#i haven’t talked to anyone besides my family in weeks too

[pucksandpower]

Rockabye Baby

Oscar Piastri x Reader

Summary: you and Oscar take the next step in building your family … just not in the way that anyone expected

Note: I really wanted to get something silly and cute posted for Mother’s Day — and so this was born! I hope you have as much fun reading this as I did writing it 🫶

You snuggle closer to Oscar in bed, resting your head on his chest as his fingers lazily trail up and down your arm. It’s been an exhausting few weeks on the road, with races back-to-back, but these quiet moments together make it all worth it.

“Osc?” You murmur sleepily. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, babe.” He presses a kiss to the top of your head. “Anything.”

You hesitate, not sure if you should broach the subject. But you’ve been together for years now, surely he’s thought about it too? “Have you ever, you know … thought about having kids?”

Oscar tenses slightly, his fingers stilling on your skin. “Kids?”

“Yeah.” You prop yourself up on one elbow to study his face. “We’re not getting any younger. And I know racing is your whole life, but … I don’t know, I think you’d make an amazing dad.”

A small smile plays at the corners of his mouth. “You do, huh?” His fingers resume their gentle stroking along your arm. “I can’t lie, the idea terrifies me. All the responsibility, the pressure ...” He blows out a long breath. “But with you by my side? I think we could make it work.”

Hope blooms in your chest and you lean in to kiss him, long and lingering. “Really? You mean that?”

“Well, not right this second.” He chuckles, brushing a stray lock of hair from your face. “But someday? Definitely.”

You beam at him, buzzing with a childlike excitement you haven’t felt in years. “Oscar Piastri, future father. I can’t wait.”

He pulls you close, tucking you under his chin. “Me neither. Now get some rest, yeah? Big day tomorrow.”

You hum contentedly, letting his steady heartbeat lull you toward sleep. Kids with Oscar … you can’t imagine anything better.

A few days later, you’re curled up on the sofa after a long day of work, idly scrolling through your phone while Oscar pads around the flat. He’s been oddly restless and fidgety all evening, but you’ve learned not to question his little quirks. He’ll open up when he’s ready.

“So,” he begins, sinking onto the couch beside you with an adorably nervous expression. “You know how the other night you mentioned, um … wanting to be a mum someday?”

You perk up instantly, setting your phone aside as your pulse kicks up a notch. “Yeah?”

“Well.” He ducks his head shyly, then pulls something from behind his back — a small, smooth rock, painted in garish shades of papaya. “I got you this.”

You blink at him. “A … rock?”

“It’s our baby!” He thrusts it toward you proudly. “See, I’m the dad now. Taking those first steps.”

A startled laugh bubbles up from your chest. “Oscar, you dork. That’s the cutest, most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Too much?” He grimaces, though his eyes are twinkling with barely contained mirth. “I just thought, you know, we could start small. Get used to the idea before, uh, before anything bigger.”

“Oh my god, I love you.” You take the rock from his hand, cradling it tenderly as you peck his cheek. “Hi there, little guy. Hope you don’t mind a slightly non-traditional family.”

“Not at all.” Oscar drapes his arm around your shoulders as you lean into his side. “We’ll just raise him to be open-minded and accepting. Like his mum.”

“His mum who gave birth to him in pebble form, you mean?”

Oscar shrugs unapologetically. “He’ll be the talk of the playground.”

You dissolve into helpless giggles, nestling even closer. “This is certifiably insane, you know that? I can’t believe we’re grown adults playing house with a pet rock.”

“Hey, don’t knock it till you try it.” Oscar nuzzles into the crook of your neck, warm and solid against you. “We’re new parents. We can do whatever we want.”

Over the next few days, Rocky, as you’ve lovingly dubbed him, becomes a constant presence. You bring him along when you travel to the next race, introducing him proudly to the team. Lando takes one look and bursts out laughing.

“What the bloody hell is that thing?”

“Our son,” Oscar says with a straight face. “Would you like to meet your nephew?”

“You two are properly mental.” But there’s an unmistakable fondness in Lando’s smile as he gently pokes at Rocky. “S’pose he takes after his dad, eh?”

You crack up at the offended look on Oscar’s face. “Oh, trust me, I’ll be handling most of the heavy lifting around here.”

From there, it only escalates. Rocky gets his own tiny race suit, his own seat in Oscar’s car (firmly buckled in, of course — safety first). You find yourself referring to him with increasingly outlandish endearments.

“Here, let me get the handsomest stone in the whole wide world a bottle before we try tummy time.”

“How’s my little pebble today? Did you sleep okay in your bassinet?”

Logan nearly falls over laughing the first time he sees Rocky strapped into a miniature car seat on the plane between races.

“You guys are too much, man.” He shakes his head in bewildered amusement. “Where do you even find stuff like that?”

Oscar smirks. “Parents have their ways.”

The joke takes on a life of its own, morphing from a silly gag into a full-blown inside joke, an ever-present reminder that someday, when you’re both ready, you really will have a baby of your own to dote on. For now, though, raising Rocky together is more than enough.

It really hits you one evening as the team celebrates Oscar’s latest podium finish. You’re sitting with a small group, letting the lively chatter of friends and team members wash over you, when you become aware of Oscar sitting across from you. He’s got Rocky nestled in the crook of his elbow, cooing nonsense as he gently jostles him.

“Who’s a good little guy? You are, that’s who. Gonna grow up big and strong like your dad, yeah?” His expression is so tender, so achingly soft, that you feel your heart swell fit to burst.

He’s going to be an incredible father someday, you realize with a jolt of startling clarity. Look at how natural it comes to him, how happy and content he seems, just cradling that silly rock.

Later that night, you find yourself curled around Oscar in bed, trailing feather-light kisses along the line of his throat. He hums deep in his chest, tangling one hand in your hair to tug you closer.

“Mmm, what was that for?”

“Nothing.” You prop your chin on his chest, drinking in the achingly handsome lines of his face. “You just … you’re gonna be such an amazing dad, you know that?”

A bashful smile tugs at his lips as his free hand smooths along the curve of your hip. “Yeah? You really think so?”

“I know so.” You reach out to trace the sharp line of his jaw with one fingertip. “Any kid would be lucky to have you.”

Oscar’s gaze softens to molten gold in the dim light. “Not nearly as lucky as we are to have you. You’re the best mum Rocky could’ve asked for.”

He kisses you then, deep and searing, pulling you flush against him as the world around you falls away. And when he finally breaks away, breathless but beaming, you know without a shadow of a doubt:

Whenever the time comes, whenever you meet your real baby … everything is going to be okay. More than okay.

Because you’ll have Oscar by your side, just like always. Your partner, your best friend, and the love of your life.

***

Five Years Later

You cradle your newborn daughter to your chest, gazing down at her perfect little face in pure wonderment. It’s only been a few hours since she made her entrance into the world, but you’re already hopelessly in love.

“She’s beautiful,” Oscar murmurs, voice thick with unshed tears as he brushes one reverent fingertip along her downy cheek. “Just like her mum.”

You lean into him, overcome. This right here — the two of you and your brand new baby girl — is everything you’ve ever wanted. All those years of loving Oscar, of dreaming about starting a family together … it was all leading to this shining moment.

A soft knock at the door breaks the tranquil silence. Oscar shoots you a quizzical look as a familiar face pokes his head in.

“This a bad time?” Lando grins crookedly. “I come bearing gifts for the little one.”

“Lando!” You can’t help but beam at the sight of your friend. “Get in here, you muppet.”

He slips inside, toeing off his shoes with a cheeky wink in your direction. “Well someone’s in a good mood. Can’t imagine why.”

“Are you kidding? I’m amazing. Completely knackered, but amazing.” You gesture for him to come closer with your free hand. “Here, come meet Oscar’s little co-driver.”

Lando’s expression melts into something unbearably soft as he peers down at the tiny bundle in your arms. “Aww, mate … she’s perfect. Well done, you two.”

“Do you, uh ...” Oscar clears his throat gruffly. “D’you want to hold her?”

For a moment, Lando looks almost scared, like a deer caught in the headlights. Then he nods jerkily, settling into the bedside chair with surprising care as you transfer your daughter into his arms. He cradles her close with the utmost tenderness, rocking her ever so slightly as she lets out the faintest sigh.

“Look at you,” he breathes, sounding utterly besotted already. “Just a teeny little thing, aren’t you?”

It’s like seeing an entirely different side of him, one you never could have anticipated. Not the cheeky, irreverent joker you’ve known for years, but a man, a friend, wholly disarmed by new life and possibility. You exchange a look with Oscar, heart fit to bursting.

“So,” Lando continues, still totally entranced by the baby. “I know we ribbed you mercilessly for a while there about the whole rock baby thing ...”

Your mouth falls open in recollection. “Lando, please don’t-”

But he’s already reaching into his jacket pocket to pull out a familiar splash of textured papaya. “But there’s no way I’d let my favorite nephew miss out on this.”

Rocky, battered and faded but unmistakable, sits nestled in Lando’s palm. You nearly choke on a startled laugh.

“Are you kidding me right now?”

“Hold up, there’s more.” Lando somehow manages to keep cradling the baby with one arm as he bends down with the other, hauling a plastic bucket onto the bed. You gape at the contents — dozens upon dozens of smooth pebbles, each one lovingly decorated in bright shades of orange.

“Had to get the whole family involved, didn’t I?” Lando says with a shameless grin. “She’s got loads of brothers and sisters to look after her now.”

You swat at him in a flood of exasperated affection. “You absolute prick. Look at you, being all sentimental.”

“Me? Never.” But the shine of unshed tears in his eyes contradicts the words. He transfers the baby back to you with exaggerated care, then takes a moment to stroke one gentle finger along her tiny cheek. “You’ve got one hell of a village behind you, little one.”

Over the next short while, Lando pulls up a chair and regales you all with outrageous stories and anecdotes, all while Rocky and his “siblings“ make the rounds, passed from person to person like favorite old friends. At one point, Oscar’s cradling your human baby in one arm and your original baby rock in the other, murmuring nonsense to them both as you blink back tears for what feels like the thousandth time that day.

“Look at you,” you say in awe, drinking in the sight. “My little family.”

Oscar meets your gaze over the top of your daughter’s head, his own eyes shining. “Our family,” he corrects softly.

You’re still reveling in that realization when a quiet knock sounds at the door. A nurse bustles in with an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry, but we’re going to need to move the baby to the nursery soon. Just for a little while to let mum rest.”

Oh. You clutch your daughter closer on instinct, chest caving with an aching reluctance you weren’t expecting. How can you possibly bear to let her go already?

But then Lando slips an arm around your shoulders, pulling you into a warm embrace. “Oi, it’s alright. We’ll keep an eye on her for you, yeah? Give Uncle Lando and Mini Piastri some quality time.”

Rocky sits nestled in his other palm, as stalwart and patient as ever even after all these years. You nod quickly, swiping at your damp cheeks as you kiss your daughter’s downy head one last time before relinquishing her to the nurse.

“I’ll be right back, sweet girl. Don’t go growing too much while I’m gone.”

Watching her get wheeled away is harder than you could have imagined, like a physical ache in your chest. Oscar wraps you up in his arms from behind, steadying you with his usual quiet strength.

“She’s okay, babe,” he murmurs, lips brushing your hairline. “She’s just down the hall. We’re not going anywhere.”

You let his soothing words wash over you, turning into his embrace until your breathing evens out again. First lesson of parenthood learned — this part’s not easy. But you’ll get through it, just like everything else, with Oscar by your side.

Rocky sits on the bedside table, bold colors slightly faded but message as bright and clear as ever. A reminder that sometimes, the smallest, silliest things can take on the biggest meaning when it comes to family.

“Alright lovebirds,” Lando pipes up, slinging an arm around each of your shoulders. “What d’you say we bring the whole crew down to see the little miss soon, eh? Give her many uncles a chance to swoon all over her?”

You manage a watery chuckle, leaning into Lando’s side as Oscar tucks himself against your other side. Because this? This little patchwork family you’ve built around yourselves, kept close through all the chaos and the years? This is what it’s all about. The fierce loyalty, the bond forged by adversity and triumph and teamwork. The family you’ve chosen over and over again, year after year, through all of life’s twists and turns.

Your eyes drift to Rocky, resting quietly on the nightstand by your hospital bed. Once an inside joke, a silly gift from your husband to make you smile. Now a treasured heirloom, a precious mascot for the latest member of your ever-expanding clan.

Maybe you’ll hold onto that little rock for another few decades, you muse, draping one arm around Oscar’s trim waist. Long enough for your daughter — and any other little ones who may eventually join her — to grow up passing him between chubby baby fists. Long enough for your grandchildren to gather around and listen to stories about.

“Come on then,” you’ll say with an indulgent smile. “Let Granny tell you the story of Rocky. How he was the very first baby in our little family ...”

***

r/offmychest

u/NumberOneRockHater · 9h

My parents and entire family are convinced a ROCK is my older brother!

Okay, I have to get this off my chest because it’s been driving me crazy for years. My parents and extended family are all obsessed with this rock that they insist is my older brother “Rocky” (ugh, I know).

I’m talking full-on delusion levels here. Ever since before I was born, my dad got my mom this painted rock as a joke “baby”. Well, the joke escalated to the point where they started taking this rock everywhere, dressing it up in little outfits, calling it “him”, the whole nine yards.

At first I thought it was just a weird little quirk, you know? Silly but harmless. Except it never stopped. I’m 16 years old now and my PARENTS STILL REFER TO THIS ROCK AS MY SIBLING.

It’s always “Where’s your brother?” and “Did you pack Rocky’s bag for our trip?” and “Don’t forget to wish your brother a happy birthday!” My uncle (who is the WORST enabler) will show up to every family event pulling more painted rocks out of his pockets like “Look, more kids for you guys!”

Meanwhile I’m just standing there like a crazy person. How is nobody else concerned that my entire family has deluded themselves into believing a literal inanimate object is a sentient being?

And the real kicker? This dumb rock has been passed around and adored more than me, an actual human child. I have clear memories of being like 6 years old and my parents getting legitimately UPSET at me for dropping Rocky on the ground. While I’m standing right there!

My dad loves telling this stupid story about the day I was born, how my uncle showed up at the hospital like “I brought the baby’s siblings!” and pulled out an entire bucket of painted pebbles. PEBBLES, PEOPLE. As my “brothers and sisters”?

I’m honestly losing my mind here. No matter how much I protest or roll my eyes, they always play it off as a silly inside joke. Like yeah, I’m sure getting your knickers in a twist over my lack of acknowledgment for THE ROCK YOU NAMED AND CLAIM IS MY SIBLING is a totally normal thing to do! My mum actually teared up the last time I put my foot down, saying she could never abandon her “firstborn.” Um, hello? I was the firstborn, you weirdos!

At this point, I have to assume that either A) My parents and family are all certifiable and living in a shared psychosis, or B) This is some sort of Truman Show situational prank that I’m not in on.

Is it too late to be adopted by a normal family? Or do I need to be the one committed for dealing with this nonsense?

Please tell me I’m not actually going insane here. Anybody else have a family this completely deluded?

⇧ 1074 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

u/NosyAndProud · 8h

LOL no way, your family sounds hilarious! I’m dying at the image of your poor teen self dealing with this ongoing rocky sibling chronicle. But in their defense, you’ve gotta admit it’s a pretty creative way to memorialize a dumb inside joke, right?

My advice? Lean into it. Get your big brother an outfit for the next family gathering. Play fight with “him” in front of your friends and horrify them. TP the house and blame it on Rocky’s delinquent behavior. The possibilities for messing with everyone are endless!

⇧ 952 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

Reply from u/NumberOneRockHater · 6h

I’m honestly crying, your suggestions have me wheezing! Although if I DID embrace this, I’m pretty sure my uncle would lose his mind. He’s already brought enough “rock siblings” for an entire pebble daycare at this point.

⇧ 643 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

u/JudgingLoudly · 7h

This is sending me! I’m just imagining you as a little kid, trying to argue with your parents about why inanimate objects can’t actually be siblings. And them being full-on “Well ackshually, this is Rocky your brother” 🤓☝️

But also lowkey it’s kinda sweet? I mean objectifying nonliving things is usually a bad idea (see every Disney movie ever). But if it’s just a quirky tradition that brings your family joy and makes them feel special, who are we to judge? You only get one weird childhood!

⇧ 861 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

Reply from u/NumberOneRockHater · 5h

Yes, exactly! It was always “But Rocky will be so disappointed if you don’t share your toys with him!” Like … what?

And don’t get me wrong, they’re wonderful parents and we’re a very close, loving family. That’s what makes this particular shared psychosis so baffling! Just a big ol’ collective break from reality to obsess over this stupid rock, I guess.

⇧ 409 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

u/LiveForDrama · 4h

Ok but real talk, I would give ANYTHING to have been a fly on the wall when your uncle first unveiled the “siblings” 💀 I’m picturing this grown man deadass pulling pebbles out of his pockets and ceremoniously announcing “Here’s baby Pumice, and little Granite, and this one is called Basalt ...”

And your parents were just like “Why, HELLO THERE LITTLE ONES! WHAT DELIGHTFUL NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR BROOD!” Just … no questions asked. No commentary on the total insanity. God, I love families.

⇧ 758 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

Reply from u/NumberOneRockHater · 3h

You have NO idea. I still have flashbulb memories of being like 10 years old, walking into the living room to find my GROWN-ASS UNCLE lying on the floor, lining up those idiotic pebbles and introducing them one by one.

Meanwhile my dad is on the couch COOING at them and having full-on conversations like “Isn’t that right, little fella? Your uncle just loves to spoil you, doesn’t he?” MY BRAIN COULD NOT COMPUTE.

⇧ 326 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

u/GlassHalfFull · 2h

Ok, gotta say … as someone raised by very boring, no-nonsense parents, I’m just a lil bit jealous of the sheer unrestrained WHIMSY your family has cultivated here.

Like, you’ll always have this hilarious shared experience to look back on! Sure it’s a rock, but it’s THEIR rock, you know? That’s beautiful in a weird way. At least your childhood wasn’t mind-numbing evenings full of tax documents and khaki pantsuits?

⇧ 514 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

Reply from u/NumberOneRockHater · 1h

Haha, you make a good point! I definitely can’t say my childhood was dull, that’s for sure. Although I do have traumatic memories of losing Rocky at a rest stop when I was 5, and my parents freaking out for hours until we found him under a vending machine. Totally normal.

⇧ 192 ⇩ | Reply | Give Award | Share | Report | Save | Follow

[retroellie]

Twisted Game

Summary: After the prison collapses, you and Daryl are stuck on the road. After chugging down some moonshine a game of "Never have i ever" turns into a night you'll never forget.

A/N: I've had this in my drafts for weeks, i finished it up all today so it might be choppy. But this shit was the horniess thing i have ever written God damn. Also, the way this gif has a choke hold on me, HIS TUMMY, i simply cannot.

Warnings: NSFW, Loss of virginity, unprotected sex, Oral sex, dirty talk and squirting

Word count: 6.9K

“So you understand the game now?” You asked the man sitting across from you.

He gave you a look, blue eyes boring into your skin as you raised your brow to him. You had butterflies in your stomach, whether that was because you were sitting across from a beautiful man or it was the moonshine kicking In. He hesitated, knowing this game could end up in hurt feelings or you being completely grossed out about his redneck life. Opening up to people wasn’t Daryl’s strong suit.

“Fine…” he mumbled.

You guys had been on the road for days, only stopping to set up camp to rest and cook your squirrels or whatever Daryl had hunted for y’all. You missed your family, your family that you wouldn’t even look at twice before all this but yet they were the closest people to you. Daryl was unfortunately a part of that little family but he made you feel like a burden, he was never your favorite person ever but at this moment he was.

He was the only one left to you, he was the only person left of your entire fucked up family you had. You had broken down so many times, crying at night hoping Daryl didn’t hear… he always did. He wasn’t too good at feelings so he never said anything but he wanted to. But here y’all were now, sipping on moonshine after Daryl had picked it out for you. He thought maybe it would take your mind off things… if it ever will be taken off your mind.

“Okay great!! I’ll start!” You said, smiling wildly as you thought about what you’d say.

You were usually well reserved, never really opening up to anyone but carol and maybe Rick at times. But you were tipsy, the moonshine burning low into your stomach and you were let loose. If someone were to tell you that you would be in an abandoned trailer with moonshine in your hand next to a pretty redneck?? You’d laugh in their face.

“I’ve never…. Drank before… I mean besides this.” You said, smirking over at Daryl.

Daryl rolled his eyes, taking a sip of his moonshine before putting it back down. It amazed you how he didn’t even make a face when he downed it, he’s definitely used to drinking you thought.

“Okay… it’s your turn!” You said

Daryl thought, there’s not much he hasn’t done so this is trying to rack his brain to find out something you have done that he hasn’t… It was hard.

“I never read a book and enjoyed it…” he said

This caused you to chuckle lightly, it was silly that he’d hadn’t enjoyed a book ever… completely opposite of you, books helped you get through the day sometimes.

“Really?? Like never?” You asked

He nodded, letting a smirk on his face at your reaction. He didn’t like you too much but he can’t deny your beauty, especially your smile.. You brought your cup up to your lips and took a swig. You tried to not make a face, trying to mimic what Daryl did but you couldn’t… this shit tasted awful.

“Yuck.. I’ve never liked drinking…” you joked, sticking your tongue out and shivering.

“It ain’t for everyone… I just like the buzz.” He said, sipping on his moonshine willingly. You gagged jokingly.

“Yeah… I don’t think I’ll ever get used to this shit.” You said, trying to swallow down the burning sensation as it creeped down your throat.

You guys went back and forth for a bit, Daryl saying something he hasn’t done which caused you to drink and then you saying something you haven’t done causing Daryl to drink. It’s funny how a simple game could bring you two closer together which honestly allowed you to ease up and just sit back for a minute. You weren’t thinking any thoughts but what you haven’t done in your life, it really made you think about how you honestly haven’t really lived.

You liked seeing Daryl smile, you’ve never really been able to see that smile of his but now you were addicted to it. You found yourself cracking stupid jokes just go see it and honestly, this might be the moonshine talking, you couldn’t help the dull ache that it created deep within you.

“Okay hmmm I’ve never…” you thought once again… thinking of any embarrassing thing you haven’t done.

You don’t know what came over you but you just blurted the first thing that came into your head, it was strange… like the moonshine was taking over. Your lips had become loose, not able to control them because you were far too gone for that now.

“I’ve never had sex” you were surprised you even said it and it kinda grossed you out.

You were definitely not yourself right now, you would never willingly say that to anyone. You weren’t ashamed of it but it can be a little embarrassing due to the fact you’re in your 20s and still a virgin. It’s not that you didn’t want to or you were actively trying to not have sex, it’s just something that never crossed your mind ever when you were with a person. You’ve had boyfriends and girlfriends, all of them have tried but you always told them you weren’t ready for it.

You looked up at Daryl, seeing that his facial expression never changed… but instead he lifted his cup to his lips and chugged down his moonshine.

“Sorry I…” you started, not able to finish before Daryl asked a hard hitting question.

“Why not?” He asked, setting his cup down.

You were surprised Daryl even continued the game after that, it was all fun and games… no gross shit until you brought that up. You were embarrassed, wishing you never said anything but honestly intrigued about what Daryl would say about the subject.

“I don’t know.” You shrugged, staring down into your moonshine glass. “I've just never been interested enough in someone to do it…”

You looked up at Daryl, making sure he was paying attention to you before you went on. He was staring at you with a different look in his eyes than usual, it wasn’t his usual hard stare he gave everyone. It was softer but still with the same hardness, his pupils were bigger… almost black as he bore them into your skin. When you say you weren’t yourself right now, you meant it. Without even having to rack out your courage from your brain, you looked daryl right in the eyes.

“Until now…” you confessed which created an even deeper ache within you.

Daryl’s eyes stayed on you, not flinching or moving off of you… not even once. You thought maybe he didn’t hear you at first and honestly deep down you wish he didn’t, you were embarrassed at your sudden neediness. Then you thought maybe he didn’t get your hint, maybe you were being too subtle about it. You hoped maybe he would be able to drop it so it would save the embarrassment but what you didn’t know was it lit something inside Daryl.

His blood ran cold when you said that, he watched as you gave him a clueless, innocent look as those filth covered words slipped out of your mouth. Daryl hated how childish you were, how cheery and how you were so optimistic about the world ending… yet he couldn’t shake the thought of you below him as you sucked his dick, he imagined you would be so sloppy with it. He could imagine your drool spill over his cock, making a mess out of yourself. His favorite day dream was you on your hands and knees in front of him as he rammed himself so deep inside you, his hands shoving you down into the pillow as you took his length like the whore you are… or the whore he thought you were.

You being a virgin struck a different feeling into Daryl, you had never been touched before and you never even wanted to be touched… except by Daryl. It was almost as if you waited for him, waited for him to take what was his. He just hates how it had to be this way, after losing everyone and getting drunk on moonshine but Daryl didn’t mind. Daryl had been waiting for this moment since he met you and knowing you’re a virgin was enough to send him off the edge.

“Take your shirt off…” was the only thing he said, suddenly you sobered up.

You were now hyper aware of everything happening in this moment. You could hear the walker outside, you could feel the carpet underneath you and how filthy it was, you could hear every breath that came out of Daryl… they were much deeper than before. You took a moment to let his words linger, making sure you heard him right but after a moment… you did what you were told.

You slowly unbuttoned your shirt, each button showing more and more skin to Daryl causing his breath to hitch. You heated up with every button, finally getting to the final one and then allowing your shirt to slide down your arms. You sat tall, watching Daryl’s eyes scan over your breast. Daryl sat there for a minute, just staring as your face began to heat up more than it already had been.

Then after a moment of hesitation, Daryl stood up and made his way over to where you sat on the floor. You could see how hard he was through his pants, his big cock standing to attention causing your mouth to water slightly.

“You really want this?” He asked, staring down at you as you sat on your knees like an obedient whore you thought you’d never become

You nodded violently, hands scratching at your thighs as you held back the need to touch him. Daryl just chuckled at your actions, running a hand through your hair, getting a good look at your innocence before he completely destroyed you.

“Then you're gonna have to work for it…” he grinned, taking his other hand so he could undo his belt slowly.

You were nervous to say the least, you had dreamed about this for months but it finally freaked you out. Not to mention you’ve never done anything like this, what if you weren’t good enough for him. You watched as he slowly undid his pants, watching as he went teasingly slow. When his pants were successfully undone, he pulled them down so they were down to his knees. You could see his cock straining against his boxers, you couldn’t help but squeeze your legs together for some kind of friction.

Then Daryl shed the last piece of clothing that covered himself, pulling down his underwear which allowed his cock to spring free. You felt a whole world wind of emotions, excitement, nervousness and pleasure all running deep within your bones. He was much bigger than you expected, causing everything wrong to go through your brain. Will it fit? Is it going to rip you open? Will you be able to take him? Daryl saw your nervousness, giving you a reassuring scratch on the head.

“We don’t have to… we can stop now.” He said, lifting your head to look up at him.

He gave you the softest look you had ever seen him give anyone, his fingers danced along your chin as you looked up at him with puppy dog eyes. You shook your head, readjusting yourself on your knees but really… you were trying to silence the ache that was affecting your entire body at this point.

“No… I mean, yes I want this I just..” you paused, biting your lip nervously. “I’ve never done this before… like any of it… I don’t know how.”

You tried to explain it the best you could, you thought you sounded stupid but Daryl knew what you meant. Daryl gave you a smirk, setting his hand on his dick as he slowly pumped it… you saw it twitch out of the corner of your eye. Daryl placed his hand back in your hair, not roughly, not trying to force your head down on him but it was comforting. His hand lightly scratched your scalp, trying to ease your nervousness.

“I’ll teach ya, ya can’t really mess it up so don’t worry.” He joked, even despite your nervousness you let out a chuckle.

You stood taller on your knees, coming face to face with his throbbing cock. You watched as Daryl thrusted his cock into his hand, watching as he set a slow pace for it. He engulfed his entire length in his hand, making sure to slide his fingers along the tip at times.

“Since you are a beginner, go ahead and start at the tip.” He spoke, watching as you looked up at him and then down at his cock once more.

You nodded, getting your lips wet as you opened your mouth and attached it to the pink flush tip. You saw a porno or two, seeing how the girls would give the tip kisses and tiny licks to tease the man. You started off making circles with your tongue on the tip, pulling off to set small kisses to it before going back. Daryl’s groans caused you to go a bit deeper, doing the same thing with the top of his cock.

“Good girl…” he groaned out, his hand in your hair giving you a reassuring scratch once again. “Now when ya think yer ready… hollow your cheeks and take as much as you can of me.”

You moaned at the pet name, loving the way he was talking you through it all. You started small once again, taking in small amounts of him. Your tongue went crazy on him, you weren’t quite sure what to do with it but it made his cock twitch in your mouth so you thought maybe you were doing it right. You bobbed your head up and down, each time you took more and more of him in your mouth.

You could feel Daryl tense up, you could see how hard he was trying to stop his hips from bucking… oh how he wanted to watch you choke and slobber all over his cock, but Daryl wasn’t that mean. Your first time was already going to be in a piss stained trailer, he might as well let you take your time with it. Daryl’s hand was now grabbing at your hair, which part of it was to help you bob your head up and down at a good pace, the other part was because your mouth just felt too good on him… he needed to grab something.

“Fuck… y/n, your doing so fucking good.” He moaned, you would have never guessed Daryl Dixon had such pretty moans.

You smiled on his cock, the praise was getting to your head slightly, you would even say it was causing you to get too big of a head. You attempted to take all of him all at once, you just wanted to make him feel good but you completely forgot about the fact you hadn’t done this before, you were still so new to it. You took your mouth almost all the way off before shoving his cock right down your throat, you gagged causing you to retract back from it.

“Woah there…” Daryl said, seeing how your eyes started to water slightly and your lips were rubbed raw from his cock. “Ya can’t take all of me… not yet at least, you have to start slow bunny.”

“I’m sorry…” you said pathetically, you had become so needy and the only thing you wanted to do was make Daryl feel good.

“ ‘s okay, you can try again if you want or we can stop.” He said, brushing a strand of hair from your face.

You looked down at Daryl’s spit covered cock, the ache in your cunt was too much to bear now. You didn’t want to continue but you needed to, it felt like you were out of oxygen in the stuffy room you had been in and the only thing that could ease that feeling was Daryl. Even through your embarrassment you wanted to make it up to Daryl and suck the life out of him.

You looked up into Daryl’s eyes, placing your mouth on his cock once more. You bobbed your head at the same pace you had been before, making sure to not take your eyes off Daryl as his eyes closed slightly. You were much slower  this time, taking in as much as you could, licking up the small vein that laid on the back of his cock. You tried this time to have a small head about it, not get too cocky so as to not embarrass yourself again.

You had gotten to the point where you couldn’t take anymore, Daryl’s hand in your hair wouldn’t let you go that far anymore. Although seeing you choke on his cock gave him a power rush, he would never make you do it if you couldn’t.

“If you can’t take much more, you can use your hands on the rest.” He stated, reaching for your hand and you gave it to him. He placed your hand on the base of his cock, the small section you could not fit in your mouth. “Keep it at the pace yer mouth is going… there ya go.”

You were doing great so far or at least you thought. His cock felt comfortable in your mouth, although you wanted to go deeper, you wanted him all in your mouth but you knew what happened then. You watched as Daryl gripped into the table behind him, knuckles turning white as he had a violent grip on it. His head was thrown back, his nostrils flared as he tried to control his breathing. You liked what you were doing to him, how hard he had to keep himself contained. Who knew that you could do this to someone like Daryl Dixon.

“Doing so good y/n… fuck ‘m gonna cum..” he groaned, hand gripping harder at your scalp. “Gonna cum all over those tits…”

The idea excited you, the idea of you covered in Daryl’s cum, watching as he covered your tits with his seed. You picked up the already fast pace on his cock, taking him further into your mouth. He had gotten quite good at it, a little over half of his cock was fitted deep within your mouth and you could probably take in more if you really tried.

You could feel Daryl’s cock twitch more and more, his hips starting to buck into your mouth slightly, not enough to gag you on him but enough to feel in the back of your throat. You sucked harder, wanting to see how pretty he looked as he came especially when he came from you sucking his cock.

“Shit.. gonna cum…” he said once more, pulling you off of him with his hand and then placing his hand on his cock. “Pull your bra down… lemme see those pretty tits hm?”

You did as you were told, pulling your bra down so your tits were exposed to him. He gripped his cock harshly, starting his thrust at a fast pace as he looked down at you. Your eyes were lust blown and slightly teary, your mouth was wet with your own spit which had dribbled down onto your tits, your tits heaved up and down as you tried to catch your breath. Daryl grunted as he thrusted into his hand, his hand that was in your hair reached down to grab one of your breasts.

He fondled it in his hand, he was delicate with it though. Pinching the skin softly as not to hurt you, but his hips snapped violently against his own hand. You watched as his face was engulfed by pleasure, watching as his orgasm took over his body. Daryl thrusted a few more times into his hands as his cock spilled his cum all over your tits, exactly where he said he was. He pumped himself through his orgasm, the ropes of cum landing perfectly on your tits. You were too busy watching as his face looked so angelic as he came on you, doing the most disgusting thing but still looking so pretty while doing it.

Daryl milked himself onto you, almost completely covering you with himself. Daryl slowly came down from his high, cock still throbbing as it became hard again. You could do nothing but watch, watch as Daryl literally lost his mind for 20 seconds and then became his composed self after.

“Good girl… you did good for me.” He breathed out, moving strands of your hair from your face so he can get a good look at you once again. You were so obedient to him, it turned Daryl on to the max. “You still want me to fuck you?”

You nodded, pressing your thighs together once again. The ache just wouldn’t go away without him fucking you, you couldn’t keep yourself contained anymore. If you had to beg Daryl to fuck you, you would in a heart beat. Daryl nodded down at you, looking around the trailer… for something.

“I’m not gonna fuck you on a dirty floor, I’ll go get a sheet for the couch.” He said, walking back into the trailer. Leaving you there with his cum coating your tits.

You were so ready, you didn’t think you could be this ready for anything but you were. You tried to sit still but you couldn’t, you fidgeted on your knees trying to keep yourself from touching yourself then and there. Your nervousness nowhere to be seen, you were suddenly sober and ready for the pretty redneck to go ram you into the floor.

“You ready?” Daryl said from behind you, you were so in your own head you didn’t even realize Daryl had sprawled and put a sheet on the couch already. You looked up at him, seeing him hold out his hand for you to grab.

You looked down at his hand and then back up at him, with a smile, you took his hand in yours. He helped you up onto your feet but that didn’t last long before you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. Daryl couldn’t help but chuckle at your eagerness but he didn’t try to stop you, no he just grabbed onto your hips and pulled you closer to him.

You slipped your tongue within his mouth, feeling every crevice of his mouth as his tongue fought with yours. As you were too busy trying to tongue fuck his mouth Daryl had walked you back onto the couch, knocking things off of tables as he did so. He laid you on the couch, your legs wrapped around him tightly. He supported himself with his arms but you pulled him down on top of you fully, wanting to feel his warmth in you as much as you could.

Daryl let it happen, letting you do whatever you needed to make yourself comfortable. Daryl snaked a hand down your body, creeping them into your pants and underwear as he slipped a finger through your slit. The sudden touch on your bundle of nerves caused you to gasp, no one had ever touched you there before and his rough hands had felt they were made for it. After Daryl had collected a good amount of slick on his fingers, he pulled it out of your pants and placed his fingers in his mouth.

“So wet… god can’t wait to fuck you.” He said, pulling you in for another kiss so you could taste yourself.

The makeout session didn’t take too long because as you were too lost in Daryl’s lips, he was pulling the rest of your clothing off along with his. When you had finally pulled away from his lips, you both were completely naked and your bodies were pressed together in one sticky and sweaty mess. Daryl looked down at you as he rubbed his cock between your slit, allowing himself to get as wet as possible.

“Are you ready for me bunny?” He asked, brushing your hair with his hands comfortably so you were feeling as safe as he could.

“I’m ready Daryl…” you whispered, pecking his lips softly.

Daryl loved how soft and sweet you were but he knew what came next, the sting of him stretching you out and the pain of your experience. Daryl wanted this probably as much as you but he hated being the one to take your virginity, he didn’t want to pain you in any way especially if he couldn’t control the pain. Down the road he’d show you good types of pain, how pain can make you feel good but this isn’t one of the pains he would want you to experience.

“It’s gonna hurt but only for a minute okay? You tell me when you want me to stop.” He stated, watching as you nodded.

You were too lust driven to understand the meaning of his words, you weren’t expecting to hurt that bad. Daryl nodded, grabbing onto your hand so you could squeeze it if needed. He lined himself up with your entrance before pushing himself in slightly. He watched as your brows furrowed and your eyes closed, he could tell you were already starting to feel the sting. He went in deeper, hoping it didn’t feel too much different but your yelp proved differently.

“ ‘m sorry..” he whispered, leaving soft kisses on your neck and jaw.

Daryl could feel your hand squeeze his harshly, you took in a harsh breath as the sting continued as he pushed more of himself in. He once again dragged his fingers down your body so he could rub the bundle of nerves, hoping that would take your mind off the pain for maybe a moment so he could push more of himself in you.

You felt like being ripped open but it was a weird good way, it wasn’t something you would like to feel any longer but it felt nice to know It was Daryl Dixon's pretty cock that was causing you this pain. Daryl tried to be quick with it, trying to shove himself in without causing too much pain. His quick work on your clit made it a little less painful, now the pain and pleasure mixing together to make a beautiful feeling deep in your stomach. It was complete hell for Daryl, he was only seconds away from going completely feral and his patients were wearing thin. He kept composure, trying to just focus on the way your face scrunched in pain.

“Are you almost in…” you gasped as he continued to ever so slowly inch into you.

He was almost half way in, he took moments to allow you to adjust to his size here and there but he was trying to make this go as fast as possible so you were able to feel our pleasure. You were soaked to say the least so Daryl was slipping right in, it’s just the pain and your contracting walls that caused his speed.

“Almost there… just a little more bunny.” He said, suddenly liking the pet name he’d given to you.

He continued to slide himself in slowly, only picking up the speed on your clit to make it easier for you all the while he peppered your neck with love bites. Daryl wasn’t a very affectionate man but right now he had a mission to make you feel as safe as he could make you and if he had to break down all his walls, he would. You had started to get a little fidgety, wanting to reject his cock out of you but also wanting him inside you fully… you craved it. Your body was heating up, your eyes filled with tears as the sting became so much and moans had slipped your lips like water out of a faucet.

You had never felt quite like this before, sure you’d touch yourself at night and one time you had dry humped one of your exes but it was nothing like this. You felt so full yet so empty all at the same time, you needed and wanted more even throughout the pain that coursed through your body. When you thought you were going inside, you felt Daryl’s hips fully against yours. You swear you could feel him inside your guts, it was such a beautiful feeling… being stretched out by his cock, the cock you had made cum no more than 10 minutes ago. You were in heaven…

“ ‘m in… just tell me when to move.” He whispered, landing a kiss on your tear streaked face.

You dug your nails into Daryl, trying to wait till the dull sting had stopped. It wasn’t too bad now, after a bit it had become nothing but an annoying ache but you weren’t ready for him to pound you yet. You stayed there, allowing your walls to get used to him. Daryl held back with everything he had, your velvet walls took his cock so well and he couldn’t wait to fuck them until they were worn down. Daryl couldn’t even day dream how good this feeling would feel, not even his hand could mimic the feeling of it.

You had completely molded to him, causing your walls to twitch slightly and your hips to buck into him. You could hear Daryl grunt into your ear as you teased him with your hips, you knew how hard he was trying to not hurt you… you thought it was sweet, so sweet that you wanted him to feel your appreciation.

“ You… can move now..” you said through a strangled moan.

That’s all Daryl needed, he started slow… teasingly slow even though he wanted nothing more than to slam into you. You could feel yourself getting closer to the edge already, with the way his hand had taken a slow speed to your clit and how his cock was slowly bucking in and out of you… you could cum in seconds. Daryl kept his pace, his hand still in yours as he so softly pecked your lips.

Your moans filled the room, the annoying ache, the sting, the stretching no longer paining you anymore, it was now just pure pleasure. You were needing Daryl to speed up, you tried to buck your hips into his but your hips were sore and you couldn’t quite keep a good pace before exhausting yourself out. Daryl knew what you wanted though, he saw your face contort from pain to pleasure in a matter of seconds, he knew you were ready for a good pounding.

“I’m gonna move ya okay?” He said, asking for consent before he did pretty much anything.

“I don’t care… just go faster please!” You whined, causing Daryl to chuckle at your needy behavior.

Daryl sat up, seeing you pout as he took himself out. You asked for more but he gave you less, you were shitty but you weren’t upset for long. Daryl manhandled you basically, smacking your butt lightly to give you the hint to turn around. You did what he wanted, turning around in your hands and knees before Daryl pushed you down until only your front was pushed down into the sheets.

You shivered as the cold air hit your exposed cunt, you slightly whined due to the fact you couldn’t see Daryl. You never even thought the situation of you not seeing Daryl would give you any type of distress but here you were, ass up and waiting for Daryl to fuck you. Daryl got himself comfortable behind you, placing his hands on your hips as he looked down at your face pushed into the pillows.

“You okay? Need another pillow or a blanket?” He asked, watching you get frustrated with him.

“Jesus Christ! Daryl just fuck me!!” You yelled, loud enough for the walker outside to hear.

Daryl just chuckled, lining his throbbing cock up with your cunt once more before he pushed himself in again. You were still very much adjusted to his size, it felt like a hole inside you was filled as he did so… which literally happened but felt more hypothetical in the moment. Daryl started with his slow pace once again, this time only staying with it for mere seconds before he sped up. You twisted your hands in the sheets as his cock hit your g-spot every single thrust.

You were already on the edge before, the knot in your stomach had become annoyingly unbearable as Daryl sped his thrusts up. You couldn’t handle it, you felt like a hungry mad man who had just come across water for the first time in years. You could do much to stop yourself from coming up, you could only scream Daryl’s name at the top of your lungs as your cunt fluttered violently on his cock. Your vision went out, then your hearing and then you felt Daryl’s hands in your hair once again.

He pulled you back to earth with a single pull of your hair as he fucked you through your first orgasm. He spread your cunt apart with one hand as he continued his fast pace, his hips slapping against your ass every single time. You didn’t want him to stop, not even if your sensitive clit was begging for the abuse on it to stop.

“Fuck your so tight for me bunny ain’t ya? You needed to be fucked by my cock huh?” His words cause a deep desire within you, causing a wave of wetness to pour out of you once more.

Daryl was now at an animalistic pace, his hands now bruisingly gripped onto your hips as he thrusted you back into his cock. You moaned out a few “yes”’s and “need you.”’s as a reply to him but really it was the only thing you could say right now. Your mind was too clouded with his cock to be able to think any coherent thoughts, you had quite literally became a fuck toy  for him.

His abuse on your cunt continued, feeling your cunt contract on his cock as your second orgasm within the last 5 minutes started to stir up within your stomach. It only took a few thrusts from Daryl before it came undone again, he felt your cunt spasm once again on his cock. Daryl was close, so fucking close but he needed you to cum again before he could cum deep inside you.

“Just one more time bunny… need you to cum on my cock one more time…” he groaned, not stopping his hips as you came once again on his cock.

His words made yet another knot form within your belly, not waiting for your second orgasm to stop before moving onto the next. You were legit on fire, every one of your senses tingling, your throat burned from the screams that erupted deep down inside of you, your eyes were wet with your salty tears, your skin laced with a small sheet of sweat that seemed to pour out of your. Every inch of your body screamed at you to stop but also all at the same time wanted more, mixing pleasure and pain together as you got higher and higher to your third orgasm.

Daryl grabbed onto your shoulders, lifted you up off the couch so you were unbelievably close to him. Your back was flush against his chest, he held you there, locking your hips in place as he thrusted deeper and harder into your cunt. Your body was screaming for release at this point,  wanting nothing more than to explode under the pressure but you couldn’t get the push you needed to send yourself off the edge.

“I c-can’t…. Fuck Daryl!” You whined, the knot in your stomach so unbelievably tight.

You felt you were going to explode, you shook violently in the hands of Daryl as he thrusted relentlessly into you. Daryl slid his hand down to your clit, giving you an overwhelming amount of pleasure as you let out strangled moans and probably every curse word possible in this moment.

“You can bunny… your doing so fucking good for me, just cum on my cock one more time…” he whispered in your ear, lightly biting the lobe of it.

His words were exactly what you needed, that was the push that sent you over the edge. Suddenly the knot snapped, it didn’t feel anything like it did before though. It sent intense shocks through your body, every inch of your body screaming as it did so. You let out a scream, scratching at Daryl’s arm that was still placed roughly on your hips. You threw your head back over his shoulder, feeling your cunt shoot out fluids.

“God damn… fuck y/n!” Daryl moaned, thrusting only once more before spilling himself inside you.

Daryl’s cum filled you up to the brim, shoving his cock deep inside you so it can coat every inch of your insides. You watched as Daryl came, peaking at him through half closed eyes and seeing his face once again light up with pleasure. Daryl fucked not only you but himself through your orgasms, allowing you both to come down from your highs before he slid his now soft cock out of you.

Daryl held you for a minute, allowing you to go limp in his arms. Daryl wouldn’t say he was in love with you, he didn’t quite know what that felt like but the way he grabbed onto him now, half conscious as he held you softly, he would say you meant something to him. This moment all he wanted to do was protect you, he would kill anyone or anything that even tried to harm you… that terrified him.

“Uh… I’ll go check to see if that shower still works, so you can get cleaned up.” Daryl said, delicately placing you down on the couch.

You were still out of it, you could feel the moonshine creeping back up on you as your head pounded and your stomach twisted. You were plain exhausted as you watched Daryl get up and start collecting his clothes, pulling up his underwear and pants back onto his legs.

“Wait… Daryl?” You called out to him, sitting up so you could see him clearer.

“Yeah?” He answered, not even looking at you as he collected his clothes.

The thought saddened you but the only thing you thought was about how this was a one night stand to Daryl, his efforts to leave, to make you clean up after him, to be by yourself after you gave yourself to him. Daryl didn’t mean to make you feel like that but he didn’t do feelings, so when an ounce of feeling for you creeped up on him… he freaked. He suddenly felt like the world was collapsing under him and if that’s what love felt like, he didn’t want it.

“What does this mean for us?” You asked, seeing how the question left him frozen.

“What do you mean?” He tried to play dumb so hopefully you would just drop it, he begged of you to let him fuck you and leave so he wouldn’t have to deal with his feelings.

“I mean… I told you I haven’t felt this way about anyone before, I didn’t just give you my virginity just because..” you stated, eyes slightly watering as you could see yourself alone already.

Daryl didn’t mean to make you cry, he didn’t want to make you cry ever. God damn he just wanted to be alone now, he thought about you all the time, there wasn’t a single day he didn’t. He told himself that he hated you, you and your stupid optimism but it was just a way to trick himself because he knew he loved that about you. You were so happy and so hopeful, he was the complete opposite of that, and what do they say about the opposite? How do they attract each other?

“I ain’t good with labels” was all he said, not explaining what he meant by that.

It made your heart break slightly, you felt the same way about Daryl but you saw the way he pushed you away. He almost never allowed you to get close to him, ever. So you tried to push down the thoughts you had of him, even the dirty ones you would get at night. Hearing how maybe the man you had fallen in love with was willing to fuck you and than leave, it broke your heart. Daryl picked up on your change of posture, fuck he really didn’t mean it to come out like that.

“But this ain’t a one night stand if that’s what yer thinking.” He reassured me, hoping to get you to stop being so sad. “I do care about you…”

The confession made your heart flutter, you weren’t there what this meant, if this’ll be the start of something or you’ll just remain each other’s fuck buddies. What you did know was what the world meant to you, every word that left his mouth meant something to you. You knew that was his way of confessing he did have feelings for you, causing a big smile to appear on your face.

“You know what,” you started, wrapping yourself up in the sheet. “I’ll take it…”

[wlntrsldler]

MDNI!!!!!!!!! (thoughts about luke castellan)

im listening to practice by drake and i can’t stop thinking about fwb! luke 😀

thinking about how the minute you’re back at camp (from visiting family for the holidays or something stupid like that) luke pulls you away from everyone before you even get to say hi to anyone.

you’re smirking because you already know what’s next. he always got like this when you guys were apart for longer than a few days. ever since you guys started fucking, luke was insatiable.

you weren’t complaining tho because for a guy who didn’t really get much play, he was the only one you’d been with who can actually make you cum.

the second you two were away from everyone, his lips are on your neck and he’s rolling his hips onto yours. you haven’t even touched him yet and he was already hard. he was breathing heavy while he nipped at your skin, his calloused hands gripping your ass, no doubt leaving hand prints on the flesh.

“fuck, i missed this,” luke groaned into your lips, a string of saliva connected your lips. “my fuckin hand isn’t the same.”

you were breathless, “i was gone for like a week, castellan.”

“too long,” he mumbled, his lips connecting with yours again.

you tugged on his curls, making him whine into your mouth. your back was pressed against a tree and you can feel the bark scratching the sliver of skin that was exposed by your top but you didn’t care. luke’s dick was pressed against your thigh and you can feel his pre-cum seeping through his cargo pants.

you hooked one leg on his hip and thrusted up. luke didn’t expect the change in position and he moaned when he felt your warmth brush over the tip of his dick. he pulled away from you, eyes blown wide, and lips puffy from his attack on your lips.

“let me fuck you.” he whispered, “please.”

he wasn’t above begging anymore. he just needed to fucking feel you.

you shook your head. luke ran a hand through his hair, his sexual frustration causing a knot to twist in his stomach. you looked up at him, batting your lashes, “let me take care of you, luke.”

his eyebrows shot up in surprise. luke licked his lips, the tip of his tongue stopping at the corner of his mouth. a cocky smirk grazed his face and he nodded his head slightly to give you the go ahead.

you sank to your knees, undoing his cargo pants on your way down. you pulled put his cock from his boxers, biting your bottom lip in anticipation.

“you gonna make me feel good, baby?”

“not your baby,” you said, but your voice said something different. “been practicing.”

luke scoffed in a teasing way at your implications. you always made those comments whenever you came back to camp, like you had other guys to do this with besides him.

luke didn’t feel threatened by the idea. in fact, it only spurred him on because if you were out there fucking other guys, he knew none of them could have you the way he gets to. you were his and he was yours. whatever fucking label you had on this situation was bullshit as far as he’s concerned.

luke placed a hand on the side of your cheek, guiding you toward his dick, “you can talk all the shit you want but it’s my dick that’s gonna be down your throat and it’s my cum you’re about to swallow.”

that shut you up.

part 2 kinda (cinderella by mac miller)

[marthawrites]

"don't shut me out. please"

I hope it is not too late for me to join the celebration ☺️ Congratulations! 💕👏🏼

Thank you sooososo much! You are such a gem and I appreciate all of your fandom love more than you know! I did my best to include a (one shot appropriate) slow burn, angst, and a happy ending. I hope you enjoy this ride MWAH!

Summer's End, Autumn's Beginning

Modern Aemond Targaryen x fem reader

Word Count: 6.3k+

About: A chance encounter with Aemond leads to a whirlwind of emotions. Over the next few months you both fail, in yourselves and in the relationship, and learn from the mistakes.

Includes: Chance encounter, age difference (references to Aemond x Alys) mentions of cheating, allusions to cheating, angst, second chance romance, and smut featuring vaginal fingering, possessive sex, and unprotected protected vaginal sex

Note: Hello lovely reader! This is the longest piece I've wrote in quite awhile - whew! I also feel like it's one of the more ambitious one-shot fics I've worked on/completed. Reader is non-descript. As always, please, enjoy!

read part 2 Between the Covers here

-

I.

There were two things tied for number one on your five-year goal list.

First, be out of your city apartment (preferably as a home owner and not a renter)

Second, have a dog. 

They went hand in hand. One couldn’t happen without the other. So, it was a hard tie and you weren’t willing to budge on either. Until then, to take the edge off your self-proclaimed animal loneliness, you volunteered at a local shelter two nights a week. Mondays and Wednesdays.

While your day job wasn’t a doctor, lawyer, or professional athlete – ones that your family pushed you to have while growing up – it still paid decently and had the potential for career advancement. And! You were able to live on your own. Not having a roommate was worth the dry job description. Besides, your boss was fair and most of your co-workers were friendly; a win win, really.

Tonight, Monday, you finished your shift, went home to change, then headed out to the shelter. Even though it was all volunteer hours you valued punctuality and did your best to get there around the same time each night.

“Hey! You made it!” Arryk called out to you when you stepped inside the building. Chaos sparked all around. He did a great job running and maintaining the schedule, and with the help of volunteers alongside regular staff, it was, more often than not, smooth sailing. Tonight, however, it appeared quite the opposite.

“Hey! Yeah, a few minutes later than usual, sorry!” You said as you walked over to him.

He waved a hand brushing off your apology. “No worries. We had a few people call in today. So, since being short staffed we’re definitely running behind. I know you normally help bathe the dogs with Baela tonight, but can I ask you to do something else instead?” He winced slightly with his question, unsure of your answer. He knew how much you loved Baela and cleaning the dogs!

You squinted at him suspiciously. “Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked, crossing your arms. “You know I won’t administer shots. If I could get over my fear of needles I’d be a veterinarian and not an office worker like I am!” You scrunched your brows before one, all on its own accord, arched up dubiously.

“Ha!” He laughed. “No no no, I know. We have six dogs that need walking tonight. And I don’t think Targaryen can handle all of ‘em.”

“Helaena? She’s back?” You asked, eyes bright with surprise.

“She’s still away for that college trip. It’s her younger brother, Aemond. Have you met him before?”

You’d heard Helaena talk about him, of course, but you’d never met him. Shaking your head, you peered around the shelter looking for anyone else with the Targaryen tell-tale silver-blonde hair. No one caught your eye. “I haven’t. But, I don’t mind.”

“You are a lifesaver!” He praised. “He’s down the west hall getting them ready. Depending on how long you're here afterward, there might be another couple who could use a second walk. Terriers. You know how they are.”

“Happy to help, Arryk!” He was a good guy. You’d always liked him.

“Aemond’s tall, towheaded as the rest of his family, and has an eyepatch. You can’t miss him.” And with that Cargyll switched tasks and got right back to work.

Turning and walking down the west hall, you were happy to say, chaos began to fizzle out. This hall had the larger dogs; no wonder Aemond wouldn’t be able to walk all six at once. Even with the slow turn of summer to autumn sunset wouldn’t be for another three hours. Assuming all went well you’d be able to walk the second batch of dogs, too. 

Down the aisle were five opened doors with each respective dog ready for their walk. Their leashes were hooked onto the door so they couldn’t run amuck. You patted and scratched them, earning yourself more wagging tails, a few happy barks, and some excited licks. Looking to the end of the hall you saw someone who you assumed was your evening walking partner. He was kneeling, talking soothingly to a great big senior hound, while clasping the final buckle of their harness. “Hello, uh-, Aemond?” You called out feeling slightly self-conscious. 

Still kneeling, he turned his head to look up at you. Any softness in his single eye quickly hardened to match the rest of his sharp features. “Hey,” he said, caught off guard by your presence; someone he’d never seen calling him out by name. “Is there something I can help you with?” Slowly, in a single fluid motion, he stood up and the aged dog kept his eyes on him the whole time, panting happily.

Whoa. He was tall. And, at first sight, incredibly good looking: dressed in casual black clothes, long silver hair tied into a braid, with a scar along the left side of his face that you had to tell yourself not to stare at. His mouth was a unique shape, too, and you weren’t sure if he was merely waiting for a response or if he was smirking the tiniest pout at you. “Hi,” you said again with a nervous laugh. You told him your name. “Arryk sent me. Said you could use some help with the walk tonight?” ‘Play it cool, dummy. He’s really handsome, so what? He could be a huge asshole. Play. It. Cool,’ your inner voice said.

Did he have a mechanical eye beneath his patch? The way he looked at you, then, made you feel like he read your thoughts. “Ah. I could certainly use the help,” he said smoothly with a small curve of lip, turning his attention to the three dogs at the front of the hallway. “Wanna take those three?” He asked, looping the big dog’s leash around his wrist. “I mean, you can have any of them as long as I get this guy. He’s my favorite.”

Your pulse raced a little too fast. Clearing your throat, you smiled in an attempt to ease the butterflies in your belly. “I don’t mind. Why is he your favorite?” You turned and began to unclasp leashes from their doors; happy tips and taps of claws growing louder at the pups’ excitement.

“Reminds me of my girl at home,” Aemond replied, adoration clear in his voice. “Big and old, a little stinky, a little slobbery. The best kind, really.”

“Aw, that’s very sweet. I don’t have any pets. I get my fix here,” you laughed. Holding all three dogs in one hand, you pulled the door open with the other. Except, it didn’t open. On instinct, you tried again hoping Aemond didn’t notice.

He strode up next to you with the rest of the dogs in tow, smirking at you for real this time, as he said, “it’s a push door.”

You knew it was a push door. Fuck. He gave you a knowing glance over his shoulder as he walked out, waiting for you to follow along.

II.

You didn’t see Aemond on Wednesday and you couldn’t deny your disappointment when you left for the night. Come to find out you two had been volunteering at the same place for months – only on different days. He tended to be there Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Monday had been a chance encounter. One you couldn’t shake out of your head. 

Before leaving tonight, however, you took a selfie with Aemond’s favorite old hound. You’d exchanged numbers but hadn’t an excuse to strike up a conversation. Yet. Now, with the selfie as an excuse, you opened a fresh text thread and sent him the photo along with:

Someone missed you tonight! 

While buckling up in your car and getting ready to reverse out of your parking spot, your phone dinged with an incoming message:

Very cute. Will you be there on Monday? Maybe Cargyll will assign up walking duties again.

Your belly flipped. Truthfully, you weren’t expecting him to message back – especially so quickly. Before you could stop yourself you sent back:

Yup! See you then?

And he sent:

I’ll find another excuse to be there. 

Feeling a little bold, you replied:

Excited to see you again! You have these adorable dimples when you smile. Maybe I’ll see those, too?

When nothing came through for a few minutes, you feared you might have gone too far. It was just a little innocent flirting, right? Nothing bad? And then:

Maybe so. See you Monday.

Smiling, you didn’t send anything back. It’d be your luck to say something dumb and rub him the wrong way. 

During your first walk, as soon as the ice broke, you both clicked really well. Hopefully – just maybe – things would flow like that again. The connection you felt, something akin to a liveware, couldn’t have been one-sided. He had to feel a spark of it, too; even if just a little.

You drove home, made dinner while facetiming one of your friends from uni, and when she asked about the spark in your eye you told her about your friend Helaena’s younger brother.

III.

“I seriously cannot believe you’ve never seen The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit trilogy was a little silly, but watchable. But you haven’t even seen that?” Aemond asked clearly aghast at your lack of understanding his reference.

Tonight, you both got walking duty again and neither of you complained. And, this time, he regarded you with a softer look in his eye than his original sharp glance. He was dressed in dark casuals again and you hated (loved?) how good he made them look. His hair was in a bun and his eyepatch stayed firmly in place. You wanted to ask him about it but weren’t sure if you should try it yet. Instead, you rolled your eyes and laughed. “You’re making it sound better and better the more you talk about it.”

“That’s because it’s the best.” The dogs pulled both of you along and you had to walk brisker than normal to keep up with them and Aemond’s longer legs. He seemed unaffected by it.

“So, you recommend I watch it?” You asked playfully.

“No,” he started, very serious. “I recommend you read it first and then watch the movies.”

If you had more breath in your lungs you’d have giggled – not laughed, but giggled. Something about the way he said it, and the totally serious look on his face, tickled you. “Will you watch them with me?”

The question appeared to catch Aemond off guard. He looked at you, lingering over your pinkened cheeks and smirking lips, before finally making it back to your eyes. Just when he opened his mouth to say something in reply, a completely unrelated thing stole his attention. Sometime during your bantering you’d made it back to the shelter, and a tall dark-haired woman called out, “there’s my sweet Aemond. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you and you haven’t been answering your phone.”

If you thought Aemond attractive, this woman made him look like any regular ol' Joe. She was elegant, warmed by a late summer tan, and had raven dark hair cascading down her back; truly a vision of enchantment. When she sauntered to him and pressed her body to his, you felt like a voyeur watching the embrace.

“Alys,” Aemond breathed quietly. “What do you want?”

“You know what I want,” she answered as she trailed manicured fingers across the front of his chest.

She had a timeless look to her, the kind that concealed her age. She could have been anywhere from twenty-five to fifty, you thought. You really hadn’t a clue. All you knew, now, is that you should finish your task alone.

Aemond’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. Posture tense. “I told you I was busy tonight–”

Before you could stop yourself you cut him off with an awkward wave. “See you later, Aemond.” And, with that, you walked inside before you overheard anything else they might be saying to each other. Turning to glance over your shoulder one last time, you were met with a look of deliberate triumph from Alys; she had the greenest eye you’d ever seen. 

It was haunting.

Driving home, you felt stupid. Aemond was just a guy you just met. It was silly to think someone like him would be single and even sillier to think your innocent flirtations would be working on him. You had half a mind to delete his number. Or, at the very least to delete the short message thread of your texts.

Instead of making dinner like you normally did, you called in delivery and facetimed with your friend as you waited. She immediately knew something was off and you were quick to tell her everything that happened.

Twenty minutes passed and you were starting to feel better. It’s not like you two hooked up or even kissed. It was just a chance meeting with playful banter. Nothing to get shook up about. “Food’s here. Thanks for listening to me. I’ll talk to you later. Love you!” You said as you got up to answer the door. 

When all else failed, your favorite food could always make you feel better.

Turning the tv on and sitting down amongst your couch pillows and blankets, you were getting ready to dig in when your phone rang. 

Aemond. 

Your insides did a weird flip and hunger disappeared entirely from your mind and belly. Should you answer? Let it go to voicemail? Turn the stupid thing off and completely ignore him? Right before the final ring, you decided. “Hello?”

“Hey,” he said, immediately sounding relieved. “I’m sorry about that. I wasn’t yet ready to call it a night with you.”

“It’s no biggie,” you replied. Lying. “I didn’t want to interrupt anything–,” you paused, searching for something else to say to soften the edge of your voice, “–the dogs were getting tired anyway.” God. It sounded stupid even to your own ears.

Aemond sighed through the phone. You wondered if he slid his hand down his face or through his hair. It sounded like he did. “No. Alys is… it’s complicated. She’s my ex and–”

“ –you don’t have to explain anything to me,” you said, cutting him off. “Really. It’s fine.” Despite it being a phone call, you tried to smile as if it would blunt the dismissal of your tone.

“I mean it,” he said. “I really wasn’t ready to say bye yet. What do you say you skip your regular Wednesday night plans and grab a milkshake or something with me?”

Your insides flipped again but for an entirely different reason this time. You knew it: the sparks definitely weren’t one sided. The firm set of Aemond’s jaw and the rigidness of his shoulders flashed once more in your mind’s eye. Since your break up with your long-term boyfriend you’d been on a few dates, but none of them lead to anything worthwhile. With how you and Aemond clicked, however? This date might lead to something more than a hook-up (or, attempt at a hook-up. Some men truly had no game). “Are you sure…?” You asked after a moment. “You and Alys looked pretty comfortable–,”

“ –I’m sure,” it was his turn to cut you off.

“Alright then. Let’s do it.”

IV.

It'd been two months since your first milkshake date with Aemond – the first of many dates. It was a guilty pleasure of yours and apparently one of his, too!

Your first kiss, first time meeting his elder dog, Vhagar, and first time meeting his family were all memories you cherished. 

The more you learned about Aemond’s relationship with Alys, the more you understood it "complicated". Including Targaryen drama, Targaryen business, and a list of other things you had a hard time following. It didn’t matter anymore, though, Aemond reassured you. Things were done between them and he only wanted you; proving it to you with fingers and mouth until you begged for a break.

A lesson you learned from your last relationship – one Aemond learned from his, too – was to be careful with love. As much as you genuinely enjoyed him and his company, a barrier stood between you that neither dared yet to cross.

Love.

Each day you fell for him a little more; you were scared to admit it. The scar of heartbreak healed slowly. Could you truly trust Aemond with that part of yourself? With the very essence of your heart? It’d been two months and you still weren’t entirely sure.

If he felt the same he’d say something, right?

Autumn blanketed the lands with brisk air, rainy days, and rolling fog. As days grew short and nights long, you and Aemond spent more time at your apartment or his quarter at the Targaryen estate. Your apartment was the clear favorite. Living alone had its perks: never having to worry about nosy family or friends who showed up unannounced.

And thank God you didn’t live with anyone else. 

"Mmh… fuck, baby, I've been thinking about this all day. I can't get enough of you. Let me make my girl feel good," he said against your mouth as one of his hands moved up the inside of your thigh. "Are you wet already? I bet you are," he chuckled, fingertips tracing your slit. "Mmm… I knew it. Your clit is sooo needy, isn't it?" 

Shit. Those hushed words, the glint in his eye, his rasped tone… you happily indulged him in whatever way he wanted. And him, you. Fingers, mouth, cock, he quickly learned what tricks made you melt. 

As much as he loved having you ride him, or bending you over, his absolute favorite was fucking you into the mattress. You sprawled out beneath him, hair messy and fanned out around your head, legs wrapped tight around his waist, fingernails on his body… he could never get enough of your blushed face beneath him, trembling and arching as he pushed you to peak after peak.

Your sheets had never been cleaned so often in your entire life.

It was particularly rainy today and you were both finished with everything on your to-do list. Aemond sat on the floor in front of you as you lounged in your overstuffed chair. You told him you'd read the Lord of the Rings as long as he read it to you. He didn't even pretend to be annoyed by your bargain. He read to you from his own collection, claiming he liked the worn feeling of the pages better than a new book's pages. 

Like any proper reader Aemond started with The Hobbit. You enjoyed it more than you thought you would. More so than the story, however, you enjoyed him reading aloud to you – he had the loveliest voice. You were about half way through The Fellowship of the Ring and the story continued to get better.

But, all afternoon, Aemond's phone never stopped going off. It seemed like every few minutes it would ping with some kind of notification. "Who's blowing you up?" You asked, annoyance creeping into your tone.

Stopping mid sentence, he looked. "Alys," he sighed as he scrolled through the various messages. 

You tried to not look over his shoulder to the texts. You really did. But there was something about Aemond's shift in posture, and the air around him, that made you suspicious. "What's going on?" You asked in your best nonchalant manner.

"She's asking if I have some of her clothes at my place still," he answered and you swore you saw pink spread atop his cheeks.

That caught you off guard. "Why would she have clothes–"

And whatever else you were going to say was abruptly cut off.

There, in a new string of messages, was the single text line, "I miss you, baby boy," followed by at least three photographs of Alys in lingerie and various stages of undress. 

"What the fuck Aemond!?" You asked, anger and hurt instantly warming your blood. "What the hell were those? Are you fucking joking?"

"I have no idea why she sent–"

" –is that why she left clothes at your place? Couldn't let her go for real? Jesus Christ I can't believe you." Anger flushed your face and bittered your words.

"Listen, please. Hear me out, bab–"

" –oh fuck off, Aemond, you don't get to 'babe' me around anymore. In fact, just leave."

He looked as hurt as you. And shocked. A hundred emotions played across his chiseled features. "No, really. Let me explain," he pleaded with eye and tone.

You weren't having it. You were cheated on before and he knew it. It made your own hurt cleave even deeper. You really fucking liked him. Maybe even loved him. And this whole time he had you and Alys? "I'm seriously about to get really fucking angry. Leave. Now."

He stood and left. Silent fury screamed around him like a whirlwind. He didn't even give you one final look over his shoulder.

He shut your door with a deliberate click.

You curled up in your blanket alone as fat ugly tears streamed down your face. You couldn't be bothered to grab a tissue for your snotty nose. 

Aemond's leather jacket was still draped over the back of your couch and his book still lay on the floor. Your crying somehow turned uglier at the realization.

Eventually you dozed off. With Aemond, you always had your phone on silent so you didn't hear all his missed calls and texts.

V.

The following month went by in a blur; you drowned yourself in work. You also stopped volunteering because you didn't want to give Aemond the opportunity to meet you there. By some feat of strength you ignored all his attempts at talking – and by proxy, apologizing.

The only thing you said to him was a single text:

I need time. Please understand

Part of you wondered how it affected him. His calls and texts became sparse until they eventually stopped.

Helaena asked where you'd been and you felt horrible lying to her. So, you didn't. After telling her the story she sighed and asked if you'd want to grab tea. You agreed. Meeting her at a local cafe allowed you to air out your feelings; laughs and tears alike. She was kind, and sweet, and supportive without being passive. She loved her brother but knew he had many of his own issues. You'd been friends for over a year and this was the first true heart to heart you shared.

Upon returning home you picked up the Fellowship and tried to read from where Aemond left off. But, it wasn’t the same without him and it only made you cry. Again.

VI.

The following morning, despite your car's newer model, it barely wanted to start for your drive to work. By a stroke of luck you made it there fine. And, made it back home that evening, too. But that was the end of your luck. It needed to be picked up and taken to a shop until a mechanic could see it.

Carless, you had to rely on Uber or public transportation. Yuck.

A few days of stress passed and now you were done for the week. Thank God for weekends. Unfortunately your groceries were extremely low and you would need to make a trip in the morning. You sighed and used it as an excuse to order pizza.

After waking up and a breakfast of (the last, and past its sell-by date) packet oatmeal you got around to make the walk to the nearest grocery store. Knowing you'd be walking home, too, the list was small. Carrying bags up two flights of stairs was hard enough, much less carrying them home a mile!

On the way back it started sprinkling. Great. Just great. You started walking faster with hopes of making quicker time than your leisurely stroll to the store. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you heard your name called. Was that…? Stopping in your tracks you looked across your shoulder to the side of the road and saw none other than Aemond. You knew his car and voice anywhere. You didn't have to see yourself to know a dozen emotions played across your face.

"Hey," he said gently, his own features a mirror of yours.

"Hi," you said.

"Why are you walking in the rain with groceries?"

Slumping your unintentionally scrunched up shoulders, you sighed. "Stupid car died on me and it's been with the mechanic for almost a week."

He smiled softly. So soft. The outside of his seeing eye crinkled and emotion rushed to your chest. Your gut. "You're way too good to be walking alone. Let me drive you home at least?" 

You didn't resist. How could you? "Alright. Sure. Just dropping me off though, okay?" Guilt panged your chest. Did he feel it too? Could he read it on your face he knew so well?

"Alright," he answered, expression falling just slight. You might as well have stomped on his foot with how it affected you.

I miss you. I love you. I'm sorry. Can we try it again? Can I hold your hand? God I love your hair in a ponytail. You smell good. Did you see the trailer for that new horror movie? I miss you. I love you. I'm sorry. It all turned around your head like a fucking rotisserie chicken. It shouldn't be so hard to say any of those things to him. But it was.

You didn't say anything on the short ride home. Neither did he. His right hand flexed a few times and you wondered if he was having a hard time, too.

"Can you get it all upstairs?" He asked as he pulled into an empty spot and parked, looking across to you with horribly concealed emotion.

"Yes, but…," you trailed off momentarily, trying to read his face. "I still have your book and jacket. Wanna come up and grab them?" You asked hopefully.

He killed the engine faster than you could blink. "Yes! So that's where they've been. You could have mentioned it sooner," he said slightly accusingly, grinning at you with a spark of playfulness.

Leading the way upstairs to your apartment, you unlocked the door and disappeared inside. After placing your items down and grabbing Aemond's, you turned to look at him standing in the doorway. He leaned against it. Waiting. Quiet. He glanced around with a wistfulness that made your throat tight. You watched him watching you and your home until the air became awkward – was it half a second, a few seconds, longer? You weren't sure. 

Slowly you walked over to him. Your gaze flickered up at him as you handed his things back. "Were you ever going to tell me the truth?" You asked. "Did you think I really wouldn't find out? Why did you stick around if I wasn't good enough?"

He blinked. Taken back. "You never even gave me the chance to explain." His jaw feathered before it tightened. His eye hardened.

You grabbed the door, fixing to close it on him. Now that you started talking – unloading pent up questions which kept you tossing and turning at night – you couldn't decide if you wanted to slam it on his face or yell. "I told you how I was cheated on! And you did it anyway! I trusted you, Aemond." Your voice thinned, sounding shrill even to your own ears.

One of his hands braced on the door so you couldn't close it on him. "So this is your revenge then, huh? Punishing both of us? Why don't you trust me?" Hurt and fury simmered in the lovely hue of his eye. A storm. No, a hurricane. "Alys and I have been done for months. Months. Even before you and I met. I'm sorry for what she did but I can’t control what she does. She was playing her wicked games trying to sabotage us– you and me. Don't shut me out. Please." 

He pleaded, every pore and line of his face begging for forgiveness. As each word came off his tongue they clicked into place in your head. He meant it. He was telling the truth. Before you could stop yourself your fists balled into the front of his shirt, pulling him down so your mouth crashed up to his. "You mean it?" You asked through the kiss.

Instantly he leaned down into you, and instantly he held onto your waist pulling you deeper against him. His other hand cradled the side of your face daring to curve along the shape of your skull. "I mean it. Yes I fucking mean it," he answered against the kiss; breath stealing yours away until it left you in a little moan.

You pulled him inside and shut the door, locking it. You moaned as he nipped and bit at your neck. Your heart thumped wildly. He sucked at the sensitive skin, again and again, pulling away just before leaving a mark. "God, Aem,” you whimpered. Goosebumps covered your body. The only thing on your mind was him.

"Fuck, I missed you. I missed you so much." His hands were somehow all over you all at once. His mouth trailed, and dragged, and kissed over any exposed portion of your skin. He happily pulled off layers of your clothing to expose more and more of your soft, warm, saccharine flesh; intoxicating him. After weeks of your separation the last thing he wanted to do was to push too far too fast.  “Can I take this off?” He asked before taking your shirt off.

“Yes,” you replied breathily. “Fuck it. Take all of it off. I missed you too. So much,” you said as you helped pull his clothes off, too. He pushed you against a wall. You kissed. Heavier, and hotter, and hungrier. You pushed him against a wall. 

He gasped as he smirked. “I love when you act all tough when we both know I can have you squirming under me in minutes,” he growled, pupil swelling. The dimples at the very corners of his mouth betrayed his amusement, however, as he once again pushed you against the wall. You were both only in your underwear, now, and his lean body on yours had you aching. “My tough girl… how quickly do you think it’ll last when my fingers are in you?”

“Why don’t we find out?” You asked defiantly, knowing damn well it wouldn’t last long at all. By now you were both down the hallway and your bedroom was only a couple feet away. You needed him. Now. And judging by how fucking hard he was he needed you too.

The next moment went by in a blur and before you could catch yourself you were sprawled out on your back atop your bed. Aemond made quick work of moving you both inside, and made quicker work of pulling your panties down. He groaned as your thighs immediately spilled open for him. He dragged two fingers up your slit and circled your clit with your arousal. “Shit–,” he hissed. “Never make me wait so long to have this pussy again. Do you understand me? Never,” he said as he worked your already swollen clit. He played with it just how he knew you liked it and your cunt’s tiny wet sounds sent his cock throbbing. “Answer me.”

Tension built in the low muscles of your belly. Your legs began to tighten already – one of the tell-tale signs of your approaching climax. How the hell could he push you there so quickly? “N-never! Ahh-h never again!” You replied, voice light, and sweet, and tantalizing as any sin Aemond ever knew. “Please, Aemond, I want to cum…!”

He shoved those same two fingers into you. “Good girl,” he said as he curled those fingers. “This pussy is mine. All fucking mine. Give it to me,” he said huskily as he worked them in and out of you. It was sloppy and wet. Borderline obscene. Each time he slammed his hand against you he was mindful to press the heel of his palm against your clit and your mound, knowing how the extra pressure sent your pretty toes curling.

You cried out his name as your eyes clenched shut. The tension in your belly snapped and a wave of glorious bliss washed over you. Sweat sheened between your breasts and along your lip. You arched, quivered, shuddering in the aftermath of his intensity. 

Aemond’s mouth crashed to yours and you threaded your fingers through the roots of his hair. It was still in a ponytail and you had no mind to take it out, you just had to pull him deeper into the kiss. He tasted the salt of your sweat and groaned. “Relax your pussy, baby, you’re clenching me really hard. It feels amazing but I don’t wanna hurt you pulling out,” he said tenderly, nuzzling his nose into the crook of your neck.

“Sorry,” you giggled. “Just feels too good.” You tried to steady your breath and relax as he laid beside you, continuing to kiss your neck and shoulders. When your spongy walls finally eased around him you were sad to feel him withdraw. Stress melted away from your subconscious and you wanted to thank him for the pleasure. You wondered if your eyes said it while he looked at you.

Leaning up, he discarded the final piece of his clothing and sighed in relief as his cock sprang free. He got between your thighs and looked down at you hungerily. “Look at you all doe eyed already. See? I knew you couldn’t stay tough for long,” he said, smug, as he lined up with your drenched cunt. He held one of your legs up against him, and you pressed the other against his side. 

When you left for the store this morning you had no idea your afternoon would go in this direction.

He pushed into you. Inch by inch he sunk into you and soon he was as deep as he could be. A moan escaped both of you, and a throatier one left him when his free hand tugged at your bra. It was one that clipped in the front. He popped it open and rocked into you as soon as your tits spilled free. "You're so sexy like this."

With your body already sensitive from your first orgasm, and now with Aemond building a rhythm between your thighs, you weren't going to last long. "You feel so good," you purred, eyelids heavy. "Fuck I missed you."

Another sound left his chest and when you wrapped your legs around his slim waist you swore you felt goosebumps pebble all along his skin. Or, maybe those were your goosebumps on your legs. Whatever the case, Aemond leaned forward and kissed you again. "I missed you too," he rumbled. "Gonna let me fill this pretty pussy with my cum again?"

You two made good use of your birth control and you weren't about to deny him – or yourself – the pleasure of being thoroughly fucked and stuffed. "Y-yeah," you stammered, smiling.

Aemond mumbled something incoherent into your neck, and if your brain wasn't foggy from his perfect fucking cock you might have caught what he said. 

He leaned up and supported himself on his forearms, pressing his forehead to yours. "You're my girl. You're my fucking girl. You're my fucking girl," he repeated again and again until the pace of his thrusts grew sloppy. Somehow the sloppiness of it, the neediness and urgency of his voice, sent emotion swelling in all of you.

Heat collected and grew out from your spine, webbing throughout your entire body. You clung to him desperately. You rolled your hips up into him and shamelessly grinded your clit against his pelvis as he drove in and out of you. It was all too much. You crumbled beneath him and let orgasm take control of you. The depths of your body squeezed and convulsed around him, holding him tight and soaking the fullness of his length with your slick. He never stopped or paused his thrusts. 

His own peak followed. Once he was as deep as he could be he released everything he had into you. He stayed there, both of you panting through little moans, until he no longer twitched between your stretched walls. Slowly, he pulled out, and slowly, his seed dribbled out of you. Grinning, he rolled onto his back and scooped you against him.

"Let's stay here like this all day," you mumbled happily, fingertips trailing up and down his abdomen and chest.

"You'll get no argument from me," he said.

Quiet minutes passed and the sound of his heart nearly put you into a trance. "I'm sorry for how I acted," you finally admitted.

All the while he'd been petting and trailing his fingers through your hair. He didn't stop as he answered, "and I'm sorry for not trying harder." He kissed your forehead and held you tighter.

"Let's try it again. For real this time. With the titles and commitment and everything."

"Are you asking or telling me to be your boyfriend?"

You smirked. "I'm suggesting."

Returning your smirk, he pulled you atop him so you could straddle him. "You're all mine," he said with a dark eye. "My perfect girl." 

Leaning down, you kissed and nipped his bottom lip. "Are you already hard again, Aemond Targaryen?"

A chuckle rumbled somewhere in his chest as his touch dented into your hips to hold you at just the right angle. With a roll of his hips he pushed himself up inside you again. "Whose cock is this?"

You gasped, eyes darkening with another round of lust. "Mine."

"That's right. Yours. Not anyone else's. It's fucking yours."

You rode him until your tits were covered in fresh hickies and you were filled with another load of him.

Yours. His. The second chance you both needed.

-

Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed, please consider a follow, and/or reblog, and/or letting me know as it all makes me vvvery happy! ♥

To be added or removed from the taglist, hit me up!

Masterlist

Main taglist: @watercolorskyy @melsunshine @girlwith-thepearlearring @arcielee @barbiedragon @dreamsofoldvalyria @chompchompluke @fan-goddess

Aemond taglist: @darylandbethfanforever9 @bellaisasleep @aemondsblog @khaleesihel @sirenofavalon @sahvlren @doublesparrows @aemonds-fire @nikstrange @abbyandizzysmum @lost-and-founds @castellomargot @okfashionista @avidreader73 @snh96 @boofy1998 @evermorre

[nebulablakemurphy]

Moves & Countermoves (Part 11)

Prologue | One | Two | Three | Four | Five | Six | Seven | Eight | Nine | Ten

Eight weeks.

It’s been eight weeks since the tour. Y/N grows more anxious with each passing day, waking from terrible nightmares alone. She finds Haymitch sitting on the couch, with a bottle in hand.

“You need to sleep,” he says after a long moment.

“I can’t,” she argues.

“Come here.” Haymitch waits until she is settled, with her head in his lap, before throwing the blanket over her. “Close your eyes.”

She nuzzles against his thigh, utterly exhausted but unwilling to return to the horror of her dreams.

In truth, that’s why he’s forsaken the warmth of their bed for the couch. They’re coming up on a Quarter Quell…and anything can happen in a Quarter Quell. He knows that better than anyone, after being reaped with double the tributes.

He peeks down. Her eyes are closed; breathing too fast, her muscles rigid. “You’re safe.” Haymitch murmurs, “it’s just you and me.” These whispers continue until she snores lightly.

He wakes with a hand still twined in hers and a kink in his neck, from sleeping upright.

Y/N doesn’t stir as he stretches and yawns to the patter of little feet on the second floor. Haymitch stumbles into the kitchen, flipping on the burner to start breakfast.

“Honk.”

He turns with the spatula in hand. Surely he is dreaming, or perhaps the years have slowly driven him insane. But he knows for certain that damn goose is not in his house, again. And if it were, it sure as hell wouldn’t have the audacity to honk at him.

“Get,” Haymitch warns, shooing the beast out through the back door. It wails at him all the while, rousing Y/N.

She rubs her eyes, trying to make sense of the scene. “Louie?”

“Honk.”

“Don’t say his name.” Haymitch grunts, closing the door harshly behind the animal.

Y/N laughs, “how’d he get in here?”

“I had the sliding door open for some fresh air.”

“Smells good,” she takes another whiff.

“I made breakfast.”

“Thank you,” she forces herself from the cushions. Brushing past her husband toward the bathroom.

Haymitch is in a better mood when she returns. Everest and Arista are seated at the island, scarfing down pancakes as Haymitch fills them in on the goose fiasco.

“I turn around and he’s standing there.” Haymitch points to the exact spot.

Arista gasps, resorting to his full name, “Louis.”

“Had to chase him out with the spatula.”

Everest chuckles, around a forkful of eggs.

“You didn’t hit him, right Daddy?” Arista looks up with those big eyes, the same color as Y/N’s.

“No,” Haymitch sighs, “I didn’t hit him.”

Y/N comes to collect her plate, standing beside Haymitch, opposite the kids.

“You can sit down.” He smirks, watching her take the first bite.

“I’m ok,” she bumps his hip with her own. They are fuller now, at seven months pregnant. “I’ll just hang out here with you.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” Stay with me forever.

“Hey mom,” Everest calls her attention.

“Hmm?”

“Do you think we can plant some of the seeds Peeta gave me?”

The geese have done a number on their garden.

“Yeah, we can do that.” Y/N agrees, wanting to soak up as much time with them as she can before the baby.

They haven’t talked much about names. Even the crib resides in one of the spare rooms, untouched, unprepared.

————————————————————————

“Oh, Katniss.” Octavia, of her prep team, has tears in her eyes at the sight. “You look beautiful.”

The Capitol has chosen this dress; the dress. The one she’ll be married in, though it needs quite a bit of alteration.

“Is that my dress?” Y/N chokes out. She thought it might be strung up in a museum somewhere, immortalized as one of Snow’s trophies, or sold to the highest bidder. She thought she’d never see it again; not now. Not on Katniss.

Katniss opens her mouth to speak. Though it isn’t her choice, she feels sick.

“She can’t wear this dress.”

“It’s what the people chose, dear. Because you’re a family,” Flavius explains. “Don’t you want Katniss to feel the way you did on your special day? We can always alter it again to fit your daughter, when the time comes.”

“No,” Y/N breathes, this can’t be happening, “no, where’s Cinna?”

“I’m here.” He emerges from the hall, scraps of ivory fabric draped over one shoulder.

“I need to talk to you, please.” Y/N is visibly shaking as Cinna follows her to the sitting room, closing the glass door so Katniss has no chance of overhearing. But she can still see them.

Her mentor’s frantic explanation, Cinna’s steadying hand at her shoulder as he listens. Gaze changing quickly from sadness to anger, mirroring Y/N’s. Cinna nods, one final time before Y/N squeezes his upper arm in parting.

“We’re going to make some changes.” The stylist says upon his return.

“Y/N,” Katniss calls from the pedestal, unable to go after her. “Wait.”

“I’ll be back.”

“I’m sorry.” Katniss apologies, for whatever she’s done.

“No, don’t be. It’s-” Y/N breaks off, “nothing. I just need to see Haymitch.” She rushes out before Katniss can get a word in.

Cinna begins sketching out a few new additions, taking away the old, making it new.

“Is there something wrong with this dress?” She asks, itching to remove it.

Cinna shakes his head, even he has trouble looking at her in it now that he knows. “Nothing we can’t fix.”

Katniss recounts the events to Peeta later that night, he doesn’t fully understand either.

“It’s like she was afraid of the dress…or what would happen to me while I was in it.” Katniss looks down at her hands. “Maybe something happened to her.”

Peeta swallows hard, the more they learn about the Capitol, the more reason he has to believe… “I think a lot of things happened to her.”

————————————————————————

Commander Thread arrives within the week. Tearing through the hob, taking away what little they have and screwing down a big metal whipping post in the square.

The chaos is not missed by the inhabitants of victor’s village, Katniss least of all. Pushing her way through the crowd to find the source of the tortured screams echoing out into the streets.

Interrupting Gale’s punishment earns her a black eye, with a gash underneath and one lash to the outside of her thigh, on the eve of the big wedding. When she stands again, she is faced with the barrel of Thread’s gun.

The first person to rise to her aid is the last person who should be standing between Katniss and a bullet. Shoving Katniss behind her with one arm, the other held protective over her growing child. Explaining who she is and talking him down. Thread recognizes her, Katniss too after a moment; if he kills them it will be his head on the chopping block.

Haymitch is fuming when he finds them there. Furious with both Y/N and Katniss for putting themselves in harm’s way. Peeta arrives on scene, another person for Haymitch to shove behind him without a second thought.

“You sure Snow wants four dead victors? Because that’s what we’re looking at here.” Haymitch reasons, holding both hands in the air. “It’s bad enough that you marked up Katniss’ face on the eve of the big wedding. My wife is carrying the most eagerly anticipated baby in Panem, all this stress isn’t good. Let it go…and we will too.”

“Fine,” the commander licks his lips, “but next time it’s the firing squad.”

“Excellent idea.”

The flogging is broadcast to the nation on a five second delay, cutting out just after Katniss jumps in.

No one sees past that point except the president. Again, the victors of district twelve have proven themselves to be a united front. A family of agitators beyond reason, who consider themselves above the law. Snow knows exactly what he must do and Plutarch already has a plan.

“It’s what we gamemakers like to call a wrinkle.”

————————————————————————

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the seventy-fifth year of the Hunger Games.”

Everest and Arista are off playing with Madge and Y/N’s parents, leaving the eldest victors of district twelve to sit silently in front of the projector.

“It was written in the charter of the games, that every twenty-five years there would be a Quarter Quell, to keep fresh for each new generation the memory of those who died in the uprising against the Capitol. Each Quarter Quell is marked by games of a special significance.”

Y/N skates her thumb over Haymitch’s knuckles hoping to comfort him.

“On this the seventy-fifth anniversary of our defeat of the rebellion, we celebrate the third Quarter Quell.” Snow pulls the card free from its envelope. “As a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, the male and female tributes are to be reaped from the existing pool of victors in each district.”

“What?” Y/N leans forward, surely she misunderstood.

Haymitch grips his glass with enough force to shatter it, broken shards falling to the floor. He is bleeding, but he can’t feel it. The anger, the fear, the rage swallows the initial bite of pain.

“The victors will present themselves on reaping day; regardless of age, situation, or state of health.”

Y/N examines his wounds, scarlet pooling across his palm and fingers.

“Leave it, angel.” Haymitch warns, needing it to tether him to reality. Proof that this is more than a nightmare.

“I need to check on Peeta and Katniss.” Y/N remembers, pushing past the clouded lens of her own mind. “Let me take care of you before I go.”

“I need you to leave it.” He says a second time.

“Ok- I,” there are no words. Not as she stands, or presses her lips to the crown of his head and leaves. Instead she focuses on her steps, one foot in front of the other.

Haymitch stays there, unmoving, allowing his blood to stain the pristine fabric of the couch’s armrest. The front door creaks open, enough to startle him to action, he doesn’t want his children to see. Instead he tosses the throw blanket over the evidence.

“Where’s Y/N?” Katniss demands, identifying herself as the intruder.

“Ah, it’s just you.” Haymitch whips the fabric off, using it to gather the broken glass. “Take a seat.”

“We have to save them.”

“Finally done the math, have you?” Haymitch muses.

Promises are easier to make than keep. Asking for Peeta and Y/N to live is essentially asking each other to die. That’s not something that Haymitch can bring himself to do. But he does agree to volunteer for Peeta; with a sneaking suspicion that Katniss will do the same when it comes down to it.

Y/N is good, kind and selfless. Katniss has known it from the day they trained together, on the mat of the tribute center, what feels like a lifetime ago. The same way Peeta is good, willing to stand by her, comfort and protect her, at his own expense.

“Haymitch!” The sound of it is awful, wretched from Y/N’s throat.

“What’s the matter?” Haymitch stands immediately, as does Katniss, rushing toward the entryway.

“I went to check on Peeta,” Y/N flies into his arms, closed eyes shining with tears.

“You’re ok,” Haymitch murmurs, smoothing down her hair.

“But I couldn’t find,” Y/N opens her eyes to find the very person she’s been losing her mind over. “Katniss.”

Haymitch releases her. Relieved that the cause of her anguish is nothing more than a misunderstanding.

“Katniss.”

Katniss embraces her, holding fast, like it might save her, like it might change anything. In Katniss’ mind there was always some understanding, that Peeta is to Y/N as she is to Haymitch.

They fit together crudely, like an ill crafted puzzle. Even still, Katniss can no longer deny that Y/N loves her just as fiercely. No different than her own child. “Sorry I scared you. I just had to get out of there.” My mom’s screams…Prim’s questions.

“It’s ok,” Y/N pulls back to look at her. Stroking her thumbs over the blotchy apples of her victor’s cheeks. “We don’t know who they’re gonna pick.”

Katniss nods, allowing Y/N to fuss about her. Needing it just as badly, though she would never ask.

“But we know all of the victors and depending upon the reaping, I have some ideas for potential strategies and alliances-”

“You know it’s me.” Katniss says finally, voice breaking over the last word. “If the only choice is you or me in that arena, I’m the one Snow wants dead.”

“We don’t know that, sweetheart.” Haymitch scrubs his unmarred hand over his face.

“And he’d prefer you dead over Peeta.” Katniss points out, not in the mood to sugarcoat.

“You’re right,” Haymitch admits. “We know the bowls are rigged, but we don’t know how. If they want entertainment and shock value, it’s gonna be us together.” He flicks a finger between himself and Y/N. “Or you and Peeta together. We’re all star crossed lovers now and I promise you, we won’t be the only ones. It’ll be lovers, siblings, friends. If Snow’s doing it to punish us.” Now the finger is pointed at Katniss. “He’s sending in Y/N and Peeta. If it’s simply to eliminate their problems, that’d be you and me, kid. And we won’t have any idea what their angle is until reaping day.”

Part 12

Series Taglist: @praline357 @flowercrowns-goodvibes @justheretoparty420 @avocadotoastwithegg @treehouse-mouse @emo-markie @spilled-mi1k @magical-spit @greaser9902 @jessicamellarky @yourebuckingkiddingme @smuha2004 @sendhelplease @ninimackbrews @wittiestrain184 @r1dd1kulus @erenluvr69 @helpimhyperfixating

[harlowcomehome]

Wedding planning:

Series link!

You shifted around in bed as you heard Jack mumbling over his lines, he was pacing the bedroom with a script in his hand. You looked over at the clock on the wall, realizing you had slept in later than normal. Immediately sitting up in bed caught Jack's attention, his features softening at the sight of you.

“Good morning sleeping beauty” A big grin came over him as he walked over to you, kissing your forehead.

“Good morning! You should’ve woke me up and we could’ve run lines together” You covered your mouth with your hand, to hide the yawn escaping you.

“That is exactly why I let you sleep” Jack chuckled noticing your exhaustion. “You’ve been helping me run lines the past few weeks on top of all the wedding planning” he sat down beside you in bed, a look of concern coming over him as he took your hand into his, admiring your left ring finger.

The twinkle in his eye brought you a wave of peace, you had been feeling overwhelmed by everything but he always had a way of bringing you back down to Earth.

“Are we still doing the cake tasting today?” Jack reminded you, knowing you had to get ready soon.

“I moved it to Friday, you have to meet with the acting coach at nine and Neelam set up that meeting with the set designers for you at twelve” You effortlessly remembered all of the things he quickly forgot.

“What would I do without you?” He scrunched his freckled nose at you before bending down to give you a quick kiss.

“Remember when I used to hide my morning breath from you?” you mumbled still internally grossed out at the fact that he looked past it.

“I miss those days” he teased making you gasp as you tickled his side making him uncontrollably giggle.

“Baby! Okay! Okay!” He hopped out of bed, his face red with embarrassment. “That’s not fair! You know I’m ticklish!”

“I know, that’s why I tickled you.” You teased as you got out of bed, following behind him. He turned to you and you quickly snaked your arms around his neck and pulled him closer to you.

“Don’t forget you have the appointment with the wedding dress designer today” Jack reminded you, as if you would ever forget. It had been heavily on your mind since he had booked it for you.

You nodded, letting him know you heard him. “Shower with me? I won’t see you until tonight and-“

“You really think I need convincing?” He smiled as he grabbed your hand and the two of you got undressed.

Jack turned the water on, knowing already that you liked the water way too hot and internally cringing as the steam immediately started to build. He forgot all about it once you stepped inside with him, he had seen your naked body too many times to count now, but it still took his breath away.

When you got into the shower you turned the shower knob to the right, knowing he didn’t like the intensely hot temperature. He noticed those small gestures often when you considered him. All anyone wants is to be considered, right?

He let you run a scalp massager through his hair as the suds streamed down the side of his face. The both of you were quiet this morning, but it was peaceful.

“What’s on your mind? I can always tell when you’re in your head” He mumbled as his eyes fluttered shut, enjoying the moment.

“Truth?”

“Always” he hummed as his lips pressed together.

“What do you think of a smaller wedding? Something intimate?” You were worried knowing he didn’t like anyone to feel left out and between the two of you, there was a lot of family and friends to consider.

“You’ve been talking to my mom, haven’t you?” He opened one eye to look at you for confirmation. He had also been talking with his mom about wedding planning.

“I mean, we were talking about having the wedding at your grandparent's house. I just wanted to know what you thought of that?” You leaned his head back slightly to rinse his hair, your favorite part of showering together was pampering one another.

“We can always do a small one now and a bigger one later.” He wiped his face before turning his attention back to you. “I would love for us to have more of an intimate setting.”

“Really?” You were taken aback by his response, thinking he wanted something a little more lavish. You handed him the coconut-scented body scrub to use.

“Of course, I don’t want a bunch of people at our wedding that we only kind of know by association. I want that day to be about us.” His blue eyes held all of his emotions as he spoke to you, he meant every word and it was a weight off your chest to know it.

“Have I told you lately that I love you?” You rinsed yourself off a final time before turning off the water and handing him his towel.

“I don’t think I’ve heard it yet today, what was that?” He playfully cupped his ear for dramatic effect before shaking his hair loose of water droplets.

“I love you, you dork” you giggled as you kissed his soft lips.

Time had gotten away from the both of you, and soon enough Jack rushed out the door to start his busy day.

You still had a few hours before you had to do anything particular, taking out your wedding planner organizer and writing down a few notes, when your phone started to ring.

Your soon-to-be mother-in-law was on the other end of the phone, she was eager to pick your brain about wedding details.

“Hey, sweetheart! I was wondering if you had spoken to Jack yet about having the smaller ceremony at his grandparents?” She knew you had likely spoken to him but still used it as a springboard to talk to you.

“Yes! He seemed on board about it!” You checked the time. “Hey, do you want to go eat before we go look at wedding dresses? I wanted to get your opinion on some things.”

“Of course! Do you want me to meet you there?”

“I’ll be on my way to pick you up in five minutes!” You blissfully hummed knowing you both were beyond excited about the days ahead. You shoved the scribbled in planner inside your sky blue goyard purse.

“See you soon!” She happily responded before hanging up. It meant the world and more that you wanted her to be involved in decision-making.

Jack may be a grown man, with a big career and lots of responsibility but at the end of the day, he was her first child, getting married is a huge deal and you made sure to acknowledge that.

[tojiscumdumpster]

CHAPTER ELEVEN- TOJI

⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀✧ summary page

 Life has really been fucking with me these last six weeks. Work’s hell. The apartment we live in went up by four hundred dollars. And to make matters worse, Megumi and I have been rockier than ever. 

 That’s the thing that’s bothering me the most.

 It’s over simple shit, too. 

 I try my best to be a laid back parent and only go full on dad mode when needed, but I think the kid has taken advantage of that. All I ask is three things from Megumi:

 Don’t get into fights, and if you do, don’t get caught. 

 School night curfew is eight. Weekends are eleven.

 And lastly, tell me your whereabouts.

 But what does he do instead? Miss curfew. Leave the house without telling me where he’s going, and now he’s on a two week-suspension from school since he got into a fight. 

 Grant it the fight was justify because some kids were fucking with him and talking shit about his lack of English, but shit, Megumi. 

 At least he won. 

 One side of me was saying that’s my boy, and the other side had to ground him. 

 Let’s just say he wasn’t too happy with me after that. 

 I’m surprised he actually listened to me, though. But with him listening, I’ve been getting the silent treatment, no eating meals together, and been avoided like I’m the plague. 

 Parenting is not a walk in the park, I know that. Especially when you’re a single parent. When times like this hit, I think of my late wife more than ever. 

 With her death anniversary right around the corner, I can’t help but miss her and wish she was by my side. 

 I can’t do this shit alone. I was not raised in a loving environment, and considering the fact that my old man was an abusive drunk that used me as his punching bag, I damn sure don’t know what the fuck it feels like to have a father. 

 A mom? Don’t know either. Old man wasn’t faithful and was sleeping around with different women, so my mom could be dead or alive. Who knows? 

 My late wife knew all of this, not the severity, but she knew I had a shitty family. Yet she managed to see something good in a motherfucker like me, to the point we had a kid together.

 A kid that fucking hates me. And I’m the only one to blame. 

 God, maybe I should listen to Kong for once. I’m forty-two. Shit, maybe it is time to settle down and look for a housewife. Someone who’s willing to help raise a fifteen-year-old boy. 

 No, what the fuck am I saying? Since when do I listen to that fucker?

 Never. I trust him, though. Hell, do I really have a choice since he helped me take care of Megumi when I was going through my episodes in the early years of my wife’s death? 

 But my kid is my responsibility. Getting a woman involved isn’t going to help my relationship with Megumi. That’s some shit I need to fix myself. 

 Kong and I have one unorthodox ass relationship, but he’s the only bastard I actually consider a friend, and I know he means well. 

 He is Megumi’s godfather after all. Besides, the last thing I want to do is to ever make Megumi feel like I’m trying to replace his mom. Far from it. 

 Maybe loneliness is just catching up to my old ass.m, and the only woman I think of breaking me from my no relationship rule is Y/N. 

 Y/N fucking L /N. 

 That woman drives me insane in more ways than one. 

 After our first date over a month ago, we’ve been talking nonstop. Texting. Calling. Casual dates every now and there when time allows us. If I’m being real, Y/N is the only reason why I haven’t ripped my fucking hair out. 

 People would usually turn to alcohol to depend on the burning sensation it gives you to get drunk when feeling stressed. But me? Y/N is who I get drunk off of. Her energy is fucking addicting, and the reassurance she gives me… who know I needed so much of it. 

Like any other man, I don’t turn to anyone to help with my problems. I’m a prideful motherfucker who has the ego the size of a galaxy. However, I don’t have to be the way around Y/N. I sound sappy as shit, I know. 

 Guess that’s what happens when you become vulnerable. 

 The only reason why I haven’t had sex with her yet.

 I know myself. When I was younger, I only saw sex as a way to make extra cash when I was struggling after I got disowned by the Zen’in. The older I got, sex became more meaningless to me. I can be balls deep in pussy, no matter how good it is, and have no type of feelings attached. Me making a woman come or them making me come doesn’t mean I’ll start buying them roses and shit. 

 It wouldn’t be the same with Y/N. 

 Not saying I’m on the verge of falling in love with her, let alone loving her. But seeing how much we talk, how jealous I fucking get, especially after figuring out she works at the same school as her ex-fiancé, I don’t want any other fucker to even breathe the same air as her.

 Not even myself, but I’ll still be selfish enough to do it.

 That’s the thing about Y/N. I feel myself growing more selfish when it comes to her. I want her time and energy to only be for me. She’s mine without her knowing and I’m planning on keeping it that way. I can admit that’s probably a dick move, but I can’t find myself falling in love again. 

At least, I’m forcing myself not to.

 Hearing her moan my name. Seeing her face when she comes. Knowing what it feels to have that sweet, tight, warm fucking pussy clench around my fingers. I’ll become a starved and possessive man the moment she’s like that around my dick. 

 I’ll catch feelings.

 I’ll want her above me, beneath me, all over me twenty-four-seven. I’m not an easy lover. I can admit to that.

 But that won’t stop me from…

 No, I won’t say that.

 It’s strong. Whatever emotion I feel about Y/N, and I can’t help but think it has something to do with her being so damn familiar. The more I talk to her, the more I know who she is. Maybe in another lifetime I’ve loved her before. 

 Even saying that in my head sounds crazy as shit. The dreams about her aren't helping, either.

 “Get a hold of yourself, Fushiguro,” I mutter to myself. I look at the time to see it’s eleven thirty. “She should be on her free hour right now.” 

 Maybe a phone call wouldn’t hurt.

 “I’m busy,” I grunt.

 I couldn’t even call Y/N before Kong called me to fucking be clingy. He claims he only calls me to check on the kid, but Megumi has his own phone. 

 “Mad because I’m not your girlfriend? Sorry, I had you first, Fushiguro.” I hear him puffing out smoke from his cigarette. “Be grateful you have a fucking friend to check on you, you fucking jackass.”

 I chuckle, sarcastically saying, “Awe, I consider myself very lucky.”

 “Fuck you.”

 “Sorry, not interested,” I replied. And this is what I mean by unorthodox friendship. “Assuming you got some information for me?” After that Zen’in fuck purchased the club ownership last month, I had Kong do some digging for me.

 All the bullshit he was spewing about Naobito forcing everyone in that family who doesn’t have a kid, to have one, and taking interest in finding Megumi, I couldn’t take shit like that lightly.

 Not when my kid is potentially involved.

 Knowing how those Zen’ins’ get down, they always find a way to get what they want. Even if it results in blood.

 “I found some files about that Naoya shitface you told me about… Looks like he’s the real deal,” he says.

 “Meaning?”

 “Meaning he is your cousin. Looks like your old man’s brother had some unwanted kids of his own.”

 “Having kids in the family just to leave them dry is a fucking ritual in that shitty ass family.” I get up from bed and go to the kitchen to grab a ginger ale. “What else you find out?”

 “Zen'in owns half of the real estate in Tokyo,” he tells me, clicking his tongue. “Those bastards keep growing and growing by the minute. So if what this Naoya is saying is true, I can only imagine Naobito is doing this to have the city fear the name Zen’in, even after he’s six feet under.”

 I scoff. “For an ego stroker? So what the fuck does this have to do with my kid?”

 “How the hell am I supposed to know?”

  Over my dead fucking body if they think they could come even twenty feet near Megumi. I have no problem going back to that violent lifestyle that I’m trying to escape when it comes to protecting my kid.

 Actually, I’m hoping that they do because I’ve been itching for a stress relief and permanently getting rid of those Zen’in fucks just might be the way to do it.

 Maybe I should pay them a visit on my trip to Japan in a few months.

 I run my hand through my hair and sigh. “Alright. Keep me posted.” An incoming call comes through and I see Y/N’s name flashing my screen. “Gotta go.”

 “Your girlfriend’s callin-” I disconnected our line before he finished his bullshit to answer Y/N.

 “I’m so close to fucking pulling these braids out and choking my boss with them.” Ha, that’s a funny way to say hello.

 “I’m trying to wrap my head around why hearing you threaten to kill someone is turning me on?” I tease.

 She lets out a soft breath. “I’m sorry, big guy. Work is being a pain in my ass right now.”

 “I see that. You cursed twice. That’s something expected from me.”

 “Well, it’s kind of inevitable when you’re a high school teacher,” she argues. “And actually, no. I expect four curse words in under a minute from you. So I think my two words will be alright.”

 I smile while walking back to my room and close the door behind me. “Talk to me, sweets. What’s going on?”

 “Other than finding out that my name was unknowingly submitted to take part in the state’s teachers summit, nothing really.”

“Is it that bad?” 

 “No. It’s actually a good opportunity to voice your concerns as a teacher to the school board, but quite frankly, I’m tired of going. Only one teacher is selected every year to represent each school in the county and it’s always me.”

 “And what is this summit shit? Why do they need teacher representatives?” I hear her smile through the phone when she explains the summit, and I’m pretty sure it’s because of me cursing already. “Probably this isn’t what you want to hear, but I can see why you’re always chosen. You speak your mind well, and I can see the passion you have when it comes to your students.”

 “Well, yeah, but every teacher should be that way,” she counters. “And the summit this year is four hours away from us, so they made it a weekend convention. A weekend, Toji?” 

 I arch my brow. “And who submitted your name?” Her silence tells me my answer. “You sure this fucker isn’t trying to win you back? Abusing his power as your boss to get you to himself for the weekend seems like a man move I probably would’ve done, too.”

 “You would?” she incredulously asks.

 “When it comes to you? Absolutely. Zero questions asked.” I can almost guarantee the silence from her again is because she’s blushing, something I find fucking adorable about her. “You there, Miss L/N?”

 “Toji, I’m at work,” she answers.

 “Admitting that your mind is in the gutter?”

 “I-uh, no. Just reminding you to get your head out of it.”

 I tip my head back and laugh. “Cute. So when’s the summit?”

 “In three months.”

 “And you can’t pull out?”

 “Unfortunately, no. Unless I can prove that it’s due to a medical or family emergency, I’m out of luck.” No doubt in my mind that her ex pulled this shit intentionally. I mean, I get it. If I lost someone like Y/N as my fiancée, I would be going through hell and back until she was mine again. 

 But too bad for this fucker that isn’t the case anymore, and I don’t tread lightly when it comes to people fucking with what’s mine.

 Mine, that’s exactly what Y/N is.

 “I’m way too hungry for this crap,” she says, pulling me from my possessive musings. 

 “And you didn’t eat because?”

 “Someone kept me up last night on the phone, so I overslept and couldn’t get a decent breakfast before work this morning.” 

 I chuckle, remembering our two a.m. conversations that turned into her masturbating while I was talking her through it. “I’m sure that person is sorry.”

 “Doubt it.”

  I look at the time again to see it’s noon. “What time is your free hour over?” 

 “One. Why?”

 “Grab lunch with me.”

 She playfully hums to consider my last minute invitation. “I guess I can squeeze you in.”

 “Squeeze me in?” I mock her response while laughing. “Appreciate it, Miss L/N.”

 “I’m sure you can find a way to show me your appreciation.”

 I smirk. “Forgot you were at work?”

 “Whatever, Mr. Fushiguro. Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.”

 “Alright, alright. I’ll see you,” is the last thing I say before disconnecting the call.

 Smiling to myself like a fucking lovesick idiot knowing that I’m about to see Y/N has me surprised myself. Like I said earlier, this woman drives me insane.

 And I think I’ll grow to not mind it.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

no discussion question this chapter. but would love to hear your thoughts ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡

[am-i-the-asshole-official]

WIBTA if I told my brother to wait to have kids after his more recent attempts to start a family? Or at least wear protection for right now?

Alright this may be a doozy, so I (24FtM) have an older brother (26M), and over the years of being a teen and adult, he’s always made a habit of just diving deep into a relationship no matter what.

His last girlfriend (20?F) who was his fiancé, he knew only for three months before he was proposing and moving her in with her son (1 and the sweetest lad ever). That’s… fine a bit fast in my opinion, but sure! It was the week of her moving in that she was pregnant.

Now there was issues in the relationship for sure immediately. And it quickly turned out the two of them weren’t compatible at all. And it was during her baby shower that the marriage was called off and she moved back in with her parents.

Which was then revealed that she had had an affair, and the kid may not be my brother’s. Now at first he said he would get a DNA test and pay child support if the baby was his. Until about two months before the baby was born.

When he got a new girlfriend (2XF). She’s nice I guess, I haven’t met her too much exactly. But when they got together, immediately brother decided he didn’t care if the baby was his. No paternity test, no worries all that. If he was forced to take a paternity test and the baby was his then he’d just sign away his rights, the whole shebang. Of course he doesn’t understand signing away rights isn’t Y’know super easy to do but besides the point-

This of course caused a little uproar in the family with only two people openly supporting that decision. And I know at least one has been in contact with ex-fiancé in going to the courts for a paternity test. Since brother has already said if anyone got a test done testing dna with the baby he was going to cut contact, no one really wants to risk it. For some reason.

I’d probably risk it, if ex-fiancé had contact with me. But unfortunately I wasn’t Cis or straight, so contact between her and I are a no go (a tiny part of the break up was apparently about me so that was fun to find out). So we’re just waiting to court ordered test to see if my brother is the father.

Now it’s been four months since the baby that may be his was born, and I’m staying at his house. And I’ve found pregnancy tests, all of them negative, but it’s been three-four pregnancy tests I’ve been finding out in the open.

Which is where I got to thinking about the super super recent possible paternity of the baby, and mishap of that entire relationship. The new gf has moved in already, but he’s only known/been with her for six months now. Which is also reminding me of the last one with how quickly things are moving.

So I guess here is where I WBTA for talking to him about not diving deeply into another relationship again so soon after the last one. Especially not trying to have kids with someone after just six months of knowing one another.

I just feel like if they do get pregnant, there’s a chance a few months down the road it’ll be the same story of “oh we’re actually not compatible at all!” The only family members that know right now were the ones who supported the decision of no paternity test, and they’ve already said not to bring it up because “it’s his life, his decisions”

But I don’t know it just feels like he’s making a similar mistake once again and I just want to talk to him or something about it. Before it all crashes and burns again. Especially with the last time being not even a full year ago (hell the conception of the baby wasn’t even a full year ago at the time of this). I know some relationships do move fast, and they can be successful, but it’s just from how last one went and how fast things were going, I can’t help but worry.

So tldr- brother has recently left a relationship where his fiancé was possibly pregnant with his baby (three months of knowing her before moving her in/possibly getting pregnant) that he refuses to get a paternity test for. And he’s now entered a new relationship four months after breaking it off and has moved new gf in and trying for a baby (possibly) after six months of knowing one another.

WIBTA for maybe asking him to slow down and maybe not have a kid right away or wear protection for the time being. At least until he knows if he and his new gf are compatible.

What are these acronyms?

[sixeyescurseuser]

Thinking about a Monster high AU. 

Vampire Gojo stands frozen in the teacher lounge as the new history teacher is introduced, realizing he had met the Frankenstein monster the week prior during their mind-blowing one night stand. 

Apparently, Geto’s children - werewolf twins - transferred to Jujutsu High, which is why he took a teaching job. 

(Gojo thinking: “So that’s why he STINKS”)

Gojo fakes nonchalance as he takes in his new colleague. But after initial introductions, it seems Geto doesn’t plan on acknowledging what happened between them at all!

Unfortunately, this means he occupies Gojo’s mind even more, the vampire inevitably revisiting the steamy night they had shared. 

Gojo then convinces himself that Geto is at risk of sharing their little escapade. It literally doesn’t even matter, Gojo is just very private about his personal life. Plus, who knows which ghouls and freaks would latch on to any gossip regarding the legendary heir of the Gojo family. 

So what does Gojo do?

He bothers Geto whenever he can, keeping an eye on who Geto interacts with and what topics he brings up. Can it technically be considered stalking? Sure, but Gojo must conduct a thorough investigation first to lift any suspicious intentions.

Definitely has nothing to do with meeting the daily quota of Suguru sightings…

(Geto, three weeks into the school year: “Why are you still following me around?”

Gojo, who had been tailing him during their lunch break: “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”)

*** The thing is, Gojo was so intent on threatening this guy - who was honestly maybe his best fuck ever - but he ends up finding out how nice Geto is.

Gojo hears about how the students talk about Geto-sensei; they rave over his thorough explanations and humor, as well as his approachable demeanor where you can talk to him about nearly anything. 

Geto doesn’t even blow up when Gojo keeps pestering him.

Once, they were passing by a bakery while arguing, and Geto came to a stop. He wiped a hand down his face, then asked, “Hey, I was going to get some pastries for the girls for after school. I’m assuming you’re joining me?”

Gojo, lying: “Sure, but I won’t get anything.”

Geto: “Why not? You literally ordered room service dessert after we-“ he cuts himself off, mockingly zipping his lips shut. “Never mind. I just think you’re a sweets kind of person.”

Gojo narrows his eyes. You got me there, he wants to say.

But just because he’s stubborn, Gojo just pats Geto’s shoulder and opens the door for them to enter.

Gojo does end up sneaking a few treats for himself. Geto smartly doesn’t say anything, but his lips slightly turn up into a smirk.

During teacher meetings, Gojo observes how Geto interacts with the other teachers and the administrators. Calmly stating his opinions and asking other colleagues who haven’t had the chance to speak up for their input. Geto backs Gojo up on many decisions too, a strong supporting voice in the face of the stickly higher ups. 

Why … is Geto so good at this?

On another occasion, Utahime was absent for the meeting, so Gojo just took her seat and sat beside Geto. The meeting proceeded like usual, though both were hyper aware of just how close together they sat.

Gojo never gave Utahime her seat back after that. 

This continues for a few weeks and quite frankly, Gojo admits he enjoys Geto’s company. The same can be said for Geto, seeing as he just rolls with Gojo’s same line of, “I’m here to make sure you don’t tell anyone about you-know-what.”

They fall into an easy dynamic of bickering back and forth, like when they fight over the last pack of wicked wafers from the vending machine.

Gojo yanks on Geto’s wrist so hard, Geto’s hand pops off. 

“You fucking fool! Give me my hand back!” Geto shouts, lunging for the vampire. Gojo just laughs maniacally and runs around the room from the angry monster.

By the end of the second month, they begin calling each other by their first names. 

Now, instead of voicing his suspicions of the new teacher to Shoko, Gojo only tells stories about Geto: how and why he gets his stitches, surprising Nanako and Mimiko for their birthday by cooking their favorite meal and dressing up to play haunted ball, interesting ideas Geto’s students brought up in class, etc.

Shoko just crosses her arms with raised eyebrows and a knowing look.

The final nail in the coffin for Gojo's dead heart happens like this: Gojo is in the middle of teaching quantum physics when he suddenly gets super nauseous.

If it were a typical stomach ache, he’d just endure it until the class ends, then assess. But even then, Gojo rarely gets stomach aches. 

And this kind of nausea can only explain one thing.

While the students complete their lab, Gojo glances at the half-finished straw-scary milkshake on his desk.

The barista had been a vampire as well, and probably recognized Gojo by his stark white hair and piercing blue eyes. A staple of the Gojo clan, world’s different from red or pink or violet eyes that vampires commonly have.

The straw-scary milkshake is a vegan drink with basic milkshake ingredients. 

But somehow, his drink had been made with blood.

And Satoru, part of the Gojo clan, the Gojo covenant, doesn’t drink blood.

His stomach cramps up even further.

Then, as if Geto had a seventh sense, he lets himself into Gojo’s classroom not even a minute later.

“Hey, I had leftover frankenbites in the lounge. I brought some in case you wanted them before I put them in the lounge,“ Geto says, approaching Gojo with a bag. Upon seeing Gojo’s pinched expression, Geto tilts his head inquisitively. “What’s wrong?”

“Whaddya mean? Nothing is wron-“ Gojo answers right as a sharp pain shoots from his stomach to his chest, causing the vampire to wince.

“Liar,” Geto says. He pulls Gojo by the wrist and out of the classroom.

Unable to protest, Gojo is sent home by an adamant Geto and Shoko. 

“I have two more classes,” Gojo tries to argue, but Geto just shakes his head.

“I already spoke with Yu-kun. We can cover one class each with our free periods,” he says.

“But-“

“Just go, Satoru. You have stuff at home that will help with your nausea,” Geto firmly insists. Gojo slightly wilts, bummed out that he has to leave all because his tummy acts up when digesting the very thing that vampires are known for consuming.

Geto’s eyes soften as he places a hand on Gojo’s shoulder. “Text me with updates, okay?”

If Gojo’s heart still beat, it would be racing right now. 

(Gojo: “Of course. Don’t worry, you won’t get rid of me that easily!”)

Gojo arrives home and rides out the pain - with the help of his special meds. 

He texts Geto updates like he asked for, and more. 

They talk non-stop all weekend, leading up to Gojo’s return to school the following Monday. They happen to catch each other in the teacher lounge an hour before classes start. 

Gojo takes three long strides to arrive where Geto stands in front of the coffee machine. Geto remains unfazed by Gojo’s closeness. In fact, a gentle smile graces his lips, one that crinkles his eyes.

“Welcome back, stalker,” Geto greets. Gojo leans down slightly, bright blue eyes sparkling with emotion.

“I changed my mind. I don’t care who knows,” he says brightly. “In fact, let’s tell everyone!”

Before Geto has time to be confused on what exactly Gojo means, the vampire kisses him. Geto lets out a small gasp, their lips molding together perfectly-

Geto shoves Gojo back by his shoulders. 

“You idiot, we can’t do that here!” Geto whisper-shouts. Gojo freezes, instantly regretting his actions. 

“Fuck, you’re right. I’m so sorry-“

Except Geto grabs hold of Gojo’s collar and yanks him back in for another kiss. Gojo hums happily, and their bodies enter a familiar, sensual tango.

A moment later, Utahime sure has the surprise of a lifetime when she walks into the teacher’s lounge.

[minimomoe]

Love Bites pt. 6

There's nothing you hate more than the hospital.

Baker Fem Reader x Toji Fushiguro (mafia au)

word ct: 15.1k, 11 Chapters

Chapters: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

Preview: Toji’s answer was another wave of tears from you. He hates to hear you cry so hard, and he hates that he’s so far away from you...

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

Chapter Six: Warm Water

“I spent Thanksgiving with somebody who wasn’t Rina this time around. I’m sure you guessed it, so yes, it was with Toji and his family,” you smile. “They have such different personalities but I can tell they really care for each other. I almost started crying in the middle of it.” 

You recount the last couple of weeks to Ezra while wiping him down with a warm towel. You know that the nurses do the same but you want to do something for him as well. You gently lay him back into the bed and dip the towel into the bowl of water beside you. “I guess you can say that we’re dating now. Well not that I guess, Toji said that. Actually, he asked to be together and I agreed. He wouldn’t force anything on me,” you explain to him. “Maybe it’s because I haven’t been in a relationship in so long but everything is so exciting. He still visits the shop when he can, but now I spend the weekends with him and his son.”

Your eyes widen as you realize what you admitted to your brother. “Before you get upset, Megumi’s a real sweet kid. And there’s no ex wife or girlfriend that I’m dealing with. I think the mom may have passed away, but I will wait for them to tell me when they’re ready. I think you’d like Megumi. He loves animals. I told him that you were a vet and he had so many questions that only you could answer,” you smile apologetically. “He has a little journal of different animals and their traits, then he gives those animals to different people in his life. Toji is a wolf. Yuji is a tiger. That’s Megumi’s best friend who he loves very much, even if he won’t admit it. Nobara is a fox. That’s his other best friend. Gojo’s a peacock, Nanami is a great white shark, Sukuna’s a bear, and Choso’s a jellyfish. You’ll know who I’m talking about when you wake up.” 

You push a thick curl out of Ezra’s face. “I should give you a haircut,” you mutter. You clutch your hand in a fist next to his head. “It’s not that I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. You know that I’m a hopeless romantic. I fell in love too many times to count,” you chuckle to yourself. You pull your hand back into your lap and sigh. “But with him I feel… I feel safe. I realize that before I was always waiting for the ball to drop, for another horrific incident to blindside me, but I haven’t felt that impending doom hanging over my head in a while.” You release a shuddering breath and blink up at the fluorescent lights to avoid crying. 

“I’m starting to clean up their house. I found mom’s cookbooks, if you can even call them that. You know she had that doctor handwriting that’s impossible to read. I also know that she never really measured anything, so all those recipes are her estimating,” you laugh softly. “I’m thinking about making those cardamon lumps she used to make for us during the holidays for Toji. I also have no idea what to get him for Christmas. Oh, speaking of getting things, I got you another book!” You dig in your bag to retrieve the new book. 

You give a small smile. “It’s called Before the Coffee Gets Cold. It’s a book about time traveling, surprisingly. I won’t spoil it too much, but I would love to travel back to talk to mom and dad again, even if it won’t change anything. They even have an old cafe that they always went to that could work like the book.”

 Before you could say another word a monitor above Ezra’s head started to beep rapidly. You look at it with concern, unsure of what the machine was reading. Within seconds the other monitors screech as well. You watch in horror while red flashes on all of the screens. Ezra’s expression hasn’t changed, but you rush out of the room, screaming for a nurse or anybody to come help. A few orderlies hear your distress, alerting nearby nurses that run to your location. They all swarm to Ezra’s side, checking his vitals and yelling codes at each other. You watch helplessly behind them. Another orderly tries to pull you away from the scene but you stood stock still.

“Ma’am, you need to leave the room now.”

“Will he be okay? What’s going on?”

“He’s getting the best treatment possible, but please, you can’t stay here.”

“What’s wrong with him? What are they saying?”

“Ma’am please,” the orderly gives you a pained look.

Tears swim in your eyes when you look back onto the bed. A swirl of green, blue and white mix together when the tears get heavy enough. You allow yourself to be pulled away from the room as ordered, leaving the nurses and now doctor to treat your brother. You are led to the waiting room by yourself. The orderly offers to get water but you wave her away. You pace back and forth in the small space, your mind running wild with all the worst possibilities. In haste you trip over your own feet, stumbling into a chair at the last second to avoid hurting yourself, but everything hurts. Your heart clenches, your stomach is churning, your breaths are shallow. With shaky hands you grab your phone, pressing the first contact on your call log. With two rings the line picks up, and you're greeted with Toji’s deep voice. 

“Hey baby, how are you?”

You can’t speak. The grief is too much, an invisible hand that constricts your throat so that only a choked sob falls from your lips. You want to explain what’s happening but fail again. Toji starts to panic on the other line, trying to get information out from you but the only thing he can hear is you weeping. 

“Send me your location. Can you hear me? Just let me know where you are, I’ll come to you.”

“I’m at the hospital,” you whisper. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Is it your brother? You won’t be alone.”

Toji’s answer was another wave of tears from you. He hates to hear you cry so hard, and he hates that he’s so far away from you. He looks at Nanami, who already saw his demeanor change and waves him away. 

“I got it from here,” the blond man says. Toji gives him an appreciative nod, leaving him with the bloody men they cornered. Nanami already paid him no mind, getting down to business without him. 

Toji looks down at the mess on the floor and realizes he has blood on his shoes. He couldn’t scare you any more with that. He doesn’t want to scare you at all. Your last words echo in his head before he hung up, about how you didn’t want to be alone. He leaves Nanami without saying another word. 

Back at the hospital you wait in the empty waiting room. Despite you declining it the first time, a styrofoam cup of water sits beside you brought by the orderly. You flick it every so often, watching the ripples bounce, cross, and settle on the sides. You’ve calmed down from your call to Toji. Now there’s a cold, mucky feeling sitting heavy on your chest. You empty the contents within the cup in one gulp, trying to wash it down, but the room temperature water felt like slime going down your throat. 

Chapters: I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI.

[writingwhimsey]

Married to the Enemy- Shingen Ch. 15

Chapter 15

Shingen sat in his room, leaning over his desk, unable to focus on the reports in front of him. It had been two weeks now…two weeks that his wife was now actively avoiding him. “What could have happened? What did I do?” He murmured to himself.

“You have got to focus on your work, Lord Shingen.” Yukimura spoke, his voice snapping Shingen from his thoughts.

“I’ve already finished most of it.” Shingen replied. “Besides…I really need to figure out what happened.”

“What you mean with Ava?” Yukimura asked. “Don’t women usually get all weird at least once a month?”

Shingen sighed. “I really failed with you didn’t I?”

“See, this is why I don’t want to get married any time soon. Women are just annoying and moody irrational wild boars.”

Shingen shook his head. “Yuki.”

“What? Look at you. You’re all distracted and gloomy because of her.” Yukimura remarked. “Why would I want that kind of headache?”

“Some things in life are worth a headache.” Shingen replied. “Like seeing her beautiful smile… I haven’t seen it in two weeks.”

Yukimura looked at his lord…really looked at him. He let out a sigh. He’d never seen Shingen get this way about a women before. Sure, Shingen had pursued many women in his past…most fell for his charms and they had their flings, but then it was over. When Shingen would run into those woman later, they’d be married to someone else with families and Shingen would always smile and wish them well.

“Ah, dammit.” Yukimura muttered. “Finish up your work. I’ll be right back.”

“Are you giving me orders now?” Shingen asked.

“If you don’t finish your work I’ll tell Lord Kenshin you finished off his favorite sake.”

“And here I thought you didn’t wish me dead, Yuki.” Shingen teased.

“I don’t.” Yukimura replied. “But I’ll do what I have to. I’ll be back in a bit.”

Yukimura left the room, Shingen staring after him curiously before returning to his paperwork and his pondering over Ava. Yukimura made his way through the halls and soon found Saki out hanging up some laundry to dry.

“You have to do something about your lady.” He greeted her.

“And a good day to you, too Yukimura.” Saki remarked.

“Oh, cut that crap. This is serious!”

“You think I don’t know that?” Saki replied. “I’ve been trying to get Ava to talk to Lord Shingen for two weeks now.”

“Well, try harder.” Yukimura said. “What could she possibly be so mad at Lord Shingen about anyways?”

“She’s not mad at him.” Saki replied. “It’s actually not his fault at all.”

“So…you know why she’s being like this?”

Saki nodded. “Yes.”

“Can you tell me why?”

Saki shook her head. “She swore me to secrecy. I can’t tell anyone…otherwise I would have already gone to Lord Shingen.”

Yukimura sighed. He knew what it was like to keep a secret for the one you served. “Well, we have to do something. I’ve never seen Lord Shingen look so miserable before.”

“Miserable you say?” Saki asked, lifting a brow.

“Yeah, he’s distracted from work. He just keeps trying to figure out what he did and how he can make it right.”

“So…you’re saying Lord Shingen is missing my lady?”

“Yes. He’s never gotten attached to a woman like this before.” Yukimura said. “I…he seems to really care about Ava.”

Saki chewed on her lower lip in thought. However before she could open her mouth to speak, they were all interrupted by the sound of Kenshin shouting. “Have you come to die?”

The pair looked at each other before rushing in. They found Kenshin standing in the hall, his sword drawn…and at the other end stood Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. “Remember Lord Kenshin, we are in an alliance with them now.” Sasuke said, doing his best to try to defuse the situation.

Nobunaga looked amused by the greeting. Hideyoshi was beside him ready to leap in front of his lord, his own sword drawn and ready.

“I didn’t think we were to be having our first meeting for another month.” Shingen said, joining the group.

“We are not here for the alliance.” Nobunaga said.

Saki’s eyes went wide. “Wait, you didn’t come because of my letter, did you Lord Nobunaga? Lord Hideyoshi?” She asked.

“Of course we did.” Hideyoshi answered. 

“Wait, you wrote to them?” Yukimura asked.

“I’ve tried just about everything else I could think of.” Saki replied. “I had just expected Lord Hideyoshi to write Ava a VERY long letter. I didn’t think he’d show up or that he would bring Lord Nobunaga with him.”

Kenshin sighed. “That woman is turning my castle upside down.” He muttered, finally putting away his sword.

“So…you are here because of Ava?” Shingen asked.

“Yes, we heard our fireball was giving you some trouble.” Nobunaga said, a haughty smile on his face.

Saki looked towards Shingen apologetically. “Please forgive me, Lord Shingen. I didn’t know they would come…though I should have.”

“Of course, we are here. If Hideyoshi had his way, we would have been here last week.” Nobunaga replied. 

“Wait, did you tell them what happened?” Yukimura asked.

Saki shook her head. “No. I only wrote to Lord Hideyoshi asking him to write to my lady and that I thought she could use her big brother right now.”

“Big brother?” Shingen asked.

“Yes, Ava is like a little sister to me.” Hideyoshi replied. “No matter what, I will always be there for her. And once I find out what you did…”

“Please tell me so I can correct my mistake.” Shingen replied.

Saki sighed. “It was nothing you did, Lord Shingen.” She said. “It’s not your fault at all…just let me take Lord Hideyoshi to see her. I think it will help her and then…I hope she will be ready to talk to you.”

“Of course.” Shingen replied. He was then looking over at Nobunaga. “That still doesn’t explain why you’re here, Devil.”

Nobunaga chuckled. “Why to see exactly what my fireball has done.” He answered. “And perhaps to sate both of our appetites for a battle.”

“Are you offering me your head? How kind.” Shingen replied. “Though I wouldn’t say that too loudly, it will bring Kenshin back.”

Nobunaga laughed. “Do you play Go?”

“Of course.” Shingen answered. “Then we should have a game while Hideyoshi goes to Ava.”

“It would be fun to defeat you in at least one way.” Shingen replied.

“I look forward to the challenge.”

“Okay, well you two do that and Lord Hideyoshi come with me.” Saki said. She then turned to Sasuke. “I’m counting on you to keep the peace.”

Sasuke nodded. “I will ground spike every one in place if I must.”

“Hey, what about me?” Yukimura asked.

“Please you’re as ready for a fight as the rest of them.” Saki replied. “Sasuke and my lady are the only true pacifists here.”

Saki was then leading Hideyoshi down the hall. “She’ll be heading to the garden for afternoon tea.” She said.

Hideyoshi nodded. “So, what’s going on? In her letters she was telling me that things were going really well.

“Do you remember when Lady Ava first arrived in Azuchi, there were some women in the castle staff and around the town who…had certain feelings towards her for being Lord Nobunaga’s favorite and all the rest of you doting on her?” Saki asked.

“Yes.” Hideyoshi replied.

“There’s…been a similar incident.” Saki replied. “And the things the women told her…they really upset her…and has her questioning things.”

“Like what?” Hideyoshi asked.

“I’ll let her tell you.” Saki replied. “And thank you for coming, Lord Hideyoshi.”

“You said Ava could use her big brother.” Hideyoshi replied, with a warm smile.

Shingen and Nobunaga…

Shingen sat across from Nobunaga, a goban between them. Nobunaga was playing black and Shingen white. “So, what is going on with Ava?” Nobunaga asked, placing his first stone on the board.

Shingen kept himself calm as he placed his white stone on the board. “That I wish I knew.” He answered.

“She is generally moody.” Nobunaga said. “And worries over some of the strangest things. I would pay no mind to it. She will likely get over it on her own.”

“Then why did you come?” Shingen asked. “Unless you were hoping she would want to come back to Azuchi?”

“The castle is much livelier with her there.” Nobunaga replied. “Her antics are amusing. Of course, that is why I am here now. To see what she has done in her time here.”

“Then why are you volunteering to have me beat you at Go instead of going to talk to her?”

“Because I wanted to see her effect on you.” Nobunaga replied. “She affected castle life in Azuchi quite drastically…and it seems she has caused a stir here as well. I am always fascinated by what she does.”

“I see.” Shingen replied, eyeing Nobunaga before placing another piece on the board. The flow of the game never stopped even as the pair continued to converse. “And what do you see here?”

“Well, I see that she has the Tiger of Kai as enraptured as she has everyone else she has come across.” Nobunaga replied. “Granted you have always looked at me with such hatred, but you did not have that same fire in your eyes when you saw me in the hall.”

“Don’t worry, I still hate you plenty,” Shingen replied.

Nobunaga chuckled. “I knew this visit would be amusing.”

Tag list: @limonzu @zulablaise @oda-princess @tele86 @kisara-16 @selenacosmic

[captain-lessship]

You Are Enough. Always.

Request: Can I request a cute Enid Sinclair × male reader? Where the reader meets her parents at the parents day in nevermore and then comforts her after her mom treated her like sh1t. THANKSSS

Enid was picking at where some of her nail polish got on her skin. She always got nervous about Parents Weekend and this one was even more stressful and important because of you.

You and Enid had been dating a few weeks shy of a year and Enid decided she was ready for her parents to meet  you. Truth be told, you had heard a lot about Enid’s father but you had heard very little about her mother. You didn’t really think much of it until you saw her picking at the polish.

You raised up from her small army of stuffed animals, “Hey,” you said, “You okay?” 

“Yeah!” She said, in a slightly less bubbly tone than normal. “Just tired.”

You smiled softly as you put your arm around her shoulder, “I am excited to meet them.”

She smiled, but her eyes had something else in them: Worry. 

————————————————————————

You watched from above as parents slowly came into the Quad, smiles and arms reaching for their children. That’s when you saw Enid, standing in front of a woman and man. You rushed down the stairs and slowly walked towards them. Just when you were in earshot, you heard it.

“Haven’t you been waxing?” 

“3 Seconds.”

You walked up beside her, making her lightly jump. “Oh! Oh. Mom this-“

“You are looking a touch anemic! Are you eating enough red meat?” The woman, who you had come to the conclusion that she was the mother Enid didn’t talk about.

“It’s nice to see you too Mom. And you too Dad.”

You looked at the greying ginger man, who smiled at his daughter.

Enid grabbed your arm, “Dad, Mom. This is my boyfriend.”

Not even seconds after Enid’s full introduction of you, her Mom turned to you. “You’re not a werewolf.”

“Oh, um. No, I’m not.” You said, smile still on your face. 

The woman didn’t even try to hide her look of slight disappointment and disapproval. You cringed lightly, there was one parent that didn’t like you. You looked to Enid’s father whose eyes showed other feelings, almost apologetic. Then to Enid, her cheeks glowed in embarrassment.

————————————————————————

You had gotten a whisked away by your parents shortly after. They absolutely adored Enid and her energy. You talked about her to them often and she had already been invited to family gatherings, much to your blushing embarrassment. 

Your parents had taken you shopping and you had purchased a small necklace for Enid. It had her initial and was rose gold. Perfect. You were about to knock on her door when you heard sniffling. When you opened the door, you felt your heart break a little. On the floor we’re her boots and pink puffer vest, a few of the stuffed animals were flung from their place in her bed and a slightly shaking lump was under the pink blanket that you two often curled up under. You walked to her bed and sat down.

“It’s just me.” You fiddled with the box in your hands, “Do you want to talk about it?” 

The blanket moved as she raised up, eyes puffy and eye makeup dripping down her face. Your face softened as you pulled your sleeve to your hand as to pat her face dry. 

“It-Her! She hates me.” She cried out. You slowly pulled her into a hug.

“Honey, she doesn’t hate you. What did she say to you to make you think that?”

“She wants to send me to a summer camp! And no! It’s not a normal one, it’s conversation camp for werewolves! I wouldn’t be upset if it was normal one!”

She presses her face to you chest, crying harder now. You gently stroked her hair. “It’s alright, let it all out.” 

After a few moments, her shaking and  crying eased again. 

“Enid.”

She looked up at you, eyes glassy and wet, more threatening to fall. 

“You are so… perfect as you are. Like a wildflower. You bloom and blossom for yourself. When you’re ready, you will wolf out. If you never do, you will be alright because if anyone doesn’t give you the time of day simply because you are lacking something in their eyes, then they are not good enough for you.” 

She hugged you tightly, “Thank you.”

“It’s just the truth, honey.” 

[dalliansss]

The next Fëanorian to be stunned to find out Finrod had arrived during the night in Amon Ereb was Amras. Amras had come from inspecting the vicinity of their lands with some of the patrols, checking to see if the ground had not softened too much and where, and see if any families both of Eldar and Edain needed aid with any possible damages wrought onto their properties and homesteads because of the downpour. Some families needed aid with new roofing materials, but so far the tallies were doing good – they suffered no casualties and the floods ebbed rather quickly. 

Breakfast was already underway when Amras returned – and there in the kitchen, his elder brothers were seated, Finrod among them, helping himself to his second big bowl of Turko’s chicken porridge.

“Ingoldo?” Amras blurted out, just to be sure his eyes didn’t deceive him. “Amras, good morning. I’m camping out here for some days, worry not, just enough to….stabilize myself,” Finrod says, looking up from his porridge and looking mournful. 

Which was terribly disconcerting. For as long as Amras and Amrod could remember, their older cousin Findaráto Ingoldo had been the epitome of bright cheer and joyous laughter. Maglor – well, Maglor was the melancholic one, Fingon the straight-laced one – but Finrod – Finrod was the one who broke into song whatever task he might do, and then danced besides, and the entire room would be partying with him even before they knew what exactly hit them. The Finrod sitting in his and Amrod’s kitchen looked terribly sad, and upset, and even his blond curls were looking rather limp and unkempt. Even his radiance dimmed a little – right now, he was the pale sunlight after a terrible storm, or a blizzard.

“Of…of course, Ingoldo,” said Amras. “Has anyone sent a letter to Nelyo already?” He looked around at his brothers as he sat in his customary place across from his twin brother.

“I have written to Himring,” said Curufin brusquely. “On the fastest messenger hawk we can spare. Before the week’s end Nelyo should be here.”

“So,” said Celegorm as he filled Finrod’s bowl for the third time. “Are you going to tell us what happened and who is involved? I can ready my bow and arrow and spears. My hounds haven’t run down screaming, intelligent prey in a while.”

“I can sharpen my knives,” Curufin added.

“I say bonfire,” said Amrod. “Massive bonfire, throw whoever it is in the flames.”

Their words at least managed to accomplish their common goal: coax a laugh from Finrod. The golden Elda looked at all his cousins, smiling gratefully. “There’s no need to murder for me. I just want to have Nelyo to talk to, and he’ll make me see sense as always, and then I’ll be alright. Thank you – for…for letting me stay.”

“Nonsense!” said Turko. “Of course you can go here anytime!” “Are you sure about that refusal of murder?” Curufin narrowed his eyes dubiously. “I’ll make kindling for the bonfire ready, we might need it,” said Amrod. “Of course you’re always welcome in Amon Ereb,” said Amras.

Huan padded over, and with a soft whine, rested his massive head on Finrod’s lap. The golden elf’s smile grew, and he gave Huan an appreciative pet and kissed the hound’s wet, twitching nose.

[Doom Gloom and Maeglin / AO3]

@skaelds

[pennylanefics]

The Cattle Driving Stranger - Cowboy!Danny Wagner

a/n: i wrote this amongst the AI images trend and tbh i kinda like cowboy danny 😌 also this idea comes from @maud-gone and she's also the one who told me i should post it so here we are :)

summary: a stranger accidentally stumbles onto your property and your father takes advantage of this. however, you can't help but fall for the tall, mysterious cowboy

warnings: mentions of guns (one character pointing one at another), mentions of blood/wound

word count: ~ 5.5k

Ever since your father injured his leg, he hasn’t been able to herd the cattle that you own very well. He started off by having a family member do it for free, but after a few times, they decided they wanted to be paid, and your father couldn’t do that right now.

You were working your own job at the local diner, so that was helping some income, but times were tough at the moment. Until a random stranger stumbled upon your property.

You were coming home from your day shift, when you see your father on the porch, with his gun drawn, pointing it at a man mounted on a horse. His hands were in the air, letting you know he wasn’t a threat to anyone.

“Who are you?!” Your father shouts. The man dismounts his horse, keeping his hands in the air.

“My name’s Danny. I’m lost and not sure where I’m going,” he says.

“This is private property, young man.”

“I wasn’t aware, but now that I am, I will leave as soon as I can. But I ask one thing, if I can clean the wound that I sustained while riding through the night.” He points to his bicep, where the linen cloth of his undershirt has been sliced open, revealing a nice gash that was bloodied.

Your father lowers his gun and takes a seat back in the rocker.

“Come on in. But now it’s my turn to ask you something.” Danny walks up the stairs cautiously as you stay put on the side of the house, out of view from him. “Ever herd cattle?”

Your eyes roll at your father’s desperation, until you hear Danny chuckle.

“Yes, actually. I was my family’s herder until they sold the farm and cattle. Ever since then, I’ve been roaming, trying to find a place to settle down, and haven’t found one yet.”

Because you were already exhausted from this morning, you decide to make yourself known to get into the house and settle down for the day. You walk around and come into view of your father and the stranger, and immediately, Danny is entranced by you.

He has never seen a woman so beautiful, so perfect, even after a long and tiring day of work.

“(Y/N), this is Danny. Caught him trespassing and it looks like he’s gonna be staying for a while.”

Both you and Danny look to your father in confusion.

“I can give you a place to stay if you’re willing to be my new herder. I’ve been unable to get around with his goddamn ankle, so if you wouldn’t mind helping out around here, you’re more than welcome to stay in the guest room.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate the sentiment very much.” With that, you walk inside, past Danny, leaving the two men to sit and converse on the porch until it was time for dinner.

You didn’t see much of Danny that night, he stayed in his room to eat dinner and kept to himself; though you expected this, really, what was he supposed to do? Suddenly open himself up to you guys, when your father had his gun pointed at him when they first met?

In the following weeks, Danny finally starts to feel a little more welcome. Your father was warming up to him a lot and they had been getting along really well. You liked the fact that your dad had someone else besides you to talk to, and you were very thankful for all the work Danny did to help him out.

However, you remained weary of Danny. You didn’t really know his true intentions, if he was going to just up and leave one day after he gets tired of staying in one place for too long. You feared he was just like the last few cattle drivers, leaving your father with no warning, and going back to square one.

But he reassured you that Danny was here to stay at least for a while. He boasted every second he could about how good of a herder he is, and how Danny loves it here.

So, on one of the days you have off, you stood on the porch and watched Danny in action. And sure enough, he rounded up all of your cattle with ease, doing it so effortlessly, like it was second nature to him. He concentrated hard with every move of his, and the cattle listened to him with no issues. You were very surprised at this, and soon, this became your norm.

You spent most of your mornings with your dad on the porch, watching Danny herd, and it never got boring. Every day was the same, but with each time, you could feel your attraction for Danny deepening. And you never realized, but he always took a moment to admire you from afar as well.

One morning, it was nice and cool out, compared to the recent heat. Danny was out there, as usual, gathering all of the cattle towards the small open gate. With every single cow through, he locked the gate and rode back to the stables to put his horse back. Finally, he emerges and makes his way towards the house, walking up the steps where you were holding a glass of water for him that your dad asked you to get him.

“Thank you,” he mumbles, taking the glass from you. He drops into the second rocker, taking his hat off and wiping the sweat away from his forehead, and your dad stands to pat his back.

“Nice work today, young man. Now I have to go into town to visit my doctor, and he’s going to be assessing me over the next couple days, so I won’t be home until Saturday. (Y/N), don’t scare Danny off. There’s some leftover soup for dinner. I’ll see y’all later.”

With that, your dad hops in his car and drives into town, leaving you and Danny alone for the night. Something that has yet to happen. It made you nervous, but Danny was a good guy, right?

Dinner was filled with an awkward silence. You had no clue how to converse with Danny, being alone, you weren’t sure what his likes and dislikes were, or if he even wanted to talk at all. So, you stayed quiet, reading the newspaper that your father left on the table.

Once the sun had set and the moon appeared, and a cooler temperature had replaced the desert heat, you step out onto the front porch to clear your head. Your mind was reeling with nerves and feeling like a terrible host for possibly making Danny feel uncomfortable.

“Is it always this peaceful out here?” A voice interrupts your moment. Turning, you find Danny, dressed in the night clothes that your dad had given him.

It was a simple old linen nightshirt, and he was also dressed in just his briefs. Something you tried not to focus on, but it was really hard to ignore. His thick thighs fully on show for you, how could you not look? Respectfully, of course.

“Yeah. It’s a great way clear your head after a long day.”

Danny cautiously leans against the railing next to you, staring out into the vast land that was your home. He takes in the sight of the cattle barn, where he would be next morning, letting all the cattle out to graze and get some space for the day.

“How long have you been a herder?” You ask him, keeping your eyes forward. Danny, however, looks over at you with a small smile on his face.

Ever since he was given the chance to stay, he had become so taken by you. He wanted to talk to you, but you always gave off the energy that you didn’t want to get to know him. He understood of course, a random stranger is suddenly staying with you after all you’ve known is just you and your dad, he wasn’t expecting you to trust him right away.

He also hated feeling like he was intruding on your lives, but your father reassured him that it was just because you were shy and closed off in general.

So right now, and especially after how dinner went, he was susprirsed to hear your question for him.

“Ever since I was young. My father was a farmer and he taught me from the age of five how to herd. Since then, I’ve learned to do it on my own and became the family’s driver.”

“You said they sold the farm and everything, why was that?” Danny shuffles his feet a little, his mouth falling open but nothing coming out, and right away, you knew you crossed a boundary. “I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have asked that.” Danny shakes his head, and offers you a small smile.

“No, don’t worry about it. It’s okay. It’s something I haven’t exactly had time to really process or talk about with anyone, and I’m not entirely sure how to even explain it.” You nod awkwardly, feeling your heart race due to the anxiety pumping through your body.

“Um, what happened to your arm?” You ask this time, wanting to steer away from the previous topic.

“I got scraped on some barbed wire while trying to get through someone else’s land. They chased me off, and I ended up here.”

“It’s all healed now, though, right?” Danny smiles and you finally look at him. You try hard to keep the gasp in that was threatening to escape.

He was incredibly beautiful, although this was something you knew, but actually taking his features in, you realized just how gorgeous he is. Especially in the moonlight. The curve of his nose standing out against the night sky, the light from the moon casting onto it, only adding to the beauty. His pink cheeks and structured jawline, and not to mention his curls that were always hidden under his hat and pulled back during the day.

You don’t notice how long you’re staring at him until he clears his throat awkwardly. You softly apologize and Danny just chuckles in response. You couldn’t fall for this man. You barely knew him, but he was so pretty.

“Um, would you maybe want to, uh, join me in herding the cattle tomorrow? I mean, taking a horse out there with me and watching from up close rather than ogling at me from the porch?” Your cheeks feel like they’re on fire at this point.

So he’s noticed. Great.

“Well, I would hate to get in your way, I don’t know much about herding and I don’t want to mess up how you work with them.”

“Sitting on a horse out of the way ain’t goin’ to mess with them, darlin’.” Your heart flutters at the nickname and now you are feeling very drawn to this man.

“Sure,” you agree after a couple more minutes of him explaining how it would even work.

“You don’t hav’t do anything, just sit there and look pretty. Maybe we can also go for a little ride after.”

“I’d love that, Danny.”

Just as planned, you got up bright and early, dressing in your favorite outfit, and headed downstairs to find Danny preparing breakfast for the two of you. He had made some eggs with toast, scrambled, just the way you like them.

After breakfast, he brings you out to the stables and takes his horse while you let out the horse that you always take out riding, Sunshine.

You follow him over to the cattle barn where he begins his work, letting out all of the cows and bulls that you and your father own. He does his job of letting them into the open area for the day, closing the fence with ease once they all get through.

He rides back over to you and you follow him away from the land, down a little trail that leads to an open field. Your eyes remain on the back of his form, the way his loose curls bounce with every gallop of his horse, and just the way he looks overall.

You continue riding until you come to a huge tree with a shaded area. Danny dismounts his horse, you doing the same. He ties both horses to another nearby tree and allows them to graze and rest while he sits down against the trunk of the larger tree , motioning for you to join him.

“Did I do a pretty good job?” He wonders, referring to his herding. You giggle and nod, looking out at the open space in front of you.

“I’d say you did. I can see why my dad has kept you on for as long as he has, and with no pay.” Danny hums in response, knowing that it would come up sooner or later.

“Right now, I’m just happy to have a roof over my head. And I’m happy to help out your father when he’s unable to do the work himself.”

“He’s very thankful for that, and honestly so am I.” 

Danny’s eyes fall onto your face as he waits for you to continue.

“We’ve been struggling quite a bit, with my job at the diner being the main source of income and from the few cattle we sell and trade for. But it’s been hard finding people to buy your livestock when they haven’t had a chance to properly graze or roam around in an open space. So the fact that you’re helping out, I’m sure he’ll give you a cut of the money.”

“I don’t care about the money. I never have. The way he explained how difficult it’s been, I’m just glad to help out any way I can, and again, for him to give me shelter, I don’t need anything else in return.”

Silence falls between you, but not like the silence from dinner the previous night. This feels comfortable, like neither of you have to say anything to fill the void. It was nice.

“My family lost our home,” he quietly says. Your head whips to him in confusion, he’s really going to tell you this now? After last night and how awkward it was?

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” He nods and looks down at his hands, fiddling with them awkwardly.

“My father left us when I was ten, and my mom struggled raising three kids on her own. But she never said anything. So just a couple months ago, she sat us down and told us she sold everything because she wasn’t able to pay for the house, the farm, the cattle, and feed all of us. I got angry, took my favorite horse before she was able to sell them, and left. I’ve been roaming around ever since, managing with the money that I had of mine from my job back in my town, and somehow made it this far.” You could tell he was feeling very vulnerable at the moment, and you really didn’t know how to respond.

“That must’ve been super hard to hear,” you murmur. Looking over, you see Danny’s hands shaking slightly, so you reach over and grab them in yours, to let him know everything would be okay.

He smiles affectionately at you and you do the same. His beautiful brown eyes shine in the sunlight, though shielded by the brim of his worn-down hat. A scarf adorned his neck, amongst three silver necklaces, resting perfectly against his exposed tanned chest.

He was definitely a sight to look at, and you could spend hours telling him how beautiful he is.

“It definitely wasn’t easy, but I’m finally starting to move past it, thanks to you and your father for takin’ me in.”

“So, you plan on staying for a while longer?” Danny chuckles lightly and knocks his knee into yours.

“Yes ma’am. Why? Don’t wanna see me go so soon?” His tone is lighthearted and you can tell that he’s joking, but your expression soon shuts his laughter down.

“We’ve had a few cattle drivers in the recent weeks before you showed up, that helped him, but when they realized there was no pay and not much else, they left. Didn’t even let my dad know. I really don’t want him going through that yet again, it’s why I haven’t been so…open to getting to know you because I was expecting you to just up and leave at some point.”

Danny’s hand falls to your thigh, softly rubbing the cloth of your pants.

“I’m not leaving, I promise. I have more than one reason to stay.” Smiling softly, you gaze into his eyes, and for a moment, they flicker down to his plump lips. Your mind doesn’t even register your actions and before you know it, you are kissing Danny as softly as ever, but just enough to let him know that if this isn’t okay, he can stop it at any moment.

But his reaction is something you were not hoping for. When you pull away, your eyes flutter open, and you were expecting Danny to reciprocate it. However, he instead rises to stand and mounts his horse, riding away as quickly as he can.

You sit there, dumbfounded, feeling so incredibly stupid for what you’ve done. You were now convinced you fucked everything up, specifically your father’s chance at having a herder. And you had no one else to blame but yourself.

You read into the signals Danny was merely sending you, you played too much into your little crush on him, and now he was probably gone for good because you once again, overstepped a boundary that you knew you most likely shouldn’t have crossed.

When you finally make it back home, you guide Sunshine into the stables and remove the saddle and everything, allowing her to relax. Though you notice Danny’s horse was not there, meaning he was still gone.

The rest of your day is spent alone, you make your own lunch, though leaving some left overs for Danny, whenever he returns, if he does. 

Dinner was the same. A silent house, the only sound being the wind, making the wooden boards creak. Before you know it, the sun has set, and Danny has yet to return, or at least make his way into the house, as far as you know. Which also means the cattle are stuck out there for the night.

Retiring to your room for the night, you take out the book you have been reading and curl up under your covers. Though it’s not long before you hear the front door open and close. You knew it was Danny, but you didn’t really want to face him at the moment.

Unfortunately, he decided it was time to face what happened, because a few minutes later, there’s a knock on your door. Your heart beats out of your chest as you carefully bookmark and close your book, and stand to answer the door.

“Listen, Danny, I am so sorry for what happened earlier, please don’t let that get in the way of-” you are cut off by Danny’s soft lips crashing into yours. He practically knocks the wind out of you, making you gasp as he takes a hold of your face to keep you close.

You reciprocate the kiss with just as much fervor, holding onto his forearms to steady yourself.

“Mhm, Danny?” You mumble against his lips, breaking the kiss for a moment.

“Shh, I’m so sorry for how I reacted,” he coos, his voice low and sorrowful. “I was…I was terrified.”

“Why?” He sighs softly and takes a seat on your bed. You close your door and then sit as close as you can next to him, your legs pressed against one another’s.

“I was scared that…kissing you back could potentially ruin all of this.

“I’m sorry for kissing you,” you immediately reply. Danny can’t help the laugh that escapes him.

“Why are you sorry? I wanted to kiss you too, darlin’, but…I was scared about your father finding out.”

“He’s not gonna shoot ya for kissing me, you know.” Danny shakes his head and grabs your hand.

“That’s not it. I was worried about him kicking me out, firing me, or you know, not allowing me to be a driver for him anymore.”

“He’s desperate for help, he’s not gonna kick you out anytime soon, let alone for kissin’ me,” you let him know. “And besides, I’m sure he would love you taking me out, or just bein’ with me. He talks so highly of you and tells me what a wonderful man you are, I don’t think he’d mind, knowing his daughter is in good hands.”

Danny looks over at you with a fond smile on his lips. His eyes quickly avert to your lips, and he leans in ever so slowly.

You take this as a sign that he wants to kiss you again, so you lean in as well, meeting him halfway. Though this time, the kiss is filled with much more hunger, more lust than the previous.

Turning your bodies so you can face each other better, Danny grabs your neck to keep you close to him, his fingers gently massaging the muscles in the area.

You softly moan into his mouth before he stands and breaks the kiss.

“I don’t…I don’t wanna do this tonight,” he mumbles awkwardly. Embarrassment fills your body and you shrink back onto your bed, your face on fire at this point.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, but I wasn’t wanting that tonight either,” you try and reconcile, not wanting to ruin this moment. “It’s…it’s just that I’ve thought about kissing you ever since we first met, and I guess I got a little carried away.”

Danny chuckles lightly and sits back down next to you, taking a hold of your hand.

“I’ve thought about it too, sweetheart. You are the most gorgeous girl I have ever seen,” he quietly flirts, a certain gleam in his eyes.

“Would you…um, would you want to stay with me tonight?” You ask him, though you avoid eye contact with him, your eyes instead trained on your entwined hands. However, his free hand lifts up to your face and tilts your chin up so he could see you.

“I would love that. Let me shower first because I just got home, and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Don’t fall asleep on me.” He winks at you and kisses your cheek, then stands to walk out of your room.

You take this time to finish reading the chapter you were on, and before you know it, Danny returns to your room, dressed in a pair of long pajama pants and no shirt. A small grin pulls at your lips, and you try to hide it from Danny, but it’s no use. 

“Like what you see, huh?” He teases, eliciting a giggle from you.

His hair was still slightly wet, not to the point where it was dripping, but you could see his curls already forming and framing his face. He lays beside you after you set your book down, though you keep your bedside light on for the time being.

“Have I told you how pretty I think your nose is?” You tell him, reaching up to drag your finger down the bridge of his nose. He chuckles and watches you focus on his features.

“You haven’t, but thank you, darlin’. And your little nose is just as cute.” He taps your nose gently, making you scrunch it up in response.

You snuggle up into his side and his hand falls onto your back. Gently and almost like he was asking for permission, his hand slides under your nightshirt to feel your skin. When you don’t push him away or question it, he figures that he is okay to continue, so his touch gets a little more heavy, but in a relaxing way.

His touch was enough to put you to sleep, and the way his calloused fingers felt so rough yet so tender against you, it was a feeling you would never grow tired of. 

“So, what do we tell your dad if he finds out?” Danny wonders after a few minutes of comfortable silence. You hum and shake your head, eyes fluttering shut as you start to lose consciousness. Your hand mindlessly traces along his bare chest, taking in the soft, warm skin beneath your fingertips, drawing shapes and patterns onto the area.

Gazing up, you find him staring down at you, adoration filling his eyes. He grabs your hand and brings it up to his lips, pressing light kisses to your fingertips and knuckles.

“Let’s cross that bridge when it comes,” you say. He nods and snuggles you closer to him, laying down with you and pulling you into his arms as you finally drift off to sleep.

The next morning, you wake up, your face pressed against Danny’s chest, and his arms tightly around you. Smiling to yourself, you could tell Danny was still asleep by the way his shallow and even breaths fanned out against your hair.

You didn’t want to move from your position, but seeing the clock on the wall, you knew it was time for him to get up and herd the cattle out. So, you kiss his neck, hoping to wake him up. Sure enough, it works and he groans, stirring at the feeling.

“Well that’s a way to wake up,” he jokes. You laugh and sit up, looking down at his sleepy figure.

“You should get up and go do what you’re here for.”

“Waking up to and kissing the pretty daughter of the farmer I work for?” He jokes, leaning down to quickly peck your lips. Smacking his chest, he laughs and sits up, falling away from his body, which you miss instantly. 

“Come out with me again?” He asks, caressing your cheek with his hand. You fall into his touch, shutting your eyes for a moment to relish in the feel of his hand before nodding in agreement.

After making breakfast together, you sit and enjoy some coffee before heading out to the stables to do the same as yesterday.

You follow him out on horseback, keeping your distance as he lets the cattle into the open field. He finishes and heads back inside to rest for a little while you start on lunch.

“Wanna head out to the spot we went to the other day?” Danny wonders, coming up behind you with his hands on your hips. Chuckling, you nod and quickly made the lunch to go, so you could enjoy it out there.

Danny has different a different idea to get out there. Instead of taking your own horse, he has you ride with him, in front of him of course, so he could hold you against his chest. The entire ride down the trail is spent with him singing some tune in your ear and running his thumbs along your forearms.

Reaching the tree, he hops off then helps you down. And for the rest of the afternoon, after you enjoy your lunch, you lay adjacent to him with your head in his lap, his hands playing with your hair as you talk about your lives, getting to know one another for the first time.

Kisses are shared as well as stories that you’ve never told anyone else. You have no clue why you feel so comfortable around Danny now, but his presence makes you feel safe. He tells you all about growing up on a farm, and you are able to bond over similar events you have dealt with.

You head back a little bit before dinner, which Danny offers to make after he herds the cattle into the barn for the night.

“Come with me,” Danny stands after finishing dinner, holding his hand out for you to take. Cautiously, you place your hand in his and he brings you out of the house, pausing and telling you to stay on the porch. 

He quickly runs to the stables and retrieves his horse, riding over to you once he has her. Like earlier, he helps you up onto the saddle and gets on himself after. He kicks his heels and the horse takes off through the gates where the cattle grazes and up to the top of the hill.

It’s a place you’ve spent many days, the view absolutely incredible, the wide open space of the west, rolling plains and deserts for miles upon miles. However tonight, the sunset was unbelievable.

The clouds made the sky very dimensional, and the colors were indescribable. Oranges mixed with pinks and reds, and part of the sky that was already turning blue was thrown in as well, some of it appearing purple. 

“Wow,” you breathe out. You’ve seen sunsets on this hill many times, but this one was out of this world. Danny glances over at you and smiles, admiring the way the light bathes you in such a way.

“I’ve never seen anything more beautiful,” he says. You nod, still staring at the scene in front of you.

“It’s heavenly,” you reply. Danny doesn’t say anything else, catching your attention. You quickly avert your gaze to him and that’s when you realize that he is staring at you.

“It is,” he whispers. Your cheeks heat up as Danny’s hands grab your hips and he faces you fully. You reach up and tilt his hat away from his face so that the dimming sunlight catches his features as well. A smile stretches across your lips when you take in his astonishing brown eyes.

“Were-were you talking about the sunset?” You ask. Danny chuckles and leans down, his nose rubbing your cheek in such a tender way, it makes your heart flutter. He trails a line to your ear, where he presses a light kiss to the shell of it, before whispering into it.

“It is a sight, but I wasn’t talking about that,” he whispers, making his way back to your face. His eyes remain closed and he moves to kiss you, as sweetly as ever.

Your hands tangle in his curls that weren’t covered by his hat, a soft moan bubbling in your throat. Kissing Danny was addicting, and you hoped that he would stay with you for at least the near future; you couldn’t get enough of him.

Neither of you were expecting your father to be back around this time, but he arrived onto the property and got out of the towncar carefully. He takes a quick glance at the sunset, but something catches his eye. He sees the silhouettes of the two of you, kissing, completely caught up in your own world.

He tries not to watch, out of respect for your privacy, but a sense of pride and love washes over him. Danny proved himself to be a good man, and you had struggled to find that all your life. He can’t help the grin that tugs at his lips, knowing that you’re in good hands.

Once the sun has set, you and Danny spend just a little bit longer on the hill together before deciding to ride back, when it finally started to get chilly.

As soon as you step foot in the house, you see your dad sitting at the kitchen table, sipping on a glass of iced tea, waiting for your return. His presence makes you and Danny freeze. Danny awkwardly removes his hat, almost as if he feels like he doesn’t deserve to wear it anymore.

“Where’ve you two been?” He asks, crossing his arms. Though his expression holds a knowing look. Gulping, your eyes drop down to the floor. “Enjoying the sunset?”

“Dad, it’s-”

“Sir, it was me. She ain’t in the wrong, I fell for her and I know I shouldn’t ‘ave, but-”

“Young man, I was gonna say I give y’all my blessing,” your father cuts him off. Your head shoots up, your eyes wide in shock.

“What?” Your dad finally breaks his hard exterior and smiles widely. He gets up and makes his way over to the two of you.

“Danny, you’re a good kid. I hav’nt seen a man like you for quite some time. I know you’re good for my daughter. I was wonderin’ when it would happen anyways!” He teases, hugging you tightly before moving to shake Danny’s hand.

Danny was still so taken aback that he really didn’t register what happened until your dad was out of the room and walking towards the back porch, where he has been going to clear his mind most nights recently.

“Hey, you okay?” You pat Danny’s chest. He lets out the breath that he had been holding, which turns into laughter.

“I guess that bridge was easy to cross,” he says. You laugh with him and step closer to him, curling into his side.

“See, I told you you had nothing to worry about.”

Danny’s arms wrap around your body as his head nods against yours.

“You’re always right, aren’t you?” He smirks, leaning down to kiss you. You happily hum against his lips, eyes fluttering closed as you melt into his touch.

“Mhm. I am. And I think I’m going to be right about you staying with me again tonight?” Danny raises his eyebrow and tightens his grip on your waist, his fingers digging into your hips.

“Oh you are. But it ain’t gonna be innocent.”

–

taglist: @maud-gone @doodle417 @digitalcalamity @rocknrolls-child @fan-girl-97 @writingcold @thecoldwind @allieisacrybaby @jordierama @saremar1 @streamingcolors-gvf @gretavanbitches @stardustchxrds @imwaytootires

if you'd like to be tagged in my greta works, please fill this form out!

[introspectivememories]

“Bear, you’re hands are shaking.” Tim says abruptly.

“Hmm?” Bernard hums noncommittally, “Must be from the cold.”

“Bear,” Tim says with a little more force, “your hands are shaking.”

The entire family has stopped to watch them now.

Bernard smiles, tense around the edges, “I know. It must be from the cold.”

Tim turns towards his family, “Can you guys wait outside for a little? I need to talk to my husband over here.”

The family exchanges slow glances with each other and surprisingly it’s Jason who agrees first.

“Well, c’mon.” Jason says, when he sees that the rest of them haven’t moved, “They’re having a domestic squabble and they asked us to leave. Get moving.”

Quietly, the family exits out the hospital room, Bruce shutting the door behind him. The minute they’re all in the hallway, the family breaks out into hushed whispers.

“What do you think they’re arguing about?” says Steph.

“Dunno, seemed important.” Duke responds.

“Yeah, no shit.” Jason says smirking, “That’s why I bugged their room.”

“Jason,” Bruce admonishes but there’s no real rebuke behind it.

Jason pulls out his mini Bat-Tablet and starts fiddling with the frequencies. After a few short minutes, the static fades into recognizable words.

“...Bear tell me the truth.” Tim says, “Did you-” 

“Lets not do this today, okay baby? You’re tired.” Bernard says.

“Ooooh, already starting off wrong.” Dick mutters.

“Don’t ‘baby’ me Bear. Tell me the truth. Did you-”

“Stop.” Bernard says, “You’re whole family is listening in.”

Jason nearly drops the Bat-Tablet, “What the fuck? How’d he know?”

“Do you really want this to be the way they find out?”

“About what?” Bruce mutters, fists clenching beside him.

“I don’t care! Tell me the truth!” Tim shouts, “Did you kill him?”

Silence falls over the hallway, the family trying process what they heard.

“What the fuck does that mean?” Steph asks.

“Duke, do you know anything about this?” Bruce asks, “You’re the only one who knew about Bernard before this whole incident. Any of this ringing a bell?”

Duke shrugs, “Not a clue, Uncle B. All I knew was that they were married, nothing else.”

“Tim, baby, don’t do this.” Bernard pleads, “Ask me anything else.”

"Answer my question, did. you. kill. him?"

Bernard is quiet for long enough that they think the connection fizzled out.

"He wasn't a good person." Bernard says quietly.

"Was he a bad person?" Tim counters.

"...No." Bernard admits.

"So just average then. Not good and not bad."

"He didn't have anyone waiting for him."

"Weird justification, still murder." Duke murmurs.

"Did you kill him, Bear?" Tim asks tiredly. "Answer me or I will call Nikhil."

"Tim, baby, you're the smartest person I know. You already have an answer to your question."

"He wants to hear it from you," Cass whispers.

"I want to hear it from you." Tim says, unknowingly mimicking Cass.

Bernard says nothing and Tim sighs, "Alright then. Call Nikhil here."

There's rustling on the other side, presumably Bernard pulling out his phone. Someone says something but it's too faint to properly understand.

"He'll be here in a few." Bernard says and the feed lapses back into silence.

The family looks at each other.

"Okay Tim talks about Bernard killing like it's something he regularly does. Is Bernard some kind of hitman? Mercenary? Assassin?" Dick asks.

"No," Damian says, startling everyone, "He does not act like one."

("When did you wake up?" Jason asks.

"When you started playing the feed," Damian says.)

"Okay but nevermind what Bernard is, who did he kill?" Duke asks.

"It sounds like a regular person," Steph says, "But I don't think Bernard would kill a regular person. He doesn't seem like it."

"You don't know him." Bruce says, "We met him 3 weeks ago."

Their theorizing is interrupted by an Indian man walking towards them.

"How did you get here?" Bruce growls out, "This is a private floor."

"Hello, Sir. My name is Nikhil. I was sent for."

Bruce looks like he's going to keep interrogating the man so Dick pushes him aside and says, "Of course! They're in the first room on the right."

Nikhil bows his head briefly, "Thank you." And walks into the room.

Jason turns up the volume on the Bat-Tablet.

"Nikhil," Tim says tiredly, "It's so good to see you again. Sorry about cancelling dinner last month."

Dinner? Last month? Duke mouths.

"Young Master Bernard, Young Master Tim." Nikhil says.

Even Bruce looks confused now. Young Master?

"It's not a problem," Nikhil continues, "You weren't feeling well. We'll just have to have two dinners this month to make up for it."

“Of course, of course!” Tim says, “Can you answer a question for me Nikhil?”

“Of course.”

“Did Bernard kill Matthew Nicholls?”

Bruce sighs, the tension leaving his shoulders, “The man who shot Tim in the throat.”

“Oh my god,” Steph whispers.

Nikhil doesn’t respond right away.

“Go ahead, Nikhil. Tell him.”

Nikhil clears his throat, “Yes.”

Tim sucks in a breath.

“Three days ago, Young Master Bernard, Luka, and me, killed him.” Nikhil speaks as if he’s reading the weather forecast, “Luka and I, were on lookout. Young Master Bernard shot him.”

(Jason pointedly tries not to think about the fact that, Tim’s husband will kill someone for shooting Tim in throat but Bruce won’t even think about harsher sentences for the fucking Joker.

Whatever he’s not mad.)

“God fucking damnit, Bear. What the hell were you thinking?” Tim breathes out.

“And you, Nikhil, how could you let him do this?”

“NIkhil, didn’t make me do anything Tim. I chose it. I did it. I put the bullet in his head.”

“Bear, you’re a doctor! You can’t just fuckin’ kill people!”

“Young Master Tim,” Nikhil states sharply, “He was the head of the mob long before he was doctor. And even if that wasn’t the case, the Aquista mob does not take lightly to their members being targeted.”

“The Aquista mob?” Steph says, “But I thought that they died out during the gang wars...”

“Shows how much you know.” snorts Jason, “They’re one of the only few mobs that don’t work directly under me. But there’s no way Bernard’s the head. I met with them, once, when I was still on my, y’know.”

“Your murder spree, you mean?” Dick asks dryly.

“Yeah that. Anyway, when I met with them, they took me to their head. He was definitely not blonde, or young. It was some middle-aged man.”

“Must have been a decoy.” Bruce says, “Do they cause any trouble?” 

“Not at all. They stick to themselves.”

“If you fools could be quiet, I’d be able to hear what Drake and Dowd are saying.”

They all tune back in.

“You said you understood.” Bernard says quietly, “When we got married, you said you understood. That it wasn’t gonna come between us.”

“And it isn’t!” Tim responds frustratedly, “But you can’t just go around killing people who hurt me.”

“And I don’t.” Bernard says, “Because if I did, half of the Gotham’s villains would be dead. But you don’t like it when I kill so I don’t do it.”

“Because I do everything you ask. You told me you didn’t want me becoming an EMT in Gotham, so I stayed in the military. You told me not to kill, so I do it as sparsely as I can. You gave yourself to me and asked me to put you back together, and so I did. As carefully as I could I put you back together.”

“You can’t blame me for killing Matthew Nicholls. You can’t.”

“Bear,” Tim starts.

“Do you know what the doctors told me when I finally arrived?” Bernard interrupts, “They said your heart stopped twice. That is was a miracle the bullet hit nothing vital. They said you had lost too much blood, that they were worried you weren’t gonna make it.”

“Was that you plan Tim? To make me a widower? To leave me behind?” 

Bernard continues, voice thick with emotion, “There is no me without you. It’s too late for that. If I had came back and you were dead, I would’ve returned to Ebria that day and thrown myself on a live grenade.”

“Before anything else, Tim, I am your husband. Remember that. Before being the head of the mob, before being a Marine, before anything else, I am your husband. Remember that.”

“Bear,” Tim chokes out.

“God, fuck. I can’t do this right now.” 

“Bear, wait!”

They hear the sound of the door closing and they all rush to look inconspicuous. Bernard walks past them without a second glance, wiping at his eyes.

[brokenjere]

seveteen going under (j.f) (ch. 19)

seventeen going under (j.f)

an: let me know if you want to be added to the tag list for the last few chapters :( my inbox is always open so if you wanna cry about it being almost done with me i'd appreciate it bc i am truly sad! i have at least one or two more chapters in me but maybe i can be persuaded to keep their story alive but I'll need ideas so feel free to chat with me :) let me know how you guys liked it!

synopsis: when jeremiah disappears, yn is left all alone on the dance floor but when he returns, he doesn't find her dancing solo

catch up here

Jeremiah was gone a long time. After the escort dance, they played slow and boring ballroom music and let people mingle. I could see their fake smiles hidden behind their fake lips plastered in expensive lipstick. Susannah flew around the room talking to her country club friends. The women that volunteered instead of work. The women that think their kids are the best kids and no one else compared. They stroked their daughters backs as Susannah gushed about how beautiful they looked and then she moved on to the next family. The boys sat by the stage in a huddle, none of them except Steven and Conrad really having family here it seemed.  

Shayla sat with Steven, her arm draped over his leg in a lazy intimacy that made my stomach twist into knots. Conrad stared at me from where he sat and leaned back against the steps. I stayed in my chair, fiddling with the elbow length gloves I was forced to wear. My mom was talking with her hands about something I’ve already long forgotten about and my dad just loved to listen to her. Belly, Cam, Shayla, Nicole, Conrad, and even Freaking Gigi were all laughing and having a good time while I sat here and waited for my date to return to me. My date. My boyfriend. My best friend. My Jeremiah. Whatever he was, he had disappeared and left me sitting here alone. 

I could join them, I thought. I could go over there and no one would think twice about it but I secretly liked the game that Conrad and I were playing from across the room. He watched me intently until I looked back at him and then we watched each other. He shifted on his butt, his hair falling into his face so he had to push it back, exposing his forehead. He adjusted his jacket and tie like he was clearing his throat and I trailed the chain of my necklace with my gloved finger. It was a necklace Jeremiah got me for my sixteenth birthday. He gave it to me a few weeks early because he was too excited to wait. It had a moon charm dangling from the chain. The card read: “I will always love you to the moon and back.” I haven’t taken it off since. 

He shuffled his feet, his toe of his left foot hitting the heel of his right. I tucked a loose piece of hair behind my ear and used my tongue to pick out a piece of rubbery chicken from dinner and then washed it down with the glass of white wine in front of my mom. She swatted my hand and I pretended not to notice. Then, the lights went dark and every scurried off to their respective tables. Jeremiah was still not here. 

“The waltz is about to start,” Belly said when she reached me, dipping her head close to mine so she could whisper it in my ear. “Where’s Jere?” I shrugged my shoulders and stood up. I was well aware of all the girls finding their reliable, safe, and handsome men while I stood like a deer in headlights searching for mine that would not be found. I should have followed him, I thought. Why didn’t I do that? 

Shayla shot me a concerned glance from her and Steven’s spot on the dance floor and I shook my head. I started to circle the room, asking anyone and everyone if they had seen him. I knew no one had. No one left besides him. He could be anywhere at this point, maybe not even in the country club. How could he do this to me? 

When I reached the table again, my mom met me on the dance floor. “Where is he? Why’d he take off like that earlier?” I started to shake my head almost uncontrollably. If i wanted to, I could burst open like a dam and flood the entire room with tears but I couldn’t let that happen so I sucked them back up. I was breathing so heavy I thought all the air in the room would go inside my lungs. She put her hands on my shoulders. “I’ll go find him, okay?” I nodded but it was too late. I told her that. She said, “no, it’s not. Just wait, okay? I’ll go find him.” I nodded again but still didn’t believe her. She disappeared out of the same door he did not that long ago and then I was alone on the dance floor while everyone had their person. Where the hell was mine? 

When the music started and the slow drum of the song we listened to in practice reverberated through my bones. I felt his hands on me again like a phantom pain in my limbs and I heard his laughter as he spun me around and I felt sick and alone. I don’t know whether I was spinning or if it was the room but when my eyes focused, Conrad was standing and he was walking toward me with his hand outstretched. “I know all the moves, remember?” 

I hesitated and swallowed all the things I thought I knew and I took his hand. I thought I was destined for Jeremiah Fisher. But destiny, happenstance, is only romantic when you choose that route, too. When you knowingly and willingly fall into place just as the universe intended you to do. So I took his hand and let him lead me in the waltz. His hands were firmer than Jeremiah’s. He held me with purpose and ease. We did not fumble over each other’s feet and we did not laugh. We stared at each other with such intensity, everything around us faded away. 

He twirled me and I felt as if my eyes never left his. His feet moved like he does this dance in his sleep and it was easy to follow him. My feet chased him like squirrels in the park. His steady and even breathing called out to my rapid breaths and told them to slow down. He was here. It was okay. Everything was going to work out. How did he do that? Steady me without saying a word? He twirled me again and I caught a glimpse of sandy blonde curls. Sad eyes and sagging shoulders. My hands landed on those of his brother. 

“Good?” He asked me and I nodded. 1, 2, 3, 4. 1, 2, 3, 4. Conrad kneeled down on one knee and held his arm up over his head. I held it loosely and circled his body like I was instructed to do in class. The boys were told not to watch. Face forward. Do not look at the girl. Conrad was stone-faced and I swear, he saw Jeremiah, too. Watching us. His face was cold and hurtful. But he left me. He made this happen. Conrad’s touch felt too hot for me at that moment and I craved for the blonde boy across the room the way you crave chocolate after a hardy meal. 

We kept moving the way we knew how. The only thing to do was to keep going. Keep going and going until the music stopped and everyone clapped and it was just him and I, heavy breathing and clammy hands. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I’m glad it was me.” 

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t reply. I just stepped out of his embrace a little too early and wiped his sweat off onto my white dress and cleared the room to Jeremiah. I ignored everyone staring at me. “Where were you?“ I hissed at him, dismissing the fact I was just waltzing with his brother. His hands were in his pockets and he was leaning against the back wall. I don’t know if anyone else saw him come in. He wasn’t even looking at me. His eyes were somewhere over my shoulder. 

“I had something to do.” His voice was cold. Colder than I had ever heard it before and I shivered despite being hot. “You looked good out there.” His eyes darted down to me. 

“Don’t flatter me”

“I’m not. I’m just stating a fact. You two are a good couple.” The word couple spat out of his mouth like a hidden piece of broccoli on his dinner plate he didn’t anticipate eating. It hit me in the face with a thud. 

“What?” I stuttered on my words. He didn’t know. How could he know? 

“Where were you?” Conrad. His voice came from behind me. Jeremiah looked up almost startled to see him but he straightened his shoulders like he was ready to fight. A soldier going off to war. 

“I took Mom’s phone. She had some pretty interesting emails,” Jeremiah said. I felt a wall of tension forming, brick by brick. Interesting emails. Couple. He couldn’t know. He couldn’t. 

“Jere, not now,” Conrad said in a low voice. The whole ballroom was alive with motion now so I doubted anyone was paying attention to the skeptical that was happening in the back corner. 

“Why not? You seemed to want to have it in with Yn earlier. So why not have it in with me?” He pushed himself off the wall, stepping closer to his brother. I stepped out of the way and I was no longer a person of interest. He had heard and he hadn’t said anything. He heard before he left. He kissed me like he loved me, yet he knew. Conrad looked at me, panicked and Jeremiah said, “don’t fucking look at her.” I flinched. 

“We don’t need to do this now. Let’s just go home.” Conrad reached for his brothers hand and instead of going with his big brother, as Jeremiah so often did, he snapped his hand back and used it to punch Conrad in the face. A square hit right in his left eye. 

“Jeremiah!” I yelled but it went unheard from him. Conrad stumbled back, holding his eye but he didn’t throw a punch back. 

“You should have told me!” He yelled. Now we were collecting an audience. I saw my parents standing up and Susannah pushing herself out of the chair and then Jeremiah hit his brother again. “You knew she was sick and didn’t tell me! And then you fucked my girlfriend!” His voice was laced with poison. Acid spat between his teeth and hit him again. Conrad tackled Jeremiah now, if only to get him to shut up. He never threw a punch back. They just wrestled on the floor and I helplessly tried to pull Jeremiah off of him by his tuxedo jacket but it was no use. They only stopped when Susannah yelled at them like she did so many times in their childhood. Like they were fighting over a used toy. Maybe they were.

“What the hell is going on here?” She asked, obviously not having heard the words exchanged between them. The boys looked at their mom and their features softened.  I loved that about them. That no matter what, they were mama’s boys deep down. Everything and anything for Susannah Fisher. 

“I think they know,” my mom said from behind her. I looked at her and I think, without really knowing, she knew everything. I was still attached to the umbilical cord that grew out of her body and she could read my mind. See my thoughts. Live in my feelings. Susannah looked at my mom confused and then back to the boys. 

“We know. I’ve always known,” Conrad admitted. I saw Susannah’s heart sink and then, from somewhere in the crowd, little Belly asked: “know what?” 

Laurel ushered her two kids out of the ballroom. I could almost see them now: crying. Hugging. Hearing that their Susannah was sick again and wouldn’t make it this time. Little Belly, who looked so grown up today and was a blossoming teenager, curled in the fetal position as her life tipped upside down. 

Susannah tried to usher her own kids out, but I reached out for Jeremiah before he could follow her.  He flinched. “Can we talk?” I asked him quietly. “When you’re available?” 

“I don’t really have much to say to you right now. You should have told me.” He looked at me as he walked out of the ballroom. Still as if we were the only two people in the universe. I watched and watched until he was gone and i was surrounded by strangers wondering what this little girl had gotten herself into. I wish I knew. I wish I knew. I started to drown. The current pulled me under until I couldn’t breathe and I was a gasping, floundering fish in the ocean tidal wave. 

My mom said it was a panic attack. What happened to me at the debutante ball. She said it was normal. She said it had happened to her before, too. That it was nothing to worry about. My dad carried me out of the ballroom bridal style and all the way to the car. I didn’t remember a thing. My head was under water. Even now, as I lay in my bed of cloud-like pillows with the night sky calling out to me, I felt dazed. 

I remembered Jeremiah and my body screamed for him. I checked my phone. No messages. I locked it and put it back under my pillow. I’m sure he was with his mom. That’s where he needed to be. Not with me, consoling the inconsolable. I was a blubbering mess but my mom wasn’t dying. She was right downstairs, probably reading a book or watching an old reality tv show that no one cared about anymore. My dad was probably holding her hand. They probably chatted about how to help me. What they should do. Oh, our poor daughter. Yeah. Their poor daughter. Who was crying over a boy with a dying mom. I didn’t shed a tear for Susannah. My sadness was all my own and I felt selfish for it. It made me cry harder. I think I cried myself to sleep. 

The next morning it was raining. For a town that never saw rain, there sure was a lot of this summer. Maybe the universe knew that this summer was doomed for the rain. The gloomy skies and cracks of thunder. It was still dark out. The sun was still sleeping. 

There was french toast and eggs on the table and bacon sizzling on the stove top. Dad was flipping them over, taking all the little hits of grease as they splattered his arm. “Good morning, kiddo,” he said. I wrapped my arms around his middle and he kissed the top of my head. I was grateful he was here to flip my bacon. “How did you sleep?” He pretended not to see the bags under my red and swollen eyes. 

“Decent enough. Where’s Mom?” I asked. I pulled out a stool from the breakfast counter and sat down, my feet dangling. I liked to sit here where my feet don’t touch the ground. It makes me feel like a child in the best way possible. Like I still have room to grow. 

“She’s at Susannah’s with Laurel. I think they’re all just taking a day, you know? With each other. Now that everyone knows.” 

“Have you heard from anyone? About Belly and Steven? How they’re doing?” He sighed and set down the tongs he was using. I held my breath. “The boys?” I added in a whisper. 

“Belly and Steven are going to be okay. They’re all going to be okay,” he said. His back was still turned to me. He prepared the paper towel and one by one he placed a strip of bacon on it and padded the grease dry. 

“Even if Susannah dies?” If wasn’t really the word I should be using. I knew the finality of it from the moment Conrad told me. She beat it once but twice was a long shot. I didn’t know if anyone really thought it was an option. 

Susannah could fight it if she wanted to. She could fight a snow storm in flip flops and a sun hat. She could fight a tornado with no shelter and weather any storm that dared to face her. But I don’t think she wanted to. The last time she got sick, her brain turned nearly to mush. She couldn’t stay awake. She lost most of her hair. Her eyes didn’t sparkle. She wanted her eyes to sparkle and if she lost the fight all those years ago, with unsparkling eyes, well, the thought alone would have killed her.  If the boys and I were to be at her deathbed, her eyes better be fucking sparkling. 

“There was a trial that Adam and Laurel found online. They shared it with your mother and the three of them asked Susannah to participate. She met all the criteria. She didn’t want to, at first.” There was a long pause. “The boys convinced her to try.”

“That doesn’t mean she won’t die.” 

My dad slammed his hands down on the counter and turned toward me with a fierceness he couldn’t muster very often. I shuddered and sank into the chair. “She might die, Yn. You’re right. She might also live. She might also be able to watch her boys go to college or get married. She might be able to watch them have their babies of their own. Or she might not. She may only make it to Spring. And that’s something we can cross when we get to it, alright?” By the end of his rant, he was less angry. He was back to normal. He handed me a plate of food and patted my hand and told me he loved me and then he went next door through the backyard and I pretended that it was a black hole into an alternate universe where Susannah was happy and the boys were happy and I was six feet in the ground. 

Jeremiah’s POV 

I stayed up most of the night crying. I knocked on the wall that Belly and I shared like I had done before, but usually, I’m calling for Yn. I knocked twice, instead of the three times meant for her. I love you. That’s what the three meant whether she knew it or not what we started it, that was what it always meant for me. She knocked back and then she was in my dark room. Her hair had fallen in her face with effortless messiness that made me smile. Her pajamas were still freshly pressed. Something I’m sure my mom did this morning just so she’d have nice pj’s to sleep in. It was the kind of thing my mom did. 

I scooted over in my bed to make room for her and she crawled in like she did when we were kids. We often used to do this in the summer house. Share a bed. Share a seat at the dining room table. Share a shake at the movies. We shared a lot. Now, we’ll share grief. I let her lay next to me in bed and when she started to cry softly, the floodgates in my eyes also opened. We lay there, more vulnerable than we had ever been with each other, and cried. Eventually, Belly fell asleep. She stifled her tears and shut her eyes and the water on her face dried up into her eyelashes. 

There was a lot of crying that night. Mom cried as she sat me and Conrad down and told us the whole truth. That she had relasped. She was no longer in remission and she would not try to fight it again. “Why not?” I asked her, tears running down my face and snot bubbling out of my nose. “Fight for us.” 

She said the trial didn’t guarantee results. She wouldn’t dim her life to save it. She wanted to go out authentically Susannah. She refused and refused and cried and cried until Conrad, with too many tears choking his words, croaked out: “Please, mom.” Then, she conceded. We fell into a pile of limbs and tears and grief for a mother not yet gone. I don’t know how long we stayed like that. Long enough for my arms to go numb and the waistband of my dress pants to start to hurt. When we untangled ourselves, Mom put us to bed like we were kids and I snuck out like always to see my big brother. 

I did that a lot when I was a boy. When the age gap between Conrad and I seemed far greater than it did now. He was the older brother. Cool and interesting and I always wanted to tag along. We’d get put to bed and when the hallways were dark, I would go to Conrad’s room to see him awake and reading under the covers. He would let me hang out for a while, telling me stories about his day that, when the sun was shining, I was too young to know about. Now, as I creeped into his room, there was only sadness and anger and a hint of distrust. He didn’t trust that I wouldn’t hit him again. My knuckles throbbed at the thought. 

“I’m not going to hit you,” I told him as the door shut. He loosened his tie enough to pull it over his head. He tossed it on the bed along with his jacket but he still eyed me suspiciously so I held my hands up in surrender. 

“Then what are you doing in here?” 

“Why her?” I asked before really thinking about it. I didn’t have a speech planned. No grand argument bubbling inside of me ready to erupt. That was my only question. Why did he have to love her, too?

“I can ask you the same thing,” he said. 

“No you can’t. She was always mine. Since we were kids. She was my person.” 

“You can’t just claim her because she’s your best friend. She’s allowed to fall in love outside of your little bubble. How long were you planning on being the only boy in her life?” 

“Forever,” I snapped. Forever was always the goal. I could not imagine a future that didn’t exist with her in it. There wasn’t one. “She was always mine.” 

“When you weren’t kissing Vivian?” His head cocked to the side and I wanted to punch him again. Harder this time. With no one to stop me. His eye was bruising from earlier but instead of feeling guilty, I regretted I didn’t make it worse. “That’s why she came over, you know? Because she was so fucked up about you kissing Vivian. That almost killed her.” 

“Good thing you were there, huh? Conrad to the rescue. Always there to save the day. Did she come to see you? Or was she there for me?” He was quiet. I had gotten him. She went looking for me and fell into his arms instead. What if I had heard her or seen her before she was in his bedroom? Would she have went up with me? Could we have been doing this since Spring? The thought made me sick with regret. “Why’d you do it? You had to know. That we loved each other.” 

“I had just found out about Mom,” he said. Shrugging as if that explained it all away. “I was upset and she was upset and it just happened. I didn’t really think about it.” I didn’t really think about it. Taking her virginity was just a Friday night activity for him. Something he didn’t really need to think about. Friday night. The night Vivian kissed me. I remember it all so clearly now. The pieces were falling into place. 

“You came in my room that night, didn’t you? While I was asleep. You said you needed a condom. I thought you had called Audrey over for a late night booty call but it was Yn, wasn’t it?” Conrad looked away and refused to look back at me. I clenched my fists, begging myself not to hit him again. He was still my brother, after all. “Wasn’t it?” I repeated. 

“Yeah,” he mumbled like a little kid getting caught doing something bad. He stared at his feet. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Mom and I’m sorry I fell for her and I’m sorry I did that to you.” 

“I’m sorry, too.” I walked out of his room and to my own. I put my pajamas on. I brushed my teeth and took a shower and laid down in bed and wondered how the house would smell if Mom wasn’t here. Would her perfume still linger in every crevice of the house? Would there still be remnants of flour and sugar and chocolate chips all over the kitchen from when she bakes cookies every weekend? Would the windows sparkle the same from her cleaner and would all the wood in the house still smell like lemons? 

Then I thought about the house next door and how that house would always smell the same. Yn will always live in every stretch of fabric and her shoes will always be in the front entrance hall and I will alway climb through her window because she will always leave it unlocked. For me or for Conrad? Was she disappointed every time it was me that slipped through? Would I ever get over the ache that echoes in my chest when I think about them together? Or when I see Conrad’s face? Is this the thing that breaks the unbreakable?

taglist: @things-that-make-sa-happy@marajillana@calpurnia2002@revemixer@harrysswhore@liltimmyst@chickunn-nuggett@rottenstyx@queenofthehellfireclub @lilbazzi