#i love them a lot but i am SOOO bored and my island is set up sooo poorly

[illdothehotvoice]

Maybe today I'll open my switch with the intention of playing PLA and not start playing animal crossing instead lmao

[clementinesjourney]

Record Shop Funk - Pt. 1 Like real people do

A.N. : Hey guys, so i had this idea yesterday, and i really hope you'll like it. <3

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT.

Words: 1,9k

Pairing: camboy!Steve x Reader, roommate!Bucky x reader, Stucky x reader (as the story goes)

Warnings: nothing yet :)

Summary: Who knew that having a secret crush, then a hearbreak will end in such a sweet thing..

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You and Bucky shared an apartment above the recordshop you both worked in. Your aunt was the owner of both, so it was a fairly good payment, and a fairly good apartment for a cheap price. It was a bright and big apartment with two bedrooms, so your decided to rent it out, all while searching for a helper to the shop downstairs. When Bucky came in applying for the job, you asked out of joke if he needs a place to live since you had seen around 5 people already and none of them felt right. His eyes lit up as he said he is in fact looking for a place. Since he was fitting for a job, and looked like a decent guy, you congratulated him on his new job, and asked if he wants to see the place today. You still had one and a half hour to close, but after it you would gladly show him the apartment.

He had nothing better to do, so he agreed to it, feeling happy about having a job he might actually like and a coworker he might actually will get along with.

-Do you drink coffee? I was thinking of getting one in the meantime. My friend works close by, and they make the best coffee in town. - He asked.

-I could go for one thank you - you smiled at him - iced cold-brew, no sugar, i'm sweet enough.. - you said with a smile.

He couldn't help but smile back at the joke. When he arrived at the café, he saw his friend Steve flirting with a girl whom he could visibly see trembling just cause he talked to her. Steve always had his way with girls, ever since the serum of course. After he broke up with Peggy, it was mostly just hookups, never finding a girl worth keeping around. Not as if they werent kind, pretty or good to him, it just never felt right. Bucky smiled at his friend, Steve immediately shifted his gaze from the girl, to a very happy Bucky.

-Did you get the job?

-Better.. I got the job, and she has a room for rent which i'll see tonight.

-Wow Bucky, i didn't know you were even better then i am.. sooo how does she look? - asked Steve with a slight wiggle of his eyebrows. He wanted Bucky to get a girl since ages and hearing this, his mind immediately ventured there.

-5'7, ginger, green eyes, freckles, curvy just the right places. why?

-Nothing Buck.. nothing.. - Steve said smirking at his friend.. Bucky never realized when he liked a girl, so he never really acted on it. He last had a woman back in the 40's.

-Sooo i know you didn't come to have chat with me, one black coffee and.. ?

-ah, iced cold-brew, no sugar..

After paying for the coffee, he hurried back to the shop, hoping to get to know his coworker a little bit better.

You thanked him for the coffee, and when you tried to pay, he refused.

-Next round's mine then. - You smiled at him with your 1000 watt smile, which again he couldn't help but smile back at.

-So tell me about you Bucky, what do you do in your freetime?

-Nothing really, just reading, spending time with my friends, kind of thats it.. I have a boring life really. What about you?

-Well, i work here, then i go home and listen to music, cook, god i love to cook, thats a big pro for the apartment.. just saying. - you said with a playful wink. - besides that nothing much. Sometimes i go to a nearby bar with my friends maybe concerts and thats it.

-I like washing dishes if that helps with the application for the room. - he said with a shy laugh which made your heart skip a beat.

- It sure does.. Do you leave your stuff around?

-No i'm a tidy person.. thank you very much. - he said cockily (just for the sake of being funny really).

-Okay okay, if you like it you can have the room, just promise to tell if you bring up a girl so i can leave. The walls are kind of thin.

-It's okay, i don't really...

-Oh um i'm sorry, i didn't meant to intrude, it just something i would really like everyone to add to their rental contracts. - you chuckled embarassed.

-Noo no, it's okay, i'm not embarassed by it. I guess i don't want hook ups, if one day there's someone i'll tell in advance.

-yea me too, i promise. If you end up renting it anyway haha. on that note it's time to close so i can show the room in a min.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you opened the door to the apartment Buckyquietly took in it all. It was really bright, white walls with paintings all over the walls, plants in every corner or shelf you can put one on, a comfy looking mustard couch, aztec-y rug under the coffeetable, and a wall fully shelved, filled with books and little trinkets, it looked like a home he never had a chance to have. The livingroom had an american kitchen on the side, island in the middle of the kitchen area, it was white, and blue which reminded him of greece, down the hallway you showed him the bathroom which of course had a lot of plants that liked the atmosphere of a bathroom, a shower in the corner and a bathtub under the window. You then showed the empty room he could rent out. It only had a shelf and a wardrobe, and a queen sized bed. No decorations, no signs of anybody ever living there. You then pointed to the room the opposit of what could possibly be Bucky's in the future, saying that is yours. You didn't show your room, he wasn't gonna go in there anyway, and showing your most private space on the first day didn't seem like a good idea either. You then invited him out to the balcony, watching the setting sun, smoking a cigarette.

-So thats about it, what do you think?

-I really like it, and i mean.. my workplace is pretty close so thats a plus, also you said something about cooking all the time.. sooo if it's alright with you i would love to rent it out.

-It's settled then roomie. I'll give you the keys, you can move in whenever you want to. Tomorrow we are closed, so maybe that would be ideal.

-Yea, then tomorrow it is then. I'll ask my friend to help, then we can maybe hang a bit if you're free.

-Sure, i have nothing planned, and it's good to know who i'll be living with. - you said with a smile.

Before closing the door, you said your goodbyes, and you realized what did you just do, after he wished you good night with a killer halfsmile that almost had your knees buckle. You just agreed to living together with possibly the most handsome man you've ever seen who is also your new coworker, so you will basically spend most of your time with him.. Guess we'll see how this goes you thought to yourself.

Morning came soon enough, you were sitting out on the balcony when you saw Bucky arrive with a very tall, just as handsome man, carrying boxes of books, and bags of clothing. Bucky looked up at the balcony, waving towards you, you waved back, then moved to open the front door before going back out to the balcony, resuming your coffee and smoke.

When they finished bringing all Bucky's stuff in, it was already midday, so you decided you'd order pizza for all of you, as in like a welcome present.

-Hey guys, i'm thinking of ordering pizza, what kind would you like?

-Oh (y/n) you don't have to. - said Bucky, earning a smirk from Steve as he looked back and forth between you two.

- Noo i insist, today won't be the day i'll start to slowly kill you with my cooking. - you said giggling a bit.

- Whatever's fine peach. - said Steve with a wink, that you decided was just out of friendlyness. You didn't veen knew his name, and he seemed like a lady's man anyways. Not really your type no matter how handsome and muscular he is.

- Steve, by the way, nice to meet you.

-(Y/n), likewise. - you shook his hand.

When the pizzas arrived you called them to the kitchen, listening to all their shared stories from their early years. They seemed like really close friends, and genuinely good people. You had a really great time. It was nearly 9 pm when Steve left, for saving a dame from dying cause of boredom he said. You and Bucky chuckled, then he let him out, closing the door, locking it for the night.

-I guess i have some packing to do, so.. good night (y/n).

-Good night Bucky, if you need anything just knock. - you said with a smile, and he couldn't help but smile back. He felt at peace. He had Steve, now he had a job, and a room to make a home of, and you as a new addition. You were so kind, so eager to help if he needed anything, he loved how the scent of raspberries and flowers lingered in the apartment mixed with coffee and cigarette smoke. It seemed to have a calming effect on him.

You heard a soft knock half an hour later. WHen you opened the door you saw a smiling Bucky, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

- Hey, um.. sorry. I forgot i didn't bring a blanket, could i borrow one until i get my own?

-Yea sure, i'll get one in a min. - You said, leaving the door open, letting him see a bit of "you" while you were searching for your spare blanket in your wardrobe. The room really was you. White, with mustardy curtains on the window, plants everywhere, books piled up here and there, a really comfy looking bed, pictures of you and your friends on the walls. And damn, your room smelled even more like you. If he wouldn't pay attention your scent would lure him into your room and never let him leave he thought.

-There you go. - you handed him the blanket smiling.

-Thank you very much.

Then he stood there for a moment drinking in the sight of you in front of him. You were wearing an oversized tshirt, that ended just around the middle of your thighs, hair in a messy bun, no makeup. He could swear he thought you were pretty before, but seeing you as you were made him fancy you even more.

With a small smile you told him goodnight again, then closed the door in his face.

You could hear his little laugh on the other side of the door, then his door closing. For the first time in months he didn't wake up in the middle of the night, and he didn't had a nightmare either. He was afraid he would, and then he would wake you up with his screaming, but looks like the blanket which smelled just like you calmed him enough.

After waking up because the rays of sunshine on his face, he smiled to himself guess i'll wait with getting my own blanket then...

[an0nymousghost]

simblr asks v2

here are my answers! find the questions here.

i wrote soo much ahaha. like however much you think i wrote, i wrote more than that. imo everything i write is gold though

1. are you going to buy the new pack (cottage living) when it comes out? no, it looks really nice but i legit never ever buy packs at launch, especially cause this one is a expansion and it will probably go on sale at some point

2. do you p*rate your dlc or buy it legitimately? buy it legitimately 👌

3. what’s your favorite world? brindleton bay, it gives like seaside cottage vibes. willow creek is good but it’s boring. 

4. if you use a queue, how many posts per day do you set it as? 3 or 4. i used to do like 12 lmaoo what even was wrong with me

5. do you watch sims on youtube? yes, i watch mainly malixa, oshinsims, and msgryphi

6. what are your thoughts on the most recent pack? (dream home decorator) those sectional couches look good! but honestly im kinda annoyed because now it’s even harder to have all the items filled in when i place lots from the gallery. like i’m just saying like a lot of builds will use that pack probably and if i don’t get it then i can’t really use builds/save files 

7. how many packs/kits do you own? lemme count

expansion: all - 10/10 game: 5/10 stuff: 9/18 kits: none xo

24/38 - 63%

8. what’s your origin id? is it the same as your url? 🤗 it’s in my title, it’s celeschul. it doesn’t look that nice in my title but i use celeschul in my package files and i’m guessing people search things like, “celeschul penny hair” or something like that in order to find my cc- so i keep it in there so the search results are easier. i do want to change it though..

but no it’s also not the same! well i mean it’s the username i use for cc. my origin id used to be an0nymousghost but i changed it. i wonder if anyone’s taken that one?

9. is your simblr your sideblog or main blog? main blog ✌️ my old blog @stardze​ is a main blog as well.

my old old simblr was a sideblog but it had like 1 follower and it literally a bot so i don’t think that counts. i have a multifandom sideblog though 

10. do you have a cc finds blog? i wish. i was thinking bout it earlier and that would be sooo neat but sometimes i download stuff that doesn’t have a tumblr post attached to it, and also it’s stressful to keep up with so nah

11. are you wcif friendly? yes sir. in fact i bring the trouble of wcifs onto myself but doing them even when nobody asked.

12. what’s your favorite sized household to play with? (ex. 1 sim, 4 sims) gonna have to think on this one, honestly 1 sim is really fun and stuff goes by so fast. doing stuff with astrid when she was on her own, it was much more efficient. 

for families, i haven’t done that in a while actually. 5, 2 parents and 3 kids is cute tho. why did i write this this is honestly such a hard question

13. if you have c&d, do you play with pets? i feel like i haven’t played with cats and dogs in forever. honestly i just have no paitence. noelle fae was supposed to get a cat (there’s a food bowl + cat bed in her house) but when summer vacation started, the amount of time i spent playing ts4 decreased a lot. (this doesn’t really make sense, i have a lot more time. honestly it just has to do with my recent obsession with a certain anime/manga and some other personal thing)

i did random nightmares in may though and i had pets frequently. g5 didn’t because sofia scarlett lived in an apartment, but g2/3/4 had cici, and g1 had all the cats. but that was back in march so it’s been a while.

14. what lifespan do you use? i really want to do aging off but then i feel like it drags on. but aging legit stresses me out, sometimes i just want to sit down and do some cas stuff but i only have 2 hours in real time and there’s like 4 days left till one of my sims’ birthdays. 

15. if you own a lot of packs, how many of them have you actually played through? just so everyone is aware this question was made for me

i feel like eps require a specific save made for testing them out, but the only save i’ve ever made for an ep is noelle fae’s get famous save. 

that is literally a lie - i made a save for island living with one of my 100bc kids, maisie acapella. i did actually post it on tumblr BUT then i deleted all the posts BUT i reblogged them on my alt account BUT i privated my alt account so i honestly forgot about it

i have never played through discover university or watched anyone do it on youtube, i’ve read gerbits’ story about it so i think i’m pretty qualified. i’ve always wanted to do one with periwinkle acapella but i never got around to it

another ep i know nothing about is get to work

i tried doing a eco life playthrough but i hadn’t watched any videos and i was like..what is going on. so i quit lolx d ;;;;; i mentioned it but the whimsy stories legacy was the first time i had played with the eco lifestyle features so technically i think i know what im doing

i got outdoor retreat literally on monday of this week so i haven’t played through it yet. 

jungle adventure i still don’t know what’s going on. i remember last year before i bought the pack i was brainstorming, and wanted to do a ja playthrough with luna and cedar, who are a couple who i did a random legacy with and it was all queued to post when i deleted everything (if you’re wondering why, it’s because my queue was literally 200+ posts). except this time i didn’t save them to my sideblog so i lost them. 

i still havent had a restaurant in dine out 

also never did the vet thing from cats and dogs

i have no idea what that rock climbing thing is from snowy escape but i did most of the other stuff because rn g5

city living i did through psc stage 5 and also it was the first pack i bought anyways

the rest of them are either stuff packs or i ended up playing them through casual gameplay (seasons, parenthood)

16. what do you do as you play sims? (ex. listen to music) i listen to music most of the time, or listen to commentary youtube videos because i am an alpha chad. i also used to talk with my friends on voice call but i don’t do that anymore 🥲

17. which sims challenges have you tried? random legacy, whimsy stories, perfect sim challenge, 100 baby, legacy (just the plain get-to-10-gens one), random nightmares, berry zodiac, astrology legacy, apocalypse

i feel like im forgetting some.. honestly most of the stuff i did before simblr was either 100 baby (i love that challenge) or random saves that lasted for 2 seconds. 

18. do you like the new(ish) hair swatches? nah. 

i do appreciate that most cc hairs have a true (ish) black, thank god! and the fact that the hair update is what inspired me to update and fix a bunch of hairs with different issues is pretty nice. but will i use them? no. 

plus it takes up like 5 gb? depending on how many packs you have.

19. post the latest screenshot you took 📸

i live in cas

20. what is the cc/ingame hair that looks the most like your own? i think that dream home decorator side part hair looks a lot like my hair. honestly i havent see much like my hair but that one is kinda-? close

21. who is your favorite sim of yours and what is their story? noelle and alari fae i think! 

link to post

noelle is blonde and has blue-grey eyes. she wears purple contacts pretty often though (because she wants to 😌)

alari has light brown hair that is kinda curly, and she’s got pretty vibrant blue eyes. 

they’re sisters, alari is 3 years older than noelle. noelle was 19 and alari was 22 when they got spotted

they worked as models when they were young adults. their jobs involved dyeing their hair blue/pink, and they would model like clothes and stuff. anyways, they were pretty successful. like not ultra famous but they had enough money to not work for the rest of their lives. 

their modeling group was made of 4 girls, the others were named paisley autumn and they were green and red, respectively. some things are: 

paisley and alari started dating during this 

autumn was a single mother to a little girl named destiny

noelle dated many people during this but never ended up finding the one <3

when their contract ended after like 6 years, paisley and alari went to go live together and noelle decided to get into acting. so thats when get famous playthrough started!

there’s more but basically they’re like oc’s with sims on the side. xoxo

22. if you use cc, are there any cc creators that you have like ALL of their items? this is such a good question! i hoard hair very heavily (my folder is 11gb) i so i have like 97% from most of the popular hair creators. 

i think i had legitimately EVERYTHING from simstrouble though, i went through multiple times to check and i also have all of her retired stuff. 

i have everything from ridgeport i think-? because of the fact that she uploaded all her stuff in one big zip. 

i think that’s it.. for a long time i also had everything by clumsyalienn, but then i ended up deleting it and only keeping my faves. 

and looking at my collection, maybe ah00b? i might be missing a couple but i at least have like 99%.

23. what’s one pack you think is underrated? dine out, it’s laggy af yes but it’s such a nice thing for my sims to do. 

24. what are your favorite sims stories/legacies? melons by gerbits always and forever

this question was inspired by this ask anyways so 

25. if you could change one small thing about ts4, what would it be? most of my suggestions are pretty complex but literally just - when you add tray files, they appear at the top. my life would be so much easier

this took me literal hours to answer

[flaneuriste]

Well, this is just my theory, but I am a man and a musician so I know what I'm talking about. Ginger mentioned that Roger and David's relationship was like a marriage that ended up in a divorce. These guys live for the music, and at this time, when they were young, it looked like they were literally married to each other. In this case when you are completely devoted to your bandmates and your mates it's hard to find things that matters more than that. When there's such a strong bond it happens -

(cont) that strong feelings develop and I think this was the case between David and Roger because let me tell you that I don’t believe them when they say that they hate each other. I don’t believe it at all. So I think that Roger was the most obvious, while David seemed more subtle and good at hiding it. But I think it was inside of him too. It doesn’t have to be sexual. It could be platonic. I don’t think you’ll agree but I do believe it was their case just like many other musicians.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~First of all - APOLOGIES for taking so long to reply to this! I truly do appreciate your question/comments. 

DAVID GILMOUR AND ROGER WATERS: What about that?

I think I understand the sort of relationship you’re talking about. I think sports teammates can feel it about each other, especially if they’re close in positions. I think people feel it in the military too only much more intensely. Any time you work closely on projects that are important to you AND in which you have to rely on each other/others, you develop a special bond. In the musical world, I think that is DEF the case for Keith Richards/Mick Jagger, John/Paul/George/Ringo, Elton John/Bernie Taupin and many others. You said you didn’t think I’d agree *grinning* and you’re SORT of right. In favour of your argument: I think that they were really deeply committed to making the best possible music. I think they quietly had a great deal of respect for the other’s talents, especially as their talents were quite different. I think they did have lots of laughs together in the midst of working. I think they both have razor sharp minds that they appreciated. On the other hand: David and Roger didn’t start out together, not like the other musicians I’ve mentioned. They came together later and in a disturbing situation for both of them. I think it was most disturbing for David; he and Syd had been really close, he came into the band with an unusual idea that Syd would continue to work with them and he would cover for Syd, and then that didn’t work. Instead Syd was out. And yet sometimes came to shows and stood in front of him, staring. Fercrissakes. When I put myself in David’s place, imagining a good friend that I have displaced, standing there? That’s discomfort taken to an extreme degree.David has said that he felt like “new boy” for decades. I don’t think he melded with the rest seamlessly. I think he can go along and get along, which is not the same as finding your people. David and Roger were never like Elton and Bernie, one writing the music, the other writing the lyrics. It was def a group effort to start with and then slid into a dictatorship, more or less. The disagreements about whose work was more important to the product started a loooooong time ago (and not just between David and Roger). 

Roger was known to, at times, have a rather cruel sense of humour. David, by reputation, is a gracious person. I’m not saying Saint David by any stretch of the imagination but I also think he was probably embarrassed and appalled when Roger was cruel. The main crux of it, for me, is that David and Roger are fundamentally very different, which makes it challenging for them to trust each other and be truly close. Of course, some of that spark between them challenged them to produce better music. 

David is relaxed, indolent in the worst cases, easy-going in the best. Roger is hyper, intense and impatient. David is a collaborator. Roger is a composer. David works well with a LOT of different people, types of music, settings, ideas. Roger is singular in his vision and pursuits. When it’s his own tours, I think David is a very benign dictator. Everyone knows it’s his word in the end but the musicians (see Jon Carin in particular) love that he wants his band members to bring themselves to the table, to express themselves and add. The only time he steps in is if something really jars. Roger hears exactly what he wants, sees his vision. He wants the musicians to reproduce what he hears and sees. He doesn’t want them screwing it up with improvisation. Have you ever heard that clip (somewhere on my Tumblr archive), “Three minutes of Roger complaining” during the making of The Wall? It’s kind of hilarious!I don’t dislike Roger. He’s got a lot of great qualities and I know a lot of his problems come from insecurity and fear (which maybe he’s worked out a lot now; who knows) but I do think he would drive a lot of people CRAZY. You have to share his passion for HIS vision in order to succeed with him.

As for the Nick and Rick: Nick and Roger are great friends as we know. I think that is ‘cause Nick just refuses to engage with Roger’s rants, doesn’t take him too seriously and yet has a great appreciation of what a mastermind he is when it comes to building a song. I doubt that Nick and David were ever TRULY close but they worked together to keep PF afloat after Roger left (Roger made a big mistake in thinking that Nick wouldn’t mind). If I was going to pick a pair out of PF that really had syncro-mesh, it would be David and Rick. Rick and Roger were chalk and cheese. Rick and Nick were amicable but not much else. Rick and David? I’m sure they didn’t agree on everything but their understanding of each other musically was profound. They’re both quiet but they could PLAY together, so beautifully. I know regular readers will be bored to hear this again but I am SOOO grateful and happy that David and Rick were able to share the “On An Island” tour. Rick said it was the happiest tour he’d ever been on. David knew how to jolly Rick along a bit, tease him and cajole him but not humiliate him. He appreciated how enormously talented Rick was. It was a joy to see. So…….my final analysis? SO fucking great that David and Roger ended up in PF at the same time. My gawd, the music that came out of that era? Astounding. I def don’t think they hate each other. I think they get frustrated trying to understand each other ‘cause they’re 180 degrees apart. I also think they each refuse to be sentimental. Hardly ever. But. I don’t want to say this but. So many of the classics are getting older. And I am quite sure that when either Roger or David die, the other is going to be affected. In my humble opinion, they created music as great as Beethoven or Bach when they meshed. AGAIN! Thank you so much for the question. Please believe me - I have no problem with people completely disagreeing with me. I love the debate and discussion. Respect to all………..best wishes.

[alastaircarstairsdefenselawyer]

Runaways Comics Reading Guide

So, you wanna read Runaways, huh? Maybe the wait for season 2 is taking too long and you’re desperate for content or you heard that this amazing series was revived last September. Whatever the reason, you're in luck, because I sold my soul to Brian K Vaughn and all of his characters when I was 12!

You're also in luck because, compared to some other comic book series, Runaways is a little less confusing to figure out. Now, it seems a bit daunting at first, but the series is easily digestible, and you could easily get through all the comics in a couple days if you had a lot of free time. However, if you don't want to read their smaller arcs, I will note which ones are alright to skip. Here's my self determined reading order:

Runaways- Volume 1 (18 issues): must-read! Duh, this is where the story starts! The TV show takes off from here, but fair warning, the comics are radically different from the show (understandably, tv shows and comic books are much different mediums with different capabilities, but that's a different post). This is where you get to know our gang and the conflict with their parents, which is pretty important because the backstories are a lot different than in the show. 

Runaways- Volume 2 (30 issues): vitally important, even if it will rip you apart inside and crush all of your dreams. At least through issue 24. After issue 24, our Lord BKV left, so some people regard the rest of the series as trash (tbh joss whedon is trash sooo). I guess from issue 25 onward, it's not all that important to read them, but I did and I would.

Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways (4 issues): nonessential to any plot, but I’m Young Avengers trash as much as I am Runaways trash, so I loved it. You may find it a bit boring if you’re not familiar with the Young Avengers. Note: this limited series takes place in the middle of Runaways Vol 2, I think in between #24 and #25. Since there’s no important plot, it doesn’t matter if you read it then, but definitely don’t read it before volume 2 to avoid spoilers. 

Secret Invasion: Runaways/Young Avengers (3 issues): this one actually DOES take place between v2 and v3! like the other crossover, it’s not essential to the plot of Runaways. If you’re not familiar with the Young Avengers, you probably won’t understand what’s happening. As a Young Avengers fan, though, I loved it! 

Runaways- Volume 3 (14 issues): like I said, most people find these ones to be throwaway comics, but personally I would read literally any content with these characters so like,, yeah. You should read V3 if you're going to read the Runaways arcs in Daken and Avengers Academy.

Daken: The Dark Wolverine- Issues #17-19: not necessary to read at all, maybe a lil interesting if you read Vol 3 Runaways bc it ends on a cliffhanger and this is the only time in comic canon where it's addressed, even in the vaguest way possible ("yeah, this character got hit by a fucking car. But they're fINE. Just pErFeCT.")

Avengers Academy- Issues #27-28: must read if you read Vol 3! You can either read the whole series just for the Runaways arc, or just read these 2 issues with the Runaways (which is what I did, but I went back and read the whole series bc I loved the characters, and they will appear again in a moment!) read for some wholesome dino fun (not,, but.. ehhhhh angst w a happy ending???)

Avenger's Arena (18 issues): battle royale meets teenage superheroes. A bunch of teens w powers (incl. Nico, chase, darkhawk, and some people from Avengers Academy) are thrown onto an island designed to kill them & make them kill each other. I understand that this kind of gore isn't what everyone looks for in a comic book and it's a bit childish, but I found it entertaining. Not necessary to read if you want to pick up the new series, but its events are referenced.

Avengers Undercover (10 issues): I didn't enjoy these that much (actually I probably spent more time ranting about these comics than anything, I really didn't enjoy them at all), but they are a continuation of avengers arena so you should probably read them if you read AA. Completely nonessential to understanding anything in any other comics ever.

Runaways- Volume 4 (4 issues): to be honest, I never actually read these. I tried, but the characters aren't even in it?? Why is a part of runaways??? The world may never know. Maybe if you understand more about Battleworld then it's more entertaining, but I was completely lost and confused.

A-Force- Volume 1 (5 issues): like Vol 4 Runaways, this takes place on battleworld, so like Vol 4, I was very lost and confused. However Nico is a main character and all the characters are totally badass and amazing and I have officially adopted Singularity so yeah? Also America Chavez is a BAMF. I think I'd recommend reading them? Sooo many bi vibes (bibes?) from Nico. since this takes place on a different world, it's not really relevant, but it sets up A-Force Vol 2.

A-Force- Volume 2 (10 issues): takes place back in the same world as the original runaways comics. I don't wanna spoil anything but there's more badass bisexual Nico. All in all, the series isn't necessary to understand any Runaways plots, but they are briefly mentioned in the new comics. They're also super awesome and if you like Nico you should definitely read them!!

Avengers AI (12 issues)- I've gotta be honest I never particularly cared for Victor so I didn't read these, what happens is probably important to the new Runaways but like,, I figured it out so you can too. I mean, I'll get around to reading them one of these days, I'm sure they're great comics but ya victors a ho

Runaways- Volume 5 (9 issues thus far): the new series!! Some characters come back from the dead and The Band Gets Back Together!!!!!!

I'd say if you just want to read the new series, the only ones completely vital are the Runaways comics, up to Vol 2 #24. However, all the rest are amazing (albeit frustrating sometimes) comics that I highly recommend you read!! They add a lot more depth to the characters and their experiences. I’m sure I’m missing some comics that they’ve appeared in, but I think these are all of the important ones? Correct me if I’m wrong! 

Okay, okay this all sounds amazing. I'm so ready! How do I read them???

First of all, no one is ever ready. Second of all.. you have a few options, not all of them everyone will like

Buy them. Either at marvel.com, on their app, or at a comic book store.

Take them out from the library. I've never actually done this but once comics have been released issue by issue, they're then published as a volume. I'd assume some libraries might have these consolidated comics.

Read them online. I know, I know, this is bad. But realistically, not everyone can afford to buy every single comic, and not everyone has access to a library where they can take them out. HOWEVER, I'm begging you not to use this option for the new comics. Marvel can (and HAS in the past) cancel the series if it's not making enough money. Each issue is $4USD. Every issue that you can buy counts. If you don't have access to a comic book store where you can buy them (I get it, I live in morocco), you can buy a digital copy online on Marvel's website or their app. Personally, I only own one random copy from Runaways Vol 2 that I found in a comic book store in Madrid, but I own every single new comic either hard copy, digitally, or both. Please, please, please support these comics whichever way you can!! Now that I've made my plea, you can find all of the comics online here.

I hope maybe my rambling helped you somehow. I absolutely adore these characters and these stories. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions or want to talk about the comics! Happy reading, and welcome to the abyss.

[dangerously-human]

Rules: Tag some of your followers or even people you’re following and see their differences/similarities for 2018!

Tagged by @jayykesley

Questions:

Favorite food: mashed potatoes

Foods I’d Rather Avoid: I’ve honestly gotten super picky in my old age lol, I keep going to eat things I used to like and discovering I now hate them. The list keeps growing. Mint has always been on the ABSOLUTELY NOT list, though.

Favorite Things to Learn About: I like learning about most things! It’s hard to pick a favorite. Hmm... autism stuff, anything to do with language, theology/Christian thought, educational theory and special ed stuff, Angelman syndrome things - those are all pretty high up on the list. Anything to do with my job (so pharmaceuticals and clinical trials) usually intrigues me, because I spend an awful lot of hours in a week thinking about those things anyway. Currently, cognitive psychology is a lot of fun to learn about, because two people I really like are really into it, so even if the subject itself were boring (and it’s definitely not!), I would enjoy being taught!

Fav Colors: Blue, purple, pink

Best Friends: I roll pretty tight with my squad on here - Jayy and Bibs - which I don’t think will come as a surprise to anybody. (Did I phrase that right? I tend to butcher slang, because I am so, so far from one of the Cool Kids.) In-person, my college roommate and the person I used to sit next to at work are the people I’m closest to, probably. 

Favorite Games to Play: Not a huge video game person, but I loooove Kingdom Hearts! I’m also a fan of cards and board games in general, especially words-based ones like Scattergories or Balderdash, and Apples to Apples is a fave.

When I have free time, I like to: pretend I’m going to write, watch TV, nap with my cat, read, spend entirely too much time on Tumblr

Favorite books: The Raven Cycle, the Circle series, and so so sooo many others

Favorite Movies/TV Shows: The Princess Bride is my absolute favorite, with several others I love. TV show are harder to narrow down, but New Girl, Orphan Black, Chuck, and Broadchurch all make the list!

Favorite Holiday: Easter

Favorite Places to Go: I am a big fan of beaches and my bed. Sunshine child’s house is another favorite place.

Favorite Family Activities: Cards, walks, and watching TV together

Favorite thing to do outside: Going for a walk, I suppose

Favorite Song: "The Sound of Walking Away” by Illenium and Kerli, and probably also “I Wanna Get Better” by The Bleachers

A Place I Want to Visit: I’d probably like to go back to Ireland, because I didn’t get to see the Aran Islands, and I’d love to go back to Strandhill Beach, where I fell in love with the wild landscape. Maybe one of the rocky beaches in Maine that are supposed to be good for seaglass, too.

Fav Part of Last Year: Making friends with people in my office

Something sad that happened last year: Nothing that I really feel like talking about

When I get up in the morning, I like to: scroll through Tumblr for a bit and not have to be a real person for 20 minutes before getting up and getting ready

Fav Drinks:mostly just water

Something new I’d like to learn this year: Generalizing some of my coping skills in counseling. I suppose. Also I’ve set a goal to learn macros in Excel, but given where my current skills are and my rate of acquisition, that is a long shot!

Tagging: @hobbitsetal, @faithful-to-the-last, @freecake4all, @gods-little-punk, @katefromskelside

[vanchlo]

The Assistant / Chapter Twenty One, “Give and Get”

Hola, I hope that you all are doing great and that life is treating you well! How are you guys liking Niall’s new album?! From what I’ve heard of it, I’m really liking it! What are your fav songs off it? I’m sooo glad lots of shows are coming back for the Fall! I’ve been loving HTGAWM, Riverdale, SPN and lots of others! Also, I just wanted to say if there’s anything I can improve on regarding this story and writing, please let me know! I know that there are some parts I need to rewrite because they’re confusing and that the timeline is a little weird, my apologies. I hope you guys are enjoying the story and that it’s not boring, and that it is progressing.... I’m trying to be more detailed and make some things clearer so I hope things aren’t too bad. Let me know what you think! Well, I’ll keep this little message short and let you get to the story :) This is a pretty juicy chapter if I do say so myself ;) PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you guys think, I’m sooo curious to hear your reactions especially to this chapter! Enjoy! c: 

Click here for past chapters of The Assistant! 

I know that he doesn’t believe me.

“Yer not a good liar, ya know that?” he answers, lifting his eyebrows ever so slightly. I nod softly, looking around awkwardly without an idea of what to do, or say. “Did sumbody do this t’ you?” Harry continues, taking another step when there aren’t many left. I inhale nervously when the pad of his thumb softly brushes over the healing cut at the edge of my scalp that I couldn’t as easily hide the scab and bruises of this morning.

I can’t meet his eyes. I can’t. Because if I do, I’m afraid all of the words pent up inside of me that wish to free his ears with the truth will all come rushing out. No matter how much I try to stop them. And that the crazy beating of my heart will make them go all over the place, just like his touch has done to me. A gentle ‘heeey’ drops from his lips, making me look up at him and into his soft caring eyes that belong to the real Harry. My Harry. With courage bubbling up inside of me, my lips begin to part when a loud voice cuts in.

Angry wet raindrops fall on my shoulders, piercing through my sweater and shooting ice into my veins. I wrap the thin piece of clothing around me tighter, cursing myself from this morning for not having brought any kind of coat to make up for this pathetic sweater and this chilly rain. And cursing myself for forgetting to put gas in my car yesterday, landing me on the tube for today and in this wet Fall weather. As I walk under the faint glow of the wet streetlamps, my shivering body grows colder and colder with every painful step. Icy drops run down my face, the only relief I find in this sudden rain is the numbing of the stings and throbs painting my body. Splashes of rain puddles hit my legs, soaking through the sheer black tights donning my legs. You only have one and half more blocks to go, Becky, you can do this, I think hopefully. And with that, I soldier on. Soaked to the bone and beaten down.

My feet squeak along the wooden floor, leaving tiny invisible puddles behind me as the warmth of the flat begins to thaw my frozen body. I drop my bag on the table in the entryway, toeing off my shoes and leaving them where they land. I plod my way across the room and into the kitchen, unbeknownst to the movements my body makes. 

Open the cabinet. Take down a mug. Pick up the tea kettle. Fill it with water. Turn on the burner. Set it down. Walk over to the kitchen island. Pull out a chair. Sit down. My eyes fix themselves on one spot on the wall, staying there and no motivation to move.

Click!

Thud!

“Hey, I’m just stopping back to grab something I forgot. Boys don’t really have hair straighteners, I realized only after I left the flat,” Skye’s joking words poke through my hazy bubble, but that’s all they do. “Becky. Wait . . What the bloody hell happened to you today?! You look like you got run over by a car, Ree. You’re bleeding!” she almost shouts, voice rising in volume as she clears the room and comes to cup my cheeks with her warm hands.

“I’m fine, it’s old,” I reply quietly, meeting her eyes after she turned my head to make sure I’m looking at her.

“You are not fine, Ree. You have t-this gash in your scalp and a cut in your lips, both covered in dried blood. Did somebody do this to you?!”

“No, I-I just fell. You know how clumsy I can be sometimes,” I answer, attempting nonchalance as I step down from my swively chair and go to tend to the whistling teapot.

“You’re the worst liar I’ve ever met, always have been and always will. Now I’m not bloody leaving or going anywhere for that matter, until you tell me what really happened, Ree. Actually, wait- you stay here and don’t you move your bum one bleeding inch!” she points at me, raising her eyebrows above her sky blue eyes surrounded by black eyeliner.

I mindlessly remove the kettle from the heat, pouring the blistering hot water into the yellow mug, watching the water mix with the Peach tea bag.

“Now come here,” Skye orders moments later and I turn around, surprised to find her gently but a little forcefully leading me to the island once again. “Sit.”

“I’m not a dog, Skye, don’t give me commands.”

“I don’t care, just sit down and let me take care of you,” she replies, flicking her wavy hair half the color of bone and the other half sky blue to over her shoulder. My gaze follows her hands as they reach for the brown bottle and cotton pads. “Now are you going to tell me what happened, or not?”

Putting the bottle down hastily, she gently pushes my damp curls away from my face and runs the pad along my forehead. I suck in a breath through my teeth, wincing at the terrible stinging on my forehead.

“Ree?” she sighs, giving me a hard look in the eyes. My lips don’t move and neither does hers. A sadness I don’t want to look anymore into hangs around her eyes as she runs the pad along my forehead a few more times before discarding it, red blotches staining the cotton. “My God, you’re the most stubborn person I’ve met,” she sighs, the package crinkling as she removes another pad from the bag and soaks it with the hydrogen peroxide.

The pad is inches away from my forehead again when tears begin to fall down my cheeks out of nowhere, my lips creasing with them and my eyes falling shut. Skye’s face falls and she discards the pad, pulling my face against her chest and tucking my head under her chin.

“It’s ok. It’s ok. It’s ok,” she repeatedly hums against my hair, planting kiss after kiss on my damp ringlets. Arms around my neck keeping me close. “Everything’s going to be ok. You’re going to be ok, Ree.”

If only I could believe that too.

And if only the thought of giving him up didn’t scare me so damn much.

My weekend consisted of cuddles on the couch with Skye in our PJs, who decided to cancel her trip last minute, instead staying back to have a two-day long movie marathon with moi. She took care of me, making me a grilled cheese when I wanted, and stirring up chocolate milk for me when I wanted that too, and tending to my cuts a few more times until they were scabbing up and could fend for themselves. She didn’t push for the story again, but I knew it was on the end of her tongue and it was only a matter of time until she’d catch me off guard and make me spill.

With Monday looming closeby, I soaked up the last hours of freedom until eight am rolled around and I dragged myself out of bed. With a heavy lunchbox courtesy of Skye’s rare cooking excursion this weekend of Taco Soup and garlic bread, I head off into the chilly bright morning. Slipping into my forgotten front seat of my car, I start up the old thing and only then remember my lack of gas issue. But when I look at the gage, it’s hugging the bold F. Oh, Skye, what would I do without you, I think to myself with the warm hint of a smile clinging to my lips.

I put the car in Park and turn the keys until the hum of the engine is no more. With a deep breath, I peak a look at myself in the rearview mirror. Loose chestnut curls barely touching the shoulders of my violet peacoat and the smooth brown dress underneath it. By habit, my eyes dart to the slightly discolored area of skin just meeting my scalp and the dark crease in my bottom lip. If you don’t look too closely, you can’t notice them with the makeup and the colored lip balm. Sighing, I grab my purse and lunchbox and leave my car for the long parking garage in search of the elevator that will take me up to the seventeenth floor, and back to Harry.

The main floor of seventeen is doused in a quiet hum, albeit for the occasional phone ringing and small conversation among the Cubiclers tucked away in their cubicles by the elevator. Dark clouds hover on the other side of the clear pristine windows, threatening to burst at any moment as they cast dreariness over the black tiled floor and sleek gray granite walls of the firm’s main floor. The circular fluorescent bulbs hidden in the black wooden ceiling work hard as the rain nears, and stab needles into my head that still dully aches after three days.

My MacBook sounds its typical whoosh as its screen comes to life. I open my email with slow fingers, relieved and yet surprised to find only a handful of emails waiting for me. A handful or sometimes two less than usual. Thank God.

My fingers float across the keys with learned ease, composing a reply to a current client asking for some more information and certain documents that are the usual after Harry liked what he heard in the face to face consultation from Friday. I include a timeframe for when they’ll hear from us next, before sending the email off.

The day drags on with its hits and its misses. My time is spent answering emails and typing up new ones, retrieving and delivering case files for Harry that land on his empty desk as he sits in a courtroom across town. Last but not least, I take another crack at filing, rounding out another few sizable stacks before lunch arrives and I’m knee to knee with Asher in the breakroom scarfing down my soup and sharing my cookies.

3 o’clock rolls around out of nowhere, the rain clouds far gone as I savor the sliver of sunlight peeking out from behind the now fluffy clouds. Harry’s weekly list dinged in my inbox hours earlier and has grabbed my attention ever since, checking off a few things already until I decided to devote the rest of the day for filing and then hopefully finishing out the rest tomorrow. I kneel down and pick up the granola bar I dropped trying to take it out of one of the drawers of my desk. My hip bumps my creaky old desk as I leave for Harry’s office to get on that filing. The voices of Green Day, The Stones and Fleetwood Mac among others swim around me as names and numbers occupy my mind, as bright warm sunshine peeks in through Harry’s windows. I don’t catch one glimpse of him for the rest of the day, or of anybody else of significant importance much to my pleasure. I leave the rest of the files for tomorrow, gleeful at the sight of only a few stacks left and the bubbling hope of how happy Harry will be to see them all done. A new song by Vance Joy fills my car as I pull out of the parking garage and begin to make my way home.

My alarm clock rings too quickly the next morning, waking me up with a sad frown at having to leave that wonderful dream where I was on a beach with Derek from Teen Wolf. Mmmmm. Fucking alarm. I stumble out of bed and whiz through my morning routine with heavy limbs and heavy eyes. My Tuesday is a blur of coffee, emails, to-do lists and dreading doing the rest of those files. But with a new album and sneakily watching some more American Horror Story, I get through the day along with Skye’s soup and cookies.

With the secondhand hugging the 11 and the shorthand inching towards the 5, I decide to call it a day and make a break for my desk. Hiding away thick files and stacks of empty ones, I tidy up my desk and put everything back where it was this morning before deciding to head out. But when I’m reaching for my purse, I happen to look up and find Harry walking in my direction. Well, so much for thinking I could avoid you today, the words course through my skull as I heave a silent sigh at watching him arrive in front of my desk.

“Did ya drop something’?” he questions, leaving out a greeting as his striking maroon suit tightens around him when he bends over to pick up something off the floor. His eyebrows quirk together as he looks down at a white envelope, and a second later I feel my heart cease in my chest. “Hmm, ‘s addressed t’ me, I wonder what it ‘s,” he continues, apparently thinking that because of that he can go ahead and help himself and open it although it wasn’t sealed and the content already had begun to spill out. 

I scramble around my desk and over to him, not so calmly or chalantly ripping it from his hands. But when he looks up and over to me, I realize I was a fraction of a second too late because the creased letter tight in my hand is open just enough for the words stuck to it to be known to the world. Thick emotions paint his face all over, creasing the space between his eyebrows as they knit together sadly with his puppy dog eyes locked on me. Lips trembling to open, but not fully getting there. All as my heart races uncontrollably, regret filling my body quickly with my chest growing tight and my cheeks hot. Realization dawns on me, making me think back to bumping into my desk on my way to file some stuff. Shit. Devastation slowly sticks to every inch of skin on his face and seeps into his green eyes framed by thick lashes.

“Becks,” he rasps, hand going to his hair as if it’s his own unique coping mechanism. “What's this? I-I mean I know what it ‘s, but I don’ get it. ‘m so bloody confused . . yer quttin’?” Harry croaks, words coming out fast and then slow, and sloppy and crazed. “If you want less hours or t’ get off earlier, I can do that. Even if ya want more hours, we can figure that out. Or if ya wan’ a lighter workload, we can work sumthin’ out, Becks, I promise. Jus’ tell me what you need and ‘ll make it happen, jus’ pleas don’ leave.”

Wow. His lips sputter to a stop, as my heart does something the same and I’m left all of a sudden speechless, but with so much to say just a minute ago. Or so I thought. My heart only thumps faster and harder when he comes closer to me at the end of his plea.

“I-I’m not leaving, Harry. I-I just- I don’t know . . . “

“What d’ya mean? Tha’s a two weeks notice letta I just read. T-this isn’t makin’ sense, Becks,” he replies in a huff, throwing up a hand in exasperation before it falls heavy with a plop against his leg. Yeah, I don’t know, either. “Wha’s bloody goin’ on?” he outright asks, eyes glued to me and expecting an answer. And a good one at that.

“I have it because I’ve been thinking about it.”

“Why’re you thinkin’ ‘bout leavin’? What happened?” he questions quickly with sad eyes, and when they stray from my face to land on my forehead he steps forward, and I suddenly feel the urge to shrink into myself. If only that were possible. “Becks, yer head - ‘s gashed open, what’d you do, love?”

“I’m just clumsy, I tripped and fell,” I answer, looking away from his prying eyes and then back to find something in his that I don’t like.

I know that he doesn’t believe me.

“Yer not a good liar, ya know that?” he answers, lifting his eyebrows ever so slightly. I nod softly, looking around awkwardly without an idea of what to do, or say. “Did sumbody do this t’ you?” Harry continues, taking another step when there aren’t many left. I inhale nervously when the pad of his thumb softly brushes over the healing cut at the edge of my scalp that I couldn’t as easily hide the scab and bruises of this morning.

I can’t meet his eyes. I can’t. Because if I do, I’m afraid all of the words pent up inside of me that wish to free his ears with the truth will all come rushing out. No matter how much I try to stop them. And that the crazy beating of my heart will make them go all over the place, just like his touch has done to me. A gentle ‘heeey’ drops from his lips, making me look up at him and into his soft caring eyes that belong to the real Harry. My Harry. With courage bubbling up inside of me, my lips begin to part when a loud voice cuts in.

Jennings.

“Harry! I got Mr. Bishop on the line about the crazy Tillings case that’s all over the news. You know the one, with the wife stabbing her kids to death . . Well, there’s some stuff he wants to talk to you about, like maybe even hiring you for the Defense instead of Tomlinson,” he nearly shouts, with a foot out of the door of the large meeting room across from us. Several of the big lawyers like Stone, Bradley, Mickey, and Rose are visible through the half drawn blinds strewn over the windows acting as walls around the secretive room. It looks like the judge interrupted an important meeting, another one that Harry just so happened to skip out on. 

Harry sighs, muttering an ‘I’ll be there in a sec’ to Pete, before turning back to me. Hand back to himself and eyes full of questions, ones that I don’t want to answer. But I do. I just don’t know if I can.

“We’re not done here. ‘ll see you tomorrow’ before court and we’re settling all this then, alright?” he says with a wag of his ringed finger, and I nod at him. It’s really not that much, but it seems like more when he squeezes my arm as he holds my gaze before leaving with a goodbye.

Well, I guess my secret’s out. 

I inadvertently avoided my phone and emails for the rest of the night, and the next morning until I pulled into the parking garage attached to the gleaming skyscraper that I call my work. With my head down and the word ‘avoid’ repeating over and over in my head, I quietly make my appearance and try my best to slip away to my desk unnoticed. My heart pounds a little as my email loads, the innermost part of me dreading the long list of new emails waiting for me and the possibility one or a few might be from Harry.

A strange calmness covers me when his name isn’t found anywhere in my new emails on this dreary and cold Tuesday morning. Nervously, I pull up the weekly list and double check his agenda for the day, even though I was the one who wrote it and I should remember. But I wrote it up weeks ago.

Tuesday, November 9th

Court for the O’Pete’s Case 10AM - All day

Dinner with friend at The Grand 5pm

The plan for the day is simple and to the point, with some room for leeway and adjustments which I won’t be surprised if he makes. And a later start to his morning, which I know by now that he certainly likes. But not today, because guess who’s going to be Mr. Early. Ugh. I busy my mind this morning by answering emails and returning calls, peeking a glance every now and then in the direction of the elevator expecting to see him pop up out of nowhere. The first few times I look over without a hint of his appearance, but the fifth time I watch the elevator doors open and spit him out.

Oh no.

I know I can’t, but I almost try to hide behind my desk. Drop my head and busy myself with something. Turn around and make it look like I’m grabbing something from behind me. Crouch down and dig in the lowermost filing cabinet.

“Hey.” an internal groan ripples through me at the remembering that of course, he has to walk right past my desk on his way to his office. Could I be any more stupid? Probably not. “I wanna um talk t’ you ‘bout yesterday, ya busy?” the raspy words roll off his tongue fast. I slowly sit up to look at him, but it can’t be slow enough. His long curls gleaming wet after what must have been a morning shower, his nose and cheeks dotted with red from the London cold.

“Yeah no I’m fine,” I reply hastily, my words tumbling out before I can tell them to stop. Dread and nervousness guide my actions as I turn to face him fully and close my laptop.

“Kay, c’mon then. I wann’ talk in my office.”

Gulp.

Pushing my chair in, I leave my desk and follow his heavy footsteps down the hall and around the corner. The thump thump of my heart picks up as his drying curls bounce on his shoulders, and his shiny new YSL boots click clack on the tile flooring.

Here we go.

“Sit down,” he instructs, waving a hand to the black leather chairs in front of his cluttered desk. I do as he says, crossing my legs and folding my hands as I watch him set his black leather messenger bag on his desk and get situated as I wring my hands nervously. 

I watch his careful and rather rushed movements, until he’s hung up his jacket and fixed his hair. “Now le’s talk,” Harry sighs as he walks towards me and sits down on the corner of his desk to face me. Okay then.

“What’s there to talk about?”

“Don’ lie t’ me. You know I wan’ t’ talk ‘bout that two-week letter I found of yers,” he goes on with a huff.

“I know, but there’s nothing to be said. I changed my mind and decided not to give it to you.”

“Well yer mind had t’ have been made up pretty damn good ‘bout quittin’ if ya felt so compelled t’ write it in tha first place,” he argues, looking away after a moment with a shake of his head.

I take a cue and shake mine too, frustrated at the way he’s acting and how big of a deal he’s making about this.

“You were never supposed to see it,” I comment softly in admittance, looking up from my lap and to him. But he won’t look at me. A hand adorned with rings is in his hair as he looks away, then stands up and walks over to where midmorning sunlight streams in through the polished window.

“What, are ya not happy enuf here, Holte?” he asks, throwing up a hand that he seconds later stuffs in the pocket of his tight black pants. It’s almost painful to hold back a snort at his remark, or to chime in with a ‘duh’ or an ‘are you serious’. “I thought we’d figured out our own li’l system and that you were comfortable an’ happy here”

When I don’t answer, I can’t ignore his heavy sigh that pokes at me and somehow makes this worse. “What can I do t’ make ya happier, huh?” Harry says softly, but not in a nice way, and more like in it a perturbed way like he doesn’t want to have this conversation any more than I do.

I don’t know about that.

His question catches me off guard a little, and I almost want to take it the wrong way. But things aren’t like that, and what’s to say that they ever will be more. Turning my mind to something else to get it off that, I start to think of what I should tell him. Well for starters, you could stop dating that bitch of a Barbie and that would take away something like half of my problems. Then there’s maybe treating me with some respect and decency, and not just when you like or those certain days when you decide we’re friends.

“Nothing, I’m fine,” I decide to say, but I regret it almost as soon as I say it, because he’s Mr. Doesn’t Take No For An Answer.

“Why can’ ya just talk t’ me,” he relents, something sad and real creasing his brows and painted in his eyes. I start to fall for it and the truth itches to come out.

Briiiiiiiing!

He huffs and his gaze lingers on me willing me to speak as he seems to wait it out to see if it’s going to ring a second time and a third time and a fourth. And just when I gather a little nerve he reaches out and picks up the phone. “This is Harry,” he answers, pulling his lips in and pressing them together as he listens to the person on the line. I watch his eyes dart around and he nods with a ‘mmhmm’ before grabbing a pad of paper and a pen, jotting down something important.

I can hardly take the mix of awkwardness and tension for a minute longer, and I stand up and make it for the door.

“Becks, wait.”

The name and its sudden return hit me like a wall, hard and out of nowhere. My lips tremble with all of the things that I could say, and my limbs stutter with the things I could do. I decide on one, and I turn around. “I’m not going anywhere, so would you stop worrying about it?” I tell him, watching his face donning an expression I don’t want to read as the phone is still pressed to his ear, his hand cupping the speaker.

I think I hear a small sigh, but I don’t know because I’m already turning around. A harsh clud! tickles my ears and just as the icy metal welcomes my fingers, a warmth arrives on my shoulder making me spin around to find it.

“Please don’ leave, I still wanna talk t’ you. Ya’ve been actin’ so weird lately and there’s a cut on yer head and ya dropped a two weeks letta’ that ya say wasn’ real or sumthin’ . . . Will ya jus’ tell me wha’s goin’ on already?” Harry almost pleads, the ‘please’ stinging in his eyes. I can’t do it. The pleading and concern drowning in his eyes does it. It gets me.

“You won’t believe me,” I almost mumble, unsure of if he heard me until his quickfire ‘tell me’ knocks that down.

“Ya underestimate me sumtimes.”

A soft ‘okay’ falls from my lips recklessly a few breaths later, just like the rest of what I’ve said in the last minute. A shaky breath trickles into my lungs, my heart picking up speed as words jumble around in my head. It’s only made worse when his hand placed on my shoulder that’s hard to forget gives a little squeeze, egging me on.

“It’s um Amber, s-she keeps harassing me, Harry. I put that file on your desk the other day and I know that she took the crime scene photos out and did something with them just to sabotage me, or something. Also other times when she comes in, she always has to give me shit somehow: accidentally knocking over a coffee on my desk, accidentally hitting the end button on my phone when I’m on a call, or her favorite being to tell me that I’m not allowed in your office when you’re not here. I’ve told her time and time again that I am, but she won’t believe me,” I talk fast, shoving the words out into the free air before I stop myself, or before he does. My eyes jutt away from his, far too nervous and scared to wonder what they’re holding because his poker face doesn’t work on me. And if I see something I don’t like, I’m afraid I won’t get the next part out, because of that and the dryness eating up my throat. “A-and Friday I was doing filing in your office, and from the second she helps herself in she won’t leave me alone to get out because ‘I’m not allowed’. She was almost screaming at me, and she literally dragged me by the arm out an-and threw me at the door but I missed and hit the trimming o-on the wall, giving me a bloody fat lip and doing that to my forehead,” I divulge, sputtering to a hurried stop before another word takes it out of me and I’m spilling tears on his shoes.

My chest shakes with each hasty breath and the violent thuds of my heart pounding against my ribcage. Sweat slickens my palms I didn’t realize I was folding together so hard, the tips of my fingers white against my knuckles that I instantly release. But then they start to shake. Tears prick at the back of my eyes, ready to make their debut as I nibble nervously at my lip. Dread fills me, mixing with my nerves and anxiety and fear and everything else to make the worst feeling ever. It surpasses the gut-wrenching anxiousness of sitting at your desk in class waiting for the teacher to hand you your graded test. Or being statue still behind the wheel during your driving test afraid one little mistake will make you fail. Or the impending drop of a rollercoaster that makes you feel like your stomach is going to jump into the sky along with the rest of you.

The uncomfortable eeriness of silence pools around us, slowly building an invisible distance between him and I. A distance I’m afraid will be magnified by just a few words from him. Words that he could spill at any second. The waiting is always what kills you. I get ready to speak, new words ready to spring off the tip of my tongue.

“Tha-that’s not Amber, Becks, she’d neva do that kinda stuff, let alone give sumbody a gash on their head and a fat lip,” Harry finally says, words quick and sharp that are accented with a nervous laugh. Gulp. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach at the drop of a hat- or at the second he disagrees. A sudden angry heat fills my body all over, joined by a sourness spilling into my stomach. I think the toast and oats from this morning are going to be reappearing real soon. “‘m sorry ya think that, Becks, but I know her and she wouldn’ do that kinda stuff t’ sumbody, I swear,” he finishes. As if I needed to hear it a second time.

Braving it, I meet his eyes and find them creased with something sad that I don’t give a shit to decode, but I know they look even worse when they lay on mine. I take a step back, feeling his hand slide from its place on my shoulder. He steps towards me and almost grabs my hand, but I pull it out of his grasp. “Don’t,” I almost spit through gritted teeth, my heart beating loud and fast in my ears. My name starts on his lips, and I shake my head. No. “O-of course you didn’t believe me. God, what was I thinking? Why would you anyways?! Your head is so fucking wrapped up in her that you can’t see anything else but what she wants you to see, Harry!” I explode, words flying places without a thought. Because who gives a flying fuck.

Rage seethes through my veins hot and fast. A sudden boom! of thunder echoes through the room, big fat raindrops hitting the window with pits and pats. The former rays of sunshine nowhere to be seen as smoky clouds dominate the sky. 

Yeah, things sure do change fast.

“Becks, c’mon. ‘ve known her for years, I know she wouldn’ do this stuff yer accusing her of!” he replies, throwing his hands up and doing a half sigh-half gasp in exasperation. “Why would she anyways, what reason has she got t’ harass you if that were even true?”

“She hates me, Harry! Ever since the first day she met me she’s had it out for me. I’ve done nothing to her, but she insists on making my life hell ever since. I don’t know why, m-maybe she feels threatened by me or something, because you’ve kept me around for so long and because I’m a fricken girl! Why are you asking me? You should be asking her, Harry!” I almost shout, but at this point I don’t think either of us cares anymore. A guttural groan leaves his lips, a hand caught in his hair next messing it up further as he keeps his distance rightly.

“I know her, Becks. I know she wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Somebody dragged me by the arm and threw me to the ground, Harry! It wasn’t some ghost, I saw who it was. It was bloody daylight out and I’m sure you could ask anybody around here and they could tell you they saw her here at that time on that day, and maybe even what I looked like afterward!” I yell at him, finding my hands in my hair next, feeling the urge to pull it out. Palms sweaty, goosebumps covering every inch of my body and my brain turned on to fight mode. The sour feeling in my stomach grows, and next my eyes begin to blur ever so slightly and I don’t know how much longer I can fight. Or how much more. “W-why don’t you believe me, Harry? Why would I ever lie to you?” I relent, throwing a frustrated hand up to have it smack against my leg. My words crack at the very end and I shake my head with a sad smile.

It looks like a light clicks on in his head, filtering to his eyes as his lips part slowly. His forehead shiny with the same kind of clammy and angry sweat that covers my body. I blink at the blurriness, but it only grows worse.

“Amber’s not like that, she’s neva been,” he continues, refusing to give her up by holding onto her honor. It makes me sick. And if I stay here another minute longer, I’m afraid that I will be. “Becks, y-yer just confused o-or ya took sumthin’ she did wrong.”

“Wow, you’ve really got yourself hooked on believing all of her lies, Harry. You really have no clue of what kind of person you’re dating . . And I can’t believe I ever thought th-that there was some good down deep inside of you,” I spit, the anger and intensity falling as the words hit the air and my fight leaves me too, leaving the last words hanging there in my exhausted voice.

His grief-stricken face drowned in a mixture of sadness, confusion, and anger stare back at me in a blurry haze that disappears with my next blink. Hot tears trail down my cheeks, my whole body heavy. My heart. My stomach. My head. My eyes. His boots click when he inches towards me, but I move away by habit. A habit I didn’t know that I suddenly have. It hits him too, and the hurt etched into his face deepens from seconds before.

My heart wrenches at the sight of him. And the immediate disgust. I spin around, dying to get out of here and as far away from him as I can get. I swipe hastily at the tears flying down my cheeks, the clack of my heels muffled in my ears where my heart beats ravenously faster and faster and so do his words that play like a tape in my head.

It doesn’t stop when the sounds of seventeen come back to me, or people passing me, or the bile beginning to rise in my throat. Or even when I’m pushing past the doors. Or when I’m emptying the remnants of this morning’s breakfast from the pit of my stomach. His words and the look on his face still drill into my head, and when another wave hits me I heave into the toilet as the cold ridges of the dirty tile dig into my boney knees. Once it passes, I’m not yet out of the woods as sobs wreck my body and only grow worse when I play over and over the words he said.

And it only amounts when I think that maybe just maybe he’ll burst in here any second calling for me and admit his fault. But as the minutes grow and my cheeks become wetter, I sit back and curl against the partition of the stall and cry harder. Because he isn’t coming. He never will. 

He’ll never be that prince in shining armor I’ve wanted him to be this whole time.

[yoongiboon]

Picture Perfect (pt. 6)

PT. 1 | PT. 2 | PT. 3 | PT. 4 | PT. 5 | PT. 6 | PT. 7

Reader x Yoongi

Plot: After finding yourself in the same situation day after day, a stranger with a camera happens to change up everything with just a snap of a button and a lot of misunderstandings.

Genre: Drama/Romance

WARNING: that smut/really angsty

Count: 9,337

(gif to rightful owner)

A/N: This has been in my drafts for like... two... (??) weeks now? I’m also dead on in the inside from writing this.

“He Keeps Eating All My Toaster Strudels.”

Monday morning came after a day of nothing but laying in my bed.

The alarm went off; I grunted and contemplated calling in sick; rolled out of bed and showered – the usual routine. I didn’t even have to wake up really early, I just didn’t want to wake up in general. Every single time the horrifying bells woke me up I swore I had a heart attack.

It will be the death of me.

At work I was surviving off my employee-discounted coffee. Caffeine was my only motivation. Thank God mornings were slow – only an old couple and someone around their early twenties stopped by. Usually I would complain about being bored, but right now it was paradise to be able to lean against the kitchen door and just relax.

“Sooo slow, yeah?” The cook, Seokjin, sat down on a nearby chair, “I hate just standing around doing nothing. It makes me wanna rip my hair out – ya’ know?”

“Oh boy, do I.” I smiled as I straightened up, “It’s also nice though. I don’t mind not having pissed off customers screaming in my face. I’d rather have my ears on my head and not their spit.”

Seokjin chuckled, “Luckily I don’t get to deal with those gems. I’d end up whacking them with my spatula and losing my job.” He scratched his neck and closed his eyes; a drowsy appearance swept over, “I’m surprised you still have yours.”

“What does that mean?”

“Well, I figured you’d gotten a least a dent in the payments by now,” an eye opened, “for at least some credits or a dorm room or something. You’ve been here way longer than I have.”

Shit, I forgot he knew. “Oh… yeah. Well, I guess I just haven’t really looked into all what I have. I still need to pay rent and buy food and stuff. It takes a while.” Shrugging, I slid down the frame and pulled my knees to my chest, “And that’s the best case scenario – what if I don’t even get accepted? I’m old for going to college.”

“Ya! Don’t say that.” He pouted, folding his arms, “I still want to go and I’m what, two or three years older than you? You’re making me feel historic...”

“Seokjin don’t say that. You look much too young for your age.” I smiled.

“You’re much too formal – it’s fine to just be casual. We’re friends, yeah?” He returned the grin and stood up, “Someone’s here. I heard the bell.”

“Yeah...” I also stood, smiling more but this time to myself, “we are.”

I yawned and rubbed my eyes – I didn’t even bother putting on any make-up this morning. The customers are welcome to not stare at my face then. Practically falling through the doors, my feet carried me to the cash register and I lazily glanced around to see how many bodies had shuffled in. I only caught one sliding into a booth and my hand reached for a menu as I picked a pen up.

Man, I need more coffee.

“Hello, how may I help you...” I could feel my smile falter, “...Yoongi?”

“What’s up?” Gums appeared from behind his lips as I gently set the menu on the table, “I just want coffee. It’s early.”

“I’ll be right back with that for you.” As hard as it was, I managed to still sound at least somewhat professional. “Nothing else? No water?” My heels turned quickly as soon as he shook his head; my legs stiff. Yet you still avoid his gaze – how rude.

His expression evened out as he looked at me again, fingers carefully raising from his side to brush a strand of soaking hair behind my ear, before it retracted.

“I can’t get enough of you.”

The words echoed in my mind. They rang through my body as he quickly looked away and excused himself from the bathroom. They spread throughout my chest as I turned off the water and drowsily dried myself. They appeared on the mirror as I wrapped myself in a robe. They shook the walls as I carried myself to my bedroom. They came from his soft breathing I heard in the living room as I passed by.

I threw on clothes and my fingers messily combed through my hair as I tried to fix it even though I knew it was pointless. Staring at my bed, my first thought was sleep – but it quickly drifted to Taehyung and I whipped my head around as I searched my cell phone. Even though rationally I knew I could just speak with him in the morning, I felt like it had to be done right now. It’s the least you could do. After minutes of searching, I ended up by the couch; staring at a sleeping body. I hesitated poking him – who knew what he would react like? For all I knew he could rip my finger off… how did he manage falling asleep that fast anyways?

“What are you doing Y/N.” It spoke and I jumped back – my finger safe for now. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, Jesus Christ you scared me.” I rubbed my face, wrapping an arm around myself, “I just wanted to know where my phone was. I need to check on Taehyung.”

“Oh… oh! Yeah, it’s on the kitchen-island-thing. Sorry, I should have told you.” He shuffled, turning around so he could look at me. I thanked him softly – my attention fully on a counter with my lump of a jacket sitting on-top.

The footsteps seemed louder than normal – even if was just my bare feet. Everything seemed loud. Everything seemed stiff. My thumb flipped through the pass-code and scrolled through contacts until his name popped up. Instinctively I pressed call and held the phone to my ear. My eyes wandered around the kitchen as it rang a few times before I heard a click.

“Y/N! How was your shower? How are you doing? It’s so late, why aren’t you sleeping? You need sleep! Is Yoongi back yet? I told him to grab… oh, well I guess he is or you wouldn’t have your phone.” The voice in the receiver was rushed, a grin sneaking onto my lips as caution dripped from his words.

“It was really nice Tae – I just got out like two minutes ago. You’re not my mom, stop telling me when to go to bed.” It felt weird talking so loud and cheerful. Silence was hovering through the entire apartment not yet a minute ago but here I was. “I’m okay, I feel better. Thank you for taking me home...”

“No, no, please don’t thank me. It was my pleasure to take you home. I just wanted you safe. Yoongi will keep you safe too – he’s really pissed about what happened. I am too.” Taehyung seemed to be starting to calm down. Calming down? “I’m not going to drag on about it though, don’t worry. No one has to know if you don’t want them to.”

“I know… thank you.” I suddenly became hyper-aware of Yoongi laying on the couch behind me. “How do you know he’s pissed? He seems the same to me.” My voice lowered slightly; I tried to curl into the phone so Yoongi wouldn’t be able to hear me.

“Just trust me. I’ve seen him upset a few times – except it was at me. He’ll be nice to you though; if he’s not I’ll personally come over and kick his ass.” It sounded like he was walking through his house, most likely going to his bedroom since it was really late. Now I feel bad for keeping him awake. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yeah, of course. I’m fine. I just really want to sleep this off. I’m sorry I was such a wreck earlier.” A chill ran through my spine and damn, I needed to turn up the heat. The tile floor wasn’t helping much, either. “I didn’t mean to just… yeah. Just sorry.”

“Why the fuck are you sorry?” The shuffling stopped and Taehyung voice snapped. At you. “Don’t you dare apologize. You aren’t the one who needs to say sorry. That fucking breaks my heart that you think you need to ‘say sorry’. You were not a wreck. If anything, I’m so sorry I didn’t realize you were gone earlier. I’m so sorry that happened.”

“Tae, don’t be sorry. I’m not your responsibility. I’m just happy you showed up when you did. I don’t know what I would have done if you didn’t.” The words struggled coming out as my throat began clenching around them. Don’t you dare cry again. “Thank you so much.”

“Of course. It is my responsibility to take care of you since you’re my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Y/N. I love you so much.” The shuffling resumed and his voice was muffled. Just breathe. “Get some sleep. If you need me just pick up your phone.”

“I love you too,” my elbows touched the counter, “you get some sleep too,” suddenly all my weight was on my arms. “Thank you.” Just breathe. I somehow ended the call – or maybe he did. I couldn’t remember alone let alone form a coherent thought. Taehyung’s right, I sniffled, just sleep. My eyes shut tight and automatically my fists came to my cheeks. Calm down, why are you even crying? He was pissed off? Because of you? This is all because of you, you know that right?

The couch creaked and before I could turn around, my back was pressed against a chest and Yoongi’s arms enclosed around my own, “Hey, hey.” The contact shocked me, making me flinch and attempt to pull away. “Shh, it’s okay. I’m not gonna do anything. I’m an asshole, not a pervert.”

I knew he was only trying to make me laugh, but in the end my heart felt like it had just gotten stabbed because holy shit, Hoseok. I felt like such a piece of shit standing there in the kitchen just crying for some reason. Stop. I held my breath since you can’t cry if you’re not breathing. In the shower my tears were from the shock but now I was finally realizing what had just happened. I was digesting everything. Hoseok wouldn’t do that, why would he do that? Why would he -

“Don’t hold your breath, you’re going to pass out.” I could feel the heat from his mouth in my ear, which helped distract me from the ache in my lungs that was beginning to form. “Y/N – breathe.”  

He’d probably love for you to pass out. Everyone’s had enough of your crying for one night. You’re crying because one of your best friend’s almost just rapped you, yet all you ever do is sulk about how no one ever gives you attention? All your negativity does is give you negative attention. You deserve this. You brought this upon yourself. How can anyone respect you after this one? By becoming a doctor? You don’t make enough – you’ll never achieve your dreams or respect.

“No, no, no.. Shit.” His arms where shaking me, trying to break from me from my stubbornness. “Let it go. You’re just going to hurt yourself – focus on me, please.” Yoongi’s shaking only grew with each time he repeated himself.

See what you’re doing now? You’re freaking someone out. You’re fucking doing harm to everyone around you now. The only person who can stand to live with you is gone after this, sweetheart. Your time is up. Why would he want to stay around someone who can’t even breathe on their own? “I can’t get enough of you”? More like “I can’t wait until I leave”.

“Stop. Please stop.” Now he was rocking me side to side in a death grip, “Whatever is going on, it doesn’t matter. You know what does? Breathing. Don’t worry about anything else.” A whimper left through my wrists, my hands still fists on my eyes. “Yes, that’s it. Good job, you’re doing good. Just keep focusing on me.” His praises kept flowing out his mouth as more air escaped from mine until a sob eventually wrecked my body.  

God damn it, Y/N.

As quickly as I gasped he spun me around and buried my head in his chest. Yoongi’s hand soothingly rubbed my back which ended up coaxing more strangled groans from my throat. The hands at my face dropped down and clenched around his shirt; all he did in response was shush me repeatedly.

Eventually the voice disappeared – or maybe it didn’t. I just couldn’t hear what it was yelling at me anymore. Still though, the ache in my lungs was replaced with the betrayal stinging in my heart and my hands didn’t grab for something to hold onto but instead just for comfort – which happened to be the shirt I was crying into. But the more I cried into the shoulder the more pathetic I ended feeling. Just look at what you’re doing.

“I.. M’sorry. S-stop, I’m ruining your sh-shirt.” My fingers dug into his stomach in a weak attempt to push him away. “M’s-so sorry you h-had to do this.” I leaned away from him. Get him away from you, stop being so needy – it’s annoying.

“No, you stop,” the arms tightened around me, “stop apologizing. You didn’t do anything. First you apologize to Taehyung and now me – stop. You don’t need to say anything. What you need to do is just let me help you. It’s okay to cry, it’s normal. You should cry; it’ll make you feel better.” He rested his head on mine, and he surprisingly sounded grounded despite what was happening.

Time ticked away as we stayed slightly rocking in the kitchen. The cold-ass kitchen. Slowly but surely my weeping quieted and evened out until all that was left was occasional sniffling.

“Are you okay?” Yoongi mumbled. I couldn’t help but feel jealous at how easily he seemed to be breathing, but nodded anyways. “Are you tired?”

“Yeah.” I was shocked at my own voice. I didn’t sound like myself. “I am.”

He nodded, lifting his head and letting go of me slightly just to begin leading me from the kitchen and down the hallway. The entire time his arm was wrapped around my shoulders as if he trying to steady me. Which I didn’t mind much since fuck, I’m exhausted.

He opened and closed the door, directing us toward the bed. My knees gave out and I rolled onto the mattress, lifting the covers up and over myself. Yoongi was standing awkwardly to the side when I looked over, a forced smile appearing when our eyes met, “Do you need anything?”

“No.” Nodding, the male turned around slowly but the second he took a step my heart began racing.

Haha, look he’s leaving you. Doesn’t this seem familiar? A little too familiar? You know the second that door closes so does all the communication between you two. Didn’t you see his face? He’s done. Taehyung’s probably never going to talk to you over tonight, either.

“He-hey, wait. Yoongi?” I shut my eyes.

“...Yeah?”

“Could you stay in here?” Peeling my lids open, I slid lower into the sheets. “Ju-just until I fall asleep.” He turned a little, just so he could barely look at me. “Never mind. That’s… stupid. Yeah just – sorry, I –“

“Yeah, I will.” He scratched his head, licking his lips. “Should I just sit on the bed or...”

“Whatever you want.” I feel bad enough for asking.

He walked around to the other side of bed, sitting down and then scooting more towards where I was laying down. Pulling his knees up, his eyes avoided me. He seems so awkward. It was as if an hour ago in the shower had never happened and it was back to whatever was between us again. Then again, what you asked him to do was pretty awkward.

Slowly, my fingers inched toward the hand that was closest to me, my head turned slightly so he wouldn’t see what I was doing. Once my fingers touched his knuckles, his head sharply turned and he stared at the action. What are you doing? My fingers continued trailing upwards until they reached his wrist, before gently wrapped around it and tugging it slightly towards me.

His eyes drifted up and bore into mine as a “Hey, what the fuck are you doing?” but I quickly shook my head to excuse the lewd thought that crossed probably both of our minds. Tugging again, he gave in this time and leaned in towards me and propped himself on an elbow before I rolled over and latched onto his chest.

I don’t give a fuck if he hates cuddling.

“Here you go...” I felt rude not being able to meet his eye, but in the moment focusing on just sitting the damn coffee cup down right was more important. After all, I’d rather not take a broken mug out of my check. “Are you sure you just want coffee? We have food, too.”

Yoongi lifted the menu, offering it, “M’fine, but thanks.”

“I’ll be back to check up on you later, then. You know it’s job to get you to buy as much as possible.” I placed the coffee thermos near the pile of napkins.

“How late is ‘later’?”

I paused, what? “I, uh… ten minutes? Why?”

“Drinking coffee alone sucks.” His voice pouted, “Plus you left early and I haven’t seen you leave your room.” I looked up.

“Sorry. I didn’t...” I glanced around the tables for my boss, “I didn’t really know what to say so I stayed in my room yesterday.” The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was ungrateful, so I ended up taking the seat across from him. “Thank you, by the way. What I asked was really weird – what I did was weird.”

His smile returned, “No problem. I don’t think it was that weird. I mean, I’ve definitely done some ‘weird’ stuff to you.”

I leaned on my hand, “So we’re even?” He shrugged. “Neat. Let’s never bring it up again, yeah?”

“Only for revenge.” Yoongi winked, bringing the mug to his lips.

As nervous as I was for technically taking a “break” and risking being caught, it felt good to clear things up with him. What mattered more was the ease of my anxiety from being “abandoned” or whatever. Though, the more he kept staring at me the more I felt bad for not putting on make-up in the first place. How ironic.

“Wh-why are you here?” Adverting my eyes, I broke the silence. “It’s early – for you.”

“Oh.” Yoongi froze. “Right… about that. I, uh,” from the corner of my eye I saw him nervously lick his lips and lean back into the cushion, “I have a doctor’s appointment. And it takes, like, two or some hours to get there and… uh, well then I have to sit in the waiting room and then deal with the doctors and then… yeah, you know what I mean? So that’s why I’m up this ‘early’.”

Oh.

“So you came to get coffee? We have coffee at the apartment. I know you know that, too – since you always fucking drink all of it.” Forcing a laugh out hurt this time. Shit, was that wrong? “Wait, no. That came out wrong. I’m sorry. I meant more of an ‘oh, why waste the money?’ The coffee here isn’t any better.” Nice save, Y/N.

“No I know what you meant.” Surprisingly he chuckled, “I just wanted to see if it’s improved. Which it has – it’s not as bitter, though it has room to improve.”

“We have cream and sugar, don’t know why you’re still complaining.” I unconsciously bit my lip. “Then again you really like to, so.”

“Well I do like my coffee like I like my women,” he smirked as I raised my eyebrow, “’bitter’.”

My jaw dropped, “Am I bitter?” Did he mean that about me?

Yoongi shrugged, “Sometimes. Though I wasn’t talking about you.”

Ouch.

I returned to shift promptly after because wow, that was rude. I also wouldn’t have enjoyed getting caught taking an unscheduled “break”. Ten minutes later Yoongi left, and while leaning up the booth I found myself cursing him out for not even leaving me a tip. He happily raises not only my water but also electricity bill and doesn’t have the decency to help out. Shrugging it off, I quickly became distracted when another older couple came in.

The rest of the day was a blur. Things started picking up around four when kids got out of school and parents got off work. More than a couple of times I was surprised to find myself envying the families. I couldn’t say I wanted that life, but I wouldn’t hate it. Perhaps it was just myself longing for my parents. We used to do that. Ironically instead of enjoying the time I had with them, I moved away as quickly as I could. How cliché.

Serving them was the hardest part. My first-hand experience of seeing the siblings poke fun with each-other and the parents scolding them before quickly apologizing was… upsetting? You should be happy for them. They’re happy, they are doing what they love. Naturally I dismissed all the embarrassed and annoyed faces, wishing them a good meal, before I rushed back to the kitchen for the next table. Why aren’t you?

When the clock started nearing eight the younger and elderly crowd rolled out and in came what the staff referred to as, “The Lovers”. It was the perfect time of day for young adults and middle-aged couples to have a quick date night. Though cute, it was just as equally annoying. Not to mention most of them left a mess from doing who knows what.

What do you love?

“Aren’t they cute?” Wendy, one of the other waitresses, cooed as she swung through the kitchen doors. “The couples?” Seokjin hummed in agreement and Wendy grinned.

“I guess you could call them cute.” Shrugging, I hastily placed drinks on a tray. “I think they’re more… ‘ooey-gooey’.”

“What?” She gasped, and I couldn’t really tell if she was genuinely surprised or not. “You mean you don’t like the couples? You don’t like the love in their eyes? Though the sad part is that most of them won’t last.”

“No, not really.” My tone was sheepish to hide the disgust. You shouldn’t say that. “It’s not like I don’t like them, though. I’m just...” Haha, it’s because you’re envious. “Neutral.” You want what they have.

“I guess I’m just one for the love, right?” Wendy giggled, heading towards the restroom.

Yeah, I guess. I left the room, semi-uncomfortable.

Thankfully the end of my shift was nearing. The clock had me by the throat and it was choking me right down to the second. I’m so exhausted. I was proud, though – a successful day at work even after whatever that weekend, if you could call it that, was. I wonder when Yoongi will get back. The bell dinged and with one last glace at the clock, I decided this was my last one. If it’s that far away, why would he even bother coming back tonight?

“Hello.” A forced a smile. Holy shit, I’ve had enough. “How may I help you?” Jimin.

“Ah, no name?”

Cocky. “I thought we had met before.”

“I know, I know...” Jimin giggled, covering his mouth, “It’s just I really like your name.” Flirty.

“Thanks, can I serve you now? Water?” It took all my strength to not roll my eyes. I didn’t hate him – not one bit. On the contrary, though, I didn’t like him either.

“Yes, please. Also a sixteen-ounce of your most popular.”

“You got it.” I bowed my head, spinning around. Both brothers in one day. What a surprise. In the scheme of things, I had mostly forgotten about Jimin. He had faded away from conversations and I never saw him around. Then again, I didn’t see why he would be a topic of interest – especially with Yoongi. I thought he had finally moved back – but that would have meant Yoongi would have been back at Taehyung’s by now. Unless… Unless he meant what he said that night in the bathroom.

Did Jimin know he was going to the hospital today? He came to what I think would be to “keep an eye on him”, but he didn’t seem too concerned out at his table. He also doesn’t seem too concerned by flirting with his brother’s “girlfriend”. I frowned deeply, trying to balance the glasses on the tray coming out again. Where do I and Yoongi even stand? I’m not his girlfriend, but we’re definitely not friends… or am I his girlfriend?

“Have you decided on a meal? Appetizer?” What am I to him? “Or are you one for desserts first?” What is he to me?

“I’ll just enjoy this, thank you.” He handed me the menu. “I already ate.”

Who the fuck eats and then goes to a restaurant? “Are you sure?” He nodded with a charming smile. “You’re just like your brother.” My heart stopped. Wow, that one slipped out, didn’t it?

“What do you mean about that?” Jimin raised an eyebrow. “Sit down, let’s chat.”

“I can’t, I’m on shift. There’s other customers besides you, you know?” Jesus Christ, they are just alike.

“I can see why he likes you.” He sipped his drink, eyes sending an invitation to still sit down.

“You can see who likes me?”

“Yoongi, duh. You two are dating, right?” I nodded quickly. You owe me one. “Well, I can see why you two are. He likes sarcasm – actually, he is sarcasm. From the two times we’ve met you’re pretty witty. I think we can all appreciate that, yeah?” His fingers tapped the table near a seat. Pushy.

“Where are you going with this? Because you’re really wasting my time, sorry.” Tapping my foot, my eyes wandered around for my boss. “Spit it out.”

“I’m just going to leave it at ‘be careful’. He’s a dick, if you haven’t been able to tell by now.” Jimin licked his lips. “Due to his situation, he’s more reckless than normal. Do you… know?” I hummed in agreement. “Yeah, well then you know we all don’t necessarily know when he’s… yeah. I mean, of course we have a vague guess but who really knows?”

“He had an appointment today.” I swallowed, leaning into the tray. “Maybe we will know after.”

“Doubt it, but perhaps.” He ran a hand down his face, sighing. “Anyways, what I’m trying to say: I know you two are ‘involved’, but I’m more certain than not that he hasn’t told you about his past relationships.” Jimin stopped, letting the words sink in as he sipped his drink. Why would that be important? “I take that as a yes? Haha, well you’re in for a ride. Though, disclaimer, it’s not as bad as you think.

“I don’t know if you could call them ‘girlfriends’ or not, but growing up he had many female friends. Yeah, ‘big deal’, right? Anyways,  there’s been multiple times where he has legitimately cheated on his girlfriends. And when they came crying to him yelling ‘oh why?’ he shrugged it off. More than not he’d laugh at them, like it was some sort of game to him.”

If this was any other situation I would have shrugged it off, because “big deal”. The conversation and my thoughts collided with each other, forming a name. Jinwoo. My heart throbbed, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the new news I received or from the memories.

Jimin must have been able to tell I was unsettled, because he swiftly reached out to touch my hand. “He’s older now though, and he’s matured so much. I can’t promise you that he’s changed, but I can ensure you that he’s better.” Through the sad smile and concerning look, I felt a smirk play somewhere in his features. “I really just wanted to tell you though, since it’s been bugging me. You’re a really nice girl, Y/N, and I feel like this is ‘cliché’ with the whole ‘your boyfriend has a cheating past but he’s different now’ is going to bore your brains out. In the end I know this whole… thing has him shaken up – even if you can’t tell – and it might make him freak out.”

“Thanks… for telling me this, Jimin.” What the fuck? “I appreciate it.” Please, leave. “You sure this is all you want?”

“Hey, why are you up so late?”

“What,” Taehyung chuckled, “did you not want me to call?”

“No, I always want to talk to you?” I sighed into the phone, rolling onto my side.

Walking into the door of my apartment was more exciting than I had remembered. By closing time I had my feet practically carving a trail into the floor from how much they were dragging, and I could barely mumble a coherent goodbye to the other employees still there. I threw my stuff onto the couch after checking for a body – which to my disappointment, wasn’t there. Wow, he’s been there literally all day.

It’s not that the talk with Jimin set me on edge, but it did make me wonder a bit. It’s just the past. What was younger Yoongi like? Was he the player that his brother tried to make me believe? Why would it matter? Perhaps I had been rude to Jimin, and he had genuinely tried to warn me about what could happen. What could? You two aren’t even dating.

“You’re silent, what’cha thinking about?” The phone spoke.

“Nothing, really.” ...Or are you? “What about you? You’re not chatty yourself.”

“Well, I was thinking about how I was going to confront Hoseok. I mean, that has to happen sooner or later, right?” Taehyung groaned; I sighed again. “I know you might just want it to ‘die off’ or something, but what he did was really wrong – drunk or sober. Haha, at least we know what he’s like drunk.”

“You shouldn’t have to confront him. I’ll do it. It’s between him and I, anyways.” I muttered, scratching my head before turning the lamp on my nightstand on. I can’t fucking think with it dark in here. “I’ll handle it, don’t worry. Knowing him he’d probably just get pissy if you did it. Plus, I would think he’s already punishing himself. Have you heard from him?” I glanced at the clock. 22:04.

Before Tae had rung me up, I had situated myself on the couch with the television on and a plate of scrambled eggs in hand. I was quite grateful he had called when he did, since I had migrated to my bedroom due to eating my eggs way too quickly and nothing good being on. In the back of my mind, I secretly wanted to be able to greet Yoongi when he got home – since, you know, hospitals are a bitch to deal with.

“No, but I haven’t tried to talk to him, either. I would doubt he shows up to the next outing – actually, make that three or four. If he does I’ll probably end up getting hammered and slugging him.” He chuckled again, this one a hearty one. That’s good. “Anyways, how’s Yoongi?”

“Oh, he’s…” Does he know? “He had some stuff to do today; he’s not back yet.” Play it safe for now. “He’s doing fine though. He keeps eating all my toaster strudels and I’m pretty upset about it.”

“He’s a dick. He’s sleeping on the couch right? Not all rubbing up on you in the middle of the night?”

“Pssh, he couldn’t if he tried. I feel violated when he even knocks on my door.” I felt good to have a normal conversation with him after this weekend. I feared he would end up being bitter for a week and not be able to take any matter lightly. When has he ever not made you laugh though? The event in theory was borderline traumatizing, yet in reality the only thing that was bothering me was Yoongi’s whole nice act. And talking to Hoseok.

“Yeah, well keep it that way! I must keep you pure.” His cooing made my roll my eyes.

“Who says I’m pure?”

“Well, then...” He struggled for a second, “...I must keep you in your current state of pureness. Whether it be one hundred or two percent.” Cheeky. “Promise?” I hummed in agreement, whether it was just a reaction or I really meant it. Somehow we managed to keep a conversation going for another twenty minutes, before we both started yawing a little too much and agreed to cut the call.

I turned off the light, rolling into the mattress. Bed never felt so good…  is it always like this? The crickets outside my windows didn’t annoy me tonight, and they ended up making me drift away quicker than normal. In fact, it had seemed as though I was almost dreaming in about five minutes when I heard a creak from my living room. Thief? I whipped over, eyes wide open as my clock read almost 23:00. Yoongi?

“Hey!” I shouted, taking a leap. This could end really badly, you know this? “Yoongi, is that you?” There was silence for a few seconds, and I considered jumping out my window because oh fuck that shit, before I heard a mumble.

“Yeah, it’s me.” Oh thank God. I never knew I’d be this grateful to hear his voice. “I’m surprised you’re still up.” The voice was closer, meaning he had come towards my door. My stuff is still all over the couch.

“I am, too. Let me get my stuff real quick, it’s all over the place. Sorry.” I switched the lamp back on, swinging my legs over the edge. The light burned my eyes, and I rubbed them hastily as I opened the door and felt my way down the hall. The apartment was dim – I didn’t even see Yoongi at first glance. “Jesus, turn some lights on.”

“I’d… rather not. I’m really tired. My eyes hurt from driving so much.” He grumbled from the corner. Oh, that’s right. “Do you need help?”

“Um, not really. But if you could just grab my jacket on the counter and throw it in my room that’d be cool.” I stuffed my keys and phone into my bag and with the other hand I picked up my shoes. Thinking back, I was surprised I even asked him to help. Wow, I’m really opening up to him or something. “How did your appointment go?”

“Fine.”

Yikes. I could figure it went shitty and let the subject drop, heading back towards my end of the apartment. The warm glow stood out, and I bumped the door with my hip on the way in before dropped my belongings in the corner of the room. I turned around, Yoongi a few steps behind and avoiding eye contact. His arm reached out to offer me my jacket, his face seeming to study my wall.

“Hey.” What’s wrong? “Do you need anything?” Gingerly accepting my coat, I eyed him. He never turned to look at me – if anything, he turned into himself even more.

“Just sleep.” Yoongi shrugged, hands coming up to rub his eyes as a heave left his chest.

I tossed my jacket near my bag on the floor, “Is there something in your eye?” God damn it, you’re going to look me in the eye if it’s the last thing you do. “Le’me look –“

“No, there’s not –“

I stepped forward and pulled his arms down, dipping my head so I could finally fucking see his face. But, in the end I ended up wishing I hadn’t since the only thing I could see where the lines tears had carved into his cheeks. I suddenly understood why he had avoided eye-contact since from the looks of it he couldn’t even see in the first place. I froze, panicking and not sure exactly what to do.

“Ha… have you been crying?” Wow, what a genius thing to say Y/N – you’re a real charmer. “Yoongi.”

“No.” I wasn’t quite sure if it was a hiccup or a sniffle but he hastily covered up whatever noise it was with shaking his head.  “I’m just tired, I told you that.” My eyes searched his face, since his eyes seemed to be looking anywhere but mine. “Just let me go to sleep.” He tried shrugging away, and the memory of me trying to do the same to him just days before crossed my mind. Instantly I let go of his forearms in favor of wrapping around his chest, holding my stance.

“Why are you hugging me?” He asked, voice tight.

I thought for a second, or maybe it was a minute. “...Because you’re sad.” It was the best I could come up with. It was the truth. “And… everyone needs some form of comfort when they’re sad.” I leaned my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat a couple times before adding: “Even you.”

“I’m not sad.” Yoongi huffed, leaning into me. “I’m more disappoin – no, I’m more hurt than anything.” I silently edged him on, not moving; barely breathing. “It’s just my dad. I, uh well the reason I’m back so late is because I went to visit my parents. I haven’t seen them in a long time and I guess I thought it’d be a good idea to see them. So after I went to the doctor’s I drove straight there since my mom had called and I promised her I’d see her as soon as I was out. The hospital was honestly the only good part of the trip. Which sounds depressing but, whatever. They were nice and everything – it just took for-fucking-ever.” He laughed a little, his arms finally moving to around my waist.

“Anyways, I went to my parents’ house. At first they were super happy to see me, and kept asking how I was – it was really refreshing. Then we just started talking and somewhere the topic of my career came out – and you know, it’s non-existent. The reason I have as much cash as I do is because my parents are loaded and feel bad about my… condition. I ended up telling them that I’m still looking around and hoping maybe I’ll somehow pick up my photography and make some cash off of that.” He paused.

“Something tells me they weren’t that happy.” I sighed sadly.

He hummed, “Yeah. My dad has a really short temper and he never really even supported my ‘picture taking’ in the first place.” Yoongi swallowed loudly, resting his head on my own. “He told me maybe it’s ‘best I pass, since you aren’t anything I can truly be proud of’. I’m not anything like my brother.”

“Jimin?”

He nodded, “He owns this huge camera company – how ironic that is.”

“I’m sorry.” I tightened my hold. “That’s… that just fucking sucks. Your dad seems like a complete jerk – I don’t know why he’d tell you that.”

“I know he’s a jerk.” Yoongi whispered, maybe to hide the crack that slipped through on the last word. “But, I can’t help but feel like shit when he says he could never be proud of me.” His chest hitched, but this time he allowed himself to sniffle. “I’m better dead than alive to him. My mom too, probably. Sorry, I don’t even know why I’m telling you all this.”

I knew saying “no, don’t say that” wasn’t going to do much for him. He wasn’t crying – or at least, I didn’t think he was – but I would hate to say meaningless words at this point. He helped you. I began rubbing his back, thinking of what to do. Help him. “Do you want my bed? I can take the couch.”

He shook his head slightly, “No, I’m fine.”

“Too bad,” I turned him around, “you’re tired and my bed is super nice.”  This is your plan? Letting him go, I gently pushed him onto the bed. Yoongi lethargically took a step before sitting on the edge of the frame. What a way to comfort someone. “Do you want water? I’ll get you some water.”

I awkwardly made my way out of my room, heading straight for the kitchen. I couldn’t yet decide if leaving the room was more for Yoongi or for me. The entirety of the way there all I could do was criticize myself on how I could work things better because man, what his dad said was rough. I filled a glass with water, took a deep breath, and made my way back to him.

When I opened the door he was still sitting on the edge, except now his head was in his hands. I quietly placed the cup on my nightstand, my eyes not leaving his frame. What do I do? “Here’s the water...” I licked my lips nervously, clenching and unclenching my hand. Don’t rip your palms open again like last time. “If you need anything I’m just outside. I promise the bed is better.”

“Thank you.” The light clicked off as he looked up from his fingers. The red had left his eyes and the puffiness in his cheeks were gone, but he didn’t seem better. I took a step backwards, bowing my head slightly. “Hey, wait...” His fingers wrapped around my wrist. I stalled, immediately looking back at him.

“What?”

Yoongi’s eyes met mine for the first time tonight. They darted from one to other, effectively distracting me from the pulling he was doing until the last second – when his other hand grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap. The first wave of emotion when his lips met mine was surprisingly relief. I steadied myself on the bed with my free hand, ignoring the awkward twist of my hips as I now sat on his lap. The next wave of emotion to hit was the anxiety. Yoongi tugged my wrist down more, causing my chest to not only arch into his, but also become filled with butterflies. You’re always so nervous when you kiss him.

The hand that held my waist trailed up to my chin, turning it. “Sweetheart, the couch sucks,” he whispered, “sleep in the bed.” His lips ghosted over my cheek as he turned it again before leaning back a bit. I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. When was the last time he used that? Yoongi’s eyes trailed over my face, studying me for a few seconds and then gazing into my own once more. With you? His thumb brushed over my bottom lip, slightly opening it – only when the pad slid off somewhat did I realize I was nodding.

Hypnotizing.

A split second later and we were kissing again. It was always somewhat soothing when this happened, but the anxious feeling in my chest didn’t leave this time. His fingers abandoned my jaw and traced themselves patterns behind my neck all while twisting to the left and easing us down. In the back on my mind I couldn’t help but acknowledge whenever things like this did happen – it was usually for the benefit of him.

That’s rude, don’t say that. The other hand on my waist retracted as soon as my side hit the bed. He’s sad. Tugging at my bottom lip, Yoongi propped himself up on an elbow so he was semi-hovering over my frame. He helped you out. One of my palms felt it’s way up his arm and then up his face, holding the cheek. So much for promising Taehyung.

I couldn’t help but wiggle slightly from the uncomfortable position my legs were in. Twisted to the side with them dangling off the side wasn’t in my best interest. Luckily, after a few seconds Yoongi seemed to notice and he broke away to sit back on his knees. From there he lifted them from the edge and scooted them on the mattress. Shyly I covered my face partially with my hand, the other arm coming to wrap around my stomach as I curled into myself.

He smirked slightly, running his fingers up from my legs to grab each wrist, “Don’t do that,” Yoongi murmured while rubbing circles into my forearm, “I mean it’s kind of cute, but don’t hide yourself.”

The words made heat rush to my cheeks; my initial reaction was to hide even more. A hand came down and tugged my chin down, opening my mouth before he licked into it. As nervous as I seemed to be feeling, I kissed back quickly and pressed into it. He hummed in satisfaction, tilting his head while his palms deserted their locations to roam elsewhere. They found the hem of my shirt, pausing for a second and then sliding underneath and framing the bottom of my ribs. I hissed into his lips from how cold his fingers were, the contact causing my back to arch slightly. Nonetheless, they continued to travel up, slowly but surely.

Oh, shit.

I immediately became self-conscious, hyper-aware now of the fact that I was bra-less and I swallowed thickly. Then, again, you were about to pass out. I also became hyper-aware of the fact that I had hugged him like this, too. Either he hadn’t of noticed before – and was about to – or didn’t care in the first place. This is convenient, but concerning. At this point I was convinced he could feel my heart beating through my chest.

Once Yoongi had realized my situation, he moved hands back down – causing me to wonder if he stopping briefly before he rutted my shirt up more and then continued moving. He breathed into the kiss once his thumbs ran over my nipples once, twice – and then finally starting to massage my chest firmly. Instantly I reached down to grab the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up to hide the fact that I started squirming.

Breaking away with a lewd smack, he didn’t hesitate to pull his shirt over his head. I couldn’t be bothered to study his chest, since not only my eyes were starting to feel heavy but my entire body became drugged out. Yoongi reached down and tugged mine off, afterwards turning to throw both of them somewhere in my room. Though doing the deed many times prior to this, it didn’t change the fact that I could barely hold eye contact and remind myself to just breathe.

I need to turn up the heat. Goosebumps raked over my skin; a shiver causing me to shake involuntarily. Yoongi bit his already swollen lip and started to fumble with the button on his jeans – his eyes never ceasing to run lengths from my face to stomach.

“Why do you wear such baggy shirts?” He sighed, pushing the fabric past down his hips.

I frowned, curling into myself again, “Because they’re comfy? They’re not ‘baggy’ they’re just… not fitted.” He’s so fucking cheeky.

He sucked in his cheek, trying not to smile. “You really need some tighter clothes..”

“Do I?” Sighing I rolled my eyes, shifting my hips as Yoongi pulled on my shorts. Once they had slid off he pushed my knees down and lied in-between them, humming in agreement next to my ear.

“Especially without a bra.” His voice was gravelly. I swallowed thickly, my heart dropping into my stomach, “Would you do that?” A line was traced with his tongue from my ear and along my jaw – ending at the corning of my mouth. His bangs brushed against my forehead, eyes peering from under eyelashes. “For me?”

Holy shit. My breath hitched and my eyes widened, not knowing exactly how to reply since I don’t know what the fuck he is doing, but keep doing it. My back arched, pressing myself into him which coaxed a small groan from his lips and his hands to slide up my stomach. Immediately afterwards his teeth attacked my neck, sucking skin in before gently biting it. Even though we still had – some – clothing on, there was suddenly stimulation everywhere. I reached up and knotted some fingers in his hair while the rest trailed across his shoulder blades.

A whine bubbled from my throat as he bit down on my collarbone. Yoongi pecked the spot, shifting his hips while my finger pressed into his spine. After fixating himself, my attention drifted to my thigh where something heavy was pressing into it. His nipping trail continued across the bones, the butterflies abandoning my stomach. I found a sort of confidence that he was at the least sporting a semi, and with the new feeling I lifted my hips up into his ever so slightly. The second pressure was placed he ground down with twice the effort, emitting a groan from both of us.

He let up, then pressed down harder. “Shit...” Yoongi stuttered, halting his trail. He continued the action over and over again, rolling down into me. Breathy moans came from my chest; small strangled noises coming from him. My fingers twisted around his locks and dug into his back. The air around us became heated, and I could feel my forehead begin to break out only after a few minutes.

Yoongi’s actions started to slow down, his licks returning. A few seconds later his grinding stalled altogether, but before I had a chance to complain one of his hands slipped down and rested heavily between my legs. My body went limp, my fingers coming undone from on-top of him. He pushed down harder and his fingers shifted slightly as my breath hitched again, a broken groan coming out. He skimmed through the thin fabric – stroking it again while his other hand began to grope my breast again.

“This s’okay, right?” He breathed into my neck, voice dripping with sexuality. I nodded feverishly, sighing as his hand dipped underneath the hem of my underwear. His didn’t go further, and only teased subtly before he growled lowly, “You have to say yes or no.”

After he spoke, fingers dove along my folds; slicking themselves as I tried to find the strength to speak again. A strangled “yeah” left my mouth after a second and then replaced with a sharp inhale as he slipped a finger in. After several slow pumps another digit dipped in – both swiftly curling upwards. My face flushed, hips bucking instinctively while a whine worked it’s way past my lips.

Once a steady rhythm had been set, Yoongi leaned forwards and sucked on my bottom lip. Not long after finding the certain place that caused me to squeeze around his fingers time after time again, he worked his way into my mouth, effectively swallowing the moans that kept falling out. I couldn’t really keep a decent kiss going on my end, which ended up making the action just smacking noises that filled up the room. Quickly a coil clenched in the bottom of my stomach, my hands flying up to tug at his hair and twirl the locks behind the ears.

“Are you close?” He purred into my lips, earning a nod and more broken moans. “Can you cum?” Yoongi’s thumb pressed harshly into my clit and his fingers seemingly pumped roughly right into the building knot. “For me?”

Instantly my breath caught in my throat, ignoring his play on words, before a strangled noise emitted out. My back arched as my heart pounded in my ears, eyes squeezing shut. The pace he had didn’t slow, but kept moving fluidly while little groans vibrated his chest here and there. Only after the stimulation became sensitive and I started squirming again did his hand retract.

Ever so casually he pecked my lips before leaning back on his knees and then swirling his tongue teasingly around his digits. Yoongi’s eyes, dark like many times before, bore into mine while his free arm snaked down his torso before his palm rolled over his boxers – a low groan pouring from his mouth.

What the fuck, why is that so hot?

“I-I don’t have a condom on me,” he choked out, continuing to palm himself. Though it was a comment, I could tell it was more a question than anything. My heart dropped – part disappointment, part arousal – as I shook my head, biting my lip.

“Just pull out?” I breathed rhetorically, “I’ve dealt with messier things.”

Yoongi hummed, not rejecting the idea. He’s too fucked out to say no at this point. His hands discarded my last piece of clothing. While he worked on his I pulled myself higher on the bed, trying to find a comfier – less hot – position. Before my head could rest on the pillows, his hand gripped the back of my neck, causing me to suddenly arch my back as his teeth grazed my jugular and his knee pushing open my legs.

I couldn’t tell if he was mumbling words or just moving his lips in my neck, but the noises seemed to disappear as soon the entirety of his length sunk into me at once. He shushed my small cry, soothingly rubbing my inner thigh. Stopping, he let me get used to the feeling all while peppering my neck in pecks. Soon after, my hips ground up into his, a grunt coming from both our throats. Immediately he slowly pulled out; in, rolling down with each press.

“Fuck, you’re really tight.” Yoongi sighed, nibbling at my earlobe.

“Well, I am single.” A small chuckle rocked my body.

His pace began picking up; he groaned, “Always one for humor.”

His hand trailed down to grab my knee and hitch it up higher. After a moan bubbled out from me, he bit down on my neck and thrusted faster. My body flushed, sinking into the bed as a hand clamped down onto his shoulder for support. Soon the room became filled with broken whines and growls, the rhythm becoming slightly less smooth as his hips jerked feverishly. The warm feeling returned in my abdomen, not letting me catch my breath.

His thumb returned to my clit, quickly flicking tight circles while I squeezed around him. My head spun, dizzy from what was happening and I quickly cried out once more, biting my lip and shutting my eyes tight. A second later Yoongi pulled out and his face fell into the crook of my neck as he came undone on-top of my, moaning into my skin. Warm liquid spewed across my stomach and chest, relief flooding through my veins.

Our chests heaved, relishing in the feeling for a minute. My hand ghosted from his shoulder to cup his cheek, lifting his face to meet mine. His bangs were damp against his head, eyelids droopy and lips swollen. Completely fucked out. He pulled back suddenly before I had the chance to kiss him.

“I’ll be right back.” He mumbled, pushing himself off the bed.

I stayed still, hyper-aware that this stuff was running off my skin and onto my blanket with every breath I took. The door swung open, followed by a warm cloth pressing into my skin. I hummed from the pleasant feeling, my hands rubbing the free edges in an effort to help. He dabbed the cloth on the comforter, picking up the mess.

A minute later he disappeared again, my fists coming up to rub my eyes as my breathing finally evened out and my body heavy with fatigue. I swung my knees up, dipping under the sheets while my attention turned to the click of the door. Yoongi crawled forward on the bed, capturing me in a kiss as his also pulled the sheets over his legs. Lying down, his arm wrapped around my side and moved me closer.

Our tongues swirled lazily around each others, foreheads mashed together before the slowing kiss finally came to an end.

[nomanicsdak]

New Post has been published on http://manicdak.com/?p=2341

TO ATHENS BY WAY OF PANDORA'S COVE

Let’s Get A Party Started!

How Do I Recruit Bears?

Sure, I’ll go to Athens, but I’m going to take the round about way doing it, so I can clear some more areas! A quiet shipwreck, bandit camp, cool. Nothing exciting or too challenging. Hah! I do come upon a fishing village, which I think is going to be a chill place, but it is filled with huntresses that attack me as soon as I step foot on their beach. Like, serious, I wasn’t intending on fighting you guys, but here we go I guess. I want to make peace with the huntresses, they are bad ass and are one with the bears! There is literally nothing to be gained aside from XPs by fighting them, but alas, they are attacking me anyway.  Later on there are more huntresses that I don’t want to fight, but I have treasure chest to raid and ancient tablets to find, so I can unlock the secrets of this damn spear for my future relative? Is that even necessary for the memory machine to work these days? I mean, it’s portable now. I don’t know. TBH I barely pay attention to the current times portion of the game. The Pirate one was the first version of Assassin’s Creed I ever played, so you can imagine my great confusion with having to deal with the hacking computers and the reading boring emails portion of the game.

Anyway, I find another gruesome scene at some different cult’s HQ on top of a mountain. The God of War worshipers. I free a dude, and learn nothing about the cult that wants to kill me. I’m getting bored with grinding now, so I guess I will do a quest. I pick one about the Daughter’s of Artemis, head towards it, and discover it is the one where I have to kill legendary animals. Apparently I did initiate that quest, but I still haven’t killed the pig so Daphnae hasn’t given me further instructions to hunt for the rest of the creatures yet even though I already snagged the stag.

Loving the idea of bacon more and more every passing moment

Several levels later and I still can’t kill the thing, but I do get to the part where it summons five regular sized boars to attack me at the same time. There are boars flying, and I’m dying, so it’s time to run away again.

Seriously, forget it, I’m going to Athens. Let’s go to the ship, back to Herotodus, who is my guide on this journey. Apparently we are not docking in Athens, we’re going in the back way because my ship is directed to this cove where there is no dock. 

Welcome to Athens, home of the fighting Llama Birds

Actually, there seems to be no purpose to avoiding the docks, because we just walk right up to the leadership who are out and about orating to the masses. Perikles is giving a speech and some dude named Kleon is rousing the people against Sparta. Oh, Ok, they’re word fighting now. Perikles is the sensible one, or at least the one that doesn’t want to fight everybody?? I know he’s an historical figure and possibly terrible though, so I’m going to proceed with caution. He might help me by giving me an invite to his Symposium pretending to be a servant. First, he gives me side quests to prove myself, as you do. I am reminded that my entire goal in this Odyssey is to find my mom and learn about my dubious ancestry. I must admit, I was so intent on raiding camps and collecting shark bounties that I forgot what I was even looking for. 

Oh, well. To the quests!

First Metiochos is late for a very important date. Obvious, he is dead or in a cage somewhere.

Second, Phidias the famous sculptor awaiting trial for impiety. I’m fairly sure I saw this guy is on my culty list though.

And a vote on Ostracism. I’m supposed to help decide who stays and who goes apparently? But I’m too much of an outsider to just go to the symposium, yet this I can decide?  Sure thing, Pickles. 

Oh, No!

OK, To Metiochos. His quest is called a venomous encounter, so he’s dead by snakes, cornered by snakes, or caged by a group of bandits called the serpents. Onward! 

Well, two out of three; he is corned by snakes and tied up by thugs! I save him from the vipers, but obviously, I will have to go on a quest for the thugs now. They are apparently poor fishermen and followers of Kleon. I inspect their house and find more snakes and a note. Metiochos is a corrupt politician who is oppressing the poor and they are working on the plans of a higher up. I let them go and give an inspiring speech about improving their neighborhood and ignoring politicians as if it’s that easy, but whatever. I’m off to see what the snake dealer has to say. Is there another higher up baddie? Is it Kleon? Are the politicians the real bad guys after all? Maybe, Maybe, and Yes. Let’s go!

The Snake Dealer has no option for diplomacy, so I guess we’re just going to end him right here, and as it turns out he is the top guy. Huh. I was fulling expecting this to lead back to the big K himself.

Now for the sculptor. Perikles want’s me to help him escape. He’s not a culty guy that I have to kill after all.  He’s just the key to finding them! They are trying to kill him too. I mean…hopefully he’s not lying. I get to ask about his specific relationship with Perikles, and he says they are the bestest of friends. Okay. Also, Kleon is trying to set him up for theft along with the impiety he’s already on trial for. We are heading to another island to meet sculptor’s friend who I 100% do not trust. When we get there, it turns out that indeed, he is trustworthy as advertised and he gives me some deets on the cultist who wants sculptor dude dead. Alright! Sculptor man wasn’t the bad guy after all. Nice. I didn’t want to kill him.

~Pause for sleep!~

Okay, now we get to decide who’s getting exiled. I have to go to another island to do this. WHY??? Oh, wait, no, it is not on another island. I am on another island. I forgot I was dropping that dude off to hide out from those culty douches. I’m back in Athens now, and it turns out Perikles wants me to rig the ostracism. I’m not deciding anything, I’m just stuffing the ballot box. That makes a whole lot more sense. Let’s hear it for the cradle of democracy!  We’ll see if I get a choice in this.

I don’t. Let’s see who I’ve doomed.

Dust in the wind, Dude.

I’m not quite sure what happened, but the guy I meet back at the ostracism isn’t the same guy that instructed me to rig the vote? Or is it?? I don’t even remember. In any case, the guy I meet is none other than So-Crates himself, best known for helping Bill and Ted on their Excellent Adventure.

Well, the vote’s are in, and we get reassured that they have all been counted despite evidence of vote tampering. Now, this close personal friend of Sokrates and Perikles has to go. Wait, wait…so, the vote was or wasn’t fixed? I’m so confused. Sokrates is giving me a guilt trip though. Ugh. Go philosophize somewhere else, my dude. I’m going back to Pickles to see what the deal is.

But first I help a townsfolk deliver a flower to a doctor, who is not nearly as cute as my country doctor. At least I get some easy drachmae, and Whooosh. Level Up! Good detour, self. Should I head to Perikles, or should I see what mayhem Kleon is up to? 

Kleon it is!

OK, he’s just trying to overthrow the government.

…or not.

He wants me to hassle some Spartans to bump up morale. I guess I can take him up on it since I’m probably going to be doing that anyway. I mean, on the one hand, I don’t trust his squinty ass, but on the other he’s not hiring me to straight up murder Pickles, sooo…

Ok, manual save. Let’s put hassling the Spartans on the menu.

But first, I have a symposium to attend to!

Whaaaat?

OMG, PHOIBE is there???? What? Not dead of the plague? Yes, it is Phoibe, and not a case of reusing the same model for all children in the game. Turns out she saved her money, stowed away, and came to Athens before she could perish. Alexios can’t believe she’s here either. She’s working for someone named Aspasia, who I feel like I should know, but I don’t.

Phoibe is clearly done with me.

Anyways, Pheoibe is here to make sure I’m in the proper fancy robes and check my weapons at the door. I have options here to not change, but I’ll do it. Even though such things are always suspicious. I will probably need a dagger at some point. Alexios is 100% echoing my feelings about this as soon as I’m typing them! I feel vindicated.

Anyway, Herodotus is here and giving me the deets about this schmooze fest. I guess this new squishy non-armor was a good choice for rubbing elbows. He tells me about all the dudes here. I won’t tell you all about these argumentative playwrights now though. I learn that Alexios doesn’t like Sokrates at all, and Perikles isn’t even at his own shin-dig. UGH.

Before I can get any more introductions, I am accosted by a shirtless drunk dude, who is kind of shameless and amazing. Like, everybody else is chatting and drinking and this fella just rolls on up in his undies like it’s nothing. Haha, what is happening? He’s reciting some love poem or something at me before he wanders away.

Now Herodotus goes to find Pickles, and I’m left alone to my own devices. My first side quest is to find and talk to shirtless drunk guy. I’m not sure how much information I’m going to get out of him. 

Oh, great. Turns out he’s behind a closed door. With moaning and goat noises. This guy’s name is Alkibiades, I’m pretty sure it’s exactly what it sounds like and he is not attempting to lift heavy furniture for comedic effect back there, but I pound on the door and demand to be let in anyway. Yep. Indeed, this is some kind of orgy situation happening (the goat likes to watch???) He asks if I’m here to join them. He’s also super into Sokrates for some reason. (Sokrates is not there for the record)

Stop Flirting with me, Ace, I’m Trying to Find my Mom!

Well, I have agreed to get him some oil in exchange for info, but in the kitchen I’ve bumped into this playwright guy who was arguing with some other playwright named Euripides earlier and I’m supposed to care about this? No. I am just getting oil for the horny dude. Time is of the essence! I think this guy’s drunk too. Sophokles is his name. He want’s me to get Eurpides drunk, so he too can become a public embarrassment. Everybody at this party is drunk! Except for me. Alas.  What has Pickles gotten me into?   Symposium does sound far more elegant than this drunken frat party I am at.

Okay, well, now that Alkibiades has his oil and is pumped up about his orgy (that he still is trying to convince Alexios to join. I do have the option to say yes, but I’m going to stick with the find mom plan. I mean, not gonna lie, I like his style. He seems way more fun that those bickering playwrights, but I am on a quest!) Anyway, Alkibiades, does seem less drunk somehow and thinks my mom might be on Korinth with the hetarae. He is surprisingly helpful even though Alexios isn’t particularly pleased by this info.

Now we’re off to get some playwrights drunk and see if they’re as helpful as shirtless guy. I have already fucked up this quest and got the wrong wine from the kitchen staff. Let’s see how it goes. 

I propose a drinking competition. I really don’t like these dudes. They’re kind of A-holes, treating me like a nameless servant here to pour them wine. I am pouring them wine and possibly posing a servant, though not much has been made of that since I first met Perikles.  I realize this special robe may in fact be servants attire.  That’s not the point. Eurpides gives me some info to track down. I wasn’t paying attention, so I will check it out in the quest menu later. I wonder what would have happened if I’d picked the right wine? Perhaps Sophokles would have given me the info instead?

Ok, back to Sokrates for some philosophical discussions.

We’re discussing the art of war. Lol, Alexios is not getting it. We should have stuck with the orgy dude. Just in time to save me from this conversation, the mythical Aspasia who I feel like I should know makes her appearance. Turns out, I don’t know her after all. She gives me some contacts to talk to in the places the other guys told me to go, and also another contact—a woman called Xenia!

Now let’s see what Perikles has to say.

He’s just up on the second floor moping and doesn’t want to join his own party for a speech. Like, he’s very sober. I’m not sure anybody down there is going to remember anything he has to say anyway. While we’re up here, we’re going to find out what the heck was up with all those errands:

I saved the sculptor because he’s a bro. That’s it. Perikles thinks he was delusional, but a good pal that deserved a hand.

And the Ostracized guy? He got sent away because Perikles wanted to protect him.

And Metiochos just got snaked through no machinations of Perikles. That was all on some rando dudes who were into Kleon.

Well, Perikles himself was less than helpful, but at least I have some leads.

On the way out Pheoibe tells me some rumors about the plague back home, so now I have a quest to go check that out. I tell her it’s not our fault that we’ve doomed our whole island, but yeah. Totally my fault!

I tell her I’m going off to Korinth. Since Alkibiades is the first person I talked to, that shall be the first place I’ll go!  I’m going to put off handling this plague situation for as long as possible, that’s for sure!

A Horse Sculpture

Phobos Takes A Dip

Fight, Fight, Fight!

Why is this merchant in a cave?

Bull Man

Cows!

This Little Piggy went to Market

Enjoys Long Rides on the Beach

Ship Graveyard

In Athens, Eagle Bears You

Look At This Guy’s Snake

Crane

Sailing

Billowing

Sea Goat

Even the Statues have Had Enough

Studious Children