#honestly I think Price would usually be pretty smooth

[smokeysweater]

Masterlist It had been a good arrangement so far. You and John I mean, it had been pretty comfortable since you originally applied for the ad, it still baffled you that nobody else wanted this, 250 pounds every two weeks, to live in a nice house in the gorgeous countryside, with a roommate who is barely here. Even when John is here, he’s civil and nice. Doesn’t talk to you unless needed, using the sweetest of nicknames when he does as well. ” hey sweetheart, I’m about to run to the grocery store, ya need anything?” ”let me just squeeze right past you, doll” ” Thanks for the dinner love, it's delicious as always.” His voice, that deep, smooth British tone mixed with the most knee-dropping nicknames, it’s a wonder how you’ve survived this long with him invading your mind every time you go to bed. so it was a good thing you two had going on, he left for months on end, leaving you with the house you barely paid rent for, you’ve seen the bill, you know it’s not 250 pounds, that barely scraps it. You’ve tried confronting him about it, but he just hit you right back with a “Don’t worry about it sweetheart, just let me handle it.” …yeah you didn’t fight back against that one. honestly, before you realise it, three years have passed, 3 nice years of having a giant, beautiful house in the countryside all by yourself with a sometimes roommate and only paying dirt for rent, and you might be the luckiest person you know. it had occurred to you one day however, since it had been three years since you’ve started living with John, or as you’ve heard some people call him, Captain Price, that you two were common law.So, you thought it was at least a little funny, so you brought it up one day. You had been waiting for a week when he was home, it had been a bit since he got back, you decided now would be the moment to tell him, with you two sitting at the dining table eating a dinner John had prepared for you two The utensil’s that clattered and Clinked against the plates filled the mostly silent room, there was no tension against you two, just happy to let the quiet fill the air, so you took this as an oppuritinty to tell the older man.  “Hey John,” you spoke, prompting him to look up, baby blue eyes peering up at you, threatening to still your very being. “You know, since it’s been three years since we’ve lived together, we’re technically in a common law marriage now, funny right? I mean you're barely here but the kingdom decides we’re ‘married’” You chuckled, putting air quotations at the married part, you didn’t look Price in the eyes when you said this, focusing on the plate in front of you. so you were unable to see the way his eyes darkened, how his knuckles seemed to whiten with how tightly he gripped his knife and fork. His breathing silently froze for a moment, but the moment you looked back up again, he went back to normal, as if to hide what motions exactly ran through him like a fright train. ” that so?.. spouse we should do something to celebrate, huh doll?” Price asked, in the hushed velvety tone he always carried when talking to you. you shrugged, uncaring. “I mean, we don’t have to, I don’t think it matters, we’re not married.” You reminded Price casually, too preoccupied to see the way Price twitched at that.

”I suppose not.” He mumbled back.

That small moment set off a chain of events that would change your relationship for the better or worse.

the next morning, you felt stranger than usual, it felt.. weird, and wrong. But, naive ol’ you, shrugged it off, getting up for the day, but when you looked down at you beside the table to grab your phone, you noticed something. curiously, you picked up a ring, a pretty little thing, the red gem glinting bright in the Sun, the silver band attached to it feeling smooth and cool against your skin. next to it, was a small note. ’Hey sweetheart. Had to leave early, I’ll be back, I promise, I got you something for Our marriage, Hope you like it. Be back soon To Mx Price. Love, John Price’ what the fuck.

[ficmashup]

Learning

Summary: You join TF141 after something happened on your last deployment. They take you in and while it takes some time, you find yourself warming up to them, and them to you. Perhaps especially to the Captain.

A/N: Hello, my sweet darlings. This one is pretty indulgent and I'm sorry it's so short! It just had to be this way and I couldn't fit it anywhere else, so I decided to just go with it. I have a vague idea of where I'm going, but no promises. ;) Hey, a summary! Will probably go back and do specific summaries, but for now this is good enough. Thanks for reading! <3

Warnings: As always with this fic, vague references of SA, crass language, talk of injuries, honestly a sickening amount of fluff.

Word Count: 2.4k (Short, I know! Sorry!)

Feral Masterlist

I don’t leave Soap’s side as he recovers. Thankfully, the infection isn’t a bad one and the fever breaks in a couple days. I keep him in the infirmary for one more day and threaten Soap with more if he so much as puts a foot on the floor. “And what about you, lass? You look dead on your feet.” He looks at me pointedly while I resist sticking my tongue out at him like a child.

“’M not on my feet.” I object as I settle back into my chair with a yawn, Ghost’s jacket dwarfing me as I tug it on. He’d visited and hadn’t reclaimed it yet, so it’s my personal blanket for now. I’d like to wash it before I give it back anyway. The boys had each tried to convince me to head back to my room, but I hadn’t given in yet. Price hadn’t ordered me away, so I figured I had a little more time. “Said I’d stay until you’re well. I keep my word.”

“I’m well enough, G. You’re discharging me tomorrow. Come on, go get some real sleep in your own bed.” Soap pushes and I shake my head, resting it back against the chair as my eyes close.

“About to get some sleep right here, right now.” I open an eye to peak at him and point an accusatory finger at him. “Remember that the other nurses will tell me if you move.” They were the ones who had to treat the soldiers I fought when I first got here. They wouldn’t lie for him. Not to me, anyway. Soap rolls his eyes with a huff before my eyes shut again. I’m nearly asleep when I hear the familiar scuff of boots stopping next to me and I look up a bit blearily.

“I’m relieving you tonight, soldier.” Price’s voice wakes me up a bit more and I wipe a hand over my eyes as my brows furrow.

“That’s not necessary, sir. It’s my job.” I sit up a bit more, pulling the sleeves of Ghost’s jacket up so my hands are free.

“And it’s my job to see to the welfare of my team.” He points out as his fingers curl in a gesture for me to get up. I rise with a small huff and keep a hand on the arm of the chair to keep myself steady. My lips part to object again, but Price steps a bit closer and bends down a bit so only I can hear his words. “You’ve done a hell of a job looking after Johnny. Time you looked after yourself.” He holds my gaze for a moment, his hand reaching out to lightly squeeze my shoulder in his usual method of encouragement. A little smile creeps onto my face at the feeling, at knowing him well enough to see that.

I heave a breath. I’m being overprotective, possessive, as Soap would put it. Certain memories stick in my mind despite the fact that Soap isn’t me and I didn’t have a team like this the last place I was in. “You’ll send for me if something happens?” I allow at last and ignore Soap’s slack-jawed look. A few words from Price can get me to leave, but an hour-long argument with him and the others didn’t so much as get me to budge. Well. Price knows why I’m reticent.

Price nods without hesitation. “You’ll be the first to know. I won’t leave until you discharge him tomorrow.” My jaw locks as I consider it for a few moments before nodding my agreement. Price squeezes my shoulder again in acknowledgement of how difficult this is for me even though we both know I’m using my background as a basis, rather than logic. He turns towards the chair and this time I’m the one who reaches out, my fingers sliding over his hand on my shoulder. He turns back towards me and I soak in his pretty blue eyes.

“Thank you.” The words are quiet, but firm and full of sincerity. His gaze softens in that sweet way they sometimes do and his hand turns, his fingers brushing mine before both our hands drop.

“You’re welcome.” He responds just as quietly before I turn to Soap who is blinking as if worried he’s hallucinating.

“Remember the nurses know my orders and won’t hesitate to snitch on you to Price.” I pin him to the bed with my gaze before he holds up his hands in surrender. My feet carry me out of the infirmary before I can change my mind and I sigh entering my room. I barely have the energy to kick off my boots before I collapse onto my bed and instantly fall asleep.

*     *     *

I’ve no clue what time it is when I wake up. It’s still dark out, that’s clear to see, and I’m groggy as hell. A quick glance at my phone reveals that it’s two a.m. and my stomach gurgles loudly. Sighing, I slide out of bed and rustle around my bags before finding a granola bar that I immediately shove in my mouth. It’ll tide me over until I somehow find some more food. Half-asleep, I shrug Ghost’s jacket on and drape a blanket around me as I head out towards the mess hall. I pass by the infirmary and slow down a little, then decide to duck in for just a second. They usually have some good rations hidden away anyway.

A soft smile comes to my face as I see the boys exactly where I left them. Soap is asleep with some drool coming out of his mouth and Price is sleeping in the chair next to him, his hat pulled low over his face and his feet propped up next to Soap’s on the bed. I creep in and ignore the scolding look the on-duty nurse gives me as I walk over to them. Something in my chest eases seeing everything is alright without me.

Carefully, I drape my body warmed blanket over Price and he doesn’t move a muscle except for the steady up and down of his chest as he breathes. There are a few cups of pudding next to Soap’s bed and I happily scoop one up and open it with a little crinkling sound from the packaging. “Couldn’t resist?” I freeze at the gruff voice and see the corner of Price’s mouth lift as he reaches up to set his hat properly on his head so he can look at me. I smile sheepishly at him.

“Got a bit hungry. The infirmary always has the good snacks.” I tell him honestly and he quirks a skeptical eyebrow at me. “And I may have wanted to check in while I was out. Didn’t mean to wake you, Price.”

He shakes his head, that near smile still on his face. “I’m impressed you made it this long, actually.” He sits up and moves his feet onto the floor, cracking his neck with a heavy sigh. I smirk a little as he moves. That chair isn’t that comfortable and no one knows that more than me. I grab another pudding cup and spoon before offering both to him. He glances at them, then to me, then takes them while I grin.

“I swear I would’ve made it until tomorrow if I hadn’t gotten hungry.” I say softly while we both eat the pudding. Chocolate. It’s not too bad for military rations.

Price hums in amusement. “Should’ve made you eat something before I sent you off. Should’ve also gotten you a better chair to sleep in while you looked after Johnny. This thing is a fuckin’ nightmare.” He kicks the leg of the chair he’s in with his heel and I giggle, short and sweet. His eyes crinkle slightly as he smiles at me and I feel something in me soften. He really cares about his team. Which includes me now, I suppose. That’s why he stayed here tonight, not to watch Soap, but to put my mind at ease.

“You don’t have to stay here the rest of the night, Captain. Soap seems well looked after.” I say quietly and he raises his brows.

“You sure about that?” He asks and I nod.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” I spare Soap a look and take a breath as I feel doubt creeping up into my throat. Soap isn’t me and the situations are completely different. Time to move forward. “I’ll walk you out.” I turn back to Price and I’m struck dumb with the pride in his gaze.

He nods slowly, considering me a moment longer before he agrees and lays the blanket I put over him onto Soap’s bed. “Alright.” He stands and I put a hand over my mouth as he groans softly while stretching. Those lovely eyes shoot daggers at the chair behind him. “Remind me to burn that chair.”

“Yes, sir.” There’s amusement in my voice and he gives me a look that tells me he knows I’m laughing at him. He doesn’t call me out on it though and merely smirks as I take another pudding cup to eat as we quietly leave the infirmary.

“Lucky you got the soft introduction to treating the team when we’re injured.” Price says as we walk slowly through the halls. Our pace is a tad slower, but I don’t mind spending a little extra time talking with Price. He goes on, “Soap and Gaz aren’t too bad. Johnny gets a bit restless, but he’s not too bad. Gaz is a smartass and tends to hide how bad things are with humor. You have to push a bit or he has to trust you enough to be straight with you. And Ghost…” He trails off and reaches up to wipe a hand over his facial hair, shaking his head.

“Difficult one, hm?” It’s not a surprise to me. Ghost seems as likely to trust others as I am and that’s not much.

Price sighs as we come to a stop outside my room and turn to face one another. “He’s a stubborn bastard. Won’t tell you something’s wrong unless he’s bleeding out.”

I grimace, but make a mental note of the fact. “Okay. I’ll keep an eye out.” Because I know he’s not telling me this simply to talk. Price isn’t the time of man to do things idly. He’s giving me a lot of trust by letting me into his team, trusting me to take care of them to the best of my ability. The relationship between a medic and a captain can make or break a team. It’s up to both of us, him giving the orders and me patching everyone up, to keep everyone whole and safe.

He nods and there isn’t any doubt in his eyes. “I know you will. You’re a hell of a medic.” He glances down to Ghost’s jacket still wrapped around me and I tug a bit on the sleeves while he smiles. “You’ve made real strides with this team in a short amount of time. That’s nothing to scoff at.”

“You all welcomed me too.” I point out, holding out my hands that are half hidden in Ghost’s jacket to prove a point. “Despite my…less than warm attitude.”

Price hums in amusement. “You did better than you think. Ghost didn’t answer anyone but me with anything other than grunts the first two months he was here.”

I laugh softly. “Really?”

“Told you he was a stubborn bastard.” Price confirms with a warm smile on his face. “Soap was the one to eventually break him down. Took a while though.” I lean back against the door frame of my room as I hear the thinly veiled comfort in his words. He’s saying it’s okay that it’s taking me a while too.

I hesitate a moment, then decide to go for it. “Ghost told me that you kept my file to yourself. I appreciate that.” My eyes hold his as I speak so he can see the genuine gratefulness in my gaze.

He nods, not having to think about it for a second. “No thanks needed. I figured you would tell who you wanted when you wanted.”

“Well, my preferred answer to that would be no one and never, but apparently that’s bad for my mental health.” We both chuckle before his stance softens a touch and he shifts towards me despite not taking a step closer.

“You’re a tough soldier, I know you know that. I’m glad to have been able to give you a place here. Give you a team that actually deserves you.” I’m caught in his eyes for a moment, in the absolute certainty in his voice that I’m a good fit for the team that he holds in such high esteem. His team.

I smile, glancing down at the floor a moment while my head shakes. “You’re a really fucking good captain, you know that?” My compliment isn’t as smooth or deft as his, but it’s sincere. Our gazes meet again and he looks a bit taken aback, then a surprised smile takes over his face. He chuckles softly and the sound is warm like a glass of whiskey.

“Don’t know about that. I try.” He says, reaching up and lifting his hat to rub a hand over his head, then putting the hat back on. I smile a tiny bit. Is he…flustered?

“No, I’m telling you. As a member of your team. You’re a good captain.” I don’t give him time to brush it off as I reach out and squeeze his bicep with a little smirk on my face at turning his habit back around on him. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I open the door to my room and take in that sweet, soft look in his eyes.

“Tomorrow.” He tips his hat and I can’t stop my wide grin as he pauses, second guessing the movement before he shakes his head. I watch him walk away before one more thing pops into my head.

“You never said how you are when you’re injured.” I call out and he turns back to me with a half-shrug and mischevious smile.

“Insufferable.” He responds and leaves me with a smile on my face. I hold his cigar box as I sleep, but it’s for a little more than chasing away nightmares…

Taglist (hi! it's so nice having so many people wanting to be tagged! Thanks for being interested! If anyone else wants to be tagged, lmk);

@under-the-dirt @jj-ara33 @sorchateas @cherry-blosom-tree

@thriving-n-jiving @jinxxangel13

[navyhyuck]

how many times? — 2.3k words, choi yeonjun

warnings: explicit marijuana usage, shotgunning, kissing, so incredibly suggestive and so much sexual tension, stoner!yeonjun, sorta mutual pining/bff2l idk, reader gets a little goofy

a/n: my comeback!! honestly i was high writing this because what the fuck. i got so carried away. anyway @itgirlgyu (i hope it's ok i tagged u hehe) wrote the most lovely little thing and getting shotgunned by yj would most def lead to.. something :> so thank you for the inspo! also pls don’t smoke kids, i would let only yeonjun absolutely demolish my respiratory system. tagging kai @channoticedmeuwu bc … yes! <3 (yes it’s not soobin but he’s otw ok). listen to often by the weeknd for ultimate vibes!

you’ve decided that you absolutely love the way yeonjun rolls his joints. 

there’s nothing special about it, of course. you’ve watched him countless times, folding the rolling paper with hazed concentration, carefully packing the perfectly grounded weed inside. it’s the stupid sleeveless shirt he insisted on wearing today, stolen from soobin’s closet after a fifteen minute banter—as you’re told, because it’s ‘too hot outside’ to wear a short-sleeved t-shirt instead. 

his arms are bare, smooth skin stealing the attention of your gaze the moment you walked into his apartment a few minutes ago, and you still haven’t gotten over it. not when yeonjun rolls the unfinished joint between his fingers, involuntarily flexing his forearms as he does so, flitting his eyes towards you as he asks in question to your silence, “you good?”  

perfect. you simply nod, untrusting of your words at the moment. he smiles lightly, getting back to work as you let your eyes wander once again, finding yourself caught up on your friend a lot more than you usually do.

that’s not to say you haven’t thought about him in the past, when he’s invited you over to sit on the overpriced outdoor furniture outside on his balcony, sporting a handsome smile and tousled hair, getting you higher than taehyun’s gummies ever have. the other boy swears his working on increasing his milligram count, but you think it’s a little more than that.

you’re on-your-knees, borderline inappropriately attracted to yeonjun; clearly, considering you watch a little too intently as he raises the joint upwards, licking a quick stripe to seal the paper. fuck, if you leaned in just a bit closer, you could waft the addictive cologne he’s rubbed on his neck, one you gifted him on his birthday last year, and maybe it’d get you off in ways you definitely shouldn’t be thinking about.

yeonjun finally lights the joint, slowly rotating it in his fingers as he does so, sharp eyes focused on perfection. it was hard to believe how much he cared how intentionally his joints were lit (price inflation?).

a gentleman as always, he places the joint to your lips with a gentle expression of want to go? and you couldn’t imagine saying no to him. 

how could you? pretty boy perched next to you, legs spread in such an inviting position—you’ve almost lost it already. eyelashes fluttering, you inhale deeply, trying to ignore the way his fingertips pressing lightly at your lips, keeping the smoke contained from the very beginning. you wonder how his lips would feel on yours, maybe for a little longer than you should.

when he pulls away, you lull your head back, your body slumping, easily enamoring yourself in the sudden joust of pleasure. it makes you forget where you are momentarily, giggling in a daze as you part your lips, letting the smoke leave your mouth. 

“all that with one hit?” yeonjun teases, and your eyes meet his with a roll of annoyance. there’s a smirk dancing on his lips, playfully as you watch the smoke bellow around him, slowly releasing from the corner of his mouth. always so fucking pristine, a perfectionist if you will.

“it’s been a long day,” you say in response, furrowing your eyebrows as the boy shrugs, passing off the joint. “remember how my manager told me to recruit another intern for our team?”

“hmm,” he hums, running a hand through his hair as he watches you inhale again, relaxing your head back as you always do. he finds it so innocent, the way your jaw relaxes as the weed takes its effect, and your lips, as inviting and plump as always, opens only to the smoke.

there’s a sort of numbing feeling, either from watching your jaw slack, mouth open, eyes closed with a string of dense fog surrounding your face or simply the high he’s slowly losing to watching you. it’s almost intoxicating, how you tilt your head to him, small smile lining your lips, offering him another hit as you continue speaking.

“i referred taehyun, you know,” your eyes are narrowed now, gazing nearly shamelessly at yeonjun when he’s unsuspecting. “dude’s got a fucking stellar resume. but they hired this other guy instead, and he’s just been following me around like he’s my intern.”

“yeah? what’s he like?” 

sharp eyes trail on you carefully, watching intently as you subconsciously dart out your tongue, licking along your bottom lip before going off on one of your usual ramblings. it’s so easy to get lost in the way you look, yeonjun thinks, especially when he’s slowly prodding a ‘wow’ or ‘no way’ into your rants every so often, just so you don’t get so caught up in the way he’s absolutely undressing you with his eyes.

he can’t help it, you’ve always been so difficult to be around after a certain hour at night; when the clock strikes midnight and he hears, from a distance, the university bells signaling the arrival of tomorrow, you take his invitations with open arms, spreading your legs on his couch and marking your spot. it’s not as though he spends his time smoking in pg rating with other girls at 2 a.m. anyway, that’s all reserved for you.

the dark-gray shorts and white t-shirt combination is maybe his favorite ever, he thinks, as you suddenly flail your arms up in sudden annoyance, screaming about some ‘and he fucking asks me again!’, the uneven hem of your shirt riding up slightly, exposing the smallest sliver of skin. yeonjun’s mind wanders to where you might’ve gotten this shirt; maybe he should ask you before he tears it off of you.

yeah, maybe it’s time for another hit.

and your voice blurs more than it did before, surprisingly, sounding increasingly more attractive with every word that leaves your mouth. yeonjun’s dazed, drunk on how you lean towards him, chest forward before your face, reaching to grab his joint with your perfect, graceful fingers. in a split second, he moves it out of your reach, smiling lazily when your eyebrows furrow in confusion.

“want me to shotgun you?” he asks with a tilt of his head, words spilling from his mouth impulsively. your forehead smoothes at the question, maybe a little too casually for his liking, and you shrug a nonchalant sure. “i–have we done this before?” he’s got to be crazy, he’s never lost his memory smoking weed ever in his lifetime.

“no,” you’re trying to search his eyes, “hmm, taehyun’s shotgunned me before, though.”

the innocent shining of your eyes paired with your response has yeonjun suddenly giggling, making him place a hand over his mouth as if it would mask anything. oh, he hadn’t known you could be this cute, whining lightly as you question his laughter. when he catches his breath finally, planting his sight back on you, he simply pats the seat right beside him, “come here, i’ll show you.”

you’re quick to oblige, your body buzzing from the marijuana in your bloodstream, keeping you warm even as a cool breeze blows by. yeonjun’s presence is ever-so comforting, more so than ever, and you nearly have to hold yourself from resting your head against his shoulder. with parted lips in unadulterated awe, you watch as the dark-haired boy takes a long drag, the simple motion appearing astonishingly alluring. you’re hooked on deep, and there’s nothing to save you.

but when yeonjun turns towards you, suddenly holding the side of your face–thumb pressing down on your bottom lip to keep your mouth open, and moves impossibly close, you practically freeze. 

heart in your throat, his eyes beckon you to fill in the gap, never faltering. when you shuffle close enough, cautiously grabbing onto his forearm—you can almost taste the ghost of his lips, barely an inch away—he exhales straight into your mouth.

oh…your eyes flutter shut at the soft sensation, your fingertips pressing tightly into his arm as you let the high course through your body. maybe it’s because you’ve already taken too many hits (how many times?), but the intimacy has you buckling down even faster, the rate possibly record-breaking in guinness terms. 

yeonjun’s waiting when you open your eyes, nearly blowing the excess smoke right into his face, yet he isn’t fazed. it wouldn’t matter anyway, no, you could do anything to him and he’d take it without hesitation.

“wow,” you mutter, laughing breathlessly as your friend plasters on a stunning smile. “yeah, i definitely haven’t done that before.”

good. taehyun would be dead otherwise. his hand’s found solace resting on your thigh (when did it get here?), barely grasping at the flesh with nimble fingers. the material of your shorts are soft against his skin, loosely covering you, reminding him of just how easy it would to simply tug—

“can i try?” yeonjun’s fighting inner demons at this rate, testing the deep levels of his self control. he lets you do as you will (of course, why not?), eyes widening when you shift onto your knees, cautiously placing one in between in his legs. he’s gripping on your waist now—just lightly in case you’re overwhelmed, hoping he doesn’t look incredulous with the way he stares at you taking another hit, absolutely enamored with every move you make. 

there’s a flash of desire in the way your pupils dilate, suddenly hyper-fixated on your best friend’s exposed arms. it’s driving you crazy, your mind wandering back and forth—palm grazing up his bicep, feeling the taut muscle beneath your fingers. yeonjun’s gaze wanders on you, quietly leaning forward and putting out the joint against the ashtray. 

you’re looking down at him now, hovering over him in a less than platonic way, glancing between his eyes and lips. opening his mouth, he guides your jaw back towards him, warping you in far too close than the previous time. everything is so heightened, senses tingling from the ends of your finger to your nose—which barely brushes his—and you exhale. 

you’re a natural, yeonjun thinks, from how you don’t let your stream falter, giving him a high just as well as yours. as you finish, you realize you’ve moved your hand to grip at the junction between his shoulder and neck, leaving slightly reddened marks against his skin. 

“sorry,” you mumble, trying to rub them away, but yeonjun merely brushes it off, instead pressing your hand back against him. “i didn’t mean to…”

you lose your voice to the dead of the night, faltering when he runs his thumb back over your bottom lip, eyes scanning your face. when you all but gape at him, he takes it as his invitation to yank you down, crashing your lips against him.

he’s kissing you feverishly, desperate for the way you let out the slightest sound of surprise before surrendering completely, finding it more than difficult to keep you perched above him. your legs are spread over him, nearly lewd in the way you press up against him, drinking him up to the very last drop. 

even when you lean back, disoriented from how the world around you spins miraculously, grinning from ear to ear, yeonjun pulls you back. licking into your mouth, begging for anything physical, feeling you up from the sides. oh.

“yeonjun,” you’re panting, dodging him lightly as he tries to chase you. blinking dazingly, your fingers find purchase in his dark locks, gripping a lot harder than you would’ve done sober. “jun—i didn’t know you liked me like that. i thought we were just friends.”

you’re giggling under your breath as he groans, now tightly wrapping both arms around your waist. it’s so contagious, how your smile lights up your entire face, and he can’t help but match your expression. “what am i meant to do, y/n? have you seen yourself?”

you scrunch up, now gazing at your hands as if you’ve never experienced them before. “i’m seeing myself…”

yeonjun clicks his tongue, gathering your attention with a humorous look on his face. “fucking gorgeous, right?” you start giggling again, shying away when he presses a kiss to the corner of your lips. 

“mm, but you’re hot,” you all but whine, overcome with confidence when you lean in, molding your mouth against his with an adrenaline-filled fervor. hands run down the sides of yeonjun’s neck, circling around until you’re grasping at him. you gasp while he delivers the smallest licks to your lips, taking advantage of your open mouth.

he sucks on your tongue—such an obscene action in your usual book, yet you can’t care. laughter racks up through your chest when his impulses get the best of him, sinking his teeth into your tongue hard enough to elicit the most indecent sound. 

you’re lucky you’re high, or else you’d be doubling over in embarrassment at your behavior. you’d have to thank yeonjun for getting you stoned later. 

“hey,” he calls for you, thumb caressing your cheek, “you’ll let me kiss you after this, right?”

you climb off of him, much to his dismay—laying down against the cushions, stretching your legs, opening your arms—grinning up at your friend. shirt riding up, exposing your midriff as you make a show of your position, nudging him with your legs. 

he's giving in to your beckoning, palms grazing your thighs, gripping and tugging, slotting between your legs. caging you in with his arms, you woo dramatically at his biceps, pecking at the skin with quiet giggles. “yeonjun…”

he hums, admiring you softly, desire and longing lingering behind his eyes. 

“you can have me anyway you want,” you whisper, igniting a fire in his stomach, roping him down in your embrace with a tantalizing kiss. now tangled amongst you, prying mindlessly at clothing that seems so unnecessary in the moment. 

oh, that’s something he’ll have in his mind forever.

[shirohige-pirates]

Birds of a Feather

CisFem Reader x Marco

CW: Violence, blood, language, adult themes and scenes. 18+ only

Summary: Life has not been kind to you. After a string of bad relationships, you're a little jaded and a little depressed in all honestly. The worst day of your life seems to be the turning point, but the roller coaster ride that follows could either throw you soaring free, or have you caged forever?

Chapter 13: Drop-Off

After getting a good look under Marco’s car, Kid brought it back down and installed the hydraulic arm so no one would need to hold the hood up anymore. You and Marco left Usopp to his work. With the custom paint job, plus the clear coat, it would be another couple days before the car was entirely ready for you.

“It would be my pleasure,” Marco started, as you were nearly back to your house. “To drive you to and from work for the next couple of days, pretty bird.”

“Mm, I suppose it would be nice to not have to think about how I was going to get to and from work.” You admit with a smile. “I would like to pay you back at least a little.”

Marco glances over at you with an easy smile. “And how do you mean to do that?”

“I’m certainly not as skilled as Thatch or Sanji, but I’m pretty sure I can still cook a decent dinner or two.” You offer. “Unless your evenings are already spoken for.”

“Short of an emergency at the hospital,” he begins, reaching out and slipping his hand over yours. “I am available as much as you can put up with me.”

You feel the blood rush through you as you try to play it off. “Are all the men in your family this terribly smooth? Or are you simply well-practiced, Dr. Newgate?”

You see his ears go pink even as he smiles. “Neither, pretty bird.” He glances over at you and then looks away, almost shyly. “It’s just natural with you.”

You pull your hand away, both of them going over your face. “That’s just not fair.” You grumble from behind your hands.

“Allow me to capitalize on being terribly unfair, to ask if you’d like to go on another date.” He prompts, turning into your driveway and putting the car in park before he turns toward you. “Friday night?”

You peek out from behind your fingers. “Monday and Tuesday dinners at my place don’t count as dates?”

He smiles. “They do, but I was thinking more about the next place I’d like to go. I had fun yesterday, and, well, today too, yoi. I’m usually just back and forth between home and work, and I’d just really like to have fun again next weekend.”

“Friday… and Saturday?” You question and his smile widens.

“Should I put together a proper over-night bag this time?” He questions.

You laugh a little, a mix of nerves and need, and nod. “If you are so inclined, doctor.” You answer teasingly. “What did you have in mind for Friday?”

“The south harbor has a carnival, it’s only got a couple weeks left. It’ll be a little chilly, but it’s been a while since I wasted money on rigged games for cheap stuffed animals.” He offers, giving you a meaningful look.

“Trying to impress someone?” You retort.

He laughs softly. “I don’t know about impress, yoi. But if failing spectacularly at shoddy games entertains you enough that I get to hear your laugh again, I’ll gladly pay the price.” He admits, undoing his seatbelt and sliding over to your side of the car seat.

“That’s - that’s not f-fair.” You stammer, caught between being flustered by his words and the rush of tension in the air as he closes the distance between the two of you.

“It’s all fair until you tell me to stop,” he replies, leaning in enough nuzzle his cheek against yours, kissing the side of your face softly.

“I might actually be out of my league.” You admit nervously, turning your head enough to brush your lips against his.

There’s a warm rush of air between you both as you each sigh at the light touch. You smile, it’s nice to know you’re not the only one so easily effected. Marco moves in, taking advantage of the moment to kiss you. His hand on the back of the car seat shifts, his fingers disappearing into your hair. His other hand is warm against your thigh.

A firm squeeze of your thigh causes a soft gasp from you, and that’s enough for him to deepen the kiss. Your hands are against his chest, but you’re not pushing him away, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. He leans back a little, breaking the kiss, and you tighten your grip on his shirt and pull him back. The words on his lips die in a soft, surprised, muffled grunt, but he recovers quickly.

You don’t control the second kiss for long, but the low hum in his chest leaves you feeling that you’re maybe not entirely out of your league. When he leans back again, he kisses you softly a couple times before leaning back enough to look into your eyes.

“You’re making it hard to go home, yoi.”

“It’s barely after lunch.” You point out, looking toward your house before looking back at him.

“I need to make sure my brothers haven’t burned our house down.” He replies. “If I go in there now, I might not make it to work on time.”

Still holding onto his shirt you lean forward and put your head on his chest. “Responsibility, responsibility, I have never wanted to be irresponsible quite so strongly before.” You grumble, shaking him a little.

“Aye.” He agrees, his eyes shifting over your body for a second before he looks back up at you. “Speaking of, what time do you need to be at the office tomorrow?”

“I don’t have too much of a set schedule.” You admit, letting go of his shirt and smoothing it out idly as you continue. “I’m usually in around seven or so, especially if I know I’ll be there late, but any time between six and ten is fine. Whatever works for you and your schedule.”

“I can work with that.” He says, leaning back a little, but not shifting too far away. “I’ll text when I’m on my way?”

You nod. “That works.”

There’s a moment of silence, and you both look around the car before looking back at one another.

“It’s really hard to leave.” You admit, causing him to chuckle.

“It’s… really hard to let you.” He agrees. “I’ll do my best to have more time available this coming weekend. I probably won’t… probably shouldn’t, spend the night Monday or Tuesday, but I’ll accept the meals, if you’re okay with that.”

Smiling, you nod. “Yeah, yeah, I uh… I think I can manage.” You admit, putting your hand on the door handle. It takes you a moment to actually engage the handle to open the door, and the sound and feel of the mechanism almost seems dreary in its own way.

Sighing lightly, you open the car door, lean back toward Marco, and kiss him a little roughly before stepping out of the car. As best as you possibly could, you managed to catch him off-guard and are rewarded by his half-frozen form looking up at you.

“I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, doc.” You grin.

Marco chuckles. “Indeed, pretty bird, indeed. Rest well, yoi.”

“You too, when you get to it… and, thank you. I had a great time.” You say with a smile before you close the car door.

Marco leans over the steering wheel, arms folded along the top of it, giving you a smile and a wave when you look over your shoulder at him before going into your house. Stepping into your house and closing the door behind you, you hear him pull out of the driveway.

Leaning against the door and sighing, you realize you have most of the day ahead of you, and nothing you particularly cared to do. Well, you think with no small amount of aggravation, there was at least someone you wanted to do, but that wasn’t going to happen today.

But, you’d get to see him tomorrow, and ideas began to come to mind, so you let yourself be distracted, as you started to do what you needed to for the next day. Moping about around the house wouldn’t be the best way to let the day resolve anyway.

[sillylittle-whumpwhumper]

hello!! Im new to this part of tumblr, but i wanted to try my hand at writing something :) its like 3:40am here so heres a little first part!!

(Thinking of a title!) Part 1

It was cold. It was winter, they were fairly sure. They’d started to lose track of time sitting here so long. And they were cold. They were shivering in their cage, with only a small amount of flimsy material to cover them, knees tucked up to their chest in a futile attempt to keep somewhat warm.

The day in the shop had been slow. They knew this because the sound of the door opening was the only sound that registered in their hazy mind, the only thing to break through their dissociative state. They knew the swoop of hope that ran through their heart when someone new came in was a lost cause, but they couldn’t help it.

As per usual, no one wanted them. No one wanted a pet too scrawny and starved to do any physical labor, no one wanted a pet covered in unattractive scars. No one wanted a pet so mentally far gone they couldn’t take orders normally and peacefully anymore. They were unsellable. Kept around in a cage on display only in favour of being put down.

The door opened once more. Their heart skipped a beat. They forced themselves to look up, their view of the door skewed from their position in the shop, but able to somewhat see who came in. From what they could see, the person walking in was a man probably in his thirties.

He had slicked back black hair, a smart, fitted dark blue suit and tie, and a blank, neutral expression on his face, his glasses sitting neatly on his nose. A shiny gold watch on his wrist was enough to indicate his wealth.

This wasn’t an unusual sight. Rich men and women were often seen with a pretty pet at their side, dressed in fancy frills with polite smiles and an “awe” factor. The cuter or prettier the better.

They slumped back in their cage. Men like this had no reason to even glance in their direction. They weren’t pretty, they wouldn’t look good by someone’s side. They were too damaged for that. That's what it said on their label. Damaged goods. They were sure they were rather cheap, but their price tag was yet to persuade anyone for them.

The shop owner went over to greet him as she did with every customer. She said a polite hello and shook his hand, asking him what he was looking for and offering to show him around all the pets for sale. They started to tune it all back out, knowing they wouldn’t get more than a disgusted glance their way. And even so the glance would have been an accident, men like that would never purposely look at trash like them.

The shuffling of feet was somewhat audible to them, but they focused their energy back on staying warm. The gust of wind as the door had opened made them shiver horribly, leaving them shaking still. What they wouldn’t give for a singular extra piece of material to help them stay warm. They’d cut off a limb if they had too.

A knock, a rattling of metal shook them from their haze once more. They jumped harshly, slamming their back into the cage.

“Oh. It is alive.” What a lovely, smooth and low voice this man had. Cold, also. For whatever reason, this grand man was crouching in front of their cage, having knocked on it to get their attention. For some reason, he was speaking to them. For some reason, he was looking at them. Was he going to mock them, perhaps? Simply sneer, enjoy the miserable view?

“What happened to it? Why is it so….damaged?” The man questioned, looking up at the shop owner. The shop owner shrugged, crossing her arms across her chest, “It’s been brought back a lot. Always beaten black or blue, or with wounds or a broken rib. I honestly just keep lowering its price in hopes someone is desperate for an extra cheap working pet.”

The man hummed. He glanced back at them again. What was he still doing there? They expected him to immediately stand back up and walk away, going to find a pretty, less damaged, and actually remotely useful pet to take home with him. But he hadn’t moved. He was simply watching them, as if something was clicking in his mind.

“Do you have a name, mutt?” The man asked. They were taken aback, the last thing they’d expected was to be talked to. Useless shit like them didn’t deserve to be talked to, especially not by such prestigious men. Had he made some sort of mistake.

But he didn’t waver. And after a moment of shock, a hand slammed down on the top of the cage, making them whimper. It was the shop owner, “He asked you a question. Answer.” She demanded.

They were shaking badly. They hadn’t spoken in so long. They hadn’t been given permission to speak in long enough they couldn’t remember when the last time was. Their voice would be horrible, speaking would be painful with how badly dehydrated they were, but they had to obey the order to speak and respond.

“I- im not sure, sir. I believe i- i had one l-long ago, but i am afraid i can-cannot remember…” Their voice is as rough and quiet as expected, pain searing in their throat as they forced the words out.

“I see. How long have you been here, mutt? From the very first time you were brought here.” The man asked, for whatever reason, still giving them his undeserved attention.

“I- i cannot remember that either, sir. I a- apolo- apologise. I believe it has been ma- many years, h-however…” They answered, forcing out the painful words as fast and clearly as they could.

The man nodded. Then, he slowly stood back up. Ah. He was done now. Well, that was expected. What an odd interaction. What had he wanted…? They did not know… but they would have plenty of time to sit here and think about it, a thought to try and distract them from the awful cold ravaging their thin form.

“Ill take it.”

…What? Surely the man wasn’t talking about them. The shop owner's eyes lit up. “You do? Fantastic! Would you like to purchase another, more well bred pet, also…?” She said, giving the man a curious and hopeful look.

He shook his head, “Not today. Just this one.” He said smoothly, running his hand over his jacket front as if to take out any creases. She nodded, “Of course. Ill go get the paperwork, and then we’ll let it out.”

Their heart was pounding out of their chest. This man…wanted them? Surely it was too good to be true? Had they perhaps fallen into a cold driven slumber, and this some sort of glorious dream? Or maybe they’d started hallucinating, delusions of someone so wonderful wanting them.

Anything but the unbelievable truth a man who could clearly afford a much higher price tag than their own, and whom was dressed so smart and sharply, so clean in comparison to their horrid dirtyness, wanting them.

It simply didn’t make any sense. They watched silently as the man filled out the necessary paperwork, their heart pounding loudly in their ears, their hands shaking heavily, waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the fantasy to end.

But it didn’t. And soon, the sound of a key sliding into the lock of their cage was heard, and the door slowly swung open with a creak. And waiting for them was the owner of their dreams.

And oh, how they couldn’t contain the hope that fluttered in their chest. And the horrible sense of paralysing, overwhelming fear that came with it.

[djosource]

Joe Keery SAWU autograph signings

HOW TO PURCHASE: 

general public will be live on December 1st at 1PM EST

you have several options to choose from. you have the “item from SAWU” store” option (which is usually a selection of funko pops and a variety of photos to choose from) or “send-in type item” which you can send an item of your choosing in to be signed and sent back to you. 

you also have signing options from pen color to certain customizations, which these also are additional charges. (pen color is usually the standard black, green, blue, silver chrome and gold) 

you have the option of getting a signature plus character name, a custom message or a quote up to 8 words (again, each add on is a different price so if you got a character name plus a custom message that would create a new total. EXAMPLE: base price could be 200. a character name add on could be an additional 50 dollars which would make the total 250. if you added the character option plus a custom message that would jump from 250 to possibly 300. I say possibly because each actor on SAWU has different base prices as well as different add on prices so as of this moment of me typing this up we do not know joe’s pricings. either the actors agent sets the prices or discusses it with them I’m really not sure but all I know is david harbour did this previously and the base price was 100 so it’s not too crazy. major actors like robert downy jr. had a base price of I think 300. again this info is totally useless right now because as I’m typing this up we don’t know joes pricings but I’d say no more than 150 for a base price we could get lucky with an 80 dollar base price here’s to manifesting) 

examples of options:

personalization: to Alyssa

character name: Steve, Keys, Kurt, etc. (honestly idk if djo would also be considered a character but I guess you could) 

quote: “pretty damn good babysitter” 

keep in mind if you select a funko there isn’t much space to write a whole lot so I would stick with just a signature or the simple personalization  

ITEM FROM SAWU

each item is a different price- funkos are one price and then different sizing of photos are different prices. (limited quantities for funkos so if you cannot purchase this then those are sold out) 

FOR PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SAWU:  

first select your photo size

on the side (or scroll down a little if on your phone) there will be links to the photo options. click on the links and each photo will have an ID descriptive name on it. copy and paste the name of the one you want and plug that into the PHOTO ID section. 

then select ink color. depending on what image you’ve selected, keep in mind what will show up best. for darker photos silver is usually the way to go- if it’s a lighter photo black or blue or green are all good options. 

SEND IN ITEM: 

describe what your item is (if you’re sending a vinyl sleeve for example, say that. if it’s a funko, a magazine cover, etc.)

if you’re sending your vinyl sleeve or a funko, please don’t send it with the item! keep your vinyl or funko at home and just send the sleeve or box, this way if by some fiasco it was lost or damaged at least your actual item is safe with you at home. 

then select your add ons if desired. 

here’s the full how to down below for item send in. 

(taken direct from website) 

Step 1: Place an order.

Step 2: Print a copy of your receipt to include with your send in package.

Step 3: Label your items accordingly, don’t forget things like pen color and personalization. Be sure to read our guide on how to get your items ready for a SWAU send in, this step is very important!

Step 4: Securely package your labeled items and sales receipt and mail to the following address:

SWAU Re: LUNA 362 Gulf Breeze Pkwy #403 Gulf Breeze, FL 32561 USA

any other questions can be found on SAWU’s FAQ page

this is just my basic understanding of how this website works all questions should be sent to them and not me! just wanted to type this up to help people out for a smooth time at check out. 

[kestrelvylbrand]

FFXIV Write 2: Bolt

Master List (Coming Soon)

“You’re killing me with these prices!” Kestrel sighed dramatically. The store owner did not look impressed. She was a middle-aged elezen woman, her iron-grey hair tied up into a neat bun. A pair of half-moon spectacles perched halfway down on her narrow nose. Her clothes were immaculate, as one might expect from an upscale store in Ishgard.

“These are newly imported from Radz-at-han,” she said with a sniff, pushing the glasses further up her nose so she could look Kestrel up and down. Kestrel struck a pose, then leaned sideways against the table with the fabrics rolled out. The conclusion of the woman’s examination clearly didn’t come out in Kestrel’s favor.

“They are handmade, very exquisite. I try not to judge a book by its cover…” She tilted her head, giving Kestrel another look. “... But if the price is too high for you, I am sure we can find something more in your range.”

The woman’s tone had softened slightly, perhaps at Kestrel’s expression. “I have some rather lovely organza, how does mauve sound?” She left the bolt of clothes on the table as she turned to find the mauve organza. Kestrel played idly with one of the pearls of the delicate fabric that had caught her eye from outside the store. It was a delicate, translucent fabric, fading from soft blue into a deep purple, like the sky right after the sun has set, before it truly gets dark. Pearls of various sizes dotted the fabric like stars. She didn’t usually pay much attention to fabrics but this one, this one had caught her attention immediately when she passed by.

She flicked one of the pearls, then smoothed out a fold with a defeated expression. Normally, she would not have hesitated to just grab the cloth and bolt, and when the shopkeeper had first eyed her with that hawkish, disdainful expression Kestrel knew all to well, that was exactly what she had planned to do. But now, another feeling crept in, keeping her nailed to the floor as the woman fussed over various fabrics. Was it guilt? Despite her initial impression, the woman had not turned Kestrel away at the door, and had in fact barely hesitated to bring the bolt of pearl-studded fabric out to show her, despite the fact that Kestrel knew it was all too clear she didn’t have the kind of money one would need for this kind of store. And now, she was trying her best to find something else, something just as good, even if she wasn’t quite succeeding. The old woman turned around with a few bolts of fabrics in her arms, the mauve organza, a soft, cream colored fabric that looked somewhat silken texture. A spring green fabric with a delicate white pattern. She placed them all on the table next to the blue fabric. Kestrel inspected them. They all looked nice enough, and she honestly didn’t know much about this stuff anyway. She could patch a shirt if she needed to, or maybe hem a pair of paints, but that was about as far as her skill with a needle went. The real artist was… 

Without even thinking, her hand had moved from the green fabric back to the blue. The woman sent her a sympathetic look. “Do you need it for something special?” she asked, her eyes once again inspecting Kestrel’s attire. From the bowler hat to the suspenders, to the worn, thigh-high boots, Kestrel wasn’t unstylish, but “delicate” and “pretty” was probably not words anyone would use to describe her, unlike the fabric she seemed so taken with. Kestrel glanced at the woman and pulled her hand back with a small sheepish nod. “Yeah, just a gift,” she mumbled with an apologetic smile. Why did she feel so awkward? The woman nodded. Then her brow furrowed, and with a surprising speed, she reached out and snatched Kestrel’s wrist, turning it over in her hand. Kestrel barely had time to react as the woman pushed the sleeve up to expose more of the tattoo that had peaked out under the white fabric. Crude, somewhat faded lines depicting a wolf in a stalking position appeared. The woman regarded it with an iron expression until Kestrel pulled her hand back and annoyed pulled the sleeve back down. She needed to be more careful now that she was back in Ishgard. In Limsa Lominsa or Ul’dah, the tattoo would likely have meant nothing to most people, but here, it was another story. “You run with the Ice Wolves?” she asked, her tone unreadable. Kestrel sighed. If the woman had hesitated to throw her out before, she probably wouldn’t for much longer. “Not anymore…” Kestrel’s tone was dismissive, her shoulders raising as she pushed her hands into her pocket. Maybe she should steal the fabric after all. Tonight perhaps, or another day. She blinked as the woman reached out and tilted her head up to look at her closer. “My... Graham’s sister, are you? Yes, I’ve heard of you.”

Kestrel blinked, surprised. They were well outside of the Wolves’ usual territory, and she doubted Graham would be able to demand protection money in this part of town. The woman’s expression softened. “Well, it was years ago,” she said. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen him. But you do look so much like him.” She let go of Kestrel’s face, inspecting her for a moment. “Tell you what. I owe Graham a favor, he was good to me once. Why don’t I give you a few yards of the blue fabric and you tell him to stop by for tea when you see him, yes?” Kestrel blinked again, stunned. This was not the kind of people she expected owing Graham favors, if that was what this could be called. She finally caught herself and nodded eagerly. “Of course. Thank you, if there’s anything I can ever do for you…” she rambled as the woman pulled out a pair of large, elegant silver scissors decorated with vines and flowers, and cut a line through the fabric. Then she folded it neatly, wrapping a piece of silk paper around it and putting it into a neat, rose-colored box before sending Kestrel a small smile. “Thank you, dear, I will keep that in mind, I am sure you are a person of many talents.” She handed Kestrel the box, and for a moment, Kestrel could have sworn she winked. She took the box with a sense of reverie, looking at it before sending the lady a wide grin and tipping her hat. 

When she left the store, it had started to snow.

Fabric Source

[kinetic-elaboration]

April 5: Celebrity Sighting

Yet another Friday where I feel washed up on the shore. Today was a pretty good day but I feel discombobulated and overwhelmed now. Going to have to have a chill weekend but I hope I still accomplish some stuff. I don't have a plan to do that though so... lol.

The big event today was the interview with a person I'll refer to as a State Celebrity because he's a celebrity to me. It went really, really well. The student interviewer is so good, we got the room in order pretty fast and it wasn't too awkward, and the actual interview was very clean, smooth, with a lot of good stories. I get why this guy was a politician for so long and how he won the race he did because he has that Charisma. He knows how to craft a good sound bite. And he got me believing, man. Like, we are not on the same side of the aisle and I will not lie I was wary about... him being a Republican. But a lot of the stuff he said I did agree with--either in the sense that we agree with big picture stuff but not details, with what to do or what to value but not how to do it or how to preserve it, and partially because we actually do have some specific beliefs in common, in particular regarding criminal justice. Super interesting guy. So, so nice. I felt a little awkward, partly because I'm always awkward and partly because he's Famous, but he was pretty easy to talk to and it felt natural and nice. We actually ran into him again outside the building when we were leaving and he mentioned maybe coming by the law school, and so the rest of the day I was like 'is he behind me? is he here again?' I didn't see him but I also barely left TS and it's not a place you would wander into.

I got lunch from the sandwich shop--my usual plus a pomegranate sea moss drink because every time I go to this place I have to get Something Weird and Overpriced. I actually really liked it though. If it was sold in the grocery store in big containers for a reasonable price, I would buy it.

Most of the afternoon was just chatting with people in peak Friday Energy style. I did draft a response to the possible work drama email chain but I didn't send it. I just exorcised the demons and then after the interview, it didn't seem important. A part of me wants to just ghost because that's what the situation deserves. Another part of me wants to explain myself one more time, one proper time. I don't even care what happens in this situation; I just really can't stand the idea that I'm being misunderstood. And this is a me problem, not a work problem, so.

Honestly, I hope next week is chill. I say that about every week. But I deserve it. I need to take a long weekend soon... because of other people's work schedules and absences, I think it might not be for another week, but whatever. As soon as it's set I can look forward to it, and having something to look forward to is sometimes better than experiencing the thing.

[skincare-surveyor]

Meaningful Beauty Youth Activating Melon Serum

Brand: Meaningful Beauty

Product Type: Serum

Price: 76.00 USD

Size: 1 fl oz

✔️Cruelty Free 

Star Ingredients:

Melon Leaf Stem Cells: Supports natural production of collagen & hyaluronic acid. Antioxidant.

Sea Daffodil Extract: Treats hyperpigmentation.

Hyaluronic Acid: Hydrates.

L-Carnosine Peptides: Plumps and minimizes wrinkles.

Texture: Thin gel

Feel: Tingly

Scent: 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸  

Very strong. Has added fragrance.

Results: I don’t like to talk shit, but I was honestly so surprised by my skin’s reaction to this, I felt I had to say something. 

Normally, I don’t use products without clean ingredients, but I received a free deluxe sample of this and thought it would be fine to try. After all, Meaningful Beauty has been around for years now, and I felt like I would have heard if there was something wrong with it. 

Immediately after application, I noticed my skin felt kind of tingly. I didn’t think much of it because I’ve used other products that have this effect and it’s usually a sign that the actives are working. However, within 3 days of using this product, I noticed my skin redness had dramatically increased. I became dry and itchy. Even my lips were dry as a bone. 

Hard to say what the cause is. I’ve never used the primary actives before - the melon stem cells and sea daffodil - but it could also be one of the other ingredients or even the added fragrance. 

Upon discontinuing use of this product, I noticed an improvement in appearance within 24 hours. I had to use a lot of oil & moisturizer to combat my flaking skin. It looks much better now though. 

Anyway, I bring it up because this seems to be a pretty popular product with lots of good reviews. I just wanted to throw my two cents in: If you have naturally occurring skin redness and/or sensitive skin, this product may not be for you. 

Comps: The Youth Activating Melon Serum is meant to combat signs of aging while increasing hydration with an antioxidant boost. Here are some serums that will do the same, but have clean ingredients to boot.

If your budget for a serum is around this price, try Juice Beauty STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum, STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle  Retinol Overnight Serum, or STEM CELLULAR SUPERGRAPE Youth Renew Serum; Drunk Elephant Protini PowerPeptide Resurf Serum; One Love Organics Botanical E Youth Preservation Serum; BareMinerals SKINLONGEVITY Long Life Herb Serum; or Origins Plantscription Multi-Powered Anti-Aging Peptide Serum.

If you are looking to spend a little less, these are more moderately priced: Peach & Lily Glass Skin Refining Serum; Derma-E Advanced Peptides and Flora-Collagen Serum; The Ordinary “Buffet” + Copper Peptides 1% Serum; Bliss Youth Got This Prevent-4 + Pure Retinol Advanced Skin Smoothing Serum; and Beekman 1802 Golden Booster Amla Berry Vitamin C Serum and Dream Booster Bakuchiol Better Aging Serum.

If you want to stay as low-cost as possible, there are two ways to do it. There are a few serums under 30 USD you may want to try. Undefined Beauty R&R Night Serum; Earth Harbor Celestine Hydra-Plumping Peptide Serum; WLDKAT Saffron Oat Milk Glow Serum; Kate Hudson x Juice Beauty Energizing Age Defy Cocktail Concentrate Serum; Provence Beauty Immortal NightMilk Youth Restore Facial Serum; and Pacifica Sea & C Love Serum are all great options.

My other suggestion if you want to keep costs down is to use two simpler serums that, in combination, will get you all the benefits of a high cost product. For example, Good Molecules Super Peptide Serum and Daily Brightening Serum would get you all the benefits of this serum. 

So would The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum and one of their antioxidant support serums; they have quite a few of those, so you could pick what you like best. Some good ones to try are Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% Serum; Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% Serum; and EUK 134 0.1% Serum. I’ve used the EUK serum myself and thought it was great. It does have some guidelines for use though, so make sure you check those out.

The INKEY List has Collagen Peptide Serum & Vitamin C Serum which would also do everything this serum does. 

So there’s plenty of options out there for you!

[faultychips]

Skyward Sword....2!!! (Individual Review)

Hellooo, I’m back!! I haven’t forgotten about doing reviews I promise, but finishing Skyward Sword HD took waaaay longer than I thought it would. I only finished it yesterday and I’ve been playing it almost every day for like two and a half weeks! BUT it is done….but…I also haven’t really finished anything else in the meantime. So…what better opportunity to do a long-form single-game review! Just to preface, though, this game’s technically been out for a while, and Zelda games’ formulas are pretty well known at this point, so I’ll be less concerned about avoiding spoilers here than usual. Let’s jump in!

As is probably clear by now, I’ll be solely covering The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD for Nintendo Switch in this review. I’ll have a few things to say about my experience playing the original for the Wii in this review, but I’ll be very honest…I haven’t played it since I was about 10 years old…I deeeefinitely do not remember enough to review it in any real capacity. Take my comparisons as very anecdotal! This review is only really meant to cover my feelings and thoughts on the HD remake and how it stands on its own. I also opted to use button-only controls; no motion! I used one of the gamepad-type wireless switch pro controllers. In exchange for no motion controls, the sword swings are done by quickly flicking the right analog stick in the desired direction. Not too bad, but not too accurate…but I highly doubt the joycons were any better and I was never tempted to switch to motion for even a second. BUT either way, it’s another detail to take into account when I talk about my broader experience with the game.

I’ll go ahead and start with something I first noticed when I booted up the game, and kind of the whole point of this remake: the graphics. It is pretty obvious just by looking at the textures of the environment that this is a port of an earlier title, because a lot of the graphics have a very…’upscaled and rounded out pixel art’ sort of feel. Funnily enough, it reminded me of how older games tend to look when played through an emulator…and ended up actually finding a video comparing the original Wii game in Dolphin emulator to the HD release. What’s interesting to me is that in HD it looks like they actually created this look on purpose instead of directly porting the original textures; a lot of the detail that causes it to look overly detailed or grainy in the emulator has been replaced with a soft, blurred and smoothed-out look. It doesn’t always look perfect, and can feel a little off and washed-out, but I think overall it was a good and positive change. However…I can’t say there’s a LOT of difference between the look of the new and old versions, like on the characters themselves, whose models and textures look pretty much identical, especially through an emulator. But honestly? I think that was a pretty understandable choice. The characters are kind of the pinnacle of this title, with lots of expressiveness in facial expressions and animations, camera angles, cinematics, you name it…it’s always a treat when a cutscene starts playing.  It would kind of be a shame to throw all of that work out. I will preface that the character models can look a little uncanny at first (and maybe they should have upgraded them a little so they would not be…) but this was more of something I thought as I was adjusting to the game in the first 30 minutes or so and never something I thought about again, so I believe it’s mostly just a matter of adjusting to Skyward Sword’s particular artstyle. Overall I really like how it looks! Potentially room for more effort/improvement/etcetera etcetera for the lofty price it invokes but what it is, is pretty great.

Next I would looove to talk about…the controls. Like I said before, I used the button controls on a pro controller, and used the right stick to swing the sword. Already I can tell it’s a massive improvement over the original wiimote controls. As distant of a memory as it is I can still remember desperately swinging the wii remote in the original to little avail...though there IS plenty to complain about with these new controls too. You can tell the game wants you to be strategic, and to use your sword with tactical precision, but I can tell you right now that is. not going to happen for you (unless you’re enough of a big-brain god-gamer to handle it, which I am not, haha). I would be happy to be more strategic, but you can’t really be consistently precise with your swings, and if you’re like me you’ll do enough diagonal swings that end up as horizontal or fail the special moves enough times and just give up entirely. And then you’ll make your way through the game by just flicking the right stick all over the place at random. Even without strategy this is pretty fun, and the worst parts of the sword control experience are the moments where the game forces you to be precise. A good handful of enemies will force you to be very fast and very precise with the direction of your swing…including the recurring antagonist Ghirahim and the final boss of the game. Perhaps unsurprisingly these boss fights were the parts of the game I loathed the very most of all. Pro tip: like me, you might hope desperately that you can get away with never understanding how to do a “Fatal Blow” strike. Youuuu can’t. The last half hour of the game’s boss fights will require it. It’s ‘up-down-up’ on the stick. Good luck, brave soldier. Despite impreciseness, the versatile sword controls are a fun idea, and it is pretty great to run around swinging your sword wildly without a care in the world. JUST REMEMBER: the ZR lock-on button is your best friend in the whole world. Never forget it!

The controls overall are pretty extensive, and can take a good bit of memorization and adjusting…and readjusting when you come back from a break (which you will likely take!) but generally are very well done and feel good to use. Only real problem I ever consistently had with them was forgetting to hold down the L button in order to use the right stick to control the camera instead of the sword, and for some reason selecting something with ZR would often just switch to something adjacent during the 0.0001 seconds I stopped applying pressure to the joystick. Small things, nothing really crazy to report there. One sort of weird thing is that there’s no jump button; this is to prevent you from weaseling out of certain puzzles, I imagine. You can still jump though, since whenever you run to the edge of something you’re allowed/meant to jump off of, Link automatically leaps forward in that direction. You would think this gets annoying and there would be a lot of unintentional jumps, but honestly it never really gave me any trouble, though I did press the B button every single time there was a jump coming out of instinct even though it did absolutely nothing at all. (Of note is that when you’re locked on to something you can technically manually jump but...it’s more of an evasive hop, you’re really only gonna use it to dodge.)

As for the gameplay experience in general… really, really good! I guess it’s kind of predictable for a Nintendo first-party title to be good, but it’s still important that it is. I had a lot of fun with this game, and that fun runs pretty consistently throughout. …the first 30 hours anyway. It reaaaally takes a nosedive in the home stretch (my playtime was 47 hours total, for reference) but that first nice ½ to 2/3rds of it….perfect. Lovely. Let’s talk about that first, before I complain further.

First off, the dungeons in this game, as one might expect from Zelda titles, are really phenomenal. They’re all decently sized (not crazy big but not crazy short), and are chock full of various puzzles. The puzzles in this game are the perfect kind, imo, where you can usually figure out everything for yourself, but the answer does take some thinking and trial and error, and causes an “aha!” moment that makes every solved puzzle feel like a win (and the classic celebratory jingle only enhances this). I will admit I got stuck more than a few times, but in a change of pace, I usually didn’t have to look outside of the game to get help. Fi, your sword’s siri assistant, will often be ready and available to help you and give you hints on what you should try or where you should look next in order to solve a particular puzzle. That’s not to say she’s always helpful–there were a few times I called on her for help and she didn’t have anything relevant to say–but there was a good handful of times she helped me figure things out, and the rest of the times I think I solved the puzzles through extra trial and error. (The only things I think I had to look up online was help for boss fights and sword controls. Fi is generally unhelpful when you ask for boss details.) The puzzles aren’t limited to the dungeons, though, as there are many big wide areas for you to explore. It almost has an open-world feel to it, and while it’s far from being one, it has a nice similar open energy to it (and makes me especially excited to see how that Tears of the Kingdom game is gonna turn out). All the areas feel really nicely fleshed out and in 30 hours time, you’ll have them covered top-to-bottom, satisfyingly enjoyed and investigated. 

As a last nice point: the characters. I mentioned briefly their expressiveness, but there really is a lot to be gained from the general goofiness and charisma the game emanates through these characters. Groose is one character who you could definitely see becoming annoying fast, but by the end of the game it’s working hard to endear you to him, and I think it does a pretty good job. The only thing I would critique in this area is that you don’t really spend much time with these characters, and oftentimes the game will act as if you do, with dramatic high-stakes events revolving around a good handful of them. I do care about them, I just wish they were more involved in the story; we basically chase Zelda down through the entire game only to finally catch her near the end, and Groose spends the good middle 40 hours sulking out of sight just to be a main character at the last second, for example. However, whatever amount of involvement and screentime they did have, I greatly enjoyed. Link himself is very expressive and I loved every bit of that, from his sleepyhead grogginess and pleasant daydreaming in the beginning, to his fierce determination shining through at the end. The best part is that you spend the whole game with him! Good stuff, great characterization.

Now…THE FINAL COMPLAINING! This part can best be summarized as “the game is really good and fun overall but takes wayyy too long to wrap up and pads out with several hours of backtracking when you’re already very ready for the game to end.” The point at which I decided the game was losing me was abouuut the time I got all the various tools and was going through getting all the sacred flames to improve the master sword. It was here where the game just starts throwing whatever random thing it likes at you, and doesn’t really stop, starting with an escort mission…and then a hugeee underwater level…and then another escort mission…and then a level where you’re stripped of all your items. All in the three main surface areas you have already finely combed through, and which will surely be wearing on you by now if you’re trying to finish the game without any week- or month-long breaks. It would be a lie to say these weren’t any fun; they could be frustrating but they weren’t quit-worthy, but at this point I was really only pushing forward because I wanted to reach the end, not for my love of the experience. Apparently they’re a little unpopular, but I actually quite liked the Silent Realm trial areas, as they were the part of the game where I was the most focused, and running away from the Guardians was fun and exhilarating. I think they would work perfectly as conclusions to each area, as the last thing you would need to do in each one. To my disappointment, however, these occur and then you must return to these areas over and over again. Unfortunately you can tell when the game is running out of things for you to do, and this basically starts when you collect all the sacred flames. Now all of a sudden the game wants you to go back and learn...a song…from each of three dragons…and then a big whale…just to give you a clue on how to find the triforce, which is itself inside a tedious dungeon where you have to do… a sliding puzzle. Woof. The triforce is a common staple for Zelda games, but despite the 10-ish hours it took to get all the songs and actually obtain it, it doesn’t really…do anything in the story. Link doesn’t use it to become stronger or gain any advantages like with the sacred flames, the quest to obtain it is just kind of obligatory and convenient padding. Hell, despite all the emphasis on the importance and power of the triforce, in the final fight, it just takes a backseat while random lightning strikes will be what actually assists you here. Very disappointing. Like I said, not a dealbreaker, just. Disappointing. And just plain annoying. Don’t get me started on how much this game would improve with a fast-travel option! (Not including the amiibo-only dlc option. Which does exist and is very ridiculous to paywall but even then kind of sucks at its job. Yeesh.) But thankfully, this is all mostly just the back end. There’s still a whole lot of good stuff to experience here, and if you are expecting the lull and still want that good stuff, you can quit as soon as it gets Too Annoying.

And I think…that about does it! Before I conclude though, I’ll rattle off some extra mini tangents:

The designs can be sooo fun and I LOVE that even the staple monsters like chu-chus can be very distinctly different depending on what game you’re playing. My favorites have to be the Chuchus, Keese and Deku Babas. There are a lot of really good original designs here too; the Guardians for example are one of my favorites, but a lot of the non-human npc species, like the Kikwis, the Parellas, the Mogmas, and of course my favorite, the Ancient Robots. I would love to see these return again in future Zelda titles!

I forget if this is a common Zelda staple, but it is so refreshing to receive no fall damage or anything similar from endless pits. It still puts you back where you fell from, of course, but that's pretty standard. After dealing with games that take an entire life away for an endless pit fall (one of the reasons I won't be finishing and reviewing that PC Klonoa remaster anytime soon) it is really just a huuuge relief. Very nice. Two thumbs up!

Finally REMEMBER….this game is best played on a TV since it’s a Wii port and if you’re doing that I bet you’re gonna squint really hard and give yourself a headache from tensing up in general at some point. Whenever you’re starting to get frustrated with a puzzle, make sure to step back and make sure you’re not adding to whatever the game is throwing at you. Breaks to relax yourself and your muscles are important! This is gaming 101, but always a good thing to remind yourself of.  

That’s a wrap!! Whew. Hope you got a nice two weeks worth of review outta this one! I think in the future a weekly publishing schedule is a little toooo quick to always be able to review games, but maybe when I play more indies…which I plan to fill up on this week since I bought a bunch >:-]! Anyway…bottom line: Skyward Sword is really good. Controls are great but not perfect. It’s a little too long and gets too backtrack-y after a while. Despite its flaws it’s a great, solid, fun Zelda game. Maybe get it on sale since it’s just an HD port.

BUT OF COURSE, here’s the link:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD is available for $59.99 on: Nintendo Switch

Good luck and have fun <3 and see you soon!

[punemy-spotted]

The Price You Pay

Pairing: Mob!Steve Rogers x Reader

Warnings: Non-con/Dub-con, mentions of murder, unclear timeline, blackmail, unprotected sex, fingering (F!receiving), smut, esoteric references to past abuse, manipulation, Dark!Fic

Words: 5.2k (holy fuck?)

Summary: You need his help. He names his price.

Notes: This is for @stargazingfangirl18 and her incredible 5K Soft!Dark Challenge and I can't believe I wrote over 5k words for a oneshot, making this the longest piece I've ever written. I took a blend of prompts: Mob!AU; “When I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this;” and “That’s a big favor you’re asking for, I think you need to make it worth my while.”

And this was intended to be a oneshot but now I can't stop thinking about it so thanks Siri, I think this is now a part of my WIPs too! Your work is amazing and I had a blast being able to take part in this!

As usual, my work is 18+ ONLY, Minors DO NOT INTERACT

You went to him first.

You went to him, handed them your business card and I want to speak to Steve Rogers.

Honestly they almost threw you out with an extra hole in your head but then the man of the hour walked right in.

So now you’re here. Now you’re here, sitting across a gorgeous dining table with a ten-course meal laid out and honestly you’re surprised they didn’t tie your wrists to the arms of the chair while you watch him eat and take in the look of those baby blue eyes scanning you over.

He even brought you non-alcoholic rosé, when you said you didn’t drink.

So.

So.

You wanted to talk to me?

Yeah, I do. Thought you’d just sit me in your office, have a consultation.

I like breaking bread with new friends. Have a nice dinner, get the wine flowing — of course, that’s not gonna loosen your tongue, but we’ll forgive it.

Oh. Cool, I like being forgiven.

He laughs at that one and the room, strumming with tension, snaps into amusement. So do you, cracking a half smile on dark red lips, before swallowing down the lump of anxiety threatening to break through and destroy everything. You need this. You need this and you can’t let anything — not your nervousness, not your morals, not him — stop you. You need this and it needs to be done and if this is what justice is in this fucking city then so be it.

Well, sweetness, you’ve got my attention. You want to talk business or pleasure?

That one makes you laugh, a little sharp and a little cruel, and the curling smirk on his face gets a little furrowed because he hears it too — pain.

It could be both, you say finally, picking up the glass of rosé-that-wasn’t, if your reputation is as real as they say it is.

He lifts a bite of cheesecake into his mouth and lets it melt on his tongue while he watches you, somewhere between impressed and incensed. You know the look — you saw it the last time he met you in court, but you weren’t there as allies then. Never thought you’d come to me, he admits finally, sounding halfway bemused at the idea, but you’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Counsel?

You wince, or maybe smirk, eyes on the man before you.

It’s a game, a dance, a ruse, and the woman you thought you were thirteen months ago when you put four of Steve Rogers’s best men in jail for fifteen years — fifteen years longer than any District Attorney had ever managed to do before you, and you were just the rookie they handed a shit case to — is leagues different from the woman you are now, seated prim and proper in the lion’s den.

You’re not innocent. That’s not been your game for years — this life doesn’t leave room for innocence, it tears at you, leaves you tired and broken and ill.

Your colleagues learned to fear him a long time ago, the man before you. Captain America, leading the city, the country, the world into a new era of high tech crime all under his thumb. It’s a pretty shiny shield, the one that sits behind him, but mirrors are black on the other side and his soul is dark as coal.

You’re not an angel yourself, and this deal with the Devil isn’t for anyone but you.

I need someone taken care of.

So you come to me? I thought you were a lady of morals, Counsel.

Certain kinds of morals.

You can see him smile, see the way he raises his glass, the glimmer of malice and amusement in his eyes. So tell me. What’s the name?

You give it.

He’s not in the city, your target, but he will be. A Judge, an activist, real tough-on-crime-sweet-on-justice type of shit. You don’t tell him the reasons why, because those are yours, but you tell him the name. You tell him he’s a problem, you tell him he’s dangerous, you tell him you’ll pay to have him taken care of, you tell him you don’t want to practice in front of that black, black robe.

And he smiles like the Devil he is, watches you with a grin and drinks his whiskey in one last shot before slamming it down, Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

You said that when we met the first time.

He’s a hunter, you can see it in his eyes. That lion’s mane might be tamed right now but it won’t be for long and you’re playing with wild animals. The eyes on you are ice and daggers, daring you to do the one thing everyone in the office has been begging you not to do.

(Drop the charges, Rookie, the case is just to get your face in front of the judge.)

You upped the charges.

(Rookie, you don’t know what you’re dealing with, there’s other cases.)

You subpoenaed his phone records.

(Rookie, don’t make me drag you off this case!)

You won.

You had no witnesses and a jury you had to drag in from god-knows-where after you proved, over and over again, that he’d paid off the cohort in the courtroom. Finding people with nothing to lose and a desire to do their civic duty wasn’t harder than you thought — it was exactly as impossible as you expected.

But you did it.

That’s what you do, isn’t it? Push and push and fight, claw your fingers at the ledge and pull yourself up, you pay for your crimes in your blood, sweat and tears you pay for the things you could have done then and didn’tdo.

You pay.

And sometimes, that payment bounces back.

And when it was all said and done, when the closing statements were delivered, when the Jury came back out and the Judge — hands shaking, mouth agape, eyes wide — read out the verdict no one expected, you… didn’t feel any better, did you? There was no justice for you in that room, just the searing glare of ice-blue eyes and the burning of your steel spine.

Real woman of the law, aren’t you?

First words he said to you, while the courtroom emptied out and you stood there, facing the man you’d just made an enemy of with your briefcase in your hand and your eyes aflame.

I did my job.

Did you? Is that what you think your job is?

My job is justice, unflinching and blind, Mr. Rogers. I don’t care how much power you have or how afraid you leave this city, I’m going to do my job.

You could always let justice turn a blind eye.

Yeah. I could, but that wouldn’t make this any fun, would it? Thank you for the win, Mr. Rogers — I’m sure I won’t get many more.

You leave him with a smile on his face and the scent of your perfume in his memories.

He leaves you with the pride of victory in your bones and a reminder that your strife could be worth it.

One day.

How do you plan to fill that pit, the one you tossed the corpses of your old self into? The one you let them claw up out of, to haunt you? Remind you?

You’re digging your own grave and you know it, but you won’t let Steven Grant Rogers be the first one to toss a handful of dirt over your corpse.

But now here you are.

In his dining room, enjoying dessert and some sort of after-meal coffee. In need of him…

This might almost have been a date, if not for the topic of conversation.

So. You want a Judge taken out. What if he’s already on my payroll?

Why would you keep a dead man in your pocket?

You like the sound of his laugh, and you don’t even have the excuse of wine to fall back on when it warms your core. Don’t admit it though, don’t say it aloud, don’t let him get an in. Be smart, cross your legs tighter, keep your eyes on the prize.

You’re so close to the finish line.

That’s a big favor you’re asking for, Counsel, I think you need to make it worth my while.

Worth your while?

I’m not a charity. And since you put the guy I usually use to handle these things behind bars for a few years—

You know I can get him out too.

That’s not payment, that’s putting things right.

You take a drink. Steady on, girl.

I’m leaving the DA’s office.

That stops him.

Oh that stops him good, and he looks fascinated. Interested. You’ve said something he can use as leverage and it’s not just about a job. That smirk on his face is smug and his eyes are darker and he has to know the impact that look has.

Can’t falter, don’t falter, don’t give in.

Am I allowed to ask why?

No.

You’ve done your research. You just don’t know why you’re thinking about it now. Steven Grant Rogers, “Captain America,” leader of a crime family that had too many names to stamp out, bolstered by a mad scientist, a military man through-and-through who turned New York into his own private base against whatever stood against his way.

Get in his good graces and you’re set for life. Get in his good graces and you’re safe, you’re protected, you’re good.

Get on his bad side and you only make that mistake once.

There are no second chances in this game, and here you are, asking for one.

So what? You leave the DA’s office, you leave yourself open to me — you think leaving New York is going to be the thing that stops me, Counsel?

No.

Then what?

Breathe. Steady.

I know you gave me that win on purpose — you could have taken out my last jury cohort. This isn’t about the four men… and you know I’ll get them out. This is something else, but I’m not here to ask about what or why.

He falters just briefly, like he’s surprised you knew, but the crack in his mask smooths itself over as soon as it forms and he’s back to watching you, nodding along in silence while you breathe and watch him and keep talking.

But even then. I got four of your guys in prison. And I know how your organization works — I subpoenaed the documents, remember? Your lawyers are good, but they’re not used to people asking the right questions. You want someone to seal up the cracks you need someone who actually knows what to look for.

You have more than his attention, you have his interest, and now he’s leaning in a little. Imperceptibly, but enough. Scanning over you from across the table, like he’s thinking how you managed to get so impertinent in the face of the likes of him but that’s the thing — when the only thing you have left to lose is your life, you’ll risk everything.

So what are you offering?

Breathe. Don’t. Stammer.

Myself.

The chair scrapes and suddenly there’s the clicking of guns, aimed and ready until his hand rises up and he stops them and he’s stalking towards you.

This is the lion’s den, sweetness.

The stakes are higher and you ought to be braver and he’s got your chin in his hand before you have a chance to react, dragging you to your feet. Do you know what you’re offering me, Counsel? Low and hissed and hungry, like those perfect teeth might be sinking into your throat in the next moment.

Oh, you have no idea.

You get me. On your payroll — you know. The offer you sent me a year ago.

You think it’s still open?

If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have met with me.

The chuckle in your face makes your cheeks warm and you’re looking more flushed than you would like, the open shoulders of your dress suddenly feeling a lot more like a mistake the more you realize just what kind of meal he might make out of you tonight.

We might need to have a discussion about your workplace duties, Counsel.

You don’t notice the hand near your thigh until it’s too late, sliding up the soft fabric of your skirt until it’s squeezing your ass, until it’s jerking you towards him, until you’re pressed against his chest and the hand on your chin is now hooked around the back of your neck, thumb pushing your jaw until you’re forced to look at him. Won’t lie, when I woke up this morning, I certainly didn’t think my day would end like this, having your pretty little body in my arms,and you can look as indignant as you want but he’s got the upper hand and you only thought you were two steps ahead of him.

You think I haven’t thought about what it’d be like to put you in your place, Counsel? You’ve got a smart mouth — I wanna know what else it can do.

He doesn’t give you a chance to use that mouth to lash at him, lips sliding over yours, swallowing that indignant yelp with a punishing kiss. Nipping at the plushness of your lower lip until you open your mouth and yield to him with a sigh of reluctant surrender, let his tongue slide past that barrier for him to explore. He’s got his fingers wound through your hair, just a little too tight and whether the whimper in your chest is because of the pain or because of the want, he doesn’t care.

Knew you’d be sweet, Counsel… softly, when he pulls back to look at you, take a look at those love-swollen lips and your ruined lipstick, the pretty way you pant at him already, the heat burning your cheeks. Pay no attention to the slick warmth between your thighs, pay no attention to the way he makes you burn already, pay no attention to how your fingers have curled into the lapel of his coat to hold yourself steady, pay no attention to how you suddenly miss the pressure of his lips.

All that smart-talk and now you’re quiet, Counsel? F’I knew it just took a kiss to get you to shut up, I would’ve done that at trial, he’s purring in your ear, soft and sweet and you should push at his chest, so uncurl your fingers girl and push.

I didn’t say I was selling my body, there’s your harshness, and there he is, laughing at you again, the grip on your hair jerking your head back until you’re looking into those dagger-cold eyes again.

You don’t make the rules here, Counsel, I do, and you need me more than I need you. So if you want to make sure your Judge can’t start wreaking havoc on your career… you might want to get used to readjusting it for me. I promise I’ll make you feel nice, if you let me…

And if I don’t?

Then I take what I want and I don’t feel bad for not holding up my end of the bargain. Your choice, Counsel, you cum willingly and I’ll give you everything you want. Don’t, and it’ll hurt you more than it hurts me.

That’s not a threat, that’s a promise, and suddenly you’re more scared than you ever thought you’d be, wondering if you’ll need to sell another part of your soul to take him down after. How much of yourself will you put up as collateral to get justice for the wrongs you were never able to correct?

You’re afraid.

Oh sweetness, you’re afraid.

Here? Now?

No, Counsel, we’re gonna do this right, aren’t we? You wanna be in bed with me, I’ll take you to bed with me. Come on, say it. Say the word.

Say no. Say no, rail and fight, stamp your heels into the expensive leather of his shoes, jam your knee into the sensitive between his legs, scream and yell and tell him you will never let another man take advantage of you again to help you reach your goals. Do it. Do the thing you swore you would do the next time a man like him — men who think they can take anything from anyone, men who think they own the world and the women in it, men who think you aren’t strong enough to fight back — propositioned you just like this.

You’re selling your soul to get rid of a man just like this.

But that’s coiling heat in your core that wasn’t there the last time, was it? That’s want. That’s the realization that you like the way this predatory smile feels, that you like the way this one wants you. You’re not her, not scared and alone and helpless. You could fight back and run and maybe escape if you were lucky.

You could choose.

He’s let go of your hair to stroke your cheek with the backs of his fingers, soft and sweet, You gonna give me an answer, Counsel, or am I gonna have to take it?

Say something. Say no. Scream. Say no say no say no say— Yes.

It’s a whisper. A desperate, soft whisper. A helpless, lonely whisper. It’s enough.

He sweeps you around until you’re pressed with your back against his unyielding chest, feeling him flex with every movement, broad arm wrapped around your shoulders from the front. All of you are dismissed, and that’s when you remember there were others in the room with you. Others who just watched you concede to becoming Captain America’s newest plaything and the burn on your cheeks is more shame than lust. You pull at his arm briefly, futilely, earning a tighter hold for your efforts and a whispered don’t make me choke you, before you are half-walked, half-dragged out of the dining room.

The walk to his room is slow and agonizing as you’re pulled along, barely struggling but barely helping at the same time, tears sliding down your cheeks as you come to terms with what’s going to happen next — no one is going to save you tonight, no one’s going to interrupt and drag you out, this is your job and this is your place and here you are.

No one speaks. There’s no sound but the steady tap of your heels and his shoes on fine marble. Even your sobs are silent, even your breathing is muffled, until the stairs are traversed and the faintest click of a lock turning opens the door to the rest of your life.

You made a deal.

Time to pay.

Sit on the bed.

You move as if in a trance, and he watches your face, the hint of waterproof mascara failing to do its job, the smudged ruby red of your lipstick. Don’t give me that look, you knew what you were signing up for when you walked into this house, Counsel.

His hands are gentler than you’d expect, when he wipes away the streaks your tears leave down your pretty cheeks, coaxing you to look up at him, We’ll set ground rules later. Tonight? I wanna see if I can get that mouth of yours to beg for me.

It won’t, you snap without thinking, knifeblade sharp and cruel, ready for a fight again. He promised you that once, in a hiss you thought you’d misheard but no, you heard him just fine and now if he thinks he can quench your fire and have you pleading just because you sold your body for the prospect of revenge then he’s wrong.

Thing is, he laughs like that’s a challenge, and the hand holding your chin so gently is wrapped around your throat before you know it, silencing your voice with just the right application of pressure. I can do this all night, Counsel. Do you think you can last that long?

Fear. Anger. Indignation. You are fury made flesh and he is manipulating you with just the barest press of his palm and sliding over you, until you’re laid out there on soft sheets and he’s looming over you, splaying that big hand out and sliding it down your throat, over your chest, feeling the ruching of the fabric under his palm. You wrapped yourself up like a present for me, didn’t you sweetness?

The change in nickname isn’t lost on you but here you are, glaring up at him while he smiles so beatifically it leaves your blood boiling and your skin steadily warming. The rise and fall of your chest is hypnotic, every angry breath a swear you don’t utter, every inhale your protests dying in your throat. What can you say, what would you say, right now? There’s nothing that can change the way he looks at you, or the way his eyes flicker from ice to blue fire the more he takes stock of the pretty little thing he’s about to start sharing his bed with.

Fuck, you’re beautiful, that one shocks you, but not as much as the sudden rush of cold air when he tears the emerald green fabric of your dress down and reveals the soft swells of your breasts, nipples peaked from the sudden cold.

You don’t get much time to gasp, just something soft and strangled before he turns your voice to whimpers, wrapping lips around that pebbled tip and laving his tongue over sensitive flesh. Where are your words now, Counsel, while he threatens the softness of your chest with the scrape of his teeth, when he slides his hands over the round curve of your thighs and parts your legs so he can press himself between them, so he can press himselfagainst you? Where is the knife-dagger of your wit to protest each soft, suckling kiss to your skin, each press of his fingers like he could just squeeze his ownership of you into the plushness of your hips, into the sweet swell of your ass? What do you say to the dirty little thrust of his hips as he bucks with his own burning need, reminding you just how much this is for hispleasure as he will make it for yours.

You would, could, should push him off and instead what are you doing? Curling your fingers into the silk-smooth of his comforter, desperate to writhe out of your own skin away from the burning pressure between your thighs, the foreign, unfamiliar heat you suddenly feel like you might be craving.

Anyone ever touch you like this before me, Counsel?Warm breath splays across your skin when he questions you, eyes fixed on yours and he waits. Answer him, answer him, tell him he’s nothing, tell him you’ve had better, lie and destroy that ego, lie lie lie lie—

Nnnh—no.

He looks like you’ve just told him the best news of his life, eyes wide and blown with lust, Oh is that right? You’re saying no one’s ever touched you this good? Or just no one’s ever touched you at all?

You don’t have to answer. The furious blush on your cheeks? The way your eyes slide away from his? The way you writhe, trying to press your thighs together to relieve the pressure and finding the effort futile? If the man’s grin could get any wider, it would, right now. Oh sweetness, we’re going to have so much fun exploring your body together…

He pulls back just enough to take a look at you, already flushed and writhing and overwhelmed and if he could take a picture of this right now he would. He’ll save that for later though. Tonight? Tonight is just the two of you, and his hands are back to your skirt, pushing the tight fabric up over your round hips and revealing the lace of your panties… just before he rips them off, to the sound of your indignant yelp Steve!

You’re going to call me Captain, sweetness, we’re not close enough to use my name just yet.

No. No you’re not, and he’s not sure you’ll ever be — he rather likes the idea of hearing you whimper out his title when he gets you desperate and wanting.

He touches, slow and steady, watching you try to jerk away and tutting at you when you do, fingers at your delicate nerves like an assault on your pleasure. Bite your lip, bite back the moans, whine at him like he’s wounded you, You’re so wet, sweetness, you’re so desperate for me aren’t you, as he palms his cock to relieve the pressure on himself. You’re going to beg before he does and he’s patient, he’ll last the night.

St-stop it, it’s too— he shushes you ahtahtaht and rests his free hand on your mound, holding you down so his probing, inspecting fingers can take stock of the velveteen plushness of your delicate cunt. It’s too much, too much and you want to scream the moment he presses one finger into you, already overwhelmed, already so tightly wound the barest touches are unraveling you steadily.

You’re such a pretty thing, all desperate and needy, sweetness. You wanna cum already, don’t you? So busy, never gave anyone the chance to fuck that stuck-up bitch right out of you, did they? It’s almost pitying, isn’t it, the way he talks, hums at you while you’re reduced to a whining, whimpering mess so soon, so desperate for the release he’s on the edge of denying you, feeling you flexing around his finger and then the second leaping jolt of your body when another joins the inspection. Taking careful stock of the pretty cunt he owns now, and he’s careful to curl his fingers just right as he seeks the spot to hammer just to get you to scream.

You don’t, not yet, but that’s okay too, because he sees the way you take desperate hold of the sheets, the way your eyes roll backwards just slightly, the way you strain against his heavy hand to arch your back. Gotta tell you, sweetness, I imagined you under me a thousand and one ways but this one, right now? Tops the list. You ready to beg for me?

Do it. Do it and end your pleasurable torment. Do it and be released from the pressure, the coiling want. Surrender to him. Let him have you.

The white hot rush of your orgasm is not unexpected to him, his curling, cruel fingers having found the sweetness of your g-spot, but — you, too busy climbing the ranks to think of your own pleasure, too busy demanding your due from an unjust world explore your own warmth beyond that of a memory of a college hookup you would rather forget — you left breathless and wanton in the heat of the explosion he draws out of you, mewling something desperate and pleading against your own will and the song of it fills his ears like it’s all he’s ever wanted. There it is, and I thought we’d be here all night. A thumb flickers over the nerves at your entrance and you practically jump, something between a yelp and a moan escaping your lips.

First one’s just a treat, sweetness. Now on, you cum when I say you do, understand?

You nod.

Oh you nod, and you are lost, here and now. Sensitive and broken and there is so little of that steel spine here, writhing in his sheets and ohyou don’t know the things you do to him.

Think you can go again, sweetness? He’s purring, smug, twisting fingers stretching you slowly, muttering under his breath about how fucking tight you are around his fingers, how good you’re going to feel for him, and the smugness on his face is slowly fading into a dark consternation, brows furrowed like he’s somehow angry at you for being plush and delicate and fuckable.

You’re almost begging him to stop, and yet the pressure is building again, the twisting, coiling heat that leaves you breathless and mewling and he looks like he might be trying to immortalize this moment forever. Say it, sweetness. Say you need me. Beg me for my cock.

That’s it.

That’s what you need to, you need to beg, you need to give in. No more fighting, no more arguing no more —

Please…

Please what, sweetness, come on now. You got a way with words. The snarl is so barely contained.

Please, Captain, please just…

What do you need, sweetness? The fingers are relentless, the buzz in your nerves is overwhelming, you can barely even hear yourself talk, much less him.

Please just fuck me, Captain, I need your cock! It’s hurried and it’s crude and it’s desperate and it’s exactly what he wants as just another wall crumbles and you fall off your pedestal right into his arms.

He’s barely able to resist the buck of his hips, the need to be inside you, the knowledge that you are soft and velvet and you could be all over his senses just like this.

When did he free his cock? You don’t know, you just know it’s practically salvation when he sinks into you, when he fills you like you’ve been desperate for and Oh sweetness…pours from his lips just as you hiss out something like praise right back at him.

You’re so full and he’s so gentle, at first, like you’re made of crystal in his arms, like the slow shifting of his hips might have you shattering underneath him if he’s not careful. Cradling you, even, sliding your legs around his narrow hips as he leans in and takes a hungry kiss from your wanting, whimpering mouth.

Love this look on you, all wrapped around me, whispered low and slow into your ear, sweetness you have no idea how good you look…

Melt into those compliments, melt into him, because the way he’s holding you is divine and you can feel him so deep in you it’s making your head spin. When did your arms end up around him? When did you start clinging to him like an anchor, start winding your fingers through his hair, start leaving the marks of your nails on his back to the sound of his own needy groaning?

He noses your cheek and leaves a mark of ownership on your neck with hungry lips, knowing you’ll bruise a beautiful flower right over your pulsebeat and continuing the steady assault on your nerves, cunt-first.

Harder. Faster. More.

And oh, sweetness, you do shatter.

You shatter all around him, you shatter into something divine and rapturous, full of him and filled with him and he cums so deep inside you as you do, still fucking you through your joined climax, hips rutting and breath hitching and nearly furious at you for the way his vision whites out too, the way he feels like he can Never get enough and so he hisses that at you like an accusation while his thoughts reorient back to reality, back to smugness, back to the control you took from him while he tried to strip you of yours.

In the end, as he pulls away from you and sinks to the side of you, watching your sweet expression as you return to the reality of your new situation, he is satisfied… thoroughly.

Oh yeah, I think we can make this a working relationship, Counsel.

[thesunicarusfellfor]

hear me out yandere god Wilbur falling for Reader who is a dancer and even though Reader is a dancer they don’t worship the god of music Wilbur but instead a different god (whatever god of your choice)

Ughghg Gods make the brain go brrrrr I sweaaaarrrr I love writing possessive gods. It's so great. I want to see more God AUs of MCYTs.

Pretty lame compared to my normal writing tbh

Dance for Me (Yandere!God!C!Wilbur x GN!Dancer!Reader) Headcanon/Fic

(Hints of Yandere!God!C!Dream x Reader)

He wanted more parties.

He wanted any little excuse to see that little dancer again.

It didn't matter how much he hated Dream, if inviting him to his parties meant he brought that dancer over, by gods he would beg Dream to stay longer.

When Tommy told him he was invited to a massive peace treaty banquet, he dreaded going.

He hated so many of the other gods and honestly, it didn't seem worth the migraine.

But there was wine.

He must've been close to downing his fifth cup when he saw the most lovely figure he's ever seen.

They twirled around Dream in a perfectly rehearsed pattern, the green fabrics of their clothing swiping through the air with delicate grace.

He was pissed, seeing how the God was skillfully ignoring you to talk to George, missing the beautiful display you were putting on.

"I'm going to hate every second of this..." Wilbur murmured under his breath as he pushed open the door, a few of his dancers and servants in tow behind him, one holding his beloved guitar as instructed.

The massive golden room with a long grand table standing in the centre. Placed strategically around the dark oak table were dozens of thrones, styled to suit each god that was likely attending. There were quite a few dancers dressed in their gods' respective colours, as well as a few servants standing behind their gods' thrones, waiting for commands.

Giving a sigh, he dragged his feet towards his throne that was decorated to his liking and plopped down in it, immediately grabbing the glass of wine that was placed in front of his blank plate. Beside him, his father who was sitting on a black-feathered throne, chuckling to himself, "Long day, mate?"

"I hate here..." He mumbled bitterly into his glass, downing the scarlet coloured liquid as quickly as he could to make this event more bearable, "Why would I want to be in a room with Tommy AND Dream?"

Philza chuckled quietly and have him a pat on the shoulder, "Yeah, yeah, trust me, I know." He shook his head before adjusting his hat, "It'll go quickly, just focus on the wine and dancers. You'll be fine."

Once he got a refill on his glass, he began downing it again as people began to party and celebrate. Honestly, he couldn't chug the glasses of wine down fast enough, the party just got more and more annoying. Anything from Tommy's breathing being slightly too loud, to Techno's usual snippy remarks, even Dream's very existence, everything was filling him with unnecessary anger and annoyance.

By his fifth or sixth glass, he was about to stand up and leave, until the flowing of green fabric brushing past his vision caught his attention. Normally, he would just ignore it, as he was used to fabric always flitting around him (albeit his dancers were dressed in tans, golds and yellows) but the movements were so... different.

He lifted his head completely and stared in shock. There was an elegant figure twirling around Dream in a perfectly rehearsed routine, their lime green silken and chiffon fabrics with diamond and white gemstones tied perfectly around their smooth (s/t) skin. Their soft (h/l) (h/c) hair was neatly styled out of the way while perfectly accenting their flowing movements.

Wilbur's mouth parted slightly in shock as he watched the beautiful dance, which is more than Dream was doing. The idiot was ignoring such a beautiful dance to talk to George, which made him realize that Dream didn't need such a skilled dancer in his court. Wilbur wanted them in his court, and by the gods, he would worship them as if they were a god and he was a mere peasant. Whether they wanted him to or not.

Time must've passed very quickly because, by the time he had shaken himself out of his stupor, he saw Dream staring at him from across the table with a knowing smug grin and his hand on the dancer's mostly bare hip.

"Stunning, aren't they?" He smirked, looking up at them, "This is my lead dancer and my personal favourite of my worshipers. Introduce yourself to him, Doll, let the other gods know who you are. And how you belong to me."

Wilbur was almost trapped in a state of awe as they hurriedly went around the table before stopping at the side of his throne, immediately dropping into a bow, "(Y/n) (L/n), Lead dancer of Dream's temple. Thank you for allowing me to be in your presence. How can I please you, God of Music?" While their lines seemed a bit robotic and possibly more rehearsed than their dances, the God found himself melting at the sound of their voice.

"Please, continue dancing, and enjoy the party to your heart's content."

You honestly were quite tired from dancing all day and all night, but such is life.

Dream definitely wasn't the most merciful god.

But the praises you received from the harsh god made your heart soar. It felt nice to be treated so sweetly by someone who was considered cruel.

The banquet was filled with laughter and joyous music, dancers in different outfits and colours expertly twirling around their gods in an attempt to appease them and hold their attention for long enough.

You briefly glanced over in time to see the God of Music staring at you with his mouth parted in shock.

The amount of pride that filled you as you realized you had another gods attention was almost overwhelming.

Unconsciously, you found yourself dancing more elegantly and passionately, determined to keep his attention on you, and you only.

Your movements stopped immediately once you felt a calloused hand place itself around you and land on your waist.

Keeping your head down respectfully, you tried your best to ignore the murmuring of the two gods, but couldn't help but bite your lip at the praise Dream was giving to you.

After introducing yourself to Wilbur, Dream told you to follow his orders and continue enjoying the rest of the party.

"Name your price for them." Wilbur turned to Dream the second the dancer left his side, "Anything. Everything. Now."

"Eager, aren't we?" The man smirked, adjusting his position to lean forward slightly, "Is your attention that easy to grab, Wilbur? A mere dancer with skill and a tiny bit of green fabric?"

Hiding his growl in a sip of wine, the music god rolled his eyes, "They have immense amounts of skill, they should be worshipped rather than worship. Name your price, Dream, I want that dancer and I will do anything it takes to have them in my grasp."

"Hmm... I'm not sure... They are very good at their job, and I quite like their presence around my temple. Isn't your temple's independence enough? Or are you not satisfied? Always wanting more and more..." He shook his head in mock disappointment, "I'll give them to you... But just know, you owe me one of your dancers and a favour. Where I can ask for anything I want from you."

"Deal," Wilbur smirked, barely thinking about it. He would lay down his entire temple for that single dancer. With a quick motion, he signalled one of his best dancers over and told her that she now belonged to Dream, and in response, Dream called the lead dancer over and told them the same thing.

While the two dancers were surprised, they knew not to disobey orders and went around the table to meet their new gods more personally.

The second (Y/n) got close enough, Wilbur pulled them into his lap and held them close, gently holding their chin so they would look at him, "Hello, (Y/n), you're going to be worshipping me from now on. Now, let's get you out of this... Awful colour..." He gently grabbed at your lime coloured clothing, turning it into a golden hue after touching it.

Upon seeing their shocked expression, he smirked.

"Only gods are supposed to wear gold, my darling, and you fit the bill quite well."

[arvinsescape]

Getting mobbed.

Summary: You get mobbed by the paparazzi and Tom and Harry come to the rescue.

Warnings: Swearing.

W/C: 1.6K

You made your way through the hotel, preparing yourselves to go out into the onslaught. Tom was set to do an awards show, and this usually meant an influx in paparazzi, which he hated. He loves his job and he loves his fans but the paparazzi could just be too much at times. The problem with events like this was that every member of the papz wanted the first picture, which usually left them very close and diminishing any concept of personal space. Tom had gotten used to it in a way, it still made him uncomfortable, but he was used to dealing with it.

You on the other, although you’d been with Tom for a while now, weren’t. The first time you ever dealt with it was hard, but you kept your head down and kept moving forward but you were new then. You always thought it would get easier the more accustomed people came to you being with Tom, but it didn’t. The papz having more and more questions for you each time they saw you. Are you pregnant? Are you engaged? It didn’t bother you as much anymore, but something felt off about tonight.

You looked out towards the front of the hotel and gasped, there were far more papz than usual and it didn’t sit well with you. All you had to do was make it to the car, which wasn’t a long way but there was a lot of people between point A and point B.

“There’s so many.” You said as you grabbed Tom’s bicep.

“I know, this movie is a big one.” He’d expected this, this was one of the biggest movies he’d starred in so far and of course the attention surrounding the film had meant that more people had turned up for his picture. He took your hand that was holding his bicep and kissed the back of it, easing your nerves slightly. “I can always get Harry to take you out the back, if you’d be more comfortable?” He suggested.

“No, I don’t think that’d look too good. The rumours would be a nightmare.” You sighed as you grasped his hand firmly, interlocking your fingers.

“You know I won’t let anything happen to you. I’ve got you.” He promised as he squeezed your hand. “And Harry is right behind you.” He reassured. You swallowed down your nerves as you nodded. He was right, you’d be okay, right?

You made your way out of the front of the hotel, Tom’s security fending off the first lot of paparazzi from getting too close but there were too many. Tom’s grip on your hand tightened and it felt like he was cutting off circulation, but in reality, he was making sure you were still with him. Harry was close behind you both.

It was all going pretty well considering until you felt someone much taller than Harry behind you. You’d been split up and although you knew Harry would be okay it made you nervous. The man behind you was shouting your names, any question that came to mind and you did your best to ignore it and continue to move forward. That was until he got a little too close to you, your figure being much smaller than his and you lost your footing. Trying to regain your composure meant you weren’t holding Tom’s hand quite as tight anymore.

You felt his hand leave yours and you panicked, and another man had now gotten in between you, then a couple more. You managed to keep yourself upright and you were now being pushed forward quicker than you could walk, it felt surreal. It was like an outer body experience, you were just kind of going along with it, just praying you’d make it too the car.

All of a sudden, a hand grasped your arm and pulled you out of the way causing a panic to rise in your chest and you felt tears well in your eyes. Two hands grabbed your shoulders and turned you around. It was Harry. Your nerves instantly calmed.

“You okay?” He asked panicked as he took in your state, checking for injuries. He didn’t find any.

“I’m okay, just a little overwhelmed.” You said.

“Are you hurt?”

“No, honestly I’m fine Harry.” You reassured.

“Okay, we should keep moving forward, here take my hand.” He said as he held your hand. Tom’s security had caught up by this point, one of them standing beside you.

“Where’s Tom?” He asked as he frantically looked for him.

“I’m not sure. We got split up.”

“I’m sorry but I have to go and find him. As much as I know he’ll kill me, I’m paid to make sure he’s okay first.” He smiled sadly and you laughed at that.

“Go. It’s fine. I’ve got Harry.” You said as you watched his security make their way through the crowd.

Your hand was still in Harry’s as you slowly made your way forward. The car wasn’t even that far away from the hotel, but it felt like a lifetime before you’d get there.

“You’re handling this quite well.” Harry suddenly pointed out.

“Gotta get used to it right? He’s only get bigger.” You said as more people moved past you, barging against your shoulder a little too rough.

“Oi!” Harry kept shouting as more people did it. Although you knew it wouldn’t leave any lasting damage, it was beginning to get sore. “Fuckin’ hell.” He grumbled as he grabbed your hand tighter and tried to move a little quicker.

You suddenly collided with someone’s back, stopping in the process. You looked at Harry and furrowed your brows in confusion, they’d suddenly stopped trying to move forward. Harry pulled you against his chest as he hugged you, the crowd of people seeming to take all breathing space away. All of a sudden, the man in front of you was moved to the side by a familiar looking member of security and Tom appeared.

He rushed over when he saw you, having a similar reaction to Harry, checking you for any injury. You laughed as he cradled your face, checking it over for any injury.

“I’m fine Tom.” You said as he finally calmed down, looking satisfied that you were, indeed, okay.

“Okay, we’re gonna try this a different way.” He said. “Thanks by the way bro.” He said as he clapped Harry’s shoulder, who waved him off in response, smiling. “Right come on.” He said as he took your hand. He moved you in front of him and placed your back against his chest. He slowly moved the two of you forward and kept his strong arms firmly wrapped around you. Harry had now placed himself in front of you and helped move the paparazzi out of the way.

“I’m sorry baby, I swear as soon as I felt your hand leave mine I shit myself.” He said into your ear. You kissed his bicep as you continued to move forward.

“It’s okay Tommy. Its just a bit more hectic then we’re used to.”

“Yeah, now I really know how RDJ feels.” He laughed softly into your ear before placing a kiss there.

The move towards the car was much easier, given your new position it would be extremely hard for anyone to get between the two of you now. You made it to the car and Tom gently pressed you against it for a moment as his security made room behind him. He opened the car door for you and carefully manoeuvred you into it.  You slid to other side as Tom followed you into the vehicle, Harry shortly joining.

Harry sighed as he took the seat opposite you and Tom. “Bloody hell.” He groaned.

“Yeah that was intense.” You laughed but you felt much better in the security of the car. Tom had shuffled closer to you wrapping his arm around your shoulder.

“I thought something had happened to you when I couldn’t feel your hand anymore. Gave me a heart attack.” He said as he kissed the top of your hand, smoothing your hair out for you.

“Nah, I had Harry. You should charge for your services.” You said as you pulled a laugh from the younger Holland.

“Yeah. I reckon I’m gonna bill him. Do you reckon I’d be able to charge more for looking after important goods?” He joked and you laughed.

“I should dam well hope so.” You said as Tom laughed.

“Name your price mate. It’s yours. In all seriousness though, thank you Harry.” Tom said sincerely.

“Anytime. You know you might be late putting a ring on it but she’s like a sister to me already.” He continued to joke.

“Noted.” Tom laughed and he took your hand in his, kissing the back of it.

“I don’t know why you haven’t already. You’re a fuckin’ sap for her.” Harry joked as he earned a punch from his brother.

“Just love her a lot.”

“Code for sap.”

“Piss off.” Tom snorted and they both laughed. “I’ll put a ring on it eventually, I promise.” He concluded with a soft smile in your direction and bringing your hand up to kiss the promise ring he’d given you a while back, the smile to which you returned. Harry fake gagged but he couldn’t help the warm smile that made its way onto his face at how happy and in love his brother was.

[the-cult-of-russo]

Hues of Gold

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader 

Request : do a billy russo x reader with the reader having an art job and them meeting due to that somehow

Warnings: none 

A/N: Here it is, my first Billy x Reader. I'll be getting to the prompts in my inbox too but still feel free to send me more requests. You don't need to pick from the prompt lists, if you have an idea then just send it on over. Nothing is off limits and I write for every type of Billy. S1 Billy, S2 Billy, pre-show Billy, all the AU Billy's you can think of lmao Gimme them all.

You tilted your head a little, eyes sweeping across the paint on the easel in front of you. The piece was coming together nicely. You'd started at humble beginnings with your artwork as a street artist. You hadn't been able to afford art school and you didn't feel like people needed to if they just felt it. And you did. You'd been a hit with your expressionist art and before you knew it, you were getting wealthy clients and more money. Now you had your own little studio with an apartment on top. It wasn't flashy but it was yours and you loved it. The work you thought was good enough for your new clients would go up on your website, they'd buy them and then you'd send them off to their new home. It was simple and you got to spend every day painting to your heart's content. 

You bit your lip as you mixed two golds together to get the perfect shade you were after. Some of your pieces were weirder than others, others being more realistic or using average colors. Some of them were darker in theme or used more vibrant colors with looser shapes. It was all dependent on how you felt when making it. The one currently being worked on wasn't finished by any means. Oil paint often required many layers and getting it to dry in between time. But if someone was to gauge your mood by this one, well… they'd say you were most likely sexually frustrated. It was a naked woman laying on her back on rumpled sheets, just her torso and a bit of her leg to leave the rest to the imagination. Her male counterpart was pressed up against her as the bodies melded together, his hand gripping her thigh. The colors you'd picked for this were hues of red, orange, yellow and gold, making it look like the couple were set ablaze. The epitome of passion. It was coming along nicely. 

Your work cell rang breaking you from your thoughts. You gave your hand a quick wipe on the ratty towel next to you as you picked it up, answering with your full name. 

"Hi, I'm lookin' for some art and I've heard you're the girl to go to," a smooth voice came through the phone. The fact that someone recommended this guy to you made you smile. It always did. It meant people were pleased with your work. 

"I am. Have you checked the website? That's where my current pieces are," you murmured softly.

"I did but… I haven't really found the one yet. And a friend of mine tells me you've got a bunch of exclusive stuff at your studio," he replied.

You glanced around your studio. He wasn't wrong entirely although you wouldn't call them exclusives. You'd call them rejects if you were honest. Your new clientele were more demanding and it made you second guess your pieces more often than you'd like to admit. This led to many of them finding a home in your studio instead. You were unsure who the man's friend was as typically you didn't have people come to the studio. It was a very rare occurrence and you couldn't imagine him being interested in any of these pieces. But a customer was a customer.

"You're more than welcome to come down and look at them. I'm not sure you'll find what you're looking for though, I've kept them offline because they're in the reject pile," you snorted wryly. His smooth chuckle was soothing as it hit your ears and you nibbled on your lower lip.

"Well I'll be the judge of that," you didn't know what he looked like but you could hear the smirk in his voice. You told him the address before hanging up.

You were a little nervous of someone coming into your space and judging the art you'd already deemed not worth putting up for sale, but you decided to roll with it. It was too late now and it wouldn't be a good look for your business to tell the guy he couldn't come. You decided to continue the piece you were working on to keep your mind occupied, having no idea just when the man would decide to show, or if he would at all. 

It was an hour later when the large wooden door knocked and you called out that it was open. You stood up and wiped your hands on the towel again, not that it helped much. You were sure you had paint on every part of you, it was half the fun of making art. The man walked in and you were a little surprised by just how handsome he was. He was dressed to the nines in a suit with his hair slicked back, the sides shorter than the top. He certainly looked like your usual clients but you couldn't remember any of your fancier clients ever bothering to call you, never mind actually coming to see your other pieces. 

The smile he shot you was disarming and you replied in kind as you walked over to him. You reached out your hand to shake with his before retracting it rapidly when you noticed just how much of a poor job the towel had done. He seemed amused if his chuckle was anything to go by and you snorted.

"Uh… welcome. Feel free to look around. I haven't really got prices for these since I wasn't gonna sell them so I'll settle for whatever," you shrugged with a smile. Anything was better than nothing that you were getting by keeping them here. Besides, you were pretty sure he wouldn't even like any of them. 

You didn't want to crowd him as he looked around so you went right back to your easel and sat on the stool. He walked around leisurely, stopping at each piece and looking at them. Your eyes kept flitting to him without meaning to, you weren't sure if it was how attractive he was or the nerves of having someone assessing your work this way. Maybe both. He didn't strike you as an art kind of guy honestly. Most of the rich clients weren't, they just wanted a statement piece for their walls for people to talk about. There wasn't anything wrong with that of course, but you'd be a liar if you said you didn't miss it back as a street artist when people bought a piece simply because it spoke to them and they loved it. Onwards and upwards though, right? 

"So… who's the friend? That told you I had stuff here?" You asked after a moment, unable not to because your curiosity was getting the better of you. He glanced over at you from where he stood and smiled. 

"Curtis," he replied. Your eyebrows raised a little with that information. You'd met Curtis back when you were a street artist and he bought something for the group he was running. He was a nice guy and he checked in every so often with you. You wouldn't say you were friends but you really liked him and you had some good conversations. You couldn't imagine Curtis being friends with this man though.

Noticing the shock on your face, the man chuckled.

"We served together when I was in the marines. He's a good guy, one of my closest friends," he supplied. 

"You were a marine?" You hadn't meant to ask like it was such an absurd notion but it came out anyway. You just hadn't expected it He looked amused though and he nodded.

"Yeah. When I got out I set up my own private military firm, ex military people with no purpose. I give 'em somethin' to fight for. A brotherhood. We're doin' pretty well," he had a bright smile on his face, gesturing to his suit when he said they were doing well and you found yourself smiling back. 

"You must be really proud. It's amazing that you're doing that for them. I mean… I never served or anything but Curtis tells me about some of the guys from his group sometimes. I bet you really help them," you said sincerely. You had no clue what it must be like to serve and you knew you didn't have the stomach for it. But some of the things Curtis had told you had made you sad and you were impressed that the man had set up something like this on his own. Something to help others just like him. He shot you another smile before going back to looking at the artwork and you couldn't take your eyes off him. 

Figuring he'd catch you looking at him, you forced yourself to focus on adding more gold to the art you were working on. You weren't sure how long had passed until he spoke again and it startled you. You'd almost forgotten he was there.

"This one is… interesting. I like this one," he mused, eyes on the work on your easel as he stood beside you. Your cheeks tinged a little pink at the phrasing he used but you recovered quickly. 

"Thanks. I like this one too but… it won't end up on the website. The last erotic piece I put on there apparently offended people," you said with a wry grin. He laughed, the sound low and short but his eyes went to you then. Holy shit, his eyes are… wow. 

"Well it definitely doesn't offend me. How long will it take to finish?" He asked as his obsidian orbs went back to the painting.

"A couple of days at most. It's almost done and then it needs to dry and be sealed," it was nice talking about your work with someone, even as mundane as when it would be complete. You missed that interaction since you got the studio.

"I'll take it. How much?" he flashed you a smile that made your stomach flip around on you and you bit your lip with a smile back. 

"That's up to you," you shrugged. You never bothered putting prices on pieces you knew you wouldn't sell and you hadn't expected to sell this piece. Even the prices on the website felt too much for you but it was born from the first wealthy clients and what they thought your pieces were worth. You just rolled with it, it wasn't like they'd miss it, right? 

He hummed, the sound deep in his throat as he got out his wallet. You mused he must want it mailed to him when it was done for him to pay now rather than later but you were happy it was cash and not card. He handed you some bills and you counted it quickly, eyes widening as you blinked up at him.

"I can't take this. This is more than the pieces online," you frowned, holding out the money back to him. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, shrugging his shoulders.

"You said it was up to me," he replied with an easy smirk. Would you really sit there and argue with him about getting more money for it? No. But you were shocked he thought it was worth that much. 

"I… thank you, sir," you smiled, stuffing the money into your pocket. 

"Billy," he clarified, smirk still in place. 

"Billy," you corrected with a shy smile. Something glittered in his dark eyes as you tested the sound of his name and he raked his teeth over his lower lip. Despite the fact you'd already given him your full name on the phone, you gave him your first name again  and he mimicked you as he tested it out. Why did it sound so good coming from his mouth? 

You cleared your throat, his intense stare was getting a little too much and you stood, walking over to the big table against the wall, grabbing a pen and pad. 

"You can leave your details, I can mail it to you when it's done," you handed them to him and he twirled the pen around in his long fingers with ease.

"I'll leave my number. I'd like to come pick it up when it's done, if that's okay?" He asked as he scribbled his name and digits down. 

"Are you sure? It's not an issue shipping it out," you replied as he passed you back the pen and pad. 

"I'm sure. It gives me an excuse to see you again," he smirked, dark eyes boring into yours as your cheeks turned pink. He chuckled and with that he was out the door and you were left stood there gaping where he went. Did he really just…? 

You stood there a moment longer, a smile working its way onto your face before you shook your head and sat back down at your easel. You glanced at the painting before setting to work and getting it finished. You couldn't wait for it to be done so Billy would come back. He was intriguing and you found yourself thinking of him as you continued your work. 

[oriigirii]

The Brothers reacting to an MC who likes to collect... rocks?

It was certainly a strange hobby to behold, but there were more than meets the eye within these rocks! If you crack them open they often hold such a wonderful design, and on the rare occasion they can probably even hide a geode or two, regardless, you were very passionate for these things and it just so happens that it catches some of the brother’s attention.

(A/N: Ill be doing 2 at the time for now UwU  

Warnings: none! 

Reader: Gender Neutral!)

~ 눈_눈 Lucifer ~

* Lucifer always kept an eye on you ever since you got to Devildom

* Cuz of this, he was probably the first to notice your... strange addiction

* He saw how you always seem to stop on your tracks to pick up a shiny smooth stone lying on the side of the gates infront of the HoL while he walked home with you.

* Or how you’d snatch a few from the gardens on an early Sunday morning when you think that everyone was still asleep

* Since it was harmless enough, he never really bothered to call you out on it 

* Lowkey does find it cute how something so small can already make you so happy, such an easy-to-please cutie you are

* It wasn’t a problem till he was told that you seem to be arriving late more often for your classes 

* At first he thought that maybe you were simply caught up in some mess from his brothers again 

* Maybe perhaps Belphie snuck you off to sleep again than go to class 

* But no, when he’d confronted you he was pretty surprised, and at the same time, confused at your answer.

* “There were these cool looking red geodes I accidentally found on the back, b-but I mustve dropped them at some point when Mammon and I were rushing to class...so I’ve been trying to look for more of them for my collection... Sorry...”

*To be fair you did look pretty apologetic for it and really didnt mean to botch up your schedule, but still.

* He lets you go pretty easily, with a small lecture, but thats about it. 

* Although you never did stop looking for that geode, you even pulled Beel to help with promise of a homemade cake to try and cover as much ground, but nothing.

* You came home that day a little defeated

* but much to your surprise when you reached your room, a small box was waiting outside your door and inside was none other than the beautiful red geode youve been so desperate to look for. And... well, you didnt have to guess who was kind enough to give it to you.

* The next day, you do go over to thank him properly for the help, and explain that you had been extremely captivated with that specfic geode because of how it reminds you of the first born’s eyes.

* This boi is highkey stunned but tryna make it lowkey though (pride 100)

 * Definitely amused and flattered. 

* From now on, he does continue to give you geodes to add to your collection, and would even accompany you on your little endeavors if his work load isnt too unbearing. Away from the eyes of his brothers of course.

* Hed definitely want to seek the perfect geode too that reminds him of you in return that he can decorate on his desk while hes working. Even better, maybe have the geodes crafted to a perfect ring that you two can wear.

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~ ᕙ(`▽´)ᕗ Mammon ~

* Not like youre complaining either

* Today was another weekend, and weekends mean you guys get to hang out!  

* Not like you two were ever seperated in the first place anyways, he’s like an octopus that just wont let go 

* Anyways, He casually enters your room, phone in hand as he scrolls through various articles featuring his modelling work, he was gonna show off as usual, afterall, this man LIVES for your praise.

* “Oi! (Y/N) Check this out! They ranked me number 1 on the most handsome model in Devildom! And I didn’t cheat the system this ti---”

* You had been busy in your cabinet when he walked in, so you didnt have time to warn him of your mess on your bed.

* Hence why, when he was starting to brag about his latest achievement, it was immediately cut off by a pained yelp.

* Mammon, too busy on his DDD, didnt notice the shiny geodes and stones you had left on your bed to arrange for your new dsplay case, and because of this, (his dumbass) plopped on the bed, landing right on the sharp edges of the beautiful rocks.

* It wasnt fun.

* You had rushed to help him as he started stroking his back from the sting, he was a demon so he was pretty sturdy, but cmon, landing on a buncha hard rocks was still not good.

* You did rush to go get him an ice pack for his poor back, and when you came back, he seemed to have been healed almost immediately as he stares at your collection with a big shine on his own eyes, they can rival the geodes at this point.

* “(Y/N)! Why didn’t you tell me you had these? Don’t yknow how much these would sell? Hell, I can even probably sell them for an even higher price!”

* The rolling of your eyes was very intense that Diavolo could feel it from his castle and you pushed that ice pack on his face to make him stop.

* You did make it very clear that if he ever decides to try and get any of these stones, you were gonna be snitching him to Beel for eating his pudding the other day (You wouldn’t though would you?)

* Still that does shut down his money making plans, but he does question you for it, why hoard these valuable items when you could make thousands of grimm for it? You even seem to have a talent for finding these too, it seems like a huge waste, and so you proceed to explain to him your love for these shiny geodes.

* First image in his head was you being a relative to a crow, or you being a crow in general, because if anything, thats what his little crows do, they pass him shiny stuff they find along the day, of course theyre not as extravagant as these geodes, but it doesnt negate the fact you definitely have crow energy, and hes so down for it. His love for you just grew tenfold.

* But who knew it can grow further? Because you eventually explain to him that the geodes you collected, or the simple stones you had, all were special because all of them hold a special memory. One of the smoother stones you had was the same stone you used to display your mom’s favorite rose garden, it even had your initials that you scrapped on when your were 5, another was a geode you found on your field trip at the human world and so on.

* Mammon definitely had his attention to you the entire time, this boy is smitten and he just loves hearing you talk about each one, he grows a small appreciation for them now and he can understand why you wouldn’t want to sell them away. But then he noticed you reach for a much cleaner, tear drop looking geode, it was a blue-yellow mix.

* You explain to him that this was your first geode found when you went here in Devildom, the first you also carved as it was more jagged than this when you found it, and of course, you chose to keep it cause it reminded you for your first man.

* Mammon was so moved,and he was just sitting there, red as a strawberry and mouth open like a fish out of water, but hes not the only one because you too were blushing like an idiot as you held the special rock.

* He does end up trying to act his typical ways, but he was nothing but a stuttering mess, and much to his embarassment, he was also tearing up.

* Please hug him, he needs it, he just cant help but feel so flattered that you dedicated a geode for him and he felt that pride and love swell to incredible levels, you definitely have him yearning for you even more.

* Next time you go out to seek more geodes here in Devildom, he might just come with you along with his army of crows, and even cuter, his crows would just hand you special rocks every now and then.

* This boy might just start his own collection now thanks to you, but most his geodes will just be dedicated to you

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A h h h hope you guys like it! I know its a weird premise, but I honestly do love gemstones and stuff lol, also yes i did indulge too much on Mammon, hush,but yeah, ill do more of the others soon!

(Art by me!)

[lover-of-skellies]

L O R E

Another two for errorink and ANY skeleton pair?

44) who impulse buys?

45) who’s clumsier?

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For ErrorInk, I think it depends on where they're shopping, honestly. The art supply store of Ink's choosing where there's pencils and markers, sketchbooks, blending tools, paintbrushes, canvases, different paint colors, special tools for painting specifically, anything and everything his little artsy heart could ever want? Yeah, he'll probably end up buying way more than he needs to and pushing Error a little closer to absolute madness in the process. Error might also do a little impulse buying, but it'd be more likely to happen at a craft store of his choice, where they'd have crocheting and knitting supplies, different colored yarn and thread (aside from blue, because he can make that all on his own), and even those little booklets and sheets you can get that show you how to make certain patterns and shapes. If he's in a craft store like that, yeah, he'll be doing the walk of shame back into the antivoid with two bags that are barely able to hold everything he grabbed. Normally he'd just steal it or attempt to be careful about spending, but his craft supplies are sacred, and he will not be disrespecting any of them or any of the store employees by committing theft

He might also impulse steal grab some chocolate at the grocery store too, but only if they have the kind he likes. If they don't then he's heavily disappointed

As for who's clumsier, that really depends, tbh. Ink's usually pretty smooth and relatively graceful on the battlefield and when he's doing art, but the rest of the time? Ye, this dude be tripping over air at any given time. It probably doesn't help that sometimes he'll forget to put his art stuff away and leaves it out all over the floor, wherever he was laying. Error usually doesn't have any issues with not being clumsy, although every so often if he has to get up in the middle of the night for whatever reason, he might stumble a little, and that's purely because Ink's house is dark at night and there's crap all over the floor that Ink didn't put away yet

---

For another pairing, I'm gonna go with a pairing that's not canon yet. I've been considering having them be a thing in the background at some point, I'm just not sure how to show it yet XP the pairing is 406 x Cross x Dream, and I'm gonna put that under a cut, so this doesn't get insanely long or anything

Who impulse buys: Both 406 and Dream are guilty of doing this, but 406 does it way more often than Dream. She has this little gremlin brain and thinks she needs whatever is shiny or catches her attention, and she ends up regretting it pretty quickly. Dream only does it once in a while, if it's something he's been looking for but hasn't been able to find anywhere else. If that's the situation he's in, he doesn't care about the price, he just feels like he needs it, so he'll end up bringing it home with him. Then Cross,, yeah. The only thing he impulse buys would be chocolate/chocolate milk. Sometimes he grabs tacos from different food places and tries to be sneaky about it, but it's kinda hard to be sneaky when both of his partners can smell it on him. He occasionally forgets to throw wrappers away too, so that doesn't help his case either

Then with who's clumsier: Cross. Definitely Cross. Dream is very agile on his feet, same with 406 (as long as she's not rushing herself), but Cross.... *Sighs* yeah,, he's Dream's guard and he's very good on the battlefield while he's fighting, but at home, he'll stumble sometimes, and him accidentally dropping things in the kitchen is a normal occurrence, too. He always gets embarrassed over it and tries to apologize, but Dream tells him it's ok and that he doesn't have to worry about it. While he's offering to help clean the mess, 406 is the one who's trying not to giggle, because she thinks Cross is just so damn cute whenever he gets embarrassed. To a degree, she probably also finds the clumsiness a little cute in itself, too