#i got the zayne card first

[crystalitecloudie]

XAVIER TENDER NIGHTS CARD OR WHATRVER ITS CALLED UNDERNEATH (feat screenshots from my own experience) IF YOU DONT WANT SPOILERS LOOK AWAY NOW

k thanks

IVE PASSED AWAY AFTER THIS I WAS NOT PREPARED 😨😭😭😭😭💖

[miumiins]

i love your rafayel art so much im almost willing to forgive him for cucking my 5* pulls all the time

LDJFNVLSRJBV THANK UU here's a tiny rafayel asking very nicely for ur forgiveness

[violetsareblue-selfships]

good morning!!

[torgawl]

good morning (it's arlecchino month!!!!)

[aethercores]

✮ GREEN TINTED ;

alternatively, what are you, jealous? ft. rafayel, xavier, zayne + gn!reader/mc [non-established relationships] 1.2k+

can you really blame him? sure, rafayel’s had all the chances in the world to come to terms with your oft-busy life, but he’d brushed those away with the practiced swipe of an easy hand. you'd promised him your attention, after all, and the sea had bore witness to your vow. he finds the finer details don't really matter, even if all his whining after you've missed a few calls might lead you to think otherwise.

it's your new profile picture, though.

rafayel's usually the first to notice any changes to your icon or any new moments, and just as quick to take on your thoughts for any changes to his own. he'd never given any thought to reciprocation, to you asking him for his opinion on which picture of yours might be cutest to post but— there's some... some guy there. and you've got your hands cupped around his face while he stares at the camera like a fish out of water.

with the light press of his teeth to the insides of his cheek, rafayel tries to brush this off. whatever 'this' is. his fingers swipe over to your chat log of their own accord. he'd been meaning to message you anyway, maybe he can just remind you there's way better pictures in that photo album that he knows you keep?

keen eyes swipe over your last exchange. 'read'. like sand grains on an oil palette, he only barely feels the grit before impulse rushes over like a tidal wave—

playing kitty cards at home isn't quite the same as at meow's café, but xavier's found that there's a different feeling that comes from having you in his home like this. the cozy arrangement of blankets and little cushions across the living room floor. the warm tea on the table between you. the shared space. it's not quite the same, but he prefers it.

it's with a loss at the end of a few rounds that you smile, thoughts drifting from your defeat, stretching your arms above you before slumping back a little. "i might have to get going," you say lightly, checking the time. late afternoon. "i'm meeting up with zayne later."

his brows furrow, a delicate gesture as his eyes stray from your own across the low table, searching for recognition in memory. that you've named anyone clues him into the fact that this is not a new introduction, that you've mentioned them before. it is familiar but, among the friends and family he's heard of in passing or between exchanges, this one's a little different—

"your physician?" he asks, face tilting upwards as you rise to a stand, the blanket drapping softly back onto the floor. "dr. zayne?"

the smile on your face grows a little then, amusement playing in your eyes for reasons unknown, but xavier's always felt warmest with it in sight. even if he is a little confused.

"well. yes," you laugh a little, "but we've known each other since we were kids, so the 'dr. zayne' part is still taking some getting used to."

there's a lot of context missing here, that much he can tell. it seems you become aware of that gap too, your intentions divided between the hunter watch you check once more and the cooling tea in your cup. you smile at xavier once more, a little apologetic, and he wonders if your attentions are similarly divided.

there's not really any time for that, though, but he's left with the thought a little longer after you're gone. brushes his thumb over the lip of your cup. leaves it undisturbed.

the look zayne fixes you with is placid. that is, to the untrained eye. cool eyes draw calmly from your hunter watch, propped face down upon the table, back to your own. it's subtle, but meaningful, and he knows that you know him well enough by now to know better.

"just ignore it," you say, hand waving through the air in easy dismissal, and he pretends not to see the way your grin widens as you peer up from your card hand to the complex array of kitty cups before you both, currently at an impasse.

it'd been an odd choice, he'd noted as you both sat down in the café, to separate the device from your person. after all, zayne had seldom seen you without it ever since you'd become a hunter, an essential piece in both the professional and personal capacity. he'd know.

irony answers the call to action as the watch flashes once again — the fifth occurrence in a three minute interval — and a small vibration lightly rattles one of the closest cups. a double-pointer blue proudly boosting your score by +10.

it startles you, and you send a minutely too-prolonged glare to the offending piece as though it had purposely made to sabotage your entire game.

he smiles, lightly. "would you like to swap cards?"

you're not a good bluff. though you shake your head, another flash rattles the cup before you've had the chance to verbalise your thoughts. zayne takes the cue, and considers his own hand — catalogues his assists and future turn order — before speaking, "someone's trying hard to reach you. are you certain it's not an emergency?"

you laugh a little. "no, i'd know." the bare hint of a scoff follows, and he can tell it isn't aimed at him, but it seems mostly good-natured, a little teasing. "bad timing, but i did say i had plans today."

someone vying for your time.

it's not something he's given much consideration to before, as someone with such a stringent schedule of his own. zayne decidedly ignores the light flare in his chest at the choice you'd made and doesn't linger on a hypothetical cause. pride has an interesting way of unfurling set shoulders with just the lightest of touches.

you do end up winning the game, though he doesn't entirely feel as though he's lost. you both settle outside the café as you readjust your scarf, the breeze picking up a chill.

zayne waits, patient, turned towards you. "i still have the rest of the day off," he says. it must not say much to you, this half-sentence of his, as you blink up at him. his eyes drift upwards.

a precise, but gentle hand, carefully brushes the top of your head, cool fingers lightly touching your temple before coming away with a stray leaf. he smiles, lightly, and his gaze returns to you once more, elucidating, "is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

he feels a different sort of flare in his chest as he watches as your eyes light up, your excitement suffusing through even the layers keeping you warm.

"yeah, there's—" a subtle, but sudden, flash emits. below, from where your watch has been reunited with your wrist once more. you deflate a little, then perk up a little, made indecisive and a little troubled by some sort of unforeseen circumstance. "there's this food market, but i already promised xavier we'd go later tonight... rain check?"

zayne's eyes glance between your own for a moment before he nods, calmly assenting to the offer, and bypasses the unfamiliarity of the name and the implied familiarity of those plans. there's a light press, a pull just on the edge of taut, between his shoulder blades. he lightly shifts them, a little heavier. doesn't verbalise questions that even he leaves unacknowledged.

"of course."

[lovexdeepspace]

All the Love and Deepspace boys react when you make a homemade scarf for them?

Thank you very much and hope all is well.

“made with love.”

summary; a gift is best when it comes from the heart.

warnings; none! enjoy the sweetness <3

note; aaaaa some fluff to break the angst cycle !! ty for the sweet request !!

( to be formatted in the future )

a box awaits each of the boys, wrapped neatly with a note attatched.

rafayel…

… immediately calls you, panicking that some crazed fangirl or someone he wronged in the past has found his address.

“what if it’s a bomb?” he shouts into the phone, peering through the crack in his front door at the box. “or worse! what if it’s some woman’s used underwear?!”

you fail to contain your laughter on the other end of the call, covering your mouth as you double over.

“how can you laugh in such dire times?” rafayel wails, clutching the phone to his ear. “this isn’t funny!”

after a moment you were finally able to compose yourself and say, “the box is from me, dumbass. i dropped it off on my way to work this morning. i tried to give it to you personally but someone wouldn’t answer the door.”

cue a sheepish chuckle from rafayel as he opens his front door and stoops down to open the gift then and there. he smiles to himself as he finds a blue hand knit scarf sitting in the box, his fingers running gently along the material.

“it’s so soft,” he says softly and you laugh again, amused by his genuine reaction. “i’m putting it on and never taking it off.”

“so dramatic,” you mumble, cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear as you pick up your book once more. the line went silent and you quirk a brow. “rafayel?”

your phone buzzes and you pull it away from your shoulder to find three image attachments sent your way with more piling in every second. each photo is one of rafayel in a different, exaggerated pose with the scarf wrapped around his neck. you laugh at his theatrics and save a couple to your camera roll before shooting him a quick text.

you look like a dork.

he answers immediately, as to be expected from your clingy artist:

i think i look amazing

xavier…

… opens the box as soon as he pulls it in his apartment without a single concern. if anyone could handle some danger, it’s him, so why worry?

the yellow scarf is soft in his lap as he reads the card you wrote for him, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. he sets the little card aside and wraps the scarf loosely around his shoulders before pushing himself off his couch, sending you a text that he’s coming over.

it doesn’t take long for him to arrive at your front door or for him to fish out the spare key you had given him, unlocking the door and pushing his way in. xavier shuffles into your apartment, leaving his shoes by the door as he calls out your name. he moves from the main room to your bedroom, finding you sprawled out on your bed. without a second thought he crawls into bed beside you, startling you awake.

“huh — wha? xavier?” you lay back down, groaning. “scared the shit outta me.”

xavier hums and pulls you into his embrace, your face burying in his chest. “i got your gift and needed to come say thank you.”

“you couldn’t have just texted me?” you ask sleepily, wrapping your arms around his midsection. “you’re welcome, by the way. tara taught me how to knit and she gave me some extra yarn. i thought the color would suit you.”

you pull back a little and eye the scarf around his neck before adding, “it does suit you.”

xavier nods in agreement, kissing your forehead. “you have a good eye.”

zayne…

… completely forgets about the gift. one day he comes into the office to find a box on his desk and makes a mental note to open it after his first patient.

then one patient becomes two back to back emergency surgeries and by the time that was all complete it was well into the night. finally having a second to himself, zayne plops down on his couch and leans his head back. his eyes finally close only to snap open again at a knock on his door.

“zayne, i brought you some dinner,” you say as you open the door to his office. he lets out a sigh of relief and relaxes once more as you shut the door behind you, setting the lunchbox on his desk. “oh! you still haven’t opened it?”

“opened what?” zayne asks, turning his head slightly to look at you. you pick up the gift on his desk and hold it out to him. “oh, that. i assume it’s from you, then?”

you nod excitedly and place the box on his lap. “go on, open it!”

“i’m sorry, today’s been a hectic day,” zayne apologizes as he carefully opens the box. the stress melts away as he looks into the box at a black hand-knit scarf with a small smile. “you made this?”

you take a seat next to him, reaching over and grabbing the scarf out of the box as he reads the card. “i did! and since you’re mr. jack frost over here, i think a scarf is the perfect accessory! do you like it?”

you wrap it haphazardly around his shoulders and zayne sets the card down on the coffee table before fixing it around his neck.

“out of all the gifts you’ve given me over the years, i think this one might just be my favorite,” he replies, placing a hand on your knee as he leans forward and presses a chaste kiss to your cheek. “thank you, sunshine.”

[dawnbreakersgaze]

All's Fair in Love and Kitty Cards:

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓑𝓲𝓰𝓰𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓐𝓻𝓮: 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓗𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵

❥ ┊𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲; You've decided to bring home an electronic board game of kitty cards, and make the oh so simple suggestion of playing strip kitty cards to entice your work weary boyfriend Zayne into trying it out with you. After all, you're THEE Queen of Kitty Cards herself- it's not like you could lose, right?

❥ ┊𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠; bullet fic format (sorry, don't have the energy to devote to full fic rn 😅), reader referred to as you/your and she/her, this one really got away from me omf it's longer than I mean it to be eek, not proof read, written in a whirlwind bc this idea would not leave me be until I got it out, not full smut but very suggestive, just good ol' fashioned romantic fun. Zayne thinks you're hot ♡

Yes, I will be doing Xavier and Rafayel as well

Zayne rarely got too serious with kitty cards. He'd rather watch you have fun than engage in a real competition. Your smile and serious expression were far more entertaining than any game, and the delighted light in your eyes after a victory (no matter how wide or narrow) was always his most welcome reward.

That was, until you brought home that new electronic board game version, setting it up before he'd gotten home and surprising him with it only moments after he'd taken off his shoes and coat.

At first he wasn't that interested. I mean the cats where half the fun of kitty cards lets be real, plus he was tired.

But when you suggested (with a wicked little glint in your eye that had his heart stop momentarily, mind you) that you guys play strip kitty cards, he stood there blinking in silence for a solid 15 seconds, just processing.

"How upset would you be if I won, though?" He carefully asked once he finally came out of it, that little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. God he can be so smug sometimes.

You of course tell him that you're the literal Queen, Her Meowjesty the First, and this is your domain. You demand he put respect on that name and remember it well.

You'd come to eat those words later.

The first round you win easily. Just like every game before, it would seem the kitties favor you above all else (why wouldn't they, you were their Queen after all). He gives a soft chuckle, removing his vest and placing it over the back of his couch. "Round two, then?"

Round two seems to take a similar route. You almost feel bad for Zayne. He's always been a bit of a pushover when it comes to kitty cards, and as you fill the final cup cementing your victory 23-10, you watch as he loosens his tie tossing it aside and removing each sleeve garter, laying them on the table next to his vest chain. Zayne doesn't say anything this time, only watches you as you reshuffle the cards and get the board cleared for a new game.

Round three is where you finally start to feel him trying. It's a bit like reeling in a fish. You feel like you're making some headway and and then he'll pull out a Bye Bye on your double point kitty, or use a Purrcieve and discard your pink 6 kitty when there was an open pink cup. Nothing earth shattering- you could and did still wipe the floor with him, but the way Zayne watched you over the tops of his cards as he did so started to make you feel... vulnerable, despite all your layers.

When he finally sheds his third layer- his shirt- you realize all too late that you've fallen into the spider's web. With his broad, muscled shoulders, sharp collarbones that crowned his perfect pecs, and strong biceps corded with beautifully laced veins that traveled down his scarred forearms to his large hands that currently rested against those masterfully made lats and abs and.... oh.

Oh no.

Zayne catches you staring (how could he not, honestly. You were practically drooling), and regards you with that little quirk of his lip and raise of his brow. "Everything alright? Ready for round 4?" Worry starts to eat at you when you realize he doesn't sound at all worried. He's already shirtless only 3 layers from being completely nude, and he sounds like he's already won.

Not one to accept defeat so easily, you swallow, set your expression in determination, and deal the cards.

And yet

4 rounds later and Zayne had yet to remove another article of clothing.

Your clothes (and your dignity as The Queen) lay tossed about the room in a perfect metaphor for your current emotional state.

This man. THIS MAN. Despite all your usual tricks and banter, Zayne had refused every single one of your pleas to trade cards. No amount of begging or bargaining would be accepted tonight, and during your last attempt he'd made it very clear that should you ask again, he'd put the game away since you obviously weren't interested in actually testing your skills.

So here you sat. In your bra and panties, your metaphorical crown plucked from your head and reshaped into a dunce cone.

The kitties had forsaken you.

It had started out so well, but once that shirt came off it was suddenly so hard to focus. You'd find yourself watching as he'd roll his shoulder, gazing as his chest or ribs expanded with a particularly deep breath. Let your eyes linger on each and every scar that dappled his hands and forearms. Watch his Adam's apple bob as he'd take a particularly long drink of the water at his side.

Honestly, it seemed like the more layers you lost, the harder he was to ignore as well.

Little did you know the absolute torment this man was going through on his end.

Sure, setting the trap was easy enough. You were always so sure of your kitty card playing ability, and he so rarely put up a fight when you begged for mercy. However, turning your pleading down each time as you sat across from him in less and less clothing, looking at him with those big teary eyes was threatening to completely undo him. Listening to you whine his name and watch as your perfect lips pouted so full and glossy in the lamp light was too much, he couldn't take it.

You and your games would be the death of him, surly.

Round 6 is where his empire fell.

Your defeat was swift, of course. Zanye had struck gold with 4 Meow This in his hand, and pulled a complete shut out. It was like in the movies when the character watches in slow-mo as their impending death rushes towards them, and as you were left with no number cards to fill the last cup on your turn, you watched as Zayne placed his.

"I believe that's another win for me." His tone was proud- joyful, even. Typically one of your favorite expressions he made, if you were being honest. Something about Zayne's smug, rather cocky attitude really got you going sometimes, and sitting here for the last hour, ogling his shoulder and arms and hands and abs... well... that hadn't been helping the literal ocean between your thighs either.

Your silence (and likely the deer in the headlights expression you wore) spurred a warm chuckle from him, the sound both rich and comforting, yet still strange enough to snap you back to reality.

"I believe I've earned my next reward, correct?"

Oh... this bastard. This beautiful bastard.

Puffing your cheeks at him in a pout, you consider accusing him of cheating (partially in jest, you know he wouldn't, but also why is he SO DAMN GOOD all of a sudden??), but in the soft glow of the lights, your eyes catch his, and you see something darker. Immediately, your heart begins racing, skin prickling with the familiar feeling of anticipation in battle.

Wait, in battle?

This wasn't the first time you'd have taken your bra off in front of Zayne, so why did you feel so much like... prey in this moment? As your hand slowly reached behind you to find the clasp, it was apparent you weren't the only one feeling the weight in the air. The subtle creak of the couch let you know he'd leaned forward, eager to watch and enjoy the prize he'd rightfully won.

"What are you waiting for?" The subtle tilt and bob of his head mirrors the quick uptick at the corner of his mouth, a motion you're so familiar with by now. A playful gesture of his, reserved for those moments when he's feeling particularly teasing or goading.

It only stokes the fire in you, of course. The amber hues in his green eyes, further illuminated by the warm lamplight, bore into you despite his otherwise neutral expression.

With a flick of your wrist, the clasp is undone. You consider playing a bit, slowly sliding the straps down to tease and tempt, maybe using your arms to cover what he desired to see most. Surely he deserved a taste of his own medicine after obliterating you like this tonight, but his intensity is already near suffocating.

Instead, one at a time, you slipped your arm from each strap, and gently placed it at your side. The moment you felt the chill air hit you, it was audible that he'd noticed.

Oh sure, he tried to keep quiet. Tried to stop himself from letting out that small, strangled gasp when he watched your nipples pebble. Tried to still his thundering heart when your reactive shiver cut across you, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Tried to stop himself from whispering your name in a thick voice, telling you how beautiful you looked in the warm-glow lighting. At least he managed to temper his hand and hold it back from palming his quickly stiffening cock. Thank God for the small mercies.

His reaction was so much more than you'd been expecting. You'd been nude plenty of times before, like showering together, or that time you'd shared a hot spring once on vacation. Not to mention all the THE SEX. But this??

He had your body memorized at this point, but watching you strip layer by layer as you lost each round was really doing it for him?

The way his voice caught when he said your name, the way the muscles around his ribs stretched and relaxed as he took deep breaths to calm himself, the dilation of his pupils as his eyes trailed you from navel to nose, finally making eye contact after a lengthy pause on your lips.

Zayne might have been winning at kitty cards, but you were starting to get the feeling your luck was about to turn around.

"I forfeit." His normal, rational tone returns, albeit with great strain.

You sputter out a few expletives, dropping the stack of cards you'd started to shuffle. "What?! But we weren't- I was going to- I didn't even get to-!" Too many thoughts at once try tumbling from you, tangling on your tongue. How dare he! I mean sure you won, but a victory of forfeiture was hardly a victory worth bragging about.

Standing from the couch you watch as Zayne extends a large hand towards you, that same hungry look in his eye again that has you feeling small and vulnerable, and reminds you that you're very exposed.

"I've had my fun hunting the hunter. I think it's time I reward her for her win."

ᶜᵒᵐᵐᵉⁿᵗˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ʳᵉᵇˡᵒᵍˢ ᵃʳᵉ ᵃˡʷᵃʸˢ ᵃᵖᵖʳᵉᶜᶦᵃᵗᵉᵈᵎ ᵀʰᵃⁿᵏ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵒʳ ʳᵉᵃᵈᶦⁿᵍᵎ

[adelheidvonschicksal]

hiii!! how are you? god, it's my first time requesting and I'm super awkward but I've been kinda having this dark mc brain rot! what would the love and Deepspace boys do with a secret gambler mc who's just like yumeko jabami? that'd be so interesting! feel free to ignore this ask if that makes you uncomfortable and have a nice day!

🎲 LND Scenarios with Dark Gambler!MC

🎲 Synopsis: Love and Deepspace men dealing with their dark gambler partner's eccentrics.

🎲 Pairing: LND x GN!Reader

🎲 Content Warning: sexual undertones, mild humor, no pronouns/looks mentioned (Jabami is for the aesthetic), Zayne is the only one vibing, there's no mercy in kitty cards!

🎲 A/N: Thanks for letting me take a crack at your request. I never watched Kakeguri but I think I got the vibe! I did tone the behavior down a little to fit LND more but I think you'll be satisfied. Zayne's part turned into my favorite even though I had the hardest time thinking of a scene for him!

“Let me have a turn.”

Xavier shudders at the dark aura he senses behind him despite the sweet smile plastered on your face. It’s almost like seeing a demon reflecting in the glass of the claw machine but in the form of an angel. He knew it was a bad idea to come to the arcade. He was no good at the machine no matter how much he tried and the nearly empty bowl where his tokens once laid was the proof.

“It’s alright. I didn’t think I could get it anyway. I’m not really good at this game.”

You frown at him. “It’s not you, love. These games are designed to cheat people out their money. It's disgusting really.”

Xavier gulps at that word. Cheat. If there was one thing you hated in this world, it was unfairness. The crooked smile forming on your face forces him to return eye contact with the special edition bunny plush he’s failed to get time and time again. Somehow, he sees fear in its eyes.

“I’ll get it for you.” Your hand reaches into the coin bowl; each clink makes his throat tighten as you finally pull out one of the coins between your fingers. “That bunny will be coming home with us.”

Xavier knows there’s little he can do when you sound that determined. Luckily, you won the bunny in two attempts.

“Ta-da! A fluffy bunny for my fluffy bunny.”

A sense of relief washes over him when the round rabbit hits his hands. Maybe he was being overly paranoid. However, his relief is quickly buffed out by anxiety when he sees you place another coin in the machine. It’s only a few seconds before the chimes of the machine go off again. Then, you pass him another toy, a carrot this time.

“Every bunny needs a snack!” you coo, but your tone carries that familiar edge that makes the hair on the back of his neck stand. “Now, whom shall we capture next?”

To Xavier, it sounds less like a question and more like a decree of war. “I think these two are more than enough for today."

“Xavier, this game stole forty dollars from you. I’m not going to let it get away with that,” you declare, proving it was just as he feared as your voice lowers. “Now, which one do you want, dear? Oh, I know, I'll just win them all for you! How does that sound?" you ask, but Xavier is eerily aware that it won’t matter what he says when you’re like this.

“Here we go!” you mewl as the claw begins to whir up.

Ignoring the shiver that climbs up his spine when your voice drips with the venom of ecstasy, there’s little Xavier can do but take another step back, buy another bowl of coins, and hold them for you as the role of a supportive boyfriend.

It’s an hour later when he finds himself surrounded by plushies, much more than he can hold, and the fear that you’re going to get kicked out the arcade any second.

“Cleaned out again!” you announce with a shrill breathy gasp, the giggle you give reminding him of the maniacal laughter Lemonette chortles out whenever the wanderer sprays lemon juice in his eyes. “Tell the employees we need another refill.”

“We don't have enough hands to carry all the ones you already won.”

“What?” Your focus finally breaks from the game and to the many toys scattered on the floor around him, overtaking his feet, then to the worried look on his face. “I went overboard again, didn’t I?”

Xavier sighs. “I think that’s pretty obvious.”

“Why didn’t you stop me?”

“How do you suggest I do that?” he asks with a shake of his head. “You’re impossible to stop.”

You flutter your eyelashes at him innocently. “I did get you your bunny though!”

“At the cost of the poor arcade owner’s precious sanity,” he reminds you but the smile on his face is less than scolding when he sees the guilty sulk you have and the lax of your shoulders. “Let’s find a donation center to drop these little guys off. We’ll count it as our good deed for the month.”

“Good idea! How about we surprise all the kids at the hospital?” you agree. Xavier chuckles. There’s the angel again.

“Pretty please, Rafayel!”

The painter rolls his eyes, scooting further away from you to find a different spot on the floor to sit as you crawl after him. Rafayel turns his head away and strokes his paintbrush down the center of his canvas.

“No. Now, go away. Shoo. Shoo, go paw at someone else,” he says, waving the wet paintbrush at you.

“But no one else will play with me,” you whine.

“I wonder why?”

You are terrifying when you play kitty cards. Unfortunately, he was once the only one foolish enough to play with you because he wasn’t aware of how you got when you gambled even when the winnings were only a few pieces of chocolate. He knows better now. Despite your cute precious face, you were evil incarnate when it came to games.

“Surely, you pity me my dear sweet, gorgeous boyfriend. Did I forget to mention talented?” You give him the puppy eyes to try to wear down his resolve; your hand glides over his bangs, lovingly pushing them from his face. As much as he loves trying to make you happy, this is one of the few things in the world that he refuses to listen to you about.

“As true as all of that may be, I prefer living thanks,” he says before switching brushes to another color. A splash of blue would be excellent.

“Is this about last time?” you ask him. “It was an accident.”

“You nearly broke my hand!”

“You were trying to swap the kitties!” you yell back. Rafayel was a no-good cheater when it came to playing games and not the least bit sorry about it. It’s not your fault that you grabbed his hand by reflex nor that he was so dramatic about it.

“So, the sentence is hand breaking? That's cruel and unusual punishment!” he says with a gasp.

"Is it wrong to take away your tool for cheating?"

“Have you forgotten what I do for a living? You might as well lay me out in the sun to dry.”

Sighing, you decide to agree with him. You suppose you could be a little competitive when it came to games. Besides, they say it’s easier to catch more flies with honey. “Look, I’m sorry, baby,” you apologize and smooth out a hand over his thigh. “How about I give you a super special prize if you win.”

Rafayel barely looks at you from the corner of his eyes that slowly drop to where your hand rests on his leg. You’re on your hands and knees next to him, perched up like a cat begging to be petted.

“I’m listening,” he says, continuing to mix his paints. Purring, you lean in and whisper in his ear the prizes you’re willing to trade for him to play one little round with you.

His heart races with each word. It’s suddenly becoming harder to keep the stroke of the brush straight when your hand starts to trail further and further up his thigh. “Well, when you put it that way—” and he almost gives in until he sees the corner of your lips curling up into a smirk. “Wait. No. I refuse.”

“Not even if—” and you whisper in his ear again. He swears the brush handle will splinter if he grips it any tighter. His face is glowing a light red by the time you pull away. He might be Lumerian but he’s still a man; it’s difficult to bury the memories of pleasure under the memories of his fingers squeezing in your hard grip the last time you caught him cheating. He manages, somehow.

“How easy do you think I am? I’m not open for business whenever you want, darling.” He manages to spat out, not exactly the best rejection but it’ll suffice.

You puff up your cheeks at him. “You’re the meanest boyfriend ever!”

“And you’re evil when a card gets in your hand,” he argues back. The last thing he sees is the red of your shirt as you pounce on him and blue paint spilling across the floor.

“You’re so nice, Zayne. You’re the only one who's brave enough to play against me.”

Zayne glances up from the stack of cards in his hands to catch your tongue glancing over your lips to wet them as you stare him down with dilated eyes. He expected you to get worked up but not quite this early into the game.

“I had the free time today.”

The real reason he schedules these regular games with you is to keep your strange habit under control, like providing a little bit of a drug to an addict; or in simpler terms, walking an overly energetic Husky so it won’t tear up the furniture. It beats the many times you ring him up at two in the morning, needing him to come rescue you out of a tough situation. He knows you’ll never learn your lesson with him always swooping in when needed, but he can’t stand the possibility of you getting hurt should he not come to your rescue every time you over bet your hand and need him to win back your money for you. The doctor never really expected to be a poker or kitty card expert at this age but alas.

“I’m guessing there’s at least one Kitty Plot in your hand, am I right?” you ask him; and he doesn’t understand how you sound more excited each time he obtains another assist card.

“And if I told you there was?”

The giggle you let out sounds much too vulgar for a simple game of kitty cards, but he’s used to this eccentricity of yours at this point. “Then that means I get to beat you even when you’re at your best!”

You slap down a Freeze card and Skip card. There’s not much he can do other than draw his assist card and ride out your next turn. In the next phase, you throw out another assist card, one that will allow you to restock your empty number stockpile and seal your victory.  

“Any last words?” you ask him. He can see that you’re starting to twitch with the excitement that comes from besting him. It’s the most dramatic thing he’s seen, but he’d be a liar to say it wasn’t…satisfying…to watch your face fill with shock as he blocks your finishing move with a Meow This. Maybe you were rubbing off on him after all, he muses.

“You held on to that all this time?” you ask him, recalling the many chances he could’ve blocked your earlier plays. You were aware he was luring you into a trap by playing the slow game, but you thought you could get around it this time. With a dreamy sigh, you cup your cheek in your hand. “I should’ve known. Just careless.”

“Any last words?” he asks, mocking your earlier victory line.

“None I’m afraid. I’m completely at your mercy; helpless in the face of your onslaught,” you tell him, and he ignores the little tilt of seduction lacing your voice and the squirming of your thighs as he starts erasing every point you’ve earned.

Slowly, your points decrease one by one as he throws out assist after assist while you let out little whimpers and mutter compliments under your breath with each cup color change and point reducer he throws out.

You’re going to lose! Again! He’s incredible as always.

But you’re offered deliverance when instead of erasing the six points of your blue kitty the cup color changes to match it. You hear Zayne “tch” under his breath, and you can’t help but laugh when he finally has to give up and fill the last white kitty cup with a pathetic low-level kitten.

In the end, you only won by two points but that was all you needed.

“I won…I won!” you repeat, rocking back and forth as you hug yourself and toss your head back. “I finally beat you! You won’t believe how long I waited for this day! Now what should my prize be?” You fall back onto the floor, kicking your feet. “It’s so hard to decide. I honestly didn’t think this day would come! There are so many things I’ve dreamed of making you do for me!”

Zayne presses his lips into a thin line as he begins to collect the kittens from the cup. “Calm down. You’re drooling on the carpet,” he exaggerates, not that you're in the right mind to listen.

“I got it. I know just what I want,” you squeal, holding your finger in your mouth to muffle your laughs. Zayne tenses when you sit up, much like a vampire from a horror movie, and lock eyes with him; he doesn’t think he’s felt so targeted since his days in the military.

“Meow for me, Zayne,” you demand, and his face burns at the ridiculousness of your request.

“You—”

“Are you backing out? That’s poor sportsmanship especially considering I took every nasty medicine each time you won.”

Zayne shakes his head. “No. I was simply thinking that’s surprisingly tame for you.”

You lift your eyebrows curiously. “So, does that mean?”

Zayne leans in over the table. In this position, he can see how your face softens from that lust-filled haze that gambling always manages to place over you. He doesn’t know if you can actually get embarrassed, but you certainly look flustered as he locks eyes with you.

“Meow.”

“Oh,” you gasp, eyes wide. “T-That was absolutely wonderful,” you blurt out with a clasp of your hands. “Do it again.”

“It was a one-time deal,” Zayne rejects before straightening his back.

“I didn’t think you would do it. One more little meow for me?” you plead. “This was a special victory, and I didn’t get to enjoy my winnings properly.”

“If you want to hear it again, I’m afraid you’ll have to beat me a second time,” he answers bluntly.

“And if you win?”

“You do what I want.”

“Which is?”

Zayne smirks at you. “All I can tell you is that I’ll ask for much more than a meow.”

“You’re on! You’re on! You’re on! What better way to solidify my position as the best kitty card player than with a streak?”

“I take it we’re playing on Hell Mode then.”

“What do you mean? It’s always heaven playing against you, Zayne. You’re the only one who can give an actual challenge,” you sweetly coo, nearly a moan. “Unfortunately, your reign will officially be coming to an end. I’m going to beat you without luck; and when I do, I think I’ll make you meow and purr for my reward.”

“Hurry and restart the match then if you believe that.”

Zayne watches as you excitedly set the game back up. He supposes that this type of gambling is more fun than gambling with chocolates. At least until he sees your social media message the next morning.

Guess who finally toppled the old king and became the new Ruler of Kitty Cards? I won’t name them. No one asked. It’s not polite to be a sore loser, my adorable meowing subject.

[goddess-reborn]

Okay yall I’m CONVINCED this has to be because it was my birthday!!!!!!

Like the game let’s you celebrate your birthday in game for 1 week and literally since the day it started my pulls have been fucking wild????

Like I got Rafayel in my first 10 pull and then when I did a 10 pull with the pity guarantee, I got not just Zayne who was my precise wish, but Xavier too (so both the limited cards I didn’t have) AND an extra Zayne so I could rank him up a level?????

This cannot be a coincidence, especially with getting a 5 star on two separate non-pity 10 pulls, there’s just no way skdjksks

If anyone else has a birthday coming up soon and they have the means to test this theory out please do and tell me the results because this has been absolutely insane!!!!

[beneathashadytree]

I had a bit of a "hang in a minute..." thought when going through my 5*memory cards the other day. I started playing the last day of the drunk MC/Zayne and MC/sniffy sniff Rafayel event (I lucked out and got both, but not Xavier's) and it made me think that MC and Zayne have definitely bumped uglies (the business trip card is HELLO 👀) Whereas Raffy and Xavier are merely hinting at maybe, possibly doing the do.

There is another Zayne card that heavily suggests they banged, but I've been asleep since then and can't remember what card.

What do you think?

I will be sending another ask coz I just thought of something else!

I’ve gotten most cards in the game despite being F2P… except for the V-day cards🥲 But here’s my interpretation of this!

Like in the company’s previous game MLQC, the dates with the boys are scattered across different points in their timeline with MC.

For example, Business Trip Date is 100% after they’ve been long dating. After all, Zayne always strikes me as a particularly cautious person and definitely waited a long time to have sex with MC, due to the fact that he’s too worried about Astra’s curse to truly give in to his desires. Also the fact that he probably follows a “well-mannered” agenda to a T: ask them out on a date, kiss their cheek, kiss their lips, make out with them, sleep together, and so on. He’s also just naturally more reserved despite having a heart of gold, and so he’s probably careful with his own emotions, especially since he’s canonically had zero experience before MC. However, in other dates, like the almost-kiss one (forgot its name) you can see that it’s still in that awkward, early phase in the relationship where he’s holding back a lot of his feelings and it often backfires because it comes off as him being standoffish (Zayne is literally just me but in a different font😭😭). So currently? They’re not even dating. A little fast forward? Dating, but kinda shy. Massive fast forward? Sleeping together and teasing each other.

As for Rafayel and Xavier, the same also applies!! They’ve both respectively slept with MC and it’s heavily implied in the same way Zayne’s was. It’s only a matter of WHEN exactly that happened, since the dates are also all over the timeline.

Rafayel’s V-day card was lovely, but it certainly implies that he’s gotten more confident about being more risqué around MC. Despite appearances, he’s incredibly shy and embarrassed about intimacy at the start even though he deeply craves it, and that’s simply because of the way he grew up (being told you’re to be a refined God can’t have been too easy on him) and because of the fact that this is his first lifetime where he gets to be with MC without the constant threat of them being taken away from him. Being an artist also heightens his passion and his ability to tap into his well of feelings, so he can’t help the fact that he constantly desires to be with MC, and that translates into the natural progression of physical intimacy as he knows it. However, in the early days, he’s extremely careful about not toeing the line even when sharing a bed.

As for Xavier… whew. He’s just about the most forward, sneakiest one of the bunch, and I love the fact that it contrasts his endearing earnestness so much. Like, yes, he would absolutely burn the world to protect MC’s smile (he’s a little morally grey, after all, he just reins it in for their sake) but he’s just so so eager to pull the most sinful sounds from them in the name of his all-consuming adoration. The most recent card (the one with the gym clothes) makes it obvious that he’s more than willing to take the first step in their relationship, but it’s just a matter of him waiting for the MC to reciprocate. He’s careful, but makes his intentions VERY clear. During the V-day event, he’s easily the boldest out of the 3. It’s clear this is much later in their relationship, because he literally promises to keep them up all night (!!!) and is certainly okay with having them feel him up and act coy while he presses kisses to their body. On the other hand, in that one card with the Pocky game, they’re still at the stage in the relationship in which he can tease them and fluster them so easily by just surprising them with a kiss. So it’s pretty early on, I’d say.

Coming from the MLQC fandom, the messed up timeline doesn’t bother me, because I know that this is because in-game it hasn’t been long since they first “met” and the game hasn’t been released for long either. It makes sense that during dates, they wouldn’t be in a relationship yet. But since it’s an otome game, they have to feed the fans a little with indulgent dates set in the future to encourage fans to keep investing in the game and stay interested until they actually do start dating in the timeline (eg: 2 years later, maybe). And after that good long while, they’ll only keep pushing out dates where they’re already dating, and things slowly get more and more domestic. So it’s a game of patience!!

This turned out to be a massive rambling post, sorry😭😭 I’m pretty unhealthily obsessed with this game (as I was with MLQC years ago, honestly) so I love spinning my own interpretations of the lore and characters.

[1dmonthlyficroundup]

— 1D Monthly Fic Roundup —

Hi, and welcome to the 1D Monthly Fic Roundup for December 2023! Below you’ll find 1D fics that were all published this month and arranged by writer due to the number of fics this month as there were too many tags for tumblr. We hope you’ll check out these new fics! If you would like to submit your own fic, please check this post on how to submit or visit our blog @1dmonthlyficroundup​. You can find all our other posts here.

Happy reading!

＊ Heart Beat by @allwaswell16 [E, 33k, Louis/Harry]

Hideaway Haven is the place that Louis has always called home. It's also the place that Harry had tried to leave behind him. When Harry returns to start a music academy in his hometown, he finds himself face to face with his high school crush—and his charming daughter who wants to learn to play the drums.

A 2023 Advent Fic

＊ Daydream [T, 2k, Zayn/Louis]

Every Thursday, Louis nods hello to her fellow regulars at Horan’s Cafe, one of whom is the woman of her dreams.

＊ One [E, 4k, Louis/Tommy Shelby (Peaky Blinders)]

When omega Louis Tomlinson becomes pregnant after an unexpected encounter, he decides his only option is to flee his pack. But Tommy Shelby, pack alpha of the Peaky Blinders, might not be willing to let him go so easily.

＊ to wake up by your side is all I wanna do by @beardyboyzx [G, 1k, Zayn/Niall]

Sometimes, Niall still thinks about the way Zayn’s laugh sounds when they watch TV and Niall makes up fake answers for whatever quiz show they’re watching.

＊ it's a holidate by @disgruntledkittenface [M, 4k, Harry/Nick Grimshaw]

“So you know me well enough to come in my mouth–”

Nick’s head, along with Fiona’s next to him and those of practically every other attendee of the company holiday party, swivels in the direction of the girl in the red dress whose voice has risen enough to be heard over the music being piped across the 17th floor.

“–but not well enough to get me a Christmas present?”

Most of the crowd politely looks away at this point. Nick bursts out laughing.

When Nick meets Harry at his company holiday party, he never would have predicted that he’d met his match. Luckily, he’s been known to be wrong on occasion.

＊ Red [E, 4k, Harry/Louis]

Louis is wallowing after the breakup. He's never felt this kind of heartbreak before. All he wants to do is lie on his couch and listen to Taylor Swift alone. But when the pain is too much to handle on his own, he calls the one person who understands how this feels.

＊ You Don’t Have to Be Lonely Tonight by @neondiamond [G, 2k, Louis/Harry]

Louis is stuck working the Christmas day shift at the coffee shop. Harry is the sad stranger who comes in to spend the day there.

＊ An Annual Affair [G, 1k, Harry/Louis]

One Direction’s annual Christmas dinner, featuring pregnant Harry and his overprotective Alpha Louis, nervous Liam and his calm and collected mate Zayn, and clueless Niall who may or may not have a death wish.

＊ Not Quite Structurally Sound [G, 1k, Zayn/Liam]

Zayn and Liam help their two kids build a gingerbread house.

＊ You’re Family [G, 2k, Louis/Harry]

Louis is a little nervous about meeting Harry’s family for the first time for Christmas. Harry’s Mum shows him he has nothing to worry about. Part 3 of Inner Crisis universe

＊ A Special Bond [G, 1k, Niall & Harry]

Baby Lilah goes to see the Christmas lights with her Daddy Harry and her uncle Niall.

＊ Mistletoe Kiss [G, 1k, Louis/Harry]

A little bit of mistletoe is just the thing Louis needed to let his roommate Harry know he’s got quite the crush on him.

＊ Cookies and Christmas Cheer [G, 1k, Niall & Zayn]

When Niall is feeling a little sad at having to work over the holidays, his fellow nurse Zayn shows him a little Christmas spirit is still possible.

＊ All That Counts [G, 1k, Louis/Harry]

A soft Christmas morning in the Tomlinson-Styles household.

＊ Lonely Cards Club by @hellolovers13 [T, k, Harry/Louis]

Harry's life in Cardiff is rather uneventful. Until he receives a strange Christmas postcard.

It gets even stranger when he finds another one the next day.

An Advent story about missed opportunities and second chances.

＊ It's okay, 'cause you're not alone [T, 896 words, Niall/Zayn]

Niall focussed on Zayn’s steady heartbeat, tried to use it to ground himself.

thump, thump, thump

One, two, three.

He was safe.

Always safe in Zayn’s arms.

＊ tell me that your sweet love hasn't died by punk_pillow_princess / @punkpillowprincess [M, 27k, Louis/Harry]

“Remember when I said that I came out to my parents last summer, and told them we were together, and they took it really well?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, that wasn’t entirely accurate.”

Louis tries to settle better in the seat to see Harry. “They didn’t take it well?”

“No...I didn’t tell them.”

OR Louis and Harry have been in a relationship for a year. While on their way to Harry's parents' house and his family's legendary annual Christmas party, Louis discovers that Harry has not yet come out of the closet to his family, who are also full of secrets, fears and afraid of a bad reputation in town.

A Happiest Season AU

＊ Chaos by @haztobegood [M, 100 words, Louis/OMC]

Against the barricade, it’s complete chaos.

＊ Baking Memories [T, 2k, Louis/Jack Cochrane]

After a long day of songwriting, Jack convinces Louis to bake mince pies together.

＊ Jump! by @reminiscingintherain [M, 15k, Louis/Tommy Longhurst]

He let out a noise of surprise as his arms were suddenly full of a sweaty body, as Tommy threw himself at Louis and held on tightly. “Thank you so fucking much,” he muttered against Louis’ shoulder, squeezing a little. “You have no idea how much this means to us.” Louis softened a little, gently tapping Tommy’s back. “I absolutely know what this means, lad,” he replied, his voice gentle and supportive. “The way you’re reacting to being out there? That’s exactly why I chose you for the support slot.” He gave a reassuring squeeze. “You deserve this, okay?” He pulled back a little, gripping the back of Tommy’s neck and looking him in the eyes. “You deserve this.”

＊ don’t let the fire die by @nouies [E, 8k, Harry/Louis]

Harry makes a long trip to take back what is his. Part 2 of burning bright

＊ Ride My Sleigh Tonight by @kingsofeverything [E, 9k, Louis/Harry]

In exchange for free food and drinks at Liam’s office holiday party, Harry pretends to be his boyfriend.

But this is not that story.

＊ “Are there any gays in here?” by red_panda28 / @red-pandaaa [E, 7k, Harry/Louis]

“Maybe you just need a different approach,” Niall suggested, as Louis stopped by to pick up Clifford and was whining about not having met anyone in ages.

“Yeah, cheers. Very helpful,” he replied sarcastically. But as he took Cliff for his evening walk Niall’s words stuck with him.

OR Louis is fed up with meaningless hook-ups, Harry happened to visit Starbucks on a Wednesday, and Clifford is the best

＊ Stuck in Midnight Traffic by LetTheMusicMoveYou / @letthemusicmoveyou28 [M, 2k, Louis/Harry]

The curly haired man sniffles again, but the tears seemed to have stopped for now at least. “I was supposed to spend Christmas Eve with my boyfriend, that is until we got into a horrible fight.” He seems to wince at his own words. “I guess I should start getting used to calling him my ex-boyfriend. But anyways, we just couldn’t stay there any longer. Kevin and I had to get out.”

Louis blinks before looking around the empty tube car confusedly. “Kevin?”

The man nods and then squeezes a little tighter to the little potted plant clutched in his arms. “Kevin is a Christmas Cactus, but he doesn’t bloom.” He quickly adds. “Which is completely fine, because I love him just as he is.”

Louis’ not sure what most of that means. All he does know is that he needs to make sure this strange, beautiful creature is never sad again.

(Or the one where two broken people meet in an empty tube car on Christmas Eve. Can they find a way to heal each other?)

＊ Let Me Inside by @enchantedlandcoffee [E, 286 words, Louis/Harry]

Louis gets a surprise visit from his alpha in the shower.

＊ Feel My Traces [M, 2k, Harry/Louis]

“Oh. You actually have a tattoo gun?" "Yes, Harold, I actually have a tattoo gun. What did you think I was gonna tattoo you with? A cucumber? You do talk some shit sometimes," Louis teased, walking up to Harry with the tattoo gun in his hand. "Right, what do you want?" Harry looked at the device and paled. "Um…" "Not backing out on me now, are you Styles?" Louis teased, a gentle smile forming on his face. "You see, the thing is, I didn't actually think you had a tattoo gun,” Harry chuckled nervously, eyes still fixated on the device.

Or, temporary tattoos, a misunderstanding and a passionate moment.

＊ Do you really want to be all alone? [G, 601 words, Louis/Harry]

Harry, Louis and the kids wake up on Christmas Morning. Part One of Three, Part 6 of The Coach Tommo Universe 

＊ hope we grow old but we never grow up [G, 5k, Niall/Harry]

But Niall was convinced that Harry couldn't like him back, that just wouldn't make sense. Both of them couldn't be that oblivious to how the other one felt. …Right? So he did the only logical thing his 17 year old self could think of. He flirted back.

OR Three key moments in Niall and Harry's relationship.

＊ I'm Missing Half Of Me... [T, 233 words, Louis/Harry]

Louis calls Harry after he's shaved his head.

＊ Always You [G, 922 words, Harry/Louis]

“You heading home, mate?” Liam asked as the movie ended. softly nudging Zayn to wake him up. “Is it alright if I just kip here, Payno?” Louis answered, taking a sip of his beer as he stretched his legs out, having been sitting on them for the majority of the movie. “You sure, Lou? You’re only down the hall and I’m sure Harry’d be worried if you didn’t come home?” “Nah, I'm sure he'll be just fine by himself for one night. Besides, I’m pretty sure Nick’s over there.” Louis drawled, finishing off his beer as he searched his pockets for his phone. Liam winced at the bitter tone in his friend’s voice.

Or, Louis calls his ex on Valentine's Day.

＊ Have yourself a larry little christmas [T, 2k, Louis/Harry]

The two of them had planned to exchange presents for Christmas and Louis’ birthday before they separated until New Years and Harry thought it'd be a perfect time to introduce Louis to his cat. However, they’d run into a small obstacle shortly after they'd arrived. That obstacle being British weather. An alert from their weather apps had popped up on their phones, signalling to them the start of a freak snowstorm and advising everyone to stay indoors.

OR A plan to exchange presents lead to more than both Harry and Louis bargained for.

＊ All The Way Home I'll Be Warm by @justanothershadeofblue [T, 2k, Louis/Harry]

Harry & Louis jokingly send out holiday cards together as friends, and now everyone is congratulating them for finally getting together. A 5+1 fic, for Christmas.

＊ Be Merry All [M, 30k, Harry/Louis]

there is a specific sort of oppression that comes with a miserable so-cal christmas, when it’s dark and dirty and rainy or else it's too hot and too bright and everyone’s hustling, and your family is all far away and the laundry machines in your building are broken and you’ve eaten too much take-out and all you want is two seconds of quiet and maybe a morsel of holiday joy.

an advent fic, posting daily (in theory).

＊ Santa Baby (one little thing I really need) by we_are_the_same / @so-why-let-your-voice-be-tamed [T, 3k, Louis/Harry]

When Louis himself had first heard those words - all the nurses at the A&E have a secret line to Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve-, not nearly long enough ago to be considered a child himself, but long enough that he hadn't really felt like an adult all the time, he’d laughed them off. Thought they were sweet, of course, but just a line, something said to appease the kids who ended up having to stay overnight. Something to explain the presents that parents brought to the hospital on Christmas morning, or that were waiting for them at home, if they were lucky not to have to stay any longer.

Something that would allow a little bit of Christmas spirit in the sometimes sterile rooms of the hospital.

But that was before he’d met him.

＊ Snow In Love by @lululawrence [NR, 33k, Harry/Louis]

Harry and Louis are best friends and have been for basically as long as they can remember. For the first time since middle school, they are both single for the holidays leaving them with the brilliant idea to take each other as their dates to work events. To make things easier they will pretend like they’re dating. But then they learn something funny.

People thought they were already dating. Weird.

An advent fic featuring childhood friends, fake dating turned actual dating, really horrible secret keeping, and a winter weather surprise.

＊ Damsel in Christmas Distress [NR, 5k, Louis/Harry/NIck Grimshaw]

Nick's door was open. He didn't leave it that way. Maybe his gorgeous neighbor will help protect him from any possible murderers who have made their way into his flat while he was gone.

Merry Louis' birthday, Happy Stylinshaw.

＊ Step Into Christmas by babyhoneyhslt / @babyhoneyheslt [G, 4k, Harry/Louis]

Louis just wants to celebrate his birthday in peace, without all the Christmas antics.

Instead he wakes up in a strange bed, a confused stranger next to him and a self proclaimed elf calling him Santa. Part 1 of Holidays Are Coming

＊ 'tis the damn season by YesIsAWorld / @louandhazaf [E, 17k, Louis/Harry]

Harry returns to her small hometown over the holiday season and starts to think about the road not taken.

＊ A Christmas at Home by @parmahamlarrie [T, 3k, Harry/Louis]

After meeting his boyfriend in the emergency room, not having Louis home for Christmas Eve (and his birthday) was not a big surprise to Harry. What he didn't expect was just how hard that would be on his six year old son, Arlo.

Or, the one where Arlo wants nothing more than to celebrate Louis' birthday with him, and Harry hates having to be the parent who says no. Part 2 of Arlo's Christmases

＊ Get Out Of My Head (and I'll get out of yours) by Imogenlee / @imogenleewriter [E, 29k, Louis/Harry]

“You really that desperate, are you?” Despite it being a shitty thing to say, Harry didn’t mind too much, as the bitterness in Louis’ tone sounded like music to Harry’s ears. Harry was winning tonight. “Can’t find anyone new to be interested in you, so you try to hit on Zayn.”

“I can’t find someone interested in me?” Harry asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re having a laugh, mate.”

“Yeah, well, where are they, then? Because from what I’ve heard, you’re here alone.”

“As if I’d bring anyone to somewhere I knew you’d be. I wouldn’t wish your presence on my worst enemy.”

“Aw,” Louis cooed in a way that made Harry want to slap him. “You’re saying I’m not your worst enemy?”

“For someone to be an enemy, you have to give a shit about them. So, no. You’re not even on the list.”

“Oh–kay. Well, it’s been lovely as always, gents,” Zayn said before knocking back the rest of his drink.

Or the one for the Bottom Harry Fic Fest where Harry bottoming is more of a side plot, because angst got in the way--but it doesn't really matter because the fest stopped existing when I was halfthrough.

＊ Oh Christmas Three by @tommokat [M, 1k, Harry/Louis]

A birthday surprise goes awry. Louis doesn’t understand. Harry blames the oven.

— Fic Fests —

＊ Louis Rare Pair Fest / @louisrarepairfest [AO3, masterpost]

A rare pair fest for all Louis rare pairs

＊ The Show Fic Fest / @theshowficfest [AO3, masterpost]

Fics written for and inspired by songs from Niall Horan's third album The Show

— Podfics —

＊ [podfic] Season 2, Episode 13: Oh Little Town of BATHlehem [a fic by ladylondonderry] by podfic_pals / @podfic-pals [G, Louis/Harry]

Louis Tomlinson needs a small pink bathtub.

He needs it.

His fucking family had forgotten to include him in the email chain for Doris for Christmas, with her very carefully thought out Christmas list, until every easy item was gone. Only when he asked Lottie if anyone else had heard from Doris yet, only then did they realise their mistake and forward the email chain to him.

So, it’s either a small pink bathtub or an entire bouncy castle. And if he had the money for a bouncy castle that would be fine, but that fucker costs more than his monthly rent and he simply does not make that much working as an optometrist assistant.

＊ [podfic] Season 2, Episode 14: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm [a fic by haloeverlasting] by podfic_pals / @podfic-pals [NR, Harry/Louis]

Louis takes a deep breath, and replies very quickly to get it over with, “Well, see, I don’t have any heat in my flat right now and it’s hard enough to go to sleep when I’m bloody freezing—”

“Oh god. And my music’s gone and made it even worse,” Harry cuts in.

“Well, it only went out today,” Louis explains, “So it wasn’t that bad before, erm. Now.”

“Before?” Harry asks, horrified. “How long has this been?”

“Oh, erm,” Louis folds his hands where they hang in front of him and admits, “All week.”

Harry visibly wilts. He looks so sad, it makes Louis feel awful. He’s gone and crushed someone’s Christmas spirit. Some beautiful boy who looks like Danny Zuko is sad now and it’s Louis’ fault, which means he doesn’t stand a chance at being the cute neighbor from the floor below. And now he’s going to have to sleep in his freezing cold flat knowing he may as well have ruined Christmas.

Or, Louis' heat is out, Harry's a terrible upstairs neighbor, and an empty Christmas tree is the perfect excuse to fall in love.

＊ [Podfic] All I Do the Whole Day Through by Panda_Podfics / @pandapodfics [NR, Louis/Harry]

Louis reached up and grabbed the ridiculously thick jumper that had the planets all over it and slammed the wardrobe doors shut. It was only as he turned around that he realized why Harry’s bedroom door had been shut.

There was a nest on Harry’s bed.

But why was Harry using Louis’ clothes and items that probably smelled like him in his nest?

＊ [podfic] Season 2, Episode 15: room for your love underneath this tree [a fic by we_are_the_same] by podfic_pals / @podfic-pals [T, Harry/Louis]

“IwannameetHarryStyles,” Daisy mumbles, and Louis blinks.

“What?”

“She says she wants to meet Harry Styles.” Phoebe pipes up, and Louis blinks again, absently switches the camera to himself because he knows that his followers will want to catch his baffled expression.

“You-” he starts, and then stops himself, because he did tell her she could ask for anything she wanted, and how can he go back on his word and tell her that he doesn’t actually have the power to make that happen?

Because Harry Styles is -- he’s next level kind of famous. Louis has two million subscribers on his YouTube, but Harry has eighteen times as many followers on his Twitter alone. He’s had three number one hits in the last year, and his last album had charted at the top spot for a record breaking 27 weeks. He’s a singer, actor and philanthropist, and there is no way in hell that Louis can get him to come meet Daisy for Christmas.

So of course he laughs, even if it’s a little bit breathless, and nods at her. “One Harry Styles for Christmas, coming right up.”

＊ [Podfic] Christmas Special 2023 by Panda_Podfics / @pandapodfics [T, Louis/Harry]

three fics full of Christmas Fluff

All the lights are sparkling for you, it seems written by @thebreadvansstuff

Do you really want to be all alone? written by @enchantedlandcoffee

You Don’t Have to Be Lonely Tonight written by @neondiamond

[mybabbling-heart]

HOLY GOOD GOD OF EVERYTHING GOOD

okay so like throw back to the one card where we had to help him with his injuries… yeah his first solo run… MF DID NOT COME HOME! AFTER 120 WISHES.

But thank the stars he actually came home within 51 pulls (and Rafayel did not come home.)

He’s so hot oh my god… AND NOT TO MENTION WHEN HE PLAYS HES LITERALLY BETWEEN MCS LEGS

(I got to see it n oh my god)

Thank you Dr. Zayne for actually acknowledging me n coming home and not letting the fish man come home (I’ve got 9! Event Rafayel cards when all I wanted was Zayne 😭)

[kwanisms]

Sweat for Me - h.zitao

soloist masterlist | next »»

➥ dom!Tao × sub!Reader

summary: while visiting a nightclub with your friends while on vacation in Shanghai, you meet a man who not only blows you away with his impeccable conversation but also his ability to listen to you.

Or the one where a man actually listens to you talk and you find that incredibly sexy, so you agree to go back to his hotel. Did I mention he's got a huge --

wc: 4.5k

warnings: adult dialogue, alcohol consumption, female reader, smaller reader, sexual content (18+ mdni), see smut warnings under the cut!

permanent taglist: @yoonguurt @wonderfulshinee @candidupped @dejavernon @violagoth @tigermoonbiss @katsukis1wife @luvsooby

exo taglist: @cixrosie

special tags: @stardragongalaxy @kpop-stories-21

join my taglists: permanent | group.

a/n: I'm only writing this cause @anyamaris has been torturing me with Tao for the last few days in the CoDn discord. So now she can suffer with me 🙃 also, I've never actually written for Tao before so pls be gentle with me. I was listening to Sweat by Zayn when this idea popped up so listen to that to get the vibe I was going for lol as always, this is a work of fiction and all characters are not reflective of their respective irl counterparts. for entertainment purposes only. banner made by me. I do not allow reposts or translations of my works. All my works are ©️ kwanisms.

smut warnings: oral (f receiving), unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it!), mutiple orgasms (and reader passes out for like 10 seconds), dom!Tao, he's got a big dick, edging (f receiving), choking, spitting, dirty talk, praise, use of pet names (baby, sweetheart, princess, etc), creampie, slight daddy kink (but u gotta squint real hard), and I think that's all but let me know if I missed anything!

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════

How you ended up in this strange hotel room in the heart of Shanghai, you couldn't remember. At least not at first.

Initially, all you could remember of the previous night was the flashing lights of the club you'd visited with a few of your girlfriends, downing a few drinks and shots and dancing.

As you started to wake, memories came flooding back. Memories of a tall, handsome stranger joining you at the bar, buying you a few drinks, and asking you to leave with him. The same man who was lying tangled in the sheets next to you in what you assumed was his hotel room.

You groaned as the headache of what was surely the start of a hangover set in and lay there with your eyes closed as you tried to remember exactly what had happened last night.

"You look awfully lonely over here," a voice said suddenly, making you look up from your almost empty drink. A morning star and the only drink you ordered during this stretch of your trip.

Turning your head, you were met by a pair of dark brown eyes belonging to possibly the most handsome man you'd ever laid eyes on. You stared at him, longer than you intended, before finally speaking.

"Uh, sorry," you murmured, looking back down at the melting ice in your glass. The man smiled, amused by your reaction. "May I?" he asked, placing a hand on the back of the bar chair next to you.

You gestured towards the seat, silently telling him to have it.

He thanked you softly as he took a seat beside you, nodding at the bartender who quickly moved down the bar to take his order.

"I'll have a double whiskey, neat," he said, pulling a card from his wallet. You almost missed the way he turned to glance at you before looking back at the bartender.

"And a refill of whatever she's drinking."

You glanced up as the bartender nodded, taking the man's card to open a tab. You leaned forward to get a look at his face. "You don't have to do that," you said, aware of how annoyed you sound.

"I can pay for my own drinks."

The man smiled, not a smug smile, more of an amused yet kind smile before looking up to meet your gaze. "I'm sure you can but I'm also allowed to spend my money how I want, aren't I?" At this, he tilted his head, that same smile on his lips.

You nodded slowly and watched as he sat up straight, tapping his thumbs on the countertop to a beat only he seemed to be able to hear. After staring at him for a couple minutes, the bartender returned with the drinks, setting a short glass full of amber colored liquor before the man and a fresh glass in front of you.

You thanked the bartender, still staring at the man next to you as he raised his glass to take a sip of his drink. He chuckled to himself as he set his drink down. "You know," he started, turning his head to look you dead in the eye.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's rude to stare?"

You felt the burn of embarrassment as you tore your gaze away, focusing instead on your drink. "Sorry," you murmured.

You took a sip of the fruity concoction, almost sighing as the coconut hit your palate. You were aware the man was still staring at you. 'Oh how the tables have turned.'

"So, do you follow your own advice or just tell others what to do?"

The man laughed, looking down at his drink. "You're right. I'm sorry," he apologized. "Very rude of me. I should practice what I preach." It was your turn to smile, biting back a laugh by taking another sip of your drink.

The two of you sat in a comfortable silence interrupted only by the music and deep bass of the club music. "So," you started, finally breaking the silence. "Do you have a name?"

The man smiled, leaning against the bar and turning his head to look at you. "I do," he said with a nod. You waited but he said nothing until he met your gaze.

"Oh, you wanted to know what it is?"

You narrowed your eyes at him. "I figured that would be obvious."

He chuckled again before offering his hand for you to shake. You took it hesitantly, glancing up to meet his gaze once more.

"Tao," he said, the same smile from before back. "You can call me Tao." You shook his hand before introducing yourself. "I'm Y/N."

Tao lifted his glass, taking another sip and setting it back down.

"It's nice to meet you, Y/N."

You didn't know what it was about Tao but talking to him seemed like the easiest thing in the world. While your friends were on the dance floor, drunkenly dancing with a few men your group had met a couple nights ago, you found yourself moving to an empty table to talk to Tao, telling him about your 3 month long vacation that was coming to an end.

Not only was he intriguing to listen to but he actually listened to you. He made a point of asking you lots of specific questions about the subjects you brought up.

It was not only refreshing to have someone actually listen to you, it was also incredibly attractive.

You were finishing up your third round of drinks when Tao seemingly made his move. He scooted closer, taking your drink and setting it on the table.

You were vaguely aware he was about to say something but you were distracted by his close proximity and the warmth radiating off his body.

"Look," he said softly. "I don't normally do this but I think you're incredible. Not only are you funny and adventurous but you're insanely gorgeous and I know I'd regret it if I didn't ask you if you'd like to leave with me."

Your heart hammered in your chest as he spoke, eyes darting between his eyes and his lips as he spoke. "If you don't, I won't be mad. I just know I need to shoot my shot before it's too late and-"

You cut him off with a quick kiss and pulled back, grinning triumphantly at the look of shock on his face. "I'd love to."

The ride from the club to his hotel was no more than 15 minutes but it felt longer as you could feel his eyes on you. It took everything in you not to straddle him in the back of the taxi.

That would have been embarrassing.

Instead, you were able to keep your composure until you reached his hotel room, waiting patiently as he unlocked the door with his keycard. Once inside, all grace and dignity were tossed aside as Tao grabbed you by the back of your neck, pulling you into a rough kiss.

You'd expected him to be a little timid at first, testing the waters but instead he dove right in. His lips moved against yours with fervor, devouring each moan and whimper as his hands expertly tugged at and removed your clothes, leaving you in your underwear.

Fingers skimmed over your skin as he guided you to the bed, sitting you on the edge before he shrugged his jacket off. Your back hit the mattress as Tao kissed slowly up the inside of your thigh.

Your head spun as he carefully and rather expertly removed your panties with his teeth. To say you were flabbergasted was an understatement. Tao merely smirked, letting the cobalt blue lace fall from his mouth and onto the carpeted floor.

You barely had time to register your lower half was completely bare before you felt his tongue lick a slow strip up your slit, finding your clit with deft precision. The moment he had a taste, his hands held your hips in place as he dug right in, licking, teasing, nipping at the sensitive bud.

Your cheeks burned at the obscene and lewd wet sounds that filled the room, audible only when you weren't moaning Tao's name and whimpering, begging him for more.

Your back arched off the sheets, a thin layer of sweat covering your skin as your orgasm ebbed away for what felt like the third time. Your eyes glistened with unshed tears of frustration as Tao pulled away, chin and lips coated in your essence.

You would have been annoyed had it not been for the fact that Tao was clearly an expert at what he was doing and not only that, he seemed to really enjoy it. If the groans and the way he seemingly lost himself in your taste was anything to go by.

You barely had time to catch your breath before you were being guided to scoot further onto the bed. Somewhere in the time between Tao letting your orgasm slip away to him hovering over you, he'd rid himself of his clothes.

Tattoos you never could have guessed he had covered both his biceps. You didn't have the chance to ask him about them as his lips met yours, tongue slipping past when you moaned, feeling the weight of his cock rest against your wet pussy.

Although you couldn't see it, judging by the weight, you guessed it was about as thick as your wrist, and you would be almost correct.

You whined impatiently as Tao made no effort to move, to enter you properly.

Instead he savored your reactions, trying to move your hips enough to find friction. Your weak attempts to entice him. Though you didn't need to. He was more than willing and able.

Without word or warning, he guided the head of his cock to your sopping entrance and slowly pushed into you. You sucked in a sharp breath, trying not to gasp as the girth slowly stretched your walls, threatening to split you open.

"Oh fuck," you whined. You felt one of Tao's hands grab the back of your thigh, pushing your leg against your stomach and allowing him to sink deeper, faster. You'd never felt anything so deep before.

You let out a shaky moan as he bottomed out and only then did he say anything. "Holy shit. You're so fucking tight," he groaned, head dropping as he lost himself in the feeling of your warm walls enveloping him.

"Tao please," you whined. You didn't have another chance to speak as he complied to your unasked request, pulling out partly and snapping his hips forward. You let out a mix between a gasp and a yelp, surprised by the sheer force.

"Shit, I'm sorry," he almost cooed. "You okay, baby"

The nickname had you melting under him with a moan.

"Y-yes," you whimpered.

Satisfied he hadn't hurt you, Tao set a steady pace, one hand keeping your thigh in place while the other disappeared under the pillow under your head, using his forearm to keep himself from collapsing onto you.

"Fuck, you feel so goddamn good," you heard him groan, hips slamming into you repeatedly, punctuating his next sentence.

"So. Fucking. Good."

Each thrust had you seeing stars, incoherent moans of his name and curses tumbling from your lips as your mind tried to keep up but the only thought occupying your brain was how good his cock felt and how big it was.

"So big," you managed to whimper. Tao chuckled lightly, breath fanning over your cheek as he lowered himself closer to whisper in your ear. "Yeah? You like how my big cock feels in your tight little pussy?"

If you weren't an incoherent mess before, you certainly were now.

"You like how it feels? You like being stuffed full?"

You nodded quickly, unable to answer him. "Oh, such a good little girl, aren't you?" You cried out as he gave you a particularly harsh thrust.

"Taking all of it, just like good girls do," he continued, not missing the way your cunt convulsed around his cock. You were so easy for him to read. Like an open book.

Letting go of your thigh, his hand moved, fingers closing around your throat lightly. The simple action had your already cloudy brain emptying completely as you let yourself succumb to the first wave of your orgasm.

An intense pleasure, unlike any you'd ever felt before crashed over you, stars blinding your vision, heat spreading from your core throughout your body and down into your fingers and toes as they curled in pure ecstasy. Wanton moans and a slew of curses left your lips, Tao's name thrown into the mix.

Unaware Tao was watching you with a deep fascination, you let out a desperate whine, thighs encasing his waist as he helped you ride out your high. "That's it sweetheart," he all but whispered, his pace not slowing for a second.

"That's my good girl."

Your heart pounded in your chest, stomach doing flips at his subtle praise. "You're doing so well," you heard him say, his voice sounding so distant. Like he was far away.

As the aftershocks of your climax subsided and you started to focus on your surroundings, you felt Tao's hand on your neck move, gently cupping your cheek, thumb stroking your skin. "Hey," he whispered. You blinked a couple times as his face came into focus.

"There you are," he said with a chuckle. "Lost you for a second."

"W-what happened?"

"You must have passed out," he answered, looking mildly concerned. "Are you okay?"

You nodded, blinking as you looked around. "How long was I out?"

"Not long," he replied. "A good ten seconds though." At this, he smirked, looking particularly smug. "What?" you whined.

"Dick so good it'll make you pass out?" he asked. "Maybe I should add that to my portfolio." You rolled your eyes, ignoring his snickers. You tried to sit up but realized you weren't quite done.

"Are you still inside me?" you asked incredulously, making Tao laugh again. "You were only out for ten seconds at most, sugar," he answered. "Do you want to stop?" he asked, suddenly serious.

You shook your head quickly. Tao leaned in, pressing a chaste kiss to your lips. "Then lay back down," he ordered. You did as he instructed, whimpering once as he gave you a couple of cautious thrusts before throwing himself back into it.

"Ah, shit!" you cursed, grabbing his forearm, worrying your bottom lip between your teeth. Tao took your chin firmly in his hand, leaning over you. "Open," he instructed. You hesitated, unsure of what he was going to do. "Open your mouth."

You did as he demanded, parting your lips. Tao leaned over further, spitting into your mouth before taking you into a searing kiss. Your walls clenched around him as your second climax approached rapidly.

Another deep thrust had you tumbling over the edge as you came a second time, a cry of Tao's name leaving your mouth.

As he helped you ride out your second orgasm, Tao's hips stuttered, his own orgasm impending. "Oh fuck," he groaned. "M'gonna cum."

"Do it," you mewled. "Cum inside me." Tao let out a breathy laugh. "Is that what you want, princess? Want me to cum inside this pretty little pussy and make it mine?"

You moaned in response, back arching of the bed.

"Is that what you want, baby?"

You weren't sure what drove you to say it but your response had an immediately profound reaction on him.

"Y-yes daddy!"

Tao dropped his head again, letting out an almost animalistic growl as his hips rammed against yours, pounding into you with renewed vigor. Each thrust had you nearly screaming.

Not wanting to risk complaining neighbors, Tao covered your mouth, muffling your cries. "Almost there, baby girl, almost there."

He offered hushed words of encouragement until the fluttering of your walls around his cock pushed Tao over the edge and he came with a low, husky moan, riding out his orgasm until his hips finally came to a halt as he stilled inside your cunt that was now full of not only his cock but also his cum.

Coming down from your respective highs, Tao was finally able to pull out of you and fall onto the bed beside you. You were well aware of his release spilling out of your abused hole but were far too tired to do anything about it.

Tao however did not hesitate to get up, grabbing his boxers from the floor as he disappeared into the bathroom only to return moments later with a wet warm washcloth. You started to drift off as he carefully wiped your skin clean until you felt him get off the bed and pad away.

Moments later, you felt the bed dip as he returned. The sheets rustled as he untucked them, pulling them back and carefully helping you under them.

The last thing you remembered was him turning the bedside lamp off before wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you close and then it all went black.

Sitting up in a now illuminated hotel room, you were able to catch a glimpse of Tao, sleeping peacefully beside you. His hair was tousled, face half buried into his pillow. The covers were bunched up about halfway down his back, allowing you to see the tattoos that covered his biceps again in the light.

Deciding the best course of action was to gather your things, you slowly untangled yourself from the sheets and was about to scoot to the edge of the bed when a voice rang out. Albeit, a very sleepy one.

"Just where do you think you're going, little one?"

You turned to find Tao was not asleep and was now looking at you with his only visible eye. You knew you'd been busted but decided to play it off. "I thought I'd take a shower," you answered.

Tao raised his head to look at you properly. "Really?"

You nodded, looking down at him. He shrugged and rolled onto his back, reaching to grab his phone and check the time. "I'll call for breakfast," he announced as you got up from the bed and hurried into the bathroom.

Deciding a shower might actually be a good idea, you did just that, standing under the scalding water as you shampooed and conditioned your hair, scrubbed your body and washed away the remnants of last night's makeup.

Once you finished and got out, you were checking your appearance in the bathroom mirror when the door opened and Tao poked his head in. "Breakfast is here," he said before he opened the door further. "And I got you this."

In his hand he held a fluffy white robe. You took it, thanking him and he shut the door behind him, leaving you to change out of the towel and into the robe to save your dignity.

In the room, he'd already donned some sweatpants and a plain black tee and was looking over the food that had been delivered.

You hadn't gotten a good look at the room the previous night but could now make out that it was a king suite with an incredible view of downtown Shanghai. You were probably on the 30th floor at least. Tao had just finished setting the small table by the window when you entered the room.

He glanced up and gave you a grin. "I wasn't sure what you like so I got a bit of everything," he explained as you walked over.

"That's really nice of you. Thank you." You moved to sit across from him and quickly helped you with your chair. "It's the least I could do." He gave you another smile as he sat across from you. The two of you ate in relative silence until you came to your senses.

"Oh my god," you exclaimed, making Tao jump in surprise at your sudden outburst. "My friends are gonna kill me!" Tao swallowed his food before speaking. "Hey, calm down it's okay-"

"No it's not! They have no idea where I am! Or if I'm even alive!"

You got up quickly and started to search around the room. Tao watched from his seat at the table. "What are you looking for?" he asked. "My phone!" you exclaimed as you continued to search.

"It's plugged in on your side of the bed, will you please come back to breakfast?"

Tao didn't sound annoyed, just reassuring you that it was all okay.

"I need to call them."

Tao swallowed another bite of food before responding. "They already called."

You rounded on him. "What?"

He nodded, assuring you it was the truth. "They called earlier. I answered and let them know you were perfectly safe and sound and that you were sleeping," he explained. "I sent them a photo of you asleep, sorry for that, and then explained where we were and what happened."

Your heart sank. "Did you tell them… everything?"

Tao smiled again, getting up and crossing the room to your side. "No, not everything. Just the basics. I'm sure they filled in the blanks themselves," he said as he gently took your phone from your hands and set it back down before taking your hand and leading you back to the table.

The two of you continued to eat until Tao spoke up.

"I know this might be a little forward," he started, capturing your attention. "But I was wondering if you might indulge me."

You set your utensils down, offering him your undivided attention.

"I told you last night that I don't normally hook up with anyone. At least, not someone I met in a nightclub," he continued, glancing up at you and meeting your gaze. "But you? You're different."

You tilted your head to the side, giving him a puzzled look.

"Different how?"

Tao leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm as he studied you.

"You're so different from anyone I've ever talked to. I've never met someone like you," he answered. "I was wondering," he hesitated before shaking his head. "No, I was hoping that you might consider staying in Shanghai for just a bit longer."

Your eyes widened as the implications of his words set in.

'Stay in Shanghai?'

"I'm not sure I could afford that," you said softly, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth. Tao's smile didn't diminish. "You wouldn't have to spend anything," he replied. "I was thinking you could keep me company."

"K-keep you company?" Now you were properly confused. Tao nodded. "Yeah. You know how in Pretty Woman, the guy asks her to spend the week with him and pays her a lot of money to pretend to be his girlfriend while he's on business?"

You nodded slowly. "Well, the only differences are that I'm not paying you to sleep with me or be my girlfriend," he explained so nonchalantly. "I just want to spend some time with you. If you aren't comfortable sharing a hotel room with me, I can put you up in your own room."

You looked at his face, looking for any sign of deceit or dishonesty but found only curiosity looking back at you. "Can I think about it?" you finally asked.

Tao smiled and got up, crossing around the table to where you sat. He combed his fingers through your hair before gently taking your chin in his hand, tilting your head back to look up.

"I'm going to take a shower. So think about it while I'm gone. If you want to stay, I'll send someone to pick up your belongings from wherever you're staying. If not, I'll take you back myself."

Before you had a chance to respond, Tao pressed a short kiss to your lips and quickly crossed the suite to the bathroom.

While he was gone, you cleaned up the table and returned to the bed, flipping on the television set while the shower turned on. You scrolled through the channels, finally settling on some soap opera. While watching, you went through your phone and saw that Tao had indeed explained through text to your friends where you were as well as including a picture and a short clip of you sleeping.

You decided to check in with your friends, to let them know you were alright. Their responses ranged from angry to relieved.

Bai🪷: omg I'm so glad ur okay 😭

Gwen🕷🕸: omg ur so stupid Y/N! How could you leave with some strange man!?

You: correct me if I'm wrong but did you leave with a strange man in Taiwan? 🤔

Gwen🕷🕸: yeah and he was a total weirdo! Have we learned nothing?!

Bai🪷: only that ur taste in men is trash. Next

You: thank you Bai!

Gwen🕷🕸: I'm being attacked help

Bai🪷: drama queen 🙄

Gwen🕷🕸: hey! U take that back

You: ANYWAY. I'm fine. Tao is not some weirdo. He's staying in this really fancy hotel. We're on like the 30th floor in some penthouse suite or some shit. it's really boujie

Bai🪷: y/n always finds the rich ones 😔

Gwen🕷🕸: did someone say sugar daddy??? 👀🤑

You: I'll pretend I didn't see that

Bai🪷: so when r u coming back?

You: uh… that's the thing.

Gwen🕷🕸: oh no. No. Not doing this. Get back here missy. We have to leave in three days!

Bai🪷: let her speak Gwen

You: thanks Bai

You: anyway. He's asked me to stay with him for a bit.

Bai🪷: whoa seriously?

You: yeah! He's even offered to put me up in a second room

You: he said he wants to spend some time with me

You heard the shower cut off and the curtain rustle as Tao no doubt got out of the shower. Going back to your messages you read the latest in the thread.

Gwen🕷🕸: does anyone else not see the serial killer potential here?

Bai🪷: no. Just u You: no only u

Gwen🕷🕸: boo. democracy sux

Bai🪷: so do you think you're gonna do it?

Bai🪷: wait a sec. First of all, do you even want to?

You: I think so. I wouldn't say no to more time in Shanghai

You: idk should I do it?

Gwen🕷🕸: I vote no.

Bai🪷: I vote yes!

Gwen🕷🕸: of course you would 😒

Bai🪷: and exactly what does THAT mean miss I'm-going-to-this-strange-man-I-met-in-Taiwan's house without anyone else around?

Gwen🕷🕸: stop making me look bad! I still vote no!

Bai🪷: and I still vote yes

Gwen🕷🕸: 😡

Bai🪷: so it looks like the final decisions up to you, y/n

Before you could respond, the bathroom door opened and Tao appeared in the same clothes he'd worn into the bathroom. He had a towel in his hand and was currently drying his hair. He made eye contact with you as you set your phone on the bedside table and smiled, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"I think drying my hair is my least favorite part of showering," he said with a chuckle. You smiled in return and waited for him to speak.

"So, have you had time to think about my offer?"

You nodded, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth as you studied Tao's body language. He nodded carefully before looking back up, meeting your gaze.

"So, what's your answer going to be?"

[universal-verringbebe]

Got my first galaxy explorer exclusive card. I was manifesting kitty zayne but the tender moments of this was so cute 🥺

[lilisette]

i got zayne's card for this valentines event and suffice to say, i am taking canon into my own hands, smashing it to the wall, picking up the pieces i want, and rewriting it.

it's good don't get me wrong; it's very fitting of zayne as a doctor who wants to prioritize mc's health first over everything, and as a friend who doesn't want to take advantage of her when she's drunk (well he did hint that he was drunk on her but that's another thing) BUT i find myself wanting more tbh... especially when compared to rafayel and xavier's card.

i want my fade to black steamy smut times dammit :(

[mallleus]

I LOVE Love & Deepspace cuz MC got a GLOCK and I can shoot alien lookin freaks and date a hot doctor

NVM I ‘met’ rafayel. So at first I was team Zayne but now I’m team Rafayel lmao “ Don’t interrupt me again >:( “ I laughed so hard

I nvm the nvm found out what rafayel did to mc, Xavier is my new pookie. Plus I got that new card of his 🥰