#i was maybe 2? 3? anyway he wanted to burn it but my mother said no and we still have it

[enluv]

The Wedding Date

PAIRING! - jay park x fem!reader

SYNOPSIS! - When invited to her younger sisters wedding in two weeks, Y/N L/N faces traveling alone back to Korea for the ceremony. While this seems bad enough, Heeseung, the man who left her with no explanation after four years of dating, happens to be the groom's best man. Determined to show everyone - most of all Heeseung - that her romantic life is as full and thrilling as ever, Y/N hires the ever so charming Jay Park as her date.

word count: 7.4K+!

warnings: angst, suggestive content - it’s implied and mentioned that reader & jay did the devils tango so please note this fic is16+ BUT it’s nothing crazy so just be warned, profanity, cheating, heeseung is super duper not cool in this tbh, lmk if I missed anything !!

genre(s): 16+!! - there are no descriptions of sexual acts but it is stated briefly so read at your own risk, rom-com, fluff, angst, strangers to lovers, rent-a-boyfriend, & also slow burn romance but fast paced story

coco’s love note: this story is based on and inspired by the movie “the wedding date” some parts will be similar and depict similar instances while some will be different to fit the characters and the plots I’m writing for them! thank you so much & enjoy! (remember feedback & reblogs are always appreciated <3)

"You are cordially invited to the wedding of Park Sunghoon and L/N Soohee to celebrate their marriage this June 30th at three o'clock.”

The words on the wedding invitation make your eyes roll, it’s laughable. Knowing neither of you had talked in almost two years it was a wonder why Soohee had chosen to invite you to her wedding. Perhaps it was your mother, she'd always wanted her two girls to get along at some point, but that was easier said then done. Or maybe it was your stepfather? He'd always said you were his favorite, maybe he'd somehow convinced her to invite you. Attending the wedding wasn't what worried you the most though, it was the thought of showing up alone.

Sure you could show up flying solo and hope no one would bat an eye, but did you really want to put yourself through that? The millions of whispers thrown at you as you walk by with no one on your arm? Absolutely not.

That's what brings you here, on a hot summers day as you read the morning paper from the patio of your home. The ads all consist of different services, some are posted for models, some plumbers, even things like babysitting, but you're on the hunt for one thing and soon enough an ad catches your eye. It’s perfect. The ad reads -

"Rent-A-Boyfriend: Are you in need of a date? Want to keep your parents off your back? Need to brag to your friends? Have to keep the relatives at bay? Well look no further! Hire me, Jay Park, profesional boyfriend. I can be anything you need me to be for any occasion! Shoot me a text at XXX-XXX-XXXX or email me at jay.park@gmail.com! Business inquiries only. Excited to date you soon!”

The ad had done its job and quickly enough you'd left Jay exactly seven different voice messages.

— YOU HAVE SEVEN VOICE MESSAGES, TO LISTEN: PLEASE PRESS NUMBER ONE.

VOICE MESSAGE #1 (9:17 PM):

"Errmmm...oh! It’s recording haha. Hello! This is Y/N L/N, umm so basically...oh um sorry I am so nervous haha. Okay so basically my name is Y/N and I need a date for my sisters wedding this month. Normally I'd have a date by now but I don't have the time to go out and date someone for two weeks and then force them to go to Korea with me ya know? So that's where I was hoping you'd come in! Oh shoot my time is running out...ummm okay give me a seco-"

VOICE MESSAGE #2 (9:23 PM):

"OH! HI! Sorry it cut me off last time haha oopsie! Anyways so basically the reason I need a date is because well basically I have this ex boyfriend his name is Heeseung and he kinda sorta dumped me like out of nowhere about two years ago. It was super sad but I was just like eh whatever dude. Then I came here to America haha not a good idea, anyways so yeah and he's gonna also be at that wedding because his best friend is actually the groom which makes him the best man and I can't-"

VOICE MESSAGE #3 (9:34 PM)

"Sorry cut off again but I can't show up alone it would be so embarrassing and we were engaged too by the way I don't know if I mentioned that already but yeah we dated for almost four years and he proposed to me and then boom just ended it so that's why I cannot by any means show up alone. Plus this is my baby sister that’s even more embarrassing, my younger sister getting married before me? Total loser moment."

VOICE MESSAGE #4 (10:45 PM):

"Sorry I forgot to give you details about the wedding lolz. It'll be in Korea, the countryside to be specific. It's on June 30th at 3pm at a wedding Chapel in the town we grew up in. We have to be there a week before. No worries though, l'II pay for our plane tickets. Since I'm the sister of the bride I have to do a lot of things with the bridal party and since you'll be my boyfriend you'd be doing things with the groomsmen. Sorry if that's too soon for you or if it doesn't work with your schedule, I'll pay you double I swear! I just really need this, need your help Jay."

VOICE MESSAGE #5 (11:38 PM):

"Um hi again, this'll be quick I promise. I just wanted you to know that if you can't do this it's okay! Thank you for your time. I really appreciate you.”

VOICE MESSAGE #6 (12:49 AM):

"Oh shit sorry this was an accidental dial. Have a good night haha! Sorry again!”

VOICE MESSAGE #7 (1:23 AM):

"Just give me a call back at XXX-XXX-XXXX if you do want to take the job and if not, no worries! I completely understand how last minute this may be. Have a good night Jay, sweet dreams."

— YOU HAVE ONE NEW VOICE MESSAGE: TO LISTEN PLEASE PRESS NUMBER ONE.

VOICE MESSAGE #1 (3:45 PM):

"Hey Y/N, this is Jay. I got your messages...all seven of them. No worries, I'd be happy to play your boyfriend at your sisters wedding, and about your ex, don’t even worry about him, we'll make sure he regrets his decision to ever leave you. You said we leave next week? Just send me the plane ticket and I'll be on that flight. See you soon Y/N, and don't worry too much, you've got this."

“Woah! Hottie in aisle three am I right?!”

“What are you talking about Sunoo, stop staring at the people riding our planes. It’s a long way back to Korea they don’t need you ogling them for all ten hours.”

“Excuse me but did you not say you’re waiting for your rent-a-boyfriend? Babes I think that’s him.” Sunoo points his perfectly manicured finger towards aisle three where a man dressed in black slacks and a white button up sits comfortably flipping through a book. His head turns up as he feels your eyes on him and a smile flashes across his face.

“Alright, go meet your hunk and sit down, we’re taking off soon anyway.”

You begrudgingly take a seat in front of him, if you’d known he’d be this attractive you’d definitely not have hired him.

“Are you Y/N L/N? Or am I completely wrong and making a fool out of myself?”

His voice is sweet, soft and husky, you turn slightly to face him and meet his soft eyes. No judgement is seen on his face.

“Hi! Yes I am Y/N, I’m assuming you’re Jay? Well you probably are haha, because I got you the seat behind me…okay so anyways hello!”

He laughs softly and nods his head, “Get some rest Y/N, we have a long week ahead of us. When we land let’s go find you a dress and talk business, that okay with you?” Your nod of confirmation has you both relaxed as you turn back around to do just as he said.

“How does this one look?”

“I think you look great in it, remember you’re beautiful and you’ve got a lot going for you. He’s gonna regret ever breaking up with you.”

“Ugh I can’t do it, I need to look good so no one asks me any kinds of questions!”

“Y/N I think you’re overthinking this a bit, just go with whichever dress makes you feel the most beautiful.”

“I think you look the best in the red one, uh personally speaking.” Jay eyes the boy cleaning the other dressing rooms and nods with a tight lipped smile.

“Hmm thanks kids, I’ll keep that in mind.” Pushing back in your eyes fall onto the hanging red dress.

“Alright so let’s talk business, we need a story. You’re the new temp at my job and we just started dating, let’s just say four months ago. You’re crazy about me and I asked you out because surprise surprise I’m also crazy about you too.”

He nods and gets up to leave the room but right as his hand reaches the doorknob you pull him back, closing the dressing room door.

“Here,” you shove an envelope into his hands, “count it. It’s six thousand even.”

Jay takes the envelope and begins putting it into his pocket but you insist he counts the money, he does so with an amused smile flashing across his face.

“I’ll tell you what, I’ll pay for the expenses but if you ever want a piece of this,” he gestures to himself playfully, “we gotta talk money before anything happens.” Your scoff makes him chuckle, he’d only been kidding, he’d most definitely let you have him for free if you asked.

Jay takes in the venue of your sisters engagement party. It’s big enough to host more than fifty people, and it’s doing the job pretty well. He can tell you have a big family. From what you’d mentioned, your mom was Korean but moved to America for school and originally met your dad their but when he was out the picture she met your stepfather and the rest was history. Now your little sister, presumably the petite brunette eyeing you both now, was getting married to someone you’d both grown up with and his best man was you ex. Jay thinks your ex is a dumbass but he’s held his tongue on that thought knowing you’d probably get upset with him.

While he’d only known you for a few hours tops (not including your plane ride) he knew you were a kind person. You’d rambled to him about how you and your sister hadn’t spoke in two years yet here you were back at home to spend her wedding with her. He found it odd how you said yes to joining her bridal party activities but chose not to question you. He never understood sibling love much.

He watches as your sister runs towards you pulling you into a big hug, her smile never quite reaching her eyes but you’d never pick up on it if you weren’t paying close attention. He takes a note to ask you later why you two haven’t spoken in so long, but before he can gather his thoughts her voice breaks him out of it.

“So Y/N, who’s this? He’s cute…” her voice trails off and makes Jay internally cringe, it’s obvious she wants a reaction out of you.

He watches as you calmly turn towards him, resting an arm on his as you say, “This is Jay, he’s my boyfriend of four months. I decided I would take you up on that plus one offer!”

Momentarily your sisters eyes flash with what seems to be jealousy or maybe sadness, Jay can’t tell but he knows she looks anything but happy which is odd for someone about to marry the love of their life.

“Wow that’s great! How’d you two meet?”

“We met at work. I thought she was the most gorgeous girl I’d ever seen in my life so I told her. She asked me out right after and the rest is history.” He pulls you closer and pecks your temple once he’s done answering. He knows just how to push buttons, especially with people like your sister.

At that very moment Park Sunghoon, your childhood best friend and sisters fiancé walks over pulling Soohee into a sloppy kiss, Jay notes he seems tipsy and excited about something. He watches your sisters demeanor change in an instant the minute Sunghoon walks over.

“Woah Y/N it’s been too long, I’ve missed my best friend, you have to visit more often seriously.”

“Oh I’m Park Sunghoon, Soohee’s fiancé and Y/N’s friend, we haven’t met before but I’m happy to see Y/N has someone to put a smile on her face.” His smile is captivating and contagious. Sunghoon seems like a nice enough guy in Jay’s eyes.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.” Jay leans over and offers a hand. “I’m Jay, Y/N’s boyfriend. She told me you invited me to join in on the groomsmen activities, thanks a lot I’m excited.”

“Of course! Any friend of hers is a friend of mine. Let me get your number and I’ll add you to the groupchat, we start soon so just be ready.” With the promise to text soon Sunghoon and Soohee are quickly whisked away leaving Jay with Y/N.

“Your sister seems…nice…”

Y/N can’t hide her laugh as she straightens her dress out, “Mhm love her to death but she can be a lot, now if you’ll excuse me I need to pee, I’ve had way too many drinks! Wait for me here.”

When exiting the bathroom you never thought you’d run into Lee Heeseung here of all places. It seemed as if lady luck was anywhere but on your side, as you watch him emerge from the door next to the same one you’d just came out of, his eyes grow wide as he spots you, quickly making his way towards you.

“Holy shit, Y/N! I was hoping I would see you here! You look beautiful as always.”

Your hearts beats as you look up towards him. It’d been almost a year since you’d last saw Lee Heeseung. He’d broken your heart in all of five minutes over the phone after spending a week in America with you. It was heart wrenching and soul crushing but you’d healed…or so you thought. Seeing Heeseung again was like ripping off a bandaid on a newly fresh wound. Heart begging to be held by him once more you knew immediately you had to find a way away from him and fast.

Thankfully just as you’d pulled away from his arms up ran your old friend Karina. She’d been someone you’d hung out with in high school and always called you up whenever you visited Seoul. Her squeals of excitement and hands pulling you into a hug helped with the longing to be next to Heeseung again. She looked towards him with hostility and popped the question right there in front of him.

“Y/N I’ve missed you so much! AH! Who’s the hottie you brought with you? Rumor has it he’s your new boyfriend…you tell me though, wanna hear it straight from the source herself.”

At this Heeseung’s head perks up from his previous gaze at the floor. He’s expecting to hear an answer, it’s obvious in the way his eyes stay on you.

“Oh. Um yeah. He’s actually my boyfriend. His name is Jay and we met at work. He’s the sweetest, you have to meet him! I’ll introduce you two soon.” Once again Karina’s squeals fill the air and Heeseung waves goodbye as she tugs you towards where Jay stands surrounded by your aunties. They seem to be enjoying the compliments he throws at them and you laugh quietly as you listen in on his conversations with them.

Jay watches as you stop to talk to someone by the doors of the bathroom, he contemplates walking over to you but decides to stop himself. He isn’t here to protect you, you can do that all on your own, he’s just here to provide some comfort in a stressful situation. His peaceful time of watching you is quickly interrupted when your aunties come over and preoccupy him. He’s done this before and is quick to play the best boyfriend he can be.

As soon as you walk over you’re pulled away by your aunties (much to his dismay) so Jay sets off to find something to keep himself busy. He soon spots the same man you were talking to earlier out on the balcony alone and decides to talk to him, he seems upset, might as well do something while you’re gone.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Jay asks walking over swiftly to the man and smiling down at him.

“Oh. Uh. I guess it can’t get any worse than this. There’s this girl who I care about a lot,” he pauses to look back inside and Jay follows his gazes to where you sit with your sister and friend from before and his mind begins to turn, “I guess you could say I love her but of course with my luck, she’s here with some other guy.”

Jay lets out a low whistle and begins to talk but before he can process the situation you’re asking him if he’s okay and giving him a kiss on the lips, it leaves him dazed.

“Hey Y/N.” Heeseung says once quietly.

“Hey Y/N.” He repeats, this time louder than before.

Jay has a sudden realization as he looks back up at Heeseung, this is your ex, the same ex who broke your heart and the reason you hired him to be here.

“Oh hey Hee! Jay, this is Heeseung, he’s my ex.”

“Ah that’s why you looked a bit familiar.”

“What were you two talking about?”

“We were just-” Heeseung begins to talk but Jay cuts him off.

“I was telling him how we met.”

Heeseung nods frantically and stands tall again, he nervously grabs his cup and smiles, “I should head back inside, I’ll see you two later.”

“Did you see his face? Omg he looked so freaked out!”

“Mhm, and he told me he’s still head over heels in love with a girl he cares about a lot.”

Y/N’s bright smile bubbled up a feeling in Jay’s chest, but he shook it off as quickly as it came.

“Let’s get going pretty girl, I still need to meet your parents.”

Your house is huge, and yeah sure Jay is used to big houses, he grew up comfortably so houses around him were on the bigger side, but this house - your house is massive. He’s in awe as you stumble threw the front door hand in hand. A woman who looks just like you approaches speaking so quickly that Jay misses her question, but thankfully you’re quick to answer it.

“Hi mom. This is Jay,” a silent pause ensues after you reveal who he is to her.

“Well it’s nice to meet you Jay, sorry we don’t have a spare room for you. We weren’t exactly expecting you, Y/N has never really brought you up.” Jay can tell immediately who your sister takes after.

“No worries ma’am, I can just stay with Y/N.”

“Oh sorry my mom has this thing against boys sleeping with girl-”

Your mothers scoff cuts you off, her head shaking slowly, “Nonsense Y/N, you’re an adult. I know you two sleep together it’s normal, he’ll stay with you.”

You nod back at her wide eyed, and just as you’re about to speak a man pops up next to your mother, this time Jay does know who he is. Your lock-screen holds a picture of you two at a concert and you’d pointed out exactly who your stepfather was to him immediately. He waves a quick hello at Jay and pecks your temple, but he’s quick to whisks your mother away sending you a wink. Once you’ve made it to your room it’s almost midnight and both of you are exhausted from traveling and the party.

“Y/N, I’m gonna go ahead and shower, could you hand me my shampoo? I forgot to grab it and I’m already in.”

“Huh? Oh! Shampoo right…yeah of course I’ll get it right now.” Trudging over to Jay was easy, avoiding looking at the almost see-through shower curtain covering him was completely different. He smiles once you hand over the shampoo and goes back to humming along to a song stuck in his head.

“Hey Jay, what’s your story, like how did you get into rent-a-boyfriend?” You ask him taking a seat on the lid of the toilet.

“Well I’m an only child and my parents where always busy, grew up with very little friends and I was very protected at that. I like to think I was the weird kid who ate glue…anyways once I got my much needed glow up I didn’t know what to do with myself so I just started messing around. Clubbing, drinking, sex, all of that you know. Anyways my friend Jake found rent-a-boyfriend,” he steps out of the shower and stands directly in front of you, towel loosely wrapped around his waist, “and the rest is history.” He sends you a smirk before reaching for his phone sitting next to you on the counter, giving you the perfect view of his toned chest.

“Whatever, so what you just agreed to be a fake boyfriend like that?”

“Mhm, I trust Jake with my life he’s my best friend, dude would never sign me up for something that he knew I’d hate. Now come on it’s time for bed.”

The next day wedding activities start quickly, your sister has a day planned full for the groomsmen and bridesmaids. Things ranging from kickball (which Jay seems to be very good at and just so happens to beat Heeseung’s team in) to separate bachelor and bachelorette parties.

Both parties go great, with both you and Jay enjoying yourselves equally, but if you’d asked the other you’d both say all you wanted to do was go back home and see each other. It was an odd realization knowing you’d feel better at home with Jay, a mere stranger in your eyes.

“Y/N! Ugh I’ve been looking all over for you! I missed you so much, you really suck for not visiting more. I know we’re half sisters but I love you!! I missed you so freaking much,” Soohee slurs her words into your ear as she pulls you into a suffocating hug. You nod uncomfortably and hug her back, patting her on the back as she signals the bartender for more drinks. Just from the way she stares at you, you know the night is going to be long.

On Jay’s end of things he’s forced to take home a very drunk Sunghoon, who now seems more like a friend then a stranger. Earlier he’d over heard Heeseung telling Sunghoon about how he didn’t trust him, and while normally Jay didn’t care much for how people saw him, Heeseung really irked him. Yet here he was now, helping his best friend stumble home after their night out.

“Don’t tell Heeseung I said this, but Y/N looks way more happy with you then she ever did with him. I mean don’t get me wrong he’s my best friend and I’d literally die for him but the way she smiles at you is so different from any way she’s ever looked at him. I heard you the other day, telling her she was strong and could face everyone again. I was standing next to the door you two were by, anyways yeah Heeseung would have never done that. I love that idiot to death but the second he decided to break things off with her was the second he lost a really great person. You’re lucky Jay, can you just please keep her happy?”

Jay nods at him and Sunghoon sends him a grin, he walks up the steps to his house and waves a final goodbye back to him. Sunghoon’s words play in Jay’s head like a turntable, were you really happy with him? Did he seriously make you happy? Giddiness spread through him as he made his way back to your home only a couple doors down, ready to see you for the night.

Walking back into your bedroom and seeing Jay laid out reading a book half naked was a sight you’d never get tired of. He looked up at you taking in your figure and smiled.

“How was your night pretty?” The low gruffness of his voice sent shivers down your spine as you walked closer, watching as he sat up to meet your eyes.

“Something on your mind?” He asks quietly taking your hands in his.

“I’m going to do something, and if you don’t want it just tell me no, okay?” Jay nods with curiosity in his eyes.

His eyes widen as you straddle his lap, kissing him softly. He wasn’t expecting that, but he’s not complaining, soon enough he’s kissing back and you’re both rushing to undress one another, Jay more than you.

The night ended far too quickly and as you wake up with a snug arm wrapped around you, the memories of last night come flooding back in. You’d had sex with Jay, your rented boyfriend for the week, but it seemed neither of you minded it much, both eager to be together last night. A smile forms across your face as you move to stand only to be stopped by his arm tightening around your waist.

You both stumble downstairs hand in hand, running into both your parents. Your father stares at you two and wishes you a good morning, but your mother seems to sense something is different with you both. She sets down her coffee mug and calls for your cook to make breakfast. Jay is quick to make you your morning tea. He remembers how much you hate coffee.

After the dance class your sister plans for both parties, you’re left walking around a park with Jay. He can sense something is off as you slip your hand away from his grasp.

“Y/N are you okay?”

“Do you regret last night?”

You both speak at the same time, laughing awkwardly as you gesture for one another to speak first.

“I don’t regret last night Y/N,” he pauses to grab your hand, “I actually enjoyed it very much.” His laugh fills the tension filled air between you two.

“Are you sure? I can seriously pay you if that’s what you want I mean-” a tug at your wrist stops you from finishing, Jay shakes his head at you.

“Y/N you’re a beautiful idiot,” he sighs pulling you closer, “I was joking about paying me, and if you must know I’ve never slept with a client, ever.”

“Then why did you sleep with me? Oh god did I take advantage of you in a drunken state? Oh my god Jay.”

“No you idiot, I did it because I’m attracted to you, and you’re attracted to me, we’re two consenting adults who find one another attractive so we acted on it, that’s all.”

You nod at his words, still not fully agreeing with him but there wasn’t any other explanation, you were attracted to him so just as he said, you’d acted on it, that was all.

You two spend the day getting to know one another even more, Jay tells you his likes and dislikes, mother and fathers name, how he met Jake, and more. You spend hours talking before falling asleep cuddled up on your bed, tomorrow you both had to be up early for Soohee’s final days of wedding activities, starting with a nice family get together at your parents lake house.

What happens the next day is not something Jay ever wanted to deal with. As he watches you twirl around with your friends and run through the field chasing Sunghoon surrounding the lake behind your parents house, his insides churn at the thought of what he just witnessed. Not even an hour before Jay had actually gotten your fathers approval, he sat him down and they talked for an hour, he’d told Jay the story of his first time being introduced to you as his wife’s daughter and immediately knowing you’d be someone special in his life. He recounted how not a day went by where he didn’t worry about you alone in America but when you had showed up with him, Jay, on your arm his worries dwindled at the loving looks Jay sent your way.

This was not fun anymore, the angel and devil perched on his shoulders were fighting over what to do with the information he’d learned. Either he tell you and hurt you, or he could keep it to himself and just pretend he never knew a thing. The latter sounded perfect in his mind.

“And well sometimes we find the best thing for us and you know that’s not the best thing for others, so you have to do what’s best for you as a person you know and so that’s why we as humans always pick what’s best for us, we’re pretty selfish if you think about it really.”

Looking anywhere but Heeseung you’d spotted Jay, he smiled and waved you over, quickly bidding Heeseung and his odd dialogue a goodbye you’d ran straight towards an awaiting Jay.

“You seem to be very popular today Mr.Park. First my dad and just now my mom? Something tells me they like you.”

His chuckle sends butterflies through your stomach, “Yeah they said they’re excited to welcome me to the family, something about you having a terrible ex who wasted your time for four years? Your moms words, not mine.”

“She hates his guts, glad she likes you though.”

He smiles leaning in to peck your lips, “Yeah I’m glad she likes me too, kinda plan on staying for a bit.”

“Hey lovebirds, we’re taking pictures, come here!”

The next day, is the day before the wedding and it’s just as packed as all the other days but this time it’s filled with anxiety, Soohee and Sunghoon are buzzing with anxious excitement, your parents are terrified for tomorrow and everyone is sitting anxiously awaiting to give their toast.

Soohee wanted a closed family rehearsal dinner so they’d decided today would be the day to do it.

Jay sits next to you with his left hand rubbing your thigh, he listens as your mother recounts how you and Soohee fought over a boy when you were in both in grade school, she theorizes that’s why you two have a hard time getting along. Everyone laughs at the stories spewing from both your parents, the atmosphere is almost perfect. Perfect however, does not exist within this realm of people.

“Hey babe, I’m gonna go get more wine, don’t miss me too much.” You whisper to Jay standing and walking off towards the wine cellar.

A pair of footsteps catches your attention and when you turn around you spot Heeseung.

“I feel like I owe you an explanation.”

“Heeseung, relax. It’s fine. I promise.”

“I just feel like I should tell you that, god this is so fucking hard.”

“Did you know, I actually brought Jay to make you jealous, to torture you for the week, but then I don’t know, something happened and now I’m just so freaking happy with him. He makes me so happy honestly, and if we’re being honest Hee, I am so tired of this, of me and you. I’m ready to move on for good so let’s just go back upstairs and enjoy the rest of the evening.”

The weight on your shoulders feels lifted, you’d been wanting to finally feel free from Heeseung for months now and finally you were able to do it. Finally you could be happy and be with-

“I slept with Soohee, Y/n. I slept with your sister and I think I’m in love with her. It was two years ago, I just couldn’t hold it in anymore, that’s why I broke up with you, and then after we broke up we keep sleeping with each other for a few months. We stopped because of you, we knew it was wrong.”

“Can you please say something Y/N. Please just say anything please.” His pleas pierced your ears.

The wine cellar had begun to spin, the second he’d first told you, the room went dark and you couldn’t breathe properly. What the fuck just happened. Heeseung and Soohee slept together? He had cheated on you with your sister? He was in love with her.

Walking out the cellar Heeseung followed quickly behind, soon enough you’d made it back outside to the dinning area, Karina spotted you two and smiled wide but it soon dropped at your demeanor.

“Oh my god he told you didn’t he.”

“You knew?”

“Y/N I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry Y/N.”

“You sound just like him.”

“I promise it’s not like that Y/N-“

“Y/N?” Soohee’s voice pierces through the air around you and you know she knows what’s happening.

“Y/N please listen to me,” she tries resting her hand on your shoulder but you push her off, “Y/N please don’t say anything to Sunghoon. Please, I’m begging you.”

Strong arms pull you into them and you’re quick to hug him back. Jay feels like a breath of fresh air in the seemingly smog filled venue.

“I can’t believe you told her!” Soohee shouts as Jay stills in your arms and your world crashes all over again.

Jay watches as you take a step away from him, pushing him towards the others who’d betrayed your trust. His heart aches at the look you send him, he knows he’s fucked up, he’s fucked up really bad.

He chases after you as you walk away from the venue, he needs to make things right.

After the talk with your dad, Jay realized he’d forgotten the sun hat you’d asked him to bring outside for you so he trudged back inside to grab it but loud arguing distracted him. Being the gentleman he was, Jake liked to call him that at least, he walked over to the room to see what was happening and standing before him he saw Soohee and Heeseung. The arguing continued as he stepped into view of them.

“I love you Soohee, I miss us, I miss you.”

“Heeseung no. I love Sunghoon, we slept together for a few months but that is all it ever was. I am getting married to Sunghoon, your best friend.”

“You don’t think I know that? It kills me to see you with him!”

Jay is left speechless, your ex Heeseung and your very own sister, had slept together. He had to get away from them both, now.

“Jay? How long have you been standing there.” Soohee’s voice broke him out his thoughts and when he looked back up Heeseung was gone.

“I don’t know what you heard but it’s in the past Jay, it’s not important anymore, please just stay out of it, it doesn’t involve you.” She pushes past him out the door he’s standing next to. Jay is left wondering what to do with the information he’s just been presented..

“You knew and you didn’t tell me? How could you do that to me Jay?”

“What did you want me to say? It’s harder than it seems Y/N.”

“You lied to me. But I guess I should have expected that since that’s what you do. That’s who you are Jay, you’re a liar.”

“Really Y/N? Should I remind you that you hired me. You hired me to be your boyfriend, you’re paying me.”

“You’re right. I paid six thousand dollars for a lie and in the end I’m the only one coming out a fucking fool.”

“Hate me all you want Y/N, but it’s time you get over this Heeseung thing, you’re dragging it out, maybe now though, once you move on from Heeseung, you can cry over our relationship long enough and let it ruin your next one too.”

“Y/N? I came to say thank you for not outing me to Sunghoon today. I’m going to tell him, I just don’t want to tell him the night before our wedding.”

“You’re smart Soohee, telling him after the wedding allows you to trap him, because you know the minute he finds out you fucked his best friend repeatedly behind his back he’ll want to leave, but he won’t be able to because he’s married to you.”

“Don’t worry Soohee, your wedding tomorrow will be perfect. I’ll smile for the camera and keep my mouth shut but after tomorrow I never want to see or speak to you again. I hope you have a happy marriage built on the lies you created. Sunghoon deserves better then you’ll ever be able to give him.” Soohee’s quiet sobs lessen as she leaves the room. Finally you had some peace.

The day of the wedding felt like a blur, you’d woken up early to get your hair and makeup done, smiling when needed and laughing at whatever the bridal party said. It felt like you were a shell of nothing in your own body. Soohee tossed glance after glance at you, looking away quickly when you’d catch her. She’d never been one to like when people were upset with her and you knew it was driving her crazy to not know what you were thinking. Truth be told at any moment you could call up Sunghoon and tell him the truth, but a voice of reason seemed to still be lingering in your mind and it made you hope she’d do the right thing, tell him before the wedding continued, yet so far it didn’t seem like she’d be doing that.

Everyone rushed around the wedding chapel to get things in order, photographers and other vendors Soohee had hired ran around finding their places to make sure the day went as planned but the nerves in her stomach just wouldn’t go away. The echo of your words rattled in her mind, would she really be trapping Sunghoon? She knew if it were her, she’d want an out. She cursed you in her head as she made the decision to do the right thing, he deserved to know at least. Hopefully he’d be able to forgive her, hopefully he still wanted her.

Jay thinks whatever god is looking down on him right now is probably laughing his ass off at his suffering. He knows he shouldn’t have snapped back at you, especially not with the state of mind you had been in. It fucking broke him to hear your sobs as he turned away from you. On top of all that, now he was just going to up and leave you. He’d bought a plane ticket back home last night after talking to Sunghoon. He didn’t spill any descriptive details, and had told him a less intense version of your fight. Sunghoon laughed in his face and told him he was just in love. Jay told him to fuck off and shut up.

As he drove down the roads of the rural Korean countryside, thoughts filled his mind. He brought the car to a stop and contemplated what to do. On one hand, he had a plane ticket and his suitcases packed to go back home right now but on the other, all he had to do was turn around, pray you’d forgive him, apologize, and admit that Sunghoon was right.

Pulling him from his thoughts was the man himself, speak of the devil and he shall appear apparently. Jay looked up to find Sunghoon chasing after a very scared looking Heeseung. Someone had finally told him then, that was good. He watched as Sunghoon tackled Heeseung and they rolled down a hill. Heeseung escaped and continued running, never looking back. Sunghoon on the other hand stopped to catch his breath, catching sight of Jay in his car. He waved him down and hopped into the seat next to him.

“I love Soohee, I really do. I’m going to forgive her, she said they slept together before we officially got together and it stopped once I asked her out. I just wanted to beat his ass because he hurt Y/N.”

Jay nodded as Sunghoon rambled on about how insane Heeseung was for ever doing what he did to you. He blamed them both but he could only poor his anger out on Heeseung right now.

“Do you think I’m crazy for taking her back? For still wanting to marry her?”

“No, you love her, anyone can see. I think she’s obviously sorry, she could have not told you and just made you marry her but she gave you a choice and came clean. When you love someone you have that kind of courage, and you let others dictate your life for you even if one of the outcomes could ruin you forever.” As Jay spoke aloud to Sunghoon reality set in, he needed to go back to you, to apologize for his mistakes, to show you he loved you and accepted you and anything you decided he was worthy of having.

“Looks like we’ve got a wedding to go back to then, and I’m out a best man so what do ya say?”

Jay smiled and nodded at Sunghoon.

“Hell yeah man, let’s go.”

Seeing you again felt surreal, it made Jay’s heart beat a million times per minute. You looked gorgeous in the bridesmaids dress Soohee had picked for you, your hair beautifully styled to perfectly match you. Jay had never felt this happy, he’d never felt so excited to do something.

As Sunghoon had ran past you, Jay jogged up to you, pulling you into a kiss, he’d been wanting to kiss you again for so long, he melted within the first second of it.

“God Y/N, you have no idea how fucking sorry I am, I love you and I should have told you about Heeseung and Soohee, I just couldn’t bring myself to break your heart. I never want to be the one to hurt you, I love you so damn much, I’d rather give you up then hurt you. I know it hasn’t been long but I feel like we’ve known each other for years. I want to take you on a date, a real one, and I want to be your boyfriend, your real boyfriend, not one you rented for a week, and I need you to know that I’ll take anything you want to give me, I didn’t mean what I said yesterday, you didn’t ruin anything. Hell I’m the one ruining things. I just need you to know I care about you.”

“I realized today that I could never do what I did without you this past week. You are quite literally the best fake boyfriend anyone could ask for. I want to have you to myself Jay, don’t want to share you with anyone else, I’m done sharing. I want you to be mine, but really mine, not for a week, for a lifetime.”

“Glad we’re on the same page beautiful. We can talk more when we have the time but right now we have to head inside, I’m sorta the best man.”

Epilogue

Jay has you pressed against his kitchen counter attacking your neck when banging on his apartment door brings you both out of the lovestruck trance you’re currently in.

“Open up you fucker!”

Jay rolls his eyes at the voice clearly recognizing it immediately, but as he goes to open the door it flies open, hitting the back wall.

“Why’d you quit rent-a-boyfriend? Bro you were literally number one! I know I said I wanted to steal it from you but I didn’t mean that way idiot.”

“You can ask her why I deleted it.” He replies, pointing towards your direction.

Now standing and properly dressed, you wave at the man before you, he seems just as confused as you are.

“Pretty girl, this is my best friend Jake, and Jake this is my girlfriend Y/N.” A smile spreads across Jake’s face and he’s quick to pull you into a hug.

“Oh dude! You should have just said that! I see why now, what a dog! She’s way to pretty for you by the way.”

“Thanks Jake, I know I am but he’s a good kisser so I keep him around.”

“I like her already! Wanna go get some lunch? On me of course to celebrate you finding a girl who actually likes you and isn’t paying you to date her.”

“Deal, but just so you know, I did pay him to date me. Not anymore though.”

Jake’s mouth hangs open as you walk past him to grab your shoes, he’s astonished that someone as gorgeous as you needed to pay for a date. Jay sends him a look and promises to explain at lunch as he chases after you.

Jake would never admit it out loud but he’s happy Jay’s finally found someone to make him happy and the smile on your faces just shows him how right you are for one another.

Three years later he’s proven right as he opens up the envelope addressed to him. It’s an invitation that reads –

“You are happily invited to the wedding of Jay Park and Y/N L/N on the 31st of October, at three o’clock. Please join them for this amazing celebration!”

coco’s love note: ahhh and that’s a wrap on the wedding date! I really hope you all enjoyed it, honestly it was really fun to write especially coming up with things to fit the characters I chose for this fic in specific :) it was hard making heeseung the bad ex but he was the perfect fit 😭 and i love jay being the ml like he’s perfect for rom-coms!! anyways, I hope you enjoyed this fic and as always, feedback & reblogs are always appreciated <3

[elle4228]

Look how cute he is; anyway, I've got a Kylo Ren x reader fic I'm working on that I wrote the first chapter for in December and then got super busy. But! I'm back now and chapter 2 should be done by tomorrow. I have massive, very self-indulgent plans for this fic🤞

That being said a little bit about it under the cut.

• Reader is from Earth and chose to join a First Order doctor she helped who had crash landed.

• She decided to leave her life behind mainly to get away from a crazy ex-boyfriend who wouldn't leave her alone, but also because she wanted that experience for herself (who wouldn't??)

• Either way, she ends up working under this doctor for 3 years before the story takes place. Puts reader in her mid-20s or so.

• Cliche, I'm sure you know where this is going, she's tasked with helping Kylo after Rey rocks his shit in TFA.

• Reader pulls no punches; I pull no punches. She's bitchy, she's cunty, she's delusional, she's dramatic, and she's a major man hater because what's the point of fanfiction if it's not self-indulgent?

• Best friends with Hux, she waltzes in unannounced to complain or gossip or talk about Taylor Swift (love of my life😔😔)

• Hux will 100% be a Swifty

• He thinks Reader is annoying at first but they end up 🤞 and he starts talking to her too

• I'm gonna give him a cute little boyfriend that Reader instigates

• On that note Bisexual!Reader

• Slowest slow burn EVER it will be agonizing but don't worry I'll add all the little scenes that everyone eats up in a slow burn, the tension will be unmatched

• Kylo? mean at first, for sure, but so is the reader. He'll warm up to her, start asking questions when she won't shut up instead of telling her to be quiet and do her job

• His puppy dog eyes will be entirely unreasonable but who doesn't love a tortured soul

• Reader will eventually be assigned as his personal medic and will go on missions with him which leads to a lot of chapters based around planet exploration, I have a LOT of ideas for that

• Might get raunchy, might get philosophical, maybe a little personal idk I just went through a breakup and had just been through a different breakup when I planned this fic and both guys were EVIL‼️‼️ beware Reader will be working through it and so will I

• on that note self indulgent Protective!Kylo 🤭

• Reader's mother is wonderful, ride or die bitch

• Reader's father is mostly absent

• Expect lots of cute scenes, character development, and angst because I LOVE angst.

• You thought the planet exploration would be safe? 😬 you would be wrong

• It'll verrrry loosely follow TLJ and will be a spread-out timeframe

• Jealous!Reader who is crazy and out of pocket but only because I am

I'll be posting on AO3, you can read it here if you're interested!

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

Day 2: Fire/Ice

Prompt list

 Pt. 2 of The Empire of Samadhi AU

Pt. 1 | Pt.2 (you are here) | Pt. 3

(This is day 2 of the Monkie Destiny Challenge Prompt Month October 2023)

Wordcount: 4k (this one got away from me a little)

Summary: Red Son is the son of an old empire, Mei is the daughter of a new one. Red Son, consumed by fire, was put into an induced stasis sleep to stop the world from burning until his family can find a way to safely remove the fire. They find a way but he never wakes up. Hundreds of years later he awakes to discover his power resides within another as she stares at him with wide eyes on fire. 

Red Son and Mei set off on a journey to separate the Fire from its current vessel. They travel through the desolate wasteland that was once both their homes. In the ashes, Fire meets Ice once again.

They started towards the fire at dawn. 

Red Son attempted to think his own thoughts, but it was difficult to do with The Dragon King of the West’s descendant’s incessant chattering in his ear. 

300 years. 

He had been trapped, slumbering without end for 300 years. He was in turmoil. Of course he was in turmoil, why wouldn’t he be? He had been trapped, his Father’s Empire was gone, replaced by the Empire of the West Sea, a part of which had been practically vaporized by fire--his fire that someone else was wielding as their own. 

I will return for you, his father had said. 

Liar, Red Son wanted to snarl. 

They took his fire and they left him buried underground in a tomb of their making. They were likely dead. 

And this descendant of the Dragon of the West.. Wouldn’t. Stop. Talking. 

“Would you shut up for five minutes,” he finally snapped at her.

She beamed at him. “Nope!” Then off she went, chattering again like she was determined to talk him into insanity. 

“I can’t wait to melt the flesh from your bones,” he snarled. 

“Sure, sure,” said Mei lightly. “When do you think we’ll get to your fancy temple?” 

“If you’ve given me the right information, we should be there within a week,” Red Son told her. If he had his fire he could be there in no less than two days, but this idiot had no idea how to wield it and he wasn’t about to give her an idea on how lest she get attached. 

“Sounds good, Mr. The Demon.” 

“Your highness would suit me just fine.” 

“HA!” said Mei. “No.” She then changed the subject back to some nonsense Red Son wouldn’t admit to not understanding. 

If Red Son could, he would have burned her hair off. 

He dragged his hand down his face with a long sound, something between a groan and a sigh. Maybe both at once. He watched her as she walked, then glanced at the fire in the distance. 

The Demon of Samadhi…

He wouldn’t deny it had a certain ring to it. A title accurate to his greatness and power. He supposed the Emperor of Samdhi would have suited him better, but he could adjust that later. Later, when he dominated the current empire. It was in shambles due to the fires anyway, it wouldn’t be too difficult to take over once he retrieved his fire from its current vessel. And he would create an Empire far greater than Father and Mother ever managed. 

“Hey, Mr. Grumpy Face,” Mei said, tearing him out of his thoughts abruptly. 

“What?” he snapped. 

“Fire can be blue right?” 

“Of course it can,” he snorted. “My fire is blue when its at its hottest-” 

“Ohhh okay cool,” Mei said, interrupting him and ignoring his explanation completely to his annoyance. She was staring at something. “Good to know then.” 

“What are you looking at?” he seethed, coming up beside her, following her gaze until his eyes fell on what had caught her attention. 

There was a line of blue in the distance. It… seemed to be moving, but not as was common with a forest fire. Red Son may have been thrust into a new world, but it was not so new that he could not recognize fire when he saw it. And this was not fire. 

And it was getting bigger. 

“Dragon girl,” he said. “That is not fire.” 

“Oh,” said Mei. “I didn’t think it was.” Her voice was more tense than before. 

Red Son turned his head to her. The rings hovering above her head had lit up, deep red flames flickering dangerously with each breath she took. He glanced down to see her hands clenched at her sides. 

“A friend of yours?” Red Son asked, dryly. 

Steam came from her eyes, startling him a bit. 

“I don’t know,” she whispered. 

He blinked. Then scoffed. “Pull yourself together then. If we’re to battle whatever that thing is, you will have to handle it until I’m able to retrieve my fire.” 

“But-” Mei started. 

“But nothing,” Red Son snapped, folding his arms. “You have my fire. You will fight.” 

“I-I can’t,” Mei said, looking down at her hands, her voice small. “I don’t… I can’t.” 

“Of course you can’t,” Red Son scoffed. “Did you think it would be easy to control my fire, that I spent nearly twenty years of my life creating? You don’t need to control it. Just aim it in the direction of your opponent and my fire will do the rest.” 

“N-no,” Mei choked out. “You don’t understand, I can't.” 

Red Son rolled his eyes. “And why is that, peasant?” 

“It’s Mk.” 

“Who in this blasted world is Mk-?” 

Ice exploded in front of them.

The sheer force of impact from it blasted them backwards a good twenty feet. The second impact that came from Red Son’s landing on his back knocked the breath out of him and left him with the taste of ash in his mouth when it kicked up a large amount of it. He coughed and pushed himself to sit up, glancing back at what had hit them. 

Mei sat just a few feet ahead looking up at someone. 

“You idiot!” Red Son coughed. “Destroy them already!” 

“Oh my, Xiǎojiāo,” came a sickly sweet voice that sent chills down Red Son’s spine. “You seem to have made another friend.” 

It took him a moment to see where the voice was coming from. An older woman. Not old but not exactly young either. She was ghostly pale with white hair. She had an ageless sort of appearance and her eyes were what had him on edge. They were empty pools of cold black. 

“Dragon girl, just kill these fools already,” he spat, brushing himself off as he stood up. “We have places to be.” 

Mei didn’t respond so he glanced her way and found she had not moved from her seat amongst the ash and dirt and was still staring up at the person looming over her. The fire on the rings grew larger, reflecting the anguish of their current vessel, but they did not touch the figure. 

“What is wrong with you?” Red Son snapped. 

“Oh, what a funny one you are,” the white lady giggled. It was annoying. “You must be new. I do wonder how you managed to survive so close to the fire.” 

Red Son scoffed. “Fire does not scare me, Witch.” 

Her smile sharpened. “My words… always wasted on you mere mortals. Is that any way to address the savior of this new land?” 

Red Son threw back his head and laughed. It was a shrieking cackle he’d practiced in front of the mirror when he was young and in front of his enemies when he was older. It was carefully crafted until it grated on their spines and sent hot and cold flashes through them until they sweat.  

“You?” he snorted. “New? Witch, this land is old. Older than her and older than you. You are no savior. You are no ruler. I will be the ruler of this pathetic world, and you are nothing but ashes under my feet.” 

“Such arrogance… How unfortunate you did not die with the rest of them.” 

“Dragon girl, if you could please incinerate this witch-” 

He realized Mei still wasn’t paying him any attention. For the first time he bothered to get a good look at what had her on her knees. 

Blue eyes were the first thing he noticed. Fully blue. From the whites of this young man's eyes to his pupils they were engulfed in a glowing, empty blue. His head was tilted down at Mei, but it was clear he was seeing nothing. His clothes were in dull blues and whites, perfectly pressed, a mix between what looked like the armor of a warrior and the clothes of a servant. He looked startlingly pristine, like a life-sized doll, he would have looked nearly perfect were it not for the burns stretching across his skin. 

Steam rose from Mei’s eyes as she kneeled at his feet. 

“I’m sorry,” she whispered. 

Red Son pinched the bridge of his nose. Of course he was stuck with someone who felt bad for burning people. Of course his fire’s vessel was going to be absolutely useless. 

“Dragon Girl!” he snapped loudly. 

She jolted and glanced at him. Her expression as anguished as the fire above her had warned him of.  

“Pull yourself together,” he hissed. “If you want to stop this fire you’ve created you'll burn this woman to ashes so we can move on before the rest of your precious empire is burned to the ground.” 

“I can’t,” she said again, brokenly repeating herself. “He’s my friend.” 

Red Son scoffed. “Not anymore it seems.” 

“Oh you foolish boy,” the white lady said. “You do not know these children at all.” 

“Call me boy again and I will kill you myself.” 

“I can’t,” Mei choked again. “He’s my best friend-” 

Red Son groaned. “You and your sentimentality.” He stormed over to her. Mei did nothing to resist as he grabbed her arm and dragged her to her feet, his fire licking across his arm harmlessly. “If you’re going to be this useless in fighting, how do you expect to win?” 

Mei shook her head. She wouldn’t look at him so he grabbed her face and forcefully turned it to him. 

“Hey-” she choked and he ignored her. 

Quiet and hushed so the woman wouldn’t hear him, he spoke. “If you want to free your friend you will burn him.” 

Mei gaped at him. “Killing him is not freeing-!” 

“You’re not listening,” Red Son hissed, tightening his grip. “Mine is the fire of Samadhi. It requires focus and calm to wield, it is cleansing. If you control it properly you can burn her out of him. Do you understand?” 

Mei’s eyes were wide. “You mean…I can save him?” 

Red Son released her face with a scoff. He folded his arms across his chest. “If you want to call it that.” 

Mei didn’t seem to hear him at all, talking to herself more than him now. “I can save him.” 

“Yes, yes-” 

She grabbed his face with both her hands, cutting him off and startling him. His cheeks were squished and he flailed, unable to escape her crushing grip. 

“How do I do it?” 

Red Son choked. “Let go of me you peasant-” 

“How do I do it?” she said again, fire flickering in her eyes, something dangerous and almost rageful, an insanity he recognized all too well seeing in reflections before mirrors melted before him. 

“That’s enough of that,” the white lady said, sounding bored. 

The young man lunged. 

Red Son had only had a moment to choke out a warning. 

Mei, with reflexes that rivaled his own, shoved him by his face into the ground and threw herself out of the way. 

Once again, he was greeted with the taste of ash and dust on his tongue. 

“Kill him,” Red Son heard the white lady say as he coughed. His head shot up in time to see empty blue eyes and a fist headed straight for him. 

Red Son sunk his hand into the dusty ashy ground, gripping any non-melted pebbles and dirt and ash he could and threw it with all his might into the young man's eyes and rolled out of the way. 

The young man landed where Red Son had been a moment before, with his arm over his eyes. No pained sound escaped him, but it was clear the sensation of ash and dirt in his eyes was unpleasant. 

“Careful!” Mei cried out at him, a flicker of fury in her voice. “You’ll hurt him!” 

Red Son spluttered. “He’s the one trying to kill me-” 

“Just tell me how to save him!” Mei yelled at him, flames covering her until she was completely engulfed. 

“Just grab him!” Red Son yelled back. 

“I’ll burn him!” 

“That’s the point!” 

He sidestepped a punch that the young man blindly threw at him. He wasn’t exactly slow, and Red Son was no longer exactly fast, but he at least had the upper hand due to temporarily blinding his opponent. He grabbed his wrist tightly before throwing him at the white lady who was standing just above them upon her throne of ice. Her eyes widened in alarm and she moved out of the way, so fast Red Son nearly didn’t see it. 

Mei’s friend crashed into the ice. 

“CAREFUL,” Mei roared. 

“SHUT UP,” Red Son roared back. 

It was clear the white lady didn’t want Red Son to tell Mei how to free her friend from her grasp. If Mei wasn’t holding back like a fool for her friend, the witch would have been incinerated by now and she knew it. The lady wasn’t giving Red Son any openings to explain the effort and focus required for such a task of burning away possession. 

He growled in annoyance. There was one thing she couldn’t stop. But he wasn't sure it would work. Still, he lunged to grab Mei’s wrist. 

The moment their skin made contact the ice and ashes around them vanished.

Red Son sat on the floor, his legs crossed and his fingers intertwined, shoulders relaxed and posture straight. His breathing was steady and he could feel his fire rising and falling with it. It burned through every part of his flames flickering across his skin. 

It found the curses left on him by those he had destroyed, whispered in their last breaths of life, promises of hauntings and revenge, and wishes of a restless existence pushed upon him before he’d silenced them for good.  

His fire burned away influences from the last few weeks, the souls of those that he destroyed that were still clinging to him were wiped from his skin and banished from their haunting into the underworld. 

The curses floated away like embers and ashes. 

A little bit of himself burned away with them. 

He opened his eyes. 

Mei gasped, tearing her arm away from him again. 

“What was that?” She demanded.  

“Don’t ask stupid questions,” Red Son snapped. “You should know what to do now, so burn them.”

Mei glanced down at her hands. 

Red Son glanced at where her friend was pulling himself up from the ice. 

“What have you done?” the white lady demanded. 

“Nothing,” Red Son grinned, baring his teeth at her. “I simply gave a quick lesson.” 

He could feel when Mei inhaled next to him. His fire reacting and growing brighter. Red Son could feel it steady. 

“Kill him,” the white lady ordered Mei’s friend, her voice tinged with more urgency than before. 

Red Son simply stood, arms folded smugly, watching Mei’s friend grow closer in his charge. 

Mei moved in front of him just before he reached him, intercepting her friend and wrapping her arms and her flames around him. 

The screaming started. 

It was a familiar sound to Red Son, but likely not to the current vessel of his fire. 

“Keep it together, Dragon Girl!” Red Son shouted at her through the noise of the crackling flames that engulfed the entire area. 

The white lady and the young man screamed in a chorus of agony.  

Red Son could feel Mei’s determination faltering, the flames flickering and threatening to dig into her friend's flesh on their own.

“I am not your coach, Dragon Girl,” Red Son yelled. “Either do it or don’t, you fool! Pick one!” 

“Shut up!” Mei shouted back. 

“Don’t speak to me like that-” 

He felt when something clicked into place. It was enough to startle him into silence. 

Mei exhaled. 

The fire around her flickered. Her eyes were squeezed shut with concentration. The fire was loud and roaring. 

Red Son watched in surprise as it flickered from red to green. 

“How-” 

There was an explosion of light and flame. The white lady was blasted backwards. Red Son shielded his eyes, the green flame feeling different than the red, unfamiliar. Not his. 

What was she doing to his fire? 

The flames died down. Slowly they lashed and fluttered until they faded and the only fire left was over Mei’s head on the rings. His fire’s prison. 

Mei held her now limp friend in her arms. She slowly sunk to her knees and hugged him to her chest, hunched over him and gripping tightly. 

“Did-did it work?” she choked out. 

Red Son approached with a scoff. “Of course it did. It's my fire.” He grit his teeth a bit for a moment. Then he glanced up to see that the white woman and the ice that had once surrounded them was nowhere to be found. Evaporated by the fire likely. He didn't bother wondering who she was or how she was associated with his fire's vessel. It was none of his concern. Satisfied they wouldn’t be seeing her again, he turned back to Mei who remained hunched over her friend. 

“Dramatic,” he sneered. “Embracing him wasn’t necessary, you know. It would have worked just as well if you’d just stepped on his head.” 

Mei gave him an annoyed, almost threatening look, hugging her friend's head to her chest. “If you touch him I’ll-” 

“Why would I want to touch that,” Red Son snorted. “Your little friend is nothing to me. I only care about retrieving my fire.” 

“Right,” Mei said. She glanced down at her friend. Her face softened. Red Son hadn’t realized it could do that. “I’ve got you, Mk. You’re okay.” 

Red Son rolled his eyes. “Let’s get moving. We don’t have time to stand around.” 

‘But Mk-” 

“What are you too weak to carry him? He looks like he weighs less than a child.” 

“If he’s hurt I don’t want to move him,” Mei snapped at him. 

“The only thing that’s likely hurting him is how tightly you’re holding him right now. You’re practically crushing the insect.” 

That at least made her lighten her grip on the poor unconscious fool. 

“He’s not an insect,” Mei scowled. “He’s my friend.” 

“Right, sure,” Red Son snorted. “Whatever you say. Why don’t you pick up your friend so we can get a move on?” 

Mei glanced down at Mk. She was quiet for a moment. 

Red Son tapped his foot impatiently. 

“I don’t want to hurt him,” she finally said, her voice quiet. 

Red Son growled. He didn’t have time for this. “Fine then,” he said. “I’ll meet you at the temple. You can stay here and mope and cry and embrace your pathetic friend. I am not carrying him just because you’re too weak to control my fire.” 

Mei looked at him. 

Red Son folded his arms across his chest. “No.” 

A slow, almost frightening smile spread across her face. 

Red Son would sooner cut off his own hand than let anyone find out about this. 

Mei’s friend was drooling on his shoulder. His face was partially squished against Red Son’s and his arms were limp over his shoulders. Red Son’s arms were under his thighs to keep him from slipping off his back, and Mei was prancing ahead happily, weightless and without a freezing human backpack snoring in her ear. 

“I hate you,” said Red Son. “I hate you so much. I’m going to burn you both until not even your ashes exist in this world.” 

Mei completely ignored him, humming to herself as she skipped forward, swinging her arms. The rings hovered above her, a dangerous heavy air around them in contrast to her light playful gait. 

“I could drop him,” Red Son threatened. “I could throw him into a ditch.” 

“You won’t,” Mei said lightly, not even bothering to look back at him.

Red Son seethed for the rest of the walk. 

He did drop Mk when the sun started to set and his legs were strained and shaking. He released him and let him crumple to the ground unceremoniously before announcing they would stop there for the night. As it turned out, 300 years of inactivity had done a number on his physique, even with the spells freezing him in time. Something that likely would not have been a problem if he still had his fire. 

Mei bounded back to them, far too chipper for someone who’d had a heavy depressed air only a few hours prior. 

There wasn’t much to set up for a camp. There was nothing to burn, nothing to put up, only ash and dirt to lay in for softness and heavy smoke above them as a cover. 

“He’s cold,” Mei said, after Red Son had sat down with a long groan. 

“Of course he’s cold,” Red Son scoffed. “He was surrounded by ice. Not to mention being possessed. Don’t you know how anything works?”

Mei ignored him in favor of pulling her friend close and wrapping her arms around him so he was half sitting on her lap, apparently assigning herself a designated blanket.

“Can you hold him tonight?” Mei asked. 

Red Son choked. If he still had his fire his hair would have been alight instantly. “No! Why on earth would I-?” 

“I want to make sure he stays warm.” 

“So you hold him,” Red Son snapped. Outrage made him seeth. The very idea--

“I don’t want to accidentally burn him while I’m asleep,” Mei confessed quietly. She brushed some tangled hair out of her friends’ face in what Red Son could only think to describe as a tender manner. “Nightmares ‘n stuff.” 

Her actions were soft and gentle and it felt like something that should have been happening in private rather than in front of someone else. 

Red Son turned his head away with a disgusted sound. “Why don’t you keep your affection private. I didn’t know he was your betrothed.” 

Mei was startled. “What?” She shook her head furiously, as though shaking something out of her ears. “What? Gross? No? We’re not- Mk’s my best friend, we’re not courting.” 

Red Son glanced back at her, skeptically. 

“We’re not,” she said firmly, almost aggressively, hugging Mk close as if to protect him from Red Son’s observation. 

“Right,” Red Son said, sarcastically. “Silly me. Of course you’re not. That’s why you’re practically kissing him.” 

“Dude,” Mei said. “Stop. You’re being gross.” 

“You’re being gross. Save your embracing and touching for when you’re in private, or better yet for when you’re in the afterlife where I can’t see it after I incinerate you both.” 

“I’m just holding him, dude,” Mei scowled. “There’s nothing wrong with holding your friends.” 

“Is this etiquette now?” Red Son scoffed. “You are all disgusting.” 

Mei blinked. Then she laughed. “Ohhh, got it. You’re a grandpa.” 

Red Son bristled. “What?” 

“You’re a grandpa,” Mei repeated. “Old school, back-in-my-day, public displays of affection aren’t proper, neither are displays of affection between close friends, family or anyone at all in general.” 

Red Son, for some reason, felt his face heat up. “You,” Red Son said, “don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

“Sure, old man,” Mei snickered. She snuggled, pulling Mk even closer and resting her chin on top of his head. Making eye contact with him, she pressed her nose into her friend's hair. 

It was an intimate action, it was inappropriate. 

Red Son’s face exploded with heat and he stood up. “What is wrong with you-” 

“Relax,” Mei laughed. She hugged Mk, shaking with laughter hard enough that tears started to creep from her eyes. “Please, I’m just messing with you. Man. You’re funny aren’t you? Big ol’ scary Demon of Samadhi, afraid of a little affection.” 

“I am not afraid,” Red Son hissed. “You- you--ugh! Whatever.” He stormed off a good distance away before sitting down with his back turned to the lunatic he was stuck with until he could get his fire back. 

Mei giggled on and off for a while. He could hear her shift now and again, making his ears burn for some reason when he was provided with the visual of her adjusting Mk, making sure he was comfortable and warm in her arms. 

It was disgusting. 

“Are you sure you don’t want to hold him-” 

“SHUT UP!” 

Mei laughed.

| beginning | next |

[separatist-apologist]

The Fire Won't Burn Me

All I know is this could either break my heart or bring it back to life

for @elucienweekofficial

Summary: Princess Elain Archeron wants nothing more than to be reunited with her missing youngest sister and to see her father finally emerge from the fog of grief he's been living under since her mother died. When her step mother arranges for her older sister to fetch her youngest to celebrate Elain's impending engagement to a neighboring prince, it seems like she'll get her wish. That is, until her father's fearsome huntsman steps in and wrecks it all. Now she's on the run, hiding in the forest to keep herself- and her heart- intact.

In her quest to understand why someone would want her heart carved from her chest, Elain will have to reconcile what it means to truly be the fairest of them all

Read on AO3 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3

The first fall of snow marked the end of spending time outdoors. Elain woke to freezing wood floors and frosted over windows blocking out gray sunlight. Lucien had been right about the wolf pelt. Elain had given it to Jurian, who’d brought it back several days later, filled with down and big enough to cover her bed end to end.

She hadn’t even realized how cold the cottage was until she climbed from beneath the blanket. Quickly, she pulled on stockings and a dressing robe and rushed to toss more logs onto the fireplace. The cottage warmed quickly, though Elain dragged that blanket down so she could sit wrapped up on the little couch Jurian had provided with a mug of tea.

What did it say about her that she was enjoying this little break from her real life? Elain had begun to wonder, over the last month, if she couldn’t just stay. If Nesta returned, maybe…

But Nesta would know Amarantha had lied about Elain running off with a stable boy. Elain wasn’t particularly stealthy and Nesta was observant. If Elain had a secret romance, Nesta would have known, even if she wouldn’t have said something. 

It was just…Elain felt at home for the first time in her life. Once the anxiety of Amarantha finding her had worn off, peace began to settle. Her plan of finding the King of Avalon had been pushed to the very back of her mind. Was it foolish to hope she could live forever hidden within the borders of the very same woman who’d tried to kill her? Maybe. And still at night, Elain wanted it all the same. 

She wanted something else, too. Or, someone else. The same man tasked with killing her came to dinner every single night and rarely did he come empty handed. He’d eaten everything she’d ever laid before him, even when Elain knew it tasted badly. 

And he’d kissed her. Only once, and on the cheek. She froze, unsure what she was supposed to do. Nothing, as it turned out, because Lucien made no mention of it the next time he visited, nor did he ever attempt to do it again. Though, she very much wanted him to. 

If she’d been back at the palace, she might have tried to convince him to kiss her again through a little light flirting. An exposed ankle, a giggle at a remark…that was usually enough, right? But Lucien wasn’t a prince or even a nobleman, and he seemed blissfully unaware that when he came over and she’d lit only candles and her hair was perfectly curled, she was trying to stage a scene in which he pulled her in his arms and kissed her with frantic desperation. 

That was what the heroes in those books Jurian had brought her were always doing, anyway. Reality was less romantic. That didn’t stop her from trying again, practically vibrating with excitement when she heard that first knock on the door. Lucien always rapped out a familiar pattern—a little song only they knew the words to. Elain scurried for the door, smiling at him before he ever said a word. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, visible despite the thick, fur-lined hood he wore.

“Let me in,” he complained. Elain stepped out of his way, delighted when he kicked snow from his boots onto the mat rather than her floors. Even Jurian hadn’t quite managed that. Lucien pulled his cloak from his body, hanging it against a hook in the wall before shaking out his long hair. 

“I cooked,” Elain told him breathlessly. Lucien offered her a soft smile, thrusting a package between them.

“Oh yeah? What did you make? 

“A lamb roast,” she replied. Elain had worked very carefully on it, desperate for him to like her cooking—and her.  “And another apple pie.”

“Is it my birthday?” he joked, stepping around her. Elain took that moment to unwrap his parcel. 

“Is this—”

“I figured if you’re trying to wed a prince from Avalon, you might as well know their favorite dishes,” Lucien replied, grinning at the yellow bound cookbook in her hands. “I’m happy to be the person you test all these new dishes on.”

She couldn’t help herself. Elain went to him, arms thrown around his middle. “This is…this is too nice, Lucien.”

He cleared his throat, though he held her all the same, hands rubbing down her spine. “I tried to kill you, remember? It’s nothing at all.”

“I’ve forgiven you for that,” she reminded him, regretfully pulling away. She could smell her meat waiting to be cut up and served. 

“You may have, but I certainly haven’t,” he replied, following her into the kitchen. He’d taken to helping recently—doing dishes when they were finished eating or helping her cut up large slices of meat. Elain didn’t complain any more because she was beginning to suspect Lucien did those things in an effort to convince her he had his uses. 

Maybe it was wishful thinking, but sometimes she hoped he picked up the little tasks in the cottage because he wanted to be around her, too. Elain liked Lucien—liked the way he listened, how he always had a question ready to go. Lucien had an uncanny ability to make her feel both seen and heard. No one in her life had ever taken such a genuine interest in her seeds, her projects, her life. 

“You should,” she finally murmured, handing him the carving knife. Lucien shot her a sideways glance—the sort that told her to mind her own business. But forgiving himself was her business, because how else would she ever convince him to kiss her again if he was too busy punishing himself for something she never thought about?

Elain set the table, thinking of the bottle of fruit wine she’d been making. It would almost be ready…maybe for the next meal, she thought ruefully. She had handwritten notes of beer brewing and she wanted to try her hand at that, too…maybe in the Spring, when she knew what she was doing with her life.

“Any word from Nesta?” she asked instead. Elain needed Nesta to come home if she was going to remain out here, if only to pay the rent Jurian would be wanting.

“No,” Lucien replied, carving up her meat carefully. “Not a whisper.”

“And that’s good?”

Lucien had explained this a hundred times before. If Nesta was dead, their stepmother would have an explanation for why she wouldn’t be returning. Some tragedy or love story or something that would plausibly excuse Nesta from ever stepping foot in the palace again. He genuinely believed no news was good news.

But a little more than a month had passed and Elain was getting antsy. 

“Yes,” he said, laying out the meat on a dinged up serving platter. 

“What if she’s injured and no one knows?” Elain asked, mind racing through the possibilities. “Or what if—”

“Elain. Have faith,” Lucien replied gently, his eyes searching her own. “Nesta is coming back.”

She nodded. “She told me three months.”

“It hasn’t been two,” he reminded her, just as he always did. “She’ll be back—and she’ll be looking for you the second she realizes you’ve gone.”

“She’ll never believe for a second I ran off with a stable boy,” Elain joked. Lucien didn’t smile as he sat, his expression almost pained. 

“And if she returns…do you plan to abandon Avalon?” he asked her, waiting for Elain to join him. She brought out mashed potatoes and more bread, hoping to stuff him to the point he couldn’t walk. And then, she thought, she’d say Oh, Lucien, just stay the night…of course you can join me in my bed—

“Maybe,” she admitted, shaking her head of the fantasy. “Do you think it's better to go?”

Lucien shrugged, taking that first bite. An obscene groan escaped his lips, filling Elain with heat. She’d never heard him make such a sound, though she could imagine the sort of scenario in which he might. True, she had little experience with men, but she did have those third hand romance books Jurian had given her. Men were always groaning when they were well-pleased in the bedroom.

“Is it good?” she asked, leaning forward on her elbows. 

“Yes,” he said, eyes closed while he chewed. “It’s perfect.”

Elain nearly flew over the table, crawled into his lap, and kissed him for saying so. When Lucien opened his eyes, she was staring back at her plate so he wouldn’t see her every lurid, too-curious thought. 

“You didn’t answer. Do you think, if Nesta returns, I should still leave?”

“Do you think Nesta will return with an army?” he countered. 

“Maybe. That does seem like something she might do.”

Lucien took another bite, grunting softly. “I can’t make that decision for you, princess. And I’m afraid my protection can only do so much. The queen employs her black guards, as you well know. They are loyal only to her. Sometimes I worry…”

He trailed off, though his fears lingered in the air. Elain could imagine them well, as she too had given a great deal of thought about what might happen if she returned home, miscalculated, and found herself in the dungeon. 

“How is my father?”

Lucien grimaced. “The same.”

“So much has changed and yet everything feels the same,” she replied, watching Lucien spoon a mountain of potatoes on his plate. “I don’t want to go to Avalon if I don’t have to…I’d rather stay here.”

That caught his attention. “Would you marry Graysen instead?”

“No, not…I want to stay here,” she said, gesturing around her. “I think Jurian would let me if I could find some way to make money—”

“I’ll pay it,” he said, his expression slack. “If you…ah…I just mean, you don’t need to worry about money for now. I could…it’s the least I could do.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said, heart hammering in her throat. “I’m sure I could find a job—”

“I want to,” Lucien insisted, likely more guilt manifesting itself. “If you’re thinking of staying, let me help so you don’t have to worry so much.”

“What do you get out of it?” she dared to ask. Lucien’s eyes found her own.

“Your company?” he asked helplessly. “I ah…I like being around you.”

“Really?” she asked. Lucien’s cheeks darkened the prettiest shade of pink.

“Yes,” he said gruffly. “Don’t act like you don’t know that.”

“I just like hearing you admit it,” Elain replied, digging into her own food. She could feel the huntsman’s eyes on her, watching her with open suspicion but Elain didn’t care. A huff of almost laughter slipped from just behind his teeth, causing her to smile. 

“You know,” Lucien began, setting his fork down to rest a hand against his stomach, “if you’re thinking you’d like to stay, and Nesta hasn’t returned by the time spring is over, I was thinking you and I could try and track her down?”

Elain nearly screamed. “Really?” she asked. That was far more than Elain would ever dared to hope for. “You’d do that for me?”

More embarrassment stained that handsome face of his. “Sure,” he agreed, running a hand through his hair. “That’s better than seeing you marry a prince of Avalon.”

“Are you jealous?” she asked, forcing herself to sound playful rather than breathless. “Is this you finally confirming that the youngest son is impossibly handsome?”

Lucien rolled his eyes, but his cheeks were still tomato red. “I think he’d like you far more than I would appreciate.”

Elain could scarcely breathe. “So you are jealous?”

Lucien steepled his finger tips against his mouth. “What if I was?”

Elain didn’t know. She’d never gotten this far in her daydreams. Lucien either was overcome with desire and words weren’t necessary, or he admitted he had feelings for her and then reverted back to being passionately overwhelmed by his need for her. In real life, Lucien continued to sit in his chair, staring her down with an expression that practically dared her to say something.

And Elain found herself suddenly bashful. Blinking, she stood so abruptly that her knee collided with the underside of the table. Lucien backed away, eyes wide with surprise

“Pie,” she breathed, needing something to occupy her hands with. “I’ll—”

“Elain,” he called, but she’d already scurried to the kitchen. He could see her, of course. Elain felt Lucien’s eyes on her as she busied herself with more cutlery and plates. She heard the scraping of chair legs against the wood floor and the soft thudding steps of his boots as he came to her.

His fingers brushed the sides of her arms, clad in that blue bodice and nothing else. “I am jealous,” he whispered, curling those same fingers over just above her elbow. “That prince wouldn’t know what to do with you.”

Elain couldn’t breathe again. “And you do?” she dared to ask, her back colliding with the solid warmth of his chest. She swore she could hear his heart thudding in her ears, drowning out everything else. 

“Want to find out?”

Elain turned, forcing herself to face him. If she couldn’t look him in the eye, what business did she have asking him for anything? “Yes,” she whispered, tilting her chin so if he wanted, he could kiss her. Elain could do many, many things.

But she refused to make that first move. Lucien blinked at her, staring like he was only just seeing her for the first time. For one horrible second, Elain was certain she’d taken it too far and Lucien was trying to let her down easy. That he’d tell her he didn’t want to be around her anymore.

And then he sighed, the sound so similar to the groan from dinner that Elain started a little. Whispering, “Thank the gods,” Lucien threaded one of his large hands in her hair and pulled her closer. Elain had to surge up on her tiptoes to meet him even as he hunched, their lips colliding with the same frantic hunger she’d been dreaming about.

It was far better than anything her stories promised. His mouth was soft, his fingers warm Elain pressed her palm flat against his chest, sliding up the buttons of his tunic to his exposed neck. She only wanted to touch a little skin, to feel his heart jumping against the hollow of his throat. 

One kiss became two, became a third, until Elain was too dizzy and breathless to count. She couldn’t think, drowning in the warmth of his lips, of the masculine scent of him burning pleasantly just inside her nose. Lucien’s tongue slid from behind his teeth, tracing her bottom lip.

Open, she swore he asked. When Elain opened her eyes, though, his were closed shut, his face one of pure bliss. He liked this, she realized with awe. He wanted her. Nothing could have pleased her more.

Elain did as he wanted on that next kiss, parting her lips just to see what might happen. She had kissed other men before—boys, too, when she’d been younger. She wasn’t unfamiliar with the concept of a tongue in her mouth. In fact, Elain distinctly remembered it being too wet and a little gross. The experience had been just that—an experience she hadn’t been keen to repeat. But she also remembered how her mind had been racing the entire time, cataloging everything happening with near clinical interest. 

Lucien’s tongue darted forward, licking her own. His rumbled groan settled in her flipping, excited stomach, pulling her closer still as she tamped down the urge to rub her body against his own. And the next time his tongue came back, Elain was quick to meet him. Lucien tasted like rosemary and salt and something else—something distinct and wholly him. 

She couldn’t hide her own squeaky moan. Lucien fisted her curls tighter, wrapping his other arm against her waist to hoist her not onto the kitchen counter, but up against his body. Vaguely, Elain was aware he was walking her somewhere. Did it make her wanton to wish he was taking her to bed?

Maybe not. Lucien merely took her to the couch, dropping against the soft yellow cushion so she was straddling his lap. Here she could touch him like she wanted without worrying she’d fall over and lose her balance. Immediately, Elain took advantage of their positions, running her hands down the flat plains of his broad chest. 

Still wishing for skin. That was too forward, though, and too soon. Even as Lucien’s own hand spanned her backside, the other cupping her jaw tenderly—like she was special. Elain moaned again, unable to stop herself. Everything felt brand new and wildly exciting. 

Elain felt like she could do anything she liked and Lucien would allow it. And when she rolled her hips, searching for something that could alleviate the ache growing between her legs, Lucien groaned loudly. 

“Do that again,” he panted, adjusting himself so she when she did grind herself against him, she found proof of his own arousal waiting to greet her. Good. Elain felt rebellious, felt like the kind of person who could rub herself against a man with no expectations

Of course, it meant if she did have to marry that Prince of Avalon, she’d have to lie to him. Before, Elain would have found that intolerable, but now the only intolerable thing was not having Lucien. He lifted his hips to meet her in a frenzy of movement, until they were all lips and tongue and teeth. This was exactly what she’d been imagining, but better because it was happening. He was touching her, his fingers gripping her thighs to pull her closer until he skimmed her bare skin beneath her dress.

Inching closer and closer to where she was both terrified to let him touch and desperate for contact. She might have told him so, but that would have meant she had to stop kissing him and Elain didn’t know that she could. His mouth was addictive and the way he touched her seemed to make each kiss more pleasurable. Elain suddenly understood how the kitchen girls were always getting pregnant when she was a girl—she was ready to throw caution to the wind, too.

Especially when Lucien’s careful, clever fingers began rubbing lazy circles against her inner thigh, each pass coming higher and higher with what laid between them. She could have stopped him—Elain had the feeling Lucien was taking his time in an attempt to gauge if she wanted him to touch her or not.

Throwing caution to the wind, Elain pressed herself closer, until his hand was cupping her through her thin undergarment.

“Spread your legs, princess,” Lucien groaned, dragging his teeth against the sensitive skin of her neck. “Show me how wet you are.”

Panting, Elain did as he asked as best she could, given she was still in his lap and unwilling to move. Lucien rubbed a soft circle through the material, drawing a whimper from Elain’s throat. She watched his eyes flutter shut, saw how his lips parted to suck in his own ragged breath of air. 

“Very wet,” he managed before making another pass. “Is this what you need, Elain?”

Another soft touch, dulled by the fabric separating their skin. Elain bucked, trying to get him to move it but Lucien’s free hand stilled her. Elain could feel his cock pressed against the curve of her ass, jumping slightly when he touched again.

“Do you touch yourself when I’m not around?” Lucien continued, drawing his face closer so the words were spoken against her cheek. “Do you think about me?”

“Yes,” she said, too far gone to lie. 

His fingers curled around the fabric just how she’d hoped, slipping beneath without bothering to remove them at all.

“I want you to ride my hand,” he told her, holding her gaze with impossibly dark eyes. “I want you to make a mess of me.”

The pad of his thumb had begun making lazy passes against her slick cunt, teasing around her clit without ever touching it. Elain would have done anything he said so long as he kept touching her, and so she nodded.

Lucien kissed her again, slower than before. Certain he was trying to match his tongue to his fingers, Elain allowed herself to indulge in the feeling. To give in to what he was offering and take what she wanted, even if it was selfish. 

“That’s it,” Lucien groaned, his own hips bucking upward. Elain writhed against him until finally he was rubbing her just where she wanted. Still teasing, his fingers dipping toward her entrance to push slightly just inside before dragging the slick arousal back up to her clit, over and over until Elain moaned mindlessly. 

“Please,” she begged him, unable to articulate anything else. He knew, though. Lucien knew what she wanted and rather than speed himself up, he slowed down. Dragging her out, letting her build close enough to that edge before pulling her back. Over and over, until he looked like he wanted to die, too. Elain couldn’t stop herself, rolling her hips against his hand just like he’d asked her to. She was certain his fingers must be coated and told herself that was what he wanted.

She didn’t need to feel embarrassment or shame. Elain kissed Lucien, tongue invading his mouth. Distracted, Lucien’s fingers didn’t pull away when she built that last time. His focus lay on her lips against his and his own grinding erection he so desperately needed her to touch. She could have told him she would if he’d let her come if she’d wanted to pull away.

She didn’t. And Lucien continued his precise, tight circles until Elain did break the kiss, body jerking as her gathering release finally ignited like flame, engulfing her with pleasure. She couldn’t make any noise at all, her hand fisted in his shirt to keep herself from flying into a million little pieces. 

“That’s it,” Lucien managed, his voice as broken as she felt. “Take what you need.”

What she needed was him, though she didn’t dare say so. Pleasure dragged on and on, coming over her in waves until her locked muscles finally spasmed, letting her collapse against him.

Luicen pressed a kiss to her forehead, his heart hammering loudly against her cheek. He pulled his hand away while she watched, sliding those fingers into his mouth to taste her. It was obscene—it should have disgusted her.

The sight convinced her to pull at the laces of his pants. 

“Elain—” he tried, reaching for her wrists but Elain swatted him away.

“Fair is fair,” she replied. She wanted to give him something, too—and curiosity made her want to see him. She’d only read about the male appendage but Elain had been too sheltered to ever truly see one. Even that serving boy she’d once kissed, who’d wanted to show it to her, had become too spooked and changed his mind.

But Lucien was a living, breathing man who’d just made her come with his fingers and Elain thought she deserved to see him in all his glory. Once he realized she wanted to touch him, his protests died in favor of lifting his hips so she could shuck his pants to his knees. His cock sprang free, large and thick and swollen, and perhaps most thrilling of all, coated in fluid right against its slitted tip.

Lucien watched her grip him at the base, the appendage resting against his stomach proudly. Elain had logistical questions—would the whole thing fit in her body? Or would he only manage half? And did that bother him? She’d certainly try—she wanted to try, but maybe first with her hand. 

“Elain—” Lucien broke off, choking slightly when she made that first pass up the length of him.

“Like this, right?” she asked, careful to make her eyes big and innocent. Just in case he didn’t like the experience, or would have been put off knowing how she spent her time at night when he wasn’t around. 

“Gods,” Lucien panted, head thrown back. “Don’t stop.”

Like she could. Elain was having far too much fun winding him up and more fun still touching him. Elain considered this practice, or at least, an adjustment to what she hoped would come later. Nights spent together, tangled beneath the sheets while they planned their next move—and him, writhing against her, lost to the same heady pleasure. Lucien seemed spell-bound, filling Elain with a sense of power she’d never once felt before. 

She gripped him tighter, marveling at how hard he felt—not squishy like she’d always suspected an erection might be, but closer to bone. While Lucien panted, acting as if he’d run for miles, Elain began to experiment with her grip. She stroked him, twisting near the tip of his cock until Lucien moaned. She squeezed and softened her hand, using the whimpering sounds to guide her. 

Lucien didn’t warn her when he was close—he merely went tight like she had, gripping the arm of the couch for purchase before jerking hard. White fluid splattered against her hand, proof that he’d liked what she’d done. He watched her with wild, dark eyes, still panting, still moaning.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Realization seemed to dawn on Lucien which made Elain nervous. Was that regret looking back at her? 

No, she decided when he cupped her face in his hands and pulled her closer for a soft, sweet kiss. “That wasn’t how this was supposed to go,” he whispered, a smile on his handsome face.

“How was it supposed to go, Lucien?”

“I was going to romance you,” he admitted, slipping from beneath her carefully. With one fluid motion, Lucien had his pants back on and was making his way to the kitchen for a rag. For her hand, she realized—and his cock, which he wiped off quickly before giving the cloth to her. 

“You still could,” she said, smoothing out her dress primly. “There’s time.”

“Am I going to lose you to a Prince of Avalon?” he asked her, eyes sparkling. No, though Elain didn’t dare admit that. She couldn’t tell him what she wanted—this life, with him, small as it was. If Elain ended up with another man, it would be out of necessity and duty—to her sisters, her family, her home. 

But Lucien would always be the man she wanted. Nothing could convince her otherwise. 

“I suppose that depends on how good you are at romancing princesses.”

Lucien only smiled. “You’ll see then.”

Elain hoped he was right.

LUCIEN:

“Do I dare ask what is going on between you and Elain?” Jurian asked by way of greeting when Lucien stepped into his workshop. 

Lucien only shrugged, though the memory of the night before—and her hand, wrapped so sweetly around his cock—surfaced before he could shove the memory aside. He was spending all his free time with her, working her up into what inevitably came next while trying to pretend a winter spent wrapped around princess Elain wasn’t going to eventually break his heart. 

“She’s a nice girl,” Jurian reminded Lucien, slamming several wrapped packages to the woodblock countertop. 

“Are you saying she could do better than me?”

“I’m asking if you’ve told her the truth about you,” Jurian replied, rounding on Lucien so quickly he stumbled back a step. “Does she know what kind of life you’re offering?”

“Mind your own fucking business,” Lucien snapped. Jurian leveled a dark scowl, though he said nothing else. Lucien tossed his coins to the table before storming back out into the cold. The meat was for Elain. He’d intended to go over that morning and waste the day with her, but Jurian had convinced Lucien to go back to the palace first. Just to check.

He’d never told Jurian who he was. The man had just known—and had kept the secret, even when he could have made quite a bit of money by selling him out to his father. It made Lucien wonder if he didn’t know who Elain was, too.

Lucien dropped his things off in the home he’d built high up in the trees. At the time, it had been practical. Anyone coming for him would be easily visible and his position defendable. He kept a quiver of arrows just outside the door and though he’d never had to use them, Lucien’s aim was good.

He wouldn’t miss. 

Lucien found himself back in the palace by mid-afternoon. Knowing he’d be late for dinner with Elain, Lucien made his way toward the king to see if he could find any information about Nesta or Feyre he might pass along, if only to ease Elain’s fear. Selfishly, so long as Nesta was alive, Elain didn’t have to marry anyone but him. They'd go looking for her at the first hint of spring. 

How Elain had managed to live twenty three years in the dark, gloomy palace was beyond Lucien. The once bustling halls were deserted again, the staff likely laid off now that the prince had been sent home wifeless. Curtains had been hung over every available window, blotting out sunlight in favor of long corridors filled with lurking shadows.

And black guards. Every time Lucien rounded a corner he found a pair of them patrolling. It was a little much, even for Amarantha. Lucien wondered if he couldn’t just vanish without her knowing where he’d gone. Or if she’d—

“...Know where they went!” A clear, masculine voice boomed just ahead. Lucien recognized it as the king. “Where did you send my daughters?”

“You’re unwell,” Amarantha’s voice crooned, her tone syrupy. “Darling, come back to bed—”

“Tell me where they—”

Lucien rounded the corner only to flatten himself fully against the wall, heart pounding in his throat. He was certain he wasn’t supposed to see what was unfolding before him. Amarantha curled a hand around her husband’s wrist, her whole body contorting into some awful, terrifying…creature. Gone was her lovely face, her unmarred skin, her lithe body. In turn, the thing that stood before the king had mottled, bruises over paper white skin, so thin it looked like a light breeze might tear it. Coal black eyes had become ringed in yellow and spidered with red blood vessels practically bulging at the sides. Silvery wisps of air stuck out in odd angles. The queen had become six inches shorter, though far more terrifying. Lucien dared another glance, watching the king slump forward, his eyes hazy once again.

“Go back to bed, darling,” she snarled, holding his gaze. “Everything is fine.”

“Everything…is fine…” the king repeated. Amarantha dropped her hold and Lucien spun again, moving quickly. He didn’t want her to know he’d seen her, didn’t want to be caught with this new, horrible information.

And yet, it was validating. He knew the change in the king couldn’t be grief alone. Magic—it was magic of some kind. Lucien didn’t understand it, but thought he could figure it out. And, he decided, as he stepped back into the cold, that he’d keep it from Elain, at least for now.

She’d panic and do something rash. Something that involved Beron, or one of Lucien’s brothers. For now, Lucien would continue to merely omit everything he knew, at least until he had a plan. And he’d continue to shield Elain, though he knew he couldn’t forever.

He’d thought Amarantha merely wanted Elain’s heart as a trophy. But now… now. Lucien wasn’t so sure. What he did know with certainty was that Amarantha would eventually learn he’d lied and she was in possession of a deer heart. 

He’d go back only as necessary, just long enough to avoid arousing her suspicion. She wouldn’t be thinking of him, of that Lucien was sure. Amarantha had likely turned her attention to Elain’s remaining sisters. If Nesta could merely hold out to winter, he was certain he could find her 

Tracking had always been a special skill of Lucien’s. Even when he’d been a prince of Avalon, he’d been the best tracker his father had. He could find Nesta Archeron, though after that, he wasn’t sure what he’d do. Convince the sisters to get on a boat and sail far, far away? That seemed the best, and most unlikely course of action. 

Maybe he’d write Eris. If he asked Jurian to deliver it, his father would know he was just across the border in Ellesmere but not where. And Beron would only know if Eris chose to tell him. Which Lucien thought his elder brother might keep a secret if he thought it might serve him.

How can I come home? How can I convince Beron to raise an army for the woman I’m falling in love with? 

Lucien turned that thought over and over in his mind before knocking on Elain’s door. She answered, bouncy and bright. There was no hiding his delight when she flung her arms around his neck, and certainly none when he turned his face for a soft, lingering kiss.

“I missed you, too,” he told her gruffly. Too late, he realized he’d forgotten to bring her the meat he’d had Jurian butcher for him. “What if we went to my place tonight?”

Elain paused. “But…I made dinner.”

“After dinner?” he pressed, reaching for her face. “You could sleep in my bed tonight, if you’d like?”

She bit her bottom lip, her hesitation plain. “I…”

“Another night, then,” he replied smoothly before unbuttoning his cloak. He should have known it would be too early to share the same sleeping space. He wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself and she’d feel uncomfortable. It was what forced him out the door every night when all he really wanted was to follow her up to bed like a lost dog.

“I was going to ask you to stay tonight,” Elain said breathlessly. “I even…I even made a pie.”

“You always make a pie, princess,” Lucien replied affectionately. “What flavor this time?”

“Strawberry and cream.” Elain held it out, revealing a top crust with two little hearts cut into it. Overwhelmed with a surge of emotion, Lucien turned toward the plates she’d stacked on the counter.

“Of course I’ll stay with you,” he told her, not daring to look her in the eye. “You don’t have to bribe me with pie.”

She shrugged delicate shoulders, her cheeks flushed from what he surmised was embarrassment. “Just trying to make it enticing.”

“The enticing part of being with you is you, Elain,” he teased, running his fingers over the back of her neck. Elain shivered, darting out of his way so he could set the table. “If you want me in your bed and are looking for a meal to convince me, consider spreading yourself over the table next time.”

Elain swatted him in the stomach. “Don’t be crass, Lucien.” He merely laughed, sliding into his usual chair across from her, just as he always did. Elain held his gaze, chewing on that bottom lip. There was a question brewing—Lucien folded his hands and lifted his brows, waiting for her to just spit it out.

“Is that…something…you would do?” she finally squeaked, her face the shade of a particularly lovely rose. 

Lucien’s cock throbbed at the mere suggestion. He shifted, trying to settle himself down but now all he could think about was Elain naked on the table, her cunt spread wide for him. He wanted that almost as much as he wanted to be buried inside of her. Lucien had dreams of putting her on his face, turned around so she could suck him at the same time. 

“Yes,” he told her, hating the way his voice cracked ever so slightly. “I would like to taste you very much.”

Her eyes fell back to her plate. “Maybe you could?”

Lucien cocked his head, watching her the way he imagined a wolf accessed a doe. Only, Elain was no trembling fawn—she was a beast in her own right, with a set of fangs sharp enough to kill. Still, Lucien forced an easy, almost lazy smile to the surface.

“Why don’t you eat your dinner first?”

Elain’s gaze seemed to sharpen as she brought that first forkful of food toward her lips. The gods help him, because when her mouth closed around the utensil, Lucien nearly dragged her across the table anyway. There was no way Elain wasn’t aware of the effect she had on him. She moaned, eyes rolling in the back of her head. Lucien’s knee jerked upward, trying to force him to his feet only to slam into the table and rattle the dishes atop it.

“Everything all right, Lucien?” Elain asked, innocent as ever.

She would be the death of him. But oh. What a way to go. Lucien had all but forgotten what happened in the place, so caught up in those dark brown eyes and her pillowy pink lips. 

You’re playing a dangerous game, princess,” he replied, leaning his elbows against the table. “You don’t know the outcome.”

“But you do?” Elain replied. 

Lucien couldn’t take the challenge. He stood, intending to walk to her.

“Sit down, Lucien,” Elain said primly, dotting the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “I was merely teasing you. Eat.”

His body screamed in protest, but Lucien did as she asked before he’d ever taken more than a step. He’d just reached for his fork when Elain murmured, “I’ve changed my mind. Come here, Lucien.”

He was back on his feet in an instant, intending to drag her up to bed and keep her there for the next full day—maybe two, if he could get away with it. He’d need to slip out at some point and check his traps, but that wouldn’t take long. An hour, two at the most of he moved quickly and there was no one he needed to drag back to the palace for punishment. 

He reached her just as Elain said, “Kneel.”

Lucien paused, holding her gaze. And then slowly, sank to one knee. “My lady?”

“You said I didn’t know the outcome of the game I’m playing,” she replied, turning back to her plate. “But I think it is you, Lucien, who doesn’t know.”

“Are you toying with me?” he demanded, though he didn’t move, either. Let her see that he’d do whatever she asked, so when she did spread herself out for him, she could do it without fear or hesitation. 

“No. I’m merely clueing you in to the game we’re playing,” she replied. 

Lucien rose to his feet then, intending to finish his meal quickly, if only so he could kiss that sassy mouth of hers. He couldn’t resist walking to her, nor did he stop himself from bracketing her in his arms so she had to look up at him.

“I am well aware you hold all the cards, princess. If you want me to jump, simply tell me how high.”

Elain’s breath caught. Good. At least she knew, and didn’t need to worry so much about who was in control. There was no power struggle between them. Lucien was more than happy to cede it all to her. It was tempting to tell her everything–that she’d held all the cards from the first moment she’d truly looked at him.

That Lucien had walked away from a comfortable, easy life doing the queens bidding in order to have Elain. There was no reason to tell Elain that, though, and heap guilt on her when she was already worrying about so much. Lucien didn’t regret it, besides. He’d do it all again in a heartbeat if he could. 

“How is everything at the palace?” Elain asked him once he was back in his seat. “Any news…?”

Lucien chewed in an attempt to hide how guilty he felt. Amarantha’s horrible true face popped into his head, alongside the knowledge that Elain’s father likely had been so absent for so long because of some strange spell. Looking at her, Lucien knew Elain would race home to try and free her father if she knew

And Amarantha would kill her without a second thought. So Lucien lied to her face, promising himself that one day, when they were in a position to help, he would tell her everything.

“Nothing’s changed.”

Elain sighed. “I know I should be grateful, but…”

“Two months of frost, Elain,” Lucien said, well aware his words were self-serving. After all, her father had decided to marry the witch—and regardless of the spell, Elain had suffered. He couldn’t help her, but Lucien could. And he’d promised to find Elain and keep her safe. He considered himself merely fulfilling her father’s plea. “And then we’ll leave.”

Elain gave him the prettiest smile. “I’m just antsy.”

“Soon, princess,” Lucien promised. That was at least true. And when dinner and pie was finished, and it was the two of them sitting on the couch, entangled in the other, Lucien didn’t mind at all when Elain asked if they could just sleep.

So long as she wanted him around, that was enough.

It would always be enough.

[rhaegonapologist]

rhaegon fic notes

on ch 3 of my rhaegon fic.

This was originally the end of chapter 2, but a comment on ao3 let me know that the Vale was ruled by a woman and that it was an important plot point so I had to change it:

"

All goodwill for her brother dissipated when she sat down for dinner. 

“We heard you received letters from the young Prince Aegon,” Lord Arryn said.

His wife cut in, “Does that mean you intend to prolong your stay here? We can prepare more fitting quarters for you.” 

Rhaenyra was rudely reminded of her place in the Seven Kingdoms. Of course. To the Arryns, the little Prince was learning how to read and write now, and it wouldn’t be long until he would learn how to be a proper King, in his proper place in the Red Keep. Unlike his sister, who traveled across the lands, seemingly looking for a new home to roost. 

She felt the resentment burn up in her all over again, stoked anew. 

"

However, I'm happy with the new rewrite. Maybe Rhaenyra doesn't need a heavy handed "your brother has a cock and you don't" moment right now to wish Aegon didn't exist. Maybe she only needs to experience Aegon being a brat to have the same sentiment, after all she's been an only child her whole life.

I also wanted to explore Alicent's motherhood after last night's episode. god, theyre making me want to scrap this and just write aligon, so many issues there. I imagine she was trying her best but she was still so young, and I wonder what Rhaenyra was like in those early days. If she could stomach her best friend now a mother.

I feel like Alicent has always had a hard time loving her firstborn, her most difficult child. He represents so many things, maybe the moment he was born was the moment it truly all felt wrong. Maybe she went through post-partum depression and did not know how to deal.

Rhaenyra feeding him to fire mirrored the violence in the first chapter where she almost killed him and it was nice to connect that thread. alicent's paranoid rhaenyra will kill him because rhaenyra's been doing crazy shit like this with aegon since day one lol.

however i feel like this time rhaenyra wasn't really serious and she was doing it more for alicent anyway, aegon's not really anything to her yet. and maybe this scene represents how deep down she instinctually accepts him as targ alrdy, bc she knows he won't burn that easily in the fire. i imagine daemon put her through similar dangerous acts. alicent had experienced rhaenyra's recklessness before, but now that she's part of the family, it's even crazier up close.

i also wanted to show how young they both were too. i mean aegon's not a toy but, rhaenyra playing around and pretending to drop him was childish.

[half-oz-eddie]

My OC! Nero Castiel Ramsay

TW for graphic depictions of violence, death, mass murder, suicidal thoughts (and angst!)

For context, the military has seized control of his country, killing, weaponizing and experimenting on people with abilities. After causing a horrific accident with his fire ability, he eventually meets a girl who went AWOL from the military, who took her away from her father as a child so they could use her as a weapon. The two team up to find out where their abilities came from and what the government has planned.

His full backstory is below the cut!

"My story? Well..." My name is Nero Castiel Ramsay. I’m 25 years old. I was born July 26th in Shrill City General Hospital. 

When I was born, I nearly blinded the midwife. They had to wrap my hands in foil gloves and give me cold baths. My temperature was nearly 200 degrees. 

My mother said the pregnancy was difficult. She always had hot flashes and indigestion, but at least labor and delivery was easy, right? 

When I was brought to NICU-II, my father had my files deleted and destroyed, which is an easy task when you're the hospital director.

None of the nurses really wanted to take care of me, let alone touch me, except Evander. It was a blessing to have an older brother that was a nurse. 

It was a blessing to have siblings that loved me the way they did...

When I was brought home, my family wasn’t nearly as ready as they thought they were. 

I was burning through mattresses in my sleep for the first 2 years of my life, until the fire was a bit more under control. It wasn’t as explosive anymore. 

For awhile, my family thought maybe...it went away. Until I would throw a tantrum and set my high chair ablaze. 

I was only a toddler, and yet, I still remember the horrified look on my mother’s face. 

After that, she was always dumping me on my father and my siblings. I hardly saw much of her. She’d peek into my room, say good morning or good night, and keep walking past.

Physical contact was never really happening before anyway. Vega used to put foil around her hands and arms to give me hugs or head pats, but I was a really unstable kid. 

I was constantly uneasy and had anxiety. If I was really upset, I’d burn through the foil too.

Vega was covered in burns from always trying to interact with me. She’d hold my hand when I was scared, until her hand was blistered. 

When I got a bit older, I convinced her to stop coddling me and just help me become stronger. 

She was 12 when I was 7, so she was teaching me whatever she was learning in school. My mother hardly did any homeschooling with me. I’m surprised I’m not stupid. 

Vega studied a lot of pyrotechnics. She told me to try lotion on my hands and body to keep it slick so I wouldn’t set anything on fire. The lotion worked a bit, but then my hands were still too warm to touch. 

So then, we tried gloves. I’d burn through them within a week or so, and then need replacements. 

Then...finally...we tried both. Vega kept a “burn chart” for me. And as long as I kept my hands lotioned every 3 hours and kept my gloves on, I was able to manage for an entire month without setting a single thing on fire. 

My body was still too warm, though. I tried going outside on the front porch, instead of just staying in the yard like always. 

I saw a baby, and I ran inside and had a panic attack. 

I imagined accidentally setting the baby on fire and I lost it. 

“I’m too dangerous.” I cried. 

Vega held me and tried her best to calm me down. She held and squeezed until it was too warm, too hot, burning. I burned her clothes onto her body. She was in so much pain. 

Luckily it wasn’t as bad as i thought it was. Mom, being a retired nurse herself, was able to tend to her wounds. 

“I told you, don’t touch Nero. I’m tired of seeing you covered in burns. What if he burns your face next? People will start asking questions!”

“I don’t care about questions! I care about my little brother. He’s 13 years old, and he has no friends. You won’t even let him go to church!”

“If I take him to church, everyone will just think he’s the devil.” My mother snapped. 

I overheard everything from the doorway. I ran out into the yard and climbed the big oak tree. It was at least 20 feet tall. 

I looked up at the moon, then down at the grass. I was getting ready to jump from the highest branch and kill myself. 

I heard Evander slide the back door open. “Nero, you out here? You want some pizza? I’m buying...Nero? Yo!”

I didn’t reply. I wanted him to go away so I could finally die. 

“Please don’t look up, Please don’t look up.” I told myself. 

He took out his phone, turned on the flashlight, and looked up.

Damn.

“Hey, get down! That’s dangerous.”

“I know. I was...just trying to get a view of the city.” I came up with a quick lie. 

“I told you, if you’re willing to take some pills, I’ll drive you around. Your fire seems to be triggered by your anxiety. And since we can’t take you to the doctors, I’ll get you a script for something.”

“I...I don’t know if that’ll work. I don’t know if anything will work...”

“Wait...are you trying to kill yourself?”

“No, it's just..I um...”

“Idiot. I’m coming up.”

Evander scaled the tree like a superhero and sat next to me. 

“This is really high up, Nero. You actually can see the city from here.”

I shrugged. “I’m not supposed to be alive. What if I really am the devil like mom said?”

“She said that?!”

I answered with an embarrassed nod.

“Nero. I’m so sorry, kid. I know that hurts, but I think you were born this way for a reason. You have to discover that reason. You won’t get answers from death.”

“Maybe.”

“You can get pizza though, and extra cheese if you get down.”

My brother always knew what to say. 

I decided to keep on living, and keep trying to be better. 

Vega convinced me to try finger painting to calm myself. 

I spent a lot of time in the backyard painting, imagining what the rest of the world was like. 

My father started taking some of my paintings around and sold them. He put money in a trust fund for me, so one day I could have a life of my own. 

Lots of people around the city wanted to meet me, but my father would lie and say I had a very serious autoimmune disease and couldn’t be around others. 

Really...I was the disease. 

“As the years had gone by, I was trying to get better, but I was just fucking up everyone’s life, honestly.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” His friend said comfortingly. 

“To me it was...”

Vega had declined a full ride scholarship to the top university in the country because she didn’t want to leave me. 

Evander was putting his life on hold. He was working per diem hours making below his salary because he considered me a priority. 

My mother just seemed pale and miserable. Our relationship was strained for such a long time, until I turned 17. 

I found it helpful to intentionally let out a little fire every once in awhile. I’d burn wood in the fire pit, and then started finger painting with soot. 

One day, my mom asked me to paint her. When I was finished, she smiled, then pulled a piece of foil out of her pocket, placed it on my forehead and kissed me over the foil. 

I cried a bit, after she took the canvas inside. Then, it started raining. I’ll never forget that day. It was one of the few good days of my life. 

I felt like things were going to start getting better.

I started going out front again. The neighbors wouldn’t stand too close, since they thought I was so susceptible to germs. But, they’d say hello. They were kind. 

I started painting out front. About a week in to my porch painting, I noticed a new family was moving into the house across the street. 

It was an older looking couple, older than my parents, a son around Vega’s age and a daughter around my age. 

God...she was beautiful. Short with long hair, a cute voice, even cuter laugh, warm green eyes. I wanted to...

“Fuck her?” His friend interrupted. 

Nero narrowed his eyes. “Paint her. I wanted to...paint her...and I did. A lot.”

When she made eye contact with me as she headed into their new house, I felt my heart skip a beat. 

Later that day, my family was heading over to do their neighborly welcoming committee bullshit...and of course, I stayed behind. 

I was staring at that girl through the window. 

“Want me to ask her name for you?” Vega said, startling me. 

“What? Are you fuckin crazy? I can’t talk to no girl.”

“Sure you can. You haven’t hurt me any more than I’ve let you. You can at least make a friend.”

I watched my family head over with a casserole and the father welcomed them into the house. 

They were in there for hours. I guess they were really nice. 

Later that evening, Vega came rushing into the house first. I was sitting at the table eating the food my mother cooked.

“Her name is Corinne. She asked about you. She wanted to know about ‘the boy whose eyes look like sunlight that was sitting on the porch.’ So I told her a million great things about you.” She smiled at me. 

I felt like I was going to be sick.

“Oooh you’re blushing!” She gushed. “So her name is Corinne Baker. She’s your age. She wants to be a veterinarian, she likes to sing, she was a Girl Scout, and her family moved here from Senkil because her father got some fancy schmancy corporate job offer.”

“She uh...sounds nice.”

“Her whole family is really nice. The brother seems pretty shifty, though. Call it my gut.”

I shrugged off what Vega was talking about. I knew getting close to anybody was a terrible idea. 

The next day, I was back to my front yard painting, when Corinne came outside. I tried to stay hyper focused on my newest piece, but I noticed out the corner of my eye, she was coming closer. 

“Hello!” She called out from the driveway. “I’m Corinne. You’re Nero, right?”

“Uh...yeah. Nice to...meet you.” I hoped she wouldn’t come closer.

She didn’t. She’d come back everyday, stand in the driveway, and ask about my paintings. We’d exchange idle small talk. She’d tell me about something funny at school, or her homework. I liked seeing her every afternoon after school, and in the mid-morning on weekends. 

One day, she decided to ask vague questions about my health. 

“I’m not contagious, you know. Is that why you stand so far away?”

“N-no! I didn’t think that...I just...was worried I could get you sick. I-I go to school a-and I-I—“

I laughed. “I’m just messing with you.” 

I started getting comfortable with her.

“You can come a little bit closer. You know. So you can see what I’m painting.”

She slowly ascended the steps, and stayed a few feet away from me. My heart was fluttering. 

“It smells like smoke.”

“I paint with soot, that’s why.” 

I smelled like soot, and she smelled like flowers. We were like life and death. 

One day, she came by during a thunderstorm. I wasn’t expecting to see her. I wasn’t even painting that day. I just liked rain. It was the only time I could be comfortable outside. 

“Why’d you come today? It’s pouring!”

“I come see you everyday!”

I sat in the grass, and she plopped down near me. 

“You’re gonna get dirty. You’re...too pretty to be covered in dirt.”

“I love the rain.”

“Me too.”

We sat a few feet apart, and she revealed something really personal to me.

“Really? What’d she say?”

“I’m omitting that part.”

“What?! Why?”

“I’d never tell another woman’s business. What kinda man do you think I am? Anyway...”

I asked her if I could paint her. I worked on it for months. I never let her peek, no matter how many times she came back. 

I finished it toward the end of the school year.

“It's so, so beautiful! Can I take it with me? To college, I mean.”

“Oh...you’re going away to college?”

“Yeah, but I’ll come home for breaks. And we can video chat. Do you...have a phone?”

“No...”

“Please get one!” She begged with her eyes sparkling. 

“Um...okay.”

I knew damn well I couldn’t have a phone. It would fucking explode in my hand. 

But, of course, Vega had a plan.

“Here.” She said as she plopped a tablet onto my nightstand. “You can video call with Corinne. And it’s voice activated, so you don’t have to worry about blowing the shit to bits.”

“Um...thank you.”

Once Corinne was at university, she’d video call me all the time. 

To tell you the truth, I found it weird. I didn’t understand why she wanted to talk to me so much. She told her friends about me and everything. I guess it didn’t really occur to me that she liked me too. 

Over the years, she’d gotten a few inches closer to me whenever we sat together on the porch. 

I was getting older and controlling my fire much better than before. 

I was able to hug my sister and only feel a little warm. I couldn’t stop the fire from coming out of my hands, though. So I had to keep up my lotion and glove regimen. 

Fast forward to two years ago...

I was going out more often. I had even gotten a job at the mall kiosk. 

My boss was a good friend of my dad’s. So he told him I needed these bathroom breaks every 3 hours because of my condition. It worked. I was able to lotion my hands during my breaks and keep interacting with the customers.

Life was fantastic for once. 

6 months in to my job and nearly normal life, Corinne had moved back home for good. She was a college graduate and a veterinarian. 

“So, you seem to be doing better now. Can I...have a hug yet?”

I didn’t want to lose her. 

“Let’s...work up to that.”

She sat inches away from me. “Fair enough.”

We went to parks and beaches together all the time. One day, we went to a restaurant. 

“Is this a...date?”

“I...think so? I do like you. B-but it doesn’t have to be a date.”

“I want it to be a date.”

I liked Corinne so much, but I was so scared. What if I had to tell her about my abilities one day?

I walked her to her door, and said goodnight. 

“Nero! I don’t get a hug at least?”

“Uh...well. I’m really old fashioned. I don’t want to make any physical contact too soon. It uh...gives us time to work on the bond.”

She looked at me like I was a dumbass, but she went along with it...

For about 2 weeks.

One night, she video called me. 

“Nero. I have feelings for you. Deep feelings. I want to hold hands and kiss you. I know maybe you’re worried about your illness, but I promise I’m healthy, and your parents say you’ve gotten better. You haven’t been sick at all lately, right?”

“Uh...well I ha—“

“So, tomorrow! After you get off work. Meet me at the park across the street from the mall. I want to kiss you.”

“B-but—“

“Nero! We’re not kids anymore. I have needs too.”

“Needs...?”

“Yeah, like closeness. Physical touch...maybe...more?”

When she said more, I got nervous. The last time I thought about sex, I set my bed on fire—again. I tried to stay focused.

“Uh...okay. Let’s meet tomorrow.”

The next day, I went to work, nervous and uneasy. I didn’t know what would happen if I kissed her. 

To make my day even more stressful, my boss’s son was filling in for him. He wasn’t as understanding about my breaks. I asked to take my first one, and he groaned about how much I was needed since we were 1 person short. 

I was feeling the warmth underneath my gloves, between that and the thought of kissing Corinne, or seeing her naked...I felt nauseous. I wanted to touch her, but I didn’t want to hurt her.

I asked for my second break. Still a no. 

Now I was getting scared. I felt it coming. I knew if I set that kiosk on fire I was gonna GET fired. And have to lock myself in my house again. 

I asked for my third break...I fucking implored. 

“Please wait 20 more minutes Nero? Regular break time is around then. I really need you out here.”

I couldn’t think straight.

My gloves were getting hot.

I was supposed to kiss Corinne today.

My gloves were hot.

Corinne’s lips. 

I waited 10 more minutes, then asked if I could go home early. 

“Seriously, Nero? Just wait 10 damn minutes. I promise you can take an hour break, okay?”

My face was covered in sweat. The thoughts swarmed back again. The customers came in droves. My hands were shaking and I was breathing heavily. 

I tried to calm myself with happy thoughts of painting once my shift was over. Then, I started thinking of excuses to not kiss Corinne, and the customers were crowding and making so much noise, and my gloves were starting to burn.

Suddenly, I lost control. Flames flew from both of my hands and body at an unbelievable degree, charring through people and stores. I heard agonizing screams and saw people turning to ash, begging for mercy as their skin melted from them within moments. 

I heard brief shrieks as the flame ate away at them. 

I was horrified as I watched everything burn. It felt like hours but...it was probably 2 or 3 minutes. And for some disgusting reason, I was the only survivor. 

I ran like hell from the rubble...and kept running, and running...and running. I had no intention of seeing my family, or Corinne ever again.

I knew my family would resent me, and I knew I was too much of a monster for Corinne. I hid in an alley for 2 days until there was a thunderstorm. That was my sign that it was time to say goodbye forever.

“Then, I met Yuka in the Obsidian Forest and killed more people, this time soldiers, and this time on purpose. Then...wound up here.” Nero shrugged. “Your turn.”

[dibs4ever]

Family Beach Vacation

In honor of DickBabs week day 3 Parenthood.

“Mommy, why is Daddy painting my sister?” The 4-year-old son of Dick and Barbara asked

Barbara glanced over at her husband a few feet across the room. He’d dressed their 2-year-old daughter in a long-sleeved one-piece bathing suit and was currently using a makeup brush to make sure he applied sunscreen to every inch of her exposed skin. Barbara slipped her son's swim shirt over his head

“Cause Nathan your daddy is an overprotective machine.” She grinned

Dick rolled his eyes “Daddy is not overprotective.” He passed the redheaded toddler, who was covered in white lotion off to Barbara. He scooted over to be in front of his son. “Your sister and mother are both redheads. Leah has your mom's skin tone. They have pasty white skin that burns easily. It’s the first day of our summer beach trip last thing I want is your Leah getting burnt .”

The 4-year-old boy smiled “Do I burn easily Daddy?”

Dick chuckled bopping his son's nose with the brush “You have the same skin tone as me.” He brushed his son's jet-black hair back “But that doesn’t mean we don’t need to protect our skin too. Close your eyes so I can put some sunscreen on you too”

The boy obeyed allowing his father to put on the thick white lotion

As the family of 4 made their way from Bruce’s beach house down to the water Barbara leaned into her husband to whisper to him “You and Nate both tan. Do you think it was necessary for him to also wear SPF 110?”

Dick chuckled watching the boy run ahead a few feet from them toward the beach. Leah on Barbara’s hip, him carrying all their Beach items

“I mean my point stands we do need sunscreen too. Maybe not spf 110.”

They both laughed

“Where’d you get that anyways? Barbara inquired

Dick shrugged “Online, I researched the highest SPF on the market. I meant what I said, I’ve been looking forward to our first family vacation for months. I didn’t want anything to spoil it, including my two little redheads getting sunburned.” He reached over, ruffling Leah’s hair “Even if the trip is just 4 nights and 5 days at Bruce’s Key West beach house.”

She smiled “This is more than a perfect trip. Honestly I quite like using Bruce’s house. It's comfortable and private.” she looked over at Dick. She could tell by his body language that he was wishing their lives were simpler so that he could wisk his family off for a week somewhere that isn't directly linked to the Batfamily- a house linked with a zeta tube so if a crisis arose one of them could boom tube back to Gotham. Arranging 5 days took months of planning, compromise, and worm from the whole family, just for them and they were thankful for it. But sometimes they desired normalcy from time to time.

They stopped and set down their things, watching as Nathan grabbed his same toys. Barbara set Leah down, smiling as the little girl felt the same between her toes.

Nathan walked over taking his little sister's hand “Come on Leah let's make a sand castle.”

“Castle!” the two-year-old chirped

Dick chuckled “And maybe later Daddy will rent a surfboard and show you two how he can do that.” he pointed to the surfers out in the water

Nathan's eyes widened “Daddy you can surf!”

Leah gasped “Daddy Surf!” she mimicked her brother

The man smiled “Yup before you two were born Mommy and I went to the beach and I taught myself.”

Nathan grinned “Daddy you can do anything.”

Dick smiled down at his son til he felt something poke his back “Like put sunscreen on me? We were so busy getting everything together I forgot to put some on”

Dick grinned “I didn't bring the brush.”

She smiled “Looks like you'll have to rub it on me with your hands “

He grinned “Oh no what a chore.” he dramatically squeezed the lotion into his hands, rubbing them together. “Now take off the cover up and let me get to work.”

[kirk-says-wah]

@madamsixx curious question, why don't you agree with the idea of Virgil and Dave being lovers??? I only ask because you gave the theory of Dave and Cliff?

Hey, so I don't mind the theory of Virgil and Dave being lovers. The only thing for me that would have to be answered is who, what, and why?

So I played around with it and I couldn't find any reason as to why Dave would want to kill Virgil. Because no matter what the situation is Virgil backed Dave into some kind of corner that pissed Dave off to the point where he wanted to kill Virgil.

So the two of them are lovers. They have their wives on the side for pretense. Let's say Dave and Virgil got into an argument. Someone said it could be a lovers quarrel. We know the type of man Dave is. He's not going to burn Virgil's house down over an argument. Then I played around with what-if Vigil said he would expose Dave. Well, that doesn't make sense. Because that means Virgil will expose himself as well. I also played around with maybe Virgil made a bad deal and it cost Dave money. But that for me is not reason enough. Especially because Dave is a reasonable man. And Dave likes Virgil. And cared for James' mother. There's no way a man like that would want to kill Virgil for that. Dave would have been very reasonable even more reasonable than he was with Torben. Because Dave doesn't like Torben. You could tell by the way he treated Lars. It wasn't just about the books. It was personal.

Even after the fire situation remember Chapter 6...

Jason. He remembers when he’d first met him.

It was back when Virgil still owned the business, and James had been brought in on one of his meetings. He didn’t realize it then, but it was important. A man with red hair and a snarl going by the name Mustaine had been there, his presence almost stifling as they’d sat in the board room.

But it was boring. James didn’t even know why he’d been brought in.

These two were still working and doing business together. So that means there was still some level of respect for each other that stems back to their early days. He even kept the truce. Dave would never just want to kill Virgil over a dispute about business, money, or a lovers quarrel. Especially if the two of them were together. And in this theory where do Cliff and Torben fit in?

The other theory I played around with was maybe Dave's wife found out about Dave and Virgil. Maybe she threatened Dave and said he better end it or she will expose them.

In that theory, I said Dave may have told Virgil that his wife found out about them. Virgil doesn't think before he acts ex) pulling a gun on James. His emotions are all over the place throughout this story.

Dave could have possibly tried to get him to settle down and told him he would take care of it. Virgil being restless disregarded what Dave said and went and shot Dave's wife. Now Dave is pissed off. And Dave is going to retaliate. Now we have a reason as to why Dave is going to kill Virgil. He hires a man to do the job. When the guy gets there. Virgil is not alone his family is there. The plan gets stopped. Torben doesn't like Dave as I said before. So he starts the fire. Virgil thinks it's Dave that started the fire.

Now they have a truce.

These are some problems with this theory.

1. Where does Cliff fit in? Because Cliff is their friend. Cliff would not kill Virgil because Dave asks him to. Cliff is neutral. And whatever drama is happening between them. It doesn't involve Cliff.

2. Why is Virgil upset over Dave killing his wife? He shouldn't be. Especially because he killed Dave's wife first. So he would have accepted the consequences of his actions. The same way Dave accepted his actions in the restaurant when James blurted out you killed my mother.

3. Dave would have lost all respect for Virgil to the point where they would never work with each other in the present day. Especially if Dave was trying to be reasonable and Virgil shot her anyway.

4. If Virgil shot Dave's wife first. Dave would have shot Virgil himself. A man like Dave wouldn't hire someone to go kill Virgil. He would kill Virgil. To make sure that Virgil is dead. There is no truce. He can touch and kill Virgil.

5. Virgil is still alive.

Do we believe that Dave would let Virgil still live?

“How do you know about Kirk?”

Dave’s tongue skims over his teeth, the wine glass stem sliding between his fingers.

“Jason told me.”

“You leave him alone,” James growls, though it’s slightly muffled behind the napkin.

“He can take it,” Dave shrugs, leaning back into his chair, and putting his glasses down. “I’m cold but I’m not heartless. I only kill who needs to be killed. Like you,” he says, pointing his knife at Lars.

Dave said this at the restaurant. This is the reason why I truly believe that whatever happened between Virgil and Dave. Virgil started it with a threat, Dave continued it with actions, and Torben instigated it further with violence.

And that's why the idea of Dave and Cliff made more sense to me. Because Virgil was a need to be killed. And him not being heartless means he would never kill or hurt James and his mother on purpose.

Who?

Virgil

Torben

Cliff

Dave

What?

Virgil threatened to expose Dave and Cliff to the other bosses. Dave now needs to take action. Because he doesn't want them to know that he's gay.

Why?

This all happened because of Torben. Torben told Virgil something about Dave that got him angry. Virgil went to confront Dave. But in anger slipped up and told Dave he knows about him and Cliff. The war starts.

You see how all four characters are involved. And who, what, and why are answered.

If anyone has any other theories about Virgil and Dave. I'm all for it.

😀💙

Okay this makes a lot of sense! I think this is a pretty solid theory! I’m pretty impressed omg!!

[cadmiumscarf]

the dream thieves nightmare mask

[athena-writes-i-guess]

Mixtape- Part 3- Thankful

Series Summary: You’ve just moved from Los Angeles to Hawkins to finish your senior year and you meet Eddie Munson, who offers to help you find a place in your new school.

Chapter Summary: It’s thanksgiving break, Eddie comforts you after a family member gets sick.

Part 1, Part 2

Masterlist

Pairing: Eddie Munson X Fem!Reader

Genre: Fluff, slow burn, hurt/comfort, eventual friends to lovers

Warnings: Language, anxious thoughts, insecurities, sick grandparent, pet names used(Sweetheart, babydoll, doll, dolly, princess, honey, darling), tickling(is this a warning?)

Word Count: 4.4K

Author’s Note: Hello! Welcome to part 3! So this little story is just falling out of my head with ideas. I have at least 2 more pre-season 4 parts planned and I’m trying to find ways for the reader to be included in the events of S4. 

I hope you all like this chapter, I loved writing it. Though I was getting pretty worried near the end so I hope this came out okay! I got emotional reading it back but I also only slept for 3 hours in between finishing this so maybe I’m just sleep deprived and it actually sucks. Haha. 

I’m adding a taglist so let me know if you want to be added! 

As always, likes, comment, and reblogs are always welcome!

Wednesday, Nov 20, 1985

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

“Wake up call! You said to make sure you were up by 11:30 and it’s 11:35. You’re going to be late.” You heard your mother say through your bedroom door, waking you up. 

You heard, and felt, the groan that was let out into the crook of your neck. “Fuck, I’m tired. This is all your fault babydoll.” Eddie croaked, that morning voice you love coming out in full force.

You were laying on your back with Eddie’s head on your shoulder and his arm around your waist, pinning you to his body with your hand tangled in his curls.

You scoffed, “How is it my fault you dork ass?” You asked, tugging lightly on his hair. He let out another groan into your neck.

“Because, sweetheart, we were at a perfectly good stopping point in the campaign last night and you were the deciding vote as to whether we kept playing. Thus, princess, it’s your fault we got back here so late.” He said, you felt a hand ghosting along your side. A threat.

“Well, darling,” You started, lacing your fingers with the threatening appendage. “If I recall, you were the one who insisted we still marathon all the Indiana Jones movies anyways. So, honey, I think you being tired is at least partially your fault.” You teased.

“Listen here you smart ass.” Eddie laughed, suddenly springing up and attacking both of your sides with his hands. Your laughter filled the room. The sweet sound was music to the brunette's ears. He loved every time he was able to pull the beautiful noise out of you, even if he had to force it out like this. 

Eddie had a list going in his head of the best sounds you made, among his favorites were; the way you said his name and rolled your eyes when he made a dumb joke. The content, almost subconscious, hum you make when he rubs your back when he holds you. The loud dramatic “MUAH” when you kiss his cheek when you say goodbye. The dreamy sigh you make right after you say good night to him. But his favorite above all of them would always be your laughter. He’d do just about anything to hear it.

“Eddie! EDDIE!” You squealed as you gasped for air. “PARLEY! PARLEY!” 

Eddie stopped his fingers, pulling his hands back, smug look on his face. “What are your terms of surrender?”

“You stop tickling me, and I won't be a smart ass anymore?” You suggested with faux innocence. 

“You have to make me a deal that you can actually keep, sweetheart.” Eddie teased, hand going back to your side as another threat, devilish smile on his face. 

“Okay, okay! You stop tickling me, and I buy your lunch at the diner?” You offered confidently, shooting him a cheeky smile. 

Eddie’s hand shot out for you to shake. ”Oh, you got yourself a deal.” 

You rolled your eyes and shook his hand before pushing him away from you as you stood from your bed. “We have to hurry, we told Dustin, Mike, and Lucas that we would pick them up in like 15 minutes.” 

The metalhead let out an exaggerated groan and he too stood up from your bed, looking for his discarded shirt. “I can’t believe we’re spending part of our break hanging out with those twerps.”

You scoffed as you turned your backs to each other as you both changed into your clothes for the day, “You’re the one who said that you could kick all their asses at Dragon’s Lair.” 

“Yeah, well, you’re the one who said that you would give them the quarters so you can watch them kick my ass.” He shot back, “How is that supposed to make me feel, doll? We’re best friends!” He exclaimed dramatically as he turned around to face you when you were both dressed.

You walked up to him, cradling his face in your hands, matching his pout, ”I’m sorry Eds, you know I just love to watch you lose.” You said, your pout turning into a wicked grin.

Eddie threw himself backwards into your wall theatrically, holding his hand over his heart as if you had hurt him before sliding down the wall. “You wound me princess!”

“Yeah, yeah. Get up Prince Charming, we have your royal guard to pick up.” You said as you grabbed your rented movies, keys, and bag. You flung open your bedroom door, leaving Eddie on your floor as you exited. 

“Hey wait for me!” He called, scrambling after you.

He followed you down the hall and into the main part of your house, “Bye mom, pops. See you all later tonight.” You called as you opened the front door.

“Bye sweetie, have fun! Oh Eddie!” Your mom called after you both, causing you each to freeze in the doorway, “Just wanted to double check that it's okay you’re here with us tomorrow night for Thanksgiving? Wayne wont miss you?”

“Promise he wont, he has to work so I’ll be free all night.” He shot your mom a big smile, which she returned.

“Oh great, you’re going to get to try Y/N’s famous apple pie. She makes it every year.” Your mother beamed. 

“Can’t wait.” Eddie shot you a dimpled smile. You sent him a small one back. 

“Bye mom. Love you.” You said, grabbing Eddie’s hand and pulling him towards your car. 

“I don’t get why they asked you to drive, they’re gonna be cramped in the backseat. They have so much more room in my van.” Eddie said as you started driving towards the Wheeler's house. 

“Yeah, lots of room Eds. But no restraints and you drive like a maniac. Are you forgetting you almost gave Dustin a concussion when you took that corner too fast on Friday?” You questioned, a sly smile grew on his face.

“A little concussion here or there won’t mess him up too much. I’ve had loads of them!” Eddie exclaimed.

“Oh, that makes so much sense now!” You joked, Eddie jabbed your side in retaliation. 

“You’re being awfully mean to me today, sweetheart.” He pouted dramatically with an exaggerated sigh. 

“Oh, I’m sorry honey. Want me to buy you a milkshake at the diner too?” You teased.

“You could do that, but I think you should kiss it better.” The brunette smiled cheekily.

“Oh do you now?” You laughed, “How would a kiss make it better?”

“Your kisses are basically magic, I know if you lay one on me right here, I’ll be all better.” Eddie said pointing to his cheek. He turned his large doe eyes on to you, making them as innocent looking as he could. 

You stopped at a stop sign and sighed theatrically before grabbing his face, leaving a big kiss on his cheek with a loud “MUAH”. “Better now Munson? You know what happens when you turn those big brown eyes on me! God, it’s like trying to say no to a baby cow.” 

“So much better.” He said as he grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers with his. “Like I said. Magic.” 

He sent you that bright smile he saved for moments like his. Moments where all he wanted to do was tell you how much he cared for you, how he had fallen for you. Hard. You were his favorite person, his best friend. That first night he slept over was like a dam breaking in your relationship. You both found that you love being close to each other, emotionally and physically. He had comforted you when you broke down from homesickness. You had reassured him when he shared his fear of ending up like his father. You shared your worries, fears, hopes, dreams, practically everything. Well, except for how you both were absolutely crazy about each other. You both had your reasons neither of you could share that information. 

As for physically, both you and Eddie were incredibly affectionate people naturally. Both ones to love touching and being touched by the people you cared about. You were always hanging off of each other or touching in some way. Like walking down the halls at school hand in hand or with Eddie’s arm draped over your shoulder. Or him pulling you onto his lap to watch movies on the couch in his trailer.  There were kisses on the cheek, forehead, and hands; Eddie’s go-to apology being to take your hand, kissing the back of it with big eyes turned on you, “I’m sorry princess, forgive me?” How could you say no? 

Your friendship was moving incredibly fast, but how could it not? It seemed like the only time you spent apart was for your separate classes, Corroded Coffin rehearsals, and when Eddie made his drug deals, as he wanted to keep you separate from that saying they can be dangerous sometimes. You bounced between each other's houses, sleeping cuddled up every night since that first one. You had found that night that you both gravitated like magnets to each other as you slept so neither of you fought it, opting to just fall asleep in each other’s arms since you were going to end up there anyway.

Your friends and family were confused, you basically acted like a couple already. So why not just admit the feelings you had for each other? But the issue was that neither of you thought the other one was interested and just wanted to be friends. When you tried to explain that when you were questioned you were just met with confused looks. How could you not see what they did?

~

Dustin, Mike, and Lucas were crammed in your backseat practically yelling over each other about the campaign you had last night as you pulled into the Family Video and arcade parking lot. “I need to return these movies and then we’ll head inside.” You said before jumping out of the car and walking into the store. 

“Hi Robin!” You said cheerfully as you walked up to your friend at the counter. You and Robin had physics together and had become very close over the last month. It also helped that you and Eddie came to rent movies every few days so you saw her and her friend Steve often. 

“Hi Y/N! Didn’t expect you back so soon.” She exclaimed, taking the movies from you. 

“Yeah, you rented those just last night. Don’t tell me you actually watched all 3 already?” Steve said as he leaned on the counter next to you.

“Yeah, Eddie made us do a marathon until like 5am.” You laughed. 

“Oh, right. Eddie. Your not boyfriend.” He said, rolling his eyes.  

You sighed. Not this again.

“Why don’t you just ask him out, Y/N? He’s clearly crazy about you.” Robin questioned with a soft smile.

“I already told you guys. I’m not his type.” You said dejectedly. 

“How are you not? Have you seen the way he looks at you?” She exclaimed, gesturing wildly with her hands as she did. 

“Yeah, even I can see that. The guy can’t take his eyes off you when you’re here.” Steve agreed.

“Mike told me that he usually goes for cheerleaders. He’s apparently had a crush on Chrissy Cunningham for years. There’s no way I could compete with her.” You stated, picking at your nail polish. 

Mike had let it slip early on during a break in your first campaign with Hellfire about Eddie’s crush on the cheerleader.  It’s sat in your mind all these weeks how different you and Chrissy were. She was popular and beautiful. The queen of Hawkins High. And probably one of the nicest people you had ever talked to. You couldn’t even dislike her if you tried. So you just decided to be content with being in Eddie’s life however he would have you. Even if it was just as his best friend. 

“Maybe he did!” Robin said quickly, “But that doesn’t mean he still does. I know he likes you Y/N, just tell him how you feel!” 

“I don’t want to ruin the best thing to happen to me since moving to this little town, Robin. So I’m not jeopardizing what I have with Eddie on a feeling you have!” You sighed, “Now I have some hyper guys in my car so can I please trade this $10 for a roll of quarters?”

~Meanwhile~

Dustin watched you walk up to the door of the video store from his spot in between Mike and Lucas. Once you were far enough from the car he hit the boys next to him in the stomach to shut them up and leaned forward to tap Eddie on the shoulder. “So did you finally tell her?”

Shit.

Eddie put on a bored expression and let out a sigh, “Don’t know what you’re talking about Henderson.” 

“Cut the shit Munson, you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Dustin said, annoyed that he had to have this conversation again with a man 5 years older than him. “You said and I quote, ‘Tonight’s the night boys, gonna make that girl mine.’ So what happened this time?” 

“Not that it’s any of your business, Dustin, but I came to my senses.” Eddie replied.

“And what does that mean?” Mike asked from behind the man.

“It means that I remembered who I am and who she is. She’s Y/N L/N. That woman in there could change the world if she tried, go anywhere she likes, do anything she wanted. And I’m Eddie ‘The Freak’ Munson, Eddie the fuck-up. I’ll be lucky if I don’t end up in jail like my old man. Let alone make it out of the trailer park. I’d just hold her back. Keep her stuck here.” The metalhead sighed.

“Come on Eddie, you can’t think like that man.” Lucas said. 

“Yeah, you should hear the way she talks about you. She won’t shut up about how great you are. I’m almost positive that she likes you too.” Dustin said, putting a reassuring hand on the man’s shoulder.  

“And I’m supposed to take dating advice from you nerds?” Eddie scoffed.

“We all have girlfriends, remember?” Mike asked.

“Oh yeah, your girlfriends who conveniently live across the country. I forgot. Bring your girlfriends to Hellfire and then we can talk. Now shut up, here she comes.” Eddie snapped.

Eddie watched you bound up to the car, a shining smile on your face. You sat down and threw the roll of quarters into Dustin’s lap. “Now I’m counting on you all to kick his ass. Don’t waste my money.” You threatened. 

~The Next Day~

You were in the kitchen pouring the caramel sauce you had just made into a bowl to cool down when you heard a knock at the front door. “I’ve got it!” You heard your mother say from the living room followed by, “Oh Eddie, you look so nice! You’re right on time. Y/N’s in the kitchen.”

You were filling the pot you used with water to soak as Eddie came into the kitchen, you took in each other’s appearance since this morning, as he had gone home to shower and change into nicer clothes and to spend some of the holiday with his uncle before he had to start his shift at the plant.  Eddie was in his only pair of black pants that didn’t have any holes in it, and a white button up, sleeves rolled to the elbow and top buttons opened at the collar. It was simple, but as always Eddie looked incredible. The way his sleeves and bracelets framed his forearms, toned from playing the guitar for so many years, was entirely distracting. 

You couldn’t help but imagine yourself perched in between Eddie’s legs as you sat on his bed, those forearms pressed against yours as he guided your hands along the body and neck of his guitar. He was teaching you how to play his favorite Dio song, “Good job, sweetheart. You sound almost as good as Vivian Campbell already.” He praised into your neck before leaving a heated kiss there. 

“Stop Eddie!” You giggled, “You’re gonna make me mess up!”

“I don’t care if you mess up, I wanna kiss my girlfriend.” He said before attacking your neck again. 

You shook the thought from your head, ridiculous. “He’s just your friend. That's all he wants to be with you.”

Little did you know, Eddie was distracted as well. You were in a red knit sweater and black skirt that fell to your mid thigh and that would usually be more than enough distraction, but it was your apron that drew his attention. You looked absolutely adorable in it, he was imagining coming home from work and walking into your shared little kitchen to see you in it. You were pulling out a tray of chocolate chip cookies from the oven and placing them on a rack to cool. You turned to him with a bright smile, “Welcome home handsome. I just made you some cookies.” You wrapped your arms around his neck, “I missed you, baby.” 

“Oh, I missed you too, sweetheart.” He smiled, leaning his forehead against yours. 

“I’ll give you a cookie for a kiss.” 

“Deal.” He said before pressing his lips to yours in a giggly kiss.

Eddie pushed these thoughts away. “Hey princess, it smells great in here.” He smiled.

“That would be the pie, it’s cooling now.”  You beamed, pulling the apron off and hanging it on its hook, “We just set all the food out, let’s go eat.” You finished, grabbing Eddie’s hand and leading him to the dining room to join your family. 

~

“I’ve saved just enough room for a piece of your pie, pumpkin. Best part of every holiday.” Your father said as he rubbed his stomach from across the table. 

“I’ll get it if everyone is ready.” You said as you pushed your chair back, standing up and heading for the kitchen. You walked back into the dining room after a minute, arms laden with the pie, vanilla ice cream, and the caramel sauce you made earlier. 

“Oh I can’t…wait for the pie..d-darling.” Your grandma said, seeming to be struggling to speak. She had been more reserved during dinner but you assumed she was just tired. “I-I haven’t had..it since..last ye-year.” 

“Mom? Are you okay?” Your dad asked, clearly concerned. 

“I’m not…not sure. Chest..hurts.” She responded, out of breath. 

“Oh god, okay. Elizabeth, we’re going to call an ambulance, okay? We’ve got to go to a hospital.” Your mother said, rushing to the phone in the kitchen. 

As you waited for the ambulance you held your grandma’s hand while Eddie held yours. You had gone very quiet, only speaking a few words to your grandma here and there to make sure she was as comfortable as she could be. Thankfully, the ambulance arrived only in a few minutes and your grandma was loaded into the back quickly. 

“I’m going to go in the ambulance with them, mom’s going to follow us in the car. You stay here okay pumpkin? Eddie, can you please stay with her?” Your dad said to you both as you all stood by the front door. Everyone knew how anxious you get in hospitals, you would only be in the way if you went, so you were to stay home until they absolutely needed you.

“Of course, I'll be here all night.” Eddie assured. Your dad gave you a quick kiss on the head before running out the door and hopping into the ambulance. 

As Eddie was shutting the door you made your way to the dining room and started clearing the table in silence. The brunette was growing concerned, you’ve barely said a word. Were you in shock? What should he do if you were? Is that even what going into shock is? He didn’t know. He only knew that he wanted to help you anyway he could. 

While he was contemplating what to say, he heard a small sniff come from you followed by a fake cough that you were clearly trying to use as a cover up. You were trying not to cry. 

Eddie walked up behind you and placed his hands on your arms, stalling their movement. “Hey, we don’t have to do this now okay dolly?” He said softly. 

“It should be clean for- for when they get home. When she gets home.” You said quietly, trying to not let the tears that were threatening to escape fall.

“How about we just put the food in the fridge and the dishes in the sink and save the rest for later okay?” Eddie suggested, rubbing soothing circles with his thumbs on your arms. He watched you nod your head lightly before pressing a gentle kiss to your temple. He then let go of you and started to help clear the table, sending you a comforting smile. 

All the food was in the fridge and you were placing the plates into the sink when the trembling of your hands caused them to slip. They hit the bottom forcefully, “Shit.” You said, checking to make sure that none of them had broken. Eddie walked up next to you, placing a hand on your shoulder. “Would have been bad if they broke,” You sniffled, “She got these for her wedding in 1936.” You turned your head from him to wipe away a stray tear. They were getting harder to hold back.

“Hey, hey, hey. Come here.” Eddie said quickly. He wrapped his arm around your shoulder and led you out of the kitchen and into the living room. He sat at the end of the couch and pulled you onto his lap so your back was resting against the arm of the furniture and your legs were draped to his side. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you into him. “I got you, I’m sure everything’s going to be okay, babydoll.”

You rested your head on Eddie’s shoulder and let your tears fall freely. “I know we moved here because of her health not being good, but she can’t go yet. We need her, Eddie.” 

“I know, I know.” Eddie cooed, rubbing his hand up and down your arm. “We can’t think like that though, you know the last thing that she would want is for you to be so worried about her, right?”

The brunette felt you nod your head against his neck. He was right, your grandma was as sweet as anything but also incredibly stubborn, she didn’t like anyone fretting over her and her health. 

You and Eddie sat there for a while, you crying quietly into his shoulder and him rubbing comfortingly into your skin. He was humming the tune to whatever was playing on the stereo that was still on from dinner. 

“Oh, I hope we have some Styx fans out there this Thanksgiving, this one’s for you.” The DJ said, the sounds of Come Sail Away began playing through the speakers. 

Eddie made a noise of recognition, “Hey dolly, remember this song? When we went to the laser show with your family the other week? They played this song and your grandma was totally rocking out to it, remember? Who knew she was a Styx fan huh?” He smiled softly, feeling you nod your head against his neck again. He started singing along with the song, it wasn’t his style of music at all, but he was determined to at least get a smile out of you if he could. Even if it meant singing along to this cheesy song and making a fool of himself.

When the song started it’s breakdown Eddie suddenly grabbed your leg, pressing and strumming his fingers against the skin, using it as his guitar as he sang dramatically. 

“A gathering of angels appeared above my head

They sang to me this song of hope,

And this is what they said

They said

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Let's come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me, baby

Come sail away with me

Come sail away, come sail away

Come sail away with me”

A large smile broke on his face as you let out a wet giggle, “Hey, guitars don’t bend like that doll.” He joked when you accidentally bent your leg. He straightened it out and started playing the guitar solo against it, relishing in your laughter as he acted his ass off for you. 

“There’s my girl.” He said softly as the song faded out, taking your face in his hands and wiping away the tears that had fallen onto your cheeks.  “How about you and I go get changed into something more comfortable and we watch a movie while we wait to hear from your folks, okay?”

“Can we watch Ghostbusters again?” You asked quietly.

Eddie laughed lightly, “You really love that marshmallow man don’t you?”

You chuckled, “He’s just so cute.”

“Of course we can watch it, sweet thing. Come on.”  He said, helping you off his lap and leading you out of the room, turning off the stereo on his way. 

~

It was near the end of the movie when the phone rang, causing you to jump from your place in Eddie’s arms. You scrambled towards the phone on your nightstand, answering it quickly. It was your mom, she told you how your grandma had a heart attack but they had gotten her there in time, and how she was admitted into the hospital and was going to be there for a few days for observation.   

“She’s not out of the woods yet, but they’re hopeful for a quick recovery.” You said to Eddie after the call, releasing a breath you didn’t know you were holding. 

“See, I told you it was going to be okay.” He smiled, lacing his hand with yours. 

“I need you to know Eddie,” You started thoughtfully, “how thankful I am for you. Tonight would have been much worse without you. Thank you. You’re..you’re probably the best thing to happen to me.” You confessed. Not a full confession. But it would do for now. 

Eddie’s heart was hammering in his chest. He was the best thing to happen to you? Maybe those twerps were right. You didn’t think he was a fuck up. You thought he was worth a damn. Oh how he wished he had the courage to tell you everything. How when he wakes up with you in his arms, he knows there’s no way that can be a bad day. How when you giggle at one of his jokes all he wants to do is kiss you silly. How he didn’t just want to be your best friend. He wanted to be everything he could be for you. Because you were becoming everything to him. But now wasn’t the time for love confessions. Maybe one day he’ll be brave enough, but it wasn’t today. 

“You’re absolutely the best thing to happen to me, sweetheart.” He said, eyes softer than you had ever seen them. He lifted your hand to his mouth, leaving a kiss on the back of it. “Absolute best.”

Taglist: @natashaashleymarvelromanoff

[queen-haq]

Fic: A Woman Scorned - Part 17

Fic: A Woman Scorned - Part 17

Pairing: Billy Russo x Reader

Rating: R for language and smut.

Words: ~3300 words.

Summary: You’ve been sleeping with Billy Russo for a few months now. Knowing his aversion to emotional commitments, you’re satisfied with your clandestine arrangement until you catch him having dinner with Dinah Madani one night. Then it finally dawns on you. It’s not that he doesn’t want to commit, he just doesn’t want to commit to *you*.

Billy may think he knows you, but he has no idea what he’s just lost…

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3   Part 4   Part 5   Part 6   Part 7   Part 8   Part 9   Part 10   Part 11   Part 12   Part 13   Part 14   Part 15  Part 16

Part 17

Billy couldn’t stop gawking at you, wondering how it was possible you grew more beautiful each time he saw you. The red wrap dress you were wearing accentuated all your curves, and it took every bit of willpower he had not to rip it off of you and fuck you senseless right then and there. Unfortunately, he had to behave himself. Caravan was a pretty bouji place that had recently been labelled as one of the hottest restaurants in Manhattan and he had to pull a few strings to get a last-minute reservation for tonight. But seeing the smile on your face when you realized this was where you were dining had been completely worth all the hassle.

As the hostess guided the two of you to your table, he noticed a few assholes at the bar admiring you from afar. Immediately he snaked his arm around your waist to draw you in closer. You were his. If he could he’d pluck out every one of those fuckers’ eyes so they never made the mistake of looking at you again. Better yet, he’d keep you locked behind closed doors. Of course you wouldn’t agree to anything like that because you were too goddamn independent for your own good.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, taking a seat at your designated table.

Billy’s attention returned to your face as he followed suit, his gaze inhaling you in. “You look too hot. Too many assholes staring at you,” he grumbled.

The worried look on your face was replaced with a beaming smile, one that made his cock twitch.

“You’re being ridiculous” you remarked, scanning the menu.

His eyes drifted down to your chest, the swell of your soft, supple breasts just begging to be kissed and licked by him.

“Stop staring at my boobs, Billy,” you chastised even as a small smile graced your lips. “This is a proper first date. You can’t just ogle me like that. You have to behave like a gentleman.”

He quirked his eyebrow. “Sweetheart, I’ve never been that.”

“Well, try,” you ordered.

The waitress came by with the bottle of red wine you’d requested and poured some in both of your glasses. He noticed the redhead giving him a friendly smile, her green eyes lingering on him for a second too long. Fine, yeah, she may have been hot but she wasn’t you. No one was. So while he would have happily slipped her his number in the past, now the idea of being with someone who wasn’t you no longer excited him.

Once she left, he took the opportunity to move a few inches closer to you. What he really wanted was to get on his knees and bury his head between your legs, but something told him eating you out in in the crowded restaurant wouldn’t go over very well with you.

“I think she likes you.”

Hand propped on the back of your chair, he started playing with your hair. “Who?”

“Our waitress. She didn’t look at me once, her eyes were on you the entire time.”

He leaned in, ecstatic at the thought of you acting possessive. Even though you’d confessed to having feelings for him, Billy still worried you were ready to bolt at any moment. To see you jealous meant you genuinely cared and he didn’t have to worry about you leaving him. “She’s not my type. I have my eyes on someone else.”

You made a show of looking around the restaurant. “Oh, is Madani here too?”

“Funny,” he retorted, taking your hand in his.

“Your ginger’s lucky. I’m dressed way too nice or I’d take my knife and stab her with it.”

He smirked. “You’re vicious when you’re jealous.”

“I’m not jealous. I just don’t like bad service.”

“Bullshit.”

“Billy, you’re hot. You know that. All the women here are checking you out. If I freaked out every time someone did that, I’d have a breakdown.”

He wanted to destroy the fucking world at the thought of someone even looking at you but apparently you were simply ambivalent about him. “So it’s that easy for you? Your brain tells you to turn off a feeling and your heart just does it?” Even to his own ears he sounded bitter. “Guess you’re not all that invested in me.”

Your eyebrow quirked up, apparently surprised by his edgy tone. “Do you want me to go nuts?”

“Just want you to give a damn.”

“You think I don’t?” you snapped. “Every time she looks at you I want to tear her hair out. Even though the rational part of me knows she’s probably just flirting with you because it’s part of her job or she’s hoping for big tips. Or maybe she really does want to fuck you. Either way, I want to punch her across the face. Happy?” You gulped down your wine.

Grinning, he squeezed your hand. “Then why not just tell me that? Why act like you don’t care?”

The agitated expression on your face was replaced with tenderness, your eyes soft. “Just because I don’t have a jealous fit doesn’t mean I don’t care. I just…” You exhaled a sigh, and he sensed this was difficult for you. “I express my emotions differently than you.”

“I noticed. You put on an act while holding everything in.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“But I want you, the real you, not the version everyone else sees.”

“It’s not that easy, Billy.”

He brought your palm to his lips. “I’d never told anyone about my mother.”

“You didn’t tell me either,” you pointed out.

“You found out anyway, and I’m so fucking glad you did. Otherwise I wouldn’t have realized I could be real with you.” He placed a tender kiss on your skin. “I don’t want to hide anything from you, Y/N.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then tell me about William Rawlins.”

Your request gave him pause, his eyes roaming over your face. He’d taken painstaking measures to keep his partnership with Rawlins a secret yet you’d discovered it. “What do you want to know?”

“He gave you a lot of money.”

“I earned that money,” he said in a defensive tone. “He and I were partners for a while. Then he died.”

“You went to a lot of trouble to hide your connection to him.”

“You found out about it though.”

You shrugged your shoulders. “I’m good at what I do.”

“Yeah, too good,” he muttered. He released your hand, watching you intently. “So what do you want to know?”

You leaned in closer, your voice barely above a whisper. He was momentarily distracted by the sensation of your tits pressed against him but he forced himself to concentrate.

“What happened to Rawlins, did you have anything to do with it?”

Billy took a swig of his wine. “Why do you think that?”

You quirked your eyebrow at him. “Knifed by someone in the parking lot. They never found the guy who did it.”

“He had a lot of enemies,” he pointed out.

“Okay, so maybe I was wrong.”

He studied you for several seconds, trying to decide if he should take the leap or not. “You’re not wrong.”

Realization dawned on your face as the truth set in. “Why did you do it?”

“You sure you want to know?”

“I’m asking, aren’t I?”

So he told you, about Operation Cerberus, his role in it and the money he earned, how he’d eliminated Rawlins a year ago when the prick plotted to take out Frank and his family. To this day Frank didn’t know about Billy’s partnership with Rawlins or how close he came to dying and he intended to keep it that way.

Throughout his confession his eyes were glued to your face, gauging your reactions. The part of him determined to do anything to be a success, the one who didn’t let society’s morals get in the way of his ambitions, would never be accepted by his closest friends. Despite the myriad of reasons to have kept that side of himself hidden, he didn’t want to do that with you. Because as risky as it was to be so open with you, it was also exhilarating. There was no one in this world he’d ever been this honest with and that kind of intense connection with you was addictive. He wanted you to know everything about him, all of the dark and vicious thoughts that ran through his head, the burning ambition that kept pushing him forward. He wanted you to know him inside and out and he wanted the same from you.

Before he could prod you to speak your mind the server came by with your dishes, setting your meals on the table. The redhead took her time, all the whilst your gaze was focused on the table, avoiding his. Billy’s heart started to pound in his chest, he was suddenly filled with doubt. Had he made a mistake in telling you the truth? Did he just completely fuck this up? Every second the goddamn redhead lingered at the table felt like an eternity when all he wanted was to shake you out of your stupor.

The second the server left, he moved in on you. “Are you gonna say something?”

You finally looked at him, your forehead burrowed. “We need to do a better job of hiding your history with Rawlins. I found it, that means someone else can too.”

“You gonna help me with that?”

You shook your head ‘yes’. “Yeah, I have to. You need me.”

“What I did doesn’t bother you?”

You exhaled a heavy sigh. “Of course it does, but there’s nothing I can do about it. You’ve seen me at my worst and you didn’t judge me. I won’t do that to you either. Besides, when the universe deals you a shitty hand you’ve got to find other ways to even out your odds.”

A strange feeling of warmth flooded over him, compelling him to angle forward and kiss you on the lips.

You pulled away a second later, smiling at him as you rubbed the corner of his mouth. “This lipstick isn’t kiss-proof.”

“I don’t care.” Wicked visions of you flashed through his mind. Your bold red lips wrapped around his cock, sucking him off the way he liked it. His cum spread over your tits, your neck, your lips. The taste of your sweet, delicious cunt on his tongue as he fucked you with his mouth. The heat of your tongue against his as he rammed into you over and over-

“Stop looking at me like that,” you warned.

“Then stop looking so hot,” he snarked.

You smiled, biting down on your bottom lip.

It blew his mind how sweet and shy you were when he paid you compliments, like you didn’t expect that from him. Obviously he needed to fix that, because you deserved to know how insanely beautiful you were all the time.

“Has Anvil been okay without Rawlins?” you asked, taking a bite out of your butternut squash ravioli.

Swallowing his steak, he wiped his mouth with a napkin. “It was tough for a while but we’ve been doing pretty well the last few months.”

“You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished, Billy. You took a big risk going into business for yourself and you made it work. That’s amazing. I could never do that.”

Billy’s insides radiated with happiness. Other than Curtis and Frank he never really had people who genuinely believed in him so to have you cheering him on was exalting. Especially considering you were great at what you did and he had so much respect for you.

He poured himself and you more wine before reaching for your hand again. “I think you could. You’d make a shitload of money if you freelanced.”

You shook your head ‘no’. “No way, I’m too much of a coward to take a risk like that.” You took a sip of your wine. “Plus I get to go to Paris for work.”

“Or you could go to Paris on vacation and not work.”

“Then I’d have to pay for it,” you pointed out, grinning. “When you grow up the way I did, you learn to appreciate free things.”

Your enthusiasm was infectious, he couldn’t hep but smile back. A part of him was hoping this would be the perfect opening for you to talk more about your childhood, about everything you went through, because he desperately wanted you to trust him as much as he trusted you with his secrets.

“I’ll be there for two weeks,” you continued, oblivious to his disappointment. “We’re going to scout out locations for the new branch and-”

“We?” Billy interjected.

You cast him a quick glance. “Roger’s coming with me on the trip.”

The jealousy that struck him felt like a swift kick to his gut. Images of you and that goddamn bastard traipsing around and enjoying romantic date nights in Paris assaulted his mind. Agitated, he pulled his hand from yours. “I bet that fucker can’t wait to be alone with you.”

“Billy, come on. You can’t be serious.”

“How would you feel if I took off with someone who wanted to fuck me?”

“First of all, he doesn’t want me.”

His jaw clenched with frustration as he glared at you. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s thought about fucking you.”

“Even if he does, I don’t want him.” You reached out to cup his face, your voice so soft and tender in your attempts to placate him that he momentarily forgot how upset he was. “You really think I’d jeopardize what we have for a fling with Roger? I wouldn’t do that.”

“Then don’t go. Turn him down.”

Irritation flickered over your face, he could tell you were done coddling him. “Billy, you have no right to ask me that. I’d never interfere with your work.”

Underneath all that jealousy he knew you were right. As much as he despised the idea of you going away to Paris with another guy, he couldn’t demand that you not go on work trips. If you did that to him, it would annoy the fuck out of him. Yet despite his rational side recognizing he was asking for too much, he couldn’t help but feel bitter. “That asshole’s gonna make a move on you, I know it.”

“What if he does? What do you think is gonna happen?”

Hs eyes met yours, urgently seeking some kind of validation from you. “You tell me.”

“Do you think I’m going to sleep with him?”

He flinched. “Don’t talk about fucking another guy, please. You’re gonna make me lose my appetite.”

You took his hand and placed it over your left breast, probably to distract him from all the disgusting images that were running through his brain. “I wanted you so badly and even then it took me like a month to fuck you. Trust me, I’m not going to sleep with him when I’m not even attracted to him.”

Spotting the earnestness in your eyes, the knot in his stomach finally loosened. Roger may have had a hard-on for you but Billy knew you felt nothing for the fucker. He’d noticed that even at the night of the gala. So that meant he had to trust you, there was no reason not to. “Call me every night when you’re there,” he grumbled.

“Every night? You’re probably going to start blocking my calls,” you laughed.

He booped your nose. “Every. Fucking. Night.”

You beamed. “Fine.” A wicked glint flashed in your eyes, a seductive smile on your lips as you slowly moved his hand lower, his fingers now on your nipple. “Hey, just ‘cause you’re not there with me doesn’t mean we can’t have fun.”

He stroked your nipple over the fabric of your dress, enjoying how the nub hardened under his touch, the way your breath hitched in your throat when he continued his ministrations. With his other hand he tucked your hair behind your ear, whispering to you. “Phone sex is alright, but nothing beats this.” His tongue curved along the shell of your ear, and you trembled against him. “Right?”

The waitress seemed to come out of nowhere this time to ask how your meals were, and you jumped back. Disappointed, he sighed.

“Food was great. Thank you,” you replied, smiling stiffly at the redhead.

“Can I get you anything else?”

“Privacy would be great,” Billy muttered.                                                            

You kicked him under the table. “Dessert menu?”

“Sure. I’ll bring it right over,” the waitress said, taking your plates away.  

“I’ll give you all the sugar you want once we get outta here,” he murmured seductively, caressing your thigh.

You giggled, rolling your eyes. “That’s a terrible line!” You took his hand and removed it from your thigh. “Billy, I’m not sleeping with you tonight.”

“Why not?”                                                      

“Because it’s our first date and I don’t put out on the first date.”

“Now that’s a terrible line,” he fired back, mimicking your earlier tone.

“Also, we already had sex this morning.”

“So? I’m greedy. I can’t get enough of you.” There was that shy smile of yours again, and he reached out to give you a sweet peck on the cheek. “You blush every time I tease you.”

“I do?”

“Yeah, it’s adorable.”

Your cheeks grew even more red. “I’m not used to it from you. A part of me still thinks you’re bullshitting me.”

Billy stiffened. “Really?”

“I know you’re not playing me,” you reassured. “It’s on me, not you. I just have a hard time accepting when good things happen.”

The waitress came by with the dessert menu. He briefly glanced at it before ordering a slice of pecan pie while you ordered a piece of chocolate cake.

As soon as the redhead left, he broached the topic with you again. “I’m not gonna hurt you, babe. You have to believe that.”

You didn’t look at him, your eyes fixed somewhere on his chest. “I do. You were so pissed off at me last night. I honestly expected you to hit me because you were so angry. But you didn’t.”

It made him sick to his stomach that you actually thought him capable of hitting you. It hadn’t even occurred to him that you would worry about that, but of course you would. With your childhood it made perfect sense, he was just a fucking idiot who hadn’t realized how much it still impacted you. “I’m never gonna lay a hand on you. I swear.” His eyes locked with yours, hoping you can sense how much he meant those words.

“I believe you.”

His voice was insistent, his gaze boring into you. “Why did you think I would?”

Your eyes wavered from his eyes to his lips for a long time, the atmosphere thick with tension. Your facial expressions ran the gamut of painful emotions, from uncertainty to fear to sheer panic.

It finally sank in that maybe the reason you were keeping the truth from him had noting to do with if you trusted him or not. Maybe you didn’t want to be assaulted by memories from the past that caused you so much pain. The last thing he wanted was for you to experience that hell again. Regretting his demanding tone, his hands caressed down the length of your arms. “You don’t have to tell me, It’s okay.”

Your eyes brimmed with aching vulnerability as you looked up at him. “I want to… I just… give me some time, okay?” You pressed your lips against his, giving him the softest, sweetest kiss. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight for so long, I don’t want to ruin it, you know?”

His heart felt full, his mind reeling with wonderment at the thought of you truly reciprocating his feelings. His arms wrapped around you as you sank into him, burying your face in his chest. His fingers stroked the back of your hair, murmuring soft, soothing words to you. Somewhere in the distance he heard the server’s voice trying to interject, but he didn’t give a damn.  He was yours and you were his and nothing was going to ruin that. Nothing.

Part 18

A/N - I realize not much happened in this chapter but I just reallly wanted to write a dialogue heavy part where they simply get to know and enjoy each other. I think they’ve earned some fluff. LOL.

As always, thank you for your kind words of encouragement. Please let me know your thoughts.

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[tommyspeakycap]

Please could you write one with Grealish where you’re a Chelsea fan so refuse to wear a Villa shirt with his name on, and for bants Mount gets you a Chelsea shirt with his name and Jack gets all pouty?

omg I love this idea!! gets very smutty at the end ;) enjoy!

Villa Boy

A love for Chelsea had been something you adapted and grew to into as a young girl. Your dad was never entirely sure how to bond with his only daughter and your mother told him just to include you in what he loved. And so came your season pass with a little lanyard that still hung proudly in your childhood room right next to a shirt mounted in a glass photo frame with Frank Lampard's signature scrawled along the eight on the back.

It was actually how you met Jack in the first place, which is the only one single reason that he has for liking your club affiliation. Otherwise, it was one of the most annoying things in his world. It was often a source of teasing and taunting, you saying your team was better than his and him swaggering home and gloating for weeks when Aston Villa take a win over Chelsea. It was the bane of his life that he couldn't get you into that claret and blue. Not even to sleep in or wear around the house, you just would not dare put it on.

"I would feel my dad's shame emanate through the walls, maybe it would kill him. And then I'd lose every morsel of self respect I have, so not a chance." You'd snort, not even giving him a window for more persuasion.

His England shirt? that was fair game. You'd wear that with pride, to the shops, round the house, walking the dog and especially at his games but there was just absolutely no chance of getting you into his Villa shirt.

Though Jack may never admit it, it was one of his biggest wants. Seeing you in his England short was nothing short revolutionary - he'd said. It only made him want to see you in the Villa shirt more. That was his childhood club, getting to captain that was one of his biggest achievements and while he knew you were absolutely proud of him. You were the most proud and encouraging person in his life and there were no ifs buts or maybes in that.

But my god he knew you'd look fit in that claret and blue.

No matter how much it annoyed him, he wouldn't get you out of the darker blue home jersey of your favourite club no matter what he did. It was something he had come to accept over the course of your relationship, it was by and large fine.

Until that jersey said someone else's name across the back.

"Awh come on!" He yelps, mouth dropped open as you emerge into the kitchen with your toothbrush hanging out your mouth and only one shoe on. Jack knows you slept in because he switched off your alarm last night in hopes you'd miss the game, but Jack dropped a bowl when he tripped over the dog and woke you up anyway.

You going to the Villa v Chelsea game in a Chelsea shirt was bad enough, but now he's just clocked something that's sent his mind firing a mile a minute.

MOUNT

19

Not a fucking chance.

"Oi, you!" He calls out, throwing himself off the chair at the kitchen island, his feet fumbling over one another to get after you as quickly as possible. "What's up, Jack?" You hum innocently, a sweet smile playing on your lips as you stand in the doorway shoving on your other shoe. "Is something the matter?"

Jack gawks, opening and closing his mouth awaiting words to find his frazzled brain. "Yes!" He squeaks, a tone you'd never heard from a man before, let along your very deep voiced man. "There's no way that you're- what are you doing? Come back." He groans, his feet shuffling after you as you walk back through the house to find your car keys. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up." You note sweetly, Jack drops his jaw. "We're not going anywhere until-"

"Hi Mason, yeah I got it. Fits like glove actually. Yeah, we're just leaving now. I'll meet you in the car park."

Jack's face was literally priceless. His agape, eye's wild, brows furrowed. A pout settles itself firmly into his lips the second he sits in the car with his arms folded over his chest like a toddler. You have to physically stifle a laugh at him as you beam the entire drive to Villa Park.

"M' gonna burn that." He states. You cast him a glance out the corner of your eye as you pull into the players parking. A snigger escapes despite your very best efforts and Jack resumes his frontward glare at the dashboard with his lips in a firm line. "Gonna win this game, burn that shirt and knock Mount flat."

You know he's not being serious about Mason. He's very fond of the player when they're on the same side. But you had become very close friends with him through the mutual love for the club he plays at and Jack absolutely despised that. He wasn't the kind to be bothered by your friends even to a moderate degree and even here he trusted you, he just fucking hated the concept of another club and another mans name over your back. It ticked him right off.

You know this very well. You knew what you were getting into the second Mason handed you that dark blue shirt. It was all fun and games really. You loved the club but you only wore the Mount shirt to get under Jack's skin. You thought it might even throw off his game a little.

The second he stormed onto the pitch and scored a goal 5 minutes into the game, you figured that might not be the case.

Every opportunity, every goal, every opening and every single tackle, Jack turned to you. He turned to you with fire in those brown eyes, sending you a cheeky wink. His passion, the very serious look etched onto his features and the way he was looking at you was fuelling a very different kind of fire in you.

Jack played the whole 90 minutes and he took Mason Mount down at every single given opportunity in a careful way that just evaded him getting a yellow card. He finished hot, sweaty and with a man of the match trophy for 2 goals and one assist with a majority of the game spent with the ball at his feet.

The 3 nil win should have been a lot more disappointing that it was, but he just looked so fucking good. The sweat stuck his hair to his temples, his muscles tight and protruding through exertion as he walks off the field after shaking every hand.

You're standing just outside the tunnel with Mason and John McGinn standing with you, talking about the match mostly. John makes a joke about you wearing that top more often, seems to be a good luck charm for Villa even if it's the opposing team. Mason scoffs and says; "More like an angry boyfriend wants to murder me charm."

That's when Jack appears and John barely gets his mouth open to greet him before Jack shoulders through the two footballers. His mouth finds your immediately. Hot, passionate, fiery and filled with his dominance.

He pulls back and grabs onto your hand tightly with his back to the two midfielders. Jack twists his body round with a daggering glare.

"Nobody," Jack growls, "fucks around with girl."

His tone, deep and gravelly, only serves to dampen your panties further in a way that makes your clench your legs together.

Jack's done with pouting, the teasing can resume later. For now, he's dragging you by the hand to a darkened conference room. Hiking you up his body before setting you on the table that sits at a miraculously perfect height that places you right against his bulge.

He wastes no time whatsoever ripping down your leggings and panties, his fingers finding you immediately to swirl pressured motions around your sensitive clit. "Ahh, who's got you moaning like that baby?" He rumbles, words vibrating through your lips.

"You Jack, oh god, you!" You pant as his fingers leave you feeling empty and needy. Jack easily tugs down his shorts and pulls himself out of his boxers to line up with your entrance. His victory sex is hot always, but usually there was a dry spell after a Villa v Chelsea game, so it had never been this hot.

"And who am I?" He grunts, pushing himself into you to hear your shuddering squeak of pleasure. He lays you down over the table, hands following you under your shirt to carefully and tentatively swirl his fingers over your nipples from under your bra. "Oh god, Jack," you move your hands to the hem of the blue shirt to lift it over your head, but Jack's hands stop them before you have the chance.

"No, no, no," he chastises with a smirk, "Want to fuck you in their colours," He continues to thrust roughly into you with each heavy breath, mouth and squeak that escapes you only spurring him on. "Want to fuck you with his name on your back, baby. Remind you who you belong to."

You shudder in pleasure with the feeling of his lips attaching to your neck, letting out a shaky, heavy breath as he snakes a hand down between you to swirl those circles around your more pleasureful spot once again. He knows the intricate details of your body better than any man ever has and he always ensures he uses it to his advantage, but nothing like today. His lips on the sweet spot of your neck, hitting and stretching you perfect between your legs with masterful work of his fingers pushing you closer and closer with each second that passed.

"Fuck , I'm so close-"

"Who's making you feel so good, baby?" He pants, skin slapping and heavy breathing echoing around the room. "You, Jack. You!"

"Not a Chelsea boy eh?" He grunts, teeth nibbling down over your collarbone. "Not a Chelsea boy baby is it?" He reiterates, pairing the movements of his hand only until you snap open your eyes again, "No Jack, it's all you. not a- oh god!"

Jack breathes a chuckle into your ear with an appreciative hum to follow.

"Yeah, Villa Captain isn't it? You're screaming out for a Villa boy, ain't ya?" He coaxes, edging you further and further as he speeds up to a pace he's never quite hit you with before. The adrenaline of the match, the irritation of that blue jersey and the passion for the win colliding to give him an energy he's never yet had. Watching your eyes roll beneath him wearing that stupid blue entices him on, only makes him want to pleasure you more if even possible. "Yes! Yes, I am, oh god just don't stop."

"Go on then," he encourages, voice deep in your ear. "Come undone for the Villa Captain baby."

He didn't have to tell you twice, that was for sure. The sight of your eyes fluttering, the feeling of you clenching around him with a steam of, "Fuck yes Jack!" sends him tumbling over the edge of his orgasm right after you, a strangle cry out of your name as it wracks through him.

When he lays down beside you in the table that very surpassingly withstood the pace of your antics, you're both breathless and shining with sweat. Your legs feel like jelly as you still throb from the pleasure. Jack turns his head to you with a lazy smirk, brushing some hair off your forehead as you turn to look at him.

"Well, I certainly do love a Villa boy."

[zzzzzzzzzzoom]

Au where Mirabel is the reincarnation of a god. The reason she wasn’t given the gift is because she is already magic herself so she didn’t need a gift.

Encanto AU: What if Mirabel is a reincarnation of a god?

Thank you for the idea @mabeljonesrock!

Disclaimer: This story isn't based on any actual legend or god from Colombia, it's just a figment of my imagination. Any similarities are just coincidental. I just wanted to have a little creative freedom haha. Anyway, enjoy!

The triplets don't hear much about their Mama's hometown. They've tried asking, once, but Alma's expression had turned so lonely that they didn't want to press further.

That's why the stories that their mother does tell are kept so close to their hearts.

It's the Christmas after the triplets received their gifts, and they're all curled up around their mother as they sit around the Christmas tree. And Alma begins a story...

Once upon a time, there lived a goddess, made of stardust and fire. She was fond of humans, so she took a human form similar to her followers to try living among them. She was known to have long flowing hair, smooth unblemished sunkissed skin, and the most beautiful smile known to man.

She never revealed that she was a god, so no one paid much attention to her, but she did not mind. She kept on smiling, even when no one spared her a second glance.

One fateful day, she had to return to the stars. But she had grown so attached to the humans, that she could not bear to leave them. And so, she turned herself into light itself, to continue to guide her people even when they wouldn't know.

But they did know.

They noticed how the smiling young woman had disappeared, and they missed her presence. She was always in the company of butterflies, so to wish for her wellbeing, the people added that motif everywhere, from their clothes to their walls to their lamps.

(But those were not butterflies at all, they were moths. And as the saying goes, moths are drawn to flame. Even in her human form, they were attracted to her dazzling fire.)

"The old folk used to tell that story to us all the time, to teach us that we only know what we're missing out on when it's gone," Alma said with a laugh. "I never believed it, because surely people made from the stars never existed. But now..."

"We got a magic house and magic powers, so you better believe it!" Pepa exclaimed happily. "Do you think our magic could be from the goddess too, Mama?"

"The candle is light..." Julieta considered.

"And it has a butterfly design, like you said," Bruno added, glancing at the candle, burning bright as ever.

"Maybe," Alma said, smiling. "And I'm grateful for that, since the magic saved us all. Say, if ever the goddess manifests or reincarnates, I'll be the first to give my thanks."

Years went by. Alma continued to tell them stories, but she was forgetting them, and it made her feel even worse to tell her children of a legend she could barely recall. So the stories stopped coming, and the children kept growing.

Eventually, the family expanded. Pepa got married and had 2 wonderful children. Julieta got married and was blessed with 3 daughters. And Bruno... he became more and more distant every passing day.

It became a tradition for the parents, after the gift ceremony, to tuck their children into bed in their new rooms with the legend of the goddess. It was like a confirmation, a coming-of-age, when the grandkids heard the supposed origin of their magic. It solidified that they were gifted.

When Mirabel's door faded away, no one felt that it was right to tell her the story.

But what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

And so she lived her life as normally as she could. She tried helping out as much as she could, but no one needed the magicless Madrigal. Well, no matter. She couldn't resent her family nor her town for this.

She pressed on with an ever-optimistic smile on her face.

(Aside from the weird deja vu feeling she got when she looked at herself in the mirror or stared at a flame or talked to Casita, life was good.

She'd asked Camilo once, when they were 13, about if he felt like he wasn't himself looking in the mirror, but he laughed nervously and hastily left the kitchen. She shrugged the strange experience off.)

When Antonio was born, Mirabel felt a love so full (so familiar) that she could barely contain it. But this did not stop her disappointment when the magic responded to his touch and gave him a door.

She stepped out, feeling unwelcome, when the tiles started to crack. The closer the cracks got to the candle...

The more Mirabel's chest started to ache. Like a part of her was breaking.

But it was Casita who was falling apart, it was the magic that was fading. So why did it feel so hard to breathe?

(Little does Mirabel know, she is the magic herself. As the magic binding her family together withers, so does she. But when the house finally does crash to the ground, she lives.

Because in this life, she still has her dazzling smile, that encourages others to step into themselves. Because in this life, people (Alma) noticed her before it was too late. Because in this life, butterflies do flock to her, not moths.

Because in this life, she's not just magic, she's human too. Like she's always wanted, in the life she doesn't quite remember.)

[arty-shadow-morningstar]

Graveyard Siblings (4)

I am sorry for not posting in a while. School is a total bitch. Here is part 4 of a fic that is not a fic.

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 2)(Part 3)

-------

Tall Marinette.(I admit I might be projecting a little here.)

One day, she took out something from someplace high and the whole family realized that ‘holy shit when did you get so tall?’

Bonus if Jason comes back from a long mission and had a wtf moment because she was wearing 6-inch-heels and met his eyes with them on.

“Pixie?!”

------

You know how Bruce has the identity of Matches Malone to infiltrate the Gotham Underground.

While Jason does the drug deals more street crime stuff, Maria uses an excuse of being the representative for Red Hood excuse to mingle with the rich people who does crime on the side (Penguin), she uses it to go to black market auctions and buy some of the lost miraculouses which got into the hands of black market dealers.

Jason knows about it and acts as her ‘bodyguard’ anytime he can or sends one of his henchmen to be one with a death threat if she gets a single scratch on her.

Bruce is unaware of this. Or is he?

------

Mari helps with running WE since she is a little less busy with the vigilante side of things.

It started with Tim panicking about deadlines and Mari offering to help, to Bruce and Tim bullying the board to have her as co-CEO.

She has to be that and head of Afterlife. So she is very busy. Doesn’t know about what comes next….

------

Somehow the class comes to Gotham for a trip. It has been 3 years since her death.

Mari has changed her appearance since the day she left Paris. She has highlights in her hair after a ‘sibling bonding day’ with Jason. Her hair is kept short for convenience and not in pigtails. Along with her tall height and more confident aura, she is almost unrecognizable.

She rides a motorcycle too.

The class waits in the lobby for the tour and in walks this badass woman with aviator sunglasses, leather jacket and designer clothes which was all MT brand, making a lot of people swoon.

She takes off her glasses and walks past the class. Checking stuff on her phone and sipping coffee in her other hand.

She seems familiar but they couldn’t figure out why. (All except Chloe, Alix and Felix who are snickering in the background.)

Lila sees her and comments on how she must be a criminal with the way she dresses. (Lila internally freaks out because were her eyes messing with her? Because she looked a little like Marinette. Also jealous of the new arrival for stealing all the attention.) Alya takes the bait and calls security to ‘arrest’ her.

They just laugh. The class doesn’t understand, speaking in confused French.

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

“I am Maria Todd-Wayne, also known as designer MT. CEO of Afterlife and co-CEO of the very company you are in. I am allowed in here. Don’t judge a book by its cover.” she said in perfect French.

“But Lila told us you can’t speak French.”

“Who?”

“Lila Rossi, your friend. She told us that you and MT were dating.”

“Me dating myself. Okay I love myself because self-love is a thing but that is a whole other level. MT are my initials. Anyone who has a brain could have figured that out or at the very least do a Google search. I am not sure where your friend got that notion.”

“Hey, Bean, come on. We have a long day ahead of us.” Tim reminded her.

“Goodbye but cease the rumours or you would be escorted off the premises.”

As they rode up the elevator, “Tim, why are they here?”

“They are the lucky winners of the Wayne Enterprise Young Prodigies Contest. Why, Maria?”

“Lucky, huh.” She muttered under her breath. She might as well tell him. They are the Bats and they will find out anyway. “They are from my old class, the one you know…”

“Oh. Want me to send them back? I can do that if they are making you uncomfortable.”

“Nah. Too much to deal with. And it is unfair to send them back over a petty grudge. Besides, I could have some fun.”

“Anything that Bruce and I should be worried about?”

“I swear no killing. Just because Jason came back from the dead, hell-bent on killing. Doesn’t mean I am too.”

“Cool, just don’t do any property damage or traumatize our employees.”

“I might need you to erase some footage later and tell Bruce about this.”

“Some brownies, my favourite coffee cake, the ‘special’ brew and you have yourself a deal.”

-----

So basically she just showed up around where the class was ‘by coincidence’.

Talk to a few people and take them out of earshot of the rest of the class.

End the conversation by saying a few things only they and her would know. Insides jokes and secrets. (I pick her old childhood friends like, Nino, Kim and maybe Sabrina)

Uses Trixx to turn into a walking dead version of her 15-year old self and disappears as they freak out about how she knew that secret/story.

Freaks them out further by appearing again in front of the whole class and pretending not to know their previous conversation.

Mari manages to get Lila alone.

I should also say that Lila thought that her curse was making her see MT as Marinette.

It terrifies Lila when she finds out that MT is actually Marinette, not dead but alive after all this time and apparently living the high life she wanted. This fact made the Italian swell up with jealousy.

“I hope you are not lying about me again, Lila Rossi. Like you always do.”

“What do you want with me? I swear I didn’t say anything else about you.”

“Aw, Lila. Don’t recognize me?”

Maria flickers and Ladybug is in her place and later, the Marinette that appeared in her bedroom and back to normal.

“You! How? Why are you here? Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“Why not? I mean you did take away nearly all my friends, my parents and made my life a living hell. If you think about it, I am just repaying you the same favor. How are the others? Treating you well?”

“What did you do to me, you bitch?”

“I just put a curse on you. The ghosts of your past will haunt you until you stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop Lying, Liar. They all feed and grow in power from your lies. I wonder what would happen in a few years if you kept this up.”

“You think you can get away with this. This is war and I have already beaten you once.”

“Oh Rossi. This isn’t a war. It’s a death sentence.” With that she disappears.

Lila tries to tell her class that MT is actually Marinette. She is met with crazy looks. Some of them look like they want to believe her but don't because they don’t want to look crazy too.

Oh. Adrien wasn’t on the trip because his mother didn’t want him to go to the crime capital of America although the crime rate has gone down a little due to Hellbat curing some of the city’s bad energy..

Right after Lila told the class about MT, Scarecrow came to steal some Wayne tech and the class got caught in the crossfire. So later, it was brushed off as Lila seeing things due to the fear toxins.

-----

Joker made the mistake of kidnapping her. Once was enough to never try that again.

(It involved the use of nearly all of the Miraculouses, old and new. He was thoroughly humiliated at the end of it and his picture by the time Hellbat was done with him was on the Batfam’s Christmas Card. Like I said she doesn’t kill but making them beg for death was okay.)

It coincided with Jason’s Birthday and the video of the incident was ‘the best birthday present ever.’ The uncensored version was watched at the next undead siblings bonding day. Damian included.

After hearing a few rumours about what happened, most criminals were glad for Hellbat’s rare appearances. (which happens once a month and during really busy time of the year)

There was a time where Penguin was carrying out one of their plans and when Hellbat showed up, all of their thugs surrendered instantly. (No Batman did not pout at the fact that this French girl was more imitating than him.)

Scarecrow used his newest batch of fear toxin on her during the first year after she died.

He was astounded to see her still standing and she later proceeded to beat the crap out of him while being under the toxin’s influences.

He has tried to stay out of her way since then.

She saw Scarecrow as Hawkmoth and said a lot of things in French which scared everyone because she said it with so much hate, anger and in a very menacing tone that everyone is like ‘I am not touching this.’

It took Red Hood and Nightwing to restrain her from further beating Scarecrow up.

He was one of the people who sympathised with the Joker after the Incident.

The next was Riddler being so arrogant in his plans and managed to get Hellbat and Spoiler into a death trap.

“You know I have a few regrets in life. And my final one is that I got captured and am now going to get killed by a walking fashion disaster.”

“Hey! I made this myself. I will have, you know.”

“You have a brilliant mind but no sense of fashion at all. When I get out of here, I am going to burn that thing with you in it, for your crimes against fashion.”

“What is wrong with it?”

Cue a lot of roasting of Riddler’s costume and Spoiler adding more fuel to the fire.

They manage to escape while Riddler is crying on the floor, having an existential crisis.

The thing was no one knows why Riddler was silent the entire week after encountering Hellbat and crying when anyone mentions it.

They now think Hellbat is the scariest one in the Batfamily, second to Batman and tied with Black Bat/Orphan.

The few who find out what really happened in the warehouse that night. Blackmail material on the Riddler.

Three ( four if you count Penguin) of Gotham’s biggest villains of the Rogues Gallery scared of Bats’ newest addition. Hellbat was not someone they wanted to mess with.

---------

Magic crisis stuff. Like a world ending event thing. Dr. Fate says they need the Miraculous jewels but the last mention of them had been in Paris a few years ago and had vanished since then.

Costantine looked at Batman. “You know who you have to call.”

Batman calls Hellbat. Who hasn’t been introduced yet to the JL.

“Ah. Bats. Not that I question your authority or anything but how can your newest ‘ward’ help us?”

She takes off her helmet and reveals her face and more importantly, her earrings.

Tikki comes out of her hiding place.

“I am the current Guardian of the Miracle Box and wielder of the Ladybug miraculous during Hawkmoth’s reign in Paris a few years ago. Any other Questions?”

“Oh great Guardian. Tikki. It is an honour to meet you.”-Wonder Woman, who else.

“You too, Princess Diana. Pass on my regards to your mother.”-Tikki

A huge face-off and the big evil is defeated.

WW asks abt HM and gives a horrified face at the end of her story. Nearly everyone who eavesdropped on the conversation was.

"Forgive me, Guardian for not aiding you in your hour of need.”

“It’s okay. I understand that there are other crises, world-ending ones that JL have to take care of. I am better now. Mostly.”

“I doubt it with those revenge schemes I found lying around. But she is getting there with her therapist.”-Batman

“I hate you, Dad.”

“Did you just call him Dad?”

“No….”

“Do you see me as a father figure?”

“I see you as a nuisance with how nosy you are with my personal business. So you are more of a bother figure.”

“I see you as part of the family too, Daughter.” (Got that reference anyone?)

“Jason was the one who adopted me.”

“Legally you are adopted by me.”

Maria with Pikachu surprised face because nobody told her that. “My life is a lie.”

-------

(Part 5)

[toru-oikawas-milkbread]

Hustler | Pt.1

Pairing: Rintarō Suna x f!reader

Prompt/summary: Sitting at a bar 30 minutes away from your house for 45 minutes waiting for a date seemed like the start of the worst night of the week for you and a shitty start to the weekend, but when a strange man approaches you that you’re certain only wants to steal your money, you’re in for a surprise when you make it to the abandoned looking warehouse where he says he sells cheap furniture out of. Fears of getting gutted were pushed aside as you wondered if it was possible you might find a bed to sleep on at home instead of the floor in your trashy apartment, but you’re shocked to find out that the sketchy con-man isn’t as bad as you originally made him out to be, and by the end of the night, you find yourself smiling at the thought of talking to him again

Word count: 10.1K

Warnings/contents: Smut: Oral on both reader and Suna, lots of teasing, pinch of an embarrassment kink, teasing mentions of a threesome, squirting, slight praising. Light fluff, strong language, slow-burn themes, 18+

Notes: This is only the beginning of my 3 part Suna series that I have been excitedly working on in almost secret for awhile now. I took a brief break from this series but came back to it the other day and I’m excited to get the other parts out! I really hope that everyone enjoys this part as much as I enjoyed writing it! The hustler Suna thought came to me and I just couldn’t say no. thinking of Suna being a con-man with a soft side officially owns me 😂

Part 1 (current chapter) | Part 2 (Hustler Pt.2) | Part 3 (Hustler Pt.3) 

<>~<>~<>

You knew it from the moment that you laid your eyes on him— this man was a hustler, the kind of man that your mother had always warned you about on this side of town. He wasn’t looking to flirt for fun or for sex, he was looking to work his way into your pockets rather than your pants. You weren’t naïve, so even as the man approached you from across the bar, you trusted yourself enough not to fall for his tricks— not to fall for his charm or schemes that he would come with as hustlers always did.

Even if he was an incredibly attractive man with these thin, piercing green eyes that almost intimidated you in a way that you’d never felt so intimidated by before.

“What’s a pretty girl like you doing in such a bad spot in town?” He asked, leaning against the bar on one arm and looking at you as he brought his drink up to his lips and took a small sip. The drink was a pretty blue color, though you weren’t sure what it was. It looked fruity, something you wondered if he drank to throw tipsy girls off of their game so he would look more friendly— relatable— approachable maybe.

“Despite its infamous nightlife, I hear the drinks are rather good here when they’re made by a certain bartender who just so happens to not be here at the moment.” You said, and you weren’t lying. You were partially here for the drinks made by a supposedly kind man who looked like he could take on a bear in a fight with nothing but his bare hands and win, however he wasn’t there at the time. The other reason you’d went 30 minutes out of your way was because you were supposed to be on a date.

A date that you got stood up on.

“This is a pretty sketchy place to come for Ronaldo.” You shrugged, taking a sip of your drink and wondering just how scary a man named Ronaldo could possibly look. “To not bring anyone with you, well… seems like a bad idea if you ask me.” He spoke in an almost teasing way that made your eyebrow arch instinctively as you avoided looking at the man and played along with his tone.

“Good thing that I wasn’t then.” You swore from the corner of your eye you saw the man look at you and smirk, but you continued before he could speak. “How do you know I’m not with a friend anyways? You spying on me…?” You trailed off, wondering what the mans name was, and thankfully as you looked at him, he got the hint.

“Suna Rintarō,” he greeted, offering you a hand that you merely glanced at. “How can I help what my eyes follow? I see a pretty girl, maybe I want to look at her. Maybe I happen to notice in the 45 minutes this girl has been sitting at the bar by herself, nobody has come or gone, and maybe I get curious about the girl who’s name I’m yet to find out.” He said.

“(y/n).” You said, thinking about what the man said. “What has a man like you been sitting at a table for the last 45 minutes for, hmm?” You quizzed, eyeing the man who merely shrugged in response.

“I don’t have to work tomorrow, so I figured I’d see if I could strike someones interest— or in your case, have someone strike my interest.” He said nonchalantly. “Besides, who couldn’t live for a little extra selling.” He added, swirling his half-empty drink around in his cup. You hummed, watching the man who pretended not to see your gaze.

“You sell things?” He nodded, watching the neon sign behind the bar flicker as people were slowly filtering out. Usually this bar was a party scene— or at least that was what you had heard. However tonight there were only a few people, and nobody was really dressed for a party— merely wearing jeans and half-shirts rather than the sparkly skirts and bra’s people wore to party scenes that you had went to in the past.

“Old semi-famous painting replicas, they’re only a tiny bit illegal,” he started, sipping his drink and taking a seat in the bar stool next to you. “Furniture— I got a good deal on some nice stuff.” He said, though you inwardly rolled your eyes. You didn’t believe a word that came from the man— reasonably priced usually meant a little less than the normal price, and he only manipulated his way into making you think that it was a good deal. That was how all swindlers seemed to live their lives. “You know, for such a pretty girl, I think I could give you a discount off the discounted price.” You raised an eyebrow at the man who stared so innocently at you.

“Is this “Discounted price” 100¥ cheaper than the normal price?” You asked sarcastically, earning a chuckle from the man.

“I know you think I’m only trying to steal your money, but that isn’t how I work. I wouldn’t dare swindle such a pretty girl out of her money.” He was flirting, a technique you figured had worked before in the past for him. “What are you, a college graduate recently moved away from home? First apartment you’ve ever lived in by yourself? You’re probably sitting on the floor in your living room eating cereal with a fork for dinner because you can hardly afford food let alone a decent sofa. You sleep on the floor with some blankets and barely any support from a mattress that is old as hell?” He guessed, and while he wasn’t dead-on, he was right in some areas and you had to force yourself to hold a plain expression. “What do you say you come back with me and check a few things out. I promise I’m not trying to kill you or anything. You can pat me down if you like.” You raised a skeptical eyebrow at the man who then raised both of his hands, palm out in one and the drink in the other. “It’s only an offer.”

Last night when you were telling your friend about this lousy date who hadn’t even made an effort to show up, she had told you that she was glad you were finally putting yourself out there. That you needed to do something a little bit crazy to get out of your usual routine— change things up and live a fun life like she did. And while waking up next to a man who you didn’t remember because you were too drunk didn’t sound as fun to you as it did to her, you were taking her words into consideration.

You were sure she hadn’t meant for you to do something this extreme, though as Suna watched the gears turn in your head, you were debating on going with him.

What was the worst that happened? He killed you and dumped your body in the river?

“Do you have comfortable sofas?” You asked, watching the mans lips quirk up into a small smile that almost looked trustworthy if it wasn’t for the look in his eyes— like a fox who thought that he’d caught you in his trap.

“I’d say they’re pretty comfortable, and I have high standards for my knock-offs.” He said, proudly admitting that they were nowhere near famous or even real. “What do you say? You wanna come? It’s just a little warehouse a couple blocks away. I’m alone in a bit of a tougher time so I don’t have to share the profits. Nobody is there— unless that worries you instead of comforts you knowing only one sketchy man would be there.” You thought for a moment; did it worry you? The feeling in your gut was telling you not to trust the man, but he wasn’t really scary. He didn’t make you feel like you were going to die, only that he was going to try and steal your money.

“It’s fine.” You said, taking one last sip of your drink before looking back to the man. “I’m only coming to look anyways.” You were about to stand up along with the man who hummed and set his drink down, but your phone dinged before you could. You took a moment, grabbing your phone that had sat beside you on the bar and looked at the message. It was from the man who was meant to meet you here; he’d sent you a long message that you skimmed, seeing an apology, an excuse, an apology, and excuse, and finally him saying he was only running late.

So you left him on read, but Suna didn’t miss the way your jaw clenched.

“You got stood up, didn’t you?” He asked, trying not to smirk at the way that you were so clearly annoyed with the message you’d gotten. You looked at the man, running your tongue along your top row of teeth as you shoved your phone into your back pocket and stood from the chair.

“What makes you think that I didn’t merely get unsettling news?”

“Unsettling news from the idiot who stood you up?” You huffed, starting to head for the door as the man followed after you, having no trouble catching up to you with his long legs.

“So maybe I got stood up. What about it? You’ve never been stood up before?”

“Nope, but I get it— it happens to the best of us.” He said, hurrying a bit to open the door for you. “And while I usually do the standing up, I can’t say I understand why anyone would stand you up.” He said, eyeing you up and down as you walked out the door. “What more could a horny man who asks a pretty girl to meet him on the bad side of town want?”

“Apparently someone he deems a prettier girl to ditch on the bad side of town.” Suna snickered, following you to your car and looking at the car in front of you.

“Well, isn’t this perfect— that’s my car.” You looked at the vehicle, then back at the man with a raised eyebrow. It was an expensive looking car, and while the man had dressed nice, you doubted that he would be able to afford such a vehicle without claiming he’d forgotten his keys and needed you to help him find a hanger to get into his car. He seemed to know just what was going on in your mind, and it seemed as if someone else had doubted him before, because he didn’t even need to look away from you as he brought a set of keys out of his pocket and unlocked the car.

Without a word, the man winked at you and walked over to the drivers seat. You got your phone out the second you got into your car, locking the doors and going to your phone app. You clicked on your best friends contact as you started your car, watching the man in front of you start to slowly drive his car away. You followed him, and after a few rings, your friend answered the phone that you had on speaker.

“What’s up?” She spoke, sounding distracted.

“I need your full attention, okay?” You said, and she got excited on the other end of the line.

“Okay, okay— so tell me what happened with Arvin! Only 45 minutes?” She sucked in a hiss of air between her teeth quickly. “That’s a bad sign. Unless you’re going to his apartment now!” She said quickly afterwards before you even got a chance to get any words in. “So, tell me! What’s going on?”

“Arvin stood me up.”

“Oh, (y/n)— I’m so sorry—” She started, but you cut her off.

“I’m not done— so, I met this guy.” You started, listening to her hum to show she was listening since you couldn’t see her. “And well… I’ll give you details afterwards, but you have my location on your phone, right?” You asked, and as she spoke you could tell that she was frowning.

“Uh, yeah— why?”

“I just want you to check up on me every now and then, okay?” You said, hearing her give a small “Okay” before you continued. “I’m going to call you as soon as I leave, but if you see my location move or change before I call you, I want you to call the police.”

“(y/n), you’re scaring the crap out of me.” She said. “What exactly are you doing?” You chewed on the inside of your lip as you turned into the parking lot of an abandoned looking warehouse.

“Something stupid. Just watch my location for me, okay?”

“Alright, I will. Hey… be safe, okay?”

“I promise.” You said, hanging up the phone as you saw Suna get out of his car. You debated for a moment before putting your phone in the glovebox and shutting the car off. You hoped that if he was going to do something bad to you, he would at least try and break into your car and steal some things before taking off, giving your friend a chance to see that your location was changing. Maybe the plan wasn’t foolproof, but if anything, she had your last known location on her phone.

You got out of your car, looking at the man who locked his car and put his keys in his pocket. He walked over to you, gesturing with a nod of his head to the warehouse you’d stopped at.

“Here we are.” You looked at the place— there were no lights on, there wasn’t a sign of any other life, and your mind was racing with thoughts; what if he got you in there and knocked you out? What if there were more people waiting? What if he hurt you in any way? What if the scam artist aura you felt from the man wasn’t only that? “It looks a little sketchy, I know.” He said, noticing your hesitancy. “If it makes you more comfortable, you can stay a bit away from me.” You sent the man a bit of a skeptical gaze as he offered you an arm after speaking. “Or we could stay all nice and cozy-like.”

Slowly, you linked your arm with his own. He sent you an easy smile, starting to walk alongside you towards the warehouse. He got his keys back out and clicked his tongue.

“Smells like rain.” He said as if the two of you were a couple heading home from a nice evening out. You looked at the man as he pushed the key into the door handle and sniffed the air. He was right, the air did have that moist smell to it.

“Do you think it’s going to?” You asked, watching the man shrug.

“Maybe a little bit, but the weather doesn’t call for a bad storm.” He said, pushing the door open and leading you inside. He flipped a light switch on, and the entire warehouse lit up with bright, buzzing lights that hung on the ceiling. “I think the worst that’ll happen is a bit of drizzle, but I don’t think it’ll be anything more than that.“ He assured you. “Besides, storms make even sketchy people want to head home, so maybe that’s for the best.”

You gave a mere hum in agreement, looking around. The warehouse had some things, but if you were being honest, not a whole lot. There was a small little area for sofas and dressers, and another row that seemed to have beds and paintings, but aside from that and a small desk where you assumed the man did all of his selling work, there wasn’t much here.

“It isn’t much, but I have a few nice things.” He said, and you heard the unmistakable sound of the door lock clicking, but when you looked at him he was quick to ease your nerves. “I just did that in case another homeless person wanders by and happens to try the door. It happens sometimes, and I hate to tell ‘em no.” He explained, offering you his arm again. You were a bit more hesitant this time as you took it, though you followed the man as he walked. “I know you don’t trust me, but take my word for it, I’m not planning on hurting you. If I was, I would have already done it.” He said, stopping in front of a few different kinds of sofas.

You looked between all of them , taking your arm away from his slowly as you inspected them. There was a pretty light blue sofa that you eyed. The pillow that decorated it had small white daisies on it, a cute design that you tried imagining against your worn down white walls in the apartment you lived in. The other sofa was a putrid green that made you frown.

“Yeah, almost everyone makes that same face.” He chuckled as he watched you.

“Has anyone ever expressed interest in this?” You asked, making the man snicker.

“Surprisingly, yes.” He said, shoving his hands down into his jacket pockets. “I’ve sold one other identical sofa.” You frowned and looked back at the color before turning your attention away from the putrid green and back to the light blue sofa that you were sort of partial to.

You couldn’t help but notice from the corner of your eye how the man was eyeing you— a small smirk on his face, though it didn’t seem familiar. The smirk wasn’t like he’d gotten you to buy something you didn’t need for a price more expensive than you could get it for from a real store that sells used items, but rather he was eyeing you with a sexual look. A look that was screaming that he wanted more from this visit than you to buy a sofa.

“And how much is this one?” You asked, looking at the man and pretending that you hadn’t noticed how he was looking at you.

“Normally, I’d sell this bad boy for about 43,766¥ or so, however, for you, I’ll sell it for 27,353¥.” You raised an eyebrow at the man who looked at you with that same feigned innocence.

“That’s a drastic drop.”

“What can I say, I’m a sucker for pretty girls.”

“And I suppose this sofa wouldn’t be crawling with bugs or germs that could kill me.” You suggested, watching the man shake his head.

“A lowly scoundrel I might be in your eyes, but I wouldn’t sell you something so gross. It only had some semen from some frat guy in a college I got it from on this middle cushion— but don’t worry,” he started when you made a face, “It’s on the other side.”

“Oh, is that all?” You asked sarcastically, making the man chuckle.

“Well, how about this bedroom situation of yours?” He asked, gesturing for you to follow him a bit further into the warehouse. “You got a bed?”

“No offense, but I don’t want to sleep on a mattress that some frat guy jizzed on.”

“My mattresses are all brand new, I’ll have you know.” He said, and when you walked over to the mattresses, he wasn’t lying. They were covered in a plastic wrap, all lined nicely and looked as if they hadn’t ever been exposed to as little as the warehouse air, aside from the mattresses that were on display. “You can lay on them if you’d like.” He said, crossing his arms behind his back in an innocent way and grabbing onto his wrist to keep them there. “Not even I have jizzed on them.”

“Good. I don’t want your jizz anymore than a random frat guys jizz.” Suna snickered, watching as you sat on the comfortable bed. It was a bit bouncy as you laid back, relishing in the comfort for a moment of laying on a real bed. The mattress you slept on now was old and the springs were loud inside of it. Not to mention, you’d been rolling over on the hard springs for months on end, and what were you saving your money up for other than something to make your life easier?

“If you decide you want one, I can get it shipped for you. If you want to sleep on the decision, you can give me your number and I can keep in touch with you.” With a hum, you regretfully sat up and looked at the other 3 mattresses. You knew it was a good idea to look around, but you couldn’t help wanting this bed; it was comfortable, it smelt clean, it was bouncy and made you feel light as a feather. It didn’t sink in much, either proving to you that not many people have laid in it or it had good support— though any support was better than what you were getting at home.

“How much is a mattress?” You asked, looking at the man who was staring at you. “This one specifically.”

“You know what… you look tired. I’ll give it to you for 109.705¥. Gotta admit, it’s a pretty good deal.”

“Yeah, I guess it is.” You thought about your money, and truthfully, you were hardly making it by as is. A new mattress would be nice, but even with the money you have saved up, you couldn’t afford even this. Your mother had been right, and that little fact was driving you insane. You didn’t have enough money to hardly eat, your furniture was old and uncomfortable, and buying that drink tonight had set you back at least a few essentials from the store.

Suna noticed your hesitancy, moving to sit on the bed beside you and only snapping you from your thoughts because of the way that the bed bounced when he sat down.

“Can’t afford it, huh?” He asked, basically reading your thoughts. “They were all right? Moving out was a bad idea, you were broke, you can’t afford to support yourself, and now you sleep on the floor because your mattress is less comfortable than hardwood.” You frowned, eyeing the man suspiciously.

“What, do you really spy on people, too?” He gave a soft laugh before shaking his head.

“That’s how my life was when I moved out.” He said, relaxing back on his arms and looking at you. “I was real skinny for awhile there. I hardly ever ate because I could only afford a shitty apartment that was always breaking down. I had a mouse in my walls, used to keep me up with chewing and scratching inside the drywall. I laid on the floor with a blanket beneath me because the mattress I had was so flat. It was always hot in the summer and cold in the winter in my apartment because I couldn’t afford to turn the heat on. My mom told me that she had been right so many times. Up until these past few months, I’d been eating bananas and crackers to try and save some money. Sales were kinda low recently.” He explained, sighing as he looked at the warehouse ceiling. “Then I found this place. I live here now.”

“You live here?”

“Yeah, I sleep on the mattress bags, pay the owner a bit of money and now I can actually eat.”

“I’m glad that you have the ability to eat now then,” you said with a little chuckle, looking away from the man and trying to distract yourself from the impending worries on your mind that you’ve been avoiding for weeks now. “I guess… there’s really no point in worrying about how pathetic I look anymore when I’m bound to either swallow my pride and go home or live on the street,” you started, noticing the man looking at you from the corner of your eye. “I cannot afford anything here.”

Suna hesitated for a second before he sighed and looked at his lap.

“I’ll tell you what— now this isn’t some cheesy line to make you feel better, I really never do this. You can’t afford it, tough luck, but… I’m gonna make one and only exception here.” He said, catching your attention as you looked curiously at the man. “Take this mattress and scrounge whatever money you can to pay me back. I’m in no rush, I have a place to live now. You really do look tired. I can get this to you within 2-3 business days.” He said, and you frowned at the man.

“And why would you make one and only exception? You don’t know me.”

“As someone who would rather end up on the street than swallow my pride in order to tell my mother she was right, I would hate to make you do the same. I don’t know, but I see a little bit of myself in you.” He shrugged, standing up and looking at the tag on the bed. “This the one you want? It’s the cheapest, but if you want a more expensive one, you can take all the time you need to pay me back.” Suspiciously, you eyed the man.

“You want nothing in return?” You asked hesitantly. Suna chuckled again, shaking his head.

“You really do think little of me, huh?” He teased. “All I want is a fellow broke idiot to at least sleep well. What happens if you lose your job because you’re sleep deprived?” He said, and you couldn’t help but grumble a small agreement. Just as the man sucked in a breath to speak again, you both heard it: the unmistakable sound of hard raindrops pattering down on the warehouse roof. “Oh, there’s the rain.”

You rubbed your tired eyes, catching the mans attention again.

“I know you don’t trust me, but if you’re tired, you can nap.” He said. “I swear to god I won’t touch you.” He promised, looking and sounding serious. “I’ll go over to my desk over there. If you want to come finish this paperwork with me so I know where to send the mattress, you can come now, after you sleep, or if you simply can’t sleep.” He said, starting to walk away. You watched the man, chewing on the inside of your lip.

As much as you didn’t want to trust him, you couldn’t help it. You worried it was merely his charm, but he did seem sort of trustworthy in a way. You laid back on the bed with no pillows and a blinding light over your eyes, but you tried to sleep anyways. You closed your eyes, turning onto your side but opening your eyes any time you heard a sound. Suna was nowhere near you— in fact if you scooted down a bit on the bed, which you did when you realized this, you could see him sitting at his desk.

You watched the man for a minute when you couldn’t sleep, seeing him stretching his arms out above his head, but he brought them down to rub his face before you looked away. You frowned, sitting up on the bed with a sigh.

“I can’t do this,” you gently grabbed at the mattress, and while you loved how it felt, it wasn’t right. This wasn’t how shops like this were supposed to make deals, and you couldn’t take money away from this guy. As little as you trusted him, you weren’t raised this way.

So you stood up and slowly walked over to the desk by the front door. Suna looked over at you when he heard your quiet footsteps.

“Can’t sleep?” You shook your head, sitting in the chair that sat across from his own. “Well, you wanna fill this out for me then?” He pushed a form over towards you. Everything was signed on his part, all he needed was your signature, address and phone number.

“I don’t want the bed.”

“Oh, you want a different one?” You shook your head, confusing the man. “You want… a smaller bed?” You shook your head again, looking at the paper. “Look, if this is about the whole payment thing—” He started with a soft shake of his head, and you were quick to nod and cut him off.

“It is. I can’t just take this bed and slowly pay you back.” You said, finally looking at the man. “I have no idea when I would be able to pay you back for this, and before you say it’s okay, it isn’t. I wasn’t raised to take these kinds of deals, I was raised to pay my way immediately. I can’t get rewarded without doing anything first or giving you the money.” Suna’s eyebrows furrowed inwards as you spoke.

“Wow, your parents sound fun.” He said sarcastically. “At least my mom only wants to be right.” He sighed, pushing a pen towards you. “I know you don’t want this, but you need this. Wasn’t that bed more comfortable than the floor?” You couldn’t help but nod, earning a nod in return from the man. “Yes, it was. Now sign your address down, I’ll get the bed to your house, and you can sleep on the comfortable bed instead of the hard floor.” He gently coaxed you, and it almost worked as you reached for the pen.

“Wait— how did you do that,” you asked, setting the pen back down.

“I’m a professional con-man, you think I can’t get you to sign your name and address down on this paper?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. “Except this time, I’m actually trying to do something nice here. So bend with me— I do something nice, you sleep on a bed— doesn’t everyone win?”

“I don’t want to take this from you.”

“Sales have been up, I can afford the real food now— I think I can afford one little bed. Besides, it isn’t even that much money to begin with— no offense.” You sighed, looking back at the form. “Sign it, alright?” He said, but you were still hesitant. “What do you want me to do here?” He asked, giving a soft laugh in disbelief. “I’m basically giving this bed to you, do you want me to want something more than money back?”

“Isn’t that how this was supposed to go?” You asked, looking at the man. He hesitated for a second before a little smirk crept onto his face.

“Are you saying you came to this creepy warehouse with me because you thought I was gonna fuck you or something?”

“No!” You said, frowning, but you couldn’t lie— you had wondered a few different times. “Forgive me for thinking that an attractive con-man would be shallow.” You said, making the man snicker.

“If you wanted to fuck me so bad, you could have just said so instead of coming over here looking like a kicked puppy.” He teased, making your cheeks heat a bit. “What, you want me to lie and say I didn’t think about fucking you on the sofa? Just because I wouldn’t touch you while you were asleep doesn’t mean I wouldn’t think about it a little bit.” He said, watching you roll your eyes. “It’s not my fault you’re hot. What, you not into intimacy? That’s alright, I can call my business partner Matsukawa, and I think we can work something out.” He sent you a wink that made your cheeks flare even more as you shook your head.

“That’s not what I meant.” You said, but the man only gave a skeptical hum.

“Sure it wasn’t.” You frowned at him, watching him chuckle.

“All I meant was that I figured you would kick me out after you told me the prices and I still couldn’t afford it.”

“Usually I would— but this time I think I can spare a little bit for a pretty girl.”

“And I’m telling you that you don’t have to.” You pressed, but he refused to hear it.

“And I’m telling you that I want to.” You chewed on the inside of your cheek and thought about what the man had said.

“Let me give you more than just a little bit of money if you’re going to let me do this.” You said, watching the man raise an eyebrow at you. After a second, he sighed and leaned over the desk a little bit.

“Fine,” for a second, you were relieved. “Suck my cock.”

“Suck… ah, ha— you know, uh, I was thinking something more along the lines of making you dinner or something.” You said, stumbling a bit over your words. The man gave a soft hum, his eyes never leaving yours.

“As appealing as some stale crackers in your empty apartment sounds, I’m gonna have to go with you sucking my cock.” Your cheeks warmed as you looked away from the man.

“I don’t eat stale crackers…”

“Look, all I’m saying is that if you suck my cock good enough, you may find yourself in my favor, and I don’t think many people would complain about basically free furniture as much as you are. I can give you something in return if you want. I can promise I don’t have some disease and I am pretty good with my mouth for reasons other than shit talking and scamming people into buying my things— so you were right, I am a sneaky con-artist, but I promise I’m not conning you. In fact, you’re almost conning me.” He teased. You hesitated for a moment and sighed. “Is that a yes?”

“Alright… I’ll suck your cock.” You said, seeing the man’s eyes seem to light up in excitement. “Should we go back or should we just stay here.” Suna pushed his chair back a bit and patted his thigh.

“Just come here.” You chewed on the inside of your cheek as you got up and walked around the little desk, sitting on your knees in front of the man and pressing your hand to his thigh. “Take your time,” he relaxed on the uncomfortable looking chair, reaching down to push your hair back while you undid the button on his jeans. You could feel him through the clothing, sensing that he was about half-hard, though as you scooted closer and tugged his jeans down a bit, he seemed to fully harden as you reached in his boxers.

You swallowed, a bit shocked as you pulled him out of the boxers he wore and looked at his cock. Suna seemed to hold back a laugh at your shocked expression but said nothing otherwise, watching as you got closer and took the mans cockhead into your mouth. Suna held your hair back, giving your forehead a light rub with his thumb while you took more of him into your mouth and sucked a bit harder. He was quiet, leaning his head back and closing his eyes while you squeezed his shaft beneath your chin. You thought for a second as you felt his cock twitch in your mouth— it was weird to think that you were on your knees in front of a man who you didn’t know, sucking his dick for a bed that you had come over here to deny.

Actually, you weren’t even sure how the man had conned you into taking the bed and sucking him off, let alone even coming here to begin with if you were being honest.

As his cockhead touched the back of your throat, you couldn’t help but think about just how good of a swindler this guy was, though another thing on your mind was just how big he was. Even when he touched the back of your throat, there was plenty left to take in your mouth.

You forced it down your throat, gagging a bit around his cockhead and making the man give the first audible moan of the night— a sound so sweet that you felt your clit throb inside of your pants. You were unaware of how he was aching for more, giving your hair a little tug while you sucked hard on his shaft and earned another quiet moan that you could just barely hear in the large warehouse.

“Mm, fuck— I said I was good with my mouth, but I wasn’t expecting you to be so damn good with yours.” He complimented you, giving your hair another little tug while you stayed quiet and focused on trying to make the man cum. You were slightly terrified that it may be a horrible taste that wouldn’t leave your mouth for days, but now that you were sucking on his cock, you figured you may as well go big and finish him off so that he didn’t change his mind.

You had no idea what was going to happen after this. Were you going to sign the paperwork, get the mattress delivered to your apartment and never hear from the man again? Was he going to stick around as he had previously insinuated? Were the two of you going to become acquaintances who never spoke of this night again? Perhaps were you going to find yourself waking up to a bootycall from the man? Or something more immediate— after he came in your mouth, what were you supposed to do? Just move back to the seat across from him and pretend that the taste of his semen wasn’t still in your mouth.

“Mm, fuck—” He mumbled out, tightening his grasp on your hair. “You’re gonna drive me crazy with that mouth of yours.” For the first time, you peeked up at the man who was already looking down at you, taking his shaft from your mouth and licking the tip of his cock. It twitched in your hand as he eyed you, clenching his jaw while you took his cockhead back into your mouth and started to bob your head on his shaft. After you looked away, Suna’s mouth fell slightly lax with soft moans as he licked his lips and tried to keep quiet, though you were sucking on him so well that he couldn’t help himself.

Your hand still worked on his shaft while you sucked on him, though as you took him deeper down your throat, you moved your hand and pressed it to his thigh, taking all of his cock into your mouth and gagging around him, though getting through the pain and listening to a louder moan than before come from the man who gave your hair a tug.

“Ah, fuck, that feels so good,” he said, letting his head lean back again as his eyes closed. He could feel the orgasm building up in his stomach, giving your hair another little tug while you sucked hard on his shaft and hollowed your cheeks around him. “If you keep doing that, I’m gonna cum in your mouth.” He said simply, stealing a glance at you as you looked up at him. “You want me to cum in your mouth or do you want to pull away now?” You were surprised that the man was giving you a choice, slowly sliding your tongue around his shaft as you leaned back in more and took him down your throat again, giving him a silent answer.

Soft and sweet moans came from the man as he closed his eyes and relaxed his head again, closer this time to cumming than before as he twitched in your mouth. He figured you’d pull away if given the chance, though he had to admit that he was glad that you didn’t.

With a few more hard sucks from you, your tongue sliding along his shaft and only adding to the pleasure on his end as you gave little sounds when his cock bumped against your throat, he came in your mouth, a low and drawn out moan coming from the man as he came. You were surprised to feel his cum in your mouth and not being immediately disgusted, in fact it hadn’t tasted all that bad at all. After a couple more sucks, you pulled back, licking your wet lips and peeking up at the man who pushed his hair back from his forehead and looked at you.

“That was… really something new.” He said with a slight huff. “What do you say? You want to get eaten out by a guy you’ve never met before tonight?” You hesitated for a second before you nodded.

“I’m already in a warehouse with him. What’s the worst that happens, you gut me?”

“If I was into that kind of thing,” he started, moving to slide his shaft back into his boxers and button his pants back up. “Then I would have gutted you a long time ago.” He said, offering you a hand. “Now come here, I’m not gonna let you sit in this uncomfortable chair.” You took his hand, following the man to the line of beds and gesturing to the one that you were previously laying on. “I’ve been killing to use this bed for myself lately. If you get cum on it, I have to buy it and use it because it came from me and not someone else when I got it.” You sat on the edge of the bed, scooting back as Suna sat beside you.

“So I should lay here?” You asked, leaning back on your elbows.

“Looks good to me,” he said, moving to sit on your waist. “What do you think, you want to take some stuff off or do you want to leave it on?” He eyed your breasts for a moment, clearly aching for you to take your shirt off though not saying it. You sat up again, stripping the shirt off of your body though leaving your bra on as you set the shirt on the bed beside you. He watched your breasts shift in your bra as you laid back and looked at your pants.

“You can take those off.” He sent you a little smirk, reaching down to undo the button on your pants, though his eyes were quick to fall back on your breasts again.

“Do you mind?” He asked, pressing a hand to the bed and leaning close to you. You shook your head, though you weren’t entirely sure what you were agreeing to. It didn’t take long before the man pressed a quick kiss to your lips before he leaned down and buried his face between your breasts. Your cheeks flushed as your lips were slightly puckered, eyes unblinking as your heart seemed to skip a beat while the familiar sound of a zipper unzipping hit your ear.

Suna pressed a kiss between your collarbones before pulling back and taking his shirt off. Carelessly, he tossed it aside and let it fall to the cold warehouse cement floor. You looked at the man, though averting your eyes quickly afterwards. He had shocked you once again tonight by being this muscular; he hadn’t looked scrawny by any means, though you weren’t expecting his six-pack to be so defined.

“What are you turning away for?” He hummed, leaning down to press another kiss to your neck before he pushed himself up to stare into your eyes that looked back into his own as he got so close. “You said you came to look, didn’t you?” He teased, knowing all too well that you had been talking about the furniture, but not missing a beat when it came to flustering you. “So look.” He gave a soft, sultry chuckle when you looked away again, eyebrows furrowing inwards a bit as he embarrassed you. “Alright, don’t look now.” He said, moving to help slide your jeans off of your legs. He took your underwear off as well, setting your clothes aside with your shirt and suddenly bringing you closer, wrapping your legs up around his shoulders and leaving your upper back left on the bed with the rest of you close to the man who sat on his knees. “You smell pretty good down here,” he teased, licking a slow line along your folds as he stared into your eyes. “Mmm, you taste good, too.”

Suna brought his fingers up, licking them and easily pushing two of them inside of you with a little chuckle. He mumbled something beneath his breath about you being so wet already as he leaned in and took your clit into his mouth. He sucked lightly, eyeing you the whole time as your cheeks warmed more and your breasts shifted on the bed when he moved along with you. You shifted to reach back, uncomfortable though glad that he didn’t move as you stripped your bra off and set it aside. It fell off of the edge of the bed, though you could have cared less as the man’s eyes went straight to your chest.

“Mmm, you’re so sexy,” he said, licking at your clit while his fingers were working quickly inside of you. You gave quiet moans, reaching to grope at your chest while the man watched them shift. “Mmm, so tasty too.” He mumbled, meeting your eyes as you looked at the man with half-lidded eyes and a slightly agape mouth. He started to suck on your clit again, curling his fingers inside of you and making you squirm.

“Oh, fuck— your fingers are so long,” you moaned out beneath your breath, something that Suna gave a little chuckle at as he reached down with his free hand that had only before been holding onto your thigh. He pushed it down into his jeans, grasping at his hard cock and starting to stroke himself while he sucked on your clit and fingered you, earning more sultry moans from you that were making him twitch in his hand. Suna could feel you getting wetter around his fingers already and gave a little laugh.

“What, have you been deprived for awhile now?” He asked, though your silence was damn near enough of an answer. “Don’t worry, I can satisfy you enough to make up for the time lost.” He promised, and he was making good on it already as he pushed his fingers as deep as they could go inside of you, curling them and feeling his hand cramp— something he ignored as he continued to bring you pleasure after so long.

Your moans were honestly music to his ears, and he couldn’t help not wanting to stop. He wanted to be deep inside of you, but he was putting all of his focus into your pussy, holding you close as you squirmed and curled your toes. He gave your clit a quick kiss, lapping at it right afterwards and watching as your eyes seemed to glaze over as you got close to an orgasm.

“You gonna cum?” He asked, sucking hard on your clit and making you squirm. “Go ahead and cum. I can’t wait to feel you. Soak my face. Go on, I don’t mind.” He insisted, moving his fingers steadily inside of you and finally bringing you to the edge. You squeezed your eyes shut, squirming against his face even as he held you up and moaned out as you reached your orgasm. His fingers continued to move fast inside of you, prolonging what could have been a short-lived orgasm and making your stomach churn. “Mmmm, fuck,” he mumbled, licking along your folds when you stopped squirting out around his fingers, though you could feel it slowly sliding down your back and made you that much more embarrassed to see it on his nose. “You’re so sexy,” he gave your clit a slow lick, sending you a wink and chuckling at your quivering lip. “You done? Or do you want more?” He slid his hand out of his pants and grasped onto your thigh, giving it a light squeeze.

You thought for a moment, wondering what it might feel like to have his thick cock inside of you, to feel it twitch the way it did in your mouth but inside of you, to see him all the way naked— you almost couldn’t resist the urge.

“Well… I don’t think I’d complain.” He licked his lips and rested your body back on the bed as he leaned in and pressed his mouth to yours. You hesitantly wrapped your arms around his shoulders, kissing him back and giving a soft sound as his jeans pressing to your pussy.

“Can I fuck you?” He asked, sliding his damp hand along your side and groping at your breast. “Because truthfully there’s nothing I’d prefer more than being inside of you right now.” You were a bit embarrassed, though nearly desperate for more stimulation as you thoughtlessly nodded.

“Please do.” He gave a little chuckle and pulled back, starting to slide his jeans off.

“Someone has good manners. You gonna thank me, too?” He asked, almost as a joke— though not wanting to risk it, you nodded. “What are you gonna thank me for?” He asked, stripping his boxers off as your eyes moved to look at his cock that had quickly bounced back up and slapped against his stomach when he took the clothing off. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth as you licked your lips.

“Fucking me,” you said, though you sounded a bit unsure. Before he could say anything, you continued. “For making me cum so good.” You met his eyes as he gave a little hum and moved closer to you, bringing your legs around his waist while he sat on his knees and held onto your thighs.

“Just you wait, little thing, I’m gonna make you cum until you can’t fucking think,” he promised, positioning himself at your entrance and lightly rocking the tip of his cock inside of you. He gave a soft hiss from between his teeth, his fingers gripping tight onto your thighs. “You’re pretty tight still, you think you can take all of me?” He asked, watching as your eyebrows furrowed inwards in a pained way.

But you nodded anyways.

“I can take it.” You said, giving a little moan as the man started to rock himself deeper inside of you at a rather slow pace. “Oh, fuck,” you moaned, letting your head lay back. You moved to hold yourself up on your elbows, giving another moan at how the position made you feel tighter around his shaft. Suna licked his lips, watching your breasts shift with your movements as your toes were quick to curl again while the man started to really thrust inside of you. “Fuck it feels so good!” You moaned, mouth open with consistent moans as Suna gave soft hums to your squeezing pussy around his shaft.

“Mmm, I think I could stay here all night.” He said, enjoying the way that you were moaning and squeezing around him. “This is even better than tasting you,” he said, licking his fingers and bringing them down. You gave a jolt when his fingers started to rub at your clit, squirming on the bed and making Suna give a little chuckle. “Ah, yeah— squeeze around me just like that…” He mumbled, sucking in a hiss of air between his teeth as he spoke. “Just like that, fuck…” He rubbed faster on your clit, feeling you getting wetter as you clenched around him.

“Ahha, Suna!” You moaned out, trying to hold back another orgasm that was quickly building up as he thrusted easily inside of you now. The 9 and a half inches of his cock felt better than anyone else ever had inside of you and you were surprised at how quickly you’d adjusted to the new size.

“Call me Rintarō,” he said after you moaned, meeting your eye quickly as you stole a quick glance at him. “I’ll call you (y/n)— it’s only fair,” he added, giving a little moan as you clenched around him.

“Mmm, Rintarō,” his first name passing by your lips had only seemed to make his cock bigger inside of you, chewing on his lips and thrusting inside of you at a steady pace that was making you lose your mind, though as bad as you wanted to lay back again, this time you forced yourself to hold the intense eye contact with the man. “Fuck, Rintarō— it feels so good,” you moaned, watching the man bite down on his lip. “Fuck it feels so good, I’m gonna cum— you’re gonna make me cum,” you moaned out, finally squeezing your eyes shut as you reached another orgasm around his cock. He gave a little smirk when he felt you squirting around him, still teasing your clit and making the orgasm that much better as you squirmed on the bed.

“Such a good girl aren’t you, cumming around my cock like that.” He licked his lips when you looked at him and slid himself out of you. “Come here, get on your hands and knees.” He said, helping you sit up and move. He slid his hands along your lower back, leaning in and pressing a kiss to your shoulder before he leaned back and positioned himself at your entrance again. “Why don’t you keep making a fucking mess on this bed,” he said as you leaned down on your elbows as he started to rock himself inside of you, this time not giving you as much time to adjust to this new size and instead grabbing your ass while he started to thrust.

“Oh, fuck, Rintarō!” You grasped at the bed, though there were no sheets so your fingers slid into little fists as you moaned into the mattress and tried to hold still. Suna gave your ass a firm slap, something that made you yelp and earned a snicker from him in return.

“Good girl, just like that,” he said as you clenched around him. He gave your ass another little slap, this time much lighter, though it still seemed to echo a bit in the large warehouse. “Go ahead and scream my name, what are they gonna do?” He hummed.

“Come shut down your sketchy operation to steal money from people?” You asked, though you gave a moan as Suna slid almost all of himself out and slammed it back inside of you quickly.

“Oh, you’re right. Maybe we should save the screaming for some other time.” He said, continuing to hit hard and fast inside of you and making your toes curl against the bed. You were a mess, squirming and sweating as the man groped and slapped at your ass, giving soft moans beneath his breath that only made you that much more aroused. You were amazed that a man— a stranger— had made you feel so strongly so fast, though you couldn’t find it in yourself to complain as he pleasured you with his thick cock that was stretching you out to what felt like a new level than others before. “I’m gonna make you feel so good tonight,” he promised, his hips slamming into yours and making you pant as you moaned. “You’ll leave here with your legs shaking, I promise.”

Suna leaned down as you rolled your window down, resting his elbow on your door and looking at you as you grabbed your phone out of the glovebox.

“So, we’ll stay in contact.” He said, gesturing to your phone. “I have your number because of the paperwork.” He added, though he was quick to speak again before you could say anything in return. “I think we should get dinner sometime. I promise not to stand you up or take you to a bad part of town.” He took a jab at Arvin and made you laugh as you set your phone down on your lap. “I may be a hustler, but I do know how to treat a woman.”

“I guess we’ll just have to see about that, won’t we?” You said, watching the man’s little smirk turn into a more genuine smile for a second.

“I guess we will.” He said, giving your window a light pat as he stood up. “Drive safe, alright. It’s dark out there, make sure you keep your eyes on the road.”

“Sure thing, dad.” You teased, earning a soft chuckle from the man who took a couple steps back from the door as you put the car into drive. “Talk to you soon?” You said, though it came out as more of a question as you took one final look at the attractive man.

“I think you can be expecting a text very soon.” He said, giving you a wink before he turned around and started to head back into the warehouse. You rolled your window up just as a small raindrop fell down onto your windshield. You gave a light sigh and grabbed your phone again, starting to pull out of the warehouse lot and onto the main road. There was hardly anyone else around, only a couple cars, so you took the chance to click your friends contact and put her on speaker phone.

There were a dozen missed texts from Arvin that you were avidly avoiding, knowing that the conversation wasn’t going to lead anywhere pleasant after an apology you’d skimmed over along with a “Where are you” followed by a derogatory term that almost made you laugh. Your friend answered after merely one ring, and before you could even get a word in, she was speaking without even a “Hello.”

“I have been freaking out for 4 and a half hours, (y/n)!” She said. “What the hell have you been doing at that creepy warehouse? Yes, I tracked your location on maps, leave me alone, I was worried about you.” She said, making you smile at the thought of her looking at where you were. “You left me with that ominous call and ignored me for 4 hours!”

“Okay— I’m sorry, let me explain.” You said, checking behind you as you flipped your turn signal on and got onto the nearly empty highway.

“I’m waiting.”

“So, I met this guy at the bar I was supposed to meet Arvin at— a total hustler. But after Arvin stood me up, he and I were chatting for a little bit and he told me that he had some deals on furniture and paintings. I figured that maybe I’d take a few steps out of my comfort zone, so I went with him to that warehouse just to check it out and see what all there was.” You explained briefly. There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line and you’d wondered if you had lost signal on the road.

“Okay, first of all,” she started after a moment of shock, “A few steps? (y/n), going to an abandoned warehouse with a complete stranger on the bad side of town isn’t a few steps— for you that’s a hearty jog!” She scolded, though there was a hint to her tone that made you think she sounded a bit impressed if anything. “Second of all,” she added before you could speak yet again, “I know that you were not looking at furniture in a warehouse for 4 and a half hours.”

“Yeah, I, uh… I had sex with him.” You admitted. She was quiet yet again for a few more seconds, though this time you were sure you hadn’t lost signal on the call.

“4 and a half hours, (y/n).” She said slowly. “How long were the two of you wandering around the warehouse looking at furniture anyways?” You chewed on the inside of your lip as you started to recognize the place you were at and knew your way home from here without a second thought.

“Maybe 20 minutes.”

“You did not have sex with that man for over 4 hours.” She said, though when you were quiet she gave a loud gasp. “You did!?” Her yelling was nearly background noise now as you were focusing on the dark road, unsure of whether or not she was congratulating you or scolding you because you were too busy thinking back on the past few hours, your clit nearly throbbing again as you thought about how good he had fucked you.

Truth be told, you were glad that Arvin hadn’t showed up tonight. Maybe he was a professor of science, but you were certain that what happened with Suna tonight wouldn’t have happened with Arvin— and even if it did, you were certain the lowly hustler gave you a much better time in bed than Arvin ever could. Even if you had the chance to go back and do it all again, you knew you would have went with Suna again and again, even if tonight was the last time that you ever heard from him.

You were going to tune back in to what your friend was saying when your phone dinged with a new message. You peeked down, seeing an unfamiliar number with the words “It’s Suna. You better not text me back until you stop the car.” You smiled and looked back to the road, biting gently on your tongue as you tried to stop smiling like an idiot, but even as your friend was scolding you, seeing the message had put you in an even better mood as you thought about being able to text him back when you got home.

[gammija]

The final Web!Martin evidence list

Now that canon is done, and we’ve got word of god confirmation that Web!Martin wasn’t complete nonsense, I decided to go back to my lil chronological evidence list and actually clean it up a bit, delete parts that in hindsight weren't all that indicative, and put everything in a slightly more readable format. (Obligatory disclaimer that i don’t and never did believe or advocate for some kind of evil web!martin, and that I'm not intending to connect a moral judgement to martin (or anyone else for that matter) having some of these traits)

So here: The (hopefully, please) final list with Web!Martin Evidence! Presented in order of importance, according to. me

The final (hopefully) Web!Martin evidence list

(In order from most to least obvious)

Spiders

I mean, it’s called the Web. TMA reiterates quite a few times that Martin liked spiders. Sometimes it IS that easy.

MAG022: Martin: "I like spiders. Big ones, at least. Y’know, y’know the ones you can see some fur on; I actually think they’re sort of cute -"

MAG038: | Sasha: "A spider?" Jon: "Yeah. I tried to kill it…" [...] Sasha: [Chuckles] "Well, I won’t tell Martin." Jon: "Oh, god. I don’t think I could stand another lecture on their importance to the ecosystem."

MAG059: Jon: "I have done my best to prevent Martin reading this statement in too much detail. I have no interest in having another argument about spiders."

MAG079: Jon: "Apparently, biologically, his account of the spiders doesn’t make any sense according to Martin."

MAG197: Martin: “What? Because I like spiders? Well, used to.”

Lies and subterfuge

Martin is able to use lying and subterfuge to achieve his goals, and is called manipulative a few times.

Lies:

MAG022: Martin: "[He] became slightly more co-operative after I lied to him and told him that one of the upstairs residents had buzzed me in."

MAG056: Martin: "I lied on my CV."

MAG158: Peter: “But you said –” Martin: “Honestly, I mostly just said what I thought you wanted to hear.”

MAG164: Jon: "You – I actually believed you!"

MAG189: Martin: “Sorry. Sorry, John. Not sure how much everything up there actually understood what was going on. But, y’know, I didn’t want to take any chances so it made sense to… um…” Jon: “Put on a show?” Martin: “Yeah, basically, more or less.”

MAG191: Martin: "That's not true." Arun: "Liar!"

Subterfuge:

The plan in 118, which revolved around convincing Elias that Martin was only “acting out”, to create a distraction for Melanie. (Also compare the way he evades giving a straight answer here with the way Annabelle talks in 196.)

Working with Peter in s4 under false pretenses, to distract him from Jon and eventually try to learn what Peter wanted.

Manipulation accusations:

These, I know, are somewhat contentious, since it’s mostly villains saying this to him. I’m still including them, since

1): From a media analysis standpoint, being mentioned 3 times is a sign to pay attention, even when it may not be the full truth.

2): I only see it as describing Martin’s behaviour in the previous points, not as a moral judgement; Especially since he almost always ‘manipulates’ people in positions of power over him.

Still, if it bothers anyone, feel free to ignore these.

MAG138: Martin: "That’s it? No, no monologue, no mind games? You love manipulating people!" Elias: "That makes two of us."

MAG186: Martin: “I can be a real manipulative prick, you know that?” Also Martin: “Oh yeah.”

MAG196: Annabelle: “Because you always managed to get what you wanted through smiles and shrugs and stammerings that weren’t nearly as awkward as they seemed.” [SMALL SOUND OF MARTIN’S CONCESSION TO THE POINT] Martin: “Point taken.”

The Lonely/the Web

The Lonely and the Web sometimes affect Martin to similar degrees.

In season 3, when Martin is getting used to reading statements for the first time, most of them leave him emotionally affected: MAG084, MAG088, MAG090,

MAG095: Martin: “S-S-Statement… done.” [HEAVY BREATHING & TREMBLING AS MARTIN STEADIES HIMSELF] “I don’t like recording these. There. I-I said it.”,

MAG098: Martin: [Panting] “End of statement.” [Deep breath] “I, um, I think I might need to sit down. Oh. Yeah, I am. Right. I don’t, uh, I’m not really sure if these are actually getting easier or harder. I mean I don’t feel –”

Only the last two statements he reads are remarkably easier. This might be a hint that Martin is just getting used to reading them, but the quote from MAG098 seems to contradict that. Either way, it’s likely not a coincidence that those last two happen to be the Lonely and the Web:

MAG108: Martin: “Statement ends.” (exhale) “That wasn’t so bad…”

MAG110: Martin: “Statement ends.” [...] “I mean, I think it sounds like a Jurgen Leitner book. About spiders. Hm. Good John didn’t have to read this one, anyway. I know he’s not a fan. Although, this one wasn’t too bad, actually! I – yeah. Anyway.”

In season 5, there are two powers’ Domains that actually affected Martin mentally, as opposed to only physically: the Lonely’s, in 170 (and arguably 186), and, depending on your interpretation, in 172, when Martin went exploring without knowing why he did so.

Proximity

Martin investigates a lot of the Web statements during season 1 to 3 (in other words, when the archive team still researches statements). The only ones he isn’t mentioned in during this period are MAG019 and MAG020, when he’s being harrassed by worms, and MAG081, which Jon records by himself outside of the institute.

Most notably, he’s the one who discovered the statement in MAG114, ‘Cracked Foundations’, which is the one statement in the entire show that sets up the interdimensional properties of HTR.

The Web!Lighter passed through Martin's hands first, before he gave it to Jon.

Similarly, Annabelle mostly spoke to Martin in season 5, despite most other Avatars usually focusing on Jon.

Aesthetics

Apart from the above obviously Web related areas, there are some other aesthetics which are mentioned in connection to both the Web and Martin, throughout canon.

These are describing the Web;

These are describing Martin.

Tapes:

Martin is the only character to treat the tape recorders as friends - any other character is either indifferent, or treats them as enemies.

MAG039: Martin: "I think the tapes have a sort of… low-fi charm."

MAG154 Martin: “Oh. Hi. Hello again.” … (small laugh) “Sorry pal, false alarm this time.”

MAG156 Martin: “Mm? Oh.” [HE LAUGHS, GENTLY.] “Yeah. (rustling paper) I was going to read one. Hate for you to miss it!” [SHORT, FORCED LAUGH, AS HE FLAPS THE STATEMENT AROUND.]

MAG170 Martin: “Oh. Oh, hello. What’s this? Wow, retro! What are you up to, little buddy; just – listening? That’s okay. It’s nice to have someone to talk to.”

MAG190 Jon: "[The tapes] seem to like [Martin]."

Retro:

MAG069: Statement: “I only saw Annabelle Cane once during this period. She wasn’t hard to pick out. She dressed like a vintage clothing store exploded on her, and her short bleach-blonde hair stood out sharply against dark skin.”

MAG160: Jon: “Anyways, don’t tell me the phonebox down there doesn’t appeal to your retro aesthetic.” Martin: “It – might. Maybe.”

MAG163: Annabelle/the Web callying Martin via an old payphone: [ A PHONE RINGS. IT’S NOT THE TINNY, ELECTRONIC SOUND OF A CELLPHONE – NO, THIS IS A TRUE, HEAVY, CLASSIC RING.] Martin: “Uh. John? Uh, J, John – the, uh, payphone that’s – here, for some reason – it’s ringing?”

Hatred of burns:

MAG067: Jack Barnabas’ statement: “I looked up and noticed within the corner of the room, where there had been a spider’s web this morning, there was just a faint wisp of smoke.” “Another held a bag that seemed to be full of candles, while a third had a clear plastic container filled with hundreds of tiny spiders.”

MAG139: Statement by member of Cult of the Lightless Flame: “The Mother of Puppets has always suffered at our hand; all the manipulation and subtle venom in the world means nothing against a pure and unrestrained force of destruction and ruin.” Agnes burned down Hilltop Road.

MAG145: The Web ties Gertrude to Agnes, stopping the Desolation’s ritual (the only Power whose ritual the Web is known to have prevented).

MAG167: Gertrude enlists Agnes’/the Desolation’s help in order to burn her assistant Emma, who was Web aligned.

MAG169: Martin: "Look, I just – don’t want to get burned, all right? It’s, it’s like my least favorite pain ever. [...] I, I legitimately hate burns, alright? They’re, they’re awful, and they scar horribly, and they just – it – it just makes me sick; I, I hate it. Hate it!"

Phrasing:

MAG039: Martin: "I’m trapped here. It’s like I can’t… move on and the more I struggle, the more I’m stuck. [...] It's just that whatever web these statements have caught you in, well, I’m there too. We all are, I think."

MAG079: Martin's poem: "The threads of people walking, living, lovi–"

MAG117: Martin: "This last couple of years, I’ve always been running, always hiding, caught in someone else’s trap, but, but now it’s my trap, and, well, I think it’ll work. I know, I know it’s not exactly intricate, but it felt good leaving my own little web. Oh, oh, Christ, I hope John doesn’t actually listen to these. “Good lord, is Martin becoming some sort of spider person?” No, John, it’s an expression, chill out! Besides, spiders are fine. I mean, yes, people are scared of them, obviously, but actual spiders, they just want to help you out with flies."

MAG167: Jon: “Methinks the Spider dost protest too much.” Martin: “Jon –” Jon: “Joking! Just joking.”

Personality:

How applicable these are depends heavily on how you interpret Martin's own personality, so your mileage may vary.

MAG008: Statement: “Nobody ever said a word against Raymond himself, though, who was by all accounts a kind and gentle soul [...]”

MAG123: Jon: "The Web does seem to have a preference for those who prefer not to assert themselves."

MAG147: Annabelles statement: "I discovered a deep and enduring talent inside myself for lying. [...] My manipulations were not intricate, but they were far beyond what was expected of a child my age, and I have always believed that the key to manipulating people is to ensure that they always under- or overestimate you. Never reveal your true abilities or plans."

Word of God and Annabelle

I kinda wanted to ‘prove’ that Web!Martin had quite a bit of evidence to back it up, hence this header being last. But of course, in this post-canon world, there are a few lines that most obviously confirm the theory:

MAG197: Martin is Web enough to be able to read the 'vibrations', like Annabelle, and see Jon and Basira (the latter being especially notable, as he hadn't known she was there beforehand): [CHITTERING, BUZZING AND HIGH-PITCHED SQUEALS CHANGE CADENCE] Martin: "Wait… Wait, hang on, is that him?" Annabelle: "Yes. I guess you’re better with the Web than we thought." Martin: "And – Wait, ha– No, uh… is that… Basira? He – He’s got Basira with him!" Annabelle: "Yes."

Season 5 Q&A part 2: Jonny: “Essentially, it was fascinating looking at the fandom and, like, the Web!Martin believers, because what they were doing was correctly picking up on hints dropped in the early seasons that were later, like, not exactly abandoned, but it was much more like, ‘Well, no, he does have like aspects of The Web to him, but he is moreover The Lonely.’ And that came about very… very organically, really. Because throughout Season 3 and going into Season 4, we had this conversation and we were like, ‘No, actually he's like-” Alex: “‘It can't be, it cannot be, it must be the other way round’ Yeah.”

(Note that they say “throughout season 3 and going into season 4,” which likely means that season 1, season 2, and at least part of season 3, aka half of the entire show, were written with Web!Martin as an intentional possibility.)

If you read all that, thanks so much! Obviously, Web!Martin never really came to fruition, so it's fine if you still don't like it. This is just a post explaining where it was coming from, at least for me and the other theorists I've spoken to.