pasta-in-the-pudding]

Yooo, Can I request Jeff, Ben and ej (platonically) with a GN!child!ghost!reader (sibling relationship) that’s like puppet/Charlotte Emily from fnaf? So quite calm, intelligent, protective over people they care about. Maybe a scenario where reader gets hurt somehow or is just having a bad day, thinking about their death and etc, basically any comfort scenario you wanna write. thanks if you manage this, don’t worry if you don’t want to. have a great day/night 💜

Ooohh! I just love getting to write comfort fics! I chose to do the "just having a bad day" scenario, as i feel like i would be able to write more for that, but if you would like to see the other choices as well, don't hesitate to ask!

Thank you so much for requesting!!

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

Jeff

Jeff awakes at 6:30 am every morning, usually dragging his feet, doing things as lazily as possible before he starts his day. After he's done getting ready, he goes to your room to wake you up and see if you want to help him take smile out for a walk.

This time though, you were lying awake on your back, just staring up st the ceiling. He raises a brow and comes to sit on your bed. "Hey squirt, you doin' ok?" He asks, hoping that you aren't sick or anything. You nod, but that doesn't quite satisfy Jeff. "Wanna help me walk smile?" He asks once more, holding up smile's leash. You shake your head before turning over to your side and pulling your blanket up over your shoulders. Jeff frowns. "You sure you're doin' ok?"

You begin to cry softly, which alarms Jeff even more. "Ah! Hey, hey, what's wrong, kid?" He asks, picking your small self up and bringing you to sit in his lap, cradling you in his arms. You cling onto his button up work shirt, the soft cries turning into sobs. Jeff cringes at the forming wet spots on his shirt, but continues to comfort you none the less. "Hey, come on, kid. You're alright, I've gotcha" he whispers into your head, rubbing your back and shushing you comfortingly. He lets you sit ad cry it out for a while, grabbing your blanket and wrapping it around you to hopefully help calm you down.

When you are calm, he strokes your hair and asks what made you so upset and if he needed to beat anyone's ass. You smile and laugh at this, and shake your head. "Alright, so what's got you in a mood?" He asks "you never turn down walking smile" he says knowingly. You shrug and look down. It is quiet for a moment before he sighs and pats your back. "Maybe today just isn't your day, kid. But that's alright, everyone's got those days.", he then picks you up and sets you back on your bed. "I'm gonna go walk Smile real quick and then I'll come back. Do you want me to take the day off today so we can go do fun stuff?" He asks, standing and stuffing his hands in his pockets.

You nod, he nods back. When he is done walking smile, he helps you up into his truck and (still in your pajamas) you go to the store together and pick out all your favorite snacks and candies, and maybe some new toys. When you get back home, you both sit in jeffs bed and eat snacks while watching your favorite movie, Smile Dog laying his head on your legs and begging you to pet him.

Eyeless Jack

Jack tends to pull all-nighters quite often, so instead, he has an alarm set for when it is time to wake you up. 8:00 sharp, no earlier. I would say no later, but as Jack's unofficial little sibling, you basically get free reign over what you wanna do.

The morning is as normal as ever, he begins making his coffee 30 minites before your alarm. Coffee in hand, he heads to your room and opens the door, walking over to your curtains and opening them. As the light hits the room, he notices that he can't pick up on your heat signature at all. You arent in your bed, or anywhere around the room, which is very peculiar indeed. After some looking around, he hears a sniffle come from the closet. His ears twitch at the sudden noise, and he makes his way over to the area, softly opening the doors so as not to startle you.

You are curled up in a ball, crying quietly. Jack crouches down and softly calls out to you. You perk up and crawl towards him, hugging him close. He pulls you into a deeper hug and begins picking lint off your clothes. "What are you doing in here, turtle dove?" You sniff and begin to speak, your speech muffled by your face being stuffed in his shirt. "I didn't sleep because i don't feel good". This immediately worries jack, who takes your face in his hands and examines you "do you feel sick?" He asks. You shake your head. "No, i mean in here. I dont feel good here." You say, pointing to your heart. He looks at you quizzically, before seemingly understanding. "I see. Well it's not good for you to not sleep, no wonder you feel sad." He mumbles. "Come on, let's go curl up on the couch" he says, picking you up and carrying you on his hip, before setting you down on one of the couches and handing you a tv remote. "Go ahead and play a nice movie for yourself, I'll go make you some warm milk so that you can get to sleep."

You grab onto the bottom of his shirt. "But you'll stay, right? Until I fall asleep?" You ask him worriedly. He nods. "I will always stay with you, okay?" You nod and turn on your favorite movie. He returns with your milk and allows you to lay on him however you feel comfortable. You end up falling asleep in his arms while he plays with your hair. When he notices that you are asleep, he carries you back to your room and lays you on your bed, tucking you in and tidying up around the room, before leaving to get ready for work.

BEN

It was late at night, and BEN was sleeping. You open his door, holding your comfort toy. You tip toe over to his bed and tap him. "Ben..." no answer. "Ben!" He snorts and rubs his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Im up." He groans. You begin to sob, which stops him in his tracks. "Woah, woah, what's up, little dude? What's wrong?" He asks, putting a hand on your shoulder. You don't answer, you just keep on crying. He sighs and picks you up, placing you on his bed. "What's up?" He asks again.

You sniff and look up at him. "Can i sleep with you tonight?" He nods. "Yeah, if that'll make you feel better." You don't respond, instead you begin to curl up under his blanket. "You wanna play some video games?" He asks you. You shake your head, and he nods. He grabs his tv remote and turns on rain noises for relaxation.

If you want to cuddle up to him, he'll be fine with that and will hold onto you if you so desire.

If you don't he is also fine with that, he will roll over and go back to sleep the way he was. Don't be afraid to wake him up if you need him again.

[justafriend-ql]

times never let me go said: happy pride! 🏳️‍🌈

(a mostly unserious post made entirely for my own entertainment)

this outfit

2. palm showing up at nueng's house and immediately inducing gay panic with the sluttiest soulmate-coded introduction possible until ourskyy 2

3. nuengdiao's gay little finger pointing (which happens at least 3 times in episode 1)

4. gaslight gatekeep girlboss

5. okay... 👀

6. local boy continues the age-old tradition of falling in love with a twink after seeing him play piano

7. (meeting ben) perhaps gay-on-gay violence is justified sometimes

8. nueng and palm flirt in the backseat. live chanon reaction:

9. update: gay-on-gay violence is definitely justified sometimes

10. phum taking a sec to call palm handsome before breaking a stool over his back (huh i wonder if that might mean anything)

11. okay... 👀 (pt. 2)

12. nuengdiao deciding to get wasted even though he's deathly allergic to alcohol because palm's talking to a girl (we love a messy!gay)

13. nueng standing up for himself when the homophobic principal and ben's dad insinuate that it was wrong for ben and him to kiss and telling them to punish whoever leaked the photo instead

14. "you're an adult now. you can eat whatever you want!!" slay thanks khun tanya :)

15. what if we were both boys... and we kissed on a rooftop at night under ambiguous circumstances... and it was episode 5...

16. our established couple besties wu and david <3

17. "your lips are burning and swollen" okay?? gay ass

18. gay beach wedding. enough said.

19. palm asking "is this how couples kiss?" after eating nueng's face like be fucking for real right now

20. male-male soulmates existing since the dawn of time and being an established part of mythological lore

21. palm: has gay sex one (1) time and immediately gets a tattoo of his lover's name

22. palm's face when nueng says he might confess his love to a woman one day lmaooooo

23. palm and nueng talking about how their mothers gave them the courage to be themselves and confess their love for each other

24. nueng: we need to show uncle kit that he can't mess with us. the plan: serve cunt

25. tanya immediately waking up from her coma when nueng says he wants her to see him with his boyfriend. true ally behavior!

26. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS IT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE

27. message received

28. wow so glad it isn't like that anymore! oh wait...

29. (about to die) time to educate some assholes!!

stopping here because of the (deeply homophobic) 30-image-per-post limit, but feel free to add more below!! happy pride from p'jojo, palmnueng, and co. 🏳️‍🌈

[munson-blurbs]

I am thinking older Eddie? 🤔 he's not nearly as confident as he used to be but meets his dream gal at maybe a concert? Gets his groove back. Maybe he's a single dad who feels like he hasn't had time or energy to be himself anymore and she makes him feel like that again?

I just feel like you'll be able to really make it so good.

Warnings: none--all fluff :)

WC: 2.7k

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

“Okay, his bedtime is 7:30 PM, but if you get him down before 8:30, I’ll be amazed,” Eddie tells his uncle, grabbing his guitar case and slinging it over his shoulder. “He’s in that phase where he only wants to eat macaroni and cheese, so just go with that tonight. No need for you to fight with him over it.”

Wayne chuckles, bouncing the toddler on his hip. “And when will you be out of your ‘only eating macaroni and cheese’ phase?” he asks Eddie, who promptly flips him off in response. “Hey! Not in front of the impressionable kid!”

“Daddy will see you when you wake up tomorrow,” Eddie promises his son, pressing a quick kiss to his scalp. “Be good for Grandpa.”

“Oh, he’s always good for me,” Wayne says, making a funny face at the little boy. “Isn’t that right, Kirk?” He frowns as Kirk’s tiny bottom lip quivers and he reaches out for his dad. “C’mon, buddy; Dad has to go to his concert!”

“No!” Kirk whines, crocodile tears streaming down his chubby cheeks. Eddie’s heart pangs, and he second guesses his decision to go out.

As though he can read his nephew’s mind, Wayne tuts at Eddie’s hesitation. “Nuh-uh, absolutely not. You haven’t done anything for yourself since this troublemaker was born.” He wipes a tear from Kirk’s face and blows a raspberry into his belly. A mix of giggles and sobs leaves the boy’s throat. “We’re gonna be just fine. Now, go.” He practically shoves Eddie out the door. 

It’s been ten years since Eddie graduated from Hawkins High. The day he crossed that stage, middle fingers aimed at his exasperated principal, he’d vowed never to return to this shithole town. And he’d kept that promise up until two years ago. Kirk was only five months old when Celeste had up and left, claiming that she couldn’t handle the stress of motherhood any longer. She’d left her key to their dingy apartment on the countertop, along with the engagement ring Eddie had saved so long to buy her. He’d pawned it a few weeks later, desperate to scrounge up some money for baby formula. And when that money ran out, he’d found himself back in his hometown, bunking with his uncle. Again. 

The goal was to move out, get a little place for himself and Kirk, and give Wayne his trailer—and his freedom—back. After years of raising his brother’s kid, the last thing he probably wanted was to help raise his nephew’s. For the most part, Eddie’s able to balance his job as a telemarketer and fatherhood, especially since he mostly works from home. But on the days where he has to schlep into the office, he relies on Wayne for child care. His salary is decent, and he has medical coverage for himself and his kid, but he hates working a nine-to-five desk job. 

He tunes the radio to a classic rock station, bypassing whatever saccharine pop songs repeat on the Top 40 channels. A smile tugs at his lips when he hears the familiar bridge. 

Master, master

Where’s the dreams that I’ve been after?

Master, master

You promised only lies

It takes him back to a time where his only worries were passing O’Donnell’s class and planning sadistic Hellfire campaigns. Now, his life revolves around potty training and quelling temper tantrums. But even on his most exhausting days, like when he makes Kirk exactly what he wants for lunch, and the kid flips the plate onto the floor, he would do anything for him. He’d choose his son one thousand times over.

Did I leave the number to the club in case of an emergency? he thinks, slamming on the brakes and nearly causing a collision before remembering that he’d jotted it down on a notepad and given it to Wayne. 

It’s been too long since he’s played in front of anyone, save for lullabies to get Kirk to sleep. But Gareth was coming back to Indiana for a weekend, and he’d damn near begged the guys for a one-night only Corroded Coffin reunion. Eddie didn’t have the heart to turn him down.

He looks over his shoulder into the backseat, catching a glimpse of Kirk’s car seat. Who would’ve thought that the teenager who used to try to hook up with girls in the back of the van–emphasis on try–would now spend his time cleaning out Cheerio crumbs between the seats?

Pulling into the parking lot, Eddie breathes out a nervous sigh. He’s been practicing every day, all the covers they used to play back in the mid-80s, but he doesn’t have the same confidence he did back when they jammed out at the Hideout. Being a parent certainly knocks you down a few pegs, has you questioning yourself all too often.

“Here goes nothing,” he mutters to himself, pulling his guitar from the trunk and heading into the club. 

“Hey, man! Long time no see!” Jeff claps him on the back, and Gareth pulls him in for a hug. “Jesus, it’s been years.”

“You didn’t bring the kid?” Gareth asks, peering around.

Eddie just laughs. “Nah, ‘s a little past his bedtime. Plus,” he adds, “I don’t want him starting school and singing ‘Hot for Teacher.’” The rest of the band shares a chuckle and starts warming up.

“Did you guys check out the bartender?” Trevor asks, tuning his bass. “She’s a cutie, if any of you wanna chat her up later.”

Gareth snorts. “Eddie’s the only single one out of us; and we all know how he is with the ladies.” He turns to his friend. “Seriously, when’s the last time you got any, dude?”

Too long, Eddie thinks, but just gives Gareth a friendly shove. “Your mom gave it to me good last night.” He grins as Jeff and Trevor chime in with a chorus of oohs. But he’s curious about this bartender, so he peeks around the curtain.

And there you are.

“Holy shit,” he breathes. You’re wearing a black tank top that frames your chest perfectly, paired with a denim miniskirt. Your eyes crinkle as you giggle at something a patron says, and Eddie feels himself melt. “She’s, like, really fuckin’ pretty.” His eyes widen. “Should I talk to her?”

“Let’s play our set first, all right Casanova?” Jeff jokes. “Impress her with your kickass vocals and guitar skills, if you’ve still got ‘em.”

Eddie gives him the middle finger, but he’s wondering the same thing. He doesn’t have time to explore it further before the emcee is announcing Corroded Coffin. “Showtime, boys!” Eddie calls out, hoping no one catches the warble in his voice.

Forty minutes later, the four guys jog off the stage, drenched in sweat and filled with adrenaline.

“That…was…awesome!” Trevor shouts, high-fiving the rest of them. “We can still rock after all these years!”

Eddie’s grinning so wide, his lips could stretch off of his face. “Hell yeah, we do! Woooo!” He grabs a towel and wipes his forehead and back of his neck. He feels like he’s on top of the world; nothing he’d bought from Reefer Rick ever gave him this type of high. He clenches the guitar pick that hangs around his neck; it’s just like the one he wore in high school, except this one has a photo of Kirk on it. Wayne had it custom made for Kirk’s first Christmas. Your old man was a rockstar tonight, little buddy, he thinks, hopefully, you’ll be able to watch me in action someday.

His thoughts are interrupted by a light knocking. He turns around to see you standing in the doorway, holding a tray with four ice-cold glasses of water. “You boys thirsty?” you ask, flashing a smile that could knock him right off of his feet.

“Eddie sure is,” Jeff mutters with a smirk, which disappears as soon as Eddie shoots him a glare. If looks could kill, Jeff would be six feet under right about now.

You cock your brow with a confused expression, but Eddie just shoves his hands in his pockets and meanders over. “Thanks,” he mumbles, plucking a glass from the tray.

“Are you…Eddie?” You look up at him through your lashes, gazing into his chocolate brown eyes. 

“Thas’ me,” he says with a small laugh. “Did you like the show?” He could smack himself; you probably tuned out the music at this point. Especially loud metal covers by a bunch of late twenty-somethings.

He’s surprised by your enthusiastic nod. “Yeah, you guys are amazing! It was a nice change from the grunge bands that usually play.” You wrinkle your nose. “The other day, we had someone come in who only sang Spice Girls songs. That was interesting.”

Eddie laughs, despite his nerves. “Was she any good, at least?”

“No,” you reply pointedly, “he was not.” You motion towards his empty cup. “Want a refill? Or maybe something stronger?”

“Maybe just a Shirley Temple; he’s gotta get up in the morning with his kid,” Gareth pipes up, and Eddie whips his dirty towel at his head.

Your eyes soften. “You have a kid?” It’s not an accusation, nor is it said with disgust, which Eddie is all-too used to. 

“Y-Yeah, a two-year-old,” he stammers, leaning forward slightly to show the guitar pick necklace with his son’s photo on it. “His name’s Kirk.”

“As in Hammett, or as in Captain?” you tease. “Or both?”

Eddie runs a hand through his tangled curls. “Hammett; definitely Hammett,” he answers with a chuckle. “Kid’s probably cooler than him, too.”

“Well, his dad is a total rockstar, so I’m not surprised,” you shrug. “C’mon back to the bar with me, and I’ll get you that Shirley Temple. On the house,” you add.

Jeff waggles his eyebrows and Trevor lets out a low wolf-whistle as Eddie follows you. Gareth is still traumatized from the towel incident to mess with him.

He used to flirt with bartenders all the time; the more out of his league they were, the more fun it was to shoot his shot. But he’s out of practice now, and it doesn’t help that he’s completely intimidated by you.

Think, Munson, think, he wills himself. “So, uh, what’s your name?” You give him your name, and he smiles. “That’s a kickass name, yeah.” A ‘kickass name’? That’s the best you could come up with?

You only laugh at his response. “I mean, I’m not named after Kirk Hammett, but it’s not half bad.”

“Nah, it’s a good name.” Okay, enough with the name, Jesus. “How long have you been a bartender?”

“Feels like forever,” you muse. “It’s my night gig; just a way to make money while I’m working on my novel.” You drop some maraschino cherries into a clean glass. “Fun fact: thinking about publishing a book pays zero dollars.”

“You’re an author?” Eddie asks incredulously. “What kinda book are you writing?”

A blush creeps into your cheeks. “An aspiring author, I guess,” you say shyly, “but it’s a fantasy novel, like a Lord of the Rings type of thing.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “You’ve read Tolkien?” Duh; she literally just compared her work to his. Why else would she do that?

“He’s one of my favorite authors,” you admit, pouring the sweet grenadine and ginger ale before sliding the glass to him. “Him, Stephen King, Mary Shelley…”

“No fuckin’ way,” he breathes, and you look at him quizzically. “I mean, I’ve never met someone so pretty who was also into fantasy.” 

You giggle at the compliment. “Well, maybe we could talk more about it sometime? Like, when I’m not on the clock?”

Eddie’s head spins at the offer. “You drink coffee?” he blurts out. He couldn’t stand the stuff when he was younger, but after far too many sleepless nights with a colicky infant, he’d acquired a taste for it.

“I do,” you nod, grabbing the pen from behind your right ear and snatching the nearest unused napkin you can find. “Let me give you my phone number, if you wanna call me.”

They’re the most beautiful ten digits Eddie’s ever seen. “If I wanna…of course, yeah, that sounds great.” He folds the napkin carefully before putting it in his pocket, not wanting to smudge the ink. “I’ll call you tomorrow afternoon?”

“I’ll be at home, writing,” you laugh. “See you around, Eddie.”

“Yeah, see ya…thanks for your number,” he manages before darting back to the band, beaming like a kid who just woke up to a pile of presents on Christmas morning. “Oh, shit,” he says suddenly, reaching into his wallet and fumbling for some cash, pulling out a crumpled five-dollar bill.

“I told you,” you remind him with the smile that makes him swoon, “I’ll cover this one. Use the money you’re saving to buy something awesome for Kirk.”

Eddie shakes his head. “Gotta at least leave a tip for excellent service. And for managing not to tell those idiots back there to shut the fuck up.” Although he wouldn’t have been mad if you had. At this point, he didn’t think there was anything you could do that would turn him off.

“Nah, they’re harmless,” you wave off his statement. “Trust me, that’s nothing compared to some of the things guys say to me.” You shudder at the memory of the perverted statements leaving their whiskey-soaked lips.

Eddie sits up straighter. “Like what?” he asks, voice brimming with concern. 

“Oh, you know.” You try to sound casual. “Commenting on my body, grabbing my ass, asking to take me home–even when I can see that they’re wearing a wedding ring.”

“Sounds like you need a bodyguard,” he muses, taking a sip of his drink, rings clinking against the glass. The sugar perks him up as soon as it hits his tongue. 

“You offering?” It comes out more salacious than you’d anticipated, but you’re not about to take it back. The look on his face is priceless; he’s clearly not used to people flirting with him so brazenly. 

You watch as Eddie gives a shy smile, caught off-guard yet again. He toys with his necklace before answering. “Gotta earn my free drinks somehow. Otherwise, I’m just a mooch.”

“Yeah, but you’re a really cute mooch, so…” you giggle, wiping down the bar with a nearby towel. “I’d call it even.”

He nearly chokes on his drink. You think he’s cute? Really cute? He wants to ask if it’s a joke, or a prank that the guys put you up to. But you seem so genuine, and it’s been years since anyone has made him feel this special, so he swallows his insecurities. “Th-thanks,” he stutters. “I think it’s mostly the guitar; makes me look like a big shot.”  

“I think it’s your eyes. Or your smile,” you counter, placing your hand on top of his. “But the guitar certainly doesn’t hurt.” You glance down at his ringed fingers. “None of these symbolize an everlasting union, do they?”

“Nope,” he replies, popping the p dramatically. “Just my commitment to tacky jewelry.”

You laugh, leaning in a bit closer to him. “I think I can handle that.” And for a moment, the world stops as Eddie’s breath hitches. He’s desperate to kiss you, but he’s sticky with sweat and doesn’t want to do anything in the dingy bar where you work. No, you deserve a nice date at a fancy restaurant with a freshly-showered Eddie Munson.

“Hey, Romeo!” Jeff calls out, walking towards the two of you with the rest of the band. “Wanna grab some pizza before your carriage turns back into a pumpkin?”

No, Eddie thinks crossly, I want to stay here and talk to the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen until closing time. 

“I’ve gotta get back to work anyway,” you reassure him. “But we can continue this conversation over that coffee date.”

Eddie visibly relaxes at the mention of your next meeting. “Abso-fuckin-lutely,” he agrees. And before he can wimp out, he presses his lips to your cheek, watching as your cheeks tinge a delicious shade of pink. 

Look at you, Munson. Back in the game.

--

[cherry1sblog]

WET DREAM

(Quick jungwon smut)

Time 8:30 pm

U opend the door to your shared apartment with your bf jungwon it was arranged for you guys to move in as you guys will soon be getting married but jungwon always seemd so cold to you you guys weren’t on the best terms you tried hard to get close and he would sometimes but then would be cold anyway u though he would be awake but I Gusse not u went to go shower and after you got out of the shower you heard little noises so u opend Jungwons room (yes you guys had sepret rooms sadly ) you went to go see if he was sick the cover was off of him but he was on his side so u couldn’t see his face but he was squirming then u went closer he turned around his eyes were closed now he was laying on his back you put your palm on his head he was fine but sweating so just as you were about to leave to go get a rag he said something

“Y/n I need you please”

You look back and stop shocked to what you heard he’s never even held your hand so him needing you sounded off you come closer and that’s when it hit u you saw his big bulge through his sweats and you knew exactly what was happening yang jungwon was having a wet dream he sounded so desperate you felt bad you got on top of him rocking your hips he was moaning at each little touch but he didn’t wake up you pulled his dick out and started to go up and down on him and even after that he still never woke up until you put him in your mouth you will admit he was pretty big tho after this tho his eyes opend wide resting on his elbows looking at you in shock but couldn’t hold back

“Yah Lee y/n w-what are y-“

“Ah”

You put your toung on his slit rubbing back and fourth

“Y-y/n please can we t-all abt this first”

“You said you needed me do you not like it “

“No I mean y-yes it’s just”

“Okay good then shut up”

This time you didn’t listin to him only his pretty moans you gaged on him making him more close you could tell by the way his veins in his arms showed that he was close you started to play with his balls at the same time all of it being too much

“Y-n I’m gonna come please remove your mouth please “

You didn’t listen you went faster until u gaged once more and then felt all of his seeds go into your mouth down your throat u wiped your mouth and got on top of him

“What are you d-doing “

“Relax “

You removed your hoodie you had on nothing under obvi he looked down at you body he hesitated to touch you

“You can touch DONT be scared”

“I-I’m not it just feels wrong”

U stoped and grabed your streamer and held it to your Chest u were heart broken

“No yn I didn’t mean it like that it’s just I -I I actually really do like you I’m just scared you don’t I wanted to wait till I told you but I was always to scared to “

“Why wouldn’t I like you won “

“Idk I just thought you were with me for business “

“Well we were out together for business yes but I I love you jungwon “

“I love you to and I’m sorry for being an ass”

“Dw you can make up for it rn”

He smirked at you and flipped you over he started to suck on your boob and massage the over while leave cute marks that will be visible tmmrw you were a moanin mess he started to slide down your shorts the then he soft massaged you over your panties

“W-won”

“Hm baby tell me what’s wrong”

“Please I need more”

“More of what hm”

Being to flustered and embarrassed to say it you just shook your head

“Cmon baby you can tell me don’t be scared “

“Please I need you inside me”

And without a warning he flipped you over again on all fours and started to thrust in you fast you couldn’t stay steady he was going to fast he held you by your waist to keep you stable his moans were so pretty you never want to stop hearing them

“Ung j-jungwon please “

He started to rub on your clit to sending you over bord your so close

“Jungwon im gonna cum”

“Can you wait for me baby just a little longer “

You tryd to go longer your legs starting to go numb you could tell he was getting close to scince he wasn’t as steady anymore he pressed on your stomach where his bulge was and you couldn’t take it anymore you came undon but so did he u guys just stayed there for awhile till he pulled out of you and you both layed next to eachother he pulled you by your waist

“I can’t wait to marry you yang y/n”

………

[shwoo]

I don't think this information is online anywhere, so here's each Bugsnax character's sidequest activation requirements, chat lines and requirements for each one, and schedule. Note that the character's interview needs to be done before they'll start offering sidequests, and they won't offer the next sidequest in the chain until the previous one has been completed.

I want to put this into a Gamefaqs type guide I'm walking on, but I want to do a lot of things so who knows when that'll get done. Putting it here so it least it'll be somewhere!

My source is datamining. Lizbert and Eggabell's shedule data isn't actually used, but I included it anyway.

Beffica

Sidequest 1 Requirements: Wiggle returned Sidequest 2 Requirements: Cromdo returned Sidequest 3 Requirements: Chandlo returned

Chat 1: (Before she returns to town)That Wambus guy is married, but his wife totally wouldn't come farm with him. So tragic. Chat 2: (After she returns to town, before the first welcome back party) Filbo doesn't even like Bugsnax, he just eats them cuz that's what everybody else does. Chat 3: (After the first welcome back party, before Ghost Stories) Bugsnax are totes delish. 10/10 would eat again. I could just sit here eating Bugsnax all day. So I do. Chat 4: (After Ghost Stories, before The Intruder) Gramble's so touchy cuz he never sleeps. Seriously, he just walks around at night like a creepy zombie. Chat 5: (After The Intruder) That monster Grumpus thing is still on the loose. Be careful out there, Bestie.

Morning (4am to 8am) -Wakes up -Stands near the centre of town

Day (8am to 4pm) -Takes pictures in Filbo's hut -If Floofty is back, takes pictures in Floofty's hut from 12pm on. Otherwise stays in Filbo's hut

Evening (4pm - 8pm) -Takes pictures in Lizbert and Eggabell's hut

Night (8pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 12:02pm

-

The rest below! --v

Chandlo

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 3 Requirements: The Intruder complete

Chat 1: (Before he returns to town) Snorpy's my tightest bro, ya feel me? We've been together since before this whole adventure thing. Chat 2: (After he returns to town, before The Intruder) Filbo did a pretty good job keeping this place in good shape. Gotta give the little guy props! He could use a boost to his self-esteem… Chat 3: (After The Intruder, before Shelda returns) Beffica's smart, Bro, smarter than she lets on. She gets people, and that throws 'em off their game. I kinda like that about her. Chat 4: (After Shelda returns) What makes Shelda so wise? I don't pretend to understand it, Bro, but Shelda can see the future…

Morning (4am to 9am) -Wakes up -Jogs around the village on a loop

Day (8am to 4:50pm) -Stands out the front of the sawmill, near the logs, for 30 seconds, then moves near the Journalist's hut -Does pushups for 30 seconds, then returns to standing near the sawmill

Evening (4:50pm - 9:01pm) -Stands by the campfire

Night (9:01pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 3pm

-

Cromdo

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) (Though it can't actually be completed until after The Intruder) Sidequest 2 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 3 Requirements: Shelda's first main quest, to give her cheese sauce, completed.

Chat 1: (Before he returns to town) Bugsnax are the cherry on this Grump sundae. If I can make it back with a pack fulla these babies, I'll be a bona-fide celebrity! Chat 2: (After he returns to town, before The Intruder) Friend, I haven't got a bad word to say about anybody here! *mumbling* Buncha Snak-suckin' ingrates. Chat 3: (After The Intruder) Listen up, Pal, I got a nose for phonies. Beffica? Wiggle? Feh! And don't even get me started on Shelda! She makes ME look like an honest Grumpus.

Morning (6am to 10am) -Wakes up -Mans Cromdo Mart stand

Day (10am to 5pm) -Continues to man Cromdo Mart stand

Evening (5pm - 8:40pm) -Stands near the boat and the boombox

Night (8:40pm - 6am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 10:50am

-

Eggabell

Chat 1: (no requirements) I need some time to think.

Morning (4am)

Outhouse: 5:30pm

-

Filbo

Chat 1: (After he returns to town, before the first welcome back party) Just you watch, Buddy, soon Snaxburg will be good as new! I'm still repainting all the huts but it's taking a while cuz I don't have a lotta paint and the last batch made me pretty dizzy… Chat 2: (After the first welcome back party, before Ghost Stories) I wish I could be like Lizbert… She always knew what to do, what to say. When she made a plan, I knew I could just follow it and I'd be okay… …but now it's just up to me. Chat 3: (After Ghost Stories, before The Intruder) Every time I go home, all my stuff is moved around, and there are new paw prints on the floor. I'm starting to think… …maybe ghosts ARE real! Chat 4: (AfterThe Intruder) Don't worry, Buddy! Soon everybody will be back in town and all our troubles will be over. A-and then I'll be able to throw a REAL welcome back party!

Morning (4am to 8am) -Wakes up -Moves to the campfire -Lights the campfire, which goes out at at 7:50am) -Sits by the campfire

Day (8am to 5pm) -Walks in a loop around the village, greeting anyone he gets close to. He stops walking for three seconds while greeting Wambus, Chandlo, Cromdo, and Triffany, and while greeting Wambus, he also waves.

Evening (5pm - 9:01pm) -Moves to the campfire -Lights the campfire, which goes out at 8:40pm) -Sits by the campfire.

Night (9:01pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 8:20pm

-

Floofty

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 3 Requirements: (none)

Chat 1: (Before they return to town) I have a hypothesis that the substance leaking out of the volcano is not lava, but rather a superheated fondue. Unfortunately, my studies had to be put on hold when my sampling equipment melted. Chat 2: (After they return to town) If you see Triffany, ask her what the osteoblast said to the osteocyte. It's hilarious!

Morning (4am to 12pm) -Gets up -Goes to the research tent and stands near their lab

Day (12pm to 4pm) -Continues to stand in the research tent

Evening (4pm - 7pm) -Stands behind the research tent

Night (7pm - 4am) -Goes to bed -Gets up at 10pm, goes to the campfire, and looks in the direction of the barn -Watches Gramble once he starts sleepwalking at midnight -Goes back to bed at 3:20am, or once the player leaves the area

Outhouse: 5:30pm

-

Gramble

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: Ghost Stories completed Sidequest 3 Requirements: The Intruder completed

Chat 1: (Before he returns to town) Have you talked to Wiggle yet? She’s real nice. Though, she can come off a bit ahem strong. Chat 2: (After he returns to town, before the first welcome back party) I've been tryin' to breed Bugsnax together. It's been real tricky cuz they don't have any, uhm, obvious bits to 'em. Chat 3: (After the first welcome back party, before Ghost Stories) Oh, that ol' coot Wambus. He thinks Bugsnax grow if you plant 'em in dirt. How's that make any sense? Chat 4: (After Ghost Stories, before The Intruder) Sometimes I wake up at night, and I see somethin’ out there. Like, a shadow watchin’ me from the tree line. I try callin’ out to it, but it disappears before I get a good look at it. Chat 5: (After The Intruder) You ever noticed how the real big Bugsnax break up into little ones? I been wondering why that is. Do the little ones stick together to make big ones? C-can I teach them to do that?

Morning (6am to 9am) -Wakes up -Unlocks the barn if it's locked -Stands near the entrance to the beach, with Wiggle if she's back.

Day (9am to 3pm) -Walks back and forth between Bugsnak pen and the bottom floor of the barn

Evening (3pm - 8pm) -Stands near the entrance to the beach. Wiggle joins him starting 4pm if she's back.

Night (8pm - 4am) -Locks the barn -Goes to bed -Starts sleepwalking at 11:50pm -Unlocks barn doors in sleep -Sleepwalks around the village. Can be woken up, and will stay in bed until the player leaves the area and returns. -Stops sleepwalking at 4am. If the player is in town at the time, he will wake up and just stand there, but if they enter the area between 4 and 6, he will be back in bed, with the barn doors locked.

Outhouse: 2:10pm

-

Lizbert

Morning (4am to 12pm)

Day (12pm to 4pm)

Evening (4pm - 7pm)

Night (7pm - 4am)

Outhouse: 5:30pm

.

Shelda

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: One day after completing the previous sidequest Sidequest 3 Requirements: One day after completing the previous sidequest

Chat 1: (Before she returns to town) Bugsnax are not of the Mother. Not of this island…usurpers. Chat 2: (After she returns to town) Him that is called Chandlo teeters on the path, and yours is the wind that topples.

Morning (4am to 12pm) -Wakes up -Meditates in front of her hut

Day (12pm to 5:10pm) -Continues to meditate

Evening (5:10pm - 8:40pm) -Sits in front of the campfire, unless the first sidequest is available, but hasn't been activated. In that case, she stays where she is, and just looks in the direction of the campfire.

Night (8:40pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 4:40pm

-

Snorpy

Sidequest 1 Requirements: The Intruder completed Sidequest 2 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 3 Requirements: Eggabell's main quests completed

Chat 1: (Before he returns to town) I've known Chandlo for ages. He does what he says and says what he thinks. In this mad, mad world he is uncomplicated, reliable, and…surprisingly gentle. Chat 2: (After he returns to town, but before his interview, and before The Intruder) The outdoors are dangerous, unpredictable, and smelly. Get me enough material, and I'll make us a roof over this entire island Chat 3: (After his interview, before The Intruder) Of all the unknowns in this world, one plagues me more than any other. How does Chandlo truly feel about me? Does he want us to be something…more? Chat 4: (After The Intruder, before Floofty returns to town) Bugsnax look like living creatures but they act more like tiny little machines. Tiny, little, delicious machines built explicitly to appeal to a mass audience. Chat 5: (After Floofty returns to town) Rest assured, Chum, I have my eye on Floofty.

Morning (8am to 12pm) -Wakes up -Stands in front of the forge downstairs

Day (12pm to 5pm) -Stands in front of the mill, near Gramble's yard

Evening (5pm - 8pm) -Goes inside and stands in front of the forge again

Night (8pm - 8am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 3:50pm

-

Triffany

Sidequest 1 Requirements: Chandlo's first quest, to put his balls in the basket, completed Sidequest 2 Requirements: Floofty's first Boiling Bay quest, to change their arm into a Red Banopper, completed Sidequest 3 Requirements: Eggabell's main quests completed

Chat 1: (Before she returns to town) You haven't run into Wambus, have ya? I swear that man has a head harder than granite. Chat 2: (After she returns to town, before Ghost Stories) I gotta admit, it's nice havin' Wamby around again. We'll just have to wait and see if he's really learned his lesson. Chat 3: (After Ghost Stories, before Cromdo returns to town) Ya know, we're the fifth major group to settle here. Looks like Grumpuses have been re-discoverin' Bugsnax for millennia. Chat 4: (After Cromdo returns to town, before The Intruder) I try to be nice to everybody, but sometimes that Cromdo just rattles my bones! I swear he'd sell off his own gramma if that'd make him a few bucks. Chat 5: (After The Intruder) Ya know, I've never seen any sorta cryptid mentioned in the ancient Grumps' writing. Means we're dealing with something new… isn't that kinda exciting?

Morning (6am to 9am) -Wakes up -Stands near the waterfall, past the barn and the mill.

Day (9am to 4pm) -Stands in the research tent, inspecting her desk.

Evening (4pm - 9:01pm) -Stands near the waterfall again.

Night (8pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 10am

-

Wambus

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: Ghost Stories completed Sidequest 3 Requirements: The Intruder completed

Chat 1: (Before he returns to town) Man…I'd hate Bugsnax if they weren't so darn delicious Chat 2: (After he returns to town, before the first welcome back party) City folk just don't get it. Chat 3: (After the first welcome back party, before Triffany returns to town) I only came out here for Triffany… but sometimes I wonder if she'd do the same for me. Chat 4: (After Triffany returns to town, before Ghost Stories) Stranger, I won't mince words. Thanks for bringin' Triffy home. Chat 5: (After Ghost Stories, before The Intruder) Y'know, I been callin' you Stranger, but you been around a while. Need a new name… Sorry, I'm not creative…Stranger. Chat 6: (After The Intruder) Island's lookin' mighty dangerous lately. I'm startin' to think I should build a taller fence.

Morning (4am to 12pm) -Wakes up -Hoes his garden

Day (12pm to 5pm) -Continues to hoe his garden

Evening (5pm - 9:01pm) -Sits by the campfire

Night (9:01pm - 4am) -Returns to his hut -If Triffany isn't back yet and Beffica is, he will stay up, and talk to the cactus when the player approaches. This event will be available for the player to see until 2am. (Needs a little more testing, but I think this is how it works) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 9:10pm

-

Wiggle

Sidequest 1 Requirements: (none) Sidequest 2 Requirements: Ghost Stories completed Sidequest 3 Requirements: Floofty's first Boiling Bay, to turn their arm into a Red Banopper, completed

Chat 1: (Before she returns to town) Ah, Gramble. Such soulful eyes! Such a caring heart! Such a collection of Snax… Chat 2: (After she returns to town, before Ghost Stories) You have no idea how hard it is for me to write these songs. My lyrical genius is driven by my muse. An adorable muse with skittering legs and a juicy center. Chat 3: (After Ghost Stories, before The Intruder) Hold on, Darling, tell me what you think of this - THE QUEEN OF BUGSNAX! SHE'S REALLY BIG, SHE'S REALLY BIG AND SHE'LL EAT YOU! Chat 4: (After The Intruder) Shelda is delightful, Darling! The way she speaks is captivating, even if I haven't the faintest idea what she's saying.

Morning (4am to 9am) -Wakes up -Stands near the entrance to the beach, playing the banjo. At 6am, Gramble gets out of bed and joins her.

Day (9am to 4pm) -Walks around the village playing the banjo

Evening (4pm - 9:30pm) -Joins Gramble back near the entrance to the beach, still playing the banjo.

Night (9:30pm - 4am) -Goes to bed

Outhouse: 1:20pm

[dollystuartwrites]

Stray Gods - Chapter 37

Pairing: Gods!OT8 x !F!Reader

Genre: romance, friends to lovers, polyamory, mystery, supernatural, angst, fluff, smut

Wordcount: 3300

Chapters:  [1] - [2] - [3] - [4] - [5] - [6] - [7] - [8] - [9] - [10] [11] - [12] - [13] - [14] - [15] - [16] - [17] - [18] - [19] - [20] [21] - [22] - [23] - [24] - [25] - [26] - [27] - [28] - [29] - [30] [31] - [32] - [33] - [34] - [35] - [36] - [37] - [38] - [39] - [?] MASTERLIST

Summary: With no memory of who you were, you wake up in the woods, only to be found by eight unusually handsome men. With no information of the past, the guys decide to take you in and take care of you for the time being. But that time becomes years, and as time passes, you start to notice that there is something different about them... and something different about you...

Warnings: angst, praise, thigh riding, kissing, fingering, overstimulation, lovebites, bad/miscommunication, low self-esteem, swearing, name-calling, dry humping, college, degradation, gods, special powers, vaginal sex, oral sex (f&m), mentions of contraception (condoms&thepill), injuries, mentions of death (but no character deaths), virgin!reader, teasing, orgasms, poly relationship, semi-public sex, daddy kink, strength kink, grinding, I've probably forgotten some, so let me know if I did and I will add more as the story progresses.

Taglist: @eastleighsblog​​ @tangerminie​​ @speedybagelmongerpasta​ @swittyregan​​ @septicrebel​​ @jiimout​​ @zandra-42​​​​@julciaqwerty​​ @vampcharxter​​ @mercurezed Want to be added or did I miss you? Just send me an ASK or DM

Lots of love and many thanks to Leena for beta’ing this story. Couldn’t have done it without you <3

Ever since your unsatisfying night with Jeongin, that itch deep inside of you had returned. The itch that had started it all, that had caused you to uncover their true identities and your own. Back then you had been so scared to act on it, afraid to lose them. But now you knew better. They wanted you just as much as you wanted them.

However, even though you wanted to act on it, there seemed to be no space for you to do so. The boys were still all busy as ever and even Jeongin suddenly seemed to be all booked up. Now and then you tried visiting them in their rooms, but whenever they were there they were often already fast asleep. Not wanting to disrupt their sleep cycles in their already so busy and tiring lives, you quietly would sneak out again.

But as days started to pass, the itch was getting worse and worse again. And if you tried to satiate the itch on your own, it just wasn’t the same.

‘You seem a little on edge lately,’ Adam remarked as the two of you walked together through the hallway.

‘Do I?’ you spoke, your voice unintentionally sounding much harsher and snappier than usual, your eyes only glaring straight through him

‘Exhibit A’ Adam said simply.

‘Right, sorry about that. Just not sleeping well again,’ you said, trying to make your voice sound somewhat softer as you run your hands down your face. It wasn’t a lie; the itch had been disrupting your sleep as of late.

‘Again? Have you tried melatonin? It can really help you know. I remember when I-’ Adam began but you suddenly stopped walking.

You felt a familiar prickly feeling in your neck and you turned around. A few students who were walking behind you almost bumped into you and gave you scolding looks, but you ignored them and looked around. You quickly found what you were looking for.

A few feet away was standing Minho, his phone in his hand as he stared at the screen unconvincingly. You were sure he had been staring at you just a second ago. You could feel it. It was odd for him to be here. The wing you were in was one where he never had classes, nor did Han. It also wasn’t a way to get to the gardens, the parking lot or the cafeteria. There was simply no logical explanation for why he would be here.

Your mind, which had already been on edge, immediately spun out of control. You strode over to him feeling unreasonable anger firing up in you.

‘Why are you following me?’ you hissed at him when you stopped in front of him.

‘Excuse me?’ Minho said, arching a brow and looking up from his phone.

‘You heard me. Why are you following me?’ you repeated, starting to feel even more annoyed. A lock of his light grey hair fell into his face, a beautiful contrast with his dark eyes behind the silver-rimmed spectacles he wore. It all made you feel even more irritable.

‘What would make you think I’m following you?’ Minho asked calmly a cocky brow raising at you, but you knew him better than that. You could see the glint in his eye and the slight twitch of the corner of his mouth. Something was up. He had that same look in his eyes as before, the same look he had had when you had spotted him in the cafeteria and in the library.

‘Don’t bullshit me, Lino, I know you’ve been watching me,’ you spoke through clenched teeth. The gleam of his dark eyes was almost mesmerizing as your eyes locked with his. It wasn’t hard to drown in them. His perfect face tilted, exposing his strong jawline and his pretty nose. It almost made you mad at how gorgeous he was. Both of his eyebrows were now raised as he looked at you arrogantly. A look that only he could give and looking stupidly hot while doing it. His pink lips were slightly parted as he stared down at you.

Suddenly someone grabbed you by the shoulder harshly.

‘What the fuck are you doing?’ Adam’s voice hissed in your ear. It was as if you had been flying and suddenly been slammed back to the ground again. You suddenly realized how loudly you had been talking. You looked around you. Other students had stopped and were now staring at you, whispering behind their hands and giving you weird and dirty looks. You could feel yourself turn pink instantly, ears now hot. Although Minho was your friend, your housemate and much, much more; to others he was simply Professor Lee. No one knew the relationship between you two or even him and Han. It had been your personal request to them to keep it on the down low. But now you had fucked up.

‘Let’s go!’ Adam hissed in your ear, he was still tugging on your shoulder harshly, and you quickly gave into him. He dragged you away, leaving the whispering bystanders and Minho behind and walking as quickly as he could.

Adam stopped when the two of you finally reached a deserted corridor.

‘What is wrong with you?’ He asked the question calmly, as if he was asking about the weather. You were still too embarrassed to answer so Adam continued. ‘I thought you were trying to keep your relationship as roommates with them a secret. I mean, of course, it’s all your business whether you do or don’t, but I don’t think it’s a great idea to reveal such a secret by scolding a well-known and well-liked professor in the middle of the hallway, basically accusing him of stalking you.’

You bit your lip. You had been acting like an insane person, you understood this now. How could you have been so dumb? Adam shook his head, his expression worried.

‘You better hope this doesn’t turn into a shitshow where he gets fired for sexual harassment,’ Adam said. Your heart sank. You knew how this would go now. Enough people had seen and heard you talking, meaning they had heard your accusation. If gossip would spread, there was a large chance Minho could get fired, just by the gossip, whether it was true or not. The sound of the bell startled you, making you look up at Adam, who sighed.

‘Sorry y/n, I gotta go, I have class. Let’s talk later, okay?’ he said, his face still wearing that same deeply concerned look, before he turned around and walked away, leaving you behind alone.

‘Lino, I'm-’ you began. You had thought the whole day about how you were going to apologize to him, dreading your actions and cringing every time you thought back to it. As soon as you had arrived home you sped off to his room, hoping he’d be there already and that you’d be able to apologize to him. But before you could finish your sentence, Minho interrupted you.

‘When did you turn into such a little brat?’ he asked. To your surprise, his voice was calm, and even more so, teasing.

‘W-What?’ you sputtered, totally caught off guard. Minho folded his arms and leaned against the doorpost, looking down at you with that same almost degrading look he had given you at school.

‘I asked, since when you’ve turned into such a little brat,’ he repeated. The corners of his mouth were turned upwards and it was clear he was laying out a trap for you. His dark eyes gleamed and you couldn’t help but get sucked into them.

‘I’m not a brat!’ You said defensively, stepping into his obvious trap anyway. Irritated, you took a daring step towards him as you stared at him. The mocking look on his face only grew, a grin mixed with discontent and that same annoyance that you reflected.

‘You sure did look and sound like a brat when you yelled at me at school,’ Minho egged you on, digging the trap deeper and deeper. ‘Screaming at your professor like a crazy person, whipping out all kinds of accusations. Sounds like first-class brat behaviour to me,’ he said drawling. The tone of his voice was just another way he knew how to irk you. His pretty lips still curled in that disgusting mocking smirk.

‘I am not a brat!’ You repeated, but your defence was just as weak as the first time. Minho huffed mockingly and raised a brow.

‘Then what are you? Hm?’ He said, his voice suddenly raw, his tone almost stern as his eyes seemed to drill holes into yours.

‘I’m a goddess,’ you said intently, this time it was your turn to lift your chin and look at him challengingly. But he wasn’t intimidated.

‘Right,’ he said, suddenly returning to his degrading demeanour, looking down on you with that punchable expression. His long eyelashes fluttered as he stared at you almost disgusted. ‘A goddess who runs around, following a human boy like she is a puppy after her owner,’

These words were so unfair and such bullshit that you felt yourself exploding inside.

‘Excuse me?!’ You boomed, clenching your hands into fists and taking another step towards Minho, causing you to almost be toe to toe with him. ‘I do not follow Adam around at all! Besides, what I do and with whom is none of your business!’ You hissed.

‘Oh no?’ Minho said at a dangerously low tone. His face inches towards yours and you could feel your heartbeat fasten. His perfect nose was only inches away from yours now and you could count the long dark lashes surrounding his eyes. ‘Aren’t you our goddess? Or have you decided to become communal goods?’ He mocked.

With every word he had said he had dug you deeper and deeper into his pit. You were drowning. Furiously looking for words but too angry to find them. Instead, there was only the deep brown of his eyes. The long dark lashes surrounding them. The perfect straight nose that was almost touching yours. The soft pink lips that had already parted, his breath tasting sweet on your own lips that you had unknowingly parted too. Your head felt like it was spinning. With anger. With fury. With more than that. You wanted to punch him. To kick him. To kiss him. To feel his hands slide over your body, between your legs…

‘Lino!’ An annoyed voice came from the stairs, starting and waking you from your trance, making you step back. Minho didn’t move but still stared at you as the stomping on the stairs came closer.

‘There you are,’ a grumpy-looking Seungmin stepped into sight. Finally, Minho looked away from you and at his friend. "Weren't you on laundry duty yesterday?’ Seungmin asked, annoyed.

‘Yes,’ Minho spoke, his tone inscrutable.

‘Then why is my laundry basket still in the basement?’ Seungmin asked impatiently, clicking his tongue in annoyance.

‘Right,’ Minho said, and without another word he stepped out of his room, closing the door behind him and leaving for the stairs.

You stared after him gaping.

‘There’s a draft,’ Seungmin said coolly as he saw you staring. You quickly closed your mouth and straightened your back, meeting Seungmin's blue eyes. ‘Was he picking a fight again?’ Seungmin asked, his voice calmer now that Minho’s footsteps were out of earshot. Your jaw clenched involuntarily but it was all the answer Seungmin needed. ‘He’s quite the little shit lately,’ he said, looking over his shoulder at the place where Minho had descended the stairs. ‘Even Han is getting fed up with him,’ Seungmin sighed, shaking his head. He looked back at you. The blue of his eyes seemed to have quite the calming effect on you somehow and you could feel yourself calming down slightly. ‘Don’t mind him too much, okay?’ Seungmin spoke, his tone of voice soft now, sweet. ‘And tell me if he’s being an idiot again. I’ll spark his ass,’

The next morning you had completely set your mind to apologizing to Minho. This time you would do it right after breakfast.

Although he had been a complete ass to you and his behaviour had been completely unreasonable, you had to admit, so had you. You had remembered the words Lady had said to you: they feel what you feel. You had been stressed, anxious, angry even, so it hadn’t been weird that he was as well. You rehearsed the apology over and over in your head. It would be short, sweet and clean. You’d give him your best puppy eyes, take his hand and smile your brightest smile at him. You knew him too well to know he wouldn’t be able to resist it.

But when you barged into the kitchen, determined, confident and looking for your mark – he wasn’t there.

Instead, Chan was sitting at the table, staring into nothingness. His hair was a mess and his face looked like he was still asleep. Changbin was sitting next to him, his head resting on his plate and his eyes closed with his mouth slightly agape. Clearly, he had fallen back asleep again. Clearly, the boys had had a rough night.

Seungmin was quietly sipping from his coffee while reading the morning newspaper. However, you noticed his eyes moved much slower than usual, clearly an indicator that he too was still quite tired. In the kitchen was Felix, heating up what smelled like waffles and softly humming to himself.

‘Where’s Lino?’ you asked, subconsciously lowering your voice for the sleeping Changbin.

‘Probably still asleep,’ Seungmin said in a tone that had a hint of bitterness. He was probably still angry with Minho about the way he had acted towards you yesterday.

‘Oh, good morning y/n,’ Felix said with a soft smile, turning towards you and facing you. He opened one of his arms for you, inviting you to a hug. You walked over to him and nestled yourself into his arm, looking at the pans he was handling. He was indeed warming up some waffles and had just started on the eggs. Felix planted a soft kiss on your forehead, filling you up with warmth. Something much needed.

‘Slept well?’ He asked in his soft low voice. You nodded into his chest, looking up at him. He had noticeable dark circles underneath his eyes.

‘You didn’t,’ you spoke with a slight pout, tracing your finger over the dark underneath his eyes. He gave you a soft smile but didn’t say anything. You watched him cook for a bit, still clinging to him while he continued humming softly until you started to notice you were making it more difficult for him too.

‘I’ll leave you to it,’ you told him, giving him one last squeeze, as you let go of him and walked over to the dining table. For the first time Chan looked up, Changbin still asleep beside him, now drooling onto his plate. He rubbed in his eyes for a moment tiredly before he scooted his chair back slightly, and getting the message, you went over to him to sit on his lap.

‘You look like shit,’ you whispered to him softly. He raised a tired eyebrow, his dark starry eyes meeting yours.

‘Thanks,’ he said with a soft scoff but he grinned tiredly, making you smile.

‘Good morning!’ Hyunjin's sing-songy voice came booming into your ears as he busted into the room. Within lightning speed, Chan had his arms wrapped around you protectively, almost completely hiding you in his arms. Changbin jerked awake with such a start that he knocked over the already set empty glasses, losing his balance from the chair and falling over. Even Seungmin, who seemed much more awake than any of the others, flinched visibly.

‘For fucks sake Hyunjin!’ Changbin swore angrily, quickly scrambling to his feet, ‘I almost set you on fucking fire!’ It was quite unlike Changbin to use so many swear words, especially around you.

‘Channie,’ You squealed, muffled by his body. He still had you pressed so tightly against his chest in his protective stance, that you could barely breathe.

‘Right,’ he said quickly, opening his arms slowly and carefully as if he was still on high alert. When you were freed from his grip, you took in a deep breath, laughing slightly under your breath as you exhaled.

‘What’s gotten your panties in a knot this morning, love?’ Hyunjin chuckled at Changbin, ignoring his angry muttering and foul looks as he went over to Felix to kiss him good morning.

‘Must be great being the God of Love, innit?’ Changbin growled as he sat back onto his chair again and let his hands rest sulkily on the table.

‘What does that have to do with anything?’ You asked, raising your brows and feeling like you missed something.

‘Trust me,’ Seungmin said dryly, a grim stare when you met his rain-coloured eyes, ‘you don’t wanna know.’ You looked up at Chan who closed his eyes and simply shook his head. Changbin still had a foul look on his face.

‘Oh come on,’ Hyunjin said cheerfully, ‘It’s gonna be a lovely day today I bet,’ he left Felix in the kitchen and walked over to Changbin, hugging him from behind and not letting go.

‘It’ll be raining all day,’ Seungmin said matter of factly, returning his attention to his newspaper. Hyunjin stuck out his tongue and rolled his eyes at him, but he didn’t notice.

‘Well, at least we’ll be having a lovely day, right y/n?’ Hyunjin said with a broad grin, petting Changbin’s hair.

‘Uh,’ you said, thinking and frowning. ‘Oh!’ you exclaimed suddenly realizing. ‘The tutoring session!’ you said genuinely enthusiastically.

‘Tutoring?’ Changbin asked, looking at you frowning while Hyunjin was still weaving his fingers through his hair, caressing it.

‘Yeah,’ you said happily, mindlessly playing with Chan’s fingers. ‘Jinnie’s gonna give me a crash course on art,’ you said happily.

‘Why?’ Changbin asked. Hyunjin let go of his hair and got up.

‘Because she actually cares about me and my interests,’ he said dramatically, rolling his eyes.

‘Don’t be like that, you know we care,’ Changbin said, slightly annoyed. Hyunjin clicked his tongue, flicking his beautiful pink hair over his shoulder and folding his arms. You knew it was all an act for him to get the attention he wanted.

‘Do I need to show you?’ Changbin said suddenly, standing up and a familiar mischievous grin on his face. Clearly, Changbin was awake now. Hyunjin suddenly looked at him warily. ‘Come here then, lemme show you how much we love you,’ he chuckled, suddenly diving at Hyunjin. Hyunjin shrieked and laughed, just being able to dodge Changbin and running off to the living room while being chased by him.

You could feel Chan sigh behind you and you let go of his fingers to look at his face. He still looked tired, but there was a soft smile on his face now. You could tell he gained a little more energy by seeing the boys play like they were now.

‘Yo Felix, are those waffles almost done? I’m starving mate,’ he asked, once more intertwining his fingers with yours, apparently not wanting you to let go.

‘Three more minutes!’ Felix said cheerfully from the kitchen. From his voice, you could tell that he too now had fully woken up and felt a little happier. You stared at Changbin chasing Hyunjin for a bit, threatening him with wet smooches and bone-crushing hugs. You looked to your side, noticing Seungmin had stopped reading his newspaper, looking over it to also watch the spectacle of the two boys playing, a smile on his face too.

[honeypiehotchner]

We Used To Be In Love (Hangman x Fem!Reader) -- part three

PHEW it’s been a minute!! College has kept me busy but I got a bit of a break this past weekend so mwah 🥰

Warnings: just some angst and some yelling,,, but it’s going to get better soon I swear

WC: 2.9k

You can’t sleep. And you’re tired of trying.

When you roll over, the clock glares at you, a bright 4:33AM.

Good enough, you think, hauling yourself to your feet. At least you now have time to shower and enjoy some coffee before making the girls breakfast and sending them off to school. And you can take your time, for once.

The exhaustion weighs your body down. It’s been a while since your mind has been too awake to let you sleep. Usually, you’re too tired to even attempt to fight sleep. Not that you were trying to fight it last night, though. You were desperate to sleep, but obviously it didn’t work.

After showering, you get dressed and head downstairs to start brewing a pot of coffee. You finally check your phone, having ignored its buzzing practically all night.

The first few are nonsense. Penny texted pictures of her and Maverick at dinner, and she’s asking how Amelia and Belle are doing. An apologetic text from…Rooster?

And a text from an unknown number that begins with Hey, this is Jake. Is this…

You got a new phone and number about eight months after Jake left. It seemed like the best thing to do, given the decision you made about Belle.

He still has his same number. You’d recognize it even if you couldn’t type it in blindly anymore.

Hey, this is Jake. Is this Y/N? Rooster gave me this number.

And that is why Rooster is sorry. You shake your head, turning your phone over. You’re more surprised that Jake didn’t ask for your number himself, but you guess this makes sense, too.

The coffee trickles into the pot. You consider going back to when you ignored Jake’s existence.

But you can’t do that now, not since he knows about Belle. You turn your phone back over and begin a reply.

It’s me. You could’ve just asked me for my new number, you know.

To avoid worrying over a reply, you switch to Do Not Disturb and move to unload the dishwasher. You don’t even know if he’ll reply right now, but he is an early riser, so it wouldn’t surprise you if he’s been awake as long as you have.

You pour a cup of coffee and grab your phone, heading out to your back porch to deal with this.

As expected, Jake is up. Can we talk?

Right now? You shoot back. The girls won’t be awake for another two hours, and taking them to school would at least give you an easy out.

But you don’t want to talk about what you know he wants to discuss with Belle in the same building. She or Amelia could easily hear.

I don’t want to wake the girls, you type. We can talk at 8:30 after I’ve dropped them off.

Okay, he says. I’ll be there.

Don’t ask Rooster for my address, you say before sending him the details.

The last thing you want is for Rooster to get involved as a messenger. You and Jake are adults. You can handle this like adults. Maybe.

You’ll see.

+++

You try your best to seem normal and put on a “brave face” for the girls, especially your daughter, while making them breakfast and dropping them off at school.

Your heart is lodged in your throat the entire ride back home, even though it shouldn’t be. You know Jake. He’s not a stranger, not really. Yet it feels like you’re about to go into battle.

It might be a battle, who knows. He might still be pissed with you about keeping Belle from him. Maybe he’s going to try to fight it, try to get some form of custody of her. You don’t know what to expect because even though you say you were going to tell Belle when she turned 18, you truthfully don’t know that you would’ve.

Jake’s pickup truck is outside your house when you return. It’s the same light blue, two door Ford that he’s driven since high school. And he’s leaning up against the hood the same way he used to as he’d wait for you in the school parking lot. One ankle hooked over the other. Blue jeans, white t-shirt, brown belt with the Texas buckle.

“Some things never really change, huh?” you ask him as you exit your car, unable to help yourself from wondering aloud.

He shrugs. “Guess so.”

He’s upset. It’s obvious, as it always has been, at least to you. Getting him to admit it or talk about it is the tricky part.

You hesitate for a moment, wondering what to say next when you spot his Stetson on the dashboard. You’ve worn that hat many times. You haven’t seen it in years. It’s weird that seeing the hat is what does it for you, what makes all the memories come flooding back.

Jake cocks his head to one side and then follows your eyes, nodding knowingly when he sees what you’re eyeing. “Do you—”

“Let’s go inside,” you interrupt, knowing exactly what he was about to say. Do you want me to wear it? Do you want to wear it?

“Yes ma’am,” he says, kicking himself off his truck and following you to the front door. “How are the girls?”

“They’re good,” you say, unlocking the door and heading inside. “They both have tests today, so they didn’t want to go.”

“I know that feeling,” he chuckles.

You set your purse and keys down, on the table just inside the door, taking off into the kitchen. “You wanted to talk?”

“Yeah,” Jake says, but he’s watching you, the little whirlwind you are, and he shakes his head. “But we can talk some other time.”

“You’re already here, let’s just talk now.” You start unloading the dishwasher and taking the dishes out one at a time, keeping yourself moving as much as possible.

“It can wait,” he says again.

“Jake.”

“You’re pacing,” he says. You did this even in high school. He always knew when you had a bad day because you couldn’t sit still long enough to tell him about it. You were always flying around your room, picking up clothes, making your bed, straightening your desk out, keeping your mind distracted.

“Because I’m stressed.”

“I can see that.”

You glare at him. “You clearly want to talk about Belle.” You put a bowl up, then another. “So?”

“Partly,” he says.

“Partly?”

“Look, I don’t want there to be any secrets anymore, so I’m just going to ask.” He takes a deep breath, steeling himself, but you’re not prepared at all for the next words that come out of his mouth. “Do you and Rooster have something going on?”

“What?” you blink. “You’re serious?”

“I don’t care if you do,” he says, even though he clearly does. “I just want to know.”

“No,” you blurt. “I don’t. We don’t. He’s like a brother to me — literally. God, no. No offense to Rooster, I just can’t imagine— No. God, Jake, you— Never mind.”

“No, go ahead,” he taunts you, even if he doesn’t really mean to. “Say it. No more secrets.”

“I just— I thought you were acting weird the other night at dinner because Belle was there, but you thought I was dating Rooster?”

He flounders, now realizing the implication of what he’s said. “No, that’s— That’s not—”

“You really have not changed,” you laugh.

Maybe Rooster was right. This Jake is just the same as he was when you knew and loved him in high school. Back then, this behavior was expected because it was high school and you were young and stupid. The jealousy was attractive. It was immature, of course, but that’s what made high school relationships what they were.

Now, though? Now it’s a slap in the face.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You are so quick to jealousy. It’s honestly remarkable, I mean, I thought since we’re older and grown up—”

“Oh, come on—”

“And I thought— I don’t know why I’m surprised that you’d be more concerned with whether or not I’m fucking your coworker. You were worried about that. Not your daughter.”

“Oh, now she’s my daughter?”

“Oh, fuck off, Jake. She has always been your daughter.”

“Then why didn’t you ever tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want her!” you scream.

The words echo off the walls of your home, your words stunning Jake to silence and even, to some extent, yourself. The truth comes out in the end, they always say. Right now it’s coming out in a useless screaming match.

“Y/N…” He takes a small step toward you, but stops. His arms are at his sides, but he’s confused. He wants to hug you. Ever since he saw you again, he’s wanted to tuck you into his arms the way he used to.

“I love her,” you say. “And I wouldn’t change a thing, but I never wanted to be a mom this early. This wasn’t what I wanted.”

“I know,” Jake says, his voice breaking. “I know, we were going to wait.”

“But you left.”

“I know,” he says again, his eyes watering. “If I could go back and change it—”

“Don’t,” you shake your head. “Don’t say that you’d change it because it doesn’t matter and the fact is I had her and here we are.”

“Don’t do that,” he steps further into the kitchen, his steps quick, like he’s been holding himself back and his resolve breaks just enough for him to fly forward. “Hey, please,” he says, his voice just gentle enough to coax you to look at him. “I am sorry I did that to you. And to Belle. I can’t change it, I know, but if I could, I’d do it yesterday.”

You know he means it, but still, you’re suspicious of him. Of everyone, of everything. You have been ever since he left, ever since nothing made sense anymore.

“Why would you ask if me and Rooster are together?” you say.

“Because I’m stupid,” Jake says. “And because I never stopped.”

“Stopped what? Being stupid?” you snort.

“Yeah, probably,” he chuckles. “But I meant I never stopped loving you. Worrying about you, caring about you. And ever since finding out about Belle, she’s been on my mind too, and I wanted you to know that—” He pauses, straightening himself. “If you’ll have me, and if she’ll have me, I want to do this.”

Your heart stopped when he mentioned loving you, and started again. “Do what?”

“Be in your lives, be her father, be your— I want to be here.”

You filled in the word he left out. The husband that so easily could’ve slipped from his tongue, and the yes that could so easily slip from yours. You’ve wanted him by your side since you were sixteen.

But you’re not sixteen anymore.

“Okay,” you say. “But I’m not telling her the truth until I think she’s ready. That’s my decision, got it?”

He accepts that term with a nod. “Yes ma’am.”

“We can try to…set something up, I don’t know. It’s hard right now since I’m watching Amelia, too, I don’t want to ruin their time together.”

“I understand,” he says.

“Let me think about it,” you say. “I’ll figure something out but until then…” you pause, smiling slightly. “Wanna do me a favor?”

None the wiser, Jake nods. “Sure, what d’you need?”

“The girl’s toilet upstairs won’t stop running.”

He gives you a look. “Really?”

“Really,” you nod. “Please?”

“Where’s Rooster when you need him,” Jake mutters, but he’s already starting to grin like an evil shit. “Where’s their bathroom?”

“Thank you,” you sing. “I’ll show you where it is.”

You lead him up the stairs and past your bedroom, Belle’s, and the spare room that Amelia currently sleeps in.

“I turned the water off,” you explain, flicking the light on. “The noise was getting annoying. I’m assuming the chain got stuck, or it might be broke, this thing’s old—”

Jake leans against the doorway, raising an eyebrow. “Why did you need me to look again?” he teases.

“Because you’re here and because I have a million other things to do,” you tease him right back. “And you’ll be a hero in their eyes. Because they thought they had broken it entirely.”

He really was playing with you, but hearing that is enough to make him get started. “Do you have any tools?” he asks.

“Downstairs,” you say. “I’ll get them.”

“No, go do whatever you need to do,” he scolds lightly, squatting down to check the pipes. “I’ll come get them when I figure out what I need.”

“Alright,” you scoff, not arguing with him. The mountain of laundry in the hampers has been looming even since Amelia has been here.

You leave him be and head down to the laundry room, trying not to think too hard about how easy it was to ask him for help. How it felt like second nature, what you’d ask of him anyway if he was your husband the way the two of you had planned.

But he’s not, you continue to remind yourself. He’s not because he left. And he’ll leave again, maybe not with intentions to hurt you, but he’ll still leave. Who knows where he’ll be deployed next.

You’re surprised he’s even still here, that any of them are. You don’t want to question it, or ruin it by being suspicious, but you know how these things go. You’re not stupid.

+++

Jake found a bigger problem with the girls’ shower head and the drain, so he headed out to the store to get a few things.

You’re in the middle of loading another basket of laundry into the washer when Rooster scares the absolute shit out of you.

“What the hell is wrong with you!” you yell, almost chucking the bottle of detergent at his head. “Why did I give you a key?”

“So I could scare you,” he grins. “Also, I, uh, saw Hangman on my way over here.”

“Cool.” You continue putting clothes in the washer.

“Any idea what he’s doing over here?”

“Fixing Belle’s shower,” you reply nonchalantly.

Rooster is quiet for a second. “Okay?”

You set the washer and lower the lid, pressing the on button. “I asked him to look at the toilet up there and I guess he got sidetracked and looked at the shower too.”

Rooster looks at you like you’re insane. “So? Does that mean things are good with you two?”

“I wouldn’t say good, but they’re better, sure,” you shrug, picking up the empty basket. “Although, I will say, he did ask me if you and I are dating, which really didn’t go over well for him.”

Rooster pulls a face. “Why the hell would he ask that?”

“He said because he’s stupid,” you reply. “I won’t argue with that. He’s a fucking moron.”

“But he’s fixing Belle’s shower.”

“Yep,” you nod, walking past Rooster to go into the living room. You can’t remember the last time you washed the throw blankets in here, so might as well add that to the mix today.

“Alright,” Rooster says, like he’s waiting for you to say some more. “Is that it?”

You shake your head. “I guess so. Did you need something?”

“Nope,” he says, plopping down on your couch. “Just felt like bugging you. Normally Penny gets half of it.”

“But it’s just me now,” you chuckle. “Get your dirty feet off my pillows.”

“Whoops,” he yanks his feet down, now laying on the couch at a diagonal.

Rooster chills on your couch while you continue buzzing around the house, doing whatever little task you can think of.

When Jake gets back, you can tell because you hear him say, “Rooster!”

Part of you panics, wondering what Jake will think after the conversation you had, only to come back to find Rooster on your couch. But you shove the feeling away. This isn’t high school. If it upsets Jake, then so be it.

But it doesn’t upset him, and you feel foolish for worrying at all.

“Just the man I needed to see,” Hangman slaps Rooster on the shoulder. “Wanna replace a shower head?”

“Replace?” you question, eyes widening when Hangman holds up the new one. “You didn’t need to buy a brand new one.”

“I definitely did,” Jake replies. “I have no idea how the other one still worked.”

“Yeah, but—”

“It’s nothing, darlin’, don’t worry.”

The pet name slips from his mouth before he can help it. You see the regret cross his face, his lips parting to correct himself, but you cut him off.

“Fine,” you say, biting back a smile, and hating that you have to. You hate that you really did miss hearing him call you that — and more. You should snap at him about it, you should. But you can’t bring yourself to. “As long as you’re not looking for me to pay you back.”

“Absolutely not,” Jake says immediately.

Rooster eyes the two of you, but says nothing, just raises his eyebrows at you and looks away.

“Well, go,” you wave at them. “You better have it done before I have to get them from school. They both have PE at the end of the day, so they’ll want a shower.”

“Yes ma’am,” Jake nods, leading the way.

Rooster follows behind him, but turns his head once he’s halfway up the stairs to give you a look that you choose to wholeheartedly ignore.

[strawberrtheartsfanfics]

Can you do conrad x reader please?

Fireworks 🎆

Every year you and your family went and visited the Fishers at there beach house and practically spent the entire summer there. You had a close bond to both the Conklin family and the Fisher family so I was not surprising to se that you and Belly Conklin had a sister like bond, best friends. So what happens when you both have a crush on the oldest Fisher boy Conrad? And what happens when he find out?

“-morning” Belly runs into your bed waking you up dramatically. You weren’t much of a morning person but Belly definitely was

“-it’s like 9 in the morning Belly, just 5 more minutes” you say shifting to the other side of the bed holding your pillow.

“-come on y/n, I need to tell you something” she says dragging you up by your arms

You sigh sitting up in your bed holding your pillow.

“-so I might have kissed Jer” she says

“-No”

“-YES” she almost screams as she throws herself down on the bed

“-I need more and what about Conrad I thought you were like in love with him” I say almost regretting that I asked.

“-I don’t know it kinda just happened”

“-Eww so you’re like hooking up?”

“-no but I think we’re dating, and for the Conrad stuff I don’t know I feel like I just have wasted my time with him.”

“-I get that” I answer back trying not to sound as if am relieved that I can now finally actually accept my feelings for Conrad.

We sit there for at least 30 minutes discussing the kiss between her and Jeremiah until we both get hungry and run down stairs.

Nobody’s up only us. The atmosphere is calm and quiet. We make toast and coffee.

Belly takes a bite out of her toast

“So y/n, what’s your situation this summer?” She asks

“What do you mean?”

“- you always have a guy during the summer, what has happened to you lately, I mean you’re acting like a nun”

“-no am not” I laughed off her question

“-am serious what’s going on?” She asks again

It felt as though I couldn’t breathe. She was my best friend and I had I crush on her first love.

“-I do like someone but I don’t think they like me” I say

“-That’s not even a little bit true” she says raising her eyebrow in disbelief

I smile

“-yeah, how would you know?” I say back

“-cause y/n you’re the type of girl that no guy could turn down. So tell me who”

God I hate myself was all I could think. Why there are 8 billion people in the world and I like him!

-“I like Conrad and I know you hate me but please don’t because trust me I hate myself more” I blurt out. It was like word vomit.

Quite… everything is quite.

I look back footsteps are coming in to the kitchen.

We make eye contact it’s Conrad. Shit shit, shit!!

I get up and take off past him I hear Belly yelling back at me to come back but I can’t not now.

I get to the beach and sit down. Somebody had left a fire still on which was kind of perfect for me because it was still a little bit chilly.

But I was quickly drawn out of my fantasy world when a familiar voice spoke up.

Some time had already passed and I was thinking about just digging a hole in to the sand and just lie down and die.

“- hey” he said as he sat down.

“-hey Connie” I say wanting to die on the spot.

We’re quite,

“- god this is a mess. I mean god” I say

“-maybe” he answers

I turn to him as he speaks up

“-are you sure you like me? Cause you have a different crush every two weeks y/n”

“-God I have liked you for so long you wouldn’t believe me” I say

“-You sure?”

“-Yes every time I se you I don’t get butterflies it’s more like fireworks going, I almost feel dizzy because I like you so much” I say word vomiting again.

“-Good because I have felt the same for you but I never really thought you would feel this way about me”

We stare into each other’s eyes for what felt like hours but was probably like 30 seconds. And he kisses me and it felt like fireworks going of in my head I never wanted it to stop.

As we come up for air he says “-we should probably get home”

“-Let’s just stay here you and me, just for a little” I say

“-I like that” he says before kissing me again.

[ilydeku]

Workout...right? | izuku x reader

"...30 more seconds y/n!-"

"AGHHH!" You grunted as the core of your abs throbbed in pain. You've only been doings planks for 8 minutes, but the time felt like hours.

You turned your head to Izuku. Sure, he was sweating and all, but it seemed like nothing to him. In fact, he was smiling. This was all fun to him; going beyond limits while working out, waking up to a stiff sore body.

"...and done!" Your body collapsed to the mat in exhaustion, diluting it in sweat. The vibrations or treadmills and weights hitting the floor rumbled through your body. Izuku grabbed his gallon water bottle, nearly chugging down half the fill.

"Great. Let's go home."

"Home?" He laughed, twisting the cap back onto the bottle. "We've only gotten through the warmup! Now it's time to lift!" You groaned, sitting up and crossing your legs. He handed you the bottle to drink.

"You're joking. That was the warmup? All those 10 set 20 reps of exercise? Never working out with you again."

"Hehe you don't mean that. You enjoy anything we do together, plus you wanted a feel of how my daily workouts are, right?"

"...shut up."

You and Izuku took a 5-minute break, taking a breather, and resting on the bench press. After, you both starting on lifting dumbbells. Though, you moved on after seeing Izuku lifting over 60-pound ones. You went off and did your own thing of using the treadmills and stair climbers while Izuku stayed around the weight-lifting area. Agility has always been more of your stronger suit than strength anyways. From time to time, you'd look over in Izuku's direction. Every time you just decided to glance over, he'd be doing something that never failed to amaze you. Whether that be bench pressing over 1000 pounds or deadlifting over 2000. What a sight to behold. He turned the heads of the men working out around him. Compared to him they looked so small and weak. You found it amusing when some even came up to him, probably asking for tips and tricks. But it wasn't funny when some girl came up. You frowned as you watched the action unfold.

"Hi! I'm new here!" The girl smiled, interrupting his routine on

"Hello! Welcome! This gym has a lot of equipment to offer, so go ahead and explore for yourself."

"I couldn't help but notice you out of the other people here! Are you a professional trainer? I saw you helping these guys a while ago." She leaned in a little, failing to grab his attention.

"Oh! I'm actually not. Just a friendly average guy working out. Not a professional trainer." By this time, Izuku had let go of the equipment and was intently listening to the girl. You frowned. You couldn't hear what was going on, so couldn't really tell her to go away.

"I see. That's unfortunate for me." She crossed her arms and pouted, puffing up her cheeks for effect.

"Well if you really need help on working out, I could lend you some time."

"Really!?" She exclaimed rather too loudly. "Thank you so much!" They then started going through the routine that you just recently endured. You laughed a little at how embarrassing she looked as she struggled to make it halfway through the exercises. Though you may have struggled, at least you made it through the whole routine.

"H...Hey." She huffed, as they took a breather. "I heard on social media that squats or whatever are good for you. Can we try them?" She asked, snaking an arm around his. Izuku frowned, pulling his arm away from her, but managed to keep his cheery outlook in continuation. You began coming closer to the weight area, just enough to hear what was going on.

"Uhm...Sure!" He began by getting into the starting position. The girl followed after. "The stance and core of squats are the most important when it comes to squats." He began squatting down halfway. "When you do it, don't go all the way down. Try to make your thighs as parallel to the ground as possible. When you go back up, do it slowly-"

THUMP

"Oops. I fell hehe! Do you mind helping me up?" He turned to see the girl sitting on the floor who was amused at the situation. Izuku offered her a hand and helped her back to her feet. None of this was very funny to you though. 'I fell' my ass.

"Sorry. It's my first time doing workouts like this." The girl kept a hard grip on Izuku's hand.

"Ahh don't worry! Everyone's like this on their first time."

"...who are you anyway? What's your name? You're, like, totally my type of guy." She clasped her other hand around his, inching closer to him. "From the way smile and the way you act, your handsome face...What are you doing after this? I'd be up for a cup of coffee!"

"HEY IZUKU-"

"No thanks." He tightly grasped both of her wrists in one hand and lightly pushed her away. He might've even bruised them unintentionally. "Sorry, but, I have a beautiful girlfriend waiting for me." He smiled as he turned in your direction and began walking over to you. Your face heats up as the girl watches as he wraps his arms around your waist, kissing your cheek in advance. "This is my girlfriend." He declared audible enough for the people around to hear. The girl was in shock. How embarrassing it must've been for her.

"...Huh?"

"Just so I'm clear, girlfriend as in I'm in a committed loving relationship. Meaning I'm taken. You understand right?"

"Oh..well...right...then excuse me!" She quickly turned away and walked out of sight to the far end of the gym. You were amazed at how confident and assertive Izuku was. It suited him and it was honestly very attractive. You stared at Izuku as he grabbed his gear and set the equipment back where it was. The fluttery feeling was driving you crazy, but it only showed how much you loved him.

"Should we get going now y/n?"

inspired by this one webtoon called maybe meant to be. read it or I'll skin your family

support me? :)

[poisonousquinzel]

Hey y'all, I really hate to be making a post like this, but in true 2020 2.0 fashion, life has been... rough.

I've been trying to get a job in my city since May, but I've been denied because of my health issues.

We also don't have a car. And our town is small so while we technically have a bus, it comes by near my house once per day and isn't reliable.

My mom can't work and my step dad's online work has been stretched dry recently so he's been making bare minimum for months.

I had been under the impression in the beginning of May that I would have the assistance of my parents in this, I've never done most of this before and they made it sound like my mom would help me.

However that wasn't really the case, personal stuff happened for them and I don't necessarily blame them for that, but then in June I got denied for a job because "I have too many health issues" and my step dad told me that we'd get back to it after my birthday. (Post 12th)

I've asked my step dad every morning when I wake up what we're going to do that day, because he had said he was going to be the one handling the job stuff when we started again.

And every day we've done whatever it is he said. We walked up to 7-11, turned in an application, looked up online jobs, etc.

We did the same on Wednesday and the only reason I didn't keep looking into more of them that afternoon was because I had a migraine. And when I have migraines they're not just headaches and they're not just migraines.

It's something I've been working through with my doctor about, because my previous long term doctor since childhood was completely incompetent at her job.

When I get migraines, it makes me nauseous. And being nauseated makes my heart slow down and I faint or collapse.

I can't sleep, it hurts to close my eyes or move them behind my eyelids. It feels like it's sparking against metal with every movement.

I've had to go to the hospital for it in the past when I collapsed into a pile of bags and was barely breathing, my previous doctor just... didn't look at the hospital's report on my visit. Like when I tell you in hindsight she really sucked, she really fucking sucked.

So, yeah, I slept a lot on Wednesday. I wasn't thrilled about it either.

And I told my step dad that I'd do all that stuff on Thursday.

My physical state was pretty visibly clear, I couldn't leave my extra darkened room without wearing sunglasses even though it was 8:30 at night.

But, then on Thursday instead I got into a really heated discussion with the two of them.

And... I am just very, very tired now.

I panic called my therapist 5 times in less than 10 minutes afterwards. It was a really bad day.

Thankfully I was able to get back to back emergency appointments with her and my doctor yesterday morning so dw emotionally wise. But I don't know how I'd be fairing if I hadn't been able to get those scheduled.

But Long Story Short:TLDR: we are a couple of weeks away from being on the streets.

Or in a shelter. We wouldn't be able to bring any of our cats. We would lose all of them.

I don't want to beg, but I suppose I am cause I'm terrified

We're behind on bills and next months are just around the corner, we've run out of local resources here that can help. I don't know all of the specifics, but I do know we're out of options.

If you're in a good financial situation and you feel like it, if you can, literally anything would help.

It'd mean the world. I don't want to end up on the streets or in a shelter, and I really don't want to lose my cats.

I can't.

They're the only thing keeping me going, so, please

PayPal •

its.me.ya.frustrated.girl@gmail.com

Cashapp • $Poisonousquinzel

reblogs and signal boosting are also super appreciated!!

[saratinz]

Maneater (Chapter 8)

pairing ➩ Ex!Bucky Barnes x Promiscuous!Reader (College AU)

series warnings ➩ drinking, asshole!Bucky, enemies to lovers, exes to lovers, love triangle, smut, slut shaming, cursing

chapter warnings ➩ cursing, slut shaming, mentions sex, reader is roofied (nothing bad happens)

synopsis ➩ Y/n goes to the hospital.

word count ➩ 1k

Peter stays silent for a while, digesting everything you just told him. “Hey, you wanna go to a party.”

“You really want to go after what happened last night.”

“I mean, yeah. We spent all this time talking about me, it’s time to do something for you.”

“Well, sure.” The two of you hung out for hours, becoming the most unlikely of friends. You went more in depth about what has unfolded in the last week, and he told you about his crush on a girl named MJ.

“Hey, we should call ourselves ‘the freshie and the whore’. And there should be a book written about us.”

“I don’t love that name, Y/n.”

“It’s okay, we can workshop it.” The two of you have now gotten to the party. 

“Hey Y/n.” It’s the third to last person you want to see, besides Bucky and Steve.

“Hi, Jane.” You say, trying to dial back the awkwardness.

“I just wanted to say that, I forgive you. We all make mistakes, and even though you made a really big one, I can’t hold that against you forever. So here’s a peace offering.” She hands you a drink. You look for Peter, but when you don’t see him, you figure he ran off to avoid this strange interaction. You take a sip.

“Okay, thank you for understanding, I know what I did was super shitty. And I know it was really hard for you, so I really appreciate this.” You take another sip. Not wanting to ruin this, you walk away, quickly downing the whole drink to deal with whatever the fuck just happened. 

You start to feel super dizzy, but there’s no way you could be drunk. Your brain feels like it’s on fire, despite the fact that you are getting really cold. Your thoughts moving so fast that you are never able to retain a single thought for more than a couple of seconds. Oh shit. You were drugged. Jane roofied you.

You are desperately trying to find someone, anyone, who you knew would never take advantage of you. That’s when you spot him. Bucky is standing alone in a corner, with a drink in hand. You stumble over to him, hoping to get there before you inevitably pass out. “Bucky!” You flash a dopey smile.

“Hey sweetheart, you alright?” You wrap your arms around his neck

“Nope.” He looks concerned.

“What’s wrong?”

“I was drugged.” You slur your words.

“Wait, what?”

You giggle. “Yeah I need to go hospital.”

“Shit!” He groans as you faint in his arms. He hurriedly picks you up bridal style, and walks with you all the way to his car. He doesn’t care that he’s speeding because you are the most important thing right now. When you get to the hospital, he stays by your side every step of the way. He doesn’t know who you want to wake up to, he just knows it’s not him. He calls Steve, figuring he’s one step above the guy who broke you, twice.

“Steve, hey, Y/n’s in the hospital.”

“What’s wrong?”

“She was roofied, but I don’t want her to wake up to find the guy she hates is the only one with her. Please come.”

“Are you dumb? She hates me too.”

“No Steve, she thinks you’re an asshole, but she has real feelings for you. And it would be really nice if you were here for her. Don’t you want a chance to be with her again?”

“Fine, I’m coming.”

“Alright I’ll text you the room number. Bye.”

“See you soon.” He hangs up

“Mmmmm.” You groan. 

“Hey, doll, you awake?” 

“Can you hold me?” 

“Sure.” He stands up from his chair to take his shoes off. Scooting you a little bit to the left, he gets in bed with you. You hum as his arms envelope you in their warmth.

“Mmmm, Bucky.” He melts at the use of his nickname. When you fall asleep again, he carefully removes himself from the cramped twin bed. It takes 30 minutes for Steve to get to the hospital, and that makes Bucky furious. 

“What the fuck took you so long?”

“I had to do some shit, okay?” That is not the answer Bucky was going for, and he smells alcohol on the blonde’s breath, but he drops it. “Why do you care so much about her anyway? She’s never gonna do anything else for you.”

“Shut the fuck up, you asshole. She’s a good girl.”

“Yeah, in bed.”

“You came to have a chance with her, right?”

“Maybe to sleep with her again.” He shrugs.

“You remember I dated her, right? She cares. You’d be lucky to be with her.”

“What? Are you in love with her or something?”

“No!” He startles you awake

“Bucky?” You ask, still out of it. He gestures at Steve to take over.

“It’s Steve, actually.”

“Oh, hi Steve.” You give him a slight smile, your eyes still closed.

“Hey, are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, y’know what sucks though?”

“What’s that?”

“When the person you love hates you.”

“I don’t hate you, Y/n.”

“I wasn’t talking about you.” The room falls silent. “Can you get Bucky?”

“You love Bucky?”

“Shhh, don’t tell him.”

“She’s all yours, Buck. I’m done with her bullshit. Waste of my fucking time.” He storms out.

“It’s okay honey, I’m right here. He’s just tired.”

“Okay. Wait did you hear all that?”

“Umm, yeah.”

“Whoops.”

“Do you need anything?”

“Just, I have one question.”

“What is it, doll?”

“That night we had sex, you convinced me Steve was this great thing I was just throwing away for nothing, but you knew he was using me. I guess I've just been wonder why you said those things.”

“I didn’t know how to tell you, I just knew I needed to stop you from seeing him. So I tried to scare you away, and I know how bad that sounds. I just, I couldn’t break your heart again.” His eyes well up, and he grabs your hand. “But I will never lie to you again, I promise.”

“Pinky swear?” He lets out an adorable laugh.

“Yes, hun, I pinky swear.”

Previous chapter / Masterlist / Next chapter

taglist:

@cjand10, @afraidofshrimp

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

Christmas Reruns 2023 Day 30: New York Christmas Serenade (3/4)

Merry Christmas if you celebrate it and happy holidays if you don’t!  One of the things I love about Christmas is watching reruns of all the old classic Christmas movies–Christmas is a big time for nostalgia.  A few years ago, I decided to incorporate that tradition into my fandom life and post my CS holiday reruns.  So here you go!  Enough holiday (mostly) fluff to get you to New Year’s Day. (With a new story posting on Christmas Day.)

Rating: G

Word Count: 1825

Other chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 31 32

New York Christmas Serenade (pt. 3 of 4)

CS Genre: Canon Divergence (missing year between 3a and 3b)

“Mom!  Wake up!” Henry said, shaking her shoulder.  “It’s Christmas morning!”

Emma groaned as she woke up.  It was early.  Way too early.  By the look of the sky from her bedroom window, it would still be Christmas morning for another several hours yet.  It could barely even be called dawn.

“Alright, Kid, I’m up,” she said on a yawn, reaching for her robe and slippers.  “I know you’re all about opening the rest of your presents, but you’re going to have to wait for the coffee to brew.  You know I’m not awake before I’ve had my first two cups.”

“Don’t worry about that!” Henry said, “Killian already made coffee.  Now he’s working on breakfast.”

Emma froze.  Killian.  How had she forgotten the handsome stranger was still there?

Not long after Henry opened his gifts, Emma had glanced out the window to see it snowing with a vengeance.  Turning on the TV, she quickly found out why.  They were in the opening stages of a monster blizzard.

Emma shot Killian a concerned look.  “You have a place to stay?” she asked.  “Your home close?”

“I’m afraid not, love,” Killian said.  “I’ve yet to secure lodgings for myself.  It’s no matter, though.  I’ve weathered many a storm.”

The thought of turning him out into the blizzard had seemed beyond heartless.  Who let a guest of theirs go out and freeze to death in a blizzard?  Particularly one her son seemed to have an inexplicable bond with—especially after getting that storybook?  Particularly one she felt such a tie to. 

“Look,” she’d said stiffly.  “It’s nasty out there.  If you want, you can crash on our couch.  Can’t guarantee it’s the most comfortable bed you’ll ever sleep on, but it’s bound to be better than wandering around on the streets of New York in the middle of a blizzard, right?”

His eyes had lit up as though she’d offered him the best gift of his life.  “It would be an honor to sleep on your couch, Swan,” he’d said in wonder.  “You’ve no idea how much it means to me that you’ve offered.”

Now, in the (still barely there) light of day, Emma began to second guess her magnanimous gesture.  What did she even know about this Killian guy really?  What kind of a mother lets a strange guy—who could be a serial killer for all she knew—crash on her couch with her son in the apartment.

You’re safe with him.  He’d never harm you.

Now where had that thought come from?  It made no sense that she’d know that, but somehow she could feel the truth of the statement all the way to her bones.  Killian Jones was no threat to her or to Henry.

(Well…except perhaps to her heart.  Only one night in the man’s company—one very platonic night—and she could already feel herself falling for him.  What was with her?  Emma Swan did not get crushes like that!  She had her heart locked up as tightly as Fort Knox.  No way she lets feelings in!)

Emma took a tentative step from her bedroom and couldn’t help the groan of appreciation that escaped her.  It smelled amazing out there.  Coffee—strong coffee from the scent of it—percolating, bacon sizzling, pancakes on the griddle.  She took it back.  Not only was Killian no threat to her, she may have to just invite him to live with the two of them.

“Morning love,” He called with a cheery smile—how did he look that chipper after only getting a few hours of sleep on a lumpy sofa?  “I trust you slept well?”

“What little amount of time the kid let me sleep,” she said on a yawn.  “He’s lucky it’s Christmas or no way I’d let him get away with waking me up at the butt crack of dawn.”

Killian chuckled.  “No I suppose not.  I know full well a man is taking his life in his hands when he wakes you.  There was one morning on Never…er…I mean…you look like someone who enjoys her sleep.”

“Nice recovery,” Henry said under his breath.  “Making her think you’re crazy is definitely not how you make headway with Operation Captain Swan.”

“Never?  Operation Captain Swan?” Emma asked in bewilderment.  “What are the two of you talking about?  How do you know my sleeping habits?  And when did you and Henry suddenly become best friends? ”

“Not to worry, Swan,” Killian said, scratching away at that spot on his neck again.  “This morning the lad merely told me that the way to your heart is through your stomach.”

“The way to my…Are you…are you saying you want to get to my heart?” No way she was telling him that very organ was pounding so hard at the very notion she was surprised he couldn’t hear it.

In a blink Killian’s embarrassment faded away to be replaced by pure flirtatious mischief.  “Oh darling.  You have no idea,” he purred.

She held his gaze for as long as she could (which…ended up being less than five seconds), and then she hid behind her favorite defense—sarcasm.  “Yeah, well, you gonna take that bacon out of the pan or just let it burn while you act like an idiot?”

He shot her a wounded look.  “Of course I had no intention of burning your victuals, Swan!  It took me quite some time to determine the proper way to utilize your cooking box, and now that I have, I have no intention of ruining a perfectly good breakfast.”

“It’s called a stove, Hook,” Henry muttered under his breath.

Seriously, when did the two of them become all buddy-buddy?  And where was this guy from that he didn’t even know what a stove was?

She had no further time to ponder the big questions of her life, though, as Killian slid a plate of food and a mug of coffee in her direction.  At the first bite, Emma moaned in ecstasy.  The man could cook.

Looking up, she caught the positively sinful look in Killian’s eye.  “I quite like that sound Darling.  Perhaps I might endeavor to elicit it once more…sometime when we’re alone.”

“La, la, la,” Henry said, sticking his fingers in his ears.  “Kid in the room guys!”

Emma felt her face flame, so she did the only reasonable thing, she turned a withering glare at the idiot in leather currently seated at the head of the table.  “In your dreams Jones.”

“You have no idea.”

Emma glared again, expecting to see the same sinful look in his eyes, but what she found instead floored her.  Pure, unvarnished longing.  It was the look of a man desperately in love.  One who feared he’d never have a chance with the girl of his dreams.

The look called to her, and she suddenly had the insane urge to reach over, grab his hand and reassure him that he would find happiness one day.

Fortunately her hand closest to Killian was currently occupied shoveling as much food as possible into her mouth.

Breakfast was a short affair, eaten hastily.  While Henry was normally a pretty patient kid, waiting to open presents on Christmas morning would test the patience of any kid.

“Why don’t you go get your presents organized,” Emma said, getting to her feet.  “I’ll just take care of these dishes and I’ll be there in a sec.”

“Nonsense, Swan,”  Killian said with a hand to her arm…a soft pat that felt almost like a caress.  “Go have Christmas morning with your son.  I’m perfectly capable of righting the galley.”

“You sure?  I hate to have you cook breakfast and then stick you with dishes too.”

“Aye,” he said with a tender smile.  “Believe me when I say your happiness…yours and your lad’s…ensure my happiness.”

She smiled, impulsively reaching over and squeezing his hand.  “Thanks.”

“You are most welcome.”

The following hour passed in a veritable blur, Henry moving from present to present.  She supposed maybe she spoiled him with all the Christmas gifts she’d gotten him, but he was such a good kid and so genuinely grateful for everything he got.  And then, of course, there was always that little lost girl inside of her that would never forget what it was like to wake up on Christmas morning to a bare tree and a lack of family.  If it made her go a little overboard with her kid…that was just the way it was.

Just as the last gift—a brand new journal and gel pen (the kid liked to write)—was unwrapped, the couch seat beside her sagged, and Emma looked over to see Killian by her side.  Not only by by her side, but close enough she could feel the heat of his body against her.  It was…distracting to say the least.

“Um…” she said, clearing her throat and trying not to sound like a complete fool, “I guess that’s it.  The gifts are all unwrapped.”

“Not quite, Swan,” he said in a low, caressing voice.  “I’ve one yet to bestow on you.”

“Me?” she asked.  “You got me a gift?”

“Aye,” he said with a nod, turning away to rummage through his satchel once again.  I saw this and thought of you.”

“Th…thank you,” she said, taking the long, thin velvet-covered box he held out to her.  Opening it, she found a diamond and opal pendant in the shape of a swan attached to a fine, silver chain.  It was gorgeous.

“I know you don’t remember, love,” he said softly, “but this pendant reminds me of our first adventure…one of the most satisfying adventures of my life, and it belongs with no one but you.”

“The beanstalk!:” Henry said from his place on the floor, still surrounded by his Christmas loot.  “It reminds you of the beanstalk.”

“Aye,” Killian said.  “That it does indeed.”

It should have been completely nonsensical this conversation her son was having with her…pirate (No!  Not her pirate!), but somehow it simply wasn’t.  Something deep within her wanted to nod along and agree with them.

Before she could second guess herself, Emma leaned over and impulsively hugged Killian.  “Thanks!  I love it.  And…I mean, it’s still snowing out there.  If you, you know, want to keep crashing on the couch for the next few days, I’m okay with that.”

Notes:  I wanted to give Emma’s perspective on the things going on, but unfortunately, that didn’t give me an opportunity to show any post-memory gain conversations between Henry and Killian—or explain what Henry meant by “Operation Captain Swan”.  Don’t worry, all will be revealed in the fourth (and last) section of this little story.

–Up next: We learn what kind of plots Emma’s boys have hatched to help her remember—and whether or not they’re successful.  As New Year’s Eve arrives, Henry tells Killian about a certain midnight-on-New-Year’s-Eve tradition in the Land Without Magic.

NEXT CHAPTER->

[munson-blurbs]

dear slim, I wrote you but you still ain’t callin,

Req:

reader is the oldest of many siblings and is in college, eventually drops out of college to help more. readers single parent (can be mom or dad) relies heavily on reader to do things for the younger siblings, pick them up for school, make supper etc. any entertainment for the kids is purely on the readers dime but it all goes unnoticed. She finally decides to do something for herself and is scrutinized by her parent for not being there. Eddie comforts her during all of this and helps in anyway he can. Telling her she is worth more than just being a rely on for her parent.

Stan.

@trashmouth-richie 🫥💕

Here it is, bb <3 I hope you like it!

Warnings: absent parent, some language

WC: 1.6k

Thank you to @firefly-graphics for the phoenix dividers!

--

You didn't realize that the day could already feel long at 7:30 AM until you had to raise your younger siblings.

"Let's go! Up and at 'em!" You try to sound chipper as you rouse your 10-year-old sister and 8-year-old brother. "Time for school, you little gremlins!"

Annie squints at you, grimacing at your wake-up call. "Five more minutes," she grumbles, pulling the covers to her chin.

"You said that five minutes ago," you remind her, exasperated. "C'mon, I can't be late for work again or Keith is gonna fire me."

Your sister begrudgingly obeys, and you breathe a sigh of relief before battling the demon that is your little brother. "Wake up, Nicky," you call out, only to be met by a pillow chucked at your head. It narrowly misses your glasses, and you march over to him angrily.

"Get. Up," you hiss, wrenching the blankets off of the pajama-clad boy, "or I will loudly announce to your class that you're late because you wet the bed." The threat works, with Nicky dressed and downstairs in a flash.

Your mom is in the kitchen, talking to Nicky while running around to gather her wallet and keys.

"Ask your sister to make you pancakes," she's saying absently. "I'm sure she won't mind."

You clear your throat. "Actually, today's menu includes cereal or...cereal," you report. There's no time for anything beyond that, anyway.

"But I...want...pancakes!" Nicky cries, stomping his feet on the tile floor.

Your mom rolls her eyes as Annie strolls in. "Oh, and don't forget to pick them up from school today."

"Got it," you reply tersely, pouring some Cheerios into a bowl despite Nicky's wailing protests. She's out the door before you can say anything else.

After school drop-off, which somehow happens on time, you drive yourself to work. Pulling on your ugly Family Video vest, you make your way into the store.

Wednesdays are the worst because you're stuck with Keith for the day. Steve has off today, and Robin doesn't come in until you leave, which means your shift will drag.

"Morning," you mutter. Keith unsurprisingly doesn't even respond. He barely says a word to you until an hour into the day.

"Oh, I need you to cover the first half of Robin's shift," he tells you casually. "She called in sick and Steve can't make it in until 4."

You shake your head. "Sorry, Keith," you say, though you're not the least bit apologetic. "I pick up my siblings from school, remember?"

Your manager gives a little laugh. "Okay, well, how about this," he leans in closer to you with a sneer. "You cover the shift, or you never work another day here again."

"But...I need this job." Your mouth goes dry, and you feel your palms moisten with sweat. Everything the kids needed beyond food, clothes, and shelter--whatever your mom was legally obligated to provide--fell on you. You'd just spent a third of your last paycheck sending Annie on a field trip to the zoo.

Keith just shrugs, heading into the break room to snag a bag of chips from the vending machine.

Fuck. You can't lose your job, but you also can't afford after-school childcare. Your chest tightens, making you feel like you're breathing through a coffee stirrer. Blinking back tears, you run through your options: you can leave work and hope that Keith is in a forgiving mood, you can use the extra cash you make to pay for the childcare, or you could beg your mom to pick up Annie and Nicky. The fact that you'd have to plead with her to take care of her own kids leaves a sour note in your stomach.

"Hey, Y/N!" a familiar voice pulls you away from your thoughts. You glance up to see your best friend, Eddie Munson, burst through the doors. "Sorry it's a little late, but could you waive the--whoa, what's wrong, sweetheart?"

You can't hold back anymore, and the dam bursts. Tears stream down your face and plop onto your shoulders. "It's t-too much," you sob. "I can't k-keep running myself ragged like this." You explain your problem through heaving breaths, Eddie rubbing your back comfortingly.

"Why don't I pick up the little rug rats?" he asks gently. "I can stay with them until you get home."

You shake your head. "No, I couldn't ask you to do that, Eds," you murmur.

"You're not," he replies with a laugh. "Technically, I'm asking you."

You offer him a wry smile. "Are you sure? I don't wanna put you out."

"Positive," Eddie says. "Let me do this for you, okay?"

"Okay," you agree hesitantly. "Pick-up's at 2:30; if you get there later than 2:45, they'll charge for after-school care."

Eddie contorts his face, making you giggle. "Jeez, really? Don't worry, I'll be there at 2:30 sharp." He gives a little salute, and you roll your eyes playfully.

"I owe you," you promise him, taking the VHS from his ringed fingers. You feel a spark of electricity as your hands touch.

"Nah," he smiles, "just waive that late fee for me, will ya?"

After your extended shift, you trudge through the front door. Dinner tonight will probably be something from a can, and as much as you can barely stomach the thought of Spaghetti-os or Chef Boyardee, you're too exhausted for anything more strenuous.

The scent of burgers and fries wafts past your nose. When you walk into the kitchen, you see Eddie sitting at the table with Annie and Nicky. Your siblings have kids' meals, and Eddie's chowing down on a bacon cheeseburger. The three of them are laughing so hard you'll worry they'll choke.

"Y/N!" Eddie calls out excitedly. "You're home!"

"Yup!" You muster up a tired smile. "You're relieved of your babysitting duties, sir."

Nicky speaks up from his seat. "Eddie was just telling us about how he broke his leg trying to crowd surf at one of his concerts." The mention of the story sends him into another fit of giggles.

"I remember that," you say. "What were you thinking?"

"I wasn't," Eddie responds, shaking his frizzy mane. He looks over at the grease-soaked bag on the table. "Oh, here--this one's for you." He pulls out a burger and a side of curly fries. "I specifically asked for curly, because those are your favorite."

Your heart melts at the kind gesture. "Thank you," you murmur. "How much did it cost?" you ask, reaching into your bag for your wallet.

"Um...seven million dollars," Eddie replies cheekily.

"I'm serious!"

"So am I!" But he can't help but chuckle. "I'm tellin' ya, this inflation thing is out of control."

You shelve your response, too tired to argue with him now. Instead, you turn to your siblings. "Did you two finish your homework?" Their silence answers for them. "Go to it; let me know if you need any help." They scamper into the living room, leaving you and Eddie alone.

"You're free to get home, if you want," you mutter, taking a bite of your burger. It's the best thing you've ever tasted. "Or you can stay. I don't wanna keep you..."

"Do you even know how amazing you are?" he blurts out without thinking. "I never met someone who did so much for other people."

"I mean," you stammer, "I-I kinda have to." You gesture to the living room. "My mom doesn't take care of them like she should."

"But that's the thing," Eddie insists. "You shouldn't have to. You shouldn't have had to drop out of college to pick up extra shifts at work so you can pay for their stuff. You shouldn't have to be at your mom's beck and call for free childcare. You shouldn't have to constantly pick up the pieces when she makes mistake after mistake."

You gaze at the ground, unable to meet his big brown eyes. "I guess I just want to be the big sister I wish I had when I was their age," you admit. "I wish there was someone looking out for me the way I do for them."

"I'll take care of you," Eddie says softly. "That's all I've ever wanted, if you'll let me."

"It's not just me, though," you tell him. "It's me and Annie and Nicky. At least until they're old enough to take care of themselves."

"Okay, so then I'll take care of the three of you." He says it without any hesitation, like he's been waiting for you to ask. "I can help out with pick-ups, and dinners, maybe throw together a PB&J sandwich for their lunches..."

"Why?" you utter suddenly. "Why would you do that for me...for us?"

Eddie rests a hand on your thigh. "Because I love you," he confesses. "and it breaks my heart watching you give so much of yourself to others and not getting the same in return."

You're stuck on his initial statement. "You...love me?" you squeak out. Surely he just means as a friend, right?

He nods. "Love you so much; always have, always will." And he leans into you, his plush lips meeting yours for a soft kiss. The hand not on your thigh reaches up to cup your cheek. "Was...was that okay?"

You nod breathlessly. "It was more than okay, Eddie. And...I love you, too." It feels so good to say, and even better when his face splits into a grin.

"Really?"

"Mhm," you say, your smile matching his. "Always have, always will."

--

[buggy-samaaa]

S/I Part 6

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8

A few days pass and I’m still too scared to sleep, everyone hates me so much. I’m completely dead inside because of my lack of sleep. I walk around like a zombie, and my eyes so puffy I can hardly see.

Me: G…Guhh…

Buggy: Yikes, what the hell? You look like death walking.

Me: Gghhh… so.  t i r e d *rubs eyes, somehow making them puffier* End me…

Buggy: Why haven’t you been sleeping?? Are you still scared of the crew?

Me: Not scared. Cautious. Guh

Buggy: *looks concerned* You seriously need to get some sleep. I’m worried :( *blanches and furrows his brows to hide his concern* >:( b-because now you won’t be able to draw people properly

Me: I’ll just… *yawn* say it’s a new act… “how much of you can I draw before I fall asleep”… *falls forward* Zzz

Buggy: Whoa! *catches me and stands me back up* Mo, go to bed.

Me: Nooo… They’re gonna prank me… Zzz *falls forward again*

Buggy: Gah! *catches me again, stands me up* They’re not gonna prank you! Go to sleep!

Me: *slaps my face to wake up* Huff, okay. Okay. But who’s gonna do my duties for the day?

Buggy: Don’t worry about that, just go, for fuck’s sake. You’re an eyesore. Literally. You should see your eyes right now. *pushes me to the crew’s quarters* I’m not leaving until you get into the hammock.

Me: *sighs* Alright, alright… *starts to lift off my shirt by the hem, to undress for bed*

Buggy: GAH! *turns away, blushing*

Me: Eheheheh gotcha. I’m not gonna undress. *puts shirt back down and climbs into my hammock* *yawns and curls up*

Buggy: *growls, still blushing* Don’t do that! I’m your captain!

Me: Sorry, haha. I’ll never undress again.

Buggy: No, stupid, you can undress, you just—

Me: Oh okay *starts to undress*

Buggy: GAH!! *turns away and blushes more*

Me: Eheheheh gotcha again

Buggy: GO TO SLEEP *slams door shut*

—

I sleep all day and night and wake up the next morning with a great idea. I run into Buggy in the galley during breakfast.

Me: Captain, do you have a minute?

Buggy: *chomping food* Yeah what

Me: I thought of a solution! A way for the crew and I to get along!

Buggy: *chomp, chomp* Let’s hear it

Me: I audition for everybody, to earn my place on the crew. And they decide if that audition is good enough.

Buggy: *swallows* What if they say no?

Me: That’s a risk I have to take, I guess.

Buggy: But… what if they say no, though?

Me: Than I’d be out of here.

Buggy: I don’t like this idea, I think I should be the one to decide whether you stay.

Me: If you did that, they’d find a way to say it was a mistake, or unfair, or that you just think I’m cute.

Buggy: *panicked* I DON’T THINK THAT

Me: Huh? You’ve literally called me cute before. You said, “you’re lucky you’re cute.”

Buggy: *still panicked* I DIDN’T S— I WAS— IT WAS A JOKE!!!

Me: Damn, okay, I get it.

Buggy: N-Not that you’re ugly!! You’re not! I just— gahhhh

Me: *sighs* Let’s get back to the matter at hand. Audition. Here are my thoughts: *I tell Buggy my ideas for the audition so he can tell me his opinions.*

Buggy: *steeples fingers in front of him* Okay, hear me out.

Me: Yeah?

Buggy: What if they say no

Me: *grabby hands as if I want to throttle him* *sighs and retreats* Look, to have *any* chance of getting along with this crew, I have to prove myself, and that means taking a big risk! That’s just the way it’s gotta be. Okay?

Buggy: *sinks in chair and crosses arms, pouting* …okay.

Me: THANK you. Alright. Good. I better go practice.

—

The next day, everyone’s been informed of my audition, happening that evening. It’s taking place on the deck, and I’m in the middle with my easel, surrounded by the crew.

Buggy: Ladies, gentleman, and the rest of ya, welcome to the OFFICIAL AUDITION for Mo’s place on the crew!

The crew: *scattered applause*

Buggy: *glares*

The crew: WOOO YEAH! *clapping eagerly*

Buggy: Tonight, they’ll be performing a feat unlike any other! Drawing a portrait in 30 seconds!

The crew: *murmur*

Buggy: And…! After only two seconds of seeing the subject!

The crew: *murmur, murmur*

Buggy: AND…! ~BLINDFOLDED…~

The crew: *murmur! murmur, murmur!*

Buggy: *excited that they sound impressed* *gives me a thumbs up*

Me: *gives him a shaky thumbs up back*

Buggy: Whooo will my finger land onnnn *spins around with his eyes closed, pointing* Eenie, meenie, miney… YOU! *opens eyes, finger has landed on Mohji* Get up there!

Mohji: *walks to the spotlight, which is in front of me*

My eyes are closed, so I don’t know that it’s Mohji yet. Buggy comes up behind me with a blindfold.

Buggy, whispering: You got this, peanut gallery.

Me: Phoo… here we go. *I open my eyes and look at Mohji, which Buggy counts out for 2 seconds, then he blindfolds me.*

Buggy: THIRTY! TWENTY-NINE! TWENTY-EIGHT! *directs the crew to continue counting down*

The crew: *continues the count*

Soon, the end of the countdown is reached. I remove my blindfold and see that I actually did pretty good! It’s a caricature, not a serious portrait, but it’s still fairly impressive, as everything is in the right place and it resembles Mohji. I look back at the crew with a nervous smile. But… no one’s applauding. I see that Buggy has motioned for silence.

Buggy: Now, for the moment of truth.*he moves his hands behind his back, where I can see his fingers are crossed for luck* Applaud if you want Mo to pass their audition. *his fingers cross a little tighter*

The crew: *hesitates… then… everyone applauds! Some a little half-heartedly, but still!*

Buggy: *turns to me and gives me a big grin and claps* Take a bow!

Me: *grins back* *bows*

That night, I’m no longer scared of sleeping in my own hammock. The crew isn’t quite buddy-buddy with me, but there is a lot less tension than before, and some even give me half-smiles when we pass each other.

—

The next week or so, Buggy and I have breakfast together, just to chat. It’s become a routine. Sometimes other crew members will join us at the table, but Buggy usually seems a little miffed when it’s not just me and him. I don’t really understand why that is, but other crew members think it’s obvious…

One night, I over hear them talking to one another in the crew’s quarters.

Vakky: We have to talk about it

Bets: About *what,* Vakky…

Vakky: You fucking know. You-know-who and the captain

Hewitt: *mimes drawing, looking curious*

Vakky: Yes, that person.

Hewitt: *nods and makes a lewd gesture, grinning*

Bets: Hewitt, shut up

Hewitt: *silent laughter*

Me: *listening intently, pretending to be asleep, wondering who “you-know-who” is*

Vakky: They are totally *also makes the lewd gesture*

Bets: I don’t want to hear about this…

Ji: What are you guys talking about?

Hewitt: *mimes drawing to represent me, then makes an illusion of removing her finger to represent Buggy, then makes the lewd gesture once more*

Ji: Oh, yeah, no shit

Bets: Can we stop??

Thatchko: Are you jealous or something?

Bets: No.

Yoya: She looks jealous to me. But the question is. which of them is she jealous of? *has a snide look*

Bets: Definitely neither of them. *turns around to go to sleep, angrily*

Thatchko: Kekeke. What’s y’all’s opinion of them being an item, anyway?

Hewitt: *so-so gesture*

Vakky: Cute.

Yoya: Weird.

Ji: Cute and weird.

Bets: Don’t give a shit

Thatchko: Well, I think it’s too predictable. Who else would the captain fall for other than his biggest fan?

Me: o_o

Ji: Haha, that’s true. We should have seen it coming a mile away. Especially when they asked for his autograph.

Me: O_O >_< *trying really hard to fall asleep because I don’t know how to handle the idea that Buggy, the hottest thing since sliced bread, could possibly like me back* *thoughts race through my head, of our dinner-and-a-show “not-date” where we pretended to be a couple, of our breakfasts together, of his support of me against his own crew, how nervous he was that the crew may not accept my audition, of sharing wine and butting heads and holding hands and blushing back and forth* *starts to hyperventilate*

Yoya: Do you guys hear that?

Me: *clasps hands over my mouth*

Bets: The sound of y’all continuing to talk even though people are trying to sleep? Was that what you heard?

Yoya: *sighs at her* Whatever, it stopped now. …Actually, yeah, I should hit the hay.

The rest of them: *mumbles of agreement* *they all go to sleep*

Me: *exhales shakily* *waits until I hear snoring, then gets out of my hammock and leaves the room to climb up to the crow’s nest where I can look at the night sky and think*

—

In the crow’s nest, I cuddle up with a blanket and look at the stars, trying to clear my head. Then I hear walking on the deck below. I peek over the side out of curiosity and see that it’s Buggy, pacing and talking to himself.

Buggy: It’s simple. It’s so simple. All you have to do is say, “Want to go on a date?” That is all. End of story. *huffs out a short breath* You pretty much went on one before, even though it was a trade and not a real date, but you held hands! You’re, like, halfway there already! It’s not! Hard! *sighs* Then again, we were both drunk as shit… *holds head in his hands* Ggghh… *puts hands in front of him* Okay, here’s the plan. Tomorrow. Breakfast. I ask. They’ll say yes, obviously, and then it’s a done deal. *bites knuckles* …If I’m sure they’re gonna say yes… why am I so scared?? *stops biting, detaches one of his hands and points it at himself* Because you’re a shitty little coward! They probably don’t even like you back! *bites knuckles again* Damn, I have a point… *growls and scratches at his hair wildly* *exhales* *stops pacing and goes to his room*

Me: *blinks dazedly* The FUCK is happening tonight.