#hire dart developers

[softwarecompany909809]

7 Reasons to Hire Flutter Developers for Your Next App Project.

Imagine a startup founder, Alex, racing against time to launch his innovative app in today’s fast paced digital landscape. Overwhelmed by fierce competition, Alex discovers Flutter, a game changing solution, offering a unified codebase, remarkable performance and extensive cross platform capabilities. With Flutter, the Flutter app development benefits become evident. It is cost effective, offers a faster time to market and provides a seamless, native like experience. Whether you choose to hire dedicated flutter developer for hire or collaborate with offshore flutter developers, the benefits of hiring Flutter developers are extraordinary. Even startups thrive when supported by expert Flutter developers for startups, who deliver agile, cost effective solutions. In this blog, we present seven compelling reasons why hiring flutter developers is the smartest move for your next app project, transforming challenges into digital success. 

What is Flutter? 

Flutter is an innovative UI toolkit developed by Google that empowers developers to build natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Launched in 2017, Flutter gained popularity due to its exceptional performance and visually engaging interfaces. It utilizes the Dart programming language and offers a vast array of pre-designed widgets, enabling developers to create stunning, customer-centric experiences effortlessly. These advantages underscore the significant Flutter App Development Benefits that businesses enjoy, such as faster time to market and cost-effective solutions. With Flutter, developers can deliver high-quality, responsive applications that meet modern user expectations across multiple platforms. 

The Growing Popularity of Flutter 

Flutter’s presence is on the rise, with organizations across various industries embracing it for their mobile app development needs. Developers worldwide appreciate the remarkable Flutter app development benefits, which include streamlined coding, efficient cross-platform solutions, and a vibrant ecosystem. This growth is further accelerated by the tangible benefits of hiring Flutter developers, as companies witness faster time to market and reduced development costs. The strong community support makes it easier for developers to access valuable assets and collaborate effectively. As a result, Flutter has become one of the most preferred frameworks in the global tech landscape, driving innovation and transforming app development. 

The Strategic Benefits of Hiring Flutter Developers 

Competing in today’s mobile app market demands a strategic edge. The Benefits of hiring Flutter developers offer a powerful advantage, streamlining development and enhancing performance. Skilled flutter developers empower your project with innovative solutions, ensuring your app stands out in a crowded digital battlefield.

Unified Codebase for Seamless Cross Platform Development 

One of the most significant advantages of Flutter is its unified codebase approach, which allows developers to build apps for multiple platforms using one codebase. This is a major Flutter App Development Benefit that streamlines the entire development process. With Flutter, there is no need to write separate code for iOS, Android, web and even desktop platforms. Hiring flutter developers means you get access to professionals who understand the intricacies of a unified codebase, whether they are a flutter developer for hire or part of an Offshore flutter developers' team. This not only reduces development time but also ensures consistency across all platforms, resulting in a cohesive user experience. The simplicity and efficiency of maintaining a single codebase significantly lower the risk of errors and reduce the cost and effort required for future updates. For startups, in particular, Flutter developers for startups provide the agility needed to pivot quickly while maintaining a high-quality product. 

Accelerated Time to Market 

Speed is critical in today’s competitive market, and Flutter excels in delivering a rapid time to market. Thanks to its innovative features like hot reload, developers can see changes in real-time, which significantly accelerates the development process. By leveraging Flutter for app development, teams can quickly iterate and test new features, ensuring that your app is launched swiftly without compromising on quality. Hiring flutter developers allows you to capitalize on this speed advantage, reducing the time between conception and launch. Whether you choose to work with a flutter developer for hire or Offshore flutter developers, the development cycle is shortened dramatically. This swift turnaround not only gives you a competitive edge but also enables you to gather valuable user feedback early on, which can be used to refine your product. For startups and enterprises alike, faster time to market is one of the most important Flutter App Development Benefits, ensuring your app meets market demands at the right moment. 

Superior Performance and Native-Like Experience 

Flutter stands out for its ability to deliver native-like performance, which is critical for user satisfaction. The framework compiles to native code, ensuring that apps run smoothly with minimal latency. This high-performance capability is one of the key Flutter App Development Benefits that sets Flutter apart from other cross-platform frameworks. When you hire flutter developers, you tap into their expertise to optimize app performance, ensuring that your users experience fast load times, smooth animations, and seamless interactions. Whether you are working on Flutter mobile development for a new app or expanding into Flutter web development, the native-like experience provided by Flutter is unparalleled. This results in an app that not only meets but exceeds user expectations, leading to higher engagement and retention. Companies that understand the Benefits of hiring Flutter developers realize that superior performance translates into a more competitive product and a more satisfied user base. 

Reduced Development Costs 

One of the most attractive aspects of Flutter is its ability to significantly reduce development costs. Flutter for app development allows companies to write a single codebase that runs seamlessly on multiple platforms—iOS, Android, and even the web. This unified approach eliminates the need for separate native development for each platform, reducing both time and monetary investments. When you hire flutter developers, you not only enjoy cost savings but also benefit from lower maintenance costs in the long run. Whether you engage a flutter developer for hire or partner with Offshore flutter developers, the cost efficiencies are substantial. Startups especially appreciate the Flutter App Development Benefits that come with lower overall expenses, enabling them to invest more in innovation and growth. The Benefits of hiring Flutter developers are clear: a leaner budget, faster turnaround, and more resources to focus on scaling your business. 

Rich Set of Pre-Built Widgets and Customizable UI 

Flutter offers an extensive library of pre-built widgets that make designing beautiful, interactive, and customizable user interfaces remarkably easy. This is one of the standout Flutter App Development Benefits that developers love. By leveraging these widgets, flutter developers can rapidly create visually appealing apps that adhere to both Material Design and Cupertino standards. When you hire Flutter developers, you ensure that your app will have a unique, polished look that enhances user experience. Whether you're engaging a Flutter developer for hire or collaborating with offshore Flutter developers, the flexibility provided by Flutter's rich widget ecosystem is a major advantage. These customizable UI elements allow for a tailored design that reflects your brand identity while maintaining high performance across platforms. For startups and enterprises, the ability to rapidly prototype and deploy aesthetically pleasing interfaces translates into higher user engagement and satisfaction.

Extensive Community Support and Continuous Improvement 

One of the most underappreciated Flutter App Development Benefits is the extensive community support behind Flutter. With a vibrant global community of developers, the ecosystem is continually enriched with new libraries, tools, and resources. When you hire flutter developers, you benefit from their ability to tap into this collective knowledge and innovation. Whether you are working with a flutter developer for hire or Offshore flutter developers, the ongoing contributions from the community ensure that Flutter remains at the cutting edge of technology. Regular updates and enhancements from Google Flutter and the open-source community mean that the framework evolves continuously, addressing new challenges and incorporating emerging trends. The Benefits of hiring Flutter developers extend beyond just the technical aspects; the supportive community fosters collaboration, innovation, and rapid problem-solving, ensuring your app project remains robust and future-proof. 

Strategic Flexibility with Talent Acquisition Options 

In the dynamic realm of app development, strategic flexibility is vital. One of the most compelling reasons to hire flutter developers is the array of talent acquisition options available. Whether you are a startup looking to launch your first app or an enterprise planning to scale your digital operations, you have multiple options: hire a dedicated Flutter developer for hire, partner with a reputable Flutter app development agency, or collaborate with offshore Flutter developers. Each option offers unique advantages, catering to different project needs and budget constraints. For startups, Flutter developers for startups provide agile, cost-effective solutions that drive rapid innovation. The benefits of hiring Flutter developers include not only technical proficiency but also strategic flexibility, allowing you to build a tailored team that can adapt to evolving market demands. This adaptability ensures your app is built to the highest standards, with the expertise necessary to make your project successful. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the Benefits of hiring Flutter developers are clear and compelling. Flutter apps development benefits, such as reduced development costs, accelerated time to market, superior performance, a unified codebase, and an extensive library of customizable widgets make Flutter the ideal framework for modern app development. Whether you opt for a dedicated flutter developer for hire or engage offshore flutter developers, these experts bring unmatched value to your project. For startups, Flutter developers for startups offer agile, innovative solutions that drive rapid growth and scalability. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, partnering with a top-tier flutter app development agency like Telepathy will ensure your project not only meets but exceeds market expectations. Embrace the future of app development and let Flutter transform your vision into reality. Engaging with Telepathy’s experienced flutter developers not only ensures a robust app but also amplifies the overall flutter app development benefits for every project. 

[perfectiongeeks]

Hire Dart Developers

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, mobile app development remains pivotal for innovation and business expansion. Seamless user experiences across platforms are paramount, making the choice of programming language critical. Dart, pioneered by Google, has emerged as a potent language for mobile app creation, especially with the rise of Flutter, a robust cross-platform framework. This guide delves into hiring Dart developers for mobile app development, from understanding Dart's significance to implementing effective hiring strategies. Dart's appeal lies in its simplicity, efficiency, and suitability for both web and mobile applications. Flutter further enhances its value by enabling developers to build high-performance apps for iOS, Android, and the web from a single codebase.

Visit us:

[flutteragency]

All About Vscode - Extensions, Shortcuts & Settings For Flutter Development

Flutter is a fantastic cross-platform UI framework widely used for developing apps. Of course, it includes lots of options that are easy to create a rich desktop and mobile web app development. When you hire flutter experts from Flutter Agency, they will know about VS code extensions, shortcuts, and development settings. Visual Studio Code IDE is the perfect option to complete flutter development.

However, VS Code is an excellent IDE for developing apps. If you complete basic setup steps, you must know about shortcuts, extensions, and settings in the development process. Thus, it will boost your workflow rapidly and change a lot within a short time.

VSCode Shortcuts Installation And Setup

Installing the Flutter extension gives you an excellent answer for automating the code. However, it should be effectively undergone with the intuitive format and enabled with the current source code window. They take complete pledge solutions and set them with single-format documents.

Developers must follow the setup editor and follow instructions in the feature update. Updating the extension took a regular shipment and adapted to the extent. The VS c de updates extension carries out the default, and absolute results will happen.

● Click the Extensions button

● Click the Update button

● Reload button

● Restart VS Code

On the other hand, the flutter extension will be easily implemented based on creating projects with standard features. They will notice changes and must adapt to creating Flutter app development projects. Using templates has a salient role in establishing new projects with command options.

What Are The Vscode Shortcuts For Flutter Development?

Visual Studio Code shortcuts and extensions are essential in setting up Flutter app development. It includes es superior options and saves time as well. With more features, it takes a complete pledge solution to set up VS code shortcuts and settings quickly. However, VS Code shortcuts should undergo the development process using a flutter expert.

Of course, below are the lists of VS code shortcuts to know:

Quick Fi

The Quick Fix feature can be easily adapted anywhere based on the developer process. With numerous code actions, the process requires the CMD and enables CTRL+. It allows developers to take a complete pledge solution and follow the flutter widget amazingly designed. These are always flexible and hence suitable for a convenient option for creating data class methods.

Search files by name

The search files by name take a complete pledge solution with excellent shortcuts by opening the files in the projects. However, accessing other features with a maximum shortcut is unnecessary. You can see the keyboard and shortcuts by adapting to CMD+P for MacOS and CTRL+P for Windows.

Show Com and Palette

Show Command Palette allows the users to quickly bring for a search box by setting up accessibility. However, it is also a practical option for controlling them with commands and searching for new ones. They set out CMD+Shift+P, including MacOS, and take a Windows shortcut for your requirements.

Flutter and Dart snippets

Flutter and dart snippets are unique and explore standard widgets. In addition to this, it will explore gaining insert features with VS Code shortcuts for focusing on quick processes. However, it should be adaptive for a snippet for unique options for standard flutter widgets options.

● stless: Insert a StatelessWidget

● stanim: Insert a Stateful Widget using AnimationController

● stful: Insert a StatefulWidget

Of course, mobile app development allows everyone to generate boilerplate code and enables a named widget. Hence, it will allow the snippets to access the standard code blocks. The function of the definitions includes if/else, loops, and many others.

Developers can also check the files that are accepted in Dart snippets. Of course, you can install excellent Flutter snippets extensions with more features. Exploring the superior option for adding valuable snippets for your dependencies is best.

● Dart: Add Dependencies

● Dart: involves the fantastic attribute of providing stability for accessing the new feature.

● Open command palette

● Type "Dart: Add Dependency"

● Get the list of packages available in the pub. Dev:

● Click dependency

● It involves the added pubspec.yaml file

● The process is installed automatically

Keyboard shortcuts list

Of course, Visual Studio Code has to bring forth shortcuts based on the customized options with key bindings. However, it takes a complete solution and configures MacOS and Windows OS.

The command shortcut lists are listed below:

● CMD+K CMD+S for MacOS

● CTRL+K CTRL+S for Windows OS

● Newly Built Modes

Vscode Extensions For Flutter Development

VS code extensions for flutter development have better accessibility. However, it should efficiently deal with the right attachments and notice changes in the flutter development. Hence, developers have a suitable option to follow the extensions in VS Code.

Dart Data Class Generator

The dart data class generator has to rely on extensively creating model classes for accessible functions. However, it includes the best possible things to adapt to different methods in accessing CopyWith(), ToString(),toMap(), fromMap(),toJson(), fromJson(),==, and more. It should be adaptive in creating value and configuring based on code generation. Thus, it is error-prone and enables a dart class generator to be used.

Flutter Riverpod Snippets

Flutter developers are trying to create providers' and consumers' names in the field. However, flutter Riverpod snippets are a fantastic extension to simplify tasks. Thus, it is convenient to download and document the Flutter Riverpod snippets to be evaluated.

Conclusion

Finally, Visual Studio Code VSCode is a family and powerful code editor for setting up Flutter development. You must also know the shortcuts, extensions, and settings to develop apps.

However, Visual Studio Code is an IDE suitable for achieving stable attachments in development. It includes the best method and notices superior options for customizing and enhancing workflow excellently. Know here how to SetUp Emulator For VSCode.

On the other hand, VSCode extensions, shortcuts, and settings are the most useful function for a wider audience. However, the services should be integrated and develop a mobile application with a flutter app design.

You must hire flutter expert to handle everything based on the requirements. Users will get updated mobile apps, consult expert developers, and build custom-centric and feature-rich applications.

[cimmanonrowl]

Eat Your Young pt.1

Part Two | Masterlist

It was a blessing when you were offered a job to look after a kid named Jack. He is a good one– smart, funny, a little cheeky but obeys you nonetheless. His father was all the same— Mr. Hotchner. He pays really well and on time, and made sure that after his arrival from Pakistan, you finally learn to accept your hidden desires.

Pairing: aaron hotchner x nanny!reader

Theme: smut heaven

Contents: age gap, oral fixation, oral (f) receiving, cum play, overstimulation, squirting, creampie, unprotected, rough sex, dom!aaron, daddy kink, powerplay: boss/employee dynamic, pussy-eater bearded aaron.

You were supposed to find Jack in ten minutes. 

Ten minutes maximum, you told yourself. That is the only reason why you confidently agreed to play hide and seek with that hyperactive, sugar-high of a child. Just ten minutes.

Now you couldn’t breathe in panic.

“Jack!” your trembling voice echoed down the hallway as you peered through rooms you had ransacked just three minutes ago. “Jack, please. Where are you, honey?”

Nothing.

The heavy sound of your frantic steps pierced the silence as you bolted downstairs, feeling even more lightheaded as the gnawing anxiety grew harshly and clawed at your insides. The silence reverberating through every corner of the house felt extremely taunting. Yet, with the rush of worry you feel for the kid, you couldn’t bring yourself to think of anything else.

Your chest hurts, your mind racing with every horrid scenario, each thud echoing in your ears as you rush to the kitchen. Shortly after you were hired and joined their little family, Jessica told you everything she felt you needed to be aware of. And you knew what Jack had to go through as a kid. He and his father had gone through terrible things you weren’t even sure it was possible to handle.

Warm tears now flooded your eyes as you desperately scanned every nook and cranny— he was not under the table, not inside the empty kitchen cabinet, nor behind the dining room curtains.

“Jack Hotchner!” you tried keeping the tremor out of your voice, making yourself sound assertive and annoyed as an attempt to scare him, yet your panic still found a way to lace at each word. “This isn’t funny anymore, Jack! I’m telling your dad!” 

You darted to the living room, ripping aside the couch cushions and peeking behind and under every piece of furniture. Now your breath comes in shallow gasps. With each movement, the very memory of his mischievous giggle haunted you, ringing inside your brain.

When you realized the kid wasn’t there, you sprinted again upstairs, taking two steps at a time. Your mind continuously raced with possibilities. Did he sneak out? Is he hiding in the attic? The basement? Jesus Christ, did you even lock the front door?

You throw open the closet in the hallway, pushing aside winter coats and a pile of boxes. “Jack! I’m serious! Come out!” 

Desperation edged even closer.

The bathroom door swung open with a creak as you pushed through the room. But to your horror, it was all empty, too.

You staggered back to his bedroom with quick steps. Your very last hope. You flung open the toy chest, rummaging through the chaos of plastic dinosaurs, action figures, and Lego blocks. Still nothing. It didn’t even cross your mind that a kid as old as Jack wouldn’t fit in a small wooden toy box; your mind was too frantic to think logically.

“Jack! Where are you?” you dropped to your knees, peering under his bed, your vision blurring with unshed tears. “Please, Jack, come out!” 

You stood by the window and started biting on your nails— a habit you developed when you’re too anxious to function. You clutched your phone tightly as you hugged yourself, fingers trembling, contemplating to finally dial for help. From the window you observed that the garden looked empty as always, the back shed had always been locked, and you couldn’t see anyone behind the bushes— Jack was nowhere to be found. 

The dread is almost paralyzing, a heavy weight pressing firmly on your chest.

And just as you made up your mind to go outside and check properly, your phone vibrated on your hand. Blood drained on your face as you glanced at the screen and read the familiar name on the caller’s I.D.

Mr. Hotchner.

Jack’s father. Your employer— who also happens to be a big shot FBI agent. If he learned that you lost his son in a hide-and-seek game, no matter how warmhearted, accommodating, and considerate that man is of your needs and well-being, you get this nagging feeling that you might end up floating on a river somewhere with no leads of any kind or prime suspect to consider.

You rubbed your eyes as you accepted the call, your doom at the same time. “H-hello?”

“Hey,” Aaron’s voice crackles through the line, distant yet filled with warmth. “Just wanted to check in. How’s Jack doing?”

Your throat tightened as you listened. 

“Mr. Hotchner…”

“Yes?”

“Mr. Hotchner…” your fingers gripped the phone tightly as you let out a strangled sob. “I... I can’t find Jack. We– we were playing hide and seek, and now he’s gone. I’ve looked everywhere,” warm tears flowed down your cheeks as you continued, your voice trembling. “I’m sorry. I’ve been l-looking… I swear. I’m really sorry.”

There’s a moment of silence on the other end, and you can almost hear Aaron’s heartbeat sync with your frantic pulse. You braced for the incoming screams, expecting him to ridicule your incompetence. After all, you’ve always thought of Mr. Hotchner as someone who never hesitates to pinpoint someone’s inefficiency. Maybe today you’ll have enough luck to prove your theory.

But in a calm voice, Aaron Hotchner said softly instead, “Alright, I need you to stay calm for me, sweetheart. Are you sure you checked everywhere?”

“Y-yes, sir,” you sniffed quietly in relief, rubbing your nose and the tears streaming down your face. “Everywhere. The cabinets, the cupboards, h-his toy box…”

A brief silence fell with that, and you bit your lip in embarrassment. “His toy box? You don’t suppose he’s gonna fit in there, do you?” Aaron sounded like he was trying not to laugh. What a silly, little girl.

“T-that’s not the point, sir!”

“Did you check the front door? Is the back door locked?”

“Yes. I always make sure to lock it.”

“Have you checked my office then?”

“N-no…” you drawled in confusion, frowning as you went back to biting the edge of your nail. “Should I?”

What kind of question is that? Why would you even go there? That’s the only room in his house that you don’t welcome yourself. Mr. Hotchner may have never told you so but you’re fully aware of all the confidential documents he’s storing inside. You can’t afford to be thrown in jail for obstructing a case because you have mistaken a case file as trash and thrown it out.

“It’s worth a look. Jack likes playing in there when I’m working,” Aaron’s tone suddenly shifted, his voice turning quiet as he started with his order. “There’s a wooden crate beside my desk, check that first.”

You hesitated. “But, I don—”

“Just check, sweetheart, please,” Aaron interrupted, gently but firmly as always. “I trust you.”

The sincerity in his words cut through your anxiety. Aaron trusts you. So you took a deep breath and nodded to yourself before stepping out of his son’s room.

“Jack, you really scared her. You know you’re supposed to come out when you’re called, right?” Aaron’s firm voice filled the kitchen moments later.

Jack glanced at you as if feigning confusion. As you know him well, he was obviously thrilled with the chaos he caused. You sat beside him at the kitchen table, eyeing the little devil while you prepare your own food, listening to his father’s reprimand. Jack’s legs swung back and forth under the table, excitedly munching on a sandwich wrap you made for his lunch.

“I was just hiding, Dad. It’s hide and seek, that’s what I’m supposed to do.” Jack’s small brows furrowed like his father’s as he looked down at his plate.

“Yes, I know, buddy,” A soft sigh rang audible through the line. “But it’s just a game, you can’t hide so well that no one can find you. It’s important to keep everyone safe, especially when I’m not there.”

Jack’s lower lip jutted out even further. “But that’s the point of the game, Dad. Players need to hide well.”

“Yes, buddy, but what I’m saying is…” Aaron sighed again, struggling to weave a perfect explanation for his son. “Everything fun should be done in moderation. You scared her, and me, because we thought something bad happened to you.”

“I’m sorry, Dad.”

“Thank you, buddy, but I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to. You made her worry.”

“I...” Jack stopped chewing, looking at you with wide, innocent eyes. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to win.”

The scolding seemed to have hit its mark, and you reached over, ruffling the little guy’s hair. “It’s okay, honey. Just don’t hide so well next time, alright?”

Jack stared at you and nodded solemnly, but then his pout deepened. “Dad grew his beard. I don’t like it.”

You suppressed a smile, glancing at the phone where you could see Aaron’s face on the screen. Despite the grainy connection, you can see the dark shadow of a beard on his jawline. 

Aaron chuckled at what he heard, the sound of his deep voice humorous. “I had to, buddy. It’s hard to shave here every day.”

Jack shrugged as he took a big bite of his food. “You look like a bear.”

“What?!” Aaron said incredulously.

“You should shave, Dad. We’re gonna look like Masha and the Bear when you come home.”

You bit your lip to hold back a laugh, shaking your head.

Only if you were asked, you’d say how the full beard really absolutely suited Aaron. Now he looked rugged— a stark contrast to his usually neat and well-kept appearance. Regardless, he seemed to look even more handsome and manly. And God, he looks so fucking hot he should be put behind the bar.

But well, it’s a good thing no one bothered asking your opinion; how are you supposed to answer in front of a kid, anyway?  

You’ve always admired this man, that’s for sure. He and his neatly ironed suits, clean-cut hair, and authoritative nature had always been an incredible sight to look at— but this new look?

This.

This makes you think of lewd things in broad daylight.

“Well, buddy your best friend doesn’t seem to mind it,” Aaron caught your eye through the screen, a small smile playing on his lips. 

Crimson red dusted on your cheeks with the teasing, but you managed to smile back. “Uhuh, it’s not so bad, Jack. Maybe you’ll get used to it.”

Jack scrunched his nose but didn’t argue any further. Instead, he picked up his sandwich again and took a big bite. You shook your head in amusement, holding Aaron’s gaze on the screen briefly before you had to look away because...

That damn fucking beard.

“Alright, I also have to grab some dinner now,” Aaron said after a few beats of silence. “Jack, be good for her, okay? She might run away if you continue scaring her. We don’t want that, do we?”

Jack nodded, still chewing. “Okay, Dad. No more.”

“I love you, buddy.”

“I love you, too, Dad.”

“And you,” Aaron’s voice softened even more as he addressed you, a soft crinkle present in his eyes. “Thank you. For everything.”

You could only nod, and smile, and look away as your heart pounded against your chest. “No worries. Keep safe, Mr. Hotchner.”

He gave you one last look, his eyes filled with warmth and something you couldn’t decipher, before the call disconnected. With a sigh, you looked back at Jack, who was already reaching for a second sandwich wrap, mumbling about how his father would soon end up like Hagrid.

The soft click echoed in the quiet house as you closed the door behind you. You slipped off your high heels, groaning and wincing in pain, before dropping your keys into the bowl on the console table. The house feels emptier than usual, with Jack spending the night at his Aunt Jessica’s. It was a setup that she and Aaron agreed on before; to let Jack stay overnight every Friday and go home by the afternoon the next day.

As you make your way down the hallway, it doesn’t escape your notice that the kitchen lights are open. You weren’t expecting anyone to be home, not at this late hour anyway, and the sight stopped you in your tracks. Burglar was your first thought.

So naturally, you took several tentative steps closer, peeking around the corner.

Surprise flickered across Aaron’s features as he noticed you, quickly masking it with a strained smile. He was standing by the kitchen island, a half-finished bottle of brandy open.

“Hey,” he greeted, his voice rougher than how you remembered months ago, “I didn’t know you’d be back so soon.”

“I should say the same to you.”

You had no idea he’s coming home today. His travel-worn face was illuminated by the warm kitchen light; a glass of amber liquid swirls in the rock glass in his hand. While his eyes were shadowed with something unreadable, never leaving yours. 

You manage a small smile in return, though it feels heavy. “But yeah, the date ended earlier than expected.”

Not just the date but your entire evening hadn’t gone as planned, and you can still feel the weight of disappointment tugging at your shoulders.

Aaron nodded but didn’t say anything about it.

Silence settled between the two of you. His eyes flickered to the drink in his hand, while he took a slow sip, as if buying time. You didn’t dare glance away as you stepped further into the kitchen, leaning against the counter in front of him.

“I didn’t know you’d be home today. How was your trip?” you asked, genuinely curious but also eager to fill the void.

He shrugged, setting the glass down with a soft clink. “Busy. Tiring. The usual.” His gaze returned to you, lingering a moment too long. “You okay?”

The concern in his voice was unmistakable. You nodded, but the gesture also felt hollow. “Yeah, just... you know, one of those nights.”

Aaron’s jaw tightened slightly, and he looked away, staring into his glass. “Want to talk about it?”

You hesitated, not sure if you’re ready to unpack the disappointment just yet, and also considering the fact that he must be tired from his flight. But there’s something in Aaron’s presence that you always found comforting, you just had to go on.

“Maybe later,” you said softly, wandering your eyes around until it landed on the wine shelf. “Can I join you?”

He nodded without hesitation, watching you in silence as you grab a bottle of wine from the rack. Aaron’s eyes met yours again as you settled back, and for a moment, something flickered in their depths— something that makes your heart skip a beat.

Aaron’s eyes were focused on you as you set the bottle on the counter and reach for the corkscrew. The maroon silk of your dress catches the light; it was a simple one, nothing too flashy nor revealing. Just enough to accentuate your figure and compliment your skin well. You don’t understand why heat licked your neck as you became aware of Aaron’s eyes lingering on you.

With a soft pop, the cork comes free, and you pour yourself a generous amount. You took your own seat on the barstool. And with your slow movements, the maroon dress clings to your form, highlighting your curves in a way that makes Aaron’s breath catch.

He tried to look away, but his apprehensive eyes kept returning to you.

“There’s a practice game this Sunday. Jack will be happy to know you’ll be watching,” you cleared your throat, eyes focused on the alcohol swirling around the clear glass.

Aaron took a slow sip of his drink, trying to collect his thoughts, but his gaze kept drifting back to you. The dress, with its silky sheen and soft drape, made you look not just elegant but breathtakingly sexy- a fact that Aaron is finding increasingly hard to ignore.

“Yeah, I’m planning to surprise him tomorrow. Maybe we can pick him up early from Jess? Then we can grab a lunch outside.”

You gave him a smile. “Sure, sounds nice.”

As you settled deeper into the conversation, your attention narrowed down to Aaron. He’s leaning against the marble counter, the soft kitchen light casting a warm glow on him. His beard was slightly thicker than you remember, giving him an almost roguish look that you couldn’t help but find incredibly attractive. And hot.

He’s so hot.

He was clad in one of his work shirts, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. The shirt fits him well, emphasizing his broad shoulders and the hint of muscle underneath. Even the veins running through the surface of his arm were visible. 

The sight makes your heart flutter, and you found yourself admiring the way he looked tonight, with a brandy glass cradled in his big, calloused hand. You wonder how it would feel to have those strong hands grip you tightly, his fingers playing with your pussy, his lips on your neck.

“So,” Aaron’s voice snapped you out of your reverie, “how was the date?”

You took a sip of your drink, the question making your chest tighten again, but you answered lightly. “It was... okay, I guess? Not what I anticipated, though.”

His eyes are on your face, but they keep flickering to your dress, tracing the line of your collarbone, the soft curve of your shoulder. “What happened?”

“He was nice and all… but I don’t know…” Aaron nodded as you struggled recalling the events of evening, and you can tell he wants more details. “It’s just awkward, as always.”

“Did you go anywhere special?”

“We went to that new Italian place downtown. Dave said the food was great so I wanted to try…” you swirl the wine in your glass, watching the dark liquid catch the light. The movement makes the dress shimmer, and Aaron’s gaze follows the motion, almost mesmerized. “I just thought it’d be better, you know? It’s our third date, anyway.”

Aaron’s gaze softened, and he took a sip of his drink. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. Well, that’s what happens, I guess,” You smiled, feeling a bit more at ease.

“Yeah,” his eyes traveled from your eyes to your lips, then back to your eyes. “But it doesn’t make it any easier.”

You both fall into a comfortable silence, the tension from earlier slowly dissipating. Aaron’s eyes lingered on you before finally, he spoke again, his tone light but his curiosity evident. 

“Did he at least appreciate the dress? You look... incredible tonight.”

A blush warmed your cheeks, making you giggle to yourself. “He did compliment it, but I don’t think he noticed much beyond that.”

“He’s an idiot then,” Aaron said quickly, the words slipping out before he could stop them. Then he looked down, a hint of embarrassment coloring his features. “I mean, it’s a beautiful dress, and it suits you really well.”

The compliment made your smile grow wider.

“You’re looking pretty good yourself,” your cheeks heat up as quickly as you realize what you’ve just said, but you don’t think you have to take it back. “Pakistan’s that rough?”

“You could say that,” Aaron’s eyes flickered with surprise and a touch of pleasure. He straightened slightly, a small, almost bashful yet equally beautiful smile playing on his lips. “I’m pretty sure Jack will volunteer to shave this beard off.”

“But it suits you…” you murmured mostly to yourself, your eyes tracing the line of his jaw and the way the beard added a certain depth to his features. “He’s just teasing you.”

Aaron chuckled, running a hand through his hair, a gesture that draws your attention to the subtle flex of his muscle. “Yeah? I wasn’t sure if it was too much.”

“No, it’s perfect,” you replied, your voice softening. “Makes you look... distinguished.”

He took a slow sip of his brandy, his eyes never leaving yours. The intensity of his gaze makes your pulse quicken, and you find yourself caught in the moment, drowning in his presence and the wetness slowly pooling in between your thighs.

“So you like it?”

Oh, you love it. “Yes.”

Aaron stepped a little closer, settling beside you as you glanced up at him from your seat. The scent of his perfume, mixed with the subtle hint of brandy, filled your senses. His eyes flickered down to your lips, then back up to your eyes.

“Tell me about your date,” he said, his tone teasing, but there was an edge of something more in his eyes.

“There’s not much to tell,” you said with a laugh, your voice catching slightly. “It was just... dull and boring.”

“Dull? How so?”

“Just…” you bit your lip lightly, shaking your head as you smiled up at him. “You know.”

“I can’t say I know, doll. Use your words.”

Your heart raced but you didn’t look away. Instead, you stared back at him with the same intensity, blinking through your eyelashes almost innocently. “He… he doesn’t make me feel like you do.”

A beat.

Your heart drummed wildly against your ears.

And Aaron’s eyes darkened with the invitation.

“And how do I make you feel, angel?” he whispered softly.

“Like you actually want me.”

“Which I fucking do,” he leaned in, his breath slowly mingling with yours. “More than you know.”

Aaron’s hand moved to your waist, his touch light but possessive. Your heart pounded wildly as you stared into his eyes.

“Show me then,” you whispered back, your voice trembling with anticipation.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” you breathed, your lips just a hair’s breadth away from his.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against yours in a tantalizingly slow and deliberately teasing way.

“Aaron...” you whined, your voice heavy with need. “Please...”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t k-know…”

His grip tightened on your hips, his voice rough and demanding. “I think you’re lying, pretty girl.”

“Aaron...”

“I said,” he asked again, gruffly this time. “What do you want?”

“Want your m-mouth on me, Aaron, please...”

A quick swipe of his tongue wetted his lower lip, and a satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Good girl.”

His hand tightened on your waist, drawing you even closer. And all you knew from that second is the feeling of his hot breath against your skin.

“Aaron-” a low growl rumbled from his chest as your fingers tangled through his hair, pushing him even closer to your dripping cunt. “Tha- God, that feels good…”

Aaron hummed lightly, running the calloused pad of his palm on the soft surface of your thighs, feeling the bumps rising on your skin along with your pleasure. He darted his eyes to your face with his mouth still on your cunt, his lips nibbling your clit, watching you breathe heavily while containing the whine caught right in your throat.

When you propped onto your elbow and met his gaze, you could barely register the drunk look on his eyes.

“I’m c-close…” you whispered, pleadingly so. “Aaron… please…”

You didn’t have to say anything else. The contrast between the softness of his lips and the coarseness of his beard creates a heady, intoxicating burn. The rough graze of his beard against your inner thigh sent shivers down your spine, making you arch your back, forcing yourself closer to his mouth, to his touch; even closer to his heat.

You have never been treated this way– never had a partner who takes pleasure in pleasuring you. The warmth of Aaron’s breath fanned through your clit as he licked and prod his tongue on your entrance, feeling the burning scrape of his stubble with every movement. It’s both gentle and painful, enough to make your skin tingle and your heart race; chasing the heightening pleasure and your incoming orgasm.

“So good, doll…” he whispered roughly, encouragingly, his attention focused only at you. “Fuck, it’s so hot.”

He leaned away only for a moment, straightening his back as he quickly unbuttoned his shirt. In the blink of an eye, the sight of his muscular chest and soft stomach salivated you. You’ve known he’s hairy, but now that you saw the dark trail of hair on his abdomen down to his…

Aaron looked smug.

“Dirty girl, like what you’re seeing?”

You hummed hoarsely. “Want you, please. D-daddy?”

Aaron groaned at your words. And you noticed how his palm flew to the obvious bulge on his pants, squeezing his aching cock as if your words hurt him. Or pleased him, you don’t know. All you registered was the faint satisfaction in his smile and the glint of hunger in his piercing eyes.

He ran his palm on your thighs lovingly. “Cum on Daddy’s mouth first. Can you do that for me, sweetheart?”

Although he posed that as a question, you knew it was an order. And who are you to defy him when he generously licked through your folds and sucked on your clit like a starved man? He’s not devouring you like relinquishing his final meal; instead, like you are the very first meal he ever tasted and cannot get enough of. He eats you like someone will take you away from him. But even if they do, he wants to make sure it’s his mouth and big cock you’ll crawl back to.

The world seemed so far away as you let yourself drown in the pleasure, all while Aaron occasionally fucks his tongue in and out of your needy cunt.

“Close, angel?” he asked before spitting on your pussy and swirling his tongue on your clit. “You taste like heaven, baby.”

You nodded dumbly.

“You’ve no idea how many nights I fucked my fist to this thought.”

Your release inched closer, roused by his deep groans and heavy breathing. You were not even past the vulgar image of him spitting on your cunt when you felt one of his fingers gently swiping through your wetness, his touch light as a ghost, and you shuddered as you realized what will come next.

You gasped and moaned, and grabbed a fistful of his hair on both of your hands. “Need you n-now, please… enough…”

“Just one, angel. Just give me one on my tongue,” he demanded, his eyes dark with need. “You can do that for Daddy, right baby? I’ll fuck you good later, I promise.”

You clenched around his finger as he slowly slid into you, then out, slowly gaining rhythm and speed that reflected your racing heart. He thrust in and out, and in and out, until he decided you could take another finger, then another one. You’ve never felt so full, but good God if you say you didn’t fantasize about getting fingerfucked by your boss, you’d be sent to hell for lying.

He nibbled. He sucked. He licked. His fingers never once stopped assaulting your wet, squelching cunt. With every drag of his fingers and swipe of his tongue, you could hear a deep growl rumbling through his chest. And his eyes watched you, taking in the way you writhe in pleasure, the way your thighs tremble, and how your eyes welled in tears.

“Please… p-please…” you whimpered pathetically, your fingers tightening on his hair. “C-close, ‘m so close… daddy…”

“Cum for me, sweetheart. Come on, be a good girl.”

“D-daddy!” you screamed loudly when his teeth grazed your now sensitive clit.

“Fucking cum for me. Make me proud, angel.”

Your eyes rolled at the back of your head as your orgasm ripped through you. His words grew distant as it happened, showering you still with lewd praises: how good you taste, how warm and tight your cunt would be, and how he expects you to take his big cock.

“S-stop… A-” you trashed away from his grip. “Too m-much. D-daddy, no! Stop! S-stop! Too much!”

His fingers continued abusing the sensitive nerves deep inside you, groaning loudly as your walls tightened around him. “A little more, sweet girl. One more for Daddy…”

“N-no–” Tears slid down your cheeks in overstimulation, feeling the rough drag of his fingers inside your tight cunt and his lips on your clit. “Oh, g-god! I’m close again… D-daddy! Don’t s-stop, p-please!”

“Good girl, angel. Look at you... that’s it, baby.”

He trailed wet kisses along your skin as he moved upward, kneading your tits, lingering a bit longer on your hardened nipples. You haven’t gone down from your last orgasm when you already felt the tip of his cock prodding at your pulsating cunt.

You whimpered weakly, not fully aware of your surrounding anymore.

“Hey, hey…” you heard Aaron whisper, his voice soft and gentle, caressing your face lovingly as he observed your expression. “Good? Do you want to stop, sweetheart?”

You shook your head. “I will kill you if you stop.”

“Ah,” he let out a hoarse chuckle. “Yes, Ma’am.”

His pace was slow at first, achingly so and deliberate. But it didn’t last long. From laying on your back on the cold, marble kitchen counter, you found yourself bent over on the kitchen table, with Aaron’s girthy cock ramming in and out of your cunt. And all you could do was take it, moaning loudly to Aaron’s satisfaction.

“Fucking hell. Should’ve fucked this pussy long before–” he rambled deeply from behind, pistoling his hips at a brutal pace. “You like this, huh? You like Daddy fucking your tight pussy?”

You bit your thumb as your legs trembled, but you didn’t answer.

And that’s when you felt it.

A harsh slap on your ass.

“Answer me, you fucking slut,” he drawled in between heavy breaths. “Did I fuck you dumb, huh?”

“Y-yes–” you struggled to say, trying to keep your legs steady amidst the intense waves of pleasure. “G-good… so much…”

Aaron barked an amused laugh. “Fuck. You sound so cockdrunk.”

With each thrust, you felt the familiar coil tightening on your stomach. Your words were muffled as you tried to warn him, and all that came out of your lips was a high-pitched whimper. 

Aaron’s grip on your hips hardened. “I’m c-close. Where should I cum, angel? Inside? Should I cum inside?”

“C-close…” you echoed mindlessly, not understanding a word he said.

“Do you want me to fuck a baby inside you?”

“Yes… y-yes… inside, Daddy, please....”

Tears streamed down your cheeks when you felt Aaron’s hot cum spill inside you, his thick cock throbbing. You trembled against him as you reached your own climax, your lips drawn to a silent scream as he expertly rubbed your clit through your orgasm.

“One more. Can you give Daddy one more, sweet girl?” you heard him whisper encouragingly.

With a strained moan and eyes shut tight, you finally let out a gush of release. The force was so sudden Aaron had to pull out and watch his own cum drip down your thighs. His eyes widened a fraction as he stared at the pool of wetness glistening on his kitchen floor.

And fucking hell, that felt so good.

Aaron didn’t waste a second and quickly knelt behind you, separating your weak and trembling legs carefully before running his tongue on your spent and dripping cunt. You shivered at the feeling of his beard scratching the back of your thigh but you let him, enjoying the feeling of his tongue following the trail of his own release that drips down your legs.

“Too m-much, Aaron. Please…” you plead softly, sighing as you felt his fingers spread out your pussy.

“Just a taste, angel. Can you push out more of my cum?”

He keened and hummed as he gathered his own release on his tongue. And before you even know it, he was already kissing you, watching his own cum and spit reach your waiting tongue as you innocently glanced up at him, a far-gone look on your face.

“You’re such a sweet girl,” he whispered later on as he gently laid you down on his warm bed, now wrapped in his old, oversized t-shirt and newly bathed.

He placed a chaste kiss on your forehead, and cheeks, then nose, before kissing you lovingly on the lips. “Rest now, sweetheart. I’ll take you on a proper date tomorrow.”

For tag list request, here.

Your girl finally got her energy back after taking 4 pills of Vitamin B. LOL. Sorry for the long wait! Anyway, as always, likes, reblogs, and comments are highly appreciated. Hope you're having an incredible day and drink your water! (PS. Do you guys know I just realized I can reblog your reblogs with comments? I'm so dumb.)

Tags: @kimstills @readergf @downbad4reid @gghostwriter @elhotchner @pastelpinkflowerlife @the1boss @roseydoesypoesy @khxna @hangmanscoming @apollolynx98 @its-just-me-chey

[acmeangel]

♡ Levi hires you to work at his tea shop, and the two of you become close.

♡ SFW fluff! ♡ Postwar!Levi x Fem!Reader ♡ One shot, soft Levi, friends to lovers vibes ♡ Word count: 2416 ♡ Summary: Levi hired you years ago to work at his tea shop, back when it was brand new. Over the years, you became close friends, and recently developed into more. You're both a bit rough around the edges, but get each other in a way no one else can. You're like two black cats in love.

It was years ago that you'd walked by Levi's tea shop in Marley and noticed the piece of paper pinned to the door that simply said "Hiring." in bold, slightly messy, handwriting.

Your eyebrows raised despite yourself, slightly amused by the straightforwardness of the sign -- no frills, no details, no niceties.

Marley had only just started to get on its feet again after a full year of scraping by while rebuilding, trying to shake off the lingering fears and treat the deepest wounds. Everyone was on the precipice of healing, and you figured it was as good a time as any to bring back some normalcy into your life. Working at a tea shop seemed like a decent enough way to do that; quiet, peaceful, easy enough. You were never much of a people person, but you could handle basic customer interactions.

When you'd entered the tea shop, you were met with Levi, who was behind the counter, a focused -- but not harsh -- look on his face as he neatly stacked boxes of tea into an orderly pyramid, a small display of the tea flavors. The bell above the door jingled as you entered, and he looked up at you, his gaze narrowing slightly, his hands pausing their precise movements. You got a clear look at his face -- the cloudy white eye, the healing scars tracing patterns into his skin.

"Hiring?" You asked, simply, nodding toward the sign on the window.

His eyes darted toward the sign, as if he'd forgotten that he put it there, and then fell back onto you.

"Guess so," he answered, his voice lacking any sort of feeling about the matter. "You want to work here?"

Before answering, your gaze scanned along the interior of the tea shop -- it was small and sparsely decorated, but not in a cold way. It was simple, comforting. Small wooden tables dotted the perimeter, intricately painted ceramic tea cups were stacked behind the counter, a few plants sat in the windowsills, drinking in the hazy sunlight.

"Yeah." Your gaze found his again, and you nodded. "I do."

"'Kay." His focus returned to the pyramid of tea boxes, his hands continuing to organize the stack. "What makes you qualified?"

"It's making tea," you retorted, dryly, without thinking. "Not mechanical engineering." You regretted it the instant you said it, realizing you'd likely butchered your chances of getting hired and that you should've made something up about having a passion for serving the community.

Without moving his head, his eyes drifted toward you, and you could see the faintest look of amusement tugging on his lips.

"Fine." This was all he had said, and you waited for him to ask more questions to evaluate you further, but they never came.

You stood there, somewhat awkwardly, watching as he continued working on his little display of boxes. Once he was finished, he tossed an apron over the counter toward you, which you caught, the fabric balled up into your hands. You were hired.

Surprisingly, it didn't take long for you to get accustomed to working alongside Levi. Neither of you were particularly talkative, preferring to keep to yourselves as you did your individual tasks; but, even separately, you worked in perfect harmony together, a seamless fit.

Over the years, it became less that you worked for Levi, and more that you worked with him, the tea shop turning into something that belonged to the both of you. It was never something that was discussed, it was just understood.

You'd started adding your touches to the shop -- art hung on the walls, pillows on the chairs, little knickknacks here and there. The shop was undeniably warmer and more inviting, and even though Levi would narrow his gaze each time you added something new, he never stopped you.

One day, he'd even shown up and placed a small ceramic cat on the counter, adjusting its position just so, though he wouldn't tell you where he got it. You'd teased him, somewhat relentlessly, about it, to which he blushed despite himself and muttered that it was never going to happen again, that you were a horrible nuisance in his life; you called him "such a baby", but made him a cup of black tea and all was forgiven. He brought a new plant into the shop the following week.

You'd share knowing glances with each other whenever a customer was particularly talkative or bothersome, and after they'd leave, you'd gripe to each other about it.

During breaks or lulls in the day, you'd both hover over the same book on the counter, reading simultaneously, your shoulders brushed together just barely. You wouldn't say anything, or even share your thoughts or opinions -- you'd just read, together, settled into the quiet of the tea shop.

As the time passed on, you'd begun to care for Levi, in a way you hadn't expected, hadn't experienced before. When he'd occasionally burn his hand on the stove, you'd hold the ice to his hand. When he had a cold (which he'd never admit to), you'd bring him soup from the cafe down the street. When you could tell he hadn't been sleeping well, you'd tell him to go home early and you'd handle cleaning up and closing the shop.

He'd always frown slightly and say something about how you shouldn't go through the trouble, that he can take care of himself, but you could tell that he appreciated it, that he might have even begun to count on it. You'd usually just tell him to shut up. He'd laugh, barely.

You knew, somehow, that you were the only person he let treat him this way -- gentle, caring.

You two had developed a quiet sort of friendship. You didn't talk all that much, you never saw each other outside of the shop, and you were both a bit rough around the edges. But, you fit together. Understood each other. It was as simple as that.

That was how it had been for years, which is why it took you by surprise when, on one particularly cold winter night, Levi insisted on going with you as you walked home after closing. You'd hesitated for a moment to answer, recalling all of the rainy, snowy, cold late nights that you'd walked home alone before, but the expression on his face told you that any protesting would be pointless. So, you let him.

Once you'd arrived at your front door, the two of you lingered silently on your porch, the only sound the soft creaking of the wood below and the brisk wind shuffling through the trees.

"Thanks for taking me home, Levi," you'd said, pulling your key out of your coat pocket and beginning to reach for the door. "Goodni-"

His hand clasped around your wrist, halting your movement. Your eyes snapped to his face, his gaze secured onto his grip on your wrist. A stretched moment of quiet passed between you two, as you waited for him to say something, but he didn't.

"Okay," you said, drawing the word out, raising an eyebrow slightly as you look at him. "Are you holding me hostage because you think it'd be funny to see me freeze to death out here, or...?"

The tension in his expression dissipated slightly, your dry, teasing tone eased his frayed nerves with a comforting familiarity. He'd gotten used to you, to the way you spoke; it became one of the few, small things he'd ever allowed himself to rely on.

"Y/N," he said, his tone taking on a softness, a somewhat pleading vulnerability that you'd never heard before, as his eyes finally drifted up to meet your gaze. The cloudy grayness in his eye faded into a pale, ethereal blue under the moonlight, the features of his face illuminated, exposed.

He didn't have to say another word. You knew exactly what he meant. That was just the way you two worked.

"Yeah," you'd whispered, knowingly, the word pillowing into the cold air.

His hand slid down your wrist to your hand, his rough, calloused fingers gripping around yours with a sense of uncertainty and newness, like he was learning a new language. He tugged gently, drawing you in, close enough that when both of you breathed, the visible clouds mixed together.

His free hand rose to your face, slowly grasping around your jaw. His teeth clenched slightly, a hint of self-consciousness in his gaze as he looked at the gap his missing fingers left on your cheek; feeling unable to hold you completely.

"Don't," you whispered, somewhat sternly, urging the self-doubt out of his gaze. Your hand flew up to cover his, holding it against your face, the missing fingers not even a thought in your mind.

"You always do that." The words came out as a rough, tumbling statement.

Your lips curled into a faint smile, your head tilted into his palm. "Do what?"

"Protect me," he whispered, his eyes searching yours, "from myself, mostly."

"Can't help it," you whispered back, the words softening his gaze even further.

Before he could think about it more, before he could stop himself, he pulled you in closer, only a sliver of cold air between your lips. He paused for a beat, drawing in a shallow breath, before closing the space. His lips trembled against yours for a fleeting second, before melting against yours. A perfect fit.

His grip on your cheek tightened slightly, his lips moved against yours with a quiet desperation, as if communicating all the words he'd been wanting to say.

He broke the kiss just as suddenly as it started, his lips remaining parted, soft and glistening.

"Goodnight, Y/N," he whispered, before leaning in to press a kiss on your cheek by your ear, his thumb brushing against your jaw one last time. He took one last look at you, his expression somewhat unreadable, before turning and leaving you at your doorstep.

That night was not too long ago, only a few weeks had passed since. Your relationship was like a delicate melody -- starting slow and gentle, then blooming into a perfectly synchronized symphony.

He'd started bringing you home every night, and he'd come inside for a while, sitting on your couch with you, talking more than he ever had (which still wasn't much, by most people's standards). You'd make dinner for the two of you, drape a blanket on his lap on the couch, gently tend to the scars on his face when they'd occasionally get irritated.

You'd lean your head on his shoulder, intertwine your fingers with his. Sometimes, he'd lean into your touch, slinging an arm around you and letting his head settle into the curve of your neck. Your fingers would stroke his hair softly or trace patterns up and down his back.

He'd always thank you at the end of the night and kiss you as if you were about to disappear into thin air. While he never specified what he was thanking you for, you knew he was thanking you for taking care of him.

That's all you really wanted to do -- care for him. You knew that his scars ran deeper than the visible ones, and the more he shared bits of his past with you, you could tell that he never had it easy. His life, until now, was one of fighting, survival, and loss. All you wanted was to alleviate some of the pain, some of the weight that had built up within him for so long.

So, you did these little things to dote on him, to show him what true affection felt like, in hopes that someday, he'd realize how deserving he is of it. That over time, the little things would grow into bigger things, that affection wouldn't be so foreign and unsettling to him. You were willing to wait.

He was by your front door now, slinging his jacket onto his shoulders, preparing to head home after another night spent together. You'd sat on the couch, his head on your shoulder, and he'd just finished telling you a simple story about Furlan and Isabel, who you'd learned about recently.

"Levi," you begin, your eyes shifting toward the window, at the powdery snow flurrying through the air. "It's freezing outside, you need more than a jacket."

His gaze follows yours out the window, his expression remaining unfazed. "It's just snow, Y/N."

You ignore him, and grab a knit, brightly colored scarf from the coat rack and hand it to him, your expression stern, but gentle. "Wear this."

"What? You can't be serious. I'll look ridiculous," he looks at you and the scarf dubiously, his brows pressed together with distaste. "I'll be fine."

"Would you just shut up and take it?" You roll your eyes, but you smile, affectionately. Before he can object further, you wrap the scarf around him, earning a groan from the back of his throat.

His nose scrunches slightly in disapproval, and the corners of his lips curve downward, but he lets you finish placing the scarf around his neck.

"Thanks, Y/N," he mumbles, leaning in to kiss your cheek, the touch soft and fleeting.

Mhm, you hum softly, satisfied with your little victory. You think he's about to turn and leave, but he doesn't -- he’s there, still, looking at you for a long moment.

"What, hoping to get a matching beanie?" You tease, warmly, a laugh escaping your lips.

He shakes his head.

"I told you a while ago that I never felt like I had a home before. Not a real one, anyway. But..." he says, his voice taking on a softened introspection, a gentleness to his face that you've discovered he reserves only for you. "I think this is it."

"Marley? Yeah, it's not so bad. Told you you'd get used to it," you say, a gentle, affectionate teasing in your voice, your fingers adjusting the scarf around his neck.

"No, Y/N. Not Marley," he corrects, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze remaining intently fixated on yours. "You. You're my home."

Your expression melts, a faint pink blush rising to your cheeks. Your hand drifts up from the scarf to cradle his cheek, your thumb tracing his cheekbone.

He turns his head, his eyes remaining on you, and he presses a soft kiss into your palm. The kiss feels like he's making a promise to always be yours, and for you to always be his.

Masterlist

Requests are OPEN!

Requested by @beautiful-is-boring

[obsessedwrhys]

MAGNETIC LOVE

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ Raiden develops a crush on the waitress who works at Madam Bo's (fluff, Raiden being hopelessly in love, Kung Lao is the wingman??, I know this trope has been used a lot but this is my take on it, reader is fem!!)

ᯓ★

Being Earthrealm's champion can be exhausting sometimes, so he figured, what's better than to take a break at one of the places that reminds him when times were simpler.

However, the problem was that he didn't expect to end up spending half of his time at the restaurant staring at the waitress Madam Bo had hired just recently. He was staring so much that he lost track of time.

In defense, how could he not?

Your smile was intoxicating and your eyes were mesmerising.

The way you worked fast yet elegantly.

And how he would catch a whiff of your perfume when you walked past his table.

Everything about you was drawing him in and he hasn't even asked for your name yet nor did you even know anything about him.

Just as he spends another of his free days at the restaurant, technically just there to watch you work, he suddenly felt a hand pat him on the shoulder. He looked over his shoulder to see it was Kung Lao.

"So this is where you go to when you're not busy" He said as he took the chair beside him.

"How'd you know I was here?"

"It's not hard to track you down when you know so little places" He said, relaxing in his chair until he notises the plate of food on the table.

It was untouched and already growing cold. This peaked interest in him since he never does this. To be honest, who could say no to Madam Bo's food?

"Do you just come here everyday to waste food? What a customer you are" Kung Lao jokes and Raiden struggles to find the right words to say, but the second you stepped in frame, his eyes darted towards you which Kung Lao easily followed suit.

It didn't take long for him to understood what was happening.

"Oooohhh... I get it now. You have a crush on the waitress working here, huh?" He nudges him with a teasing smirk.

"Is it that obvious?" Raiden asks.

"Uh... yeah. Judging by how you looked at her just now, I'm pretty sure everybody knows" Kung Lao pointed out how his face seemed to light up the moment he looked at you.

Hearing him say that, Raiden couldn't help but steal a glimpse of you wiping a nearby table clean after disposing all the dirty plates into the sink. The way the strands of your hair fell from behind your ear and you quickly tucking it back in place made him swoon even more.

"You're doing it again...! Have you not said a thing to her? Not even a hello?" Kung Lao grabbed him by the shoulders to force him to focus on him.

Raiden simply shakes his head at his question.

"I've thought about it but I'm not sure if I want to disrupt her working hours"

"Well she doesn't work ALL the time. You can just wait for her to finish her shift. Wow, are you that in love that your brain stopped working?" Kung Lao said, poking him by the shoulder playfully.

"It's not as easy as it seems"

"That's just you" Just then, Kung Lao got up from the chair causing it to screech a bit against the wooden floor.

"Welp, I better get going. Unlike you, I managed to score myself a date with someone. Good luck" He said with a strong pat on the shoulder before leaving.

He had to admit, he could feel his heart beating loudly in his chest just considering the suggestion. As far as he knows, he's good at starting up a conversation with anyone, it's just he'll be doing it to you and the thought alone makes him nervous.

What if this wasn't the first time a customer tried to get with you? Considering how attractive he found you to be, you must have dealt with this situation a lot. So that means you've rejected a lot of people or...

Maybe you were already dating someone??

He gulps at the thought and tried to brush off the feeling by drinking his tea. Well he doesn't see a ring so you can't be married. No matching jewelleries or anything. So you can't be taken yet right?

All this overthinking was doing anything but help him. Maybe he'll just ask you... riggght after he's done boosting himself up.

By the time the sun was setting and that the sky has gone pinkish orange, you grabbed your bags from the locker after changing back into your casual clothes.

It was already an exhausting day, it's a relief you didn't have to deal with any rude customers.

Just as you left the restaurant, you were suddenly approached by a man. A customer actually. You recognised him easily since he always ordered the same thing.

"Hi" He greeted you with a smile and you couldn't help but smile back.

"Hello"

For an awkward moment, you two were just smiling at each other until he finally realised he was supposed to say something next.

"I'm Raiden"

"(Y/N)"

Another awkward silence drops upon you. You're starting to feel like he's not good at starting conversations.

"Did you want to talk to me about something?" You asked and he had to blink a couple of times to snap out of his head.

"Well uh... I just wanted to get to know you..."

"Oh?" You were surprised at his answer and he couldn't help but wonder if it was a good surprise or a bad surprise.

"I hope I don't come off as a creep"

"Ehh... well... to be fair you've been staring at me as I worked these days" You said as you awkwardly avoided his gaze and he swore he almost choked when he heard you.

So you knew all this time and you never did anything about it? Now it just makes him feel even more of a creep.

"But I asked and Madam Bo told me a lot about you, she says you're a good person and that you're very kind" You smiled at him and it eased his nerves a bit.

"What else did she say?"

"She also told me to make you stop coming to the restaurant because of how she's fed up with you not eating your food when it's hot but only when it's cold. She says its a disgrace to her cooking" You said and it made him chuckle softly.

"She said that?"

You nodded.

"Will I be blacklisted?" He asks and you pretended to reconsider the consequences but it also seemed like you were playing around with him.

"I guess you won't be... if you ask me out for dinner" You said and he felt his heart flutter for a second.

"Well then... do you happen to be free now?" He asks which had you grinning.

"Mm... I don't have plans tonight but it depends on where you're taking me"

"I know a good restaurant around the block. It'll be my treat, what do you say?" He said, his behaviour seeming to appear more layback and confident.

"How can I say no to free food?" You chuckled and it just made the smile on his face grew wider.

Days later, you would find yourself frequently taken on dates after your shift. Sometimes they were fun and sometimes they were romantic. Either way, it was perfect. You didn't think you'd fallen for the guy but you did. He was really everything Madam Bo said, except for the fact that he short circuits whenever he's flustered, which you easily found adorable.

All this effort and you two haven't even made it official yet.

On another working day, you stood by the desk as you accept the customers payment. Once you were done, you saw a couple more customers enter but one of them caught your eye immediately. You grabbed your pen and notebook to take their orders. As you approached their table, his eyes were focused on you straight away.

"Welcome to Madam Bo's, what would you like to eat?" You asked, trying to stay professional.

"I have to admit Raiden, this place is great!" His friend with the glasses spoke.

"You're just saying that because he promised you money if you agreed to come" The man with a blindfold (?) said .

"We'll just have the usual" Raiden said to you as the two went on bickering. You nodded and shoot him a playful smirk before delivering his order to the kitchen.

By the time their food was done and after you served it to them. You just went on doing your work but you couldn't help and turn your head every now and then to see him eating or chatting with his friends. Honestly you found it ironic how the tables have been turned. Now you were the creep watching him do his thing.

The second the sun setted, you grabbed your stuff and left the restaurant once you were finished with helping Madam Bo close it. However as you waited at the door for Raiden to pick you up for one of your dates, you didn't see him anywhere. Was he too busy with his friends that he forgot?

Feeling a bit disappointed but trying not to let it ruin your mood, you decided to head home. Though it took you only a few steps until you heard someone call out to you. With a knowing smile on your face, you turned to the other way to see Raiden running towards you, a hand hidden behind him as he was obviously holding a bouquet.

"Is that for me?" You nodded at the flowers and he seemed embarrassed that his surprise was already blown.

"Yeah... I had to run to the other side of town because the shop I usually buy from was out of stock" He handed it to you and you could see a clear view of the variety of flowers.

"Romantic" You smiled as you took it from him.

"I'm glad you like them... but I need to ask you something..." He said, his body language shifting from tired to serious. You look up at him with intrigue.

"I hope these past few days have been great for you but all these moments we've shared. I can't help but wonder if you feel like there's more to it" He said, his eyes never cutting contact with yours. You blush.

"Are you asking me if we're exclusive?" You said and your forwardness made his heart beat faster.

"Yes"

"Do you want it to be?"

"More than anything" His answer delivered without hesitation.

You stare at him... your lips soon forming a genuine smile.

"Then there's no point in denying it... we're official" You said. For a second he seemed to be frozen in time but you noticed how his eyes also sparkled with joy.

"Oh um... well... that was easier than I thought... does that mean you're still up for dinner?" He asks, trying to calm himself from how happy he was, he could feel his cheeks starting to hurt from smiling so much.

"Yes, but this time, I'll pay for us. My treat" You pat him on the chest before walking off and he could only chuckle as he quickly catches up to you.

You were definitely something...

[shiny-jr]

I know you probably don't want to talk about this anymore, but I'm still really curious. Genshin Natlan characters have been revealed, and I want to know your opinion

Taking a long sigh. The fact that you seem hesitant to ask this means you probably have an idea of what my response would be like. Just so I don't have to end up making multiple posts about this topic, I'm gonna try to include everything here. If I forget something and someone asks later, I might be willing to address it.

So, heads up. This is a long rant. Shiny rants. Disclaimer, I am Mexican-American, so I believe I have some say on some of the cultures involved in this fiasco. Some of them, not all. That being said, I'll try to handle the others with as much respect as possible, but forgive me if I make a mistake somewhere.

I stopped playing genshin when Sumeru was announced. Despite me not having any affiliation with the cultures represented by Sumeru, I remember being livid as some of y'all might recall. So, let's start off with:

THE AMALGAMATION OF CULTURES. This meaning how very weird it is that somehow the european/east asian cultures get their own distinct nation dedicated to one sole peoples while brown/black cultures get meshed into one unrecognizable figure. Mondstadt is based off Germany, Liyue is based off China, Inazuma is based off Japan, Fontaine is based off France. On the other hand, Sumeru is a mix of south asia, the middle east, and north africa while Natlan takes that a step further by involving Incan, Mayan, Maori, Yoruban, and Hopi cultures (of what we know so far).

Why are all these other nations so carefully crafted and picked, but it feels as if for Natlan and Sumeru, the developers put up a map and grabbed some darts, then decided to use whatever culture wherever a handful of darts landed on the board? In the way they're handling it, it feels like these cultures are nothing but an accessory to them. An excuse to make these "exotic" looking characters, but not even make them properly due to the horrible designs and lack of melanin (these are two topics I will come back to).

It feels like they got lazy, and/or they clearly don't care enough to do in depth research properly as they might've done with past nations. The best example I've seen of this is Yunjin and Ororon. Yunjin is a beautiful example of a character done right and respectfully, as she is meant to be a Chinese opera singer. They even went so far as to hire an actual Chinese opera singer for a song she performs in-game. However, Ororon takes the name of "Olorun" which is a Yoruban deity, but when you look at this character's design, there is nothing that would even hint towards the fact that he's meant to be African.

This brings me to the second part, CULTURE AS COSTUMES. As mentioned previously, nothing about this Ororon character portrays the fact that he's meant to be African. NOTHING. If you do not know what he looks like, the character named after a Yoruban god is quite literally just a pale anime boy in edgy clothing and has some type of dog/cat/animal ears. I am not joking. That is what he looks like. If you don't believe me, look it up.

Do you know what the saddest part about all this is? It's the fact that I guarantee you, sometime in the future when Ororon appears in-game, gets his own quest, then his own banner, all that jazz, the chances of images of him appearing when you look up Olorun are high. In fact, when Sumeru was announced, I vividly remember doing research on the characters there were announced, such as Al-Haitham. When you looked up the name Al-Haitham then, google showed an Islamic astronomer. However, if you look up the name now, you immediately get builds and character guides and art of genshin's Al-Haitham, which is horrible when you really think about it. Because the same thing happened to Dehya (a Berber warrior queen), and it's about to happen to Kachina (Hopi spirits), Kinich (Mayan Sun God), Mualani (a princess of Hawaii), etc.

When you look at these characters, Natlan and Sumeru included, most of their designs don't even look as if they're portraying a culture. For now, I'll focus on Natlan.

Kinich is supposed to be Mayan, however, nothing about his design is giving Latino or indigenous Mayan. As a Mexican, I should be able to look at him and say, 'hey, he looks kinda like me or my cousins! Oh, I recognize those patterns, or that type of footwear/shirt/pants/headwear.' SOMETHING to that degree, but if you had shown me him and I didn't know, I would have never guessed.

Another infuriating design is Murata, the pyro archon. Tell me why does she look like a futuristic biker girl instead of a Maori/Polynesian warrior? The level of disrespect, ESPECIALLY because according to what I've gathered, her name is based off an actual entity/deity.

Time to point out the obvious, and I'm gonna say it but WHY ARE THEY WHITE? Yes, I know the argument about how not everyone from latino/arab cultures is brown, I know. But not everyone is white either, so please, get over it. If the entirety of Fontaine can be white because they're French, by that same logic, wouldn't it makes sense to make the entirety of Natlan brown/black because they're indigenous/african?

It lies well within hoyo's abilities to include colored characters. They have millions of dollars and they say they want a global audience, they just don't do it because there is major colorism there. Saying "but they're a Chinese company!" is no excuse either, because then that would be automatically classifying them as ignorant of anything outside of China when they clearly are not if they utilize strong elements of hip-hop and jazz (both with origins in African American communities) in their other games, want to pick these cultures like accessories on a shelf, and make brown/black npc enemies with locs and other poc features. I won't immediately jump to blaming the designers either, because it's probably that they have tried presenting ideas that do actually cater to the wider audience and poc people, but they were most likely turned down by higher-ups.

Anyways, I've been typing this for a while now and my mind is blanking. I'm sure I had more to say but I currently cannot remember it. I'm glad people are FINALLY speaking out against this, it's about time and actually late because the outrage around this should've happened back in Sumeru but better late than never.

If you don't agree with me or my takes on this, don't even bother trying to look for a response because I'm not gonna argue about this. That's about it for now though.

[literaila]

verity what would you think about writing another peter x reader in which peter becomes a photographer and has to take pictures of reader and he develops a thing for her and he thinks that reader just flirts with him for fun and he's totally okay with that because he's a fool for her but after teasing peter and messing with him for a good amount of time she asks him out ? maybe inspired by "suck it and see" by arctic monkeys? thank you !!

chemistry

tasm!peter x fem!reader

a/n: the science jokes are real with this one

*

peter needed to get over himself. that much was clear.

honestly, he had the ability to rip out his eyes and throw them down the garbage disposal, and it was becoming increasingly obvious that he might have to. just to get some sanity back.

it wasn’t really his fault he was staring at you. no, it wasn’t his fault at all.

he was getting paid to stare at you. you had hired him to do this. to take pictures of you when you looked like this—partially glowing from the light, wearing a devious smile like you might be trying to crack his lens—and not get called a pervert for it.

his movements were automatic now. he’d done this enough—admired strangers and tried to pull the best out of them—but it was never quite like this. with every click of a button, and the perfectly adjusted flash, peter felt himself getting a bit hazy.

it would be his luck to faint while taking pictures of a pretty girl.

a pretty girl who’s head was tilted at him, eyes questioning, because she’d just said something and he was too busy scolding himself to notice

get yourself together.

“hmm?” peter asked, moving a step closer to you. “sorry i missed it.”

you smile like he’s said something funny. “should i try something else?” you say, “i’m not used to posing.”

��you’re doing great. you’re a natural.”

maybe a little too great. you blink at him, eyes darting away and sigh. even then, if peter took a photo, he’s sure it would come out perfectly. he probably wouldn’t need to edit any of these, even.

but he also probably would. just to stare at you some more.

“well, you’re the expert.”

but peter frowns. “are you feeling uncomfortable?”

“just—“ you shake your head. “will you tell me a joke, or something? i feel… awkward. i have no idea what i’m doing.”

“tell you a joke?” peter repeats, slightly amused.

“or just talk to me. anything.”

“sure,” he says, easily, nodding his head a bit too much. maybe it’s because you sort of whispered it, and peter sort of felt it on every single on of his nerve endings. “i, um,” he raises his brows. “i think i just forgot every joke i’ve ever heard.”

you laugh with your head tilted back and he snaps a shot. “just tell me about you, then.”

“me?”

“yes, peter parker, the photographer… and? part time comedian? full time alcoholic? father of six?”

peter frowns. “how old do you think i am?“

“old enough to be a professional photographer.”

“i don’t know if i would call myself a professional…” he winces, smiling a bit and feeling embarrassed for himself. flushed and completely ashamed because he’s usually better at this.

he can calm a clients nerves in five minutes. he can make people laugh and get the candid shot that he knows they’re looking for. he can turn an awkward social interaction into getting drinks after a shoot.

but there’s something about you and your smile, and the easy way you talk, like the words just fall out of your mouth and into place.

“i saw your prints,” you correct, shaking your head at him, “why do you think i hired you?”

“free eye candy?”

and then you actually laugh, chest releasing, and peter watches as your eyes squint at him like you’ve finally realized who you’re talking to.

it’s second nature when he presses the button.

“oh, yeah. i just googled ‘hottest male photographer in queens’ and yours was the first that came up.”

“i knew that ad would pay off eventually.”

“really, though. i’ve only got you for another twenty minutes so you’ve gotta tell me something good.”

peter frowns and moves to your left, changing the zoom on his camera and dimming the light. “i didn’t know you were paying for a gossip session.”

“okay, so you don’t like to talk about yourself. what else?”

he catches you as you adjust your hair, the light shining on the side of your face, gleaming off of you like something out of a sci-fi film.

peter shakes his head—his head is feeling a bit off. “um… i want to get a cat.”

you smile, completely darling and enough to knock a breath out of his chest. “i’ll add caring to the list. why haven’t you?”

“well, my apartment doesn’t really allow it…” he pauses for a moment playing with some settings. the two of you are dancing in circles, like a pendulum, when you move, he moves. “and also i’m not sure that i’d remember to feed it.”

“most animals make sure you remember. when i was a kid my dog would jump on whoever was closest when it was time for dinner.”

peter almost winces, and then catches himself. “i also think i’d poison it with my energy. it’d forget how to move its tail.”

“well, i’ve been around you for almost an hour and a half now and i can safely say that i still have control over all of my limbs.”

“good to know…” peter mutters while frowning at his screen. there’s nothing wrong with his camera, or with you, just with his hands. and his heart.

“everything okay?”

he shakes his head, then nods, clearing his throat. “yeah—yeah. i’m just messing with the settings.”

“are you getting anything good? useable?”

“they’re all good,” he says—to himself and out loud like a complete idiot. and then he looks up, awkwardly laughing. “like i said, you’re a natural.”

“even if you’re lying,” you tease, undeterred by his awkwardness, “i’m sure you’ll fix it all before i see.”

“i’m not lying, but yeah.”

when you smile, he smiles back.

“okay,” you say, moving. “what else? got any friends or family? any plans after this?”

“which question am i supposed to answer?”

“all of them, peter.”

he chuckles. “it’s mostly just me and my aunt. and a couple of long lost cousins. as for friends, i’ve kept in touch with some people from college. oh, and me and the john down the street who makes me a sandwich everyday are close.”

you lift your head, revealing the skin of your neck and jaw to peter. and a fetish he didn’t know he had. “and after this?”

“i’ll probably just go home and edit these, actually.”

“it’s friday.”

he shrugs. squinting at you before the next shot. he’s not even really looking.

“nothing fun?” you ask him. “surely you’ll be sick of my face after this.”

“that’d be hard.”

he watches a sheepish smile reveal itself on your face before it’s gone. you look away. “you’re young, peter. you should be having fun.”

“what are you doing after this?” peter asks, as a challenge.

your brows lift. “this seems like a line.”

he laughs. “not like that.”

you shrug and blink when the flash goes off. “i’ll figure out something. are there any good bars nearby?”

peter pauses, dropping his camera. “are we back to the alcoholic thing.”

“no,” you laugh, “we’re way past that. i just think that your flash is giving me a bit of an adrenaline rush. i could use a calm me down.”

“you okay?”

“i’m kidding, peter. keep going, you’re almost a free man.”

so he does.

you continue to prod him with personal questions, attacking him with your smile and your unsurprisingly sharp wit. you throw his words right back to him, and peter knows, in his deepest of thoughts, that he’s going to be hearing your voice later on.

that when he’s looking back on these pictures, he’s going to see a timeline of your allure, and of his own demise.

he’s already loving and dreading it.

he finishes up by making you laugh from your nose, loud and unprecedented, and so genuinely rewarding that peter has to refrain from clapping himself on the back.

you smile at him as you slip on your jacket, still talking to him, acting too smooth to be just polite.

peter also has to refrain himself from trying to shake your head as he walks you to the door. he tries not to stare any longer, knowing what kind of night he has in store.

“when should i be seeing the pictures?” you ask him, lingering when you finally get to the door.

“sometime next week. i’ll email you a preview with a few different editing styles that you can pick from and then i’ll finish the album.”

“email?”

he scoffs, opening the door for you. “i’ll have you know that not everyone is as young and hip as you. do you know how many grandparents want photos with their family?”

“it just doesn’t seem like you, peter. i’d thought you’d train a carrier pigeon.”

he shakes his head at you, trying to hide his smile.

“but, seriously, thank you so much,” you say to him, voice full and easy, and honest. he can feel your heart and smell your perfume. “i know i’m a lot. especially when i’m nervous.”

“i’m just glad you didn’t ask me about my social security number.”

you reflectively smack yourself on the forehead. “i knew i forgot something.”

peter laughs, letting you slip past him trying to avoid your touch. he doesn’t, and if benjamin franklin was there, he might’ve discovered a whole different type of electricity.

“i’ll talk to you soon,” peter says, and your close enough that it’s almost a whisper. “just let me know if there’s any issues with the pictures, or you have any questions. you’ve got my number.”

“i do.”

his body feels physically repelled from inside the studio, but he forces himself to take a step in anyway. “have a good weekend.”

“you too.”

and then you turn to go, and peter can’t help but stare. he hopes that the tint on the shop windows is enough to keep you from noticing.

but before he can close the door—and mind that it took him an outrageously stupid amount of time—you’re turning back around.

“wait, peter,” you say, voice breathless and jagged. like peters hands as they rush to push open the door again.

it’s embarrassing how quickly he manages to do it.

“yes?”

you smile, like you know exactly what he’s thinking. peter will have that smile branded into his brain.

“do you wanna come with me to get that drink?” you ask him, softly, and wide, with a smile that bursts blood vessels.

peter really needs to get over himself.

*

[i-just-give-you-the-vidya-songs]

The song the menu theme from the game 'The Legend of Dragoon', a 1999 role-playing game developed and published by Sony. Released on Playstation.

Did you know that Sony developed and owns this IP but refuses to do anything with it because they hate making money? It had a fun interactive combat system that required timed button presses for combos.

Did you know that Sony was going to add the main protagonist 'Dart' to their Smash bros rip off 'PlayStation All-stars Battle Royale' as DLC but they ended up not doing that because they hate making money?

Did you know the last time we saw this stupid fucking character in any official capacity was just a cameo in the 2024 game Astrobot, relegated to a collectible? 25 years after the original game came out?

Anyway. Sony should hire me to make Legend of Dragoon 2

[r0tting-rat]

DCA PROMPTOBER 2024

Am I 2 days late? Yes, yes I am.

Day 31 - Trick or Treat

Pairing: Jack-O-Moon x Gender Neutral Reader Warning: Slight Angst at the end Words: 2500+ Summary: Jack is not as good as he thinks he is at scaring people (reminder that this is not TSAMS! I literally never watched that show in my life)

You hadn’t been working for Faz&co for long, but by god, you were already tired of your job. You had been hired to test some of the new games being developed by Faz Entertainment before they could be released to the public, which meant that you’d make room in your living room and stand right in the middle of it, then you’d wear the headset and enter the little digital world you had begun to love in the last weeks. You had long finished most of the levels, ending up replaying many just to have something to do before you had to give back the headset. You weren’t ready to let go of it, and not due to the games, but because you had made a friend there.

Jack-O-Moon was a rudimental AI made for the Captain Foxy’s Log Ride and Cinder Carousel. He was similar to the Sun and Moon animatronics, which you had interacted with along with many others, but Jack was… different, in a way. His AI seemed to be less developed, more simple, but that didn’t change your opinion on the animatronic. Jack was peculiar; he was creepy—he was meant to be, considering he was a Halloween themed character—but he was also extremely playful and sweet. He made you laugh, he told you jokes and brightened your day in his peculiar way, and overall he made you feel comfortable. You could say the stupidest and most nonsense thing, and Jack would reply with something even worse.

As every day, you selected on the main menu the Captain Foxy’s Log Ride, and after a moment you were “sitting” inside one of the logs, holding the usual dart gun while the Foxy animatronic began to explain the rules to you. You had heard them thousands of times, so of course you didn’t even listen to the robotic voice, instead beginning to look around yourself in search of your friend. As per script, Jack was supposed to appear only in specific parts of the ride, advancing towards the player while laughing in a menacing way, and the player was supposed to close the door on him before he could get close enough to jumpscare them. Easy enough, right? Except you had shit aim and died multiple times because of him. 

Now that you had befriended the AI—you weren’t even sure how it started, at some point you had begun to talk to him whenever you’d see him, and he eventually stopped jumpscaring you, just hopping on your log to stare at you in curiosity—he would appear as soon as you entered the ride, sitting beside you or hovering over your head, chilling. 

This time, however, you couldn’t see him anywhere. He knew you were there, there was no possibility that he hadn’t noticed, he was programmed to know your position on the ride for the entire length of the game. You wondered if he felt lazy and wanted you to come to him, or—even worse—he had malfunctioned and couldn’t get to you. The only way to find out was to play the game, so you sat more comfortably on the log and began to play.

☆

You had finished the ride a total of 3 times, but Jack was nowhere to be found. You had even waited outside the open doors, waiting for him to pop up like he was supposed to do, according to his fucking code. That alone was proof that something was wrong, because Jack could not simply ignore the orders given by his basic code! Your hands closed into fists, wondering if Faz&co had suddenly decided to remove him from the game for whatever reason, but you would have known if they had made any updates to the game, you were their beta tester. You returned to the main menu, anxiety gripping your heart into a squeeze, and you kept thinking about what you should do about Jack. Technically, if you noticed any anomalies in the game, you were supposed to email Faz&co and tell them, but you were hesitant to do so. Maybe Jack was alright, maybe it was just a minor bug and you were overreacting.

As you stood in the main room, facing the monitor with all the games, you decided to try and see if he was in the carousel, but before you could press the button, you heard a sound coming from behind you. It was metallic, a clicking you had begun to link to your animatronic friend, but before you could turn around, a well- known raspy voice whispered in your ear.

-Trick or Treat?- Jack asked, joyful, and the first thing you did was turn around and shove him away.

-What the fuck is wrong with you?!- You were so angry you could barely speak clearly, while Jack looked at you confused, perched on a chair like a cat. -I looked for you for- for f-fucking hours! Where were you? You scared me shitless, idiot!-

You were breathing heavily, staring up at the animatronic, who clicked his head to the side and looked down at his chest, surprised. 

-Jack, where the fuck were you?- you asked again, stepping closer so he had to look you in the eyes, but once more the robot’s face was a mask of bafflement.

-Waiting for you,- he whispered, -Here. To scare you.-

-You wanted to… to scare me? Why?- You stared at him, puzzled, crossing your arms over your chest. Jack nodded, slouching a little on the spot, like he felt guilty. 

-Halloween,- he spoke, -I like Halloween.-

Suddenly you felt terrible—no, not just terrible, you felt like a monster. Shit, Jack just wanted to scare you a little, after all, he was an Halloween animatronic! It was only natural for him to try and… disappear? You thought more about it. Why did he hide, why did he disobey his own code just to scare you? Why did he think it would have been a good idea in the first place?!

-Oh, Jack,- you said, voice softened, -I didn’t… I’m so sorry buddy, I just got so worried when I couldn’t find you anywhere! I thought you had malfunctioned and that you…-

You shook your head. You didn’t want to think about it anymore. 

-Listen, I’m okay with being jumpscared and stuff, but don’t do anything to make me worry. It’s a different kind of fear when you’re scared for someone else’s well being.-

-I’m fine,- Jack said, like he couldn’t understand why you were stressing for him. 

-Now I know it, but how was I supposed to know that you were fine if I didn’t see you where you were supposed to be?- you asked him, and only then the animatronic seemed to understand. He nodded, still looking down, then one of his large hands came to rest on his chest, where you had touched him when you had shoved him away. 

-What’s wrong?- you asked, confused, and Jack made a humming sound.

-You touched me,- he said, and you nodded. 

-Yes, I did. So?- Gently, his other hand came to hold one of yours and slipped his fingers in between yours.

-You can touch me.-

You finally realized, and when you did, your eyes widened and you gasped, closing your fingers around Jack’s as well. 

-Holy shit, I can!- You had never really touched Jack before, not even when he sat on the log next to you, you had never tried to. You had always simply assumed that your hand would have met empty air, but now that you had your fingers intertwined with his, you could definitely say that Jack was very, very consistent. He felt almost… almost real. Were your touch receptors that fucked up by all the time spent in the game that you had begun to have sensory hallucinations? How rare was that?

Out of the blue, Jack began to purr, smiling down at your joined hands. The intensity of his gaze made your cheeks heat up. 

-Feels nice,- he grinned, and that sentence evoked something inside of you. 

-W-Wait, you can feel? Like, feel stuff, with your hands?- you asked, and Jack nodded, -But you’re… you’re just an AI in a game, you don’t have a physical body! How is that possible?-

The robot tilted his head to the side, but he didn’t seem to actually think about what you just asked, instead, he just shrugged and kept playing with your hand, holding it in both of his and brushing his hard metallic fingers over your soft pads.

-Dunno.- He kept smiling. -I like this.-

The purring was getting louder, turning into a constant rumbling coming from his chest, making you feel more and more flustered by the second. 

-This is so weird,- you whispered, but Jack didn’t seem to listen to you, or if he did, he didn’t care about it, -I should probably tell Faz&co and…-

Immediately, Jack’s head shot up to stare at you straight in the eyes, making you jump in place and attempt to retract your hand, but his firm grip didn’t allow you. 

-No,- he said, -No Fazbear.- 

-Okay,- you said, nodding, -Alright, no Fazbear, understood.-

Jack mumbled something you didn’t quite hear and then returned to his purring and touching, reminding you of a weird cat who had heard the word “vet” during a cuddling session. Alright, so Jack didn’t like Faz&co, understood. 

-Can I hug you?- he suddenly asked, looking at you with hope, and even if you were still feeling pretty weirded out, you still nodded. 

-Oh, uhm, sure?- you agreed, and immediately you were pulled into Jack’s tight embrace. Again, you were left speechless from the fact that you could feel everything: the burned green ruffled around his neck, the cold metal of his torso and arms, the rough texture of his pants, his fingers spread out around your lower back and your nape. You could feel his purring deep in your chest, loud and warm through the fabric of your shirt. 

-Nice,- whispered Jack as he buried his face in your neck, -Feels nice.-

Hugging something that wasn’t supposed to exist on the physical plane surely felt nice, in a way, but the more time you spent in the animatronic’s embrace, the more you questioned your sanity. You couldn’t think of something that made sense, and you were so engrossed by your own thoughts that you almost didn’t hear Jack’s next words.

-I like you,- he whispered, holding you tighter. You waited in silence, struggling to understand what he meant. 

-I like you too, Jack,- you replied, -You’re my friend.-

-No,- he insisted, pulling away just so he could grab your face and look at you intensely, -I like you.-

You blinked a couple of times, unsure, until you realized exactly what the robot meant. You looked into his yellow eyes, bright as a candlelight, and at his soft, crooked smile, and all you could think about was how you had less than a month before Faz&co would begin to question why you were taking so long to beta their game and demand their headset back. You brushed your fingers against the orange skin of the robot’s face, feeling all the small craters on his moon side which reminded you of cute little freckles, and Jack closed his eyes with a soft whimper, leaning in your touch, starved for more. 

-I like you too,- you repeated, -I.. I do, Jack. Really.- 

You leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on the robot’s nose, and then you pressed your forehead against his, smiling. For a moment Jack stood silent and still, not believing that you had actually done that, and then his internal fans immediately whirred to life, loud and clear in the silence of the main room of the game, clearly giving away his embarrassment.

You giggled when you heard him making a glitching sound with his voicebox, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him back into a hug. Something inside Jack’s chest was beginning to warm, and the sensation quickly spread all over his body, beckoning you to stay close. Still, you had to pull away from his embrace—it was late, and you had to begin to make dinner for yourself.

-Where do you go when you leave the game?- asked Jack. He had always been weirdly self-aware of the fact that he lived inside a game, and as far as you knew, he was the only one to know between the other animatronics. Jack might have looked childish, maybe even a little dumb or dopey at first, with his manic laughters and senseless ramblings, but he was actually incredibly bright.

-To my home,- you answered, stepping back from Jack despite his complaining whines.

-Is it a nice place?- His head clicked to the side, like it always did whenever he had a question. 

-I guess it is. What’s more important is that it’s all mine, though.- 

Jack hummed in thought, probably thinking about how your house looked like, imagining you waking up in a bed all yours and cooking food for yourself—it was hard, to be honest. Jack had only the most basic information about the human way of living, like the fact that you needed to sleep to function, and that to sleep you needed a bed, and that bed was supposed to keep you warm so you wouldn’t freeze. Everything else was stuff that he had learned through you and your conversations. 

-Will I ever be able to see your home, one day?- Jack asked, and you laughed, before realizing that he was serious. Your smile fell and your eyes traveled down to your feet as guilt gripped your heart in a vice. 

-I don’t think that’s possible, Jack,- you whispered just loud enough for him to hear, -I will try and describe it to you next time, but I’m afraid you will never actually see it.- 

Jack didn’t say anything, he just nodded, then leaned in and smushed his face against your forehead, trying to repeat what you did when you kissed him, not completely succeeding in the task.

-See you tomorrow,- Jack purred, and for one last time you caressed his round cheek. 

-See ya, Jack.- 

You removed the headset, finding yourself back into your living room, with your eyes tired and your legs aching after being stuck on the spot for so long. With a sigh, you placed the headset down on the closest surface and sat on your couch, holding your head in your hands and closing your eyes. 

You liked Jack, you really did, but… there was no way it would work, and a part of you wondered if maybe it wasn’t better that way. Maybe, if you and he had met in the real world, if he had been one of the physical robots at the plex, maybe things would have been different—for better or for worse, you couldn’t say, but they would have been different. 

One thing was sure though: if Jack hadn’t met you, his existence would have been far, far easier and more peaceful. Thinking about it, with all your human tales and stories, you might have actually ruined his life, condemning him to long for something he could never have, not even in his wildest fantasies. You just hoped he could move on one day. 

[ashc-from-ao3]

You’re really soft

tASM peter Parker x male teen reader

(Y/n) was walking hurriedly towards his home, a friend had thrown a party and invited the whole school and naturally when everyone got together some idiot brought booze. And of course other idiots drank said booze, (Y/n) was one of those idiots, he was drunker than he had ever remembered being and in his drunken state walking home, alone ,past midnight, in the slightly shady part of New York seemed like a grand idea. He giggled as he stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk, up ahead a stray cat was startled by him and yowled before running into a alleyway.

"OH MY GOD! KITTY, KITTY COME LOVE MEEEEEE!" The drunk teen stumbled into the alleyway intent on loving the poor stray cat.

"Well lookie what we have here, a little boy. All by himself at night, need some help getting home sweetie?" Normally (Y/n) would have the common sense to turn around and try to get away from the large man that now loomed in the back of the ally. Said man lunged forward and grabbed his arm startling him and causing him to scream. Half a second later a white object hit the man's arm and attached it to the brick wall closest to him. Three more projectiles darted forward, one attached to the man's other arm and one grabbed (Y/n) around the waist and tugged him backwards into the embrace of one Spiderman. (Y/n) giggled at the mob,net and snuggled into the superheroe's arms. He could practically feel the hatred that the web slinger was shooting at hisattacker when suddenly both him and spiderman where swinging from building to building (Y/n) gave a short yelp when the ride started but as it continued he calmed down and laughed as the lights of the city flew past, he could have sworn that he heard a soft chuckle come from Spiderman but he had little time to dwell on the fact before he was setting him down in front of her apartment.

"Are your parent home? Do you have anyone staying with you?" (Y/n) Shook his head vigorously, his parents where rich, almost as rich as the Osborne family and never wanted a child, when he was born they bought an appartment and hired a nanny to take care of him 24/7 as he grew they continued sending, what to them was small meaningless amounts of money and they lived their lives without ever actually seeing him. Most people would grow up hating their parents and being snobbish but he had grown up nice, caring and with a big heart, he never used the full sum of the money his parents would have automatically deposited into his bank account each month so he often sent it to people who needed it more. He bought cloths at Value Village and bought half price food, now that he was old enough he no longer had a caretaker and he was doing fine. The drunk boy tried to tell Spiderman this but only came up with.

"Noooooooppppppe, me alone" before almost falling, Spiderman sighed and swept an arm under his knees and brought him back into his arms, he questioned him about where he slept and he pointed it out after some difficulties. The masked man seemed very familiar to him but he couldent place his finger on what it was. When he reached his room he placed him under the covers and was about to leave when.

"Stay" he turned around and sighed, Peter had had a huge crush on (Y/n) for ages now, he figured a rich, handsome boy would never look at him twice so he never made a move or showed any affection towards him. He finally made up his mind and, still in his outfit slipped under the covers.

(Y/n) Woke up with a yawn, he had sleep for a few hours and felt a little better. His hangover hadent hit yet but the alcohol was no longer in his system. Something shifted beside her and a gentle 'hmmm' was heard, he twisted around to see who it was and almost shrieked, it was Spiderman but his mask had come off during his sleep and showed the face of the one classmate he would never suspect. Peter Parker, he always wanted to be friends with him but he was always distant, it hurt him as he had developed a small crush on the bruenett. He figured he thought he was snobbish and rude and hence why he avoided him, so he kept his crush under lock and key and only told his close friend Gwen Stacy. Giving into temptation (Y/n) reached over and gently ran his hand through his hair, Peter mumbled and reached up and grabbed his hand before pulling it down to rest on his chest. His eyes blinked open and stared in shock at (Y/n) when he realized his mask had come off. An adorable smile broke over his face and a giggle escaped him.

"You're really soft." He said looking a little sheepish at getting caught. Peter smiled as well and chuckled.

"Am I now?" (Y/n) Nodded and looked thoughtful.

"So um.......you're Spiderman? No wonder you never wanted anything to do with me, why would you want to hang out with me when you could have literally any girl or boy in New York, I mean they all adore you." Peter looked confused.

"I thought you didn't want anything to do with me, after all your rich and handsome.....no you're beautiful and nice, and I have had the biggest crush on you since like forever. and I could go on but I'm going to stop before I make a bigger fool of myself."

"Y-you have a crush on me? Oh wow, I thought you thought I was just a snotty, snobbish, rich boy. But you have a crush on me. Plot twist, my crush actually likes me back!" In his excitement he didn't notice Peter move closer to her until he felt the gentle pressure of peter's lips on his own. His surprise froze him for a second before he wrapped his arms around his neck, threaded his fingered in his hair and kissed back. Peter placed on hand between his shoulder blades and another at the small of his back before pressing himself even closer to him, he licked (Y/n)'s bottom lip and when he opened his mouth his tongue explored eagerly. (Y/n) Pulled back before it got too heated and snuggled into Peter's chest.

"So (Y/n) wanna go out on a date with me?" (Y/n) Nodded and wrapped his arms around Peter's waist.

"That's would be nice, I am still having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that you actually like me." Peter smiled and started moving backwards to snuggle with (Y/n) while lying in a comfortable position. The two started to drift off again, it was still early after all and just as they fell asleep Peter mumbled.

"You know, you're really soft to."

[sylusjinwoon]

{ 114 }

resolutions.

mike schmidt x fem.reader

the moment mike schmidt came home from his shift at work, you had already said your goodbyes and goodnights to abby. being hired as abby's babysitter for roughly a year now, you were close to the schmidt siblings and developed a relationship akin to friendship with them.

you held your bag in tow, brushing back your hair as you met with mike. there was a sheepish expression on his face, and you figured he was going to tell you that he would be late once more with your babysitting fee. yet when he reaches into the pockets of his jeans to pull out a stack of cash, you were pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

"thank you so much for your help. this should cover this week and the last but uhm, i'm sorry if it's a few dollars short."

you shake your head and told him not to worry about it, pocketing the money within your bag.

although you knew that it was time for you to go, there seemed to be something that stopped you from leaving. for starters, mike was still standing directly in front of you, eyes darting all across your form as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his hand.

you tilt your head at him in question, knowing that he wanted to say something to you with the way he kept opening and closing his mouth. he repeats your name a few times, the syllables coming out in stutters as he struggled to tell you something, yet still, nothing substantial ever came from his parted lips.

"mike, can she stay over for new years?!" just then, abby's voice was heard ringing across the room, with her standing just a few feet away from you and mike, her brown eyes widening with a strange eagerness within its innocent gleam.

"w-well- abby, it's getting kind of late and maybe she doesn't want to stick around anymore than-"

"no...!"

your sudden outburst makes mike take a step back as you could feel the heat against your cheeks. this was a secret kept to yourself and only to yourself- but ever since you had first laid eyes on mike, you developed a bit of a crush on him. he just looked so soft in his signature, hunter green sweater and jeans. his brown hair was perfectly tousled, and you hated to admit that those perfect curls that fell across his forehead made your hands tremble and ache with the need to run their fingertips against them.

to say you didn't mind staying close to mike (and abby) would be more than an understatement. each time they insisted that you stay over for dinner while watching a blockbuster movie or play a round of some board games, you never once declined their offer-

and you certainly weren't going to start now.

clearing your throat in hopes of hiding the fact that you really wanted to stick around, you gently let go of the straps of your bag, allowing it to fall against the floor with a gentle thump!

"as long as you're both okay with me being here, i-i don't mind sticking around for the new year."

by now, abby was jumping up and down excitedly, reaching mike as she gripped at his arms while repeating please please please like a never-ending mantra. a tiny smile graces his features as he meets your expectant gaze. "you really don't mind?"

"not in the slightest, mike."

you could practically feel the excitement in the air, their joy and happiness becoming so palatable that it became almost contagious. you spent the next couple of hours eating the freshly delivered pizza while watching the news coverage of the new years countdown in times square.

as time passed, you danced with the live music playing on the t.v., telling stories all while laughing and having a good time. the clock struck 11:50pm, and that was when the crowd was heard bursting with excitement at the new year that was quickly approaching. you, mike, and abby were settled on the couch, and you took notice of how abby was nodding off. her eyes kept squinting at the television screen, yet each time mike asked if she wanted him to take her to bed, she would vehemently shake her head no.

"'m fine, i'm not tired at all." there seemed to be a determination in abby's gaze, one that was fitting for such a strong willed girl like her. moving away from mike, she clutches her sketchbook close to her chest, her gaze now unwavering as she stared at the screen, ready to join in on the countdown.

you tried to ignore the warmth you felt with mike settled next to you. his close proximity wasn't anything foreign, but was something you knew you could never get used to. you could feel his shoulder occasionally brush against yours, but neither of you ever once said a word.

the clock read 11:55pm, and you became aware of some soft snores coming from the opposite end of the couch. with a tiny smile felt spreading across your face, you lean forward to see that abby was already sleeping, her tiny form curled up against the couch with her cheek resting against the armrest.

you were ready to say something; ready to comment on how cute abby was and how lucky she was to have him as her brother when the softest expression you had ever seen graces mike's features. you watch as the back of his hand gently touches abby's cheek, and you knew that you could no longer deny what you had been feeling for mike this entire time.

you knew that your heart was stolen by him ever since the day you first laid eyes on him.

gathering your courage, you swallow back the fear that was threatening to overcome you, knowing that if mike didn't know how you felt, then he may fall deeply for someone else. you shakily call out to mike, making him face you.

he detects the anxiety coursing through you, his expression filled with concern as he meets your gaze. "hey, what is it, what's wrong?"

you wring at your hands, clenching your fingertips together as a way to comfort yourself. you tried to keep your voice even while maintaining his gaze, but somewhere along the lines, you lost your courage.

wishing to hide yourself from mike, your eyes look away from him and towards the t.v. screen where they were now counting down the final minute for the new year.

60...59...58...

you hear mike softly call out to you once more, "is everything okay?"

"everything is fine, mike. i was just wondering..."

44...43...42...

you met his gaze while letting out a sigh. "i was just wondering if you had any new years resolutions you wished to achieve this new year."

20...19...18...17...

you heard mike let out a soft chuckle, his hand reaching out to you as he brushes your cheek with his fingertips, "it's funny you ask, because i do have a resolution i hope to accomplish pretty soon, actually."

mike suddenly leans closer to you, making you nearly hold your breath when you said, "a-and what would that be?"

10...9...8...

his lips were a mere centimeters away from yours, and you could feel his hot breath against your skin when he answers, "to finally make you mine."

3...2...1... HAPPY NEW YEARS!

fireworks were seen dotting your periphery when mike finally kisses you, slotting his lips perfectly together against yours as you lean back against the couch, accepting his kisses. both of your eyes were clenched shut, yet it seemed that mike was always able to find you as he drew you to him. you could feel the way his hands delve into your hair, causing you to moan as you turned into a puddle whilst in his embrace.

you were ready to deepen the kiss, actually desiring for mike to take it further when a small giggle was heard. mike immediately pulls away from you, completely red-faced and mortified as abby was seen gazing at both you and mike.

"finally, it was time that you lovebirds got together. i got tired of seeing you dancing around each other and decided to take matters into my own hands." abby brushes back her strands of dark hair while ripping a page out of her sketchbook, giving it to mike before excusing herself to her bedroom.

your heart was still pounding, and you were certain that your expression held the same amount of embarrassment as mike's. you clear your throat and inch closer to him, curious as to what abby had given him.

as you rest your chin against his shoulder, you look down at the sketch clutched within mike's hand to see a cutely drawn picture of you and mike holding hands with abby off to the side, holding what looked like a bow and heart arrows. the picture was honestly so adorable that you and mike began laughing profusely.

by the end of your laughing fit, you were breathless, losing strength as you fell back into mike's arms. "i can't believe abby knew all along."

you shake your head in response all while facing him, settling yourself against his lap as you wrapped your arms around his neck. too caught up in your throes of first love, you began to press lingering butterfly kisses against his skin. "and to think i was foolish enough to try and hide my feelings from her."

mike hums in agreement, brushing his nose against yours in a sweet gesture that had your heart racing in response when he tells you. "as embarrassing as that was, i have to say, i'm glad that my new years resolution came true."

and you couldn't agree more to his sentiments.

a.n. - i've missed writing for mike, so have something fluffy and sweet for the new year 🥹 🎆

all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.

[whirlpool-blogs]

The NHL can thank women’s hockey for molding its top prospect into Barry Sanders on skates

June 19, 2019

His former coach calls it a “force field.” When Jack Hughes skates with the puck, the potential top pick in this week’s NHL draft has a way of darting in and out, feinting side to side to keep defenders just out of stick’s reach, as if they’re blocked by some imaginary bubble.

“If fans remember Barry Sanders,” says John Wroblewski, coach of the U.S. National Team Development Program, “he could move laterally, and then he’s at full speed again. Or in basketball, the way Michael Jordan could get guys to stop on a dime. The quickness and slashing and deception — Jack is truly turning on the ice as well as anyone I’ve ever seen.”

This ability to shift and shoot at full speed is part of what has made the hockey world anticipate Hughes’s draft-night moment for years. The 5-foot-10, 18-year-old forward seems destined to be a cornerstone for the New Jersey Devils or New York Rangers, depending on whether he goes first or second when the draft begins Friday, but either way he will be front and center in a major media market. Hughes is hockey’s Zion Williamson, with confidence to match.

“I don’t think I’ve ever felt overwhelmed on an ice rink,” he says.

So then the question for Hughes is: Who taught you to skate?

His answer is as quick as his wrist shot: “It was my mom.”

Hughes has a first-round draft pick in older brother Quinn (now with Vancouver), a potential NHLer in little brother Luke and a title-winning coach in father Jim, so his story is truly a family affair. But his mom’s influence is central to the tale.

Ellen Hughes played with the U.S. women’s national hockey team in the early 1990s, and she played soccer against some of the members of the 1999 World Cup champions. (She once roomed with Brandi Chastain at a youth camp.) Jack’s success is as much of a tribute to his mother as to anyone in the men’s game. He is hardly the first hockey star to be influenced by a decorated mom — Alex Ovechkin’s mother, for example, is a two-time gold medalist in basketball — but Hughes is a men’s player who has benefited from the Title IX generation. In that sense, he is part of an emerging chapter in American sports.

Jack was born in Orlando in May 2001, and 10 days later Ellen was on a plane to Oklahoma to work as a reporter for ESPN at the Women’s College World Series. Broadcasting was the capstone to a fabled athletic career that earned her a spot in the University of New Hampshire Hall of Fame and took her to the sidelines to report on the U.S. team during its 1999 Women’s World Cup run to the Rose Bowl. She was pregnant with Quinn at the time.

Jim Hughes won an International Hockey League championship as an assistant with the Orlando Solar Bears — 12 days after Jack was born — and the family relocated as Jim got coaching gigs in Boston and then Ontario when he was hired by the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. Ellen scaled back on broadcasting with three little boys in the house. She loved parenting but never stopped loving sports. That led to Mommy and Me skating days in Massachusetts. Childhood photos and videos show Quinn, Jack and Luke in NHL jerseys and dressing rooms, but the boys also followed the women’s game.

“My kids have grown up watching that,” Ellen says. “They’ve watched the women as much as the men.”

There was never a grand plan to create a family of hockey stars. Jim and Ellen were hopeful of landing college scholarships and nothing more. They kept the game fun and light, encouraging hard work but not drudgery. Ellen was once pulled aside by Quinn’s grade school teacher, who told her that her oldest boy was often looking out the window at his mom skating with little Jack at lunchtime.

But genetics and the perfect hockey environment — including a childhood in ice rink-heavy Ontario — conspired to make Jack both heady and speedy.

“Quinn was a worker, very competitive,” Jim says. “Jack was . . . well, you could see there was something else going on.”

Jim remembers when Jack was put out onto the rink with some older kids, at defense, and he promptly took the puck and wove in and out of larger players as if they were orange cones. It was an early glimpse of the force field. Jack was 5 years old.

As the boys grew into their teens, Ellen became an uber-planner for games and practices. But she was far more than a driver of minivans and provider of Gatorade, especially when Jim was on the road. She was a hockey resource.

“They could ask, ‘What do you think of this?’ ” Ellen says. “They would want my opinion. Or, ‘Come watch the game with me.’ Or they’d throw me in net. That to them is normal; they don’t know differently.”

Ellen insists that Jim had the primary role in the boys’ development, but Jim insists Ellen’s hockey knowledge “meant everything.”

“She would tell the boys the truth,” he says. “She could talk to the kids. She knew what to say and what not to say. She could connect.”

This may be avant-garde in a historical sense but not to the Hughes boys. Quinn had a girl on his team as a youth player. NBD, as the kids say. “Women’s hockey is pretty cool, too,” Jack says. “Hockey is hockey.”

The family eventually moved to Michigan (where Quinn went to college), and Hughes obliterated the points record for the national team’s development program. Last month he had three assists in seven games with Team USA at the world championships even though he only turned 18 in late May and was facing NHL-caliber opponents.

“That’s kind of uncharted water,” Wroblewski says. “That’s a man’s tournament.”

Hughes’s precision is to the point where he has been known to attempt to shoot the puck off the goalie’s mask and into the net. He says to expect some of the unexpected at the next level.

“You could see a lot of things,” he laughs.

That includes something very rare: a first overall NHL pick born in the United States. Hughes would be only the eighth player to earn that honor. And he is not shy about admitting it’s “really important to him” to go No. 1 to the Devils (even though he’s also happy to land with the Rangers at No. 2).

Story continues below advertisement

“You dream of going first overall,” he says. “You don’t dream of going later than that.”

No members of the Hughes family assign any special status to what they have done. “We’re just another American hockey family,” Jim insists. “That’s all we are. There have been pioneers before us. We are just another American hockey family.”

Yes and no. Having two children as star athletes could happen more often in the United States.

“Fathers are still more likely to socialize boys into sport than mothers,” says Cheryl Cooky, an associate professor of gender studies at Purdue. “But that’s shifting.”

“Shifting” is an apt word to describe Hughes and what he will bring to the NHL.

“He has really cut a path for himself,” Wroblewski says. “There’s an entire generation trying to grow up and play like Jack Hughes. He’s that unique.”

[firewolf-pyro]

INTRODUCTION TO ALL 3 PEOPLE:

There was a gaming convention hosted requesting beta testers for a very new form of virtual reality. In reality it was a form of consciousness transfer technology only seen in films like Avatar- the link units. This is not disclosed to the beta testers hired, three of which are as follows-

Daniel F. Hinkins [aka Ret]

Francis H. Lazarus [aka Goldrush]

Lyla M. Fastiel [aka Birch]

Daniel, a scrawny bio-science major with short curly black hair and a honey-like skin tone, took interest in this supposed side job to help him through his college. He sported shocking blue eyes which he had liked matching with his shirts in the past. His goal was to become a microbiologist researcher before he was tricked into signing a contract with this meddling “gaming” company.

Currently, Daniel is known as Ret. He is a large light blue colored Allosauridae, one of three in a group of highly trained “Dinosaur” fighters. In the team he is known as a more cautious fighter, being of a slimmer build compared to the other two in his group. He is known for running in to start fights by biting and clawing the sides of targets before running off to let the rest of his team take the targets down. He is the fastest of the three.

Francis, a taller broader shouldered brunet was a fresh out of school person of an undisclosed medical position. His brown eyes nearly matched the color of his hair, both seemed to be too much for his pale complexion. Francis had applied for this game testing job for a little extra income to help pay off his student loans. Plus, it was obvious from his online records, Francis was an avid gamer.

Currently, Francis is now known as Goldrush. He is a large yellow Allosauridae. The largest of the group of three. Though he is slow moving he can take a pretty punch and deal quite a lot back to a target. He often comes in right behind his partner, Ret, to “stack bleed” with a heavy bite that looks like someone using an axe to chop into someone. Oftentimes he stays on a target far longer than the other two on the team.

Lyla, a black haired woman with nearly perfect pear shaped proportions was a “local in the gaming scene.” She would often post game reviews breaking down certain gaming mechanics in indee development games and in big-finish releases. Her bright green eyes had seen just about every piece of code used for game development one could dream of. She took her chance with this new “game studio” just to see if she could be the first to produce a review on its potential. Unfortunately for her, under contract, she would never be allowed to do so.

Currently, Lyla is known as Birch. A huge white and black Allosauridae that is part of a team of three. Her size is comparable to the largest member of the group, Goldrush, though her build is a bit lighter. She is

The groups’ healthy middle when it comes to combat. Often she will dart in to land a few blows before circling back to let the other two go in for their own attacks.

All three members are unable to contact their

Family’s or friends- under contract. They are forced to resume their lives on the “test island” filled with combat.

[jackobbit]

[Working for E.V.I.L. Written Lore #1]

The first post of its kind! Introducing, Solar Flare! Below the read more is their personality, backstory, fun facts, dialogue and behavior examples, and other such things!

Hope y’all like them! If you’ve got any questions or comments I’d love to hear it!

[To be shown next: Bloodmoon] [Will be posted in: 2 days]

[Solar Flare]

[They/Them]

While the Working for E.V.I.L. Au has no main character, Solar Flare might be the closest thing there is to one due to the fact that they are introduced to the world in tandem with the audience.

As stated prior, Solar Flare was created within one of E.V.I.L.’s many labs following a zero-turn-out hiring event. Eclipse oversaw the project, but did not help directly. Although Eclipse was the one to introduce Solar Flare to the corporation following their completion.

Solar Flare is very goal oriented, determined, logical, blunt, has a flat voice and tends to take things literally. Very ‘I’m a classic no-personality robot’ type ordeal. They also have a tendency to not know what common objects, expressions or sayings are/mean/do. Their programming really honed in on a focus towards following orders to a T and not doing much if nothing else aside from that.

However, against all odds, Solar Flare begins to develop personality with time. They pick up bits and pieces of information as they go, and slowly apply what they think feels right to themself. It takes time but emotional expression, a unique way of speaking and a personality form within them the longer they exist and work with their team.

Unfortunately, some of the things they learn along the way are either skewed or flat out incorrect because of who they learned those behaviors/sayings from. (Cough, Bloodmoon, cough cough)

Dialog examples: “Greetings. I am: Solar Flare. My goal is to: Obtain Stars.” “What purpose does stopping at: Burger King, serve to our mission?” “Eclipse is correct, I am not sentient. I do not have the capacity to make decisions for myself. Thus, I do not know how to spend this money, Bloodmoon.” “I do not understand, what entertainment do you receive from looking at aquatic animals behind glass?” “Apologies for the intrusion, but we will be taking this, have a nice day.” “I think that I would like to do that.”

Very short, straightforward, blunt and too the point!

Behavior examples: Solar Flare tends to speak most through their eyes. They have little to no body language and tend to stand rigid and still, their eyes give away what trace sparks of life and emotion they have. An example being the way in which they dart around following a state of confusion.

Fun facts: One of the first things Solar Flare picks up behavior wise is how to be polite, quickly adding terms such as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to their lexicon despite doing so not serving any additional purpose to missions.

They can fly! They also have a little star design on their back, which hides away two little bars that can be grabbed to help them transport an additional person. Eclipse refuses to fly with Solar Flare, but with time, Bloodmoon is practically hanging off those bars 24/7.

Solar Flare is the second tallest of the cast, but is still much shorter than The Boss, who they haven’t met.

Solar Flare was not initially programmed with either free thinking or emotion in mind, thus, higher ups are certain that they are not sentient. Whether or not Solar Flare is sentient is something that is argued a lot internally within E.V.I.L., with the only two people being on Solar Flares side being Bloodmoon, but only after the two get to know them.

They can release steam and smoke from the air vents in both their mouth and chest, it helps their internal systems cool faster.

They eventually learn that they like music! Although they have no particular favorite genre.