#i was going to go to bed early but now it's almost eleven. shit

[janeyseymour]

Love Thy Neighbor- pt 9

Summary: Ellie finds out about the two of you.

WC: ~2.2k

Ellie still doesn’t know about your relationship with Melissa. It’s not like much has changed since entering this relationship with the redheaded woman that lives across the hall. She still comes over almost every night, the two of you cook dinner, cuddle with Ellie on the couch before putting her to bed, and then you stay up and have another glass of wine together. Occasionally, she spends the night, but she sneaks out early enough that Ellie doesn’t see, and you’ve avoided your daughter’s meltdowns since that first night that she caught the two of you asleep in bed without her.

But it’s getting to a point where you think maybe you should tell her. Especially when Melissa casually brings up the fact that her lease is ending soon. 

“Yeah,” she says quietly as she thumbs through her mail. “And my rent is going up… asshole landlord hasn’t upped my rent in six years, and here we are.”

You frown at that. “What have you been paying?”

“Less than you,” she snorts.

“By how much?”

“You pay what?”

“Upwards of two grand,” you sigh. “Why do you think I still DoorDash occasionally?”

“Hun,” she sighs.

“I have to make it all work… and Jared is so behind on child support right now,” you roll your eyes. “I’m about to lawyer up again.”

“You know I have a guy,” she tells you. “And I ain’t paying that. I’m paying like eleven hundred a month.”

“What the fuck?” your eyes nearly bulge out of your head.

“An’ he’s still only raising my rent to sixteen hundred,” she says. “But that’s way cheaper than the shit that you’re paying… he’s practically robbing you. Should just move in with me, and we can split it.”

“What?” you raise a brow.

She shrugs. “We practically live together anyway. It’d make sense.”

You hum thoughtfully before turning in her arms. She isn’t wrong, in all actuality. But making it official and moving in with her would mean… you shrug and settle against her to finish the movie that you’re in the middle of watching while you grade papers and she goes through her mail.

“I’m not sayin’ you have to make any big choices or anything, and I know your lease don’ end for another four months, but give it some thought.”

That’s the end of that conversation, and you curl into her once you’re done grading. Her arm is draped lazily around you, settling on your thigh.

Melissa ends up renewing her lease, grumbling about the increase in her rent- although you remind her that she can’t really complain when she’s still paying half a grand less than you. The next two months fly by, and then you really do have to start considering Melissa’s offer of moving in with her and splitting the rent.

You’re laying together in bed one night when you broach the subject hesitantly.

“My lease is ending in two months,” you say softly.

She turns to look at you. “Yeah.”

“And my rent is going up too,” you sigh. “I really don’t know if I can afford to stay in this complex.”

“Just move in with me,” she says without hesitation. “I already told you that.”

You smile softly. “I didn’t know if you meant it or not though.”

“Course I did,” the redhead chuckles. “I meant it two months ago, and I mean it now. We practically live together as it is; don’ make sense that we’re both shelling out a shit ton of money to just end up in bed together at night.”

“I mean, Ellie still doesn’t know.”

Melissa sighs at that. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about that too. I think it’s time we tell her, although I do think that a part of her knows.”

“I do too, but… any time I bring up her father… you’ve seen how she reacts.”

“I do, and I’m usually the one she clings to after the initial meltdown,” Melissa tells you. “I think… that while it might be weird for her mother to have a new significant other, it’ll help soften the blow that it’s me.”

“Yeah,” you hum quietly. “I think you might be right. We’ll just have to introduce it to her slowly, and then… if she’s okay with it, we can bring up all moving in together.”

The next day, the two of you take Ellie out to the park after school. She’s all grins as she hands Melissa her backpack and races off towards the slide in the middle of the playground.

The two of you settle on one of the benches to keep your eyes on your little girl, and Melissa wraps an arm around you. Usually, the two of you wouldn’t do this anywhere but on your couch, her couch, or in your bed, but if you’re going to go public about your relationship, this might be an easy way to ease Ellie into it.

The redhead keeps her arm around you as the two of you chat about your days, and you settle a hand on her thigh. It’s warm, it’s comforting, it’s what you’re used to in the confines of your homes. And when your daughter yells over to get your attention as if the two of you haven’t been watching her run up the steps and slide down the slide for the last five minutes, she giggles when she sees how close the two of you are.

“Miss Mel! Take a video!” Ellie shouts from the top.

With her free arm, she fishes her phone out of her jacket pocket and points it towards the little one. 

“Okay, Ellie girl,” Melissa smiles. “Go ahead!”

As soon as your daughter’s beaming little face comes down to the bottom, she’s sprinting over to the two of you. Without any questions, she settles herself in both of your laps and grins.

“Can I see?”

She hands Ellie her phone and allows your daughter to watch with a grin. Your daughter giggles leaning up to kiss Melissa’s cheek. The redhead responds with a kiss to Ellie’s temple, and then one to yours.

Ellie looks over at you with the most curious face. “Why did Miss Mel just kiss your head like Daddy used to?”

You blush furiously, and you swallow around the lump in your throat. “Because… well, baby…” You don’t quite know how to say this.

“Because I love your momma,” Melissa cuts in gently.

“Well, duh,” Ellie giggles. “She loves you too.”

It’s clear that what Melissa was trying to get at goes right over Ellie’s head, and she looks to you.

“Miss Mel kissed my head because… Miss Mel and I are kind of in a relationship like the one Daddy and I were in,” you phrase awkwardly, not quite knowing how to explain this to the little girl sitting in your lap.

Ellie’s eyes go wide. “Wait, really? Girls can like like girls?”

“Yeah, sweetness,” you tell her gently. “And Miss Mel and I like each other in a romantic way.”

Ellie sits thoughtfully for a few seconds before shrugging. “That’s cool. I like like Anna, so…” then she breaks out into a grin. “Can we get ice cream?”

You roll your eyes playfully. “Why don’t you go run around a little more, and then I’ll consider it.”

The six year old leaps off of your laps before running over to the swings and starting to pump her legs. You watch her in wonder.

“I’d say that was easier than we thought it would be,” Melissa hums as she taps away at her phone.

“Yeah,” you hum. Then you purse your lips just slightly. “I think my daughter just came out to me at the age of six.”

“I think she did too,” Melissa chuckles as she continues to look at her phone. “At least she doesn’t have to worry about fear of rejection from her mother when she’s older.”

You chuckle softly before laying your head down on her shoulder. You glance down to see what your girlfriend is doing, and it turns out she’s adding the video of Ellie going down the slide to an album on her phone.

“What’s this?” you ask softly.

“Just an album where I keep pictures and videos of you and El,” Melissa tells you as if it’s nothing.

When you look at the album name, it’s labeled with a singular red heart.

“Oh?” you raise a brow and place your hand over your heart. It may be the fact that you’ve had a child, or the fact that you’re currently hormonal as hell, but your eyes well with tears.

“I look at it when I’m having a rough day with my kids,” she tells you. “It always makes my day a little brighter.”

“Can I see the pictures?”

Melissa hands you the phone, and you look through it. The contents make your heart so light. There are so many pictures of you just strumming your guitar or ukulele, a few videos of you singing as the sunlight hits your face nearly perfectly. And there are even more pictures and videos of your daughter- running around, singing her own little songs, hugging her, smiling brightly.

“I didn’t know you had half of these,” you whisper.

“I like to take pictures and videos when you guys don’t really know,” she shrugs. “Natural and beautiful.”

“You’re ridiculous,” you reply, but you do send a few pictures to yourself from her phone.

After Ellie runs around for a bit longer, you do give into your girl’s puppy dog eyes for ice cream. and you notice from your peripheral vision Melissa’s camera snapping pictures of both you and your daughter enjoying your ice cream.

And then the three of you head home, she makes you dinner, and you enjoy every bite of it. When you curl up on the couch, Ellie is immediately in your lap, and Melissa’s arm is around you, squeezing your hip gently.

You hand your remote to the little girl, but she just looks at you and your girlfriend. “I have questions.”

“About?”

You two.”

“Shoot,” Melissa says shortly.

“Do you and Momma kiss?” She nods. “Do you and Momma love each other?” Melissa nods again. “Are you gonna be like my second Momma?”

At that, you bite your lip, but the redhead takes this one. “Your momma and I love each other and everything, but we’re taking it slow and seeing where it takes us.”

Ellie nods thoughtfully. “Are we going to live together?”

“What makes you ask that?” you ask softly.

The six year old shrugs. “Don’t couples live together?”

“Sometimes,” Melissa tells her. “Maybe in time.”

“We all practically live together anyway,” your daughter says as she reaches for the remote that you set aside. She turns on her program and lounges against the two of you. “Let’s make one thing clear though, Momma: Miss Mel is still mine.”

“Hear that?” your girlfriend jostles you gently. “It’s me and El for life.”

“I suppose I have to make peace with the fact that my daughter is closer to my girlfriend than I am,” you sigh dramatically as you kiss both of their heads.

A bit later, you both take the little girl to bed and tuck her in. She practically begs for a story from your neighbor before she finally settles in for the night.

“Stay tonight?” you ask Melissa once you exit your daughter’s room. She pulls you in gently and pecks your lips.

“I’d love nothing more,” she sighs softly before leading you into the bedroom.

Once the two of you get situated, you exhale slowly. “So… I’m thinking maybe we should move in together?”

“Yeah?” She cranes her neck to look at you. “You moving to my place, or am I moving in here?”

“Well, since you already renewed your lease, and it would be way cheaper with your landlord situation… your place? It should be an easy move too- just across the hall.”

“I would be more than happy to have the two of you join me,” Melissa smiles. “You know I use my second bedroom for storage mostly anyway- for shit I don’t need anymore but hold onto… it’ll force me to get rid of some of it.”

“Really?” you ask.

“For the two of you? It’s no question,” she promises you as she kisses your temple again.

You snuggle up against her and drift off to sleep.

You wake up in her arms, thankful it’s a weekend for the two of you to sleep in while Ellie entertains herself playing dress up and having a tea party with her stuffed animals in her room.

The sunlight streams in through your curtains, and you spend a decent amount of time in a sleepy haze with your girlfriend. Only when you roll over to get out of bed do you look at your phone.

And there it is- the one thing that could throw everything you know in this new life for a loop: a text from your ex-husband.

I’m in Philly this weekend. We should talk.

[sukiipjs]

✿ FROM THE START

°:. *₊ ° . ☆ °:. *₊ ° . ° .•

↳ matt sturniolo x fem reader

↳ words - 2583

↳ summary - matt surprises you with a whoooole day of valentines activity’s and love<3 super fluffy fluff 🤧 (some parts are rushed sorry!!)

↳ contains - fluff, swearing, pet names (baby), use of y/n, idk

↳ song - from the start by laufey

°:. *₊ ° . ☆ °:. *₊ ° . ° .•

°:. *₊ ° . ☆

matt 💋

| coming over soon!!

| better be ready, ilysm ❤️

i awake from my slumber, rubbing my eyes as i turn over to my side, looking at my phone, 10:36, i knew matt had a bunch of plans for us today but i didn’t know how early… he should be over any minute and i just woke up, shit.

i stretch out my arms, shutting my eyes as i squirm to stretch my back out as i put my phone back on my nightstand. i stay, laying on my back, staring at my ceiling before getting up slowly and sitting on the side of the bed, “mm.. fuck,” i mumble as i walk out my room to my bathroom, taking out my messy bun and fixing up my hair. i do any other things i need to do as i enter my bathroom until i’m all done. i walk out to my kitchen, pouring myself a glass of orange juice as i already hear knocks on my door.

i walk over and as i open up the door, seeing matt all ready and dressed holding a huge bouquet of roses in a heart shape with a chocolate box in his other hand. he looks me up and down, my oversized shirt and a pair of his boxers, “did you just wake up?” he laughs. “what gave it away?” i smile, tilting my head a little as he walks inside, kicking the door closed.

“and what’s all this, oh my god matt,” i smile as he sets the bouquet and chocolate on my counter, “it’s for my beautiful girlfriend who apparently forgot we were doing stuff today,” he leans down kissing my cheek as i roll my eyes, “i didn’t forget, just forgot how early…” he laughs as he holds my waist, hugging me from behind as he rests his head on my shoulder, “it’s almost eleven, that is not early,” he laughs again, mocking me.

i reach my hands to the counter, opening up the chocolates eating one then putting another up to matt’s mouth, he opens and bites the chocolate, “whatever, now let me go so i can get dressed,” i giggle as i lean my head to the side, looking at him rest on my shoulder, “mmm.. fine”

he lets go, giving me another kiss, i then go back to my room, getting my outfit on. a red baby tee, maxi denim skirt, leather jacket and a few pieces of jewelry. i go back out to see matt sitting on my couch waiting for me, his face instantly lights up as he sees me. he gets up and walks toward me, kissing me once again, “you’re so beautiful,”

“when do you want to go?” he checks his phone for the time before turning his focus back to me, “whenever you’re ready,” he smiles as i walk over to my counter about to pour myself a bowl of cereal, “let me eat then we can,”

he quickly comes behind me, grabbing the box of cereal from my hand, setting it back down on the counter, “nope! don’t worry you’ll get to eat,” i turn to him as i laugh, “cmon i’m hungry,” he rolls his eyes, grabbing my hand and leading me to my door, “just get your shoes and bag and let’s go?”

i do as he says, getting my black mary janes on and my bag. matt waits then opens the door letting me walk through then him through before i lock the door up.

he leads me to his car, opening the door for me as i giggle, him then getting in and quickly turning the car on. he starts to drive as he puts his hand on my thigh, the other on the wheel as i smile over at him. after a while he stops, “we’re at our first stop,” he smiles, leaning over to me, kissing my cheek.

we both get out as he takes my hand, leading me into the restaurant, “oh my god, i’ve always wanted to go here!” my face lights up as we walk through the door then getting seated. we both look at our menus trying to figure out when to get, “what are you gonna get? i can’t choose,”

“the waffles, what are your options?” he smiles, peaking over to my menu, seeing what i’m looking at. i point to the two i can’t decide on, “either the biscuits and gravy or pancakes,” i see him think for a moment before answering, “get the biscuits and gravy, pancakes are too basic,” he laughs as i do too.

the waiter comes back to us as we both order our food, me also getting some more orange juice. i get my juice earlier and i start sipping on it as we talk, me trying to get him to spill what we’re going to do all day, he won’t budge. “surprises are more fun!” i laugh as i roll my eyes a little, “for you!!”

we eventually get our food and we start eating, “okay this was definitely the right choice,” i giggle as i take another bite of my dish, him eating more of his waffles, “can i try? i’ll let you try mine,” he smiles and we trade for a moment, “okay maybe this place is just amazing cause these are also fucking amazing,” i laugh, chewing on the waffles as we switch our plates back.

we finish up, paying and getting out of the restaurant back into matt’s car. “so, where are you taking me next?” he laughs a little, giving me another kiss before starting the car and backing out of the parking lot. “you’ll see, and you’ll love it, trust,” i can’t stop smiling, this day is so far so great and especially great with matt, he’s just amazing.

my phone connected to the car, blasting music, turns to laufey, ‘from the start’. “matt i love this song,” i smile, perking up as i turn the volume up, singing along.

‘love is driving me a bit insane, have to get this off my chest i’m telling you today, that when i talk to you, oh, cupid shines right through and shoots an arrow trough my heart’

“i love this all matt,” i smile, leaning to him as i give him a kiss. he smiles as his cheeks turn a little red, “this is just the start, we’ve got a whoooole day ahead of us,” after a while of driving, many more laufey songs playing, he parks again, stopping at the mall, “all on me, get what you want,” my smile stretches across my face, “you’re too good to me,”

we both get out as i almost run into the mall as matt follows behind. we walk through, matt holding piles of clothes or holding my bags of things throughout. i run from store to store, trying on clothes, looking around, him just smiling, admiring me and how happy i am.

“is this cute?” i ask as matt sits, a pile of clothes on his lap as i come out of the dressing room, “uhhh, here try it with the red,” he digs through the clothes, handing me a red shirt to put of instead of the green that i have. i go back in, switching the shirts then spinning around, showing him the outfit again. “what about this?” he smiles and even claps a little, “beautiful,” his eyes glue to me, my body, my smile, all of it, “but you look good with everything,” i laugh, going back in the dressing room and continue trying on clothes and getting his opinion.

after all the stores we walk with bags in our hands, “how about you go get us some coffee,” i point at the cafe that we’re walking towards. “as you wish,” he smiles, leaning down the kiss my forehead, “i’ll just be a second, one more store,” i smile back as he walks to the cafe and me the other way.

i sneak to a jewelry store, picking out some earrings and a necklace for matt, i sneak back out, trying to hold the bag with his things between the bags of mine to cover it. i see matt sitting and waiting in the cafe, i walk over to him, “you done?” he asks as he hands me my coffee, “mhm!” i take a sip as he gets off the chair, walking us out the mall.

we make our way to his car again, getting in after i put all our bags into the back seats. as we sit in the front, him turning on the car, “wait don’t drive yet!” i smile, reaching into the back seats as i pull out the bag from the jewelry store, “here!” i hand him the smallish black bag, my face nonstop smiling as he takes it from my hands, digging inside and pulling out two boxes. one with the earrings, other with the necklace. “baby.. i love these,” he smiles as he turns his head to me, giving me a kiss before he starts takes out his current earrings to put in the new ones.

“i look good?” i nod, now giving him a clap, “you look amazing!” he smiles, putting the bag back in the backseat and starts to drive the car, “want to know my plans?” i nod again, “definitely!”

he laughs, “okay fine, i’ll tell you,” his eyes on the road but all his attention turned toward me, “movie, dinner, then home. good with you?” he makes it seem simple but really this is one of the best days ever. “matt i love you,” he smiles, turning his face toward me as he waits at the red light, “love you more,” he turns back to the road, driving through as the light turns green. “matt this is just so perfect, really.”

“well it’s valentine’s day, i want to spoil you, show you how much i love you. i want it perfect,” he laughs as i do too. “we could lay in bed all day, never getting up and i’d still think it was perfect matt,”

our drive continues as we get to the theater, going in and getting tickets. we’re seeing one of my favorite movies, he always complains when i suggest but he doesn’t care, as long as i’m happy, we’ve watched it probably ten times, me even more. it never gets old.

we set in our seats. eating our popcorn, sip our pepsi, eat our sour patch kids as my eyes glue to the movie, huddled up by matt’s side the best i can in a theater as his eyes glue to me, his fingers playing with my hair as he just smiles, staring down at me.

the movie ends, driving begins and so does dinner. we sit at a corner table on the cushion seats, staring at our menus again, thinking of what to get. “this place is fancy,” i whisper, leaning myself toward matt. he just laughs a little before turning his eyes back to his menu.

we eat all the fancy food, the fancy deserts and fancy drinks. after that he leads me outside, not to the car but the opposite direction. the night sky dark with the moon and stars shining down at us. we walk down the streets, cars passing us and busy restaurants with their light blinding us as we stroll by.

he stops as we’re in the middle of a park path, past the stores and restaurants, past the busy streets. just quiet cricket chirps and trees rustling in the wind. matt turns to me, grabbing my other hand to hold both as he looks down at my eyes. his soft smile, his brown hair flowing on his forehead, the new earrings i got him shimmering in the night.

he pulls my arms in as he captures my lips with his, his hands then moving to let go of my hands and putting them on my face, deepening our kiss then pulling back, “i love you,” he says softly, his voice quiet as the wind blows on our skin, goosebumps evolving on my arms, “i love you too,” my mouth turns into a smile, my eyes sparkling in the light of the moon.

matt takes my hand again, walking the path more as we talk eventually walking back around to the busy streets and his car, “back to your place?” he asks softly, turning his head to me with his slight smile planted on his face, “mhm” i nod, smiling back as he starts the car, placing his hand to my thigh once again.

we hum along to the music that i play, and eventually stopping at my place. we walk up to my door, i grab my key, unlocking it and as i fly open the door. first thing i see are pink, red and white heart shaped balloons in the corners of my rooms. “matt?” he smiles as he gently pushes me to go inside more, i walk in as he does too, closing the door and locking it behind us.

i peak through the corners of my house as i take off my shoes and putting down my bags of stuff. “did you do this?” matt giggles again and shrugs, “my idea, brothers put it all in when we were out,” he hugs my waist as i laugh and bring a smile to my face, “aww.. i love it..” he turns his head, kissing my cheek, “how much you’d pay em?” i laugh as matt takes his hands off me, shoving me slightly, “shut up… let’s go to your room baby,”

we both walk toward my room and i open up the door, “oh. my. god.” i gasp as i see more balloons, rose petals on my sheets and floor, a few candles on my desk and cabinets, and on my bed, a huge teddy bear, more chocolate and a cute silky pajama set. “matt!” i turn around to face matt as i bring him toward me, holding him tight as he hugs me back.

“you like it?” i take my hands off him, shaking my head as i laugh, “matt i love it all, the whole day,” we walk toward my bed as i pick up all the things on it, looking at it all, “thank you, thank you so much,” i smile, my cheeks starting to hurt not being able to stop smiling at all.

matt watches me as i look at all of it. he helps to set all of it off my bed, and carrying my other bags to my room too. after i’m done admiring it all i turn back to matt, wrapping my arms around him as i bury my head in his chest, he smiles down at me, “want to get to bed?” i nod as my head lays on him. “mhm” i mumble.

he lets me go as we both gets into our comfy clothes, me into my new pajama set. after we both get ready for bed we move the blanket of my bed so we can both get in.

we lay down and pull the blanket back over us. matt lays on his back as i wrap my arms around him and lean my head on his chest. “goodnight baby,” matt whispers softly as his hand moves to stroke my hair, “mm.. goodnight…” i say muffled as my eyes flicker closed, already half asleep.

☆ °:. *₊ ° . °

taglist : @slutforchriss @mattsleftnipple03 @mattsdinosweater @ccolleenn @mixvchelle @leah-loves-lilies @sturn-wrld

[lordsukunas]

tldr: suguru as a child/early teenager and his journey as a sorcerer after he meets you, his new neighbor.

cw: mentions of vomiting, not in-depth. not edited, not beta-read, rushed, and possibly ooc suguru. gender neutral and sorcerer!reader.

a/n: sigh... i’m so tired. probably when i wake up i’ll actually edit it, but i just needed to get something out, so maybe consider this a lil teaser...? i might make a second part expanding on how he ends up going to jjt n then whenever he defects, but im absolutely exhausted rn. exams have been kicking my ass </3 + im going to a festival so this might not be edited for a lil while longer. sorry yall!

a part of me thinks suguru would live in some small, unknown little town. the people are closed-minded, content with the life they’ve built for themselves, and they don’t want it to change. if you’re born there, it’s hard to get out, especially with such few opportunities. it’s a town meant to keep aspiring little doves caged within its walls.

so imagine some six, maybe seven year-old boy going around saying he sees monsters sometimes. of course, the first conclusion any adult would reach is that the poor thing is having nightmares. he’ll grow out of it — all of them do.

but suguru doesn’t.

he’s afraid to sleep at night, and despite his parents’ pleas for him to sleep in their bed, he says that he can’t. “what if you get hurt too?”

they end up having to sneak melatonin in his dinner to get him to sleep at night.

when he turns eleven, he gets a grasp on his technique. he has to eat the monsters, consume them so that they don’t go out and hurt anyone else. that’s easy enough, right?

for the first few weeks, he vomits. they taste disgusting, like dried, crusty rags used to clean up puke and shit. but he has to do it, he has to! otherwise, who’s going to keep his innocent parents safe?

so he keeps going. exorcise, consume, puke. exorcise, consume, puke. exorcise, consume, puke.

exorcise and consume.

then, at age twelve, you come along.

you’re like the sun peeking through the dark clouds after days full of rain and thunder. a breath of fresh air, a sugary treat to balance out the saltiness of this shitty town.

you move into the once abandoned house right beside his, a radiant smile on your face and eyes twinkling with determination.

beautiful, perfect, normal.

the two of you click almost instantly, although suguru’s a little reluctant at first — what if you think he’s weird? his parents and teachers say he’s a bit troubled, nosy neighbors joke that he’s a few sandwiches short of a picnic, and bored grandmas claim he’s been touched by the devil. despite their rumors, despite suguru’s reputation, despite the fact you two are polar opposites, you don’t avoid him. in fact, it’s like those things just entice you even more.

“suguru.”

the fear in your voice catches him off-guard, and he stops walking. your hand grips the hem of his jacket, and your finger slowly raises to point towards the corner.

“what is that?”

it’s a crude thing. skin a dingy shade of purple, stubby limbs twisted and contorted into impossible angles, and jagged yellow teeth that poke past its thin, cracked lips.

that’s when he realizes it: you can see them too.

he’s not alone. finally, fucking finally, suguru geto is not alone.

by thirteen, you and suguru are attached at the hip. there’s not a day where the two of you don’t see each other, even when you get grounded for accidentally breaking a bathroom stall trying to exorcise a curse.

they’re so ungrateful.

he’s tainted your image. you were once normal, the cute neighbor nextdoor, but now you’re best friends with suguru, the pretty boy with the strange bangs and broken mind.

you don’t care though, and he loves that you never have.

nothing can separate you. you go to school together, take the same classes (thanks to suguru modifying his schedule), walk home together, exorcise curses together.

you’re all he needs, and he’s all you need. you’re the only ones who understand each other on a fundamental level, who know each other inside and out, down to the very last atom in your bodies.

with you, he’s sure that he can snap the chain and leave this place, to soar so high in the sky that there’s nothing and no one left but you and him.

you hand suguru his slushie, and he takes a long sip, letting the sugar-filled drink wash away the lingering taste of today’s curse.

“sometimes, i think we’re kinda like batman and superman.”

suguru can’t help but scoff. “us? you think we’re superheroes?” how unsurprisingly childish of you.

you nod, snapping your kit-kat bar in half and taking a bite out of it. “yeah, dude! we fight alien bad guys with our superpowers. pretty cool, right?”

he leans back, legs spread and an arm resting on the back of the bench. “sure, but they always get rewarded for saving the day. what do we get?” he doesn’t wait for your answer. “nothing.”

a small frown flits across your typically cheerful features, and suguru wishes he could shove his words back into his mouth and down his throat.

“mm... i think we get stuff. we get to see our parents safe, and even if no one else here really likes us, they’re safe thanks to us, too.” the toe of your shoe traces shapes into the pavement. “we’re the only ones that can do this, suguru. it’s our duty.”

right. duty.

suguru hums, but you can’t tell whether it’s in agreement or not. you decide that it doesn’t matter, that he’s just thinking like always.

“wish i was rich, though," you joke and pop the rest of your little kit-kat stick into your mouth.

after a moment, he shakes his head and takes a sip of his bright purple drink. “me too.”

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The One I've Been Waiting For {Part 13 of 13}

Word count: 1.3 K

Summary: Billy Hargrove is just one of the many students you're supposed to help. The last thing you expect from your interaction is that he'll start flirtt with you... Much less that Billy would stir up feelings you'd rather keep hidden. Despite the mutual sentiments that soon enough start to grow, there are a lot of reasons for whatever it is to be left alone, and one of them is your age...

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

A/N: In this story, reader is 5 years older than Billy, who's 18.

•••

Epilogue

 You're seated on Billy's lap on the armchair, softly swinging your legs. He's explaining about this new research he'll be participating in his internship. Billy is currently studying whales, and you've never seen him so excited about anything before. He even got you a necklace with a whale's tail pendant.

 “And that means I get to bring you when we go whale watching.” He says, pecking your lips. “The Marine Biologist and the veterinarian. We're a perfect match.”

 “No shit! Really?” You smile, wrapping your arms around his neck. “That will be amazing.” Kissing him again, you only pull away when the bell rings.

 “I'm showering!” Max yells from her bedroom.

 “Maxine, aren't you the official door opener?” Billy shouts back.

 “Well, since I'm at the top this time, I'll get the door.” You say, pushing yourself up and winking at Billy. Before you even open the door, you know who's on the other side because of the many voices. So you yell at the same time you pull the door open, at the top of your lungs. “YOU'RE ONE DAY EARLY!” You burst out, making them scream like scared, little babies.

 “Damn it!” Billy mutters from the inside, and you know you scared him too.

 Looking at the kids, you smile. They'll spend two weeks here with Maxine, but you guess they decided to make a surprise and show up earlier. “Come on in.” Stepping aside, you watch as the small army moves inside. Mike is carrying a box, which gets your attention. “What's that about?”

 “It's your first-anniversary gift.” Eleven answers as Mike puts it on the couch. “But you can't open until Wednesday.”

 “But now I'm curious!” You complain, walking over to the box.

 But Lucas and Dustin stand in your way. “Nah, nah. Wednesday only.”

 Showing off your tongue, you go back to Billy, sitting on his lap again. “Let's wake up real early and take a peak.” You whisper in his ear.

 “Definitely.” He answers, placing a soft kiss on your neck.

 You've been married for almost a year now. You and Billy had a simple party, for family and friends only. It was beautiful, and it happened on the beach. And Billy has been a responsible man now, a loving, gentle husband. There were times when he told you that he was scared to be like his father, but you told him then, and you'll keep telling him for as long as he needs, that he isn't.

 Some people say that you got married too early, still trying to find flaws in your life. But the truth is that every day with Billy is the best day ever. You do have some arguments, but you never go to sleep before settling things down. Love is the priority, and neither of you will let anything get in the way of that.

 But what really matters to you, is how happy Billy is. He tells you that almost every day when you wake up, still in bed. He thanks you for the life you've given him, for your love and patience. He says that he doesn't think he deserves this. But he does.

 When Maxine is done showering and comes to the living room, you smile to see how happy she is with the surprise. Life is good now, and it'll only get better.

°°°

 Billy's heart is filled with good things. Only good things. He left the past where it belongs. All the anger, the bitterness, the agony... She chased it all away. (Y/N), the light of his life.

 “So, Wednesday,” Maxine says, a finger pointing at (Y/N) and her brother. “You two will have an amazing romantic day at that super romantic hotel, and then come back here for your party.”

 “And open this huge box!” (Y/N) says, jumping on his lap a little.

 “And to open your gift.” Max rolls her eyes. “But until then-”

 “Beach. Pretty please.” Dustin asks in a fake begging tone. “I've been daydreaming about his for weeks. Can we just go?”

 “Go put on your swimsuits, kids.” (Y/N) is still speaking when they move. Billy caresses her side to get her attention and smiles at her when she looks down at him.

 “Why don't we go change as well? There will be a nice sunset today.”

 “Mmm.” She raises an eyebrow, a half smile on her lips. “The kids will crowd the house for a few days. And we'll have plenty of time to join them at the beach. Why don't we stay here and enjoy some alone time?”

 At this awesome idea, Billy smirks. “It sounds way better than going to the beach with some kids.”

 “It sure does, love.”

 “I love it when you call me that.” He whispers, his thumb caressing her lower lip. And he does. It melts his heart every damn time. Hearing her use that word referring to him in that soft, honey voice... Drives him crazy.

°°°

 “That's precisely why I call you that, love.” Smiling, you stand up. “And you should enjoy some action while you still can. I'm late this month so any day now.” You say, stopping before the box. You were super embarrassed in the beginning when it came to these things, but Billy always made you feel comfortable. “What the hell can this be?”

 “You're late.” He says, and you glance at him before looking down at the box again.

 “Yeah, that's what I said.”

 “You're... Really late.” He repeats and, deciding to leave the box be, for now, you turn towards him.

 “... Are you keeping track of my period, Billy Hargrove?” Crossing your arms, you raise an eyebrow.

 “Yeah. I drive past the drugstore every day, I'm the one who buys you tampons most of the time, (Y/N) Hargrove.” That makes you blush, and you stick your tongue out at him before walking to the kitchen. “And...” He starts, following you and leaning against the sink as you take a bottle of water. “It's always a party when your period is over. For both of us.” With that stupid smirk on, Billy comes closer, pinning you against the sink.

 “Would you keep it down? We have a bunch of kids to be aware of.” You whisper.

 “How late are you, babe?”

 “I don't know. I don't really keep track of it. I only know it's coming because I have cramps.” Shrugging your shoulders, you look at the fridge, at the calendar. “Mmm... Been a while actually.”

 “So.” He mutters, his big hand laying on your stomach. “There's a possibility it won't be coming any time soon.”

 “What?” You nervously chuckle, pushing him away when you hear the kids coming. “I don't think so, Billy.”

 “Well, we're not always being careful, are we?”

 “And whose fault is that?” You ask, hands on your hips.

 “Fifty percent mine.” He answers with a smile.

 “Billy, forget it. I'm just...” Your voice fades as you take a closer look at the calendar. “...Around two weeks late.”

 “Kids!” He yells, startling you. “You gotta walk. I'm taking car one to the drugstore and car two won't fit all of you.”

 “What the hell, Billy,” Maxine complains, coming to the kitchen with her army behind her. “What do you need from there? We have the meds box, and it's full.”

 “I'm not buying any meds.” He says, as you just watch the scene, arms crossed. “I just need a pregnancy test.” And with that, he's off, leaving you with all of those wide-eyed kids.

 “Oh. My. God.” Dustin mutters.

 “Holy shit, I can't believe it!” Maxine shouts, and you slide a hand under your shirt, touching your belly.

 It's still too early to be sure, but you were never been this late before... And you remember feeling sick a couple of days ago. So maybe, just maybe, there's a tiny, fresh life growing inside you.

 “Maybe...” You whisper, a smile taking over your lips at the thought of having a baby with Billy. “Maybe.”

•••

@aunicornmademedoit @alexa4040 @goth-cowgirl-03 @nyctophilic0vitnir @minispice-1

[atalossofwords]

YOU TASTE THE SILVER - IvanTill WIP (Part 11)

After basically two months, here we go! I'm so sorry for the delay, but I had tests, and then got sick, and then family problems, and some other shit, but! I think I'm getting everything back on track now.

If you've read the Mizi POV extra and was looking forward to a continuation of that, I'm sorry to say that I ended up moving things around for a better flow of things. So no hand-delivered gift for Till.

Without further delay, here's Till's POV of the recording and when he decided to call Ivan.

ON AO3 - part one - part two - part three - part four - part five&six - part seven - part eight - part nine - part ten

Till couldn't believe this was happening.

The last few weeks have been... a blur, almost. His streaming is going well, his songwriting is better than ever, and he's been just generally happier with life.

(He tries not to think about why. If he does, he'll end up thinking of late-night chats and the ping of money being dropped into his account, Ivan telling him to get something nice. He still has no idea what they're doing, but Till... wants. He just has no idea what he's yearning for.)

It all goes up to eleven when Mizi's manager sends him an email. He has Hyuna and Dewey check it over with him to see if it's not a scam, and it's not until Mizi sends a video talking about how much she'd like to record a cover with him that he starts trusting it.

It's still surreal.

He feels on cloud nine, going through his routine and streams barely paying attention, focused on the date he's set to meet with Mizi and on the details of the collab. He talks with Mizi's merch manager, designs the keychains himself, asking Dewey to draw the little chibis of himself and Mizi. They discuss the single's cover, and set a date for a photoshoot.

He does all that on autopilot, feeling like he's suddenly been submerged in a pool of warm water. Everything is muted and muffled, slow and timeless.

(He doesn't notice the looks Hyuna and Isaac send him, all amusement and pride. He doesn't see Dewey's pride and worry. He doesn't realize Ivan is texting less and less, these days.)

He feels himself come out of it standing on the doorstep to the studio, suddenly assaulted by the sounds of the world outside, the chill of being outside the water.

Dewey, who came with him to talk to Mizi's manager about the art for the T-shirt, rolls his eyes.

"I knew you were just pushing it down. Come on, breathe with me." He says, one hand on Till's back to coax him to inhale. Till knows the breathing exercise from when Dewey and Till still lived with their mother, both tucked into Dewey's bed as he took deep breaths and told Till all about this new show he was seeing in the hopes of taking his mind off of whatever was happening in the rest of the house.

It's a few minutes before he can breath by himself, and thank god they came in early. Till scratches his nape, embarrassed. He doesn't know why he almost had a panic attack; it's not like anything bad is happening.

"Sorry, I'm fine now." He says, not looking at Dewey. His brother makes a highly skeptical noise, but squeezes his shoulder before letting go.

"Want me to set a half-hour checkup?" he asks, and Till relaxes some more. This means Dewey will come rescue him in half an hour unless Till sends a message otherwise, and having the excuse to get away because his brother insisted is a blessing.

He nods, sheepish, and Dewey snorts before towing him into the building. Soon enough Till is sitting on a meeting room of sorts, just outside the actual recording booth, tuning his guitar alongside Mizi's audio guy. So far it's all been professional stuff, things he can deal with. He's almost confident this won't end in disaster when the door opens and he hears Mizi's cheerful tone greeting them.

"Till! It's so nice to meet you!" She greets, and he somehow manages to do his own greetings without making too much of a fool of himself. She's setting her things down, and puts a Starbucks cup in front of him. "Here you go! I checked with Ivan to see what you liked, so I hope it's right!"

"Oh, you didn't need to, I'm sure it's perfect!" He says, ignoring how he perked up at the mention of Ivan.

Just as he expected, his drink is perfect. Ivan already knows Till's coffee order, his usual take out, and many other things. He doesn't know why he's so pleased by that.

Surprisingly, the rest of the session goes smoothly. Mizi is a professional, and she catches the groove of the song quickly. They harmonize easily, and Till feels so good he almost forgets his check-in with Dewey.

Mizi is just... So nice, and cheerful, and kind. He doesn't feel out of his depth, or like a star-struck fool. She asks about his inspiration, and what he was thinking when he wrote it, and soon enough they're wrapping it up, all the vocals and instrumentals recorded.

He's picking his things up when he sees the cup again, and he just... has to ask.

"Hey, Mizi-sunbae. Can I ask you something?" He says, watching as Mizi types something on her phone.

"Yeah, of course! What is it?" She says, looking up and smiling at him. He can't help but hitching his bag up his shoulder, embarrassed.

"How did you and Ivan meet?" He asks, because asking if Ivan said something else about him is just pathetic. And he's curious. How did Ivan manage to get him those tickets, what sort of relationship does he have with Mizi that she asks for Till's coffee order so casually?

"Oh, he's my friend's little brother, so I've know him since we were, like, 14." She says, waving a hand in the air. "He's kind of my little brother, too. Oh, look!" She says, looking back at her phone and typing for a little before turning her phone to Till.

It's a picture of Mizi and her roommate, Sua, who Till knows vaguely through a few pictures on the fan website. There's a man besides them, squeezing his cheek to Sua's. They're all smiling, dressed casually.

Mizi is talking, saying something about Ivan asking her to show him how to do Aegyo, and Till is... not listening.

It's Ivan, the actor Ivan. The handsome, rich, way out of his league Ivan, who allowed Till to chat to him about himself for an hour, who goaded Till into binging all his movies.

This can't be fucking happening.

Till focuses again, and Mizi is telling him about how Ivan showed her and Sua his covers, about how she got his song in her head.

Till, somehow, manages to finish the conversation. He thanks her for liking his songs, praises how the cover will end, and accompanies her to her Manager's office to sign some papers.

He and Dewey leave the studio and Till doesn't say much, but does smile and tells Dewey he's alright, it was wonderful.

He spends the ride back thinking. About Ivan, about how they met, about how Ivan is so eager to give Till everything he could ever ask for, how he1s so careful to remember things Till tough were just throwaway comments.

He heats his dinner in a haze, thinking over his emotions, the warmth on his chest every time Ivan messages, almost dropping his plate when he realizes Ivan has been pulling back, has been more distant, steering the conversation away every time Till talks about Mizi, as if the subject is uncomfortable to him. Like he knew Till was meeting with Mizi, and though that after it Till wouldn't want to talk anymore.

He waits until he's on his bedroom, on his pajamas, sitting cross-legged on his bed, to send the message. He wants to ask Ivan why he hid himself, why someone like him puts so much attention on Till of all people, but above everything else...

He needs to tell Ivan how much their interactions mean to Till, he needs to make it clear Till is not stopping their conversations, even if Ivan stops sending him money.

YOU [ 07:44pm ] Can I call you? We need to talk.

[thebucketpail]

When You Accidentally Kill a Clown pt. 5

Pt.1 Prev

Pt.5 (tws; mention of unhealthy eating habits,)

Danny let out a long sigh as he stood up, cursing whatever gods decided to mess with his life. He had just gotten comfortable too! He was in the zone, productive, then this.

“Terry, if you two so much as touch my bed I will kill you.” His roomate, Terry, had just come in loud and boisterous as always, rambling about how Danny had to leave for the night, again. Ancients what was with this guy.

“Yeah, yeah dude I got it, don't touch your shit. Now could you please hurry? She’ll be here in like 2 minutes,” Terry said as Danny, grumpily, shoved books in his backpack.

“You,” Danny pointed at a finger at him, “Have a problem.”

“Uh huh, now move. Come on vamanos,” he replied, ushering Danny through the door.

“And you owe me,”

“Mhhm,” and the door shut in his face. Great. Now he has to find somewhere to stay for the night, preferably without getting mugged. It had been almost two weeks since his terrible awful horrible day featuring the Joker, Red Hood, and a very hangry seagull, and nothing too out of the ordinary had happened. Well, aside from the fact that Danny was being stalked by an ex-crime lord turned vigilante.

Some would say he’s being paranoid and that would probably be fair, Danny had nothing to go off of save for an unsettling feeling of being watched, and the occasional hum of a muffled core. But it was so clearly the hooded man who had taken him for burgers not two weeks ago. It didn’t really matter that much, he just had to keep a lid on his ghostliness is all, but being watched like that was still unsettling.

Regardless, Danny hoisted his bag further onto his shoulder and headed down the hall, he’d probably find a coffee shop or library or something to study in. Classes had only been in session for about a week and a half but the ghost was already swamped with homework. Well that’s what he gets for dumping all his required classes into the first semester.

A brightly colored blur moved in his peripheral vision as he entered a quaint shop. Danny had found this place roughly ten days ago while hunting for some decent espresso. The coffee shop stayed open until eleven at night, one might figure how that would attract coffee addicted insomniacs, as such, Danny had visited this shop every evening usually around 8. So it was a bit of a surprise to see him settling into a nook at 4 in the afternoon. Once Danny was thoroughly satisfied with his setup, he went to order.

“Hey Danny!” Anne greeted from behind the counter, she was busy tying an apron around her waist but gave a small wave anyway, giving a slight nod, “Aren’t you here a bit early? You're usually my closing customer, not my opening,” she joked.

“Yeah, well my roommate kind of kicked me out,so here I am,” They said, smiling as they gestured to themself and the shop at large.

“You want your usual?” she asked, hand poised over the tablet at the register. Their usual was 8 shots of espresso with, what sam called, ‘an ungodly amount of sweet cream and chocolate.’

But at 4 o’clock Danny figured they’d get an early dinner/late lunch instead.

“Actually I’ll have a hot chocolate, dark, with extra cream,” they said grinning, “Oh and add some caramel.”

Anne raised one eyebrow, a small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she held back a small chuckle, “Anything else? Food maybe? You look like you haven’t eaten,” and, well, maybe that was true, when was the last time they’d eaten? 6 am maybe? They had a bagel.

“Uuuuuummmmm,” Danny’s eyes scanned the board on the wall behind Anne, “Surprise me? Something with chocolate,” They said. Anne smirked.

“You got it, give me one moment,” Danny moved to the side as she began work on their order. The shop was quiet, save for the loud whirring of the various machines behind the bar. There were a few patrons scattered around, engrossed in their own devices. Which made it all the more noticable, to Danny apparently as no one else seemed to bat an eye, when a scruffy, black haired teenager dressed in red and black stumbled in.

Red Robin’s eyes swept the small shop for a moment before he started moving toward the counter.

“Hey RR, I’ll be with you in a moment,” Anne called from her place at the espresso machine. Danny just stared, mouth probably hanging wide open. Why was Red Robin at their favorite coffee place? And why was everyone here so chill with it?

Danny was pulled from their wondering when Anne deposited their hot chocolate and some coffee cake next to them. They took the food but didn’t move from their place. Seriously? Danny knew plenty of superheroes/ vigilantes (Okay maybe only like two but that's semantics) They should be acting cool about this. But it was just so strange. Maybe this is how Amity Parkers felt whenever they had to watch Phantom have a screaming match with a faulty vending machine, or Red Huntress and Phantom sharing a burger whilst covered head to toe in ectoplasm.

“Your regular five o’clock death wish?” Anne asked, already typing the order into the register, not even looking up when Red Robin nodded. Ancients, did that kid look tired. It was hard to tell with the mask, but he couldn’t have been more than 17. No 17 year old had the right to have such a weary look to their eyes at only 5 in the afternoon. Danny should know, they had sported the same look at his age.

And wasn’t that a thought.

Anne handed off the DeathWish to RR who immediately took a very long drink. Danny was surprised the kid hadn’t chugged it all in one go. He thanked Anne, paid and disappeared out the door, curling himself around the coffee all the while, like it was a precious artifact or something.

“Was that Red Robin?”

“Mhhhm,” Anne replied, “He comes in here before patrol every once in a while. Treats coffee like a lifeline. He’s addicted if you ask me. Once, he ordered three Death Wishes in one sitting. I asked if he was sharing and he just stared at me with dead eyes.”

“oh. Well that’s… something.” Danny said, moving back to his study nook. And Danny thought they were obsessed with coffee. But three death wishes? Three??? At once????? This city's vigilantes were all batshit insane. They'd have to talk to Lady Gotham about her taste in knights.

“You’re telling me,” She snorted. As Danny returned to his English homework. God why did it have to be English homework. Well at least he had chocolate.

About two hours later, Danny almost spit out their coffee when Red Robin came back for more.

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

Notes; Ahhhhhhh, just a little blrb. I was gonna do more but then I didn't feel like it, so have this little encounter while I think of ways to work civilian Jason into Danny’s life.

And If you think I’m projecting my chocolate addiction onto Danny than you are absolutely right.

I Love Comments! I love reblogs! I read them all and they fuel my willpower to write more!

Uuuh dont know what else to say sooo… *Throws glitter and scampers away*

Pt.6

[blossomwritesthings]

𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 | 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲

⬷ 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞 ┊ 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 ┊ 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 →

pairing: minho x felix (minlix)

genre: dancer!minho/artist!felix. brothers best friend troupe. college au. age gap (abt 4 years). minho pov. extremely dark themes throughout, including smut - MDNI, 18+ only.

word count: 2.5k

the playlist 🗡️

a/n: ALRIGHT YA'LL!!!! 🗣️🗣️ WE'RE FINALLY GETTING TO SOME GOOD, JUICY PARTS!!! 🥴 enjoy this chapter cuz we're about to be in for another few wild rides before the end!! 😍☝🏼Hope ya'll are enjoying this series, as it's been a real joy for me to write. I haven't worked on it in a hot minute - since I started the new fall semester in uni. But I have a few more big plans for the remaining chapters and im excited to work on them~ 💗

🗡️ - ̥۪͙۪˚┊❛ other cool stuff ❜┊˚ ̥۪͙۪◌! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋread my rules & guidelines here! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋcheck out my skz masterlist! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋmy wip list! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋ skz fic recs [sfw ver]! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋskz fic recs [nsfw ver]! :: 18+, MDNI! ࿐ྂ

. . . ⇢ ˗ˏˋback to navigation! ࿐ྂ

ᴅᴏ ɴᴏᴛ ʀᴇᴘᴏsᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴏᴛʜᴇʀ sɪᴛᴇs (ᴛʜɪs ɪɴᴄʟᴜᴅᴇs ᴛʀᴀɴsʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴs). do not copy, spin-off, or write inspired work based off of this fanfic without full permission to do so. ©ʙʟᴏssᴏᴍᴡʀɪᴛᴇsᴛʜɪɴɢs ⤐ ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛs ʀᴇsᴇʀᴠᴇᴅ

̶﹒⊹﹒ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪᴛ's ᴛᴏᴏ ᴅᴀʀᴋ ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ʟᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ʙᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ,  ！،، 🌌  𖥻 𓂃 ʟᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ʙᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ,  ʟᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ʙᴇ ʟɪɢʜᴛ╰╮ 🌑

  Minho didn’t know how long he slept for. All he knew was that it was fitful and restless. And by the time he woke up, the sun was rising high in the sky, beating down on him through the nearby window across from his bed. His sheets were a mess across his mattress, his hair equally distressed as he made to slide out of bed and search for his phone in the living room. 

  The screen protector was slightly cracked as he held the device up - probably from throwing it across the hardwood floor the night before. The screen lit up with about ten different text strings, all from his friends. He chose to ignore the rest of the long message Jeongin had sent, opting instead to find any updates on Felix. 

  The bulk of the messages were from the group chat he was a part of, which consisted of Chris, Hyunjin, and Changbin. 

Today - 05:40

Chris 

Felix is awake and talking. The doctor gave him some meds to help alleviate the sleepy side effects of the drug, and the police are here right now questioning him for everything he knows. 

Today - 07:15

Hyunjin 

We’re planning on bringing Felix back to his dorm soon so that he can get enough rest. Are you okay?? 

Today - 09:00

Changbin 

We dropped Felix off, he’s doing well and went back to sleep again. We’re grabbing some breakfast off campus, we should be back soon. 

  Almost as soon as he read the last of Changbin’s text, he heard voices just outside of the dorm and keys jingle at the front door. He relaxed against the couch after that. Because he was sick of being alone - and hearing others talk, even if he wasn’t a part of the convo - would help to soothe his mind. 

  Immediately upon stepping into the kitchen, Chris gave him an easy smile. “Hey— you’re up. I’m surprised, it’s still pretty early,” he said, making to put the leftovers of their breakfast in the fridge. Minho’s eyes flicked to the living room’s clock that was situated atop the coffee table, reading that it was a little past eleven in the morning. 

  “We brought you some food— eggs and pancakes and shit,” Hyunjin said, placing an extra plastic bag down on the kitchen counter and tilting his head to the side quizzically in question. 

  Waving a nonchalant hand in the air, Minho gave Hyunjin a tiny smile. But it was quite forced and hard to put on. “Not really hungry right now, but maybe later. Thanks, Jinnie.” 

  Soon, Changbin was plopping down on the couch beside him, resting his feet atop the coffee table and getting comfortable as he switched on the TV. “Bro— I definitely wouldn’t recommend going to the ER in this area after midnight. The shit we saw there was… traumatizing,” he started, as he flipped through a couple of channels until he landed on a cooking show. “I’m gonna need therapy for at least a year after everything.” His words got Minho to chuckle a little bit because Changbin didn't even have a therapist to begin with.

  Chris leaned against the nearby bathroom’s doorway, his stare catching ahold of Minho’s. “The police want you to come into the station today to give a statement. Want it sooner rather than later, that way the memories are still fresh. Will you go?” 

  Minho gaze softened as he looked on at his best friend. He could tell Chris was exhausted, his broad shoulders drooping by the second, the bags under his eyes turning a deep violet color and his eyes stormy with exhaustion. “Of course I will, Chris. I’ll do anything to help out.” 

  Taking in a big sigh of relief, like he was worried that Minho wouldn’t agree to talk to the police, Chris turned into the bathroom. “I’m gonna take a shower and then pass the fuck out. No one bother me unless it’s urgent or relates to Felix.” 

  Minho gave him a thumbs up, as his friend slipped into the bathroom. The bathroom Minho had been stuck in the night before, throwing up all the contents of his stomach and then some. 

  “Should someone go and check on Felix?” Hyunjin said, his voice trailing off as he leaned against the kitchen counter, scrolling through something on his phone. 

  “He lives with his best friend Jeongin, I’m sure he’ll be in good hands,” Minho replied, trying to keep his tone from being any more bitter at the thought of someone else yet again taking care of Felix. But for once, he wasn't lying, and he believed himself. Because it was true- and after how Jeongin had acted the night before at the club, and the story he told Minho over text, he was starting to get a keen understanding of the younger boy's relationship. 

  Changbin turned to give Hyunjin an easy smile. “Besides, I’m sure Chris will be over there daily for the foreseeable future now.” 

  Rolling his eyes, Hyunjin made to stuff his phone into his back pocket. “Okay, well, I think we should get going, Bin. I’m fucking exhausted and I have to study for a final.” 

  And just like that, within a few minutes, Minho was alone yet again. With all of his friends gone from his presence, he decided to focus on taking care of himself for once. So he took a quick shower and got dressed, limbs moving on autopilot. 

  Soon, he found himself darkening the doorstep of the local police station, deciding to get the questioning out of the way early before anything else happened. 

  The police officer who worked with him was nice enough, asking the basic questions about Minho’s personal info and his relationship with Felix. Which he always answered as a friend, by default. Once they got to the part of the night before, things were a little more blurry to recall - what with all the thoughts swirling in his head still, and the after-effects of the liquor and restless sleeping. 

  Even still, he did the best he could and the officer was appreciative of his help. It wasn’t the first time such a thing had happened in the area, and the officer was sure it wouldn't be the last. But he promised that they’d keep a closer watch on that exact club and other ones in the area just like it. 

  Minho found himself back on campus before he knew it. And he could feel the anxiety and stress building up in his system. The emotions and thoughts from the past 24 hours were just a ticking time bomb inside of him. He felt like if he didn't somehow channel all of the stress out in some form- he'd soon explode into millions of tiny pieces. And the only remedy he knew of was the dance studio on campus. 

  So that’s exactly what he did. 

  Before he knew it, he was in front of the studio’s mirrors, going over drill after drill. Ones from years ago and ones from months before. He was going over his final project’s routine - the one Hyunjin and he had gotten a perfect 100 on.

  The hours always seemed to pass by in the studio like the flutter of a faerie's wings. The time slipped through his fingers like melting snow, and as he danced, the light slowly began to dwindle outside. The nearby window of the studio turned bleak, as the heavens opened up and heavy rain began to pelt down on the building. But it was a comforting kind of sound and blurred out any other thoughts Minho had. 

  He was dancing without music, his limbs moving in a crazed kind of way, on their own accord and with a manic rhythm to them. He was drenched in so much sweat his t-shirt and sweatpants stuck to his body like glue. And only did he stop his movements when his legs gave out on him. He hadn’t even warmed up - like an idiot - and after hours of pushing himself, he finally tumbled down onto the floor with a loud flourish. 

  Breathing heaving in and out of his lungs, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Stared at the frenzied, wide-eyed look on his face, at the way his cheeks were rosy red and how his fingers twitched at his sides with anxiety. 

  As soon as the momentum stopped, all the thoughts came flooding back to him. Of what Jeongin had told him hours before, and of Felix’s childhood. 

  Minho was such a shitty person. 

  He didn’t even deserve to call himself a person in the first place. 

  The way he had treated Felix after he left home for university— like their connection during childhood was null, like it was so easy to erase, was so fucking mean. 

  The way he had blown up at him at the party that night, not knowing anything. Not knowing how much his words must’ve hurt Felix. 

  The way he had forced Felix out of his dorm after they had been studying all night. 

  And he couldn’t deny it any longer… 

  Despite what the rational part of his brain told him, and what society thought, he couldn’t avoid it any longer— 

  Because he wanted Lee Felix so fucking badly. 

  He wanted him — needed him — like he needed air. 

  Minho wanted to be the one at Felix’s side throughout all of the pain and trauma of life, he wanted to be Felix’s comfort no matter what, he wanted to make Felix’s days brighter. 

  Minho wanted to do everything with Felix. 

  And he was sick of pretending like he didn’t. 

  Sick of pretending like he didn’t stay awake late at night, just laying in bed aching for him. His heart squeezing in his chest because he yearned for Felix so badly. 

  He wanted Felix all to himself. All his attention, and love, and joy, and company. 

  And Minho wanted to do all kinds of sinful things to Felix too— even if he knew it wasn’t the right time or place and he shouldn’t want such things… 

  even though he knew he shouldn’t want to fuck Felix so much- 

  even though he knew he shouldn’t want to corrupt him so badly-

  to take everything from Felix and give it back to him in a nicer, prettier way. 

  But Minho couldn’t help it all, couldn’t help all of his wants and desires. The carnal things he dreamed of and wished for. 

   And just like that, he was standing up from the practice room’s floor. He was grabbing ahold of his phone on the nearby windowsill and turning to leave the place. Flipping through his phone, he read the messages Chris had sent him not too long ago. 

Today 

7:45

Changbin and I have work til late tonight, won’t be home until sometime tomorrow. Don’t wait up for me to have dinner.

Okay. I’ll be home either way. Lmk when you’re heading back. :) 

  So he would, yet again, be home alone. 

  Great. 

  That meant he’d have all the time in the world to pity himself and wallow over his issues and shittiness. 

  As soon as he stepped out of the dance studio, he found that it was pouring outside. The air was chilled from the fat raindrops coating the ground at his feet. Taking in a deep sigh, Minho pulled his thin puffer coat above his head, beginning his sprint across campus back to his dorm. But the sprint wasn’t that fast, since his legs still felt like jelly from practice, and his back was subsequently drenched in a mix of sweat and chilled rain. 

  The senior’s dormitory section on campus was all single-floor units, built to feel more like regular houses than cramped high-rise apartments - unlike the rest of the dorms on campus. So the single floor of his dorm is the exact reason why he could make out someone’s figure in the far distance, as he ran across the dry, brown grass of the senior’s pavilion. At first, he thought the person was waiting in front of his neighbor’s place. 

  Then, he realized they were waiting outside his front door. And as he grew closer to them, he could make out their small stature— the way their limbs were elegantly shaped, how they were drenched to the bone, and how their long blonde hair was- 

  Just as it registered in Minho’s mind, the figure was turning around at the sound of him approaching. It was… Felix. Standing there, in front of his dorm, in the frigid rain. Minho stopped in his tracks just a few paces away from him, staring into the younger’s eyes which were dark and stormy. Just like the storm brewing above their heads. 

  “W-What are you doing here?” Minho spoke first, gaze skirting down the length of him— taking in the way the rain had soaked through his purple sweatpants and matching hoodie. 

  Felix’s eyes found Minho’s, giving him the tiniest of smiles. “I couldn’t find you anywhere else, so this was my last option.” He said with a shrug. 

  “Why were you trying to find me in the first place?”

  “To thank you, for— for everything last night... Chris told me at the hospital," Felix started, his eyes softening at the topic of the night before and all of the chaos that had ensued. “And to say I’m sorry— for putting you through all that.” 

  “It’s fine, don’t even worry about it.” Waving a hand in the air, trying to brush off the way the air around them was so heavy with emotion, Minho moved around Felix to unlock the front door. “C’mon inside, it’s cold out and you’re drenched.” 

  Felix’s movements were a little halted as he followed Minho like he was still somewhat sleepy from the drugs that had just recently run through his system. 

  “I’m pretty sure I have something that’ll fit you—” Minho started to say, beginning to stride across the dorm to his bedroom, but he was stopped in his tracks at the feeling of a chilled hand catching hold of his wrist. 

  “Minho— wait, please. I need to—” 

  Felix’s voice came out so tiny and soft then, forcing Minho to turn around. And without even thinking about it, he was raising a hand to the younger’s face, brushing a gentle thumb against his freckled cheek. “You’re freezing, Felix. Just wait a second, okay?” 

  “Don’t leave me, please. I can’t—” The blonde began, his tone wavering as his bottom lip began to tremble. Leaning into Minho’s touch, he stared up at him with wide eyes that were cloudy with unshed tears. “Please, I need you— Min. Please, don’t—”

  At the sight of Felix clinging onto him for dear life, begging him to stay and be in his presence, Minho was taking the plunge, straight into the water. 

  Into the murky depths, swimming to the bottomless ocean of feelings. 

  The moment their lips connected, the moment their mouths found each other in the dim light of the dorm, Minho knew it was all over, and that things were never going back to how they were. 

  Everything would be different, changed. 

   Everything.

─── ⋆⋅ ♰ ⋅⋆ ───

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[siriuslysatorusimping]

Okaeri (a scrapped 'Another Level' scene)

Hello!! I decided to post this old draft of Rinko and Gojo's reunion after he was released from the Prison Realm to give you guys a lil look at just how much changed from when I originally started writing Another Level to where we are now.

This draft was something I wrote very early on, and by the time we got Gojo out of the Prison Realm, it didn't fit the story at all.

I'll provide a breakdown at the end to give more context and commentary, but the primary thing you'll need to know before reading is that, originally, I had intended for Rinko to stay in hiding and completely isolated throughout almost the entire 19 days. So, that's where she's at in this draft that I eventually scrapped completely 🙃

Happy reading 💕

If you haven't already, you can read Another Level on AO3 😊

*This work contains possible JJK Manga spoilers. Gojo x Original Female Character. Uhhhh. Implied smut?

Okaeri

2018

Twenty days.

It had been twenty days since he’d been sealed. 

Well, technically, it was nineteen and a few hours.

A glance at the clock told her it was still the middle of the night.

Around day eleven, Rinko asked herself when she’d become the kind of person who counted days like this.

She used to go weeks without speaking to him. Months without seeing him. It never bothered her before.

Got somethin’ real important to tell ya.

It was because he was still their win condition. 

Because they couldn’t win this without him.

Got somethin’ real important-

Probably didn’t help that she hadn’t left his damn condo in almost fifteen days now. She’d gone to let Shoko reassess her injuries and get the all-clear afterward because, apparently even Shoko didn’t fucking know where Gojo lived.

Secretive little shit.

Rinko had since learned that the list was shorter than she originally thought, only including her, Yaga, and Nanami.

Well, it only included her now-

Got somethin’ real-

Having gotten enough basic food to last her for a long time when she’d gone to see Shoko, she’d been isolated since.

And going fucking crazy.

At least the dreams had stopped. Mercifully, they’d stopped a few days after her fucking delusional wet dream.

Got somethin’ real important to tell ya.

Releasing a heavy sigh, Rinko forced herself out of the torturous safety of the bed. She needed to shower and get dressed. Wear real clothes and feel like a fucking human instead of a walking corpse just because her- best friend was gone.

She’d received a text earlier telling her to meet Hime, Shoko, and Yoshinobu at the Tokyo Tech campus because they had news, but she’d been asleep. So, she’d texted Shoko to let her know she would head that way soon.

Her body ached from the strain of moving for the first time in what felt like days. But she knew that wasn’t true. She’d forced herself to make food the day prior, staring at the stove as she made herself eggs and toast, wondering how much longer she’d be able to force herself to live like this.

Unable to help. She’d had to learn about Megumi from Shoko, unable to do anything to help. Knowing it was partially because Tsumiki-

The shower drowned her sobs and amplified them at the same time.

Pulling another one of Gojo’s sweaters over her head, she realized she needed to do laundry. She’d quickly run out of her own shirts, which she hadn’t been too worried about. But she drew the line at wearing his pants.

Grumbling to herself, she looked through her bag on the floor of his closet before moving into the bedroom to search through the pile near the hamper. She was not going to wear his pants. Even if she had to wear a dirty, gross pair of her own.

As she rifled through the pile, swearing briefly when she couldn’t find any, she continued mumbling.

“Fucking swear, I know I brought more than one pair. Where the fuck are they?”

She let out a small cry of relief when she finally found a pair at the bottom of his hamper.

“S’legs are too fuckin long anyway,” she said to herself, sticking her right leg in. “Would fuckin trip before I could-”

A quiet chuckle cut her off, halting with her left leg halfway into the pants. She blinked slowly.

She was really fucking losing it.

There was another chuckle, this time causing Rinko to whip around to see him standing in the doorway, smiling at her.

He was wearing the same clothes she’d last seen him in, his jacket ripped to shreds. His hands were in his pockets as he stared at her, blindfold nowhere to be seen.

“Nope,” she said, shaking her head. “Nope. Officially too far. Don’t care who it is on the council. I’ll just fucking- I’ll just kill all of them. I could do it. More than capable. Just a bunch of old fucks. I’ve gotta fucking leave this place.”

Yanking her pants the rest of the way on, she kept mumbling to herself as she refused to look at the specter in the doorway.

“Fucking hallucinating, great. Oh, Hime’s gonna fucking love this. Never let me fucking live it down. Know exactly what she’s gonna say, too: ‘I told you so, Rinko. I knew he’d drive you crazy someday.’ Fucking-”

Rinko cut off when she tried to walk through the door, ignoring the stupid apparition of her damned delusional, fucked up mind, only to find that this apparition was solid.

She blinked for a moment, staring straight at the hallucination’s chest.

Did she- was the door closed, and she just forgot? Had her crazy dumbass just fucking run into the door?

“Rinko,” it whispered, arms going around her waist as she stumbled. “Rinko-chan-”

“I have fucking lost it,” she breathed, tears in her eyes as it grasped her chin, forcing her to look up.

Bright blue eyes from her fucking nightmares at this point.

She closed her eyes immediately, squeezing them shut and willing herself to make it go away. To stop torturing herself.

“Rinko,” he repeated quietly. “I’m here. You might be crazy, sweetheart, but not that crazy-”

“Exactly what an insane person’s hallucination would say,” she stated.

Gojo laughed, the sound ripping her chest open. And she felt that void blow wide open with it as she realized she’d truly gone insane.

Completely broken and unhinged, and honestly, maybe Shoko would understand if she just crawled back into bed. Because, at this point, she couldn’t do it. Fully and truly, honestly couldn’t do it anymore.

“I always knew you liked me more than you admitted,” he teased, his voice sounding too real. “Open your eyes, baby.”

“You’re not fucking real,” she whispered, her voice cracking on the last word. “I-”

“Rinko,” he cut her off, his breath against her lips. “Rinko, baby, look at me.”

When she still didn’t open her eyes, he hummed quietly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.

“Baby,” his voice was amused now. “Don’t make me spank you-”

Her eyes shot open, irritation flooding her as she met his bright blue, glowing eyes as he grinned.

Only this asshole would-

“Thought that might get you to open them,” he murmured, chuckling when she scowled. “Baby, I’m here.”

Her face scrunched as he leaned even closer, nudging his nose against hers teasingly.

“Rinko-chan,” he breathed, his lips brushing hers. “I’m home.”

Not waiting for a reply, he pressed his lips to hers gently before moving his hand from her chin to tangle in her hair. His other arm stayed around her waist, pulling her so she was flush against him.

“Missed you,” he said, sucking her tongue into his mouth. “Missed you so much, baby.”

Tears were running down her cheeks, her mind still not believing what was in front of her was real. He ground his hips into her, moving to lick her neck and groaning when she whimpered quietly.

Giving in slowly, her hands grasped his shirt, fingers clenching the fabric as she sobbed.

“I- you were- I thought-”

“Couldn’t stay away from you,” he teased, sucking her pulse harshly, moaning as one of her hands went to his hair, tugging the strands lightly. “Had somethin’ important to tell you, remember?”

“You’re a fucking asshole,” she whined, feeling Gojo’s laugh rumble through her. “You can’t just-”

He silenced her by leaning back up, capturing her lips again, and slowly walking her backward.

“Shh, baby,” he hummed, biting her lip. “Just let me make you feel good. Been a bit, yeah? You miss me?”

-

Commentary

Obviously, this is very different from what we had in Something Important.

As I said before, I wrote this early on. So by the time we got to Shibuya, this draft no longer fit. It just didn't fit who Rinko was as a person anymore. With the growth she experienced, especially in the few months leading up to Shibuya, she wouldn't react this way.

I've mentioned a few times that I hadn't intended to really include the Culling Game arc. And I still didn't, not really. But having Rinko hiding away and being scared of the higher-ups just isn't who she is. Especially when it comes to her kids' safety. Like hell would Rinko have just sat in isolation with no updates on the kids. Hell no. If they'd tried to get her to, she'd have stormed one of the barriers herself and killed anyone who got in between her and her kids.

I also felt this draft made it seem way too much like Rinko's life revolved around Gojo when it doesn't. So, having her sit around and count the days just felt cheap.

There was no way Rinko would have sat by while her kids were fighting for their lives like this. And there was no way, after the realizations and the growth she'd gone through, that she would crumble like this and allow herself to sink into things like this.

But on top of that, there was no way that Rinko would be able to just welcome Gojo back as her fuck buddy without her heart completely breaking in half after all the loss that she'd experienced at this point.

Personally, this would have ended up feeling far to emotionally detached from all the trauma and loss that the two of them have gone through, and it would have negated any positive character development we'd had up until then as well.

The more I've read this back over to write this lil commentary, the more I fall in love with how Something Important turned out. Because it genuinely felt like the perfect reunion for these two after everything that had happened.

If I remember correctly, I wrote this way back before I wrote I Say "Sayonara." Soooo, that should tell you something about how much had changed 🙃

Also, you'll notice a few small details that I snuck into other installments once I realized that this one was going to have to be scrapped.

One of them being the joke about Gojo's legs being too long for her to wear his pants, which I included in Fragmented Reality instead.

SO. There's that. A small look behind the curtain of one of the original drafts that was completely scrapped in favor of something much better 😂😂

Did I MAKE ANY SENSE?? I FEEL LIKE I DIDN'T BUT HOPEFULLY I DID 🫠🫠

ALSO, I will include a fun lil extra blurb that I was never able to include anywhere, and that made me sad because I found it hilarious:

They lay there comfortably for a few minutes, focusing on each other’s breathing.

“Yoshinobu!” she suddenly gasped out, causing Gojo to scowl down at her when she tried to shove him away. “Hime! I was supposed to meet them-”

“They already knew you weren’t going to make it,” he cut her off, swatting her hands and putting them back into his hair. “I told them I’d update you and get back to them.”

“Oh,” she breathed, settling back once more.

He lifted his head back up to look her in the eye, his gaze serious.

“And don’t you ever yell Gakuganji’s name after I’ve just cum inside you,” he deadpanned, pulling a breathless laugh from her. “I mean it, Rinko. That’s enough to make my dick shrink forever.”

“I’m sorry!” she gasped, the weight in her chest lifting with each giggle.

[darklydeliciousdesires]

Light on the Darkside - Chapter Twenty.

Here we are, guys. Time jump time! We now get to see James and Ella as proper (well, as much as our dear James can be, at least!) adults and parents. I really hope you enjoy this next part of the story just as much as you did their early years together :)

Previous chapters - One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen Sixteen Seventeen Eighteen Nineteen

Tag list - In the comments. Please DM to be added/removed.

Words - 4,336

Warnings - 18+ throughout. Topics cover depression, suicide and eating disorders. Minors DNI!

20th February, 2014. 

He’d blinked and turned forty.  

It honestly felt like five minutes ago when he’d celebrated his twentieth birthday, drunk off his arse in The Gallows, having to be carried out at the end of the night by Steve and Snedders, promptly throwing up all over the latter’s boots. Now, he was twenty years older, probably only marginally wiser, and at a very different stage in his life.  

Most of it was thanks to the woman astride his hips, enjoying riding him into the bed at 5am, the only time either knew they’d get that day before the onslaught of hellions prevented them from partaking of a little husband and wife time. Yes, he and Ella had married ten years before, together for a staggering seventeen in total that coming summer. Seventeen years with his babe. And god, how she still was. 

“Shitting hell, what a top grade way to start my first day being an old bastard,” he panted, reaching to squeeze her tits, Ella licking her top lip seductively with a wink.  

“What kind of wife would I be, if I didn’t give my sexy arsed husband a damn good riding on his birthday?” How much sexier he kept on getting to her adoring eyes, too.  

His hair was still as long and beautiful, his body now ripped with bigger muscles thanks to some serious dedication to the gym. He also sported a larger covering of tattoos with both sleeves now finished, his hands and the sides of his neck adorned, a full back piece and most of his legs covered. Also, he had new additions to his chest that really, really amped his arousal. Especially when his wife tugged them with her teeth.  

Releasing her bite upon one of his nipple piercings, she circled the dark peak with her tongue, driving her hips against him wildly as his thick cock split her wide. While what they once enjoyed once or twice a day was now more realistically once or twice a week or less, depending on life outside of the bedroom, they still burned just as hot for one another as they had in their early twenties. Very, very much so.  

If only their daughters didn’t have quite such a knack of disturbing that burn... 

The thumping of feet preceded her arrival, James’s eyes widening. “You locked the bedroom door, didn’t you?” 

“Yeah,” she panted, moving to his other nipple ring and giving it the kind of tug that had his eyes virtually swivelling, laying a hard smack to her bum. “The tiny beast cannot pass the gates.”  

No, but she could shout from them. Loudly. “Mummy! Mummy! You awake?” 

“Yes, baby cakes. Give me five minutes!” 

“It’ll be more like two if you keep riding me this fucking hard, Ells bells,” her husband panted in whisper, pulling her down to suck upon her nipple. 

“No five minutes! Now!”  

If Freya Kingston was anything, she was very, very demanding. “Go back to bed and wait for me there. Five minutes, promise!” 

“You shitting better, mummy!”  

James almost laughed her off his cock at that, Ella rolling her eyes. Nope, he hadn’t managed to curb his swearing as much as necessary, their three-year-old now picking up on a few of his less than favourable cusses. “Her father’s daughter through and through.” 

“Innit?” he chuckled, kissing her with blistering heat as his hands roamed her back, turning her onto it to begin utterly railing her into the bed. God, the finesse he did it with, though. Sex truly had gotten better over the years, even though it happened much less often. Driving himself into her hard, he smiled down at her, biting her lower lip before their tongues swirled, kisses steeped in sugared embers, Ella’s quiet moans making his heart skip. 

His mouth clasped to hers as the rolling rhythm of his fuck had her cresting against him, the pleasure a blinding neon burst as she shattered like heirloom glass, lying there breathless and sweaty, stroking his mane of incredible hair before her role of mummy had to take precedence.  

With the new extension on the back of their home now complete, it meant the luxury of an en-suite bathroom, something much needed in a house with three children within it. They jumped in the shower together, washing quickly, James out first and drying off before dressing, Ella hurrying into her favourite comfy lounging clothes once she was done. 

“Behave,” she warned, James pulling her flowery lounge pants down to give her bum a quick wallop, still feeling very amped up after their steamy morning session. 

“You love it!” While he went downstairs to put the kettle on and let their two French Bulldogs out, Ella went in to get Freya, finding her youngest emptying one of her drawers.  

“Don’t know what to wear, mummy!” she cried, holding up bundles of tiny clothes with an exasperated look. “Am I princess today, or am I grunge girl today? Who can say!” 

Being Freya’s mummy was a constant stream of pure delight, her youngest by far the most comedic of the three. “How about grunge princess? Nirvana t-shirt and pink jeans?” 

“Yes!” Grabbing a pair of pants as well, Ella hoisted her up, taking her to the bathroom to get washed and her teeth brushed, her long, dark brown hair fought against with a comb and neatly braided into two French plaits either side of her head. Much fussing endured.  

“Wish I had hair like daddy’s!” 

“Everyone wishes they had hair like your daddy has, baby cakes,” she spoke through her mouthful of pink hair elastic, reaching the end of the second plait and securing it. “Come on, then. Let’s get the tiny hell beast fed.” 

“I am not a hell beast! I am chaos of the night, the destroyer of worlds! That’s what daddy calls me!”  

Oh, god. This child.  

Ella and the chaos of the night went downstairs, Freya scrambling down to greet Hugo and Otis, the small yet stacked dogs circling her a few times before she flung herself at James, grabbing his hands and climbing his legs. “Alright, little demoness of darkness. How are the army of the dead this morning?” 

“We ride at dawn!” 

He pointed at the window, where the sun was almost fully up. “It’s dawn now. Better go rouse your troops, innit?”  

“Victory will be mine!” she further shouted, James wincing. 

“Yeah, and your old man here will have perforated eardrums,” he spoke, kissing her cheek. “Right, what do you want to eat?”  

“Burger!” 

“Nah, tiny. You can’t have a burger for breakfast.” Oh, the face he was met with. It was his own in teeny tiny, pissed off female form. 

“Why not?”  

“Shhh, lower your decibels, baba,” he spoke, Freya wriggling around in his grasp, pointing out into the garden. 

“Berries!” 

“It’s winter, none growing,” he reminded her, “but I think there’s some in the fridge.” 

“Blueberries and strawberries.” his wife called, dolling out kibble into the dog’s bowls across the now much bigger kitchen. This seemed to pacify the destroyer of worlds, Freya making her request to have them with yogurt as well, James seating her at the island and furnishing her with a small bowl before going back to his tea. It was quiet for all of ten seconds... 

“Oh daddy! It’s your birthday today! Happy birthday, daddy!” 

“Thank you, your right honourable princess of doom.” Yes, he had many a humorous name for his youngest, and she loved every single one of them.  

“Mummy! Mummy! Can I give daddy hims present now?”  

“Not yet, sweet,” Ella replied, juggling a very hot pitta bread after it had popped up from the toaster, ready to slather it in Marmite. “We’ll do pressies when your sisters are up and daddy is back from the gym.” 

Her other daughters took a while longer to rise of a morning, Zara usually first, Lyra virtually needing a cattle prod to shake her from beneath the covers. She very much followed her dad there, having a deep-rooted love of slumber. True to form, just after she’d kissed James goodbye at 6:10am, Zara came trudging down the stairs.  

“Hi, mummy. Can I have eggs, please?” 

Ella dropped a kiss to her head, stroking her dishevelled mop of dirty blonde hair. Her and Lyra had her exact hair and eye colour, Freya darker and with grey eyes like her daddy. “Scrambled, poached or boiled?”  

“Hmm.” A thoughtful face was made. “Poached, please.” 

Shit. She would say that, Ella’s arch nemesis of all culinary endeavours. Usually she’d task James with it, but with that not possible, she’d have to pay attention. Or cheat. Yes, cheating was preferable.  

“Who’s taking us to school today, you or daddy?” Zara asked, taking a seat at the island while Ella poured some of the boiled water from the kettle into a mug, cracking in the first egg before taking it to the microwave. Forty seconds and boom, one poached egg. Not quite as good as when done the traditional way, but needs must.  

“Daddy is, after he’s dropped your sister at nursery.” 

“What time?” 

“Usual time, quarter past eight.” Zara had to know the details of her day to the very minute, or she became anxious about the littlest of changes. Her routine was very soothing, and she didn’t take well to having it suddenly tampered with.  

Her parents were trying to work in little differing factors to certain situations in order to show her that nothing bad would happen should that routine change, but sadly she’d still have a meltdown over something as innocuous as dinner being switched at the last minute. It was a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder, her ritualistic behaviour, apparently quite common in children and usually something they grew out of. 

Luckily, she showed no other signs of needing such order in her life, her fairly disorderly bedroom testament to that. They’d been told by their GP to keep an eye on it, throw in the occasional curve ball to differ her routine in a gentle way and reinforce that nothing would go wrong because of change, also receiving a lot of advice from someone who had become very close to them over the years. 

“Are we still going to stay at auntie Mary’s on Saturday?” Zara asked. 

“Auntie Mary!” Freya chirped with joy, shovelling in another mouthful of fruit-laden yogurt. She was might have been the wildest of the three, but she never missed her mouth where food was concerned.  

“Yes, baby cakes,” Ella confirmed, placing the second egg down on the toast she’d just buttered, handing them plus cutlery across the island. “Don’t ask me a time, though, because I don’t know just yet.”  

In the years that had passed since Lyra’s birth, Mary had become a treasured part of their lives, ‘auntie’ to their children, and since her retirement four years previously, a very willing babysitter whenever she was needed to be. She was, in short, just as wonderful as she had always been, thinking of James, Ella and their girls as her extended family.  

When Ella had gone into labour two weeks early with Freya, it had been Mary with her for the first few hours, the unexpected labour starting while they’d been enjoying a day out together. Truly, she’d been wonderful, keeping her calm and making for excellent company while James had raced to get a flight home from Sweden, the band in the middle of finishing up a tour.  

Yes, Mary was most certainly as much a part of their family as they were hers.  

With her earlier career years spent working closely with children suffering from mental health issues before moving into caring for young adults, she’d truly been the perfect person to act as a reliable soundboard back when Zara had begun displaying such behaviours a year before.  

Not that Ella wasn’t very capable from her own merits, being a psychologist with eight years under her belt, but Mary still remained her oracle. With all of her children, she’d found Mary to be invaluable where advice was concerned.  

The first born of those children was actually up and in the shower of her own volition by half past seven, which came as a surprise, coming down to give her dad a big hug. 

“Happy birthday, old fart,” she smirked, kissing his cheek and passing him over his gift. 

“Oi, less of that, monster,” he spoke, flicking her on the forehead lightly before carefully opening the very thin gift he’d been presented with. Pulling out the A4 sheet of drawing card, his jaw dropped. “Effing hell! That's awesome! Come here, kid. Give us a hug.” 

Yes, he could filter his predisposition to swear sometimes. Lyra wrapped her arms around him, smiling with pride that he loved the drawing she’d created for him. He’d been mentioning wanting something to fill an empty space upon the back of his leg for some time, his eldest drawing him something truly beautiful to have tattooed. Where art was concerned, Lyra was exceptionally talented. Drawing and music were where she truly excelled, following in her dad’s footsteps and choosing guitar. 

Once his other gifts and cards had been opened, he had just about enough time to blend a protein shake, take the dogs for a quick walk and be back in time to wrangle the girls into his truck and take them to begin their respective days. 

James would never be a people carrier kind of person, choosing instead a Mitsubishi Warrior, of course in black, which dwarfed Ella’s little Jeep on the drive. Hell, it had only been in recent years that they’d been able to afford being a two-car family at all, with how much it had cost them to renovate their home. Both pulled in decent salaries at that point in their lives, though, enjoying reaping the rewards of their hard work.  

Being a musician was something he did more for the love of it than the money, his endeavours within the band netting him on average between twenty-five and thirty thousand a year. Sometimes more, often much less. What earned him the better income was the security firm he now owned and operated, his guys running doors and offering event security around a large portion of the West Midlands area.  

JNK Security had once run out of a leaky portacabin for years in between his long-haul touring stints, his office space now managed from home after having what was virtually a second house grafted onto the back of their existing one. He enjoyed the fact he could be at home when he actually was off tour, helping Ella co-parent their girls since her working space was now run from their house as well.  

While he managed all things security from one room off the kitchen, Ella had a space tailored for her therapy sessions next to it. Her brand of therapy was very much like his now former therapist Michael, wanting to offer a relaxed environment for patients to have their sessions in. The space was very quintessentially Ella, white, light and airy, candles and plants dotted around, and just like Michael, a large sofa she sat upon to chat with her patients informally while assisting with their mental struggles.  

Her speciality? Of course, eating disorders.  

She still did work away from home as well, travelling to various practices on a Monday and Tuesday, running her own clinic from home for the other three days a week, with some Saturday morning sessions too when she could. By the time he arrived back, she was in session with her first patient of the day, James entering his office followed by the dogs, a strong cup of tea in his hand as he sat down to begin his first task of the day. Payroll.  

He’d first thought to pay somebody else to do it for him, but since he had a fairly good aptitude for numbers and using a computer, the payroll software making it even easier, he didn’t see the point when it only took an hour out of his morning around answering calls.  

Between the two, he found a little time for the permanent resident of his office, getting Hel out of her viv and letting her crawl onto his head and over his chest and back. At nineteen, she was an old lady, well into her expected lifespan years of between seventeen and twenty-five. She scared the shit out of his kids, all bar one. Yes, the destroyer of worlds indeed loved the giant, black spider.  

“Right then, beautiful girl,” he spoke, gently lifting her from his chest, “better do some more work and all that.” He returned her to her viv, throwing in a cricket to eat before locking her away (Ella still couldn’t cope if she escaped) and turning back to his desk. 

“Yep, yeah, okay so I’d advise a team of twelve. Four front doors, two rear, two loading bay and four on venue patrol for somewhere that size,” he spoke, on a call to someone who required his services for a one-off music event. “No, the cost is non-negotiable. Okay... yeah, the fourteenth is fine. I’ll send an invoice. Bye.” 

Looking down at where Otis’s potato shaped bulk lay happily on his lap, he gave his massive bat ears a rub. “Always trying to chip me down by a few hundred, innit. Fucking tight arses.” The dog merely yawned and grunted, happily going back to sleep while his dad made a few more calls to arrange who was where that evening. He still went on the doors himself from time to time, usually for old times' sake with Steve, who now worked for him as well whenever he needed a few hours here and there in between his other job of flipping houses with Andrea. 

Just as he had pledged only hours after meeting her, Steve had married her just under seventeen years before. They’d done something utterly insane, eloping to Greta Green after being in a relationship for five months, James and Ella the only people they’d told and invited to the ceremony.  

The couple now had two sons, lived only fifteen minutes away and truly couldn’t be happier. It was on Steve’s advice that he buy the house they now lived in, the abode an absolute steal for what it could have fetched in the town of Atherstone, had it not needed such extensive modernising.  

They’d purchased number three, Thornhill Drive six years ago, Ella virtually ready to pop while pregnant with Zara when they’d moved in, slowly doing it up room by room, the large extension built upon it finishing the work just six months ago. While he continued into the late morning, Ella found a free half an hour to make notes between patients, spending the rest of her time checking her social media accounts and sending a few funny memes to Andrea.  

She had to keep her Instagram on private, save the scores of Nocturnal Descent fans attempting to access her photographs. She tended not to put pictures of her children online unless their faces couldn’t be seen, always mindful of the darker side of the internet. There were, however, plenty of her and her love. One she’d shared recently had made her heart burst, taken on a disposable camera by Andrea while they were still all patients within the confines of Moor Acres. Her caption for it was typical Ella. 

“Me and my church burner, 1997, falling in love.” 

The picture had been taken beneath their tree out on the grounds, her sitting on his lap, both smiling happily at one another. God, she couldn’t get over it, how tiny she’d been back then. As a thirty-nine-year-old woman at a healthy weight of nine stone, she often couldn’t reconcile seeing pictures of herself at twenty-two, just over six and a half stone in that particular picture with James, as being her.  

The ravages of anorexia no longer haunted her, she was pleased to say. Also, James had long been off his antidepressants and no longer in therapy to no ill effects, although he constantly monitored his moods for anything that even slightly fluctuated. Continuing her social media scrolling, she had a peek on the band’s Instagram page, if for nothing else but to see how well received her photographs had been. 

In her spare time, she still loved to get out and about with her camera, her last excursion being granted access to the photographer’s pit at the end of Nocturnal Descent’s UK tour that had rounded up a long stint just three weeks before. James had long been one of her favourite photographic subjects, being as photogenic as he was. Even with corpse paint on and fake blood dripping from his mouth all over his neck and chest. Opening the comments, she had a read through, shaking her head and chuckling softly at some of the spicier reactions to the guys. 

“Good freakin’ god, those rabid fangirls!” 

Once upon a time, she used to tour the message boards to see what was being said about her husband, groupie girls discussing which of the guys were down to fuck, as it was worded. Not because she didn’t trust James, but it was nice to see that her trust was reflected in what he’d say and how he’d act in a room without her in it.  

“If you want to get with Berserker or War, it’s a no-go, unfortunately. They’ll turn you down. Those guys are happily married, trust me. I tried it on with War last time they toured here. He just held up his hand, tapped his wedding ring and said ‘nah, babe. I take that seriously.’ He’s always up for a chat, though. Nice guy, can be quite intimidating but he’s funny and interesting. The only guys in the band you’ll have any chance with are Necro Storm and Fury, maybe Tyrant, depending on whether he’s got a girl or not.” 

“Yeah, I can vouch for that, too. War and his wife don’t live too far from me. I met them at a pub recently and they took a few pictures with me. They’re really nice, but just don’t approach War when he’s with his kids or he’ll tell you to fuck off, so I’ve heard!” 

Those were two from many years before that had stuck out in particular to her. She always welcomed the fans coming up to say hello, unless they ever got a little too friendly with him. Most were very respectful, though, and she was always flattered when they wanted a picture with her as well.  

The only time a line was drawn was when they were with their children, Ella usually being much politer, but the slightly volatile streak in James’s nature decreeing he could often be rude and standoffish. “Nah, I'm with my kids. Fuck off” was what you’d usually have thrown at you if you tried to pester him for a photograph while he was with his daughters. He’d chosen a career which gave him semi-famous status, but they hadn’t.  

Later that night, they were gladly left alone as they sat and ate dinner in the restaurant area of The Queen’s Head, their favourite local pub. Even though his actual birthday outing wasn’t until the weekend, Ella had wanted for them to do something low-key on the actual day itself, joined by her mum and boyfriend, Jon, as well as James’s dad. And his mum. 

Indeed, there had been a change there in his family status. With Carole having passed so many years ago and the damage she’d done put to bed, there was a new woman, one much more deserving who he now fondly referred to as his mother. Alan had met Alice a year after his separation from Carole, the family finding her to be the gentlest, sweetest woman they’d ever met. Since suffering from chronic endometriosis for most of her life, Alice had been unable to have children of her own, and over time had very much grown to see James and Sam as hers.  

She’d surprised them one year at Christmas, with the gifts they’d opened. Adult adoption papers. “Might as well make it official now I’m married to your dad, hmm?” she’d spoken, before receiving a very fast-moving son and daughter into her arms, James and Sam telling her that they didn’t need it, but were thrilled all the same. To them, she was mum, with or without the official paperwork proving such.  

And god, how proud she was of them. Carole had never once been to see Nocturnal Descent play live; Alice made it her priority when they toured. One of Ella’s favourite pictures from the last tour had been of James leaning from the stage, a sweaty, corpse paint-streaked mess, sticking a bloodied tongue out at Alice as she’d guffawed laughing. Ella had captioned it perfectly. 

“War and mother War.”  

“That’s my son!” the bubbly, vivacious blonde had shouted proudly to anyone who’d listen, beaming as she watched from the photographer’s pit with Ella. It was all he’d ever wanted, a mum who was proud of him. Alice was exactly that. 

Even though neither James’s sister or Ella’s could make it, both Sam and Jane working away, they still had a fantastic night together as a family, getting home in time to get the kids ready for bed, one last day of school before the weekend was upon them.  

“So, Mrs. K,” James spoke, plonking himself down on the sofa and lying with his head in her lap. “Are we partying like it’s nineteen ninety-seven on Saturday, or what? I feel a top-grade time coming on.” 

She beamed, leaning to kiss him. “We’d bleedin’ better be, BFG!”  

While a lot of things had changed for them, some remained the same, and they still loved to go out and have a good time whenever they could. Saturday would be no different.  

[jazzthatonewriterchick]

Lovers & Friends (18+ Fic)

Pairing: Keigo Takami x Black!Fem!Reader (Friends to Lovers)

Synopsis: In which you and Keigo have begun to realize the strange new feelings you both have for each other after one drunken night at a close friend’s wedding that ends with you in his bed, but because of your longtime friendship and committed relationships with other people, you’re more than happy to forget that night even happened and keep your mutual feelings in the dark…for now, at least. 

Story Warnings: Smutty smut; 18+ (MINORS GET AWAY); Cheating/Infidelity; Mating; Light Degradation; Spanking; Exhibitionism; Multiple Positions; Creampie; Unprotected PIV Sex; Facials; Scent Play; Marking; Spitting; Deepthroating; Cunnilingus; Begging; Edgeplay; Power Play; Daddy Kink; Some Angst; Hurt/Comfort; Mild Violence

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters mentioned in this fic. However, as this is my writing, I do not give permission for my work to be reposted on any other sites that are not from my own accounts. Thank you!

Writer's Note: This was one of my favorite chapters to write too. I like writing Keigo as a three-dimensional character with all these vulnerabilities & shit. -Jazz

Chapters: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen. Eighteen. Nineteen. Twenty. Bonus Chapter.

Read on AO3 here!

**********

Chapter Fourteen: Not a Part of the Plan.

“You’re kidding,” Rumi gasps. “You almost killed the guy?!” 

It’s the next night––a warm Saturday night––that is buzzing with activity. Especially at the bar Keigo finds himself at with Rumi and Dabi who specifically came out to see them.

They’ve been here for an hour so far and have been keeping track of the time Dabi has left before he’s forced to go back to his cell. Two prison guards are posted very closely to him during their bar romp––one standing near the door and the other outside in the van, possibly sleeping at the wheel. 

Dabi sits across from Keigo next to Rumi in their booth, sipping on his second glass of Jack Daniels and smoking a cigarette that he makes sure to smoke away from Rumi unless he wants a face full of her fist. 

They sit at a more secluded area of the dimly-lit yet cozy bar by a few mounted heads of stuffed animals and a pool table that isn’t occupied yet. Keigo is glad he came out tonight to the bar despite the place being packed to the brim and the crowd getting rowdy as the night goes on. He didn't feel like being alone tonight…not after what happened last night. He needed to see his friends’ faces and get some advice on his situation. 

“Not true,” he says. “I said I was thinking about it; I’m not about to catch a case with the career I have and have Y/N hate me forever.”

He already gave them the rundown of his meeting with Rei at your and Rum’s condo last night, earning a gasp from Rumi like she was watching a soap opera and a throaty laugh from Dabi. The dark-haired ex-villain shakes his head disappointedly now, taking a cherry from the bowl sitting between them. They’re supposed to go in Rumi’s cocktail, but they’ve been eating them instead. “That’s a shame,” he tsks. “You could bunk with me and we’d be cell buddies.” 

His crystal blue eyes tick up to Keigo’s, a lightheartedness to them. He knows that his friends is just trying to make him laugh, but it isn’t helping. Especially considering that he damn well could’ve beat Rei to a pulp if he let his anger get the best of him. It’s been bothering him all day how close he was to doing it. 

He hit up a party catering company himself a week ago, paying them early and extra for setting up shop. He decided to throw it a couple blocks away from the Gala in the basement of a small event venue where proms and bachelor parties are thrown. He loves basement parties, and low-key events even more. 

He groans, putting his hands in his hands. “God, I feel like I’m going insane!” he huffs. "I don’t know why I even did all of that.” 

Rumi narrows her eyes at him from across the booth, pausing mid-sip of her rum cocktail. She then reaches across the table to smack Keigo on the shoulder, making his skin sting. “Because you’re in love with Y/N, dumbass!” she practically shouts. “If you can’t see that now then you’re at a total loss. You’d might as well tell her.” 

Keigo rolls his eyes at her “advice”. Like telling you would even matter now. That would only make things much worse! “You’re not really helping me out,” he tells her grimly. “Our relationship is rocky enough as it is. Why the fuck would I tell her I love her, especially now that she’s back with Rei?” 

That only gets him a shrug of Rumi’s shoulders who he can tell is just about tipsy. “If not that then tell her how much of a bitch her man is,” Dabi comments. He pops another cherry out of the bowl and sucks on it before ripping the soft berry off of its vine with his teeth. “Especially with his acting.” 

Keigo’s ears perk at this, confusion on his face as he sips his own bottle of Jack Daniels. “What, you don’t find it convenient that he asked for Y/N back only a week before the Heroes’ Gala?” Dabi questions, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

Rumi agrees, popping a cherry for herself to put into her mouth. “And several months away from the ranking ceremony,” she adds. “Now that you mention it, Dabi, it does seem kinda weird. Y’know, you would’ve made a perfect detective if you weren’t into terrorizing people.” 

As the two begin to talk among themselves about the careers Dabi could’ve had if he wasn’t in LOV, Keigo’s head whirls with the implications behind their words. Rumi is right: the Gala is only a week away. There will be cameras and news reporters and adoring fans waiting patiently for the award winners to be announced which often have a good outcome for rankings at the JP Event. It all has to do with popularity.

….Wait. 

As soon as his thoughts connect, Keigo chokes on his Jack Daniels and nearly spits it out of his mouth. He roughly swallows the liquid and begins to hack into his fist, his throat burning and tears springing into his eyes.

Rumi and Dabi react immediately. Dabi passes him the pitcher of water left for them while Rumi leans over the table. “Fuck, Keigo, breathe!” she huffs, patting him hard on the back. 

Keigo continues to cough until he’s able to breathe properly. “Rei’s a bitch,” he chokes out. Rumi rolls her eyes, lifting the water pitcher for him. “Yeah, we know that. Now sip the water before you die.” 

Keigo leans forward and attaches his lips to the pitcher, letting Rumi pour it down his throat. He continues to clear his throat and dabs at his eyes with a napkin, slowly recovering. Once he’s sure he’s okay, he finishes his thought: “Rei doesn’t really want Y/N back; he’s just tryna get his award and a higher ranking. He’s using her for publicity.”

He grips the napkin, crumbling it into his fist. “Oh, that motherfucker,” he angrily growls, his feathers sharpening along his wings. 

Rumi looks just as mad while Dabi is busy sipping on his bottle. “Guess you’re just gonna have to go over and have a word with Y/N,” he deadpans. “If her man is there, you have a word with her and fuck him up.” Keigo nods, more than ready to get his hands dirty and help you see the truth about your scummy boyfriend. 

“Want me to come with?” Rumi asks, already standing up. “I can cancel my pussy appointment for tonight. I’m sure she won’t mind me visiting her tomorrow.” Dabi chuckles at this as he ties a knot with the cherry vine. “I’d volunteer too, but if I get found out for fuckin’ somebody up, especially a hero, I’ll get my perks taken away again.” 

Keigo shakes his head as he stands up, popping the collar to his jacket. “Naw, you two stay here,” he says, already looking towards the exit. “I’ll handle this shit myself.” He then takes a swig of the rest of his bottle before departing from his friends, zooming through the crowd for the door. 

“Go getcha girl, Hawks!” Rumi encouragingly calls after him. “And use the door this time!” 

***********

When Keigo zooms over to your apartment, he makes it there in ten minutes flat with how fast he’s going. If you had seen him, he’d look like a red comet shooting across the sky. 

Like a jackass, and as usual, he doesn’t listen to Rumi to use the door and goes around to your windows when he gets to your condo. However, your bedroom window isn’t open nor is your living room window so he has to walk through the lobby and travel up the elevator like a normal person.

When he gets to your floor, he races across the hallway to your door and practically throws himself against it. Then he begins knocking on it like a crazy person, hollering for you. “Y/N!” he calls through the door. “Open up, it’s me! I have to talk to you!” 

He continues to knock until you finally come to the door, looking fine as hell in your stretchy pink shorts and cropped Plus Ultra tee, your braids tied back in a ponytail. “Keigo?” you question, scowling at him. “What’s going on? Why are you knockin’ on my door like you’re the feds?” 

He stands there, breathing heavy and possibly smelling like the bar, but he didn’t have time to freshen up. “I’m sorry,” he sighs, composing himself but the urgency inside of him doesn’t let up. “Listen, there’s something I need to tell you.” 

He opens his mouth to continue but freezes when he sees Rei stepping out from the kitchen with a silver mixing bowl in the crook of his arm. As soon as their eyes meet, Keigo wants to toss a couple feathers at the motherfucker and pin him against the wall like a game of knife throw.

Rei’s smirk is calloused and cocky as he steps behind you. “Oh, Hawks, it’s you!” he says with false happiness. “What a surprise. I didn’t realize Y/N invited guests for our dinner tonight.” 

You look from him to Keigo, eyeing him suspiciously. “I didn’t.” Keigo doesn’t like you giving him that look–like you can’t trust him. If you can trust anyone in this world, it’s him! You told him that the night you slept together. Was that just the alcohol talking? He sure as hell hopes not. It would break him if that wasn’t the truth. 

“I haven’t seen you since Fatgum’s wedding,” Rei continues, poking the bear harder and harder. “How’s Sakura doing? She looked wonderful at the reception.” His smirk grows wider, reminding Keigo of a twisted version of the Cheshire Cat. 

“She’s fine,” he replies, balling his fists at his sides. He is trying hard to keep himself composed and under control, but your man is pushing it. “Listen, Y/N, can I please talk to you for a minute?”

His eyes flick to Rei who stands a little too close to you. “In private?” he adds. 

You still look incredibly confused but you allow Keigo your time to him anyway. “Uh…sure.” You turn to Rei with a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right there, Rei. Just keep stirring the sauce.” Rei nods and makes a show of sneaking his hand around your waist before pecking your cheek. “Nice seeing you again, Hawks,” he says before leaving you two alone. 

You step out into the hallway, keeping the door open a crack. “What’s goin’ on?” you ask, crossing your arms over your chest. “Why do you look like that? Did something happen?” His eyes flicker to your chest and the way your arms squish your breasts together so tantalizingly. Fuck, this is the wrong time to be eyeing you down. 

He looks away back towards your face and takes a moment to gather his thoughts. There is a part of him that wants to turn around and leave to spare your feelings, but he knows that that isn’t ideal. You’re his friend and he loves you, so you deserve to know the truth, no matter how painful it may be.

“Okay,” he exhales. “This isn’t gonna be easy to tell you, so just bear with me. Have you ever thought it weird that Rei suddenly asked for you back only a week before the Gala?” 

You stare at him blankly for a few seconds, his words processing in your pretty brain. Then they begin to register across your face but not in the way he was hoping. You look angered and irritated, and all of it is directed at him. “What are you implying, Keigo?” you sharply ask with a scowl. “That Rei just wanted me back just for publicity or something?” 

Keigo awkwardly toes the floor with his sneaker, an embarrassed flush enveloping his face. He didn’t exactly prepare for this. “Uh…yeah,” he timidly answers. “Not to mention for a higher ranking. You did say the guy cares a lot about his status, right?” 

You suddenly let out a chuckle which startles him. He wasn’t expecting that. But then he realizes that you don’t believe him. Him! Your best friend. Your partner in crime and righthand man. That hurts him more than he wants to admit. But when he continues to stare at you silently, that disbelief in your face disappears. “You’re being serious,” you say, realizing this isn’t a joke. 

Still, he doesn’t say anything. He is more afraid of how you’d react if he did say something. Your scowl turns into a glare, your eyes angered. “Rei wouldn’t do that to me and I don’t appreciate you coming over here giving me this bullshit,” you hiss. “Why would you think that poorly of him?” 

“First of all, it’s not bullshit,” Keigo sternly replies. “I’m telling you the truth. Rumi and Dabi even–” 

“And why do you think I’m not worthy of a good relationship?” you ask, sounding absolutely hurt. Keigo’s stomach drops. That isn’t at all what he thinks or how he intended to make you feel. “That’s not true!” he protests. “Baby bird, I–” 

“Don’t call me that,” you hiss, visibly flinching at the nickname. 

He falters, his feathers drooping sadly at your reaction to the name he’s been giving you as old as time itself. “Y/N,” he corrects himself, your name tasting sour on his tongue in this scenario. “I only want you to be happy, and though I highly dislike Rei, I would be overjoyed if he was a good guy for you, but he’s not. I know he can’t make you happy the way you deserve to be.” 

You scoff in response at his words, making him flinch. “What, and you can?” you harshly chuckle. “Is that what you’re here for? To sweep me off my feet as if you don’t have a girl already?” You shake your head in disbelief at him, like you can’t believe he even exists. “I can’t believe you, Keigo. You really think everyone is just for the taking, don’t you? You’re so selfish.” 

If the cutting edge of your tone does not skin Keigo’s heart, it’s your words. They are beyond hurtful. They take him and transform him into something that he isn’t: a backstabbing, self-serving asshole whose only mission is to get you all to himself. He can’t believe you really see him as that. “Are you bein’ serious right now?” he weakly asks, squinting at you. 

But you’re on a roll, too irate to see the hurt in his eyes. “You have no regard for anyone else’s feelings but your own. You just do what makes you feel good; fuck everyone else. It’s all about Hawks.” You motion toward him with your hand, your smirk hard and humorless. “I know Rei isn’t your ideal vision of a partner for me, but you’re mistaken if you think you’re one too.” 

Keigo staggers back a bit as if you’ve stabbed him. And you did because that one hurt. Not only do you think that he’s a horrible friend but that he’d also be a horrible partner. You think he is scum.

And maybe he just might be, but he would never ever tell you all of this for selfish reasons. And he certainly wouldn’t try to split you up with someone if he knew they were right for you. But you don’t seem to understand any of that, and after years of being friends, that cuts him deep. 

He stares at you for a moment, wondering if he should make any of this known, but your glare tells him that you’re not willing to reason.

“Wow, okay,” he scoffs, irritation flooding him at your refusal to see the truth that is right in front of you. “You know what? Forget it. I came all the way over here not to steal you away from Rei, but to help you understand that you deserve so much better than that flashy asshole. But if you’re okay with bein’ used as a publicity stunt, then that’s fine by me. If you don’t realize that everything I do is to show you how much I love you, then I don’t know when you will.” 

As soon as the words are out of his mouth, he realizes the mistake he made. You must realize it too because your next question makes the tension in the air much thicker: “Does that include fucking me?” you curtly ask. 

Keigo stares you down, trying to weigh his options here. “That was a mistake,” he sighs heavily. 

“Was it really?” you ask, sounding rather timid and as if his response hurt you. The way you wrap your arms around yourself makes it seem as if you’re soothing yourself, giving yourself the comfort you won’t allow Keigo to give you. He heaves a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “YN, please,” he practically begs. “Let’s just talk about this.” 

But you’re done with the situation, already turning to go back inside. “Just leave,” you tiredly say. “I don’t wanna talk to you right now. Just go home, alright?” Before he can say anything more, you’re closing the door in his face, shutting him completely out of your life. 

He stands there for a moment, realizing the gravity of what just happened. He lost you, his best friend. The only woman he loves. “Fuck,” he growls lowly.

Then again, louder this time, a scream ripping from the deepest depths of his frustration: “Fuck!” He doesn’t care if anyone hears. For all he cares, they can sit down and have a front-row view of this tragedy.

He can’t believe he fucked up this bad. Now you don't even want to see him. What if this is it? He feels that it is. As soon as you closed that door, you ended your friendship and cut him out of your life. He wants to knock again and apologize, take it all back, but he knows that you’d never look at him the same way. He will forever be the jealous asshole who tried to break you and Rei up with a lie. 

And for your sake, he hopes that this is all just a misunderstanding and something he is throwing out of proportion. For your feelings and that heart of yours, he hopes that Rei is a good man to you. 

He goes home, feeling like the whole world is crashing down around him. But when he enters the lobby to go up to his penthouse, he doesn’t expect to find a certain pink-haired woman standing at the front desk in a white top, a flowery mini skirt, and heels.

Recognizing her immediately, he scowls confusedly at her, his heart lurching into his throat. “Sakura?” he asks. 

She jumps and turns around, looking at him like she was just caught with her hand in the cookie jar. They stand in silence for a moment, both trying to decide what to say and when to say it. Sakura goes first, clearing her throat. “Hi,” she timidly says, adverting her gaze. 

“Hey,” Keigo replies, still confused. “What are you doin’ here?”

Sakura clutches the strap to her tote bag to her stomach, looking nervous. “I wanted to talk to you in person,” she sighs, peering up at him with regretful eyes. “I’m sorry about what happened last Friday. I had completely jumped to conclusions and didn’t take your workload or career into account.” Her bottom lip begins to wobble, indicating her true feelings. “I’ve just been missing us.” 

Keigo withers seeing her look so down, feeling shitty for how Friday night ended. Even shittier for his feelings for you. “I’m sorry, too,” he softly says. “I didn’t mean to hurt you that night. I’ve just been dealin’ with a lot; most of which I don’t wanna worry you with.” He steps towards her, gently taking her hand into his. “I’m sorry I’ve been so distant. You deserve so much better than that.” 

And he does. She deserves the world, as sweet of a girl she is. Why she is back here for someone like him, he has no idea, but if you can make it work with Rei again, then he can make it work with her….right?

‘No,’ his conscious tells him. ‘Because Y/N told Rei the truth. Like an asshole, you still haven’t done that yet.’ 

“I’ve been missing us too,” he sighs. “But I don’t want us to be together if you don’t know the truth.”

Sakura’s face grows wary, meaning she’s already getting a bad feeling about this. “About what?” she softly asks. The worry in her eyes pains him. Even now, she is still concerned about his wellbeing. He squeezes her hand, already leading her to the lobby exit. “C’mon, let’s take a walk. I’m not likin’ all of these eyes.” 

Really, there isn’t anyone watching and he knows he’s being paranoid, but he’d prefer this conversation away from the lobby and somewhere more private.

So he takes her outside and walks her over to the fountain bubbling in the middle of the valet parking lot. It is empty and no vehicles are pulling up due to it being so late in the night. Keigo feels somewhat calmer standing by the fountain, the cool spritz of water gently caressing his skin. All he hears is the water and his blood rushing into his ears. 

“Is everything okay?” Sakura asks, her brows furrowed in concern. He drops their hands and puts his own in his pocket. “Actually, no, Sakura; everything’s not okay.” His body begins to grow hot and his heart hammers against his chest. He wants to bolt, but he refuses to. He needs to be an adult. He needs to be a good partner, even if she refuses to see him after this. 

“What’s this about?” Sakura asks, sounding even more worried than before. Keigo keeps his eyes on hers, refusing to look away from her. “I’m so sorry, Sakura,” he sighs. “I’m so sorry for everything. You deserve none of this. You’re such an amazing woman…way too amazing for me.” Guilt and shame begin to eat him up on the inside, even worse than how he was feeling before. 

“What do you mean?” she asks, blinking those big, blue eyes at him. She goes to hold his hands again, taking each of them into her own. ‘I’m here,’ she silently says. ‘You can tell me.’ 

He licks his lips, lubricating them as his nerves start to get the best of him. “I haven’t been the man that you deserve for such a long time now. You deserve someone who is going to love you for every amazing part of you. As intelligent, sweet, and beautiful as you are, I’ve refused to appreciate any of that…and there’s a reason for that.”

He hangs his head in shame, staring at Sakura’s hands encased in his. A lump begins to grow in his throat the more he tries to push the truth out. “The reason is because…because…” 

“Because you’re in love with Y/N,” Sakura finishes. 

Keigo pauses, his eyes widening in awe. It’s like a record scratches. Sakura just blankly stares at him, no amount of anger or hurt in her face. “I….what?” he dumbly asks. “H-How did you–“ 

“It was kinda obvious, Keigo,” Sakura states, but not unkindly. More matter-of-factly than anything. “I’ve known for a while now, but I just never wanted to say anything. You’ve always had a different relationship with her than you have with your other friends.”

She looks down at her pretty heels that she probably slipped on tonight just for him. “Plus, I wanted to try again with you because I did see myself being with you.” 

As if Keigo couldn't feel worse. The fact that she knew about his feelings for you the entire time, never mind why she didn't say anything, crushes him. He should’ve told her straight up a long time ago.

“I’m so sorry, Sakura,” he defeatedly says. “I’m sorry I didn’t discuss this with you sooner. I guess, more than anything, I just didn’t want to acknowledge how I felt.” He pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts and then dives right into delivering the horrible truth to her. 

“The truth is after Fatgum’s wedding, I made a horrible mistake,” he begins, making sure to breathe as he does. If he doesn’t, he's sure to pass out from his nerves. “I just got so drunk and…” He bites his lower lip, his mind racing, telling him to stop. But he can’t. He can’t avoid this anymore. “I-I had sex with Y/N,” he blurts. 

He expects Sakura to cry or even hit him, but she does neither. He can see the hurt in her eyes though and that tears him apart. “It was a horrible, horrible mistake and I’m so sorry for not telling you sooner. I just didn’t know how and I didn’t want to hurt you.”

He turns away to hide his face, feeling tears prick his eyes. He feels terrible like he doesn't want to be in his own body. He knows for sure that Sakura will want nothing to do with him now. And why would she? Someone as sweet and as amazing as her doesn’t deserve someone who is desperately in love with his own best friend. 

“I need to tell you something too,” she sighs. He turns to face her again, noticing the guilt that is evident on her face. “I-I’ve also fallen for someone else,” she softly stutters. “After I got sick at the wedding, Snipe gave me his number when he came to my aid and I just couldn’t seem to get him out of my mind.” 

Keigo’s mind traces back to the wedding when Sakura told him about the Ginger Ale his fellow pro gave her. “Wait, Snipe?” he asks, stunned. “You like Snipe?”

Pink similar to her hair shade coats Sakura’s cheeks. “After you and I had the fight at your apartment, we went on one date, I went back to his place, and we kissed, but I couldn’t go through with anything more. There was a part of me that felt horrible for treating you like that.” She looks down at her shoes, flattening her lips into a thin line. 

Now he knows that they could never be together again, not when Keigo is still hung up on you. As long as he feels these romantic feelings for you, there is no way he can be with anyone else. He was kidding himself thinking that he could.

“No,” he reassures Sakura. “You don’t have to feel bad for me, honey. I deserve to be treated even worse for doing you so bad. You deserve much more and better.” 

Sakura looks up into his eyes and he stares into hers. In the two twin pools of blue like the purest water, he sees no resentment, anger, or ice. Only hurt for what they could’ve been. Keigo can’t resist taking her into his arms and hugging her to his body. She hugs him back, hanging onto him tightly. “And I happen to know that Snipe is flyin’ solo for the Gala event,” he whispers. 

Sakura shakily laughs into his chest, indicating that she’s crying. Keigo can feel his own tears dawning on him. He’d almost prefer she scream at him instead of hug him back. To him, to receive such tenderness after doing her so dirty feels worse than a slap in the face and being called an asshole.

Slowly, she pulls away and dabs at her cheeks. “I’ll make you a deal then,” she says, piquing his interest. “I’ll call Snipe tonight and ask if out again if you tell Y/N how you feel by the end of the Gala.” She presses a hand to his heart, a kind smile on her pretty face. “Don’t let her pass you by, Keigo.” 

He doesn't tell her that you’re probably done with him. He doesn’t tell her that he has no plans to pursue you. All he does his smile and covers her hand with his. “I won’t,” he promises. “Thank you, Sakura.” 

Sakura then stands up on her toes and presses a soft, sticky kiss to his cheek. A kiss goodbye. “Go get her, tiger,” she whispers before walking off to her car, her heels clicking behind her and her pink curls bouncing. He watches her go, standing by the fountain even after Sakura pulls off, waving at him as she does. 

And in the back of his mind, there you stay. Damn you. 

[lastweeksshirttonight]

We're back with Strike Force Five episode two, which seems to have randomly dropped at some point after I went to bed on Saturday. I enjoy when podcasts just randomly drop episodes, honestly, makes the whole thing feel more authentically chaotic.

I started listening to this while trying to figure out how to draft for fantasy football. I am not a football fan. I don't follow football. I don't know how to do fantasy. I very much procrastinated on that by doing these notes. My team is graded C- by Yahoo btw, which is two full grades higher than I expected.

Notes under the cut y'all.

This episode opens with Fallon talking about how he forgot his show's shirts glow in the dark. Apparently Billy Crystal tried to sleep in one recently and discovered this; John also noted a time when he was trying to get his infant son to sleep while wearing one of Fallon's shirts and saying it glowed "too well".

The audience for this podcast is obviously 30-something office drones like me. I say this because Atlassian is now running ads during the podcast. They must sense that everyone listening to this has it open in tab one while having their task-overrun Jira boards open in tabs two through five. John also completely "ruins" this ad - which was very on the rails for a decent amount of time! - by suggesting that Atlassian sounds like "one of those plans G. Gordon Liddy had to relect Nixon". Fallon also claims Atlassian is the name of his Fortnite character. (I wonder how my boss feels about both of those lol)

Everyone opens by briefly talking about how many staff they have. Stephen has 210, Kimmel has about 180 + 13 writers + a bunch of crew, Fallon thinks he has 305, and John jokingly says he has 500 people before admitting he misses his legal and research staff. He's ready to say things he thinks are true, instead of "things that are legally defensible".

Stephen: "Would you guys be okay if I had a little Casamigos, I got a bottle right here...?" John: "It's 7:30 in the morning, why not?" Seth: "That's like a 24 ounce 7-11 cup..." I'm so glad this is all in an auditory medium.

John is going to continue shitting on whatever alcohol company he shat on last week, and called it "pond water". I am guessing it's somehow related to Bud Light but that doesn't really track with tequila advertising, so who knows. I have in a past life had Bud Light Margarita in a Bag once, maybe John also suffered that unique hell.

If it IS Bud Light John is talking about, I have no idea how Stephen talking about Budweiser wanting him to be the voice for a Budweiser energy drink/caffeinated beer called B to the E/B 2 the E didn't get cut. This was in about 2001-2002, so well before Four Loko, and the ad copy contained things like "your friends are heading home AND YOU'RE JUST GETTING STARTED!" (John is quietly dying in the background the entire fucking time before Googling if it ever came out. It did! Fallon is flatly like "that's illegal" in a completely baffled tone early on.)

We are 8 minutes into an hour-long podcast. Just informing you, in case you were wondering. Why yes I am obsessed/bad at football why do you ask

Kimmel insists that his early seasons - "for the first eight to eleven years" - were the worst of anyone's on the podcast. He said this after talking about, on his show, Mr. T and Jim Belushi hating each other and almost about to fight each other, his cousin doing pillow-fights early on and causing a catastrophe one episode by fighting Lennox Lewis culminating with Anna Nicole Smith falling into a cake, and another pillow fight with Tom Arnold ruining his suede jacket. I forget that Kimmel is partially of the Jerry Springer era, if not on his late-night show then from his other work, and this just really reminded me of that.

Mariah Carey wanted to be interviewed by Seth Meyers during Christmas in a functional sleigh. John tells a story about watching Watch What Happens Live where Andy Cohen, on live TV by himself, said that Mariah Carey was in the building but would not sit on the side where guests usually sit on his show and was desperately trying to fill time. Mariah seems fun.

If I had to imagine Hell for Stephen Colbert, it would be "having to fill in for a guest on The Daily Show and turning down an advanced screening of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". That scenario seems tailor-made to completely destroy him.

I'm glad I remember that Ben and Jerry bit Stephen and Fallon are talking about. I would love to know what this whole explanation sounds like to someone who does not remember the whole "best friends" late night "wars" of the time. Here's the bit btw. (Your daily reminder that the CC website sucks ass.)

I forgot Fallon started his show two weeks before Seth. I must have completely blanked out how quickly all of those hosts changed in 2014 (and then John starting the same year).

I'm with John on this one, "Allen key" makes waaaaaay more sense than "Allen wrench". It's a fucking key! The amount of shit I've had to put together with those goddamn things, it's not a wrench at ALL.

One thing I learned today: chairs are very serious business for most of the hosts. Fallon keeps a chair backstage to see how someone will look in chairs on the set, and to confirm that's okay with the guests. Seth, meanwhile, had chairs that John feel like he was being interviewed to be on Seth's show. And Stephen has all different sizes of chairs, to make everyone feel comfortable when they're on the show. (This is where things go predictably off the rails, as Seth then claims he has chairs that get smaller and smaller to keep guests on their toes.)

John's guest are was the most expensive part of his set, and they never used it. Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I was shocked they have a guest booker, though. (Stephen: "Wow what a cushy gig!")

Kimmel's live show ceased being live when Thomas Jane said "fuck" nineteen times on air and affiliates/censors were mad. Apparently on network you CAN technically say anything past ten p.m., according to Kimmel, but that's not the reality of the situation.

Seth: "People forget about the early 2000s. If you were a sports fan, you would often say, 'I wonder who won the big game... let's watch the Kimmel monologue.'" This is exactly what the 2000s were like, kids.

Seth and Fallon both were told by SNL showrunner Lorne Michaels that it would take them 18 months to get comfortable with their shows and figure out how to use them. Seth definitely felt that was wrong and he'd only take 6 months... but the first time he started the show from behind his desk was almost 18 months to the day from his first episode.

Stephen has an unaired 3-minute opening credits sequence that he wants to show on his last episode if possible. John also had a longer title sequence that he loved, but that his producer said he'd be constantly going over for time and he'd need to cut it down, lest he get continually furious over not having enough time for his actual show.

Fallon talks about how his first interview was with notoriously reticent and quiet Robert DeNiro, who gave Fallon one-word answers for literally everything. John asks if anyone told him he was starting from a high difficulty degree, but is interrupted by Stephen remembering a Space Train sketch in the middle of Fallon's interview featuring DeNiro.

Stephen remembers more about Fallon's show than Fallon does, which is wild. Stephen probably remembers more about everyone's show than they do, based on the first two episodes.

Stephen calling The Colbert Report "a totally different beast and maybe doesn't even fit in this conversation" made me sad. Tell me all the Report gossip!!!

Stephen telling the story of how he made the Public Access Show for Monroe, Michigan prior to doing late night is incredible. I remember watching him and Eminem do that show the day the internet became aware of it, and it is just a fascinating bit of transitional Colbert work. Also, had no idea they took over a real show... or that they got almost 0 viewers for it, lol. Here's the link to the bit, for your viewing pleasure:

Fallon must realize that John has said literally nothing for a while, because he asks how the first episode of Last Week Tonight went. John actually talks about hosting The Daily Show for three months. He says he'd never interviewed anyone before then (I'm guessing he means that as in "I've never interviewed someone seriously and with the eye of not taking the piss out of them", because he'd done MANY filmed interviews for correspondent pieces before then) and talks about the episode where the power was cut. They taped the episode on a camcorder and had to feed it to Comedy Central through Stephen's office.

Stephen then talks about how his first episode almost doesn't make it to air because it couldn't be exported from Avid. Everyone in the editing bay insists this is fine, and it did end up being fine, but the contrast between how CBS editing works and John having to go to another office to feed a show to Comedy Central is so interesting.

Stephen also kicked down a door after this. Please enjoy this mental image, you freaks.

John and Stephen sharing a bitter laugh over John's joke about Les Moonves in the background is fantastic.

John is the first person to bring up that Ryan Reynolds turned around Wrexham the team AND the city. I really should watch that show.

We now return to Last Week Tonight, which lawyers refused to allow to be live. (Knowing John's comedic sensibilities, I completely understand Legal's stance.) He acknowledges that they had too many ideas going together in the first episodes, including a pre-taped guest. The big thing they learned was that they were doing one show a week, which lead to research coming in throughout the week that undermined their segments, rewriting whole shows on Thursday, and the realization that doing the show that way was completely unsustainable. Having watched those early episodes recently (and I promise I'm still doing that in the background), this context totally explains the franticness and weird pacing early on. Of course things feel more didactic and surface level - they were writing full episodes in two days! The show completely restaffed and changed after year one, and John's "bones were as hollow as a sparrow". He also knew that anyone who didn't like episode one was going to hate episode two, because it was about the death penalty.

Seth's first guests were Amy Poehler and Joe Biden, because they'd been on Parks and Rec together and Biden gladly accepted being after Amy.

Seth's misplaced confidence in his pink eye sketch is very relatable.

Fallon texting everyone that he is basically dying of heat stroke in his room and is trying to leave to save himself is hilarious. Poor Jimmy, he's suffering and getting clowned so hard for it. AND THEN Stephen talks about the opening of Fallon's first episode and all the change he dumped on his desk and him. And Fallon had to run up to the roof with change falling out of his clothes. Again, all this while Fallon is having a heat episode. As John says, "we should rename this 'Asphyxiating Jimmy Fallon'."

Fallon is also vaguely losing his mind and forgets he can talk on a podcast, because he keeps texting the others his thoughts.

They actually address the hosting schedule! Next episode, Stephen is hosting. After that, it's John (I'm excited for the inevitable LMFAO retrospective and/or extensive discussion of penii on rooves), then "James Theodore Fallon".

Thank you for reading this ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE BLOCK OF TEXT I'm so sorry that this is apparently my niche right now, thousands of words on a 45 min to 1 hr podcast featuring five white guys. One day the John pictures will again outnumber my blatherings, I promise.

[wooahaes]

lonely hearts club [final]

pairing: non-idol!wonwoo x chubby!fem!reader

word count: 2.1k~

warnings: two idiots are hesitant to communicate with each other and get tricked.

daisy’s notes: (posts this early as a way of forcing myself to take a final rn instead of waiting until tomorrow)

summary: With graduation fast approaching, Wonwoo only meant to vent about his feelings to an anonymous Twitter account known for giving people a space to vent and an anonymous way to express themselves. What happens when the person he has feelings for is the same person behind the account... and the same person who thinks he’s in love with their best friend?

< prev || masterlist || next/epilogue >

Work seemed to drag by that Sunday. Seungkwan had been working with you again, and you’d watched him scribble doodles idly on the back of receipts. When customers weren’t looking, you’d kept looking back at your phone, your messages to Wonwoo (your texts--you weren’t going to look back at the things he’d unknowingly sent you on Twitter) open. You hoped he wasn’t looking as you kept trying to type message after message to him. A “Hello,” a “How are you?” that hopefully didn’t sound forced, a “Can we talk about us?” that you deleted quicker than the rest. There was no “us” for the two of you to talk about yet. Not in the present tense, at least. In a romance novel, maybe you’d run to his store and by some miracle he’d be there working, and you’d passionately embrace after an emotional apology to him. You knew what everyone would tell you: to just ask to see him. Maybe meet for coffee or something. But your situation wasn’t something you could erase with a drink between the two of you and a simple “sorry I thought you liked my best friend and made myself think she might like you back and broke your heart” wasn’t easy to say. They didn’t print shit like that on cards. 

Seungkwan said nothing to you except his normal “Get home safely,” when the two of you parted ways after work. You took the bus that day, not in the mood to walk, and watched the city pass by until it was time for you to get off. You dragged yourself upstairs, waved to Jiyoung working on her classwork at the dinner table, and went to get changed. You swore every time you worked that the scent of coffee ingrained itself deeper into your skin. To be fair, it wasn’t the worst thing to smell like, but it could get nauseating after a while. You showered, changed into something warm to sleep in, and collapsed into bed. You hadn’t had anything to eat in a while, but all you really wanted was to lie down for a while.

Right as you closed your eyes, your phone went off. You blindly reached around next to you, groping the space next to you in bed until you found it, and took a deep breath before opening your eyes again. You hoped it’d be Wonwoo, only to see Junghoon’s emojis before you saw his name.

hoony ☕️💾: I know its late but i really need you to meet me right now.

sunny 🌻☕️💌: oh shit

sunny 🌻☕️💌: is everything okay?

hoony ☕️💾: I’m in front of the library rn

hoony ☕️💾: It’s serious and I really dont want to say it over text

hoony ☕️💾: Okay?

hoony ☕️💾: Stay safe btw.

sunny 🌻☕️💌: i’ll be there, hoony. just give me a few minutes to grab my shoes. do you want me to call?

hoony ☕️💾: Its fine

hoony ☕️💾: Just hurry

tiger 🐯 kwon: are you almost here?

wonwoo: i’ll be there soon

wonwoo: is everything okay?

wonwoo: soonyoung?

tiger 🐯 kwon: it will be :)

wonwoo: i don’t want to know what that means

tiger 🐯 kwon: :)

wonwoo: stop

wonwoo: i can see campus. i’ll be there in a minute.

All Soonyoung had said in his earlier texts was that this was important. He knew it was eleven at night on a Sunday and that Wonwoo had just went home from work, but it was “vital” that he get to campus right then and there. All Wonwoo wanted to do was collapse into bed and sleep for the next six hours, but if it was an emergency, then he was glad to make the quick run to campus. Mingyu knew where he was in case he needed to take Soonyoung somewhere else. He was surprised he was Soonyoung’s first pick for something considering Jihoon was likely home anyway. He stood underneath one of the lamps that illuminated the sidewalk in front of the library, looking down at his phone. He’d change Soonyoung’s name back next time he felt like it, that little tiger emoji staring him back at him as he sighed. It was late. If Soonyoung truly had an emergency, then he should show up sooner so Wonwoo could help him with it.

Minutes passed. Wonwoo grew aggravated. Some customers had been hell that day, trying to find things that he told them weren’t in stock--demanding he call other stores to locate the record they were looking for and that he should tell his boss to “get better stock” before finally leaving. Wonwoo had assignments he needed to at least get a little progress on before he slept, too. If Soonyoung was just messing with him (those smileys were the stuff of betrayal), then Wonwoo would chew him out later. He didn’t have time to fuck around on campus, especially this late at night. He opened up Soonyoung’s contact, about to hit the button to call him when he heard the sound of someone’s footsteps against the pavement. He was about to sigh in relief, Soonyoung’s name on the tip of his tongue.

But when he looked up, there you stood. You’d been dressed in pajama pants and a hoodie, looking entirely ready for bed. It was late. You shouldn’t be out--really, no one should unless they needed to, because safety should come first. If you were there, it must have meant--

Oh.

“Wonwoo?” You had called out, and you continued to grow closer to him. “Junghoon said he’d be here,” you’d held up your phone, screen illuminated and open to what looked like a text conversation. “He said it was important.”

And he held up his phone in turn. “Soonyoung asked me to come here.”

You sighed, folding your arms across your chest. “Well,” you said, “I guess we both have friends who meddle.” You rocked on your heels, likely debating whether you wanted to stay. He hoped you would. It would be easy for you to turn and leave, but he wanted to talk to you so badly. The last week of not seeing your face, of you actively avoiding him, hurt him. He knew you were hurting, too, and refused to hold that against you.

“How are you?” He asked, pushing his hands into his pants pockets. It was warm out, and he hoped that you didn’t overheat in your hoodie, but at least you looked comfortable. He’d rather have changed before he came.

“Fine...” You stopped, clearing your throat. “You?”

“I’m fine.”

Silence, mostly. The crickets chirped in a long drone, filling the space between the two of you. He remembered what Mingyu had told him that morning: something that your best friend had told him. If it’d come from anyone else, then maybe Wonwoo would doubt it.

So he took a deep breath. “I don’t like Jiyoung,” he finally said. “She’s nice. She’s pretty. But I’ve never looked at her like that.”

“Junghoon told you?”

“He told Mingyu.”

You nodded. Maybe both of your friends thought you needed a push or you’d never act.

“I run that Twitter,” you confessed a moment later. “When you messaged me, I thought you were talking about Jiyoung because I didn’t think anyone would choose me over her.”

“I didn’t,” he said. “I didn’t choose because there wasn’t a choice. It was you.” He took a step closer to you, hesitant and gauging your reaction. “It was always you.”

His words shook you, and you just forced yourself to keep going: “Sometimes I get called smart. Sometimes passionate. People always go for stuff like that when they don’t think you’re pretty--or if they don’t want to admit it.” The look in Wonwoo’s eyes was so, so soft but you needed to say what you felt. He deserved to know. “But you made me feel pretty. You said you liked the way my eyes lit up, or you’d tell me that I looked pretty whenever you saw me, or...” You took a deep breath. “You made me feel really, really good every time we were together. But the more time we spent together, the more I realized you never liked Jiyoung. I thought maybe you’d change your mind if I just didn’t accept it because I was stupid and I didn’t think you’d actually like me that much. Then when I--when we kissed,” you corrected. He kissed you back. “It made it real.”

Wonwoo said your name quietly. He’d drifted closer to you, just one step away. You took it.

“I like you.” You finally admitted it out loud, and it felt as though a weight was lifted off of your shoulders. “I like you so, so much. I know it’s stupid that I started all of this because I wanted you to end up with my friend, and it felt like I was leading you on for a while even though I didn’t know yet, but... I fell really, really hard for you. If you don’t want to see me after this again, I get it--”

Wonwoo had hesitated to reach up, fingers grazing your jawline for a moment. “Can I...?” And that time, he finished it, just to make it clear exactly how he felt about you: “...kiss you?”

The first time Wonwoo kissed you, it’d been wrong. His touch had been soft, sure, and he’d been glad to kiss you, but it hurt to think about it before. It’d been good. Better than he expected, but not right. Not when things were misunderstood between the two of you. In a sense, it was suffocating to thing about the way things were before the air was cleared. The idea of kissing you when you thought he didn’t genuinely like you felt... wrong. Wonwoo liked you and only wanted to kiss you. At least you knew that now. You’d kissed him last time, catching him off guard. It wasn’t an exchange of equals, but an impulsive thing in the worst kind of ways. He’d always savor the moments leading up to that kiss, because he’d been falling for you more and more, but he’d make up for them in the future and do it right with clear intentions.

This time you met him halfway. His lips were gentle against your own, one hand cupping your face and tracing his thumb along your cheek. You were uncertain on what to do with yourself at first, but you reached up, wrapping your arms around his neck, slipping one hand into the little bit of hair that you could reach--the black beanie he wore covered the rest of it. Just to toy with what you could. The last time he kissed you, you ran from him and hid. He barely had the time to process the feeling of your chapped lips against his soft ones, or the feeling of you pressed close to him, or the way he could smell the scent of coffee that clung to your skin whenever you worked your shifts. You could still smell his cologne, fainter than it’d been last time but still there.  It felt like a dream to kiss you, to be right there in that moment with you. If it was, he didn’t want to wake up yet. Wonwoo just wanted time to stop long enough for him to tell you that he loved you.

Instead, he pulled away and just gazed at you with this content smile on his face. “Can you say it again?”

You just blinked at him, still starstruck by that kiss.

“I like you,” he said instead. His thumb traced over your cheek once more. “It’s hard for me to get the words right, but I want you, if you’ll have me.”

All you could do was just smile at him, hands sliding down to stay at his bicep. “Yeah,” you said. “I like you, too, Wonwoo.”

In the end, you knew who Jeon Wonwoo was. Jeon Wonwoo was the guy who sat across from you in your literature classes and looked in love with you when all you did was speak your opinion on the book at hand. He was the guy who saved his words for when he really wanted to share them and blew you away every time because he was always so well-articulated. He was the guy who sat next to you in classes where you didn’t have Jiyoung because you made him feel comfortable with speaking. He was the guy who gravitated toward you when you walked next to him down the street, the guy whose cold hands would find warmth in your own, and the guy who kissed you and made you feel like sunshine lived within your chest. He was cute, he was kind, he was patient, and  now? He was yours.

And that was all that mattered.

stay tuned...

taglist: @yoongischeeksluv @rebelspy @mystiicturtle @hwashiningstar @x-veex @nothingbutadeadesceane​ @cersti-mo0​ e​

[naoyaslut]

The Hills Ch. 5

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT +18 ONLY!

NOT SUITABLE FOR WORK - TURN BACK

Pairings: ran x reader minor rindou x reader kenji x reader feat. sanzu 

Warnings: tobacco use, lil bit of foreplay, shit talking, an attempt at brat taming, pet names, drugging (of reader), guns, BETRAYAL, talk of infidelity, suicide mention. 

Authors notes: I think I may start to push the chapters out every two weeks because they are feeling kind of rushed and I'm not able to revise ad edit as I want to. Sorry for future inconveniences! Also, we get HANMA BAE IN NEXT CHAPTER. If you find anything repeated or terrible errors please let me know, I had to redo the entire post because my 2 year old decided to come over work his magic. 

t@glist: t@glist: @alice-smutthoughts , @dumbbitchuni-versity, @renxnana, @pulchritxde , @baggymcqueen @tojitsukaisen 

Wordcount: 4, 866 

One Two Three Four Five Six Seven Eight Nine Ten Eleven Twelve Thirteen Fourteen Fifteen

You awakened groggily a few hours later, the events leading up to where you were now playing back in slow motion as you attempted to recall them.  You were in a hotel suite, dark, with streaks of moonlight pouring in from the open balcony.   

You were laying on your back, blouse halfway unbuttoned your skirt riding up over your thighs.  Blinking slowly, you stayed in place as you glanced up at the ceiling.  The room was deathly quiet and the only thing filling the room was the sound of your own breathing, painfully loud in the shrouding dark.  

You recalled Ran escorting you into the building, how you heavily leaned into his warmth his long limb wrapped around your waist.  The elevator ride made you grow nauseous, Ran’s large hand on your back soothing the uneasiness.  

“Ran,” you called out into the darkness helplessly only to be greeted by silence.  He wasn’t here, the oversized suite was empty and you laid lifelessly on the king-sized mattress.  

You sat up weakly, groaning in the process as a searing soreness made itself known throughout your body.  Your back, your limbs heavy as lead, and the crevice of your thighs supplying you with a dull ache.  

“Fuck,” you mumbled almost incoherently as your head began to pound, harshly once you were upright.  The room began to spin once you stood up flat on bare feet, probably from the residual buzz of the drinks you had ingested earlier in the night.    

“Never again, I think...” you muttered dryly as you passed through the enormous suite, sticking your head inside a room you assumed was the bathroom.  

Flicking the light switch on, you snapped your eyes shut in alarm at the fluorescent light that blinded you momentarily.  Once your eyes adjusted to the bright lights you stared at the oversized bathroom stepping in front of the mirror to examine yourself.  

You looked a hot mess.  Mascara smeared underneath your eyes and your hair that was normally sleeked down to perfection appeared unruly, curls slipping free from the band that was supposed to secure them in excess.  

You turned away from the mirror in disgust padding over to the shower before turning it on. You had no idea what time it was, but you knew that you needed to clean yourself up.  You could smell the faint traces of sex, sweat, and a hint of Ran’s cologne.   

Stripping your clothes off of your body, you stepped into the shower to tend to yourself.  Thirty minutes later you emerged, clean and content as you slipped on one of the complimentary bathrobes before going back out into the bedroom.    

The alarm clock next to the bed read that it was 12:02 AM after midnight.  It was very late or super early, you could definitely get some sleep before you returned home.  The room remained dark, the slight chill of the morning air spilling into the room from the balcony door that was now wide open.  

Sauntering to a complete stop you tiredly stared at the open door, the silhouette of a broad lithe figure visible just outside of the door.  It was a man, leaning casually over the edge of the balcony a burner firm pressed firmly to his ear.  

He was shirtless, a massive tattoo of black ink covering half of his back muscles visibly flexing as a cigar was drawn to his lips.    

Your gaze never left the tattoo, studying its simple yet intricate design.  He stood up straight to peer over the balcony once more carrying on his conversation in a hushed manner.  You couldn’t hear what was being said, but from this angle as he turned away you could see the tattoo on his neck.  

It was Ran.  You sighed in relief, shuffling across the room to lower yourself back on the mattress, the sudden movement catching his attention briefly.  He shot you a brief glance and then went back to talking on the phone.  

You continued to give him your full attention, eyes now fixated on the tattoo that was as big as the one on his back etched across his chest.  Your stomach flipped in question as you pondered as to why this man was covered in tattoos.    

You wondered what he did before any of his involvement with Hanma, and you honestly pondered if he knew more about Suzu than what he was actually letting on.  

A thick cloud of smoke seeped from his parted lips as his eyes found their way back to you in the darkness a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips while simultaneously snuffing out the end of the cigar.  

Ran slipped back into the room, the burner phone he was talking on previously clutched in one of his hands.  You sat up, eyes following him as he sat on the edge of the mattress placing the phone on one of the end tables.    

“I didn’t think you’d be up until morning at least.” he mused, watching as your eyes focused on his tattoos now that he was right in front of you.  

You only nodded briefly, your eyes never meeting his opting to linger on the traces of black ink.  Canting your head off to the side, you rested a hand underneath the curve of your jaw as you finally met his eyes.    

“I’m not sure why I woke up I just did.” your gaze wandered again to his adam’s apple.  “I was alone though, you weren’t here.”  

“I was here all night, could have been in the other room.” Ran hummed bringing a hand to fiddle with the lapels of your robe, fingers sliding along the fabric grazing your collar bone.   

You pursed your lips at his lie, doubtful that was the case.   

“Yeah, sure.” you raised your own hand, fingertips softly grazing over the large tattoo on his adam apple, resulting in you shaking your head as if you disapproved entirely.  

You bit your tongue.  The questions you wanted to ask had answers that you weren’t ready to hear, and things that would be better off unanswered, especially to you.  Ran probably wouldn’t divulge anything anyway, you were sure he was a smart man.   

Ran grabbed ahold of your wrist, tugging you forward so that you fell into his chest with an audible yelp.  You were practically in his lap, hand on your wrist still firmly in place.  He raised a brow, his lips curving upward in what you assumed was supposed to be a smile, but it looked more like a glower.  

“You’re so interested in this damn tattoo” he breathed, lilac eyes bright, curiously staring down into your own.  

Tearing your eyes away from his you tried to pull your hand away from him, only to have him pull you closer.  

 “I’m just looking.”   

He smirked down at you, leaning forward to bury his face into the column of your neck pulling the skin of your jugular in between his teeth.  

You gasped at the slight pinch relaxing in his hold as his free hand worked to untie the sash holding your robe together.  

“Do you want to know what it means?”   

Your heart leaped into your throat upon feeling his cool hand upon your bare skin, a faint whimper following when his fingers tweaked a nipple.    

Whining in complaint, you flexed the fingers of the hand that was still in his grasp settling your hand at the base of his neck.  

“No.” you mewled, swallowing the tightness that began to form in your throat.    

Ran kissed along the curve of your jaw, moving to force his mouth against your own slipping his tongue into the warmth of your mouth.  

You could taste the heavy smoke from his cigar, bitter flavor causing you to retreat from the assault on your mouth.  

“Why not?” dropping your hand, he pushed the bathrobe off of your shoulders the thick material pooling on top of the mattress beneath you.  

His next movements were quick as he hovered over you, slotting himself between your thighs.  He kissed a line down your collarbones, stopping at your breasts before taking a hardened nipple between his teeth.  

You jolted at the endeavor, arching further into him to spur him on.   

“I know-,” you stumbled over your words upon feeling two of his fingers' ghosts over your exposed cunt.  “It's not good Ran.”  

Ran pulled his fingers, now slicked with your arousal away from your core tsking as he hovered over you.  

“Don’t be greedy.” Ran crooned over you, running his thumb over his tongue and pulling back the hood of your clit before pressing the pad of his middle finger to the sensitive bundle of nerves.  “Didn’t you already get fucked earlier?”  

Your mouth went dry at the sensation as you greedily bucked into his hand.  

“I-is that what we’re calling it?”  

The sharp sting of Ran’s open palm coming down on your inner thigh ‘caused a loud yelp to climb up your throat, the numbing after effect causing you to whimper giving Ran a wide-eyed stare.  

“Ow!” you screeched, eyes beginning to cloud over with tears.  Ran smoothed a hand over the spot he slapped as he stared down at you, eyes dark and half-lidded.  

“I really want to be sweet on you, y/n.” his voice was low and almost sultry as he fixed you with a half glare half-grin.  “But you’re making it hard with that mouth of yours.”  

Something in your gut tightened at his tone.  It was stern enough to get your attention and kept you from biting about another smart remark.   

Wetting your lips, you nodded slowly suddenly hyper-aware that you were naked as the day you were born underneath his heated gaze.  

“I’m not used to...,” you faltered, heat creeping up through your belly as you tried to explain yourself, but nothing else came to mind.  

Ran sat back on his haunches stroking his chin thoughtfully as he watched you.  Your eyes were still wide in confusion.  Probably still drunk, he assumed.   

Flipping the comforter up from the mattress, he drew himself underneath taking the time to pull you with him.  He nestled you beside him, drawing an arm around your waist and tucking you back against his chest.   

“Sleep.” Ran ordered, no amused lilt as if his word was absolute while pulling the comforter over the both of you.  

The atmosphere of your banter changed so drastically, your heart still thudding against your ribcage as Ran embraced you.  You didn’t fight him either, you were exhausted.  The pair of you lay in the darkness for about ten minutes before you started to drift off.   

“The tattoo on my back is something that I share with my brother.” Ran pulled you tighter into his embrace, placing a light kiss along your shoulder blade.  “You can see the orchid and a snake if you’re observing it properly,”  

You yawned, curling further into his arms.  

“Ran means orchid,” you mumbled sleepily, in response getting a light hum from Ran himself.  “Brother?”  

“Mhm,” he hummed again, this time burying his face in the mess of your curly hair.  

“I have a brother.” you started, pushing your face further into the pillow you were lying on.  “Well, had.”  

Ran raised a curious brow, even though you couldn’t see it.  His face laced with interest because of the past tense you used to correct yourself.  He could feel the way your body tensed underneath his hold as if your nerves had begun to unravel.   

“Had?” He didn’t expect you to answer, your body becoming completely rigid as you stopped breathing.  

“He killed himself.” your voice was barely above a whisper, your body relaxing again and melding into Ran’s warmth.  “I was the one who found him... he, he and Kenji worked together at the same precinct.  He’s tried to take care of me ever since.”  

Your heart was thudding angrily in your chest, the headache from earlier making its presence known once again.  You hadn't ever shared that information with anyone outside of your close friends and family.  Why you were so readily giving the information away from Ran puzzled you even.    

Ran hummed after a moment of silence, kissing the top of your head before pulling the comforter tighter around you.  

“Sleep.  You’re thinking way too much.”  

Maybe he was right, you were on the brink of exhaustion.  Nodding you closed your eyes falling into the depths of another dreamless sleep.  

You awakened again with a start.  You were no longer wrapped in Ran’s embrace, just alone in the bed with the comforter thrown over you. It was still dark out, the glowing red numbers on the alarm clock reading 3:24 AM.   

You sat up slowly, turning your gaze off to a pair of wooden double doors barely cracked open located on the other end of the room.  A dim stream of glowing light spilled from underneath the frame the sound of low voices gently muffled by the doors.  

Slowly, you clambered out of the bed grabbing the robe you’d been wearing earlier in the night.  Throwing it around yourself, you slowly paced towards the door stopping before pulling them open.  You could hear Ran talking on the other side of the door to another man, an almost manic lilt to his voice.  

“So, it is taken care of.” the other voice spoke.  

“It’s been taken care of, Rin filled me in when I got back a few hours ago.”   

Sanzu shuffled towards the window pulling down one of the blinds so he could peek out.  

“Multiple patrons overdosing on the property isn’t a good look.” he fixed Ran with a quick glance before reaching in his pocket to fish something out.  “As long as this doesn’t get back to the boss, everything should be fine.  Just give Oh a heads up he’ll make sure we’re good.  What do we pay him for anyway?”  

“Taken care of.” Ran reiterated, rubbing his forehead exhaustion seemingly setting in.  

Curiosity got the best of you, and you stood quietly leaning forward to take a peek through the crack of the door.    

Ran stood in the center of the dimly lit room, hair disheveled as if he’d just woken from sleep pressing the mouth of a plastic water bottle to his lips.  

Near him, another man almost as tall as he was with pink hair inhaled the cigarette he’d been smoking.    

You had no idea what they were talking about, and no intention of finding out. Taking a step back you opted to return back to bed, only to halt at the cool chill of something metallic at the nape of your neck.  Your breathing hitched slightly as the drawl of a monotoned voice reached your ears.  

“Be a good girl and turn around.” the voice sent a slight tremor down your spine, your teeth clamping down on your bottom lip to keep the startled whimper from clawing up your throat.  

You turned slowly and were met with the barrel of a black handgun pointed in your face.  Both of your hands flew over your mouth as you stood stock still, unmoving as the pistol was shifted so that the barrel rested at the angular of your jaw.   

“And what the hell do you think you’re doing?”   

Your eyes followed the hand attached to the gun, skimming past that familiar tattoo on the front of his throat.  It was an exact copy of the one that Ran had.  Bringing your gaze upright, you made contact with a pair of purple irises the same exact color as Ran’s.  He looked familiar; you were sure but at this point in time you couldn’t wrap your thoughts around what was happening.  

Your throat had gone dry, hands dropping to your sides as you stared at him wide-eyed.  

He stared at you; stone-faced forcing the barrel deeper into the flesh along your throat.  

Whimpering slightly, you stepped away from him your body colliding with the open door.  

“I-I just woke up, I was looking for Ran.” you stumbled over your words, panic evident in your hushed tone.  

He pulled the pistol out of your face and leaned down so that he was a mere inch or so away from your face eyes burning into your own.    

“What’d you hear sweetheart?” the hand that wasn’t holding the pistol, grasped around the base of your neck, fingers weaving themselves into your hair holding taught.  

You shook your head slightly, tears beginning to brim the corners of your eyes.  

“I didn’t.” wetting your bottom lip, you stared up at him lips quivering in fear.  “I didn’t hear anything, I swear.”  

You were positive you were in tears by now, your hands nervously gripping the hem of your bathrobe while the purple-eyed stranger kept you in place with a hand in your hair.  Sniffling quietly, you squealed in surprise once he pulled you closer, standing erect as he did.  

The doors to the room the two of you were standing outside of began to creak open Ran stepped into the open doorway.  

“You should pay more attention to your playthings.” the man with the hand in your hair scolded, obviously annoyed.  “She was eavesdropping, no telling what she heard.”  

Ran blinked down at you, your face streaked with tears as his brother released the hand in your hair.    

Tsking, he opened his arms with a gentle smile on his face, intending to placate your crying.  

“C’mere baby,” Ran mumbled, his tone soft.  

You quickly stumbled into his arms with the intent to get away from the other man behind you, your fear still caught in the base of your throat.   

Burying your face into the silk shirt that Ran was wearing, you hid your face within the fabric sobbing quietly into his abdomen.  

Ran slipped an arm underneath both of your legs and swooped you up bridal style as he walked back towards where the bed was.  

“Rin, why are you scaring the girl she was just looking for big daddy.  Right baby?” he sat down on the mattress with you draped over his lap and let out a sigh of exhaustion.  

“We don’t have time for your shit Ran.”  Rin scolded his older brother, the pistol from earlier still clasped tightly in his grip.    

“She didn’t hear anything; we weren’t talking about anything important.”   

Sanzu walked into the room, this time his face free from a face mask two apparent scars on the sides of his mouth.  Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved a metal tin and handed it to Rin.  

“Mikey needs me, I’m headed out. Give her one of those, she won’t remember a thing in the morning and we don’t have to get rid of a body tonight.  Easy.”    

Sanzu wasn’t in the mood tonight, and it clearly showed as he turned towards the door to leave.   

You cowered in Ran’s lap as you listened in on the conversation that went on in the background, your head swimming with uncertainty as you curled inward on yourself.  

“Meeting tomorrow at HQ,” Sanzu said, an amused smile plastered on his face.  

Sanzu was on his way out, while Rin opened up the metal container presenting Ran with a right pink pill.  Ran held out an open palm as Rin dropped it in his hand, eyes narrowed in discontent.  It was clear he wanted to scold his older brother but he did no such thing, pushing the container into his pocket before following Sanzu’s lead.  

“We’ve got shit to do, Ran.”  

With that, he was gone leaving you and Ran alone in the darkness of the hotel room.  Running a hand through his hair, Ran groaned internally, cursing under his breath.  

“Look at me pretty girl.” Ran sighed, waiting for you to comply holding the pill up to your mouth when you finally did.  

“This is going to help you sleep.” he watched you quietly, your lips parting obediently, he placed it on the flat of your tongue.  

The pill began to dissolve as soon as it hit the wet of your tongue, the bitterness causing you to cringe in disgust.  

“I’m sorry.” you were quiet, a gentle haze of confusion wafting over you from the obscure lozenge that Ran had given you without hesitation.  

“Get some sleep.”  

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

Bzzt…Bzzt…Bzzt  

Reaching out you felt around the bed from underneath the comforter for whatever was vibrating loudly against your ear drums.  The initial assumption was that it was your phone, but you just couldn’t get a solid grasp on it in the groggy state you were in.    

Lifting your head in agitation, you cracked your eyes open tiredly waiting for your vision to adjust to the brightly lit room.  There.   

Picking it up, you pressed the button on the side of it to silence the vibrations that had awakened you from a deep slumber.  The phone was silenced and you nestled back into your pillow closing your eyes again.  You were extremely fatigued, head throbbing unforgivingly as you relaxed into the blankets.  

Sighing in relief, you closed your eyes again only to jolt up again upon hearing your phone vibrate once more.  Frustration was beginning to set in, you forced yourself up right picking up the phone to stare at the LCD.   

Kenji’s name was displayed on the screen as the phone buzzed continuously, and in return, you just stared at it blankly. It was after 9 AM apparently, and after the phone eased its ringing again you saw the missed call notification.  

10 missed calls.  All from Kenji.  Rubbing your tired eyes, you unlocked your phone in an attempt to call him back, but your doorbell ringing disrupted you.  

The heavy pounding that came next startled you, forcing you to clamber out of bed.  A few glances around the room told you that you were in your own bedroom. Slowly, you padded through your apartment, clad in an oversized silk button-down shirt that didn’t belong to you.    

Your confusion came next, as you tugged at the silk shirt curiously, only to jolt back to reality upon hearing another round pounding at your door again.    

Startled, you shouted out of anger as you neared the door.  

“Hang on a damn minute, I’m coming!” you seethed, placing your hand on the handle and yanking in frustration.  Your hand sipped off of the knob from the excessive force almost throwing you back on your behind.   

Regaining your composure, you unlocked the door, angrily pulling it open to see Kenji standing in the doorway dressed a little more formally than usual in a black suit white undershirt, and tie.  He looked as if he had just come from some kind of business meeting or court.  

  Sighing in annoyance you fixed him with a pointed glare, raising your eyebrows in pure agitation.  

“Why the hell? Why are you hitting my door like some deranged psychopath?”  you asked, completely bewildered.  

Kenji simply stared down at you, eyes going over your appearance confusion and then anger falling over his features as he pushed his way into your apartment slamming the door shut behind him.  

“Where the hell have you been?” Kenji loomed over you; brows knitted together in anger as he stared down at you.  “And where the fuck did that shirt come from?”  

Affronted, you stepped away from him to put some distance in between before retorting.  Looking down at the shirt again, you honestly couldn’t recall where it came from or why you were wearing it so you lied.  

“It’s an old shirt Kenji,” you glared in his direction as he began to close the space you had purposely put between the two of you in the first place.  “Why are you blowing my phone up, I was sleeping.”  

Kenji stared at you in disbelief, eyes narrowing in suspicion.  He looked like he didn’t believe you one bit.  

“You’ve been gone for two days.” He stepped forward again, his hand grasping hold of your jaw to pull you into his grasp.  “I was this close to filing a missing person's report.”  

Stilling in his grasp, you looked away from him trying to come up with something, literally anything.  The longer you stood there trying to account for lost time.  Everything was blank.    

Your brow furrowed in discontent as you pulled away from him to sit down on your sofa.  Leaning forward, you rested your forehead in your palm as you sat quietly.  

The last thing you remembered... was going to see Suzu.  How she was still detoxing and how she admitted that Kenji had cheated on you while you were in college.    

Swallowing thickly, you looked up at him lips pressed in a thin line.  You slowly chanted a mantra in your head, hands curling into fists at your sides.  

It happened in college.  It happened in college.  It was the past; you have no right to be upset.  It was in the past.  

Clearing your throat you stood, cradling your bosom with both arms.    

“Are you going to answer my fucking question?” Kenji asked, the aggravation clear in his voice.   

The longer you stared at Kenji the more upset you became.  Your frustrations were coming to a head, your nerves suddenly raw from Suzu’s exclamation.  It left a bitter taste in your mouth.    

“Did you sleep with Suzu while we were dating in college?” the question materialized before you realized you had spoken it out loud.     

Kenji paused momentarily but rebounded just as easily as he stepped towards you.  You were impressed.   

“Did Suzu tell you that?” He stepped towards you again, attempting to grasp at your arm only to have you step out of his reach.  “Didn’t I tell you not to go see her alone? She’s an addict.”  

He wasn’t confirming nor denying it, your heart dropped down into your stomach an inkling of nausea beginning to stir in the pit of your belly.  

“Ken,” you started, walking over towards the door you reached out to grasp the handle.  “I need you to leave, right now.  I can’t talk to you right now.”  

Ken’s mouth dropped open, to say something only to have you interrupt him.  

“I mean it Ken, get out right now.” Your heart ached for obvious reasons but the fact that he wasn’t trying to save face really hit your hard in the gut.  

Kenji ran a hand through his hair fingernails nearly clawing at his scalp, this was something you noticed he did when he was getting irritated.  

A slight grin pulled at the corner of his mouth as he tried one more time, taking a step near you.  

“Baby doll.” Kenji reached towards you to rest a hand on your cheek and you turned away from him, tears starting to make their presence known.  

“Get out, I don’t want to talk to you right now.  I mean it.”  

He got the hint that time, preparing to leave the apartment.    

“Look, it’s not what you think.” he stepped out into the hall.  “Just let me explain.”  

Once he stepped over the threshold, you slammed the door shut in his face locking it right after.  

This was rough.  Propping yourself up against the door, you caught yourself before you fell over.  You felt absolutely disgusted.  The fact that both Kenji and Suzu had been lying to you right in your face for all of these years.    

“Y/n.” Kenji’s voice came from the other side of your door and you were nearly retched right then and there.  Abandoning your post at the door you ran into the bathroom flipping the toilet seat up as you vomited into the bowl.  

Leave.  Please, just leave...  

Silence ticked on afterward.  Five minutes turned to ten the silence continuing to stretch as you sat on the bathroom floor wallowing in your own self-pity.    

Once you were certain Kenji was gone, you stood up leaning over the sink to brush your teeth to cleanse the taste of sickness from your pallet.    

Splashing your face with cool water, you looked into the mirror staring sadly at your reflection.    

“I- can’t...”   

A faint image tugged at the recesses of your brain, causing you to jolt momentarily as snapshots of the other night began to become more recognizable.  

Ran pulled you into his lap, covering your lips in a fervent and needy kiss.  Heat bloomed in your chest at the absent memory.  

“Ran.”   

You remembered spending the night with him, you remembered him buried deep inside in the back of that damn car.  

You flushed, slightly ashamed.   But the rest of the night was just dark, except for the unfamiliar voice that echoed in the depths of your consciousness.   

"Just give Oh a heads up he’ll make sure we’re good.  What do we pay him for anyway?”  

You stood frozen, staring at your paling reflection in mirror. 

[xpeachesncream]

bands | eleven

[ series masterlist ]

summary: jeon jungkook has it all: the looks, the fame, the money, the women. being considered the sexiest man in the industry, he finds no complaints about the way his life is going nor does he find any reason to apologize for the way he approaches it. he is a force to be reckoned with - until he meets you.

pairing: stripper!reader x idol!jjk

genre: (18+) strip club/nightlife au, post grad au | fluff, angst, smut

words: 5.2k

warnings: cussing, mature language/implied sexual content, club scene, alcohol consumption, mentions of intoxication, mentions of dancing at the club, little bit of those insecurities coming back into play, good ol’ phone sex in the hotel room, mutual masturbation, unprotected sex, oral (m. & f. receiving), multiple orgasms, fingering, breast play, doggy style, hair pulling, slight choking, creampie

tags: @brightcolorsoffendme​ @min-nicoleee​ @eggbutnotyolk​ @ra-mun-e @miinoongi​ @jimidol​ @ppeachyttae​ @thebeebi​ @bluesharksandfish​ @kooafraid​ @liriaus​ @thisartemisnevermisses​ @ggukkieland​ @preciouschimine​ @sunniejinnie​ @cypheruby​ @cyb3rbab3​ @masterlists101​ @awhnamjoon​ @redhedhoseok​ @wooya1224​ (please message me if you would like to be added to the taglist!)

"Club tonight before we go back home?" Taehyung grips onto Jungkook's shoulders as they walked out of the venue and into their cars that would take them back to the hotel.

"Club?"

"Yeah, come on. Everyone said yes so far! It's been so long since all of us have gone to the club together without it being a special occasion." Jungkook sighs. That statement was true, and he did love being able to hangout with everyone all together. However, he can't lie - he missed you. He barely had time to text or call you this entire trip like he wanted, and he all he wanted was to hear your voice and see your face until he could finally have you physically in his arms again.

"Fuck." Jungkook does a slight head tilt before letting out a small sigh. "Yeah, I'll come along." Taehyung smiles from ear to ear, squeezing his shoulder.

"I'm sure your girl won't mind if we steal you for a little tonight." Jungkook doesn't respond to Tae's statement and simply shakes his head with a small smile. To be honest, the guys were a little surprised to see that whole thing erupt between Jungkook and Bigs. They didn't think he was actually serious about you, the mysterious girl. Jimin, on the other hand, wouldn't dare say a word and simply lent a small chuckle or smile as his participation during their 'lets tease jeongguk' hours. But eventually, it all became a running joke and the boys learned to leave Jungkook alone because as they've learned before, Jungkook does what Jungkook wants.

He gets away with shit.

He cleans himself up and throws on a button up shirt with ripped black jeans and boots, fluffing his hair a bit before he steps back out and meets up with the boys.

[jungkook] 9:49pm: going out with the boys tonight

[y/n] 9:51pm: lol cheer up, have fun party pooper

[jungkook] 9:52pm: fineeeeeeee :( can i call you later?

[y/n] 9:55pm: you can always call me, i just don't know if i'll always pick up :)

[jungkook] 9:57pm: try and stay up please

[y/n] 10:01pm: maybe lol

He slightly smirks to himself. Hopefully you'd stay up, but he was starting to realize you always fell asleep early and that was okay too. He'd just have to wait to see you when he gets back tomorrow.

Once the boys have arrived at the club of choice, security escorts them to their VIP section, the club already packed from wall to wall with people screaming left and right. There's already a few bottle girls, and other girls waiting for them in the VIP from lord knows where, but Jungkook knows he's not trying to mess with any of it tonight. He truly didn't wanna be here, but to keep his boys happy, he decided to tag along and hang out.

"So many beautiful ladies." Jimin swings his arm around his torso and smirks.

"Go get 'em, champ." Jungkook chuckles.

"I would, if they all weren't eyeing you." He shakes his head.

"She's not eyeing me, she's looking at you." He nods towards a pretty, fair-skinned female with long, voluminous black hair. She's definitely eyeing Jimin, biting onto the tip of her finger as she tries to seduce him through her eyes. Her look. "Go." Jungkook slightly pushes him towards her, smiling as he stood back and watched. The rest of the boys were already enjoying themselves, either dancing around alone [aka Min Yoongi and Seokjinnie] or hopping behind girls for a dance.

"Why aren't you dancing with anyone?" Yoongi laughs. "I figured you would be the first to hop on someone."

"I don't feel like it." He takes a sip of his drink, hand dug deep into his pocket.

"You don't feel like it, or you're too busy missing your girlfriend?" Jin joked.

"I don't have a girlfriend!"

"Mhm, sure." Jin laughs. "You could at least reward yourself with a dance." Jungkook shrugs. Technically, he could. It was just a dance, and you still weren't his girlfriend even though he thought of you pretty seriously. But he knew how this would go, and it would get messy quick - especially with the way females nowadays loved to create drama and claim him. He wasn't up for it. And he didn't wanna do anything to hurt you, or disappoint you. The thought alone makes him feel terrible. You were just so pure-hearted, there was no way he could do anything to hurt your feelings.

"Aye!" Jimin comes over and grabs him by the shoulders, swinging him around to face the ladies once more. "That girl I was dancing with is here with her bestfriend."

"And?" Jungkook chuckled. Okay, so? Lol.

"Bro, come on. Just go dance with her and have fun. She's interested in you." He shakes his head, but Jimin is already pushing him over, the force behind his movements stronger than what Jungkook can endure after the day they've had. He clumsily follows along, his lips pursed in a fine line as he approaches Jimin's girl [of the night] and her bestfriend. She had dark brown hair, stood at about 5'7 and wore high waisted shorts and a bralette-type of crop top. She was really trying for some dick tonight. He gives her a small, toothless smile as she beams from ear to ear, shying behind her bestfriend. She was cute, but she was no you, no disrespect.

"This is Yeji!" Her bestfriend exclaims, damn near throwing her right onto Jungkook like her life depended on it. Jungkook places his hands out to support her but brings them back once she's found her footing again. Definitely drunk.

"Hi." She blushes.

"Hey." Jungkook smiles back, sipping on his drink. Jimin is still hanging onto his shoulder, trying his best to egg him on and Jungkook can't help but smile and nod awkwardly at him. He attempts to back away, but Jimin shoves him closer while laughing.

"Have fun!" Jimin flashes him a quick look, confused at what the fuck he was doing right now trying to turn her down like that. But, he instantly flips the switch as he accompanies her bestfriend to the dance floor again.

"Can I get you a drink or something? Water, even?" Jungkook offers to be nice. He can already hear you scolding him in his head - pinching him on the arm and saying that he needs to be nicer to people. But to be honest, he really doesn't know what the fuck to do with her.

"Water's good, I should start sobering up." She giggles as Jungkook nods and pours her a cup of water. He hands it to her and stands beside her, awkwardly eyeing the crowd in front of them. "Hey, I caught your performance today. You looked good! You all looked really good."

"Thanks." He smiles.

"Do you wanna dance for a little?"

"Uh, actually—" Jungkook suddenly feels the both of their bodies press against each other before Jimin's drunk laugh erupts right behind his ear. Jungkook backs away with his hands up, shaking his head.

"Hey come on, if he doesn't wanna dance don't force him." Yoongi says, almost in a scolding manner.

"I'm sorry, I'm just not really in the best dancing mood right now. Pretty tired." He says to Yeji before he gives her an apologetic look and walks over to his hyungs who aren't busy with girls. He's getting more and more annoyed with the way Jimin has been acting lately, but he was trying to keep his cool - careful not to start anything. He knew Jimin wasn't a fan of you with the way he talked about you that one morning before the photoshoot. He loves him, that's his brother for life. But if he wanted to get disrespectful, he didn't have a problem putting him in his place.

Throughout the night, Yeji is sticking to her friend and Jimin, still hoping she could get something started between her and Jungkook, but she doesn't succeed. Jungkook purposely keeps his distance from Jimin and the rest of the girls around them in the VIP section, perfectly content to be staying around Yoongi and Jin.

When they've finally called it a night, Jimin, Taehyung, Namjoon and Hobi are all pretty drunk out of their minds - their asses more than ready to risk it all by sneaking in their girl of choice to their hotel rooms.

"Let me know so Yeji can come too." Jungkook waves his hand to dismiss the statement.

"Nah. I'm good, really, thanks."

"What, all of a sudden you're a goody two shoes for your stripper girlfriend?" Jungkook shoots him a look but brushes it off, blaming it on the alcohol in Jimin's system right now.

"I'm just tired and gonna head to bed, that's it."

"Whatever." Jimin drunkily responds, the four of their drunk asses continuing to be loud as hell in the hallway until they all separate and go off to their own rooms.

"Don't be loud and shit, I want my sleep tonight." Yoongi says before shutting his door.

Finally, peace and quiet.

Jungkook sighs as he looks at his watch, the time nearing 1:30am. He slips out of his clothes, takes a quick shower and gets himself ready for bed before he's shutting off the lights. A hotel bed has never felt so comfortable in his life, but the only thing that was missing was you.

And to be completely honest, he was pretty fucking horny. Having all this pent up sexual frustration just from missing you these past couple of days alone, he couldn't take it. He hopes to god you're awake right now because he's been wanting to hear your voice and hearing your voice alone—

"Jungkook." You say softly on the other line, Jungkook's eyes slightly shutting from the sound of your voice.

Your voice alone was enough to turn him the fuck on.

"You're awake, babygirl."

"Barely." You chuckle. "I'm snuggled into my sheets, but you told me to wait up for you."

"And you actually waited. Thank you, cutie." He smiles to himself. "What'd you do today?"

"Just work my shift at the restaurant, then head home. I don't really do anything outside of work and hangout with Kai, you know this." You chuckle. "How was the club?"

"It was alright." He sighs.

"Did all the pretty ladies get a dance with Jeon Jungkook?"

"Ah, but you're the only pretty lady I know about." He chuckles, making you blush. "But no, I wasn't necessarily in the mood."

"But you're at a club, how could you not be?"

"Too tired. Besides, just wanted to come back here and talk to you. I feel like I haven't gotten to talk to you as much since we've been here."

"It's okay, you need to do what you need to do."

"I can't wait to see you when I get back."

"I can't either."

"You and your pretty face."

"What is up with you? Are you drunk?" You softly laugh.

"No, not really. Why, I can't miss you?"

"Never said that, Jungkook. I miss you, too." You giggled, giving him some affection since it's been a couple of days and you actually missed his presence too.

"Yeah? How much do you miss me, baby?" Your eyes slightly widen cause you can most definitely pick up on his tone, plus the 'baby' pet name made your pussy hop a little. He wanted you, and he knew just the right ways to get to you worked up already.

"A lot."

"Mmm." He hums breathily, causing you to bite your bottom lip. "Are you gonna show me just how much you missed me when I get back?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe, what?" He chuckles deeply. "Tell me, babygirl." He begins to slowly palm himself through his boxers. "How do you want me to show you?" You shut your eyes, the heat quickly building in your core.

"Jungkook." You let out a breathy moan. "What are you trying to do right now?"

"God, I just wanna feel you." He says, completely passing up your question. "I just wanna feel you all around me. Would you like that, my pretty lady? Me all up inside you?" At this point, Jungkook is hard as hell, whipping his hardened member free from its confines. He lets out a breath at how free he feels, finally able to stroke himself nice and slow. He toys with the pre-cum pooling at his tip, using it as some kind of lubricant as he strokes himself up and down, gripping a little tighter towards the base.

"Yes." Your hand slips through your shorts and your panties, gently rubbing at your clit as you listen to Jungkook's deep voice on the other line. You slip your hand a little further down, feeling how wet you already are. You silently whimper to yourself, spreading your wetness in and around your folds, picturing Jungkook doing the work for you.

"Don't be shy, baby. Tell me what you want. Use your words."

"I want you inside of me."

"Inside where?"

"My pussy." He softly groans into the phone, his grip getting tighter by the minute as he fucks himself into his hand.

"Are you touching yourself right now?"

"Yes."

"That's my good girl." He moans with you. "Just wanna fuck you so badly. Show you how special you are to me."

"Jungkook." You whine, as you slip in a finger and quickly fuck yourself with it, the sounds of your wetness echoing in your tiny space. "Fuck I'm so wet for you."

"That's it." He hisses. "Fuck yourself for me until I get back. Can't wait to taste you and fill you up."

"Want you so bad, want you to fuck me so good until I cry." You say, not even realizing the shit you're saying right now as you rub your clit and work your hips in tandem. You begin to whimper a little louder, ready to hurdle off the edge with the pressure you're applying.

"Yeah?" His mouth is agape, barely any noises being released due to the overwhelming sensation that's taking over his body. "Want me to fucking ruin you, baby? Are you ready for that?"

"Always." You moan. "Ahh—Kook, I'm gonna cum."

"Cum all around this dick, sweetheart. It's yours." The words are enough to unravel you, sending you spiraling out of control with the pleasure taking all over your body - inch by inch.

"Oh fuck, Jungkook! Ughhhhhhfffffuck." You groan into the phone as you continue to move your hips into your hand, fingers pressed tightly against your clit.

"Shiiiiiiiit." Jungkook moans as his hips are moving quicker and sloppier, the image of him ramming his cock into you from behind while choking you has him toppling him over the edge. "Mmmmmgod, babygirl."

"The fuck, Jungkook." He chuckles as he regulates his breathing.

"Just miss you, that's all." You hear him stirring in the back, probably cleaning himself up just as you are with yourself. "Stay on the phone with me?" When he does have the time to call you while he's been away, he's always asked for you to stay on the line - facetime or regular call - just so it seems like you're next to him. What you did to deserve this soft Jeon Jungkook, you had no idea. But you were gonna take it and run as far as you could, because fuck. You liked-liked him.

"Okay." You yawn.

"I can still take you out on a date, right?" He yawns shortly after, the domino effect hitting him.

"Of course." You softly chuckle, your eyes getting heavy from all the energy you just spent.

"Okay. I just wanna make sure cause I'm already planning this."

"Planning, huh?"

"Gotta put in the effort." Silence. "Night sweetheart, sleep tight."

"Night." You barely manage to say before you're off into a deep sleep.

You knew Jungkook would be back today, but you weren't sure what time. From the sounds of it, it seemed like it would be really late and you'd have to wait until tomorrow to see him. Which, bums you the fuck out. You just longed for his company and to be in his arms again because it's the safest you've felt in such a long time.

Oh, well.

At least it gave you some time to plan out Kai's birthday gift and celebration cause you still had no fucking idea. He was going to spend majority of the day with his friends at their favorite arcade, but you promised him dinner.

Were you really just going to take him to get Loco Moco from the hawaiian mom and pop shop down the street for his 18th birthday?

What the fuck were you even gonna give him?

You figured you could go shopping for some clothes? Or, check out what new games came out for the playstation that he might be interested in playing. Orrrrr find some comic books and give him--

Knock, knock, knock.

You checked your clock, startled at the heavy knocks coming from your door. It was barely after dinner, the sun still up but preparing to make its way down below the horizon. You had no idea why you suddenly felt nervous and scared, afraid of who you'd see through the peephole. Bigs popped into your head, the goosebumps hitting the surface of your skin. You really hoped it wasn't him trying to cause trouble - or anyone else related for that matter.

You slowly stood up, holding your arms closely against your chest. You tippytoed to check your peephole but it was pitch black, as if someone had been covering it with their finger. Was Kai playing games with you? Did he suddenly get dropped off or take the bus? You didn't have plans with him.

You slowly open a crack, seeing a smiley Jungkook waving at you from behind the door. You swing the door open and latch onto him like a koala, causing him to drop his duffle bag and wrap his arms around you tightly.

"Jungkook, what the fuck! You scared me!" You say into his neck, taking in his scent.

"Why?" He laughs as he gently helps you down and follows you into your apartment.

"It seemed like you weren't gonna be home till late."

"Seemed." He smirked.

"Hey!" You gently push him after you close your door. "How'd you know my door code and which apart—"

"Kai." You both say in unison.

"Ugh, I'm gonna kill him." You whine.

"It's his birthday soon, though. Let him turn 18."

"Ugh, I'm gonna kill him after his birthday." You repeat as you plop back onto your bed, Jungkook dropping his duffle and plopping next to you.

"Cozy place." He says, face down onto your mattress, causing you to run your hand through his fluffy hair.

"It's teeny tiny."

"No, it's perfect. Perfectly sized and cozy." He reassures you as he finally lays on his side to face you.

"Did you just hop off the plane?"

"Sure did."

"Did you eat anything?"

"Yeah, I ate something small on the plane. I'm not that hungry."

"You sure?" You asked, genuinely concerned.

"Mhm." He throws an arm lazily across your legs as he closes his eyes for a quick minute. You continue to run your hand through his hair, a notification on his screen catching your attention.

[unknown number] 6:37pm: hi! this is yeji from the club. :) i hope you don't mind, jimin passed on your number and said we should get into contact.

First of all - Why the fuck does Jungkook have his notifications set so that you can see what the goddamn message is on the lock screen?!

Second - Yeji?

Third - Of course Jimin would have slipped her his number. He hates you for whatever fucking reason.

Another text came in from her but you pulled your eyes away from his phone. This wasn't your business. But let's be real, your heart sank a little knowing he might have been acting up at the club, dancing with hella other girls and getting hella other numbers. It kind of made your insecurities resurface all over again. You weren't his girlfriend though, none of this was exclusive. So, did you really have a right to feel this way?

You brush it off quickly, trying to remind yourself who the hell you were before Jungkook came around [but god, was he making you a softy]. He wasn't exactly yours to claim; however, you were the one he came home to. Technically. Calling you all hot and bothered cause he missed you.

Yes bitch, please.

You're pulled out of your internal battle when Jungkook stirs a little to check his phone, your hand still lightly weaving through his hair as you press your lips together. He reads the notifications, deletes it from the screen and locks his phone again.

"The boys bothering you?" You decide to ask in a way that doesn't yell 'yes I saw her pop up on your phone, sir.'

"Nah. No one important really."

"Oh okay." Bummer. You lowkey expected him to be honest with you, but was that too soon for you? You just through this in your head - this wasn't exclusive.

"Lay with me, pretty lady. Let's watch something."

"You mean finish Gone Girl?" You quickly flip the switch and smirk at him, making him laugh.

"Oh shit, that's right. Not my fault you straddled me." You slightly gasp.

"Not my fault you fucking batted your eyelashes at me, talking about ‘can I tell you something?'" He scrunched his nose and tickled your sides, causing you to yelp and crash your body back down onto the bed. He continues to tickle you until you're begging for him to stop - his body over yours, but he was careful not to put all his weight on you. "Ouch, Jungkook!" You whine.

"You finished making fun of me?"

"You started it!"

"You're so fucking cute, you know that?" He lowers himself down to your lips, pressing them gently against yours. Your hands get tangled within his hair again, pressing him down slightly onto you so you could feel him, feel his warmth. The kiss deepens quick as Jungkook settles himself in between your legs, your tongues at war with each other. He groans into the kiss, his soft, large hands roaming up your shirt and sending sparks throughout your body. "I missed you." He bites your bottom lip and sucks it gently before pulling back. He helps remove the shirt over your head before unhooking your bra in a swift motion and tossing it off to the side.

"I missed you too." You say at a whisper as he grabs both of your breasts and plants kisses along the surface before swirling his tongue around your sensitive, perked buds. He hooks onto your shorts and panties quick, aggressively tugging them down and off.

"So fucking perfect for me." He says, planting kisses along your sides

"I hate it when you do that." You hiss as he begins part your legs wider, pushing your thighs out as he lowers his lips onto your folds. You truly did hate it - you couldn't stand it only because that shit drove you crazy. Someone like Jungkook calling you perfect, god please.

"Hate what, babygirl?"

"Call me perfect like that." You let out a small whimper when you feel his wet tongue glide against your folds, slowly poking in and out of them as he stares at you from between your thighs.

"But you are. Want me to show you?"

"Hmmmm." You whine. "Quit." He slightly chuckles against your pussy, but continues going to work - slipping in two digits and curving them just to tickle you in the right spots. "Ahhhh, Kook please."

"Mhm." He says, picking up the pace with his fingers, allowing your wetness to glaze them. He suddenly removes them from you short after, a small whine leaving your lips at the loss of contact.

"Ohshiiiiiit. You're gonna make me cum." Jungkook begins to run his tongue up and down your pussy once more, his tongue penetrating your entrance ever so slightly before swiping it up to your clit to suck on it. He motorboats into your pussy, his head moving right and left in such a quick pace that you're tugging on his hair and jutting your hips into his mouth. His tongue starts to pet your clit with its tip - the repeated movements enough for you to reach your climax, your thighs almost keeping Jungkook in between until you could bring yourself back down from your high. "Aghhhhohhhmygod!" Jungkook smirks as he sits up, sticking his two fingers into his mouth before releasing himself from his sweats and boxers.

"Fuck, you taste so good." He slightly groans. Your breathing hitches seeing his hardened member, making you drool at the sight. You already feel dizzy imagining him filling you up with that thing, but you knew you wanted take care of him first - make him feel good, make him feel special. Take him, every inch. You crawl over and take his cock into your hands, spitting onto it before you slowly stroke him up and down. "Ohhhhhbabygirl." His words mesh together as he tilts his head back. You lower your lips onto his tip, tasting every single drop of pre-cum pooling at the area before running your tongue down his shaft and taking him. You get about halfway before you swirl your tongue around suck, pulling back with a slight pop. You stroke towards the base as your mouth is doing work on the other half of his cock. Jungkook has his hand in your hair, and you can feel his grip tightening as he slowly moves your head up and down along his cock. "Can you take me? All of me?" You nod. "Yeah? Fucking take it then." He spits out as he lowers you all the way down, keeping his tip against your throat until he feels you gag. "Oh, fuck!"

"Fuck!" You say, tears brimming your eyes, ready to stream your cheeks as you watch the trail of saliva from his tip to your mouth fall.

"You're doing so fucking good." He says as he watches you while guiding you down length, bobbing your head a little rougher and more aggressively this time around. Your saliva is damn near dripping out of your mouth, the entire scene getting sloppier by the minute, but you honestly didn't care. You were so turned on that all you wanted after this was for Jungkook to fuck you crazy hard, until you couldn't take it anymore. You were so fucking attracted to this man. "One more for me, baby." He moans, lowering you down his entire length again, his tip tickling your throat a lot longer than the first time that your tears are actually coming down this time around. You cough when he finally pulls you back, more saliva trailing from the tip to your mouth. "See, so perfect for me. Taking me in so well like your mouth was fucking made for me." He grabs your chin, placing a kiss against your lips before gently pushing you back down onto the bed. "Turn around and get on your knees, sweetheart."

"I want you so bad." You whine, his hand trailing down your back as he positions your ass up and gets your face as close to the mattress as possible.

"Don't you worry, princess. I'll take good care of you." He lines himself up, his dick incredibly wet from you sucking him like your life depended on it. He slides in with ease, the both of you moaning loudly at the feeling - the feeling of warmth, and feeling so fucking full, Jungkook is sure he can feel his tip ready to rearrange your guts in this position. He begins slow, one hand on a hip, while the other is in your hair, making sure your face is deep into the mattress.

"Faster, please!" You plead, Jungkook wasting no time to hammer his cock into your pussy. The sounds are incredibly loud and lewd, and you knew your walls were thin as hell. You were sure your neighbors were definitely having the time of their life listening to you getting destroyed. You cry as he groans, his hands now gripping your hair and tugging you back so that he can slightly see your face with the way he tilts it back.

"Ughhhh, shit babygirl. You feel so good, always so tight for me." He moans as he lets out a couple of breaths from pumping in and out of you so quickly. "Ready for me to make you cry again? That's what you wanted, right?"

"Yes." You say, but he tugs your hair tighter.

"I can't hear you."

"Yeeeees!" You whine. "Yes, fuck, please!"

"Say my name."

"Jungkooook." You moan. "Jungkoook, hmmmmmpfh." Your ass almost feels numb from how hard Jungkook is fucking you right now, but it all leads to the pleasure building up inside of you - pooling right at your core. You were sure you could reach your climax again any moment now, but you were trying your hardest to hold on for as long as you could, enjoying every moment of the pleasure he was bringing you. You didn't want this to be over, even though you could go rounds with him if he wanted to. His hand travels from your hair, down to your neck, gripping just right to choke you and keep your head tilted at an angle. Your yes's are becoming inaudible, moans getting lost in your throat that is feeling constricted from his grip.

"I'm gonna cum, sweetheart. Cum with me." Jungkook says as he thrusts harder, the overwhelming sensation enough to send you into the next dimension. The orgasm ripples through your body, your hand gripping onto his wrist as you tremble and look for support.

"FuckkkkknnnnngJungkook!" You manage to yell. He moans loudly as you feel his cock twitch inside of you, spurts of his cum coating your walls warmly and thickly. He gives you two good slow thrusts before he's slowly pulling out and letting his tip stick the cum back inside of you. "Ahhh, please. Kook." You whimper as you fall onto your bed, tears staining your cheeks once more. He smiles as he picks up his boxers and throws them on, tossing you your panties and his shirt to wear. You slip into them without question, Jungkook coming back onto the bed to lay next to you and caress your body to soothe you.

"You okay?"

"Yeah." You sniff, the aftermath of all the tears you've shed from tonight's fuck session catching up to you.

"Babygirl." He chuckles as he wipes your cheeks and plants a kiss on it. "You need to be careful of what you ask for."

"Shut the hell up and pull up the movie, Jungkook." He laughs, watching you shove your laptop over to him. He pulls up the movie on his Amazon Prime account and snuggles with you under your sheets.

"Sooo, ready for our date?"

"Should I be preparing?" He shrugs.

"Just want you to have a good night with me." His hands are still caressing your sides under his shirt, light kisses being pressed against the nape of your neck. The warmth, and the feeling of his body pressed against yours makes you feel content. Satisfied. Peaceful.

You felt safe. You felt wanted.

baby we can take it slow, say my name, don't let go, I can hear your body when i pull your hair, what's my name; girl I swear, I can hear your body babe

track ten: body - syd

[atinyidea]

Heartworm | Choi San

n. a relationship or friendship that you can’t get out of your head, which you thought had faded long ago but is still somehow alive and unfinished, like an abandoned campsite whose smouldering embers still have the power to start a forest fire.

⟶ college!au, best friend!san, brother!seonghwa, friends to lovers!au, kinda very spicy but there’s no actual smut, there’s mentions of underage drinking and sexual encounters, everything is consentual!

⟶ appellation series masterlist

⟶ 5.7k words

600 special prompt for my lovely soul partner @san–shine, its like 50 years late and I know she no longer is active on this blog but I wanted to keep this.

42: “Exactly how drunk was I?”

49: “Good morning, sunshine.”

☞ When you were younger, you knew you were one-hundred per cent in love with your best friend, Choi San. However, because he was also, in fact, your brother’s best friend and you were a sixteen-year-old rebel adamant to never admit your feelings, you had to watch as he got his first girlfriend during a party Seonghwa had thrown for you. Now, years later and in the middle of college, you find yourself in a familiar setting: a party thrown for you by your brother and Choi San looking as breathtaking as he always does.

☞ moodboard

Just to be clear, when you woke up, you hadn’t expected your brother to announce that there was going to be a party held at your house for your twenty-second birthday. Your brother, being the kind and loving brother he was, had yet again used your birthday as an excuse to throw a house party, even though it wasn’t even your birthday until tomorrow. Seonghwa liked to use your birthday, the date falling in the last week of the summer holidays, as a way to gather all your combined friends as some sort of final summer get-together before the school year began again. You weren’t particularly against them, the end of summer parties becoming a little tradition after the fourth year running, and the fact that they were held at your house meant you could just go to bed any time you wanted. [ thank you sound-proofed home as per your mothers request due to your fathers’ noise-making habits from his job as a musician. ] Though it wasn’t like you knew anyone who would be throwing a house party you couldn’t just walk home from.

You did not know how many drinks you had consumed, alcoholic or otherwise, but the setting you found yourself in was giving you very explicit pangs of nostalgia to the first time you and your brother had thrown one of these parties. Your current situation was not unlike the situations you had been in before. You weren’t ashamed to say that you liked to have fun with your relationships: romantic, platonic or the just-once ones. It wasn’t unusual for you to be found in someone’s lap around midnight; the last party happened to be a beautiful girl named Soojin, the party before that was a guy whose name you hadn’t bothered to remember. However, the person’s lap who you sat in usually was not your best friend, Choi San’s. Not the San you spent the better half of your life burying romantic feelings for because he was Seongwha’s friend first. Not the San, your eyes couldn’t help watch whenever he was near. You made a promise to yourself since that one time when you had just turned sixteen, the one time you found yourself on his lap. [ A promise you made to deny your feelings because the very next day, he had gotten a girlfriend who was definitely not you. ]

At seventeen years old, San knew he was still a stupid and hormonal teenage boy. He practically got nose bleeds anytime he remotely saw a girl's lower back or tummy, their exposed thighs or neck: he knew he could be a perverted little shit. Still, having a girl for a best friend meant that he also knew what was respectful and what was just disgusting – thinking back on it, he was grateful for his friendship with you for teaching him from a young age how to treat girls with proper respect. [ Mainly because you would whack his head or punch him in the balls whenever he said something inappropriate or did something stupid. ] But, also at sixteen, San knew that he was also sorta-kinda-probably in love with his best friend’s sister. [ Who was also his best friend… was it possible to have more than one best friend? ]

During the summer of your sixteenth, Seonghwa’s eighteenth and his seventeenth birthdays, San and his family had gone overseas for an extended holiday. His father had received a promotion, and his mother struck lucky in her weekly lottery draw, so he hadn’t been there to witness the gradual changes to your body. It wasn’t like San wasn’t attracted to you before [ not that either of you knew what the fuck attraction was before ] but when you came to the airport to pick him up with your father, he was sure he wouldn’t be able to look at another girl ever again. [ Of course, that was an overdramatic thought since he proceeded to have girlfriends that weren’t you but the thought of you truly never left his mind. ]

The day of your sixteenth birthday party was something he would always remember clearly. He remembered the way you hugged him for a solid five minutes when he got to your house in the early morning, complaining about how your parents would still be away for another few days, and your brother refused to even hug you on your birthday. [ Seonghwa’s excuse was that it was your birthday tomorrow, and that was when you could claim the birthday hug. ] Secretly, he wished you would tell him you hugged him simply because you wanted to have him close. He remembered how Seonghwa had launched into a story from his last house party (one for the seniors that only he was invited to, but the stories were fun nevertheless) as he attempted to make pancakes at your request. You had bounced your way to your favourite countertop space and jumped up to sit there, right in front of the fridge, because it was the only place that was both cool and warm [ “exactly the right temperature” ] in the entire kitchen. He remembered the way his body slotted between your legs, his back to your chest as the two of you shared a vodka-and-coke at ten-in-the-morning. His mind was restlessly deciding if it was okay to lay his hands on your knees or calves, inevitably switching between the two places every five minutes. It hadn’t felt weird but natural as all three of you shared hearty laughs and then partially burnt pancakes.

[ He remembered when he had given you the small-and-terribly-wrapped box that held your present, egging you on to open it a day early. The way your face lit up as you lifted a thin silver chained sunflower charm bracelet into the air would forever be imprinted on his eyes – your eyes sparkling and lips twitching up into a wide grin as you thanked him seven times. The gentle tone of your voice as you asked him to help you put it on because for some reason, you couldn’t put clasped bracelets on for the life of you, was saved like a voice note in his brain. “You remembered,” you had whispered once he was settled back between your legs, “that sunflowers were my favourite, I mean.” The brush of your lips on his cheek lined the walls of his heart as it threatened to shatter through his ribs. ]

As a sixteen-year-old San knew that you probably shouldn’t’ve had as much alcohol as you had that night. However, as a seventeen-year-old San also didn’t care as long as you were having fun. It was not the first time you consumed alcohol, but it was the first time you’d had enough to get drunk from it. It was your sixteenth birthday party after all, and neither your brother nor your best friend had any objections when you grabbed the first vodka-and-coke at ten in the morning while you got ready. So now, at almost eleven at night, you had had more than ten of those drinks, and you could honestly say you weren’t sure if you’d remember anything from this night at all. The hours went by in a blur, and soon three drinks had turned into eight as you dragged San to your room to decide on an outfit for the night. He remembered the way his throat constricted as you strolled out from your bathroom in a neon green crop top and the pair of flare jeans you always wore. Ultimately San thought he would’ve preferred that outfit to the one you settled on – a black denim mini-skirt with a matching jacket on top of a simple t-shirt with a neon rainbow painted across the chest. The sliver of skin showing from the crop top was way less tempting than the muscle of your thighs, mainly since that was your exact plan for the outfit.

“You look good,” he had said, swallowing gulps of air and saliva when you asked, “you’d still look good in a potato sack,” he complimented you as you twirled on the spot and gifted him with a brilliant grin that simply took his breath away.

“We match!” You all but squealed when you took note of the black denim jacket San wore over his t-shirt with a neon rainbow across the chest.

He hadn’t even noticed.

His memory started to get hazy around drink number thirteen. He couldn’t remember how or what events had led to the current situation, [ or which room the two of you were actually in that was both not your bedroom and also not inhabited by literally anyone else ], but he certainly was not complaining. You were so close to him he could smell the faintest scent of your vanilla and cinnamon shampoo and conditioner you had used the day before, the slightest whiff of your jasmine scented perfume [ the one you always wore, the one he bought you your first bottle of ] and the sweetly bitter smell of cherry coke and vodka on your breath. His hands seemed glued to your lower back and hips, palms almost moulded to your skin like he were a sculptor, and you were his latest masterpiece. Your legs either side of his own, wrapping around him possessively, like he was yours and only yours, and he let you, using his hands to pull you closer to him like you were his and only his. Your faces were so close he could feel each hot exhale of breath hitting his lips, and when they stopped as you shivered and whined, he couldn’t help the way his lips tilted upwards into a smirk. The way you attempted to wire your mouth shut not to make a sound wasn’t effective, seeing as he heard all three of your whines, each one getting more prolonged and higher in pitch as the two of you continued your ministrations. His hips wanted to jut up into you. Still, he forced his movements to be as slow and smooth as possible, wanting to feel every way you would come undone above him, but when his gaze flickered across your face. He spotted the small trickle of blood falling from your lips; it was like everything that had just happened had disappeared.

From your recollection, you only remembered specific parts of that night. Your legs had been situated on either side of his thighs, your arms wrapped around his neck as his palms slowly pushed up the small of your back to pull your body closer to his. Your faces were so close you could physically see the connection between the two of you, yet neither of you pushed forward enough to make that connection real and tangible. [ You wanted to, God, you wanted to kiss him right then more than anything. Why didn’t you kiss him then? ] San’s hands felt hot against your skin, his fingertips slowly moving to draw a masterpiece on your back. You shivered slightly as a slight breeze floated around the sliver of exposed skin where your shirt had ridden up. Your eyes were drawn to San’s lips as they twitched up into a slight smirk; his own eyes flickered to watch you watch him. Neither of you had said a word to each other for almost half an hour, drunkenly pushing at the limits between your friendship with nothing but burning touches and delicate twists of hips.

You subconsciously sucked your bottom lip into the confines of your teeth, but you willingly bit down harshly to stop a sly whine from escaping your lips as San had the cocky idea to roll his pelvis into yours as he held you in place with his hands on your hips. Apparently, you had bitten down way too hard because the next thing you knew was that San’s playful smirk had evaporated into a concerned frown. He lifted a hand from your hip – the sudden rush of cold where his hand previously was leaving you feeling a sense of loss – to your lip, his thumb tugging your lip back out.

“You’re bleeding,” he mumbled, thumb coming away with a smear of blood moulding into his fingerprint. The taste of blood in your mouth was unexpected and had sent you reeling. You almost flew off of his lap and practically ran to your bedroom’s bathroom to inspect the damage. There was a tear in the side of your bottom lip. [ The side of your lip you always bit out of habit, so the skin was thinner there than the rest of your lip. ] Against your better judgment – the rational part of your brain was too drunk at that moment – you settled your tongue against the fresh cut. Finching away from yourself at the unexpected [ which really should’ve been expected ] pain, you decided that there was nothing you could do to help soothe it. After twenty minutes, that felt like two, of staring at yourself in the mirror, you finally shrugged and made your way back into the heart of the party.

As an almost sixteen-year-old, you knew you were just coming into figuring out your body and the emotions of more physical relationships as you grew into it. You knew you had grown up a little (a lot) over the summer, your chest filling out from a b-cup to a c-cup, your lanky figure could no longer be considered lanky as your limbs gained muscle, fat and tone, creating a new full and curvy figure. Your mother had been ecstatic when you came to her asking how to style clothes to fit your ‘new’ figure as it meant the two of you could go shopping [ one of her favourite activities ], and you could find your style that both suited your body and personality. You did have to admit that your style didn’t change much; you still loved a sturdy flannel shirt [ always oversized though, now you tended to wear it open with a form-fitting crop top or spaghetti-strap top underneath to show off your chest and waist ] and you still loved your favourite pair of flare jeans enough to wear them almost every other day, [ the one with the painted sunflower over the back pocket. ] You also loved pleated mini skirts and knee-high socks or a simple loose-form-fitting dress with lycra cycle shorts underneath. You didn’t like the emotional side of your summer changes, though and, while you were new to the whole attraction thing, the one person you definitely didn’t feel anything remotely romantic for was your best friend. [ Well, maybe you did, but he was Seonghwa’s friend first, and that was a no-go… and perhaps you wanted to reject the way your heart turned into butterflies when you saw him at the airport… and maybe you just weren’t ready to put those feelings into words, so you denied them instead. ]

Your best friend whose lap you were just sat on, grinding your hips into his with your noses touching. Your best friend who was now kissing another girl [a beautiful girl who was named Hyemi, she was in Seonghwa’s class and also happened to live across the road… she was always nice to you and you couldn’t find it in you to dislike her even as your stomach knotted and twisted into something green with envy ] in the middle of the kitchen. You wouldn’t remember how long you stood there, watching the two of them kiss like a complete and utter creep, and you wouldn’t remember the look San gave you as he noticed the sway of your hair as you retreated out of the kitchen with a frown on your brow.

You did not fancy your best friend, and you definitely did not care that he was kissing Hyemi in front of the fridge. [ The fridge he stood between your legs in front of literal hours ago. ] Lastly, you definitely did not feel like crying as your mind reminded you about two different memories of earlier that day – one of you sat on the counter opposite that exact fridge with San leaning back into you as he gave you the sunflower charm bracelet that wrapped around your wrist, watching Seonghwa attempt to make you birthday pancakes. The second the memory of his hands burning up your skin, the way his lips tilted into a smirk when you shivered under his hold and the way you inflicted pain to yourself in an attempt not to whine with pleasure at the way he moved his hips.

It was too raw, and now you just wanted to forget.

San’s brain refused to calculate time because one minute his hand was reaching for your bloodied lip and the next you were gone, and San was back in the kitchen getting you a glass of water [ and then he was kissing another girl in front of the fridge he rested between your legs literal hours ago. ] San wouldn’t remember what their conversation had been, only that this girl, Hyemi, was older than him and had just asked him out. He wouldn’t remember the exact way her grin turned a little too malicious to be sincere. He would, however, remember the way your hair flew over your shoulder as you spun away from the scene involving him; he would remember the way his eyes followed your figure all the way into the embrace of your brother as you shallowly smiled and stole his drink [ and he would remember the way his chest seemed to ache at that simple action. ]

Hyemi became his girlfriend at that same party; you didn’t even know they knew each other. He didn’t even know why he said yes.

And here you were, on the penultimate night before your twenty-second birthday, in the lap of your best friend. His relationship with Hyemi had lasted six months, and he had gotten six more significant others in the seven-year gap from then til now but, right then, he was single, and you were in his lap. You had flopped down over the side of a two-seater couch; eyes screwed shut with laughter, so you didn’t realise who was sat on said couch – or that anyone was – until your head made contact with their thigh. [ Their thigh was very comfy to lay on, which was the first thing your brain commented on. ] When you looked up and met eyes with San, a small [ tiny really, in no way visible to the person who knew you best and where to look for a blush – finding it immediately ] blush was growing warmly over your cheeks.

“Hey there,” He grinned, setting down his plastic cup, [ more like throwing it over his shoulder, not caring that it hit someone since it was mostly empty anyway ] and poking your nose gently just to watch the way it would scrunch up. His fingers were moving from your nose to his ear to make sure the roll-up cigarette that was balanced there hadn’t fallen.

“Hi,” you giggled, your legs curling up to your chest, making you look like a contorted cat as your feet still dangled slightly over the arm of the chair. After a few seconds, your fingers started twitching and settled on playing with the fabric of his shirt. It was the same rainbow one he wore to your sixteenth party, matching the one you were wearing too. The both of you had grown out of them, San settling on cutting it into a crop top and you doing the same, [ since you were the one who had actually cut San’s shirt and decided to continue and do yours, so you matched again. ] His shirt gave little to cover, showing off his abdominals and tummy [ and the slight happy trail peeking out from the waistband of his jeans ] proudly and only just covering his pectorals. Your own shirt was cut higher, stopping just above the curve of your breasts. Still, your own torso was covered in a neon green fishnet bodysuit [ not that it left anything to the imagination, your torso was still on show ] that was tucked into your signature flare pants which now rode a little low on your hips and the sunflower on the back was more than a little faded.

“What are you doing?” He asked with an amused grin, [ complemented with the subtle raise of a singular eyebrow… Gods, why was he so attractive? ] one hands fingers starting to twist in the loose strands of your short hairstyle. It was nice. [ The touch of his hands against your hair was excellent, the slight tug of the strands against your skull felt really nice. ]

“Taking a break. Siyeon, Minji and Yunho broke out the karaoke machine, and they're playing the song shots game.” You replied as if it explained everything. [ It actually kind of did, San recalled you once telling him that the chaotic energy of that particular trio and the song shots game gave you awful headaches. And you hated having headaches when you were drinking because it made you nauseous. And when you were nauseous and drunk, you tended to go have a smoke, which you were trying extremely hard to stop doing for the sake of your father, who also used to smoke and now had lung problems. So, San understood your meaning. ] “What about you?”

San had to take a minute to think. Just what was he doing? Why was he so out of it today? In his heart, San knew the answer, but he hadn’t unlocked that treasure chest just yet. [ He was tired of watching you be semi-intimate with people that weren’t him… Which he refused to admit. Because both of you were pinning assholes in denial. ] Finally, even though it had only been a minute, he replied with a simple “I’m just… sitting.”

“Oh?” You asked, now it was your turn to raise the amused eyebrow, “just sitting?”

“Sitting... and thinking.”

“About what?”

“You.” The word was out faster than San’s brain had time to process what he’d said. However, now he had said it, he wasn’t going to deny it. Was it the small amount of alcohol in his system? [ It was the way your eyes widened a little as you looked up at him from your place in his lap, fingers twisting in his shirt and lips falling open ever so slightly. ]

“Me?” Your pitch ascended as the volume of your voice diminished.

“Yeah, you!” He grinned, tone equally as quiet but still showing enthusiasm, moving his free hand to boop your nose.

“What about me?”

San’s fingers in your hair froze at your question, his mind whirring with any kind of answer that wouldn’t cross the line into confession territory wherein he would lose your friendship indefinitely, but after one look at the serious longing look in your eye, he decided he would ‘man up’ [ the phrase making him cringe as soon as he thought it… the connotation of the word being so outdated and, for someone who grew up with a very stubborn girl in his life, San wondered why society hadn’t come up with a suitable alternative to the phrase ] and just tell you.

So he did.

“Do you remember what happened between us at your sixteenth party?” He asked, seemingly changing the conversation topic. Confused but going with it, a slight blush warming your cheeks, you nodded, and he took that as permission to continue, “I can’t stop thinking about it.” His voice was nothing louder than a whisper, you should’ve had to strain your ears to hear him, but at that moment, it was like all other sounds and distractions faded from the scene. Your breath hitched as you simply stared up into his eyes, his pupils dilated, almost taking over the beautiful swirling colour of his irises [ making his eyes look darker than usual, more intense than expected, and for a second, you swore your heart stopped ].

“What about it?” Your question was innocent enough, but the way you said it gave way to other ideas. Your voice was soft and breathy, like you weren’t getting enough oxygen, and like San, the words weren’t said above a whisper. Afterwards, you bit down softly on your bottom lip [ unintentional on your part, it was just a habit of yours, to be honest ], minutely sucking it in, and San’s focus shifted to watch your lips specifically.

“I’m thinking about how much I’d like to do it again.”

“You want to kiss me?”

“If you’d let me.”

“Please kiss me.” You whispered, more a statement rather than a question or demand. And so he did, leaning forward to reach you, head still in his lap, [ it felt like a slow-motion scene in a movie, but it couldn’t have been longer than two seconds before his lips were flush against yours ]. It was not the first time the two of you had kissed, but it was the first time you had kissed since becoming official adults — it felt different.

It felt good.

His lips were soft, and his kiss was gentle, at least it was at first. As the seconds ticked on, the kiss grew more intense, the soft brush of his lips pressed harder into you, his hands running over your body to pull you up to him. Your arms threaded around his neck, stretching out your torso [ if you were honest, it hurt a little… not that you were lucid enough to be aware of it ] and arching your back. He bit down on your bottom lip, tugging at it a little when your fingers twisted through the hair at his neck, pulling him to you with a new sense of desperation.

And then the two of you fell off the couch. You slid off his lap and landed on your back [ though it was more like you were on your side than your back ] while San rolled over on top of you. Both of you froze in your positions, eyes wide, [ pupils dilated but that was most likely due to the desire flowing through you ] lips parted as you just stared at one another for a second. San was the first to crack the silence, lips pulling into a grin and eyes crinkling with joy as his laugh sounded out around you. He flipped off from on top of you, landing next to you on the floor but his smile never dimmed and his laugh hadn’t faded. You rolled slightly so you were actually on your side as you continued to look at him. When he looked back at you your heart skipped a beat, his smile was so pretty and it made his dimple so deep but it wasn’t long before his laughter simmered and his expression faded as he looked back at you.

Biting your lip once again you made an executive decision [ the only decision you could think off, since all thoughts were now preoccupied with San at the moment ] to lift yourself to hover over him this time. You swallowed and let out a breath as your eyes met, searching for any sign that you should stop. Your shaking breath cut out into a soft gasp as San’s hands caressed over the small of your back to pull you down so that your chests touched. Your right hand lifted up to take hold of the cigarette tucked behind his ear, [ a small giggle leaving your lips at the thought that it was still there even after all that ] and twisted it between your fingers a little. Was it a nervous habit or just a neat trick, you couldn’t distinguish at the moment. San’s own hand came to hold yours, two sets of fingers now playing with the home-made roll-up gently. Soon enough San took it from your shallow grip and flicked it across the room, using the same hand to cup your jaw to cirect your gaze back to him.

Meeting his eyes made you want to shy away from his gaze but you let him keep you there. He looked at you with such a strong emotion you though you’d possibly be able to taste it from his lips. “I have to tell you something…” You whispered, close enough to not have to raise your voice.

“What is it?” He whispered back, the fingers on your back drawing small circles as the hand at you jaw left to curl a strand of hair around his fingers in the opposite direction. [ how he did that subconsciously and not mess it up would’ve made your head spin in wonder ].

“I love you.” You began, still whispering. “I have for a long time, though in the beginning I tried rather hard to deny it. Mainly because you had a significant other and I didn’t want to ruin that for you. And then, in a rather dick move, I got a significant other in the hopes of stopping it but that didn’t work so I stopped getting into romantic relationships altogether and now-”

He cut you off, pulling you into him to kiss the words from your lips [ which you appreciated because your inner thoughts were beginning to panic because your mouth wouldn’t stop talking ]. When you separated his smile was back, albeit not as wide as before. His eyes were as soft as his smile as he kissed you once more, resting your foreheads together. “I love you too,” he said against your lips. At his words you surged forward, pressing into him with fierce emotion as your kissed him.

You had wanted to hear those words from his lips for so long. You had wanted him for so long. And here he was, right in your reach, his hands on your body and yours tugging gently at his hair. Before all the breath in your lungs had finished and you lost your conscious nerve to a blur of desire those word had repeated at least thrice as you made your way to the comfort of your bed and the warmth of his body.

The next day when you woke up, you woke up earlier than usual and feeling unusually chipper as you took a hot shower. The subtly sweet scent of pancakes met you as you made your way through the house and into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Sunshine, you’re up early,” your brother grinned over his shoulder, both hands currently busy holding a pan and spatula. “I made pancakes.”

“Yes, I can see that.” You returned his grin with one of your own, a teasing smile lifting to your lips as you took a seat. Your head was clear of any headaches or lingering pain from a hangover since you were better with your alcohol intake as a twenty-two-year-old, and your reckless youth had lined your stomach with a fair amount of tolerance.

“Exactly how drunk was I last night? I don’t remember anyone leaving.”

“Oh boy,” Seonghwa sniggered, a sly grin taking over his features, “the party was two days ago, you slept all day yesterday. Really freaked San out.”

“What?!” You exclaimed, a piece of pancake falling from your fingers back onto your plate, bouncing off and onto the side sadly. [ It went ignored as you stared down your brother. ]

“Yeah. And he’s been ramble-muttering about you for a solid ten hours now. He’s really not subtle at all.” Seonghwa grinned. “So now that you two have slept together, are you two actually together?”

If you had liquid in your mouth, you would have spat it out. “He told you?!” You exclaimed, heart racing at the thought of your best friend and your brother discussing your sex-life.

“No.” Seonghwa denied immediately, face scrunching up in disgust at the mere thought, “I definitely don’t need to know details about that. It’s just San isn’t subtle at all when he’s mutter-rambling. He was oblivious to the fact he was thinking out loud about how to move forward after your… time together… while I literally sat next to him.” Seonghwa then grinned at you, again, the stretch of his lips becoming a little too mischievous for your liking. “Pretty sure he passed out on the couch half an hour ago.” He hinted, motioning over to the living room with his head as his eyebrows wiggled up and down suggestively.

A puff of air exhaled through your nose as a small smile climbed over your lips. You opened your mouth to talk, but he cut you off with a gentle pat on the head, “I’m happy for you two,” was all he said but it was enough. [ Your heart soared at the approval of your brother. It was not that you nor San needed Seonghwa’s approval, but it was nice to know he wouldn’t oppose it. ] Then you made your way to the couch San was asleep on.

You sat next to him, in the space unoccupied by his body. His brow was furrowed, which you frowned at. You lifted a hand and gently pressed on the juncture between his eyebrows, smoothing them out. His face instantly relaxed under your touch [ a part of your mind daydreamed that it was because he knew it was you ] and a small smith lifted upon your lips. Your hand moved down to cup his cheek and then his jaw before you raised it to gently wipe away the hair that had fallen in his face. You bit down on your lip, confused on whether to wake him up or not but life had chosen for you as one by one San’s eyes opened and slowly focused on you.

His eyes widened, and in a flurry of limbs suddenly he was laying on his back on the floor while you had balanced yourself with your knees over his waist. After a second of shocked silence [ as the two of you came to terms with what the fuck just happened ] a grin spread across his lips, eyes crinkling in delight, as his hands came to grip your hips gently.

A silent confirmation washed over the two of you as your lips spread to mirror his grin. The two of you would be alright as the next part of your relationship bloomed, the embers of your crushes were now burning bright.

[tharros-auris-black-asimi]

Lay All your Love on Me (Chapter 8) (Part 2)

Paring: Dark Soft Alpha Lee Bodecker x Female Omega Reader

Summary: After moving to Knockemstiff, Ohio with your troubled parents, you find solace in the local Seven-Eleven. There, you bump into the Alpha sheriff, Lee Bodecker.

And then you keep bumping into him. There’s just something about the chubby Alpha that keeps drawing you in. Now there’s something going on with the new preacher of the church that you attend. Everything’s a mess.

But you’re an unbonded Omega. Life can turn to shit anyway.

Chapter Warnings: This chapter includes more possessive behavior from our Alpha Daddy. Maybe some stalking too? Just a little bit of smut in this one. Some vaginal fingering. As well as some fluff and a marriage proposal from Lee. Not officially, that'll be in a later chapter, but they do discuss marriage. There are death threats and gun violence from our Omega Reader. And we can count the dead body in this chapter, lol. Talk of unplanned pregnancy and rape in this one.

Additional Notes: Part two was a lot longer than I thought it was, and I didn't want to cram it all in one single chapter, because there was just so much going on that I didn't want to confuse anyone. So, that's why I had to split it in half. So this is the second half! Much longer than part one, lol. Please refer to the chapter warnings before proceeding, and minors, DNI.

Word Count: 7,262

The familiar dinging of the Seven-Eleven brought you back.

Back to the first time you had met Lee.

Officially.

A warm feeling rushed through you. Almost like you were giddy. A pep in your step as you showed Sandy to the way of the lovely drinks of heaven, aka slushies.

There was familiar music playing.

You even said hello to the cashier up at the front when you had come in.

The linoleum aisles really brought you back.

You had so many happy memories with Lee here.

It made you feel so warm.

Your Omega was delighted to be back at a place she was familiar with. This place… she knew this place. She spent time with her Alpha here. Memories of you and Lee came back.

Plop. Plop. Plop.

“Okay… so you can choose whatever flavor ya want. They got cherry, Lee really likes that one, blueberry, and grape. I like to get cherry and blueberry. Mix em together. Tastes and looks nice.”

Nods came from Sandy. She watched as you filled up Lee’s cup with the cherry, happily humming a tune under your breath. Then you did yours. Mixing the red and blue together with your straw, before you plopped the correct lids on.

Click. Click.

The sounds of you sticking the straws in made Sandy come back. You were smiling, even as you took a small sip of your mixed slushie.

A slow smile stretched onto her face.

“Okay… I think I get it now. Any flavor, you said?” She questioned you.

“Mhmmm… any flavor.” came your response.

Sandy’s gaze turned to the grape flavor.

A full smile spread onto her face.

“… What do you mean, we’re leavin’ early?”

You were blinking. Your mother just let out a sigh. You looked so confused.

Laying on the big folding chairs in the backyard of Lee’s home, wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts underneath your bikini top and bottoms.

Because of the fucking creep in your house. You wanted to avoid him, and be cautious if he was looking at you from the windows.

“… Emma called again. After lunch. Lee gave me the phone, and she explained to me the issue with Lenora. So I told her we’d be going early. Is that okay?”

Was it okay?

Was it okay?

You shifted your body, so you could be laying on your side. Your fingers tapped against the folding chair when you answered your mother.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

“I’m not sure if I’m okay with leaving Lee and his sister with that freak inside the house, mama.”

Said freak being your technical brother-in-law.

It wasn’t like you were married to Lee or anything. But the thought made butterflies erupt in your stomach. Made you feel all fuzzy inside. Your head lift.

You had given the idea some thought. Would you entertain the idea as well? Sometimes. Did you want to marry him?

After much deliberation, yes. Yes, you wanted to marry this man.

Oh did you want to marry him.

So badly.

But with the current weirdo in your house, you probably couldn’t even talk to Lee about it. Because every time Carl was in a room with you, you just avoided talking to anyone altogether. Other than the times where you would be in bed with Lee. Then yes. Other than that, no. Not at all.

Up came your mama’s hand towards her forehead.

She had been anticipating this.

Oh yes, she had.

Because you weren’t wrong.

Carl had so many red flags.

So many red flags.

Many, many red flags.

Every time she saw him, your mother’s fight or flight reflex would act up.

It was like looking at her husband almost.

Terrified could be one word to explain how your mother felt around the man. Almost like she felt as if she was walking on eggshells around him.

He just gave her so many bad vibes.

“I know sweetheart, I know. But Lee will be fine. He’s the sheriff. He can handle himself.” Was what she told you. Tried to reassure your nerves.

You, however, were not that reassured so easily.

You still raised an eyebrow in suspicion.

You were worried for your Alpha.

How could you not be? He was your Alpha, for fucks sake. You were bonded to the Sheriff of Knockemstiff. He was your Alpha. Your Lee. Your Daddy.

You had a right to be worried about him.

So you couldn’t help it.

It was perfectly reasonable.

Very reasonable, in fact.

“I dunno mama… I’m still a little bit worried.” You admitted quietly.

And your mother could understand that.

Even with her Beta status, she knew how it would affect a recently bonded Pair.

Because you were recently Mated.

She saw the bite mark on your neck from Lee that proclaimed you as his. The fucking entire county probably knew you were his alone by the bite in your neck. And if anyone were to speak an ill word against you, well, your Daddy would set them straight. Lee Bodecker, Sheriff Lee Bodecker would see to it that no one spoke any ill word against his mate.

Because you were his. His alone. His Omega. His other half. Lee knew for a fact that he would murder for you. Hell, if you even asked him to murder someone, he would still do it. Because that was how much his love ran for you. It was so deep.

And now that you had his bite on your Mating Gland, well, he knew for a damn fact that if someone were to take you, they would have to pry you from his cold, dead hands. Or body. They would have to kill him first to get to you. And he wasn’t going to let that happen.

As you and your mother were in his backyard, laying on the foldable chairs from where he watched from your shared bedroom that used to be his once upon a time, he watched.

Was it out of line, or even creepy to be stalking you?

Probably.

But did he care?

No.

Absolutely not. He didn’t give a single flying fuck anymore.

You were his now. So he had a right to be concerned, where his other half was.

Completely reasonable.

But Lee… Lee didn’t know where this surge of possessiveness had come from.

Ever since you had bitten his Mating Gland and you and your mother had moved in, the Bond complete, Lee felt something shift inside of him. Almost like a change in the air.

For the past couple of nights, weeks even, you had been adjusting. Throwing out your nest over and over again. Lee would hear you in the bedroom when he’d come back from work, having thrown your nest across the room like you were a freaking superhero. Grumbling and hissing underneath your breath about it not being in its proper place.

Throw out. Fix again. Throw out. Fix again.

Rinse and repeat that for the past few nights, and now, now as Lee moved so he could sit comfortably in the nest, watching you get up after saying something to your mother that made her sigh in fondest, padding back into the house, it was perfect.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sounds of your footsteps smacking against the hardwood floors of the hallway caught his attention.

Seeing you at the doorway, mumbling and spewing curses underneath your breath as you slammed the bedroom door shut behind you, shoving your shorts down. Revealing your bikini bottoms. He watched as you slipped on a pair of jeans like it was nothing. Shimmying into them and hissing to yourself, oddly sounding like, “stupid fuckin’ creepy motherfuckin’ Betas,” or something like that. Grabbing a scrunchie from your vanity that you had moved in from your house, tying your hair up. A few strands of hair falling free into your face, which you tucked away behind your ears.

When you finally did look at him, a genuine, real smile stretched over your face. Walking over, allowing the beacon that was your Alpha, your Daddy, his big, strong arms wrapping around you, surrounding you in his scent that reminded you of home.

Nuzzling your face into his shoulder, against his uniform. Against that star embedded into his uniform that made the slightest bit of arousal leak from your pussy.

A soft, gentle sigh was expressed from you.

His voice was throaty when he spoke.

“When you come back from visitin’ Arvin and his folks…”

Up came your head. Looking at him, encouraging him to go on with that wide, innocent look in your eyes that you saved only for him.

A nod.

He continued.

“I want to get married. I want you to wear my ring and my mark. I want you to have my name.”

His hands came to cup your face as he talked. You listened.

Thrill ran down your spine.

“… Want it, Daddy… want Daddy all to myself… want your name, Daddy…” your response was breathy as you looked at him.

Something broke in him.

Shattered.

Cause just then, Lee had grabbed you, spun your around, landing right on top of your vanity. He made sure to not smack you down loud. You had guests in the house, after all.

Well.

Sandy was in the living room with your mother, who had just come in. Carl, thank fuck, was out doing god fucking knows what.

There was a noise of Lee unzipping your jeans. He shoved them down your ankles. In fact, just for good measure, he shoved your bikini panties down too. Shoved three thick fingers into your pussy that was already leaking.

You gasped.

Keened, even.

How could you not?

Although… although you would’ve preferred your Daddy’s tongue, his fingers worked just fine. That feeling of your pussy being plugged always gave you pure bliss.

Pump. Squish. Pump. Squish.

Lee’s breath ghosted against your mating gland, making a shudder run down your spine as he fucked you with his fingers.

All the while, secure in the knowledge that his own little sister and future-mother-in-law were in the next room.

No more fucks had been given.

You were so full.

Oh so full.

You were cumming in no time at all, your walls clenching down harshly onto Lee’s fingers. Shuddering as you came. Feeling like someone had smacked the air out of your lungs.

Deep breaths and pants came from you.

His lips were pressed down onto your mating gland. The tip of his tongue peeking out, before his tongue licked your gland, making your hips stutter. His fingers still buried deep inside of you, all the way up to his knuckles.

He was buried so deep inside of you, but still, that wasn’t enough.

And then his fingers were moving again. Pushing back up inside of you, filling your pussy up.

Smack. Smack. Smack.

Keening noises came from you. Wet, squishing noises echoed with every thrust of Lee’s fingers plunging back into your wet cunt. You had to hold onto your vanity, gripping the edge so tight that your knuckles were turning white. You were so wet and turned on, having just come once already.

It wasn’t until you came for a second time, your second orgasm piggybacking from your first one, a soft little whimper filling the bedroom as you clamped down onto his fingers, your breathing turning a little breathless. Softer.

“Daddy…” your voice was softer, bringing the Alpha back.

Squirming came from you when Lee licked your gland again. Your back arched up against his front, your toes curling up, making you rise a few inches. His arms wrapped around you, his scent coiling around you.

“Mean it,” his voice was a little rough, “wanna give you my name, babydoll. Want this whole goddamn fuckin’ county to know who your Alpha is.”

Your pussy throbbed. A low hiss came from Lee at the sensation.

“When my ma and I get back… when we get back… we’ll do it. It’ll be the first thing we do, Daddy.”

“Promise?”

His voice was a low rumble, making a deep shudder spread down your spine.

“Promise.”

When you turned so you could look at him, Lee noticed you trembling.

“I… I mean it, you know.”

You were shaking. Absolutely feeling so many emotions all at once.

“I… I really do wanna marry you. I got your mark already but… I want your name. Your ring. I really do. I already got ya mark but… I really want it. You. All of you. I… I want your pups too, Daddy.”

Words were coming out so quickly you weren’t really quite sure what you were saying either.

But the next words… those next three words… you remembered them. You remembered them well.

“I love you… I love you so much,” you were crying. When had you started crying?

But whatever now.

You were crying and spilling out your feelings like a lovesick teenager.

Your Lee, your Alpha, your Daddy, he wrapped his strong arms around you, bringing you closer to him as his head dipped down, his tongue flattening against your gland, making your ears pop. His scent overflowing your nose as he scented you. Marked you. Your body shuddered against his. Your Omega was overjoyed.

Alpha. Alpha. Alpha. Alpha is a good Alpha.

“I love you too, Little Omega.”

A couple of hours later...

Something was deeply wrong once you and your mother had driven up to Coal Creek.

It was like a fog that had seeped through your bones, once you had gotten up to the house.

However, you were broken out of your current train of thought when you saw Arvin running out of the house, running towards you, picking you up, and making you squeal.

Alphas and their strength.

“Everythin’s been so boring without you!” The young Alpha complained once he put you down, “the whole house’s been silent except for Lenora’s puking!”

Puking?

How… peculiar.

Very interesting.

It made you raise an eyebrow, as Arvin helped you and your mother inside as your sleepy brain tried to rack at what Arvin had just said.

But you didn’t dwell on it for far too long, considering once you had finally lodged your suitcase into your room, you had crashed immediately on the spot.

What had made you wake up from your slumber though, was puking.

Someone was puking their guts out in the bathroom.

Groggily, you stirred.

Even made a noise of deep discomfort from being woken up. Your Omega even stirred. She was also not very happy with these changes of events. You heard her in your mind, grumbling unhappily at the Omega who was currently vomiting her guts out.

After you managed to lodge yourself out of bed, you padded down the hallway, down to the bathroom, where the vomiting had been coming from.

What you saw made you nearly shriek.

Lenora cried out in surprise.

But that wasn’t what you were focusing on.

Your eyes were wide.

Your nose smelled something.

Something was very wrong with Lenora. You sniffed at the air.

Strange.

The brunette Omega watched as you walked over to where she was, kneeling over the toilet. She watched you get onto your knees, grabbing some paper to wipe her mouth.

“Need you to stand. Can you stand?” You asked her.

A nod.

Being as careful as possible, you helped Lenora up to her feet, helping her to the sink. Helping to rinse her mouth. Lenora coughed and spluttered the first few times. But eventually, you managed to help her rinse her mouth clean of any bile or puke.

“I’m gonna need ya to brush ya teeth. Can you do that? Brush your teeth?”

Another nod came from her.

Nodding at her, you quietly gave her some space. Some time to brush her teeth, while you scurried out of the bathroom and down the hallway again, into the living room.

After scouring around for everyone or anyone else who could be in the little house with you and Lenora, you found that it was just the two of you.

The Russell’s car wasn’t in the driveway. But your mother’s car was still in the driveway, which you assumed that she had caught a ride with Emma and Arvin. Finding yourself back in the kitchen, you also found that she had left the keys on the dining table.

You heard her spit into the sink. Then you heard the sounds of the sink being turned on and off. Padding footsteps made you aware of the fact that she was coming into the kitchen where you were.

That uneasy feeling filled you up again.

“So… how long have you been pukin’?”

Lenora blinked in surprise.

“U-Um…” she looked almost nervous, her voice stuttering. “A-About… a week now? I dunno why. Maybe I’m comin’ down with somethin’-”

You sniffed the air again. Lenora looked confused.

“What’re you doin’?” she asked, bewildered.

Still, you continued to sniff the air.

“Arvin said you presented. Did you have any toys? Emma provide you with any?” you inquired. Lenora’s cheeks flushed. “I- no. N-No. I never… I never got to.”

You raised an eyebrow.

“Whatcha mean, you never got to? You’re supposed to?! You stayed home, right?!”

“N-No.”

You were even more confused.

“Lenora…” you were still very confused, but you didn’t want to frighten her. Scare her. Nothing of the sort. So your voice became gentler. “Lenora… when you present… you’re supposed to stay home. Your presentation… it hurts like a bitch.”

Lenora made a noise.

“Language!”

You waved that away.

“Bah,” you were unbothered, “you’ll cuss eventually. It comes to everyone.” Undeterred, you went on. “Any penny saver… your presentation. It hurts a lot. You’ll go into heat right after. It’s what happened to me.”

“Did it… how much did it hurt?” Lenora asked you tensely. Almost as if she was walking on eggshells. Clapping a hand gently on her shoulder, you steered her to the couch. It was time for a heart-to-heart. Omega to Omega.

“Well… it depends on the person. For me, it hurt like a bitch. It felt like… I felt like I was doing to die. As dramatic as that shit sounds… it really did hurt. My Ma had to send me to the damn ER cause all I would do was climb the walls like a bitch in heat. The whole thing… it felt like I wasn’t really… myself. Like I wasn’t all there, you know? Like… I was there. Subconsciously. But my designation… my Mega… she was in control. It’s kinda a helpless feelin’, bein’ in heat. All you want to do is fuck and breed. It’s what your designation craves. Needs. After though… I was still in pain a little bit. After-effects of heat. And I was really tired. Conked out for the next couple of days to recover. That’s why you gotta get a week off of school. Why weren’t cha in the house recoverin’? Where were you?”

Although now, you were thinking to yourself.

You were Bonded now.

You had a Bondmate. You had an Alpha.

You had never told Lee about your heats. About how much they hurt. For as long as you could remember, they were always painful. Many trips to the ER and hospitals didn’t do you any good. You had to be quarantined from everyone else because your scent was so strong. So thick. You remembered throwing fits, pounding your fists on walls, and screaming because it hurt so much. Your designation would wail and rage within you, wanting her needs to be met. Your Omega, your Omega was truly one of a kind.

In truth, you could admit to yourself why you hadn’t told him just yet.

You were terrified.

Truly utterly terrified.

What if you hurt him?

What if you killed him?

What if he saw what you were capable of during your heat and decided it was too much?

No.

No, no, no.

The mere thought of it was breaking your heart.

Your Alpha, your Daddy, he wouldn’t do that to you.

Would he?

Lenora faltered. Even paused. She looked like she had been slapped.

She had gone silent.

You sniffed at the air again. You could smell her scent of vanilla and cherries, yes, and while your brain processed that this was an Omega in front of you, something just wasn’t feeling right in your gut.

A darker, deeper feeling was twisting your stomach. It made your brain go into darker thoughts.

Lenora looked almost terrified. Her eyes kept darting around. Her scent shifted and started to burn your nose. Your eyes even watered a bit, smelling how her sweet scent slowly turned sour.

“Hey, hey, hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to tell me where you were. But I need you to listen to me carefully, okay?”

Your voice was nothing but gentle as you gently looked at the younger Omega. Your voice washed over her, coaxing her. You were sending off soothing pheromones, calming her frantic and shaking form.

Lenora let out a sniff.

“The world for us Omegas… it’s a dark and dangerous place out there. Always gotta be on our guard. Fuckin’ knuckleheaded Alphas who can’t take no for an answer. And for us women… well, we still gotta be on our guard. Men are stupid.”

A choked noise came from Lenora.

It made your Omega straighten up.

Your head cocked to the side.

Suddenly, it clicked.

Shit, shit, shit.

She was pregnant.

Lenora was fucking pregnant with a fucker’s pup.

You couldn’t explain the feeling that had run through you. It was as if someone had poured a bucket of ice-cold water over your head. It gripped you like a vice. Trapping and ensuring you in place. You might’ve even called the feeling pure horror seeping through your bones.

But you wouldn’t call it pure horror that was running through your veins at this moment. It was more than that.

“Lenora… were you visiting your mother?”

She only responded back to you with one word.

“ Yes.”

Now…

You had never been one for faith.

You weren’t a believer.

Not even when you had been younger.

You didn’t know why you didn’t believe. You hadn’t really given it much thought as you had grown older. Going to church seemed like an obligation. Almost as if you had to go. Truth be told, you always fell asleep during the sermons. So there was that.

But as you drove your mother’s car down to the church, your jaw was tight.

Those dark thoughts were back.

It had been a while since you had slipped into that dark headspace. Not only that, but it had been a while since you had actually driven a car. These days, you didn’t really drive, considering you just walked everywhere. A small town did that to you.

Growing up, especially in your dysfunctional household, your parent’s car was almost like an escape for you. Other than your room. Even then though, whenever you’d sit in your parent’s car, hearing the shouting coming from inside the house, the car didn’t quite still feel like your own.

Unlike the car, your room was strictly yours. Yours and yours alone. Your parent’s cars had their names on them. So it didn’t really feel like yours.

However, your new bedroom, after the attack, it didn’t quite feel like yours anymore. To be completely and utterly honest, you had felt like you had been in haze for the past couple of weeks. Like you were just here. Like a star up in the sky, aimlessly floating through space and time, just observing everything around you.

You felt like a ghost.

Although, at this moment, you didn’t feel quite as empty as you had been these past couple of weeks.

Now?

Now you felt ready and secure to kill a man.

An Alpha.

Never had you ever felt so angry to the point of violence. You weren’t a fucking pansy. You weren’t a fucking pacifist. You believed that if violence was truly needed, that you would use it. Only if it was the last possible option. Then yes, you would fuck shit up.

Here and now, however, violence was truly your one and only option.

Emma, Arvin, and your mother had come home to the Russell house a bit ago. You told them that you’d be going into town and that you would be dropping off at the church, to clean up Lenora’s mother’s grave and put new flowers down.

So, with a newly bought bouquet of flowers, a scrubber, and some water in an old plastic bottle, you drove off to the church.

But you had a darker motive in mind.

As you drove up, you made sure to wear your Mate’s leather jacket. Somehow, smelling Lee’s scent, it made you feel safe. That what you were about to do was okay and justified.

It was okay.

It was going to be okay.

Finding a place to park the car, you took the keys out of the ignition. Stuffing the keys into the front pocket of your dress, you got out of the car with all of your things. Your eyes were sharp and focused, blood roaring through your veins. Even your Omega was in full and complete support. The entire duration of the car ride, she strayed, staying at the back of your mind, tapping her paw in turn. She was silent and feeling quite deadly. Ready to rip a man’s throat out. Her anger kept perfectly under control. But she was like a ticking bomb. She just needed one thing to tip her off, and you were pretty sure that if she wanted to take over and attack a man, that you wouldn’t be complaining.

Not really.

The sounds of scrubbing slowly filled your ears as the birds chirped in the trees. You were wearing gloves because you weren’t fucking stupid. Plus, you didn’t really like these gloves anyway. Your mother had bought them for you a few years back, because they were on sale at Sears and because she thought that had looked nice.

They looked fucking hideous.

Absolutely an abomination to gloves. But, they were easy to put on and take off. So that was a plus, you supposed.

Only when you had put down the bouquet of flowers did you hear a noise.

A leaf crunched.

Someone was walking towards you. From where you were, knelt over Helen Laferty’s grave, your head turned.

Immediately, your Omega screeched in alarm.

It was him.

The Alpha that had single-handily ruined Lenora’s life.

Preston Teagardin, with his scent of maple and something musky, made itself known to you.

Not that you wanted to know.

Not really.

“Preacher,” was your cold response as you turned your head back, and adjusted the flowers.

He couldn’t help but blink in surprise.

He had noticed you driving a car into the church. Saw you pull in, dressed in a dress with all of your crinolines underneath your dress, making your skirts puffy and out there. He had seen you get out, with all of your materials. You looked like a woman on a mission. And well, he was definitely curious.

Subconsciously though, his Alpha was telling him something was wrong. But Preston being Preston, ignored it.

Your scent had intrigued him. You smelled wonderful. Like freshly baked chocolate chips.

Although now, especially with that leather jacket draped over your shoulders, clinging to your form, making you look smaller, he caught another whiff in his nose. A deeper scent. It was a masculine scent. Chocolate and bourbon filled his nose too. He almost thought maybe you had a brother who was an Alpha, but then his eyes fell upon the bite on your mating gland that you showed proudly.

You had an Alpha.

The last he had seen of you, you had not had an Alpha.

So that meant you were recently bonded.

Preston didn’t know whether to be shocked or angry that you were bonded.

Finally finished with your work, you turned back to the still shell-shocked preacher and stood up. Brushing off your skirts.

“You know preacher, it’s quite interesting.”

He was confused.

“What’s confusing?”

Your lips stretched into a smile.

“It’s quite confusing to me. I’ve never been one for faith. Never truly got into the church, or believed in Him. I’m not very spiritual, or religious. Never have been. Never truly believed in a higher power. But that’s not all that puzzles me. You wanna know what truly puzzles me though, Preacher?”

When he didn’t answer, you cocked your head to the side appraisingly. You took a step forward. He took a step back.

“It truly puzzles and interests me that you, you’re a Man of God, aren’t you, Preacher? You’ll listen to someone if they need to confess their sins, won’t you? Take it to the grave? That’ll it just be between me and you?” you inquired. You tilted your head back, looking at him. Waiting for an answer.

“I-I…” Preston stammered, making you tilt your head again, almost like a dog looking at its master.

“Because really, I find it very, very, very interesting that you’re not aware that rape is forbidden in the Bible. Don’t you know when the disciples asked Jesus what they should do about their sexual urges, that Jesus told them to gouge out their eyes? And don’t you know that when Omegas present, that they’re supposed to stay home? And don’t you know, that you’re mated and married to an Omega who doesn’t know that her Alpha and husband is a motherfucking rapist?!”

Preston threw his hands up in surrender.

“No one’s going to care. Who do you think the masses are going to believe? A spineless Omega or a Preacher?”

Your eyes flashed dangerously. In less than a second, you pulled out a familiar-looking pistol from underneath your dress and pointed the weapon right in Preston’s face. You knew it was fully loaded. But, just to check, you made sure to reload.

“W-Wait- this is a mistake-” he stammered, stepping away from you. You watched his feet stumble. He tripped on his own feet, falling into the grass. He continued to push back.

“Believe it or not, I am not a huge fan of violence. Neither is my Alpha. He looks out for me. He’s an amazing Bondmate. I don’t think you’d like him either. He’s the one who gave me this before I came here with my Mama. Just in case. This world’s dangerous, you know.”

You had worn your special shoes for the occasion.

You were not wearing your kitten heels.

No.

You were wearing stilettos. Which, now would be considered out of fashion. But you had been gifted a pair from your Daddy. So, therefore, they were special and were to be worn on only special occasions.

And wasn’t this a special occasion?

You considered it one.

You didn’t even bother to reload a second time. You knew you were fully loaded. And besides, you weren’t going to kill him.

Oh no.

No, no, no.

You’d just give him a fate worse than death.

Seeing his terrified form, you aimed your gun down.

Right there, the pistol facing his left hand.

A gunshot rang out.

You heard a scream. Maybe even a yell.

Moving your pistol down lower, your second bullet went right into his left thigh, dangerously close to his dick. You saw the tears. But you didn’t feel remorseful. This Alpha had harmed a member of your Pack. Why should you listen if he begged for mercy? Which he was. You were hearing his pleas. His begs for forgiveness. You knew right then and there, that your Alpha, your Daddy, would have never spared this man’s life.

However, you were not your Daddy.

You weren’t Lee.

So while Preston was still there, laying on the ground, you made sure to get right down on your knees, your left hand grabbing and twisting his left hand, making sure he wouldn’t touch you. Your knees completely spread, so that you would be nice and comfy.

Lee’s pistol cocked right on his temple.

“P-Please- you’re- you’re makin’ some type of mistake-” Preston pleaded, but you narrowed your eyes.

“No,” your tone was completely cold and unmoving, “No, I don’t think I am. I smelled you on her. Are you doubting my nose, Preacher? But don’t worry, I won’t be ending your worthless life today. Be happy that I won’t shoot your goddamn cock off. And besides, you should be grateful I didn’t shoot your right hand. If I truly didn’t give a shit, I would’ve fucking murdered you and left you for the birds. They’ll eat anything. Especially pieces of shit like you. But I don’t think even birds would want to feast on you.”

"I ever see or hear you rape another goddamn Omega, I'll make sure to really kill you. Consider this a goddamn motherfucking warning."

Getting up, and ignoring his whimpers that truly made him sound like a pathetic Omega in heat, you gathered your things.

As you walked past him, back to your mother’s car, you spoke one last time.

“Don't be sad, Preacher. Ya still got a right hand. I know it’s not your dominant hand. But you have a right hand, Preacher. Use it.”

Later on in the evening, back at Knockemstiff with Lee…

Believe it or not, but Lee Bodecker did not enjoy killing.

Even though he knew he was a corrupt Sheriff.

He had heard the rumors. The whispers. Gossip flew around quickly. Especially in a small town like Knockemstiff.

And the saddest part was that they were right.

Someone like Lee, someone who looked like Lee didn’t get to the Sheriff position without a little bit of darkness in him. Lee had long accepted the fact that he had crossed the point of no return. That if there was truly a God up there, with Heaven, that he would never be permitted to enter. He already knew with all the killing, deception- that his soul was black and damned.

There was no going back now.

Lee’s eyes were gazed, focused on the chair on his right. He could smell your lingering scent on it. If he leaned back and closed his eyes and focused hard enough, he could probably hear your laughter. He could probably imagine your smile too. Just the thought of that black box shoved in the top drawer of his dresser made his heart warm. Like there was something worth living for.

The sound of Sandy’s fork clanging on her ceramic plate caught Lee’s attention. He saw his little sister getting up, getting all of their empty plates, and marched right into the kitchen. Lee relaxed in his chair, hearing the sink turn on. Hearing the sounds of Sandy washing the plates.

For a moment, it was quiet. Lee could actually hear himself think. All leaned back, everything in his life nearly in peace and harmony.

“You know, I thought about her for a long time before I actually saw her again.”

Carl jumped.

Actually jumped.

He had jumped in surprise.

“We met at church, you know. Me and my Mega.” Lee was so relaxed, so deep in old memories.

“Took me two weeks to see her again. I felt so sorry for drinkin’ the rest of her slushie. But I just wanted to know why she was just so in love with drinkin’ em. For those two weeks… all I thought about her.”

Which, Lee was technically speaking the truth.

But not the full truth.

He remembered, in those two weeks before he saw you again, all those sleepless nights spent in his bed.

And now, he thought, what if he had been a good man.

A good man didn’t slick up their cock with Vaseline and jerk off to the thought and memory of kissing a defenseless, young Omega who was probably nearly a decade younger than him.

A good man didn’t masturbate himself to the near brink of death in the shower thinking about just how good your pussy would be if he fucked you for the first time.

A good man didn’t masturbate to the thought of his young Omega partner whom he was courting, cumming at the thought of how tight her cunt would be, or if blood would trickle down her legs after taking her virginity.

Lee Bodecker however, was not a good man.

At all.

Remembering his brother-in-law’s words, Carl’s face went pale as a sheet. Lee was so relaxed without a care in the world that he didn’t even have the ball to be smug about it.

The sounds of Sandy's footsteps made both of the men look up.

“I brought the tea.”

Sandy Henderson, with her hair in rollers, wearing her nightgown and her slippers adorning her feet, gave her Big Brother and her husband a look. Her gaze on Carl lingered just a bit longer. As if she was giving him one last look.

There was a clunking noise as Sandy placed the little ceramic teacups with the little covers on top of the table. Handing one to Carl and Lee. Sandy herself sat down at one of the chairs, stirring her cup with a little spoon.

When Carl took the top off of his cup and drank from it, he felt there was something wrong. Something in his gut turned and twisted.

Lee wasn’t surprised to see Carl get up from his chair, and start to cough. Nor was he surprised to see Carl claw at his throat, blue spit dripping down the corners of his mouth. Sandy sat there, staring Carl directly in the eyes as her husband breathed his last breath before he fell to the floor.

The Omega watched her Beta husband die kneeling. Like a sinner confessing their sins.

“Hold on, won’t cha Big Brother? Gotta get something from the bedroom.” Sandy got up, even pushing her chair in like a good little housewife, before clamoring her way down into the hallway, into the guest room.

Sandy came back with a camera.

Carl’s camera.

The one that he used for all of his murder victims. Lee didn’t feel a chilling in his bones. Sandy got real close, good enough to take a full-body shot. But focused on the horrified look in her husband’s eyes. Ones that looked like ones of pleading. As if he was begging for repentance.

Lee heard the camera click. Sandy shook the camera, hearing it splutter for a second before she got the photo out. An almost satisfying, chill smile stretched over her lips.

“He had a lot of photos, Lee. But this one… this one’s my personal favorite.”

Getting up from his chair, Lee looked down to inspect the dead body of his former brother-in-law.

“Ya brought the marriage papers?”

“Yup,” replied Sandy.

“And the photos?” Lee raised an eyebrow.

“Brought all of 'em,” the blonde Omega said in almost a relieved voice.

“Good. You burn them. I’ll take care of his body.”

Sandy could get on board with that.

It was a plan.

With you, late in the early morning…

It seemed, after your detour with the Preacher, that you could not sleep.

You had tossed and turned in bed all night.

Eventually, you had thrown all of your fucks out the window and got up quietly from your bed, opening your door ever so slightly so you could slip through. Padding your way down the hall, to the kitchen. Where the phone was located on the wall.

Picking up the phone, you spun the dial.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

Spin. Spin. Spin.

There was a moment of silence as you heard the phone connect.

There was another moment of silence before you heard the other person on the other line pick up.

“Ello?”

“Daddy.”

Lee breathed out a sigh of relief. Your Daddy sounded sleepy.

“Did I wake ya up, Daddy?” your voice was low. You didn’t want to wake anyone up.

“No, babydoll. I wasn’t sleepin’. Had a busy night, that’s all. Couldn’t sleep, could you baby?” his voice washed over you like thick syrup. You felt as if you were on frigging Cloud Nine. You felt so warm. So safe.

“Nu-uh… couldn’t sleep. Had quite a day today, Daddy.”

“Oh yeah?”

You heard some shuffling on his end of the line. Almost like he was moving around in bed.

“Miss you a lot, Daddy. The nest don’t smell like ya.”

“I miss you too, angel baby. Nest’s not the same without cha in it.”

He heard you intake in a deep breath. And then a deep shuddering noise came from you. Hoisting his legs over so he’d be sitting, he asked, “Ya alright, Mega?”

You faltered for just a split second.

“Daddy, I… I… I need to tell you something.”

That didn’t sound good.

Whenever Lee heard those words, or “we need to talk” in the past, then usually, those weren’t good words. Nothing good ever came out of those words.

“I’m listenin’, babydoll.”

He heard you take in another deep breath before you continued.

“I… my Omega… I feel like… like my heat’s slowly comin’. It ain’t gonna come tomorrow, or any day this week, but… I… I feel like my Omega’s warnin’ me as if she’s tellin’ me the storm’s bout to come my way… and… and I never told you but…” a loose sigh escaped your lips, “my heats are… awful. Every time they happened in the past… I felt like I wanted to die. They were so painful, Daddy. I don’t… I don’t wanna scare you…”

As Lee listened to you over the phone, it made him think of his own Rut.

He thought about how the week before he had seen you in that Seven-Eleven again, how he had gone right into a Rut. You, your scent, your Omega- it had thrown him in a frenzied Rut. He had never remembered any of his Ruts hurting like that before.

But Lee Bodecker wasn’t scared. He never was like that, even when he had been younger. Never ever.

“I ain’t scared of your Omega. I can handle your Omega. I’m your Daddy, ain’t I, babydoll?”

“Y-Yeah…” your voice had turned breathy. “Y-Yeah, Daddy.”

An agreeing noise came from Lee.

“Daddy?”

“Yeah, Mega?”

“I think…” you chewed on your bottom lip for just a second. “I think… I think you need to come to Coal Creek.”

“What?”

Now he was concerned.

“What for?”

“It’s… it’s about Lenora. Today… earlier, I… I went to the church. I went to the Preacher and I shot him twice. With… with the pistol you gave me before my Ma and I left. He raped her, Lee. She’s pregnant with his pup. And I think… I think if I tell Arvin, that he’s going to kill him. I need your help, Daddy. Please.”

There was a beat of silence from the other line. For a moment, you thought Lee might've hung up on you.

But then, you heard it.

"Don't cha worry babydoll. San and I will come. You just stay there. Behave, ya hear me?"

You swallowed thickly.

"Y-Yeah, Daddy. I'll be on my best behavior."

"That's a good girl. Hang tight, got it?"

"Uh-huh."

"Good. Go get some sleep, babydoll. I don't like my baby tired and cranky."

You let out a faint giggle.

"Okay, Daddy. Gonna sleep."

"Mhmmm."

There was another beat of silence.

"I love you."

Maybe it was that you were getting a little sleepy. But you smiled anyway.

"I love you too, Daddy."

And then the line went dead.

Taglist: @greeneyedblondie44, @bxnnywriting

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