#i’m working on a continuation of this if anyone wants that

[jarofstyles]

‘Tis The Season

Hello my ducklings! I have pure filth for you, and it’s been so long since I’ve given you guys any Wolfrry so I figure you’d enjoy some after a little drought!

Send in requests and feedback

Check out our Patreon for early access and 170+ exclusive writings

Warnings- breeding, knotting, use of the word 'bitch', degrading, unprotected sex, wolfrry, its an au so the world is diff, etc

WC- 2k

------

The beginning of spring was always a magical time in the pack.

The snow melted and little flowers began to sprout. The sunshine warmed them up, the crisp air and emerging leaves sent a new layer of hope into the coming year. It was the true new year for them, something that put a spring in their step and warmth in their hearts, defrosting them from winter

Y/N sat in Harry’s office, next to the tall alpha as he looked over her plans for the pack gardens. “I think that’s a good idea, but I’d move the peas over to the side.” She mused, letting her body melt as the man’s arms wrapped firmly around her body. As much as she knew she needed to pull away in order to finish these plans… it was the season, wasn’t it? “H… We really need to finish the plots.” Her breathy voice echoed in his office as his hands lifted her dress up and his teeth grazed her mating mark. She shuddered, sagging in his arms- the man was playing dirty, but that was the one spot that would make anyone melt. Having your mate brush it, lick it, press it? It felt like the aftershocks of an orgasm. “Y-You’re not playing fair.”

“No, I’m not.” He hummed. “Because you’re mine, and I don’t have to. You can play hard to get all you want, little mate, but I’ve been able to smell that sweet cunt since you’ve left our bedroom this morning.” The accusation made her want to fight- but there was no ground to stand on. She had been helplessly horny all morning. It was the beginning of the mating season, the breeding season, and she was panting for it. Of course she was trying her best to be a good leader, to get on top of plans, but was it so wrong for her to want to look at her strong, handsome, powerful mate? To see his green eyes darken when he caught her scent, to have him corner her and have his way with her because that's what she dreamt about? It was just in their nature.

“S-So what?” There was one last stitch effort to pretend she wanted to work on the plans. “I’m always wet for you.” It was the truth. It was hard not to be when the man had proved time and time again he was the most incredible lover to exist, that he knew her body like the back of his hand.

“I know that. All I’ve got t’do is walk into a room and you’ll roll on your knees and present that perfect cunt for me to fuck.” He chuckled, making her whine. She always got worked up when he talked to her like that. “That’s why it’s so fuckin’ funny t’me that you’re trying to continue this charade. Acting like the point of being in here is for that blueprint when in reality, all you want is for your mate to bend you over this desk and knot you up.” He was quick about it, following his words as he roughly bent her over. Her tits crinkled the papers they’d just been working on as she let out a gasp, her dress being flipped up and a rough palm slapped the curve of her ass.

“Look at you. My sweet little bitch, came all prepared for my cock.” He crooned, using his foot to knock her legs open. She was obedient, deciding not to even feign a fight because this was exactly what she wanted. “Should spank this ass raw for running about the den with no panties on and your silky cunt bare for anyone to see, but we both know all of them have no mistake on who you belong to.” He’d taken her so many times where people could see, let them watch as he plowed her into a whimpery, sobbing mess. It was no secret that their Alpha was the one who owned Y/N.

“M’sorry, Alpha.” She bleated, cheek pressed against the wood as she heard the distinct clink of a belt buckle and the pull of leather through the loops on his pants. It sent a wave of excitement through her, knowing damn well she was in for it. She’d poked the beast, literally and metaphorically, and now she was going to suffer- or enjoy- the consequences.

“I don’t really think you are, my love.” He murmured. “I think that you’ve been gagging for my cock and I didn’t fuck you hard enough this morning. Was nice and soft with you, showered you off and everything. Let you go about your day… But I didn’t fuck you hard like you beg for. Silly me, making love to my mate, my wife, during the breeding season.” His tongue clicked as she heard his pants fall down to his ankles. “I should’ve known that my pretty bitch needed to be bred properly. Needed to be fucked until your knees were weak. You’ve always been a bit of a whore for it, haven’t you my Goddess?” Y/N couldn’t think of anything other than his cock that had begun to rub through her embarrassingly wet folds, a soft keen leaving her mouth.

Harry was right. She was desperate and hot, needy for him in all the ways he’d just described. Y/N couldn’t deny that she really did need to be fucked stupid during this time of year. Don’t get her wrong- she adored when he was so soft and sweet with her, whispering about how perfect and beautiful she was. But when this time of year came around, she wanted to be used. To be filled and fucked and see his most primal part come out. It was only natural.

“Please, I want it.” Her pathetic simper came out as she wriggled her hips, trying to taunt him. She knew damn well that he would give it to her but she was going to play into it even more.

“I know you do. Could’ve just told me you needed a good fuck, but you like to play games instead.” He wouldn’t admit that he liked those games just as much. The sharp slap on her other ass cheek resounded around the room as he got her to stop teasing him with her ass shaking, notching the tip of his prick in her hole. “Since you want t’be a whore, I’ll give it to you like one.”

Her breath was stolen as he entered her in one go. The sting of the stretch made her yelp but her toes curled as she was finally full, his heavy hand pressing her down between her shoulder blades. Keeping her pinned there and pulling out just to repeat the action, she moaned loudly at his rough treatment of her. This was what she needed. A dirty, quick, hard fuck. “Yesssss…” She elongated the word only to be cut off by a wet gasp, his hips thrusting into her again. “Give it to me, please. Please, Alpha.”

“Now she’s begging.” He laughed,a  cruel undertone to his words. “Pretty slut is begging for my cock like she should have done to begin with. I know you need it, but I forget every year just how much of a desperate, wet cunt you’ve got.” His pace started to steady, rocking her on the desk while she whimpered at each press inside of her. Her body was quite literally made for this, made for the stretching and filling and being knotted but Harry’s cock was fucking big. The biggest she’d ever seen, and people sure as hell weren’t shy about nudity around here.

“Now you can’t even talk. Finally got a prick stretching you open and that smart little mouth can’t form words. What about those plans, huh?” His snicker was followed by a harsh thrust. “Silly girl. Should’ve just gotten on your knees and begged.”

Harry loved this season. Loved how Y/N became a little minx, slinking around and trying to figure out how to get him to pounce on her. Like he wouldn’t drop everything to give it to her if she just asked. It was entertaining to make her do the work for it, like a little game. As much as he said he didn’t like them, he liked feeling her desire, knowing she was a little shy even still about asking him for sex- except when she was in heat.

“M’sorry, I just-” She whined as his cock began to fuck into her a bit faster. “I just want you all the time. I can’t help it.” If she had it her way, they wouldn’t leave the bedroom. The scents were crazy right now, everyone throwing them around to attract each other if they weren’t mated. All she wanted was his scent smeared all over her, she wanted it coating her body and there to be no question, even if they had visitors.

“I know you do. My beautiful cockslut. I love that you want it so badly. I’ll give it to you…” His words melted into her being as she felt a thumb brush against her ass, gently pressing in- and she was gone. He knew her weaknesses and this was one of the biggest.

Y/N’s brain could only focus on the pleasure. His hands on her and his growling, her cheek being pressed into the wood as she panted. She’d probably have bruises on her hip bones but she’d wear them with pride. It felt like she was just a hole to fuck and that’s how she wanted it. Letting him use her and reaping the benefits of his primal instincts raising up with his pretty mate splayed out for him. She lost count of the moans she let out as her nails sharpened, scratching the side of the desk as she began to feel his knot.

“Please Alpha, Please, please, please, I want it.” Her pathetic mewls only seemed to spur him on. “I want your knot, I want your cum, please give it to me. Give it to me, give it… I’ll be your good girl, I’ll be your bitch, please-” Y/N sobbed into the wood as he pounded her into her end. She squirted, releasing a gush of wetness over his thighs and trickling down her own as her thighs shook, a high pitched sound leaving her mouth as she felt him give one sharp thrust to be filled with his knot.

She felt it expand, her whimpery mess of a face being pulled up slightly as he folded his body on top of her, grinding inside of her cunt to continue her orgasm and work his cum inside of her. “There you go, goddess. Perfect little breeding bitch, s’what you are. Made to take my knot, my cum, my children.” He growled, babbling as his teeth grazed her mark and made her shudder. His eyes flashed before he closed them, grabbing her hair in his fist and angling her mouth so he could kiss her with the grumbles in his chest calming to a purr as he was stuck with her. Her orgasm had splashed all over the both of them, his balls and thighs wet and her poor cunt stretched and full. Her ass would need a salve from his spanking, but that’s how he knew it was good. She’d been flaunting herself around his office for a reason, and now they were both sated… for a while, anyways.

“I love you.” She slurred, bleary eyes looking up at him. “Love you Alpha.” Her sweet words softened his heart, a fond smile tilting up the corners of his lips. No matter how rough he went on her during sex, this woman was his soul mate. His goddess. No one could ever comprehend how much he loved her.

“I love you more than the moon and the stars.” He whispered, nudging his nose against hers sweetly. “My sweet Goddess. You own me.”

[stylesispunk]

"I love you, it's ruining my life" | part iii.

Joel Miller x f!reader

previous chapter | part iv

Summary: Joel tried to win you back or where Joel goes all his way to find you but things are not as easy as he thought or that's what he thinks. w.c: 5,7k warnings: angst, FLUFF. Perhaps grammar mistakes cuz I didn't check the chapter, sorry. Not my best chapter, but some hearts are going to be happy a/n: As I promised, part 3 is here! Thank you so much for all the love you gave it to the first part, I'm really happy you loved it despite the messy writing. This one is not my best, but some hearts will be mended. This was a messy week for me and I was not completely focused on this, but I wanted to give it to you. AGAIN, this part will not be the end, so a fourth and last part is already in the works to end this mini-story since I split this chapter in two :) If you have a suggestion, question, or want to talk to me, you can come to my dms or asks! Happy reading 💌 dividers by @/saradika-graphics

Five years ago,

On your 25th birthday,.

Years were passing by; it was your 25th birthday, and your friends had decided to throw a grand party for you in a dowtown venue. Of course, Joel had told you he couldn’t make it; he couldn’t leave Sarah behind, and being a single father of a three-year-old at twenty-five held him back from dropping everything and just coming to your party.

You stood by the entrance, looking around at the lively scene, when you decided to give Joel a call. He had told you earlier that he couldn’t make it; being a single father of a three-year-old at twenty-five made it impossible for him to drop everything and come to your party.

“Are you sure you can’t make it?” you asked through the phone, your voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. The noise from the party buzzed in the background.

“Oh, sweetie, you know I would love to be there with you, but I’m having a party with my baby,” Joel replied. You could almost see his smile through the phone, picturing him sitting on the couch, trying to make Sarah fall asleep in his arms.

Though you understood, a part of you felt incomplete without him there, and you knew exactly why.

“Okay, then,” you replied, trying to keep your tone light and cheerful despite the sinking feeling in your chest.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, promise,” he said, his voice warm and sincere.

“Alright, Joel. Give Sarah a kiss for me,” you said before hanging up.

The party continued in full swing, but you found yourself increasingly detached from the celebration around you. The laughter and conversations felt distant, overshadowed by the thought of spending your birthday without Joel. Finally, unable to shake the feeling, you made your excuses and slipped away from the party, leaving the lively party behind.

Joel was exhausted. He had put Sarah to sleep and just sat on the couch to watch a movie, wanting to keep himself awake and make sure you would arrive home safe and sound. As the soft glow of the TV flickered in the dimly lit room, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt for not being able to celebrate your birthday with you.

Lost in his thoughts, Joel was startled by a soft knock at the door. Frowning, he glanced at the clock—it was late, and he wasn’t expecting anyone. He stood up, making his way to the door and opening it to find you standing there, a small, tired smile on your face.

He said your name, shocked.

“What are you doing here?” Joel asked, his eyes wide with surprise and concern. “Shouldn’t you be at your party?”

You shrugged, stepping inside and giving him a warm hug. “I was at the party,” you said, your voice soft and filled with emotion. “But I realized that there’s no place I’d rather be on my birthday than here with you,” you paused, “and Sarah, of course.”

Joel’s expression softened, a mix of relief and gratitude washing over him. “Sarah is sleeping, and you didn’t have to do that,” he said tenderly. “It’s your birthday. You should be out celebrating.”

You shook your head, your eyes meeting his with unwavering sincerity. “This is where I want to be,” you replied firmly. "Besides, I brought food,” you said, lifting bags in front of Joel's face.

Joel's smile was slow but genuine, a warmth spreading across his features as he pulled you into a tight embrace. “Happy birthday,” he whispered, his voice filled with affection.

As you both made your way to the kitchen, you unpacked the food you had brought. It was a simple spread—some of your favorite dishes from the party. You set the table, and the cozy atmosphere of Joel's home makes you feel more at ease.

Joel poured you both a drink, and you sat down to eat, sharing stories and laughter. The conversation flowed naturally, as it always did between the two of you. It was moments like these that reminded you why Joel was such an important part of your life.

After finishing the meal, you both moved to the living room. Joel put on a movie, and you settled onto the couch, comfortable in each other's presence. The noise of the TV filled the room, but it was the quiet, unspoken bond between you that brought the most comfort.

As the movie played, Sarah stirred from her sleep and toddled into the living room, rubbing her eyes. "Bubu?" she said, her voice sleepy and endearing.

You smiled, reaching out to her. "Hey there, birthday girl," you said softly, lifting her onto your lap. Sarah snuggled against you, her tiny arms wrapped around your neck.

Joel watched the two of you, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It looks like Sarah wanted to join the party," he said, his voice filled with warmth.

You laughed; the sound was light and happy. "The best party I could ask for," you replied, hugging Sarah close.

As the night went on, the three of you sat together, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. The flickering light of the TV cast a warm glow over the room, and in that moment, everything felt perfect.

Joel glanced over at you, his eyes filled with gratitude and something deeper that he couldn't quite put into words. "You really made my night by coming here," he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

"I couldn't imagine spending my birthday any other way," you replied, your heart full. "Thank you for being here for me, always."

Joel reached over and took your hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "We're always here for each other," he said, his voice a promise. "No matter what."

Joel didn’t know why his heart felt like it was exploding every time you were around.

A year had passed since you left, and Joel found himself constantly haunted by memories of you. The days had blurred together into a monotonous routine, and the nights were filled with restless thoughts of what might have been. Every corner of his house reminded him of you, from the empty chair at the dining table to the quiet, lonely evenings after Sarah had gone to bed.

Joel spent the year focusing on Sarah, trying to be the best father he could be while grappling with the void your absence had left. He poured his heart into his work, his family, and his responsibilities, but nothing could fill the emptiness that lingered in his heart.

As the months went by, Joel found himself yearning to see you again, to hear your voice, and to feel your presence. He knew you needed time and space to heal, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to find you to see if there was any chance of rebuilding what they had lost.

And so, with trembling hands and a heart full of fear, Joel found himself standing in New York, pacing back and forth in front of your building. The bustling city seemed to move around him in a blur, the noise and energy contrasting sharply with the turmoil inside him. He had come all this way, but now, standing so close to you, he was paralyzed by doubt.

Had you thought about him the same way he had been thinking about you? He thought for himself while pacing back and forth over the cobblestones in front of the building you lived in.

Joel couldn’t make up his mind until the exact moment he took all this courage and flew all the way here to find you. It felt surreal to be in this city, so far from the familiar life he had known, all for the chance to see you again. The realization of how much he had missed you and how deeply he still cared had driven him to this point. Now, as he stood in front of your building, the weight of his decision pressed heavily on his shoulders.

His thoughts raced with questions and doubts. What if you had moved on? What if you were happy without him? What if seeing him only brought back painful memories you had worked so hard to move past? These fears churned in his mind, paralyzing him with indecision.

He looked up at the windows, imagining you inside, living your life. The city around him buzzed with activity, but Joel felt isolated, trapped in his own whirlwind of emotions. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but his hands still shook as he clenched and unclenched them.

Joel stood there, the city’s noises fading into the background as he lost himself in his thoughts. His mind drifted back to the moment he realized he was in love with you, a moment that had come so unexpectedly yet felt so right. It was a quiet evening, long before the chaos of the last year, when he saw you playing with Sarah in the backyard of his house. The way you laughed and the tenderness in your eyes as you helped Sarah with her tiny steps had struck him deeply.

It had always been you, he realized. Through all the ups and downs, the moments of joy and sorrow, you have been the constant in his life. Tess had been important, but she felt like a chapter in his life.

The night before he was supposed to get married, when you confessed your feelings, was etched in his memory. Your vulnerability and the raw honesty in your eyes had shaken him to his core. How he had kissed you then, driven by an overwhelming need to bridge the gap between what he had always felt and what he had denied for so long.

Now, standing in front of your building, the weight of that realization pressed heavily on his chest. He had almost married another woman, but it had always been you. His heart ached with the knowledge of the pain he had caused—the confusion and hurt that had driven you away.

Taking another deep breath, Joel forced himself to focus. He had come here to make amends, to lay bare his soul, and to hope that you could find it in your heart to forgive him. His hands still trembled, but the resolve in his heart was unwavering. He needed to see you to tell you that he loved you, that he had always loved you, and that he was willing to do whatever it took to rebuild what you both had lost.

Just as Joel mustered the last of his courage to cross the street and approach your building, he heard the sound of a car pulling up. He glanced over and saw you stepping out, laughing with a man beside you. His heart sank at the sight, a mixture of jealousy and heartbreak washing over him. The scene before him seemed to confirm his worst fears—that you had moved on and found happiness without him.

You looked radiant, your laughter lighting up the whole town, and he smiled at the sight of you.

He stood still, not knowing what to do, just asking himself, How could you be able to bear the burning feelings in your heart at the sight of him with another woman and still be so good to him? It hurt like he was feeling it now.

Joel stood there, his heart aching as he watched you, his mind racing with thoughts of the past and the overwhelming emotions he was experiencing in the present. He felt an immense sense of guilt and regret for the pain he had caused you, and now, seeing you with someone else, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy and sadness.

His thoughts were interrupted when you looked up and locked eyes with him. The shock on your face mirrored the turmoil inside him. For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the bustling city around you both fading into the background.

Your smile faltered, replaced by a look of surprise and confusion. You stopped in your tracks, the man beside you following your gaze to where Joel stood. Joel felt his breath catch in his throat, unsure of what to do or say. The reality of the situation hit him hard—he had come all this way, and now he was standing before you, unsure if he even had the right to ask you for a chance.

He was about to go when he heard your voice.

"Joel," you said, crossing the street, your voice barely above a whisper. "What are you doing here?"

Joel took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I came here to see you," he said, his voice gaining strength. I came here to tell you that I love you. I know I hurt you, and I know I have a lot to make up for, but I couldn't let another day go by without telling you how I feel. He thought.

"Joel," you began, your voice filled with a mix of emotions. "It's been a year.”

“I know. It’s just,” he paused for a second, “forget it.”

Your words hung in the air, heavy with unresolved emotions. Joel felt the weight of them pressing down on him, his heart sinking with each passing moment. He knew he had no right to expect forgiveness or to ask for another chance. But he couldn't bear the thought of walking away without at least trying to make things right.

As he turned to go, he felt a gentle hand on his arm, stopping him in his tracks. He looked back to see you standing there, your eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and uncertainty.

"Joel," you said softly, your voice barely above a whisper. "Please don't go."

He hesitated, torn between the desire to flee from the pain of rejection and the hope that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for redemption.

"There's a café around the corner," you continued, your voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside you. "Let's go there and talk."

He graced his lips with a tiny smile and nodded.

“Just wait here a second.”

To say you were fine would be a lie. Of course, you have been better since you were in pieces. You had thought about Joel every single night since the day you left. He was coming home to a woman who wasn't you, sleeping and waking up next to her, having a family. Perhaps on the possibility of Tess being pregnant, you were sitting across from him, the man who had once been your everything.

Joel looked older and more worn, but there was a softness in his eyes that you recognized. You could tell he was nervous, and it mirrored your own anxiety. The silence between you was thick with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

"I didn't know if I'd ever see you again," you finally said, your voice barely audible over the hum of the café.

Joel nodded, his fingers wrapped tightly around his coffee cup. "I didn't know if you'd want to see me," he replied, his voice rough with emotion.

You looked down at your own cup, the steam rising in gentle tendrils, and took a deep breath. "How did you know my address?”

“Tommy.”

“That fucker,” you joked. 

Joel chuckled, "I know," he said, his voice breaking slightly. “But don’t blame him; I asked him.”

You glanced up, meeting his gaze. The intensity in his eyes was almost overwhelming, and you felt a flicker of hope ignite within you. "Why?”

“Why?”

“Yes. Why, after a whole year, Joel?” You questioned him, not calling him by tender names anymore. The way you called out his name felt strange and foreign.

Joel's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of deep introspection. He took a moment before responding, his gaze dropping to his coffee cup. "Because you needed time, and I did, too,” he said softly.

You nodded, not uttering words. There was anything for you to say, or so you thought. “I-How… How is Sarah?”

Joel's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of deep introspection. He took a moment before responding, his gaze dropping to his coffee cup. "Because you needed time, and I did, too," he said softly.

You nodded, not uttering words. There was nothing for you to say, or so you thought. “I—How… How is Sarah?”

“She misses you,” Joel replied, his voice thick with emotion. "She talks about you all the time and wonders when you’ll come back. I didn’t realize how much you meant to her until you were gone."

A lump formed in your throat as you thought of Sarah, her innocent face, and the bond you had shared. "I miss her too," you admitted, your voice breaking slightly. "She’s a big part of why I stayed away. I didn’t want to confuse her or make things harder for her."

“How could you? You were everything to her.”

“I bet Tess loves her that much too.”

Joel chuckled again. It felt almost insulting to you. “I didn’t marry Tess,” he confessed.

Your eyes widened in surprise at Joel's confession. “What?” you asked, barely able to believe what you had just heard.

Joel looked down, his fingers tracing the rim of his coffee cup. “I didn’t marry Tess,” he repeated, his voice quieter this time, laden with the weight of his decision.

“But why?” you asked, your voice a mix of shock and curiosity. “I thought...”

Joel sighed, lifting his gaze to meet yours, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resolve. “I couldn’t go through with it. It wasn’t fair to her, to Sarah, or to myself. My heart was never fully in it because my heart has always been with you.”

You felt a rush of conflicting emotions—relief, confusion, and a lingering ache from the past year’s pain. “Joel, I...”

Your words got cut. You felt shame wash over you once again. Guilt, as if you committed treason and ruined another person's life. You thought about Tess.

Your words got cut short, replaced by a wave of overwhelming emotions. Shame washed over you, followed by a torrent of guilt. You thought about Tess and the life she might have imagined with Joel, a life you had inadvertently disrupted. The weight of it all felt suffocating.

Unable to sit still, you stood up abruptly, pushing your chair back with a screech that drew a few curious glances from the other patrons. Joel looked up at you, alarmed by your sudden movement.

“Wait, where are you going?” He asked, his voice laced with concern and a hint of desperation.

You took a step back, shaking your head as if trying to clear the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. “I-I can’t do this, Joel,” you stammered, your voice trembling. “It’s too much. I feel like I’ve ruined everything.”

Joel stood up as well, reaching out to you. “You didn’t ruin anything,” he said softly, trying to reassure you. “I made my own choices. I couldn’t marry Tess because it wouldn’t have been fair to anyone. Especially not to you.”

Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked at him, the pain and confusion evident in your expression. “How can I live with myself knowing I caused her so much hurt?”

Joel took a step closer, his hands gently reaching out but stopping just short of touching you, respecting your space. His eyes were filled with a mix of determination and tenderness as he spoke, his voice steady but earnest. “Tess and I have talked,” he said. “She deserves someone who can love her fully, and I realized that person wasn’t me. It was a hard decision, but it was the right one for both of us. She’s moved on, and she’s happy.”

You searched his eyes, seeing the sincerity and deep affection that had always been there. But the weight of guilt and the fear of causing more pain were too overwhelming. You couldn’t shake the feeling that you were to blame for the hurt Tess had gone through. “I don’t know if I can do this,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

You shook your head, the tears spilling over as you took another step back. “I can’t, Joel. I just can’t,” you said, your voice breaking. Turning away, you started to walk towards the exit, your heart pounding in your chest.

Joel’s voice rang out, louder and more desperate, stopping you in your tracks. “Will you run away from me again?! It seems like a habit of yours!

His words stung, and you spun around, your eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. “A habit? You think running away is a habit?” You shot back, your voice trembling with emotion. “Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to leave? How much did it tear me apart?”

Joel took a step closer, his face etched with frustration and pain. “I know it was hard. It was hard for me, too. But you can’t keep running every time things get tough. We need to face this together.”

“Us? There’s no us, Joel!” You echoed, incredulous. “You were about to marry someone else, Joel! How was I supposed to face that?”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair, his eyes filled with regret. “I wish you had never told me about your feelings; I wouldn't have lost you.”

“'You would, though.” You whispered.

“You're the coward here.” He cried out.

“Did you want me to spend a whole fucking year of my life waiting for you? You were supposed to be married; you never saw me the way I saw you, and I wasn’t going to stay there to watch.” You paused. “I waited for you to call me to show me I was important, but... Listen, I don't blame you. How could I? You didn't know.” You tried to say, hoping to change the tone this conversation was taking, but for Joel, everything you said didn’t matter anymore.

“The man you were with...”

“We’re dating,” you replied, not meeting his gaze.

Joel’s expression hardened at your admission; the pain was evident in his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, but the anger and frustration bubbled just beneath the surface. “You’re dating someone else,” he repeated, his voice strained. “And you didn’t think I deserved to know? You didn’t think I had the right to fight for you?”

“What was there to fight for, Joel?” You shot back, your own anger rising. “You were getting married to someone else. How could I believe there was anything left for us?”

Joel ran a hand through his hair again, his movements agitated. “Fuck this,” he said, his voice breaking. He turned and started to walk past you, his shoulders tense with unresolved emotion.

You watched him go, a part of you wanting to reach out and stop him, but the pain and confusion held you back. “Joel, wait,” you called after him, but he didn’t slow down.

The weight of the past year’s emotions, the regrets, and the missed opportunities pressed down on you as you watched him walk away. You wanted to scream, to cry, to do something to make it all better, but the words wouldn’t come.

Joel pushed open the door to the café and stepped outside, the sound of the city flooding in. He paused for a moment, his back to you, as if he were wrestling with the decision to leave or stay. The seconds stretched into an eternity, the distance between you feeling insurmountable.

“Joel, please,” you said, your voice breaking. “I don’t want to lose you again.”

He turned around slowly, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger, hurt, and something deeper—hope. “I came here to see if you were good,” he said simply, his voice raw with emotion. “I don't want to accept that losing you is our fate, but if you’re happy the way you are now, I have nothing else to do here.

"Joel,” you called out his name again, but he disappeared into the crowd. Tears welled up in your eyes as you watched him walk away, a sense of loss washing over you. You wanted to run after him, to tell him that you weren't happy and that you still loved him, but the words caught in your throat.

Joel had come all this way to find you, to see if there was still a chance for the two of you, but now he was walking away, and you didn't know if you would ever see him again.

Feeling lost and adrift, you sank into a nearby chair, the weight of your emotions threatening to overwhelm you. The café buzzed with activity around you, but you felt completely alone, the absence of Joel's presence like a gaping hole in your heart.

As you sat there, grappling with the pain and regret, you realized that you had to make a choice. You couldn't continue living in the past, holding onto what might have been. If you wanted a chance at happiness, you had to let go of your fears and take a leap of faith.

You wanted him to forgive you for not waiting for him, but a year after radio silence was the answer you got. Not fighting, not callbacks asking you to come back. The love you had for him felt childish, with promises made but never to keep, and maybe you had just closed the door to him.

Back in your apartment, the weight of the recent events bore down on you like a heavy burden. Tears streamed down your cheeks as you sat on the edge of your bed, clutching your cell phone tightly in your hand. The breakup with the guy you had been dating had been inevitable, with your feelings for Joel still lingering beneath the surface, stronger than ever.

With trembling fingers, you scrolled through your contacts until you found Joel's name. Taking a shaky breath, you pressed the call button and waited, your heart pounding in your chest.

After what felt like an eternity, Joel's voice came through the line, filled with warmth and concern. "Baby?" he said, his voice sending a shiver down your spine.

Tears welled up in your eyes again at the sound of his voice, the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm you. "Why did you have to come back to do this?" you whispered, your voice raw with pain and longing.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, as if Joel was trying to find the right words to say.

“I could prove to myself that my life could continue without you, but you had to come back and fuck up everything, Joel?

The words spilled out of you—a mix of anger, frustration, and hurt. You wanted to push him away, to shield yourself from the pain he had brought back into your life, but at the same time, you couldn't deny the love you still felt for him, pulsing beneath the surface like a live wire.

Joel's response was barely a whisper, his voice heavy with remorse. "I'm sorry," he said, the words hanging in the air between you like a weight. "I never meant to hurt you."

The tears flowed freely down your cheeks now, your heart torn between conflicting emotions. "But you did," you choked out, the pain of the past year crashing over you in waves. "You hurt me so much."

There was another pause, and then Joel spoke again, his voice thick with emotion. "Tell me how to fix it," he said softly. "And I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make it right."

His words hung in the air—a promise and a plea all at once. You knew that forgiving him wouldn't be easy and that rebuilding what you had lost would take time and effort, but deep down, you couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, there was still hope for the two of you.

"I just wanted for you to love me the way I love you," you whispered, your voice barely above a breath. The admission hung heavy in the air, the raw vulnerability of your words laying bare the depth of your feelings.

Joel's response was immediate; his voice was filled with regret and longing. "I do love you," he said, his words laced with sincerity. "I was just too blind to see it before, too scared to admit it to myself."

"I don't want to hear it on the phone, Joel," you said softly, your heart pounding in your chest. The thought of facing him again, of seeing the pain and longing in his eyes, was both terrifying and exhilarating.

There was a pause on the other end of the line, as if Joel were considering his response. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice filled with determination. "Then open your door," he said simply.

Your breath caught in your throat at his words, the weight of the decision pressing down on you like a heavy burden. You walked over to the door and turned the handle, pulling it open slowly. There, standing on the other side, was Joel, his gaze filled with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.

For a moment, neither of you spoke; the weight of everything left unsaid was hanging heavy in the air. Then, finally, Joel stepped forward, closing the distance between you.

You held each other's gaze for a long moment, the silence between you speaking volumes. Then, without a word, Joel reached out. Without a word, Joel reached out and gently cupped your face in his hands, his touch sending shivers down your spine. His gaze locked with yours, filled with an intensity that made your heart race.

And then, slowly, almost hesitantly, he leaned in and pressed his lips to yours in a tender kiss. In that moment, the world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of you suspended in time.

The kiss was soft at first and tentative, as if both of you were afraid to fully give in to the overwhelming emotions swirling between you. But then, as the warmth of his lips met yours, something shifted, and the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent and more passionate.

It was as if all the longing and desire that had been building between you for so long finally found release in that single moment of connection. You melted into his embrace, your arms wrapping around him as you kissed him back with equal fervor.

As your lips parted, Joel looked into your eyes with a depth of emotion that took your breath away. His voice was filled with sincerity as he spoke, and his words were a heartfelt confession of his love for you.

"I love you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper but resonating with a depth of feeling that echoed through the room. "I have always loved you, from the moment you opened the door. You've been in my thoughts every day, in every moment. I can’t just pretend I want a life without you in it.”

Tears welled up in your eyes at his words, the weight of his confession washing over you like a wave of emotion. All the doubts and uncertainties melted away in the warmth of his love, leaving only the undeniable truth of your connection.

"I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it," Joel continued, his voice filled with regret. "I was scared of losing you and of facing my own feelings. But now, I know that I can't live without you. You're the missing piece of my heart, the one I've been searching for all along."

You wrapped your arms tightly around Joel, pulling him close and burying your face in the crook of his neck. His warmth enveloped you, comforting and familiar, as if you were finally coming home after a long journey.

Tears of relief and joy streamed down your cheeks, mingling with the scent of his cologne. In his arms, you felt safe, loved, and understood in a way you had never experienced before.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you like I did," he sobbed, not letting you go from his hold. "I felt I stabbed myself in the heart that day. God, when I read that letter...

"Do you remember the night we met? When you went to-“ You began.

"Your house with Sarah, yes. Of course I do," he continued for you.

"I lied to you that night."

His eyebrows furrowed at the words. 

"I said I had you come back home, but in fact I was going on a date with my boyfriend.”

"Did you have a

"Yes, he was a sweetheart, and I stood him up for my neighbor that night.”

"Why did you love me back then?"

You didn't reply; no words were enough for that.

"This whole time without you, God has been... miserable," he said.  "I'm sorry," he repeated, his voice choked with emotion. "I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you like I did."

You reached up, gently brushing away the tears that streaked his cheeks. "I forgive you, Joel," you whispered, your voice filled with love and understanding. "I forgive you because I know that your heart was always in the right place, even if your actions didn't always reflect that."

He leaned into your touch, his eyes searching for yours for reassurance. "I love you," he said softly, his voice trembling with sincerity. "I've loved you from the moment I met you, and I'll love you for the rest of my days."

Tears welled up in your own eyes as you felt the weight of his words sink in. "I love you too, Joel," you replied, your voice filled with conviction. "More than words can express."

Joel leaned in and gently pressed his lips against yours. It was a tender and passionate kiss, filled with years of longing and unspoken love.

Wrapped up in each other's arms, you felt a sense of completeness that you hadn't experienced in a long time. Every touch and every caress was a silent affirmation of the love that had endured despite the trials and tribulations you had faced.

As you deepened the kiss, your hearts beat as one, a symphony of love and passion that echoed through the room. It was a moment of pure bliss, a reminder that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as you had each other, you could overcome anything.

taglist 💌: @immywonderdefender @sarahhxx03 @powellssaturn @ifall4dilfs @harriedandharassed @skysmiller @missladym1981 @brittmb115 @guelyury @heartpascalispunk @ashleyfilm @loveisacowboyyy @southernbe @pedroloml

[mrsjobarnes]

May Thy Knife

Summary: When Paul challenges the emperor, Feyd is chosen to fight your brother. Your brother couldn't hurt the man you love, right?

Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen x Atreides!Reader

Word count: 1,113

TW:  Violence, Murder, pregnancy and family drama  (let me know if i missed any) 

AN: I got this idea while I was doing my dishes and just had to write it down Also a huge Thank you to @angel-0f-verdun for helping!

Likes & comments are welcome! 

Please do not steal my work! 

You hear a familiar voice and start to walk to the front of the crowd with your husband hot on your trail. Once you come to a stop he puts his hand protectively around your belly. The hooded figure starts to talk when you interrupt him “Paul”. You thought he had died along with your father and stepmother. “Paul,” you say again trying to walk forward when Feyd stops you. 

Paul retracts his hand.“I see you have chosen a side” says Paul glaring at Fey and continuing his conversation with the emperor. Though you couldn’t stay still, eyes continually glancing around the room, you lay eyes on Jessica and the only other person bold enough to make eye contact. As Paul challenges the emperor for his daughter's hand marriage and the rule of the galaxy, you get a good look at him. This is not the same Paul you grew up with, no, that Paul had died. The emperor agrees to his challenge and chooses Feyd as his fighter. 

— 

“Paul if you love me you won’t kill my husband. Please be better than his uncle and the emperor, I’m begging you. As your sister, I beg you please.” You say as you step forward tears streaming down your face. You do your best to maintain your composure as Paul walks to you and Feyd. “May thy knife chip and shatter '' Paul says backing up to assume a fighting stance. 

You feel your heart sink as Feyd turns to you and kisses your lips so sweetly and tenderly almost begging for your forgiveness. “I love you” he whispers. You grab him and beg him not to. He shrugs off your advances as he steps forward. “May thy knife chip and shatter” he says while assuming a fighting stance.

“Will someone please stop this madness!” you scream, begging anyone to stop them. You start to walk towards the fight when Gurney stops you. “Please, that is my husband” you  beg him. He looks at you with sorrow, looking around the room you try to find something to stop this. You scream as Paul almost lands a blow, when Feyd retaliates faster knocking Paul on the ground. He points out the other women besides Lady Jessica who actively wince whenever Paul starts losing ground in the fight, Paul's pet. As they start fighting you start walking towards her, hiking up your skirt you pull out one of Feyds knives and grab her by the side. Whispering an apology you place the blade in a weak spot in her armor on her side. You know that she could easily get away from you but she doesn't try, maybe to grief stricken by Paul throwing her to the side for his own power and ambitions or maybe she thinks you’re faster then her. It doesn't matter as long as this catches Paul's attention. 

“Paul if you don’t stop I will kill her” you scream out still pointing the knife. Her eyes pleaded with Paul to stop fighting. “I love him, Paul, he is the father of my child and my husband. I thought better of you then to become a killer” you say looking directly into his eyes as Feyd stands behind him at the ready. Not wanting to hurt Paul unless he hurts you or his child. He could care less about himself, for the first time in his life he is content. He should have known that the universe would come and take it from him, he has done too much evil to ever be happy. Just as soon as you caught Paul's attention you lost it. He was back to dueling with Feyd, as the fight continued both men were covered in blood, both of their own and of each other. They both seemed to be growing tired but that's when Feyd got the upper hand and stabbed Paul in a non-emergent spot, but just as soon as he had done that Paul had stabbed him in the abdomen, a way harsher blow. As they fell to the floor the only thing that could be heard was your screams of horror. Dropping the knife you held, you ran over to the pair, Paul was pulling the knife out of his shoulder standing up and walking toward the emperor. Pulling Feyd to your lap you assessed his injury. 

“It's okay my love, let me go,” he said, wiping the tears off your face. “I've lived a good life with you, I learned what it was like to be loved and it is marvelous,” he says, coughing up more blood. At this point, you are sobbing cradling him back and forth. You don't even register the cheers of victory all around the room. Suddenly, a hand is placed on your shoulder, looking up to scream at whoever was touching you, you see that it is the woman you threatened to stab. She pulls you away from Feyd as men swarm him, doing god knows what. All you can think about is how the man you love is dead. The only thing that brings you out of that grief is the consistent kicking in your belly. The woman introduced herself as Chani as you walked through the halls of the sand dune structure. She shows you to a room and begins to clean you up. 

“You have to stop crying,” she says in a gentle voice. “You’re going to lose all of your water,” she says, grabbing her canteen and pouring you some water. As you greedily drink it you come to the harsh reality that you are now alone. 

“I don’t know how I'm going to do this alone”. You say while rubbing your belly, which was greeted by a strong kick.  

“What Paul did was awful, he has been corrupted by power. No thanks to your mother feeding him propaganda” Chani says. Looking at her you explain that Paul is your half-sibling through his father and that Lady Jessica killed your mother. “Ahh so being a traitor comes from her side,” she says pacing the room. “I can’t believe I ever loved him,” she says, throwing her glove at the door. 

“He hasn’t always been like that” you say, glancing at her. “His mother brings out the best and the worst in him, but our father raised him better than to be a murderous monster” you say holding back more tears. “My husband is dead, the love of my life is dead. Now I am to have his child by myself, I am all alone.” you say playing with your fingers. 

“You’re not alone” Chani says, waking to sit on the bed next to you.

[chilschuck]

hi there!!! I love your blog!!! I know you’re mainly a Chilchuck girlie, but I saw that you occasionally do Laios headcanons/drabbles, and I’m a massive Laios simp. if you have the time and inclination, would you maybe write about Laios realizing he’s falling for a reader who is also autistic like he is? and they’re both so in love with each other, but they don’t realize it bc they’re both idiots, so the party has to set them up lmao

OBLIVIOUS (IN MY LOVE FOR YOU).

꒰ warnings: ꒱ mutual pining, hopelessly in love silly guys, gn!reader. sfw as always!

꒰ wc: ꒱ 1.3k

✦ i hope this turned out how you wanted it!!! i felt bad that i’ve been doing so much chil and nothing for the others, so i was happy that you sent this request!! i’m not sure how to feel about this, but i’m happy to get something out for you!!! <333 honestly i’m worried this turned out badly, but alas, i feel that way about everything asdfdhgjhk. enjoy lovely!!!!

It was more than obvious to anyone but the two of you, much to the party’s displeasure. The mutual pining between you had been a constant back and forth for what felt like ages, and it was almost humorous how in denial it seemed you were.

Laios always spent time chatting with you before bed, his soft voice carrying so much warmth. You always noted how fuzzy your head felt whenever he’d talk about something he was especially interested in. It was almost heartbreaking to part with him to finally rest, longing to continue the conversation for as long as you could.

Little did the two of you know that the rest of the party had their eyes on you, tired sighs leaving each of them. This was every night now, and the fact neither of you were making an effort to come to terms and admit what you were feeling was beginning to become tiresome.

Chilchuck huffed, head in the palm of his hand. “I can’t believe that this is still going on. I’m tired of it.”

Marcille tutted, but the frustration at both of your ignorances was seeping through. “There’s got to be something we can do. They’re obviously so in love with each other...”

And right she was, with how absolutely enamored Laios had become. He’d never felt this way about anyone, the feeling seeping into his bones slowly but surely. With every smile you gave him, words of encouragement, or even reassuring touches, you made yourself at home in his mind and heart. Laios was content with just the whispered conversations and adventures together, not quite piecing together the entire situation just yet.

Marcille was not so sure that was something to be content with. Izutsumi was also getting fed up with the constant beating around the bush, and Chilchuck was sick and tired of watching this ordeal occur. The three of them had decided that enough was enough, and through gossip-like whispers, they decided on a course of action.

“I’ll try and talk to Laios,” Chilchuck settled, although he wasn’t entirely happy with the idea of helping an inner party relationship unfold. It was even harder to watch the two of you continuously pine after each other blindly, so he chose what he believed was the lesser of two evils. “You two convince you-know-who to get some one on one time with him somehow.”

Marcille hummed, finger tapping her chin. “Maybe we could get Senshi to cook something up just for the two of them, get them on a date of some sort.”

Izutsumi flicked her tail in annoyance at this entire scenario, before giving her own opinion. “Let’s just get them stuck in a trap or something.” At that, the elf across from her shook her head adamantly.

“Although that might work another time, I think setting them up would work best. We’ll all conveniently go off somewhere and leave the two of them to talk it out. Somehow…”

Thankfully, it wasn’t hard to get the two of you alone together. Laios would explain something about a monster your party had encountered earlier, delighted at your interest in anything he had to say. Before he knew it, the rest of the party had excused themselves after dinner, leaving just you and him with a cooked meal and unsaid words hanging in the air.

Even earlier, Chilchuck had decided to try and drill it into Laios’ skull that perhaps coming to terms and admitting what he was feeling wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Grasping for straws, Laios tried to create excuses that what he felt for you was just that of a close friend. There was no way he was falling in love, right? Yet, the look Chilchuck had given him shut him up quickly.

“You think friends just look at each other with that lovesick face you’re always making? And it’s not exactly hard to see just how much you care about them. It’s actually pretty obvious.” The half-foot grit out, floored that Laios still hadn’t figured out just how deeply he had fallen.

Marcille and Izutsumi had a similar problem with you, finding that you were convinced what you felt was just that of a deep friendship, of course you weren’t actually absolutely smitten with the man. Giving each other a knowing look, Marcille continued her prodding.

“I think there’s more to this,” the way she said your name so softly held your attention. “You need to talk with him. Maybe talk through just what you’re feeling.”

So now, as you took another bite of your dinner, you tried to figure out just what you were feeling. Laios was doing the same, and the silence, which was never a problem before, now hung with tension.

Both of you tried to speak, before signaling the other to continue, before giving a light laugh at the awkwardness. It wasn’t that just being in each other’s company was the problem, but more so that there was so much left unsaid.

Laios ran his hand through his hair, giving you that tender smile you had come to love so much. “You first.”

Another laugh left you, before your current train of thought followed through your words. “So I was wondering… Have you ever been in love before, Laios?”

That caught him off guard, swallowing hard before thinking of the right thing to say. “Well… I, uh…” A beat of silence followed as you let him find his words. “I wasn’t sure before today. What about you?”

Trying not to get your hopes up, or have the flame within you extinguished so easily, you smiled. “Same here, actually. I think…” You trailed off, just staring at his rosy cheeks and intent gaze making your heartbeat a little faster. Setting your plate to the side, you bit your tongue for a moment. Talk through what you’re feeling… You can do that.

“I guess I didn’t really realize, but… Lately, I’ve been really eager to be around you.” Your voice tried to fight back the tremors rising within you. Before you could continue, Laios grabbed your hand and gave you that intent expression again.

“Me too! I mean, I always really enjoy our talks. I look forward to them a lot.” He spoke a tad out of breath, trying to reign in how he was feeling. Another beat of silence, followed by the clearing of his throat.

“I think I’m in love with you.” You both muttered at the same time, before the feeling of both shock and excitement coursed through you. There was… no possible way, right? But with that doting smile and lovesick gaze he was sending your way, you began to think he did feel the same.

“Thank the gods,” you whispered, a huff of relief leaving your lips. “I had to have Marcille and Izutsumi make me realize.”

Laios laughed, cheeks flushed with delight. “Yeah, Chilchuck definitely gave me a talking to. I think Senshi tried to help me realize, too. It was definitely interesting.”

Both of you shared light giggles before Laios gently pulled you into an embrace. You wrapped your arms around his broad shoulders, nuzzling into his neck.

“Sorry it took me so long.” He whispered, inhaling deeply, the air leaving him in a content sigh. Your eyes fluttered shut, shaking your head slightly in reply. “No need. That’d mean I’d need to apologize too.”

You pressed sweet kisses to his cheek, to his nose, to his forehead. Laios beamed, intertwining your fingers as he spoke from the heart just what he had been trying to come to terms with. You did your best to do so, too.

Chilchuck, Marcille, Senshi, and Izutsumi all let out sounds of relief at watching the two of you around the corner. Getting both of you to finally realize the extent of your feelings was difficult, but oh so worth it in the end.

“Finally,” Chilchuck grumbled, before scratching the back of his neck. “That only took, what? Forever?”

Senshi grunted, trying to recall just how long it had been. Izutsumi even watched as Marcille rocked back and forth on her feet, a certain sparkle in her eye.

She’d have to get the two of you to be open more often.

— dividers by @/cafekitsune!! <33

[jaegeraether]

Sunsets and footballers (Part 75)

Lucy Bronze x Reader (62) & Alexia Putellas x Character (31)

Masterlist (other parts here)

((**Just a lil one - 1.8k**))

YFN POV

“I’m sick of this, Luce.” She admitted. She’d been mindful to try not to make Lucy start overthinking everything, but at this point in time, she was truly sick of it all. “I’m sick of hospitals.”

Lucy frame dropped a little as she sat next to her. Her arm was in her lap, her thumb stroking her thigh as they waited for the results of the x-ray.

“Me too..”

The thing about Lucy is that she’s so, so protective. And YFN knew that she’d been overthinking things.

Since they’d been together, she’d been through more trials and tribulations than anyone should have to endure in a lifetime. And although none of it were from faults of their own, she knew Lucy would always hold onto that responsibility. Truth be told, YFN had even worried a little bit about…

“Luce?”

“Mmn?” She responded from her thoughts.

“Please… don’t leave me.”

That got her attention. Her head turned and Lucy scanned her face with those stunning green eyes of hers, so intelligent and warm behind her clear framed glasses. “Why do you think that? Where is this coming from?” Her voice was hurt.

She leant forwards and kissed Lucy’s shoulder, her deltoid more than well-built beneath her lips. “I just know you take a lot of the responsibility for everything that's happened. It’s one of the reasons I love you… but please don’t take any blame for it all. Kristie was just young and obsessed and Mark… well we’ve just been collateral damage in the wake of everything with Mark. None of this is your fault.”

Lucy sighed, defeatedly. “But if we hadn’t met-”

“-If we hadn’t me, then I’d be alone and craving a partnership I didn’t know could exist.” She interjected. She raised her head from her shoulder and the hand that was wrapped around and gripping onto Lucy’s bicep now reached up to stroke her jaw, her cheek, and to cup her face. Lucy’s eyes fluttered closed and she leant into it like she always did. “You and me, against the world. We’re a team. Remember that.”

Lucy let out a soft chuckle; one of her favourite sounds. “Okay, little one. I like that.”

YFN squeezed her cheeks between her thumb and fingers. “Good, because you’re stuck with me, Bronze.”

“Mmn. Don’t say it like it’s a bad thing,” she said as she let YFN gently pull her down to her. She felt her lips become soft and yielding under Lucy’s, and although she’d meant it to be a simple kiss, Lucy tilted her head and brushed her tongue up against hers. They were in a public space, but that was forgotten now as she moaned softly into her.

It was YFN who had to break the kiss, and she was entirely unsure how she managed it as she’d been given some happy drugs and would have easily continued to keep making out with her. Especially with her tasting that sweet taste of the raspberry hospital jelly Lucy had stolen.

They were called in for the results and sure enough, the plate on her collarbone had failed and the screws needed to be realigned. He spoke about how he wanted to operate to reset it properly and ensured that it was a simple fix that he could do the next morning. He was aware that she had a check-up also for her knee scheduled and although she enquired, he insisted that he wouldn’t look at it for at least another week before she could potentially put weight on it.

“We’re going to Manchester tomorrow to see your family though…” she said to Lucy. They were left in one of the examining rooms alone to discuss it.

YFN’s phone started vibrating then and she looked down at it. Joe. She showed Lucy.

“Probably just a check-up.” YFN said.

“And she’ll want to talk about what to do with Mark.” She gave guilty smile, fully aware of how often she was on her phone for work. “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be,” Lucy said with a lingering kiss on her cheek. “I also need to make a call. I’ll be back soon, little one.”

YFN answered the phone as she watched Lucy leave and the first thing Joe did was ask if she were okay. She was covering the medical bills and expenses and wouldn’t accept anything less.

And then they spoke about Mark. YFN tried to keep it as brief as possible with her explanation of events, as well as her involvement with Jordan and Leah. Catherine took it well. She’d met both women before; Jordan once after one of their wins, and Leah multiple times at events and such. Beyond that, she stated that she trusted her judgement which YFN appreciated.

As for Mark, they spoke about him, his mental state, the involvement of JK and how to best move forwards. She was expecting it to be a long conversation, though Catherine seemed to be making the phone call with her mind already set on a solution.

“I’ll meet him in person.”

“You… what? Really?”

“It’s what’s best. I’m hoping that it will also dissuade him from causing us any more trouble.”

“That is… unexpected. But if you’re sure, then I’m onboard. When will you meet him?”

“In Scotland next week. I was assuming you’d be up there for the Lionesses game, and I can find a place to meet that’s discreet.”

“Not Joanne’s home, I hope.”

Lucy walked back in then.

“Definitely not. If you’re okay with it, I’ll find a location and we can all meet there. When will you be in Scotland exactly?”

“Luce? When do the Lionesses go to Scotland?”

“The games on the 5th at night but we leave on the night of the 4th.” She said, tilting her head in question.

She relayed the information.

“Okay… I’ll work with that and let you know.”

“See you then.”

“See you then, and great work today. Let me know if you need anything at all. Take care of yourself, YFN.”

They hung up and Lucy’s head was still tilted like a puppy.

“What’s happening?”

“She’s made the decision to meet Mark in person. Now that we both know about Callie… it only seems right.”

“She can just call him instead of risking that…”

“Yes, but she fears he may still be a problem. She knows he won’t give us anymore trouble if she’s standing in front of him.”

She nodded slowly. “That makes sense actually. Finally this can all be over.”

“Finally – but I’m hoping he gets closure at some point.”

Lucy took her hand and stroked her thumb over her knuckles. “Me too, little one.”

“Mmn.” She looked down at their hands together. Hers were quite small compared to Lucy’s larger hands adorned with a few scars. She’d memorised them all and liked to trace them on occasion, along with the other hard-earned scars she had over her body. Each with a story of its own. “Who did you call?”

“Hm? Oh. Mum and Jorge.”

“Oh?”

“I told them we can’t come tomorrow and they suggested theyll come down earlier than they were planning to so we can all spend some time together. They were coming down Friday for the game anyways, but now they’re coming Thursday so we can catch up. They miss you.”

Oh, Luce. Organising things so she didn’t have to. Always trying to make her life easier. “I miss them. And thank you for doing that… I’m really tired after the last few days and I just want to sleep tomorrow.”

“Well you’ll definitely be sleeping during the surgery…”

“You think we should do it? Tomorrow morning?”

“Are you kidding? No question. We’re getting you on the path to recovery as soon as we can. I know injuries, love, and procrastinating over them only makes it worse and extends the recovery period.”

Lucy was passionate about it, and she loved that.

“So I can have the full day off tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow and Wednesday. Then we have my family Thursday, and the game on Friday. And then I believe the girls want to go out for dinner after the game.”

“The whole club?”

“Yep,” she said as she stroked her hand and YFN was interested in the fact that she couldn’t read her expression. “Family and friends.”

“The game’s at 7:45pm which means we won’t be anywhere until at least 10pm after everyone showers and dresses.”

“Mmn – it’s already booked, little one.”

She smiled. More time with Lucy’s friends and family. “I’ll be there. Just look for the one in the wheelchair.”

They finished up at the hospital and headed back to Lumos with some more happy drugs in YFN’s system. They ended their day there bantering with friends, networking, creating content and eating the food they were previously deprived of. Although it was a tough choice to make, her favourite interview of the day was a pet interview she did in English with Alexia and Chiquito, Lucy and Narla. She loved the dynamic, not only between the footballers but the animals. They’d met a few times before, and so they acted towards each other very similar to Alexia and Lucy. She couldn’t help but wonder though about Chiquito and how Ridley had left him behind. He was her heart. She’d be missing him right now. And Alexia. And herself.

She wondered if she should reach out and decided against it. She was the only person who knew how to get hold of Ridley because she trusted her and knew she wouldn’t do that. She’d respect her privacy. But also… know when to push.

But was sending her a photo of Chiquito taking advantage of that? She took the photo of Chiquito and Alexia as she sat cross legged and he sat between her legs, his tail wrapped around himself as he leant back to look up at her with those loving eyes. It was a beautiful shot. Alexia was actually smiling in it as she stared down at him with adoration.

The two looked the perfect pair the entire day, including when she and Ona left for the apartment. She wondered if she’d leave, and was disappointed at the thought that it would be very soon. She really liked Alexia.

After Alexia left, people started trickling out and both YFN and Lucy ended the day with help from a few friends. Beth’s loud voice was a great asset. When everyone but a few Lumos staff were gone, they eventually saw themselves out. YFN couldn’t help but notice the Lumos player wall on the way out which was now overrun with players’ signatures. Staring in the very middle with one Lucy Bronze. 2. 15.

By the time they were home, she missed dinner and instead fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

[dfortrafalgar]

Envious

Law x OC

Law is caught red-handed being jealous over someone who isn't even his... yet.

A/N- i wrote this a few months ago specifically for my own OC! I attached a cringe reference pic of her at the bottom of this fic, and me being my own worst critic, i really need to redraw her better at some point LOL. crazy how much you can change after only a few months, but i digress. I'm sorry it's been taking me so long to work on requests, so in the meantime I'm going to go back to posting some things that have been sitting in my google docs not yet published to here. thank you all for your patience!!!

Law was a calm man.  He was a level-headed man.  He thought before he spoke, meticulously planning every moment of his life down to the most minute details.  He was stone-faced, unmoving, unwavering.

And yet, he sat at the table in the Polar Tang’s galley, a coffee mug gripped so hard in his hands his knuckles were white, as his sharp, golden eyes stared across the room from him.  His jaw was clenched as tight as a vice.

“Captain, what in the world is your problem?”  Across the table with a newspaper in his hands, was Penguin, who had finally taken notice of Law’s threatening aura in front of him.  Law didn’t respond to the question, instead continuing to stare daggers at whatever was in his direct line of sight.  Penguin placed the paper down, turning his head over his shoulder to follow Law’s vision.

In the common area directly across from the galley sat Bepo on the floor, rolled onto his side, mouth wide open as snores exited his nostrils at a rhythmic pace.  Nuzzled up impossibly close to the large polar bear was Ruža, boiler suit zipped down to her waist, sleeves tied around her hips as she instead used Bepo’s ample amount of fur as a space warmer.  Her long hair was tied into a tight bun.  She was sprawled out along Bepo’s belly, head resting under the bear’s chin, a content smile on her face as she dozed off within her crewmate’s comfortable heat.

Penguin turned back around to face Law, a devilish smirk crawling across his eyes.  “Don’t tell me you’re jealous.  And of Bepo out of everyone!”

“Will you keep your voice down?” Law quipped back, voice hushed, yet harsh.  

His mate laughed at his captain’s behavior.  “Never took you for the possessive type.”

“I’m not possessive,” Law grumbled, finally releasing the death grip he had on his mug and instead using his hand to pull the brim of his hat downward, covering his eyes.

A hard thump resounded next to him as the bench of the table rattled.  “You sleep on Bepo all the time, and so does the rest of the crew.  Why is it a problem when Ruža does it?”  The new voice, Shachi, followed his statement by taking a generous bite out of the bread he had retrieved from the kitchen.

Penguin responded for Law.  “He wants to be the one on top of Ru–”

Law’s motions were quicker than lightning, reaching across the table, grabbing the discarded newspaper in his fist, and whacking Penguin over the head with it to shut him up.  The two men burst into a cacophony of laughter.  They both knew better than anyone that Law meant absolutely no harm with his actions, he just had difficulty expressing his emotions.  Extreme difficulty, at that.  The laughter from Shachi and Penguin was enough to wake the mink across the room and the girl sleeping against his fluffy chest.  Bepo yawned, forgetting about Ruža draped underneath him and sat up, causing her to startle awake.

“What’s all the noise for?  I was having a good dream,” Bepo uttered, sleep still heavy on his tongue.  

Beside him, Ruža sat up, stifling her own massive yawn.  She awkwardly got to her feet, unwrapping her sleeves from around her hips and re-buttoning her boiler suit.  She turned to face the three in the galley across the room from them, smiling at the sight of Shachi and Penguin covering their mouths in vain attempts to smother their laughter as Law sat hunched over, both hands now gripping his fluffy hat, pushing it so far down his face that the entire upper half was obscured, leaving just his clenched lips visible.

The woman turned to Bepo, helping the animal off the floor.  “Thank you for the wonderful nap, Bepo!”  She turned on her heel to exit the galley, refreshed and ready to continue her tasks for the day.  

Bepo finally approached the table, plopping himself down next to Penguin who was wiping tears from his obscured eyes.  “Seriously, why are you guys laughing?”

“Captain was jealous of you,” Shachi said, his mouth curled into a wide grin.  “Because Ruža was napping with you.”

“Aw, Captain, you should just tell her you want to nap with her!  I’m sure she’d say yes, she just likes to nap on me because I’m so fluffy and you’re so boney,” Bepo casually spurted, innocent beady eyes matching well with the wide, toothy smile on his muzzle.  Penguin almost spit his coffee out at the backhanded comment.

Law groaned, his head dropping into his arms, hat being shoved off his head.  “Thanks for the encouragement, Bepo.”

Shachi nonchalantly rubbed his captain’s back.  “There, there, big guy, it’s alright.”

“Uhm…”

A new voice alerted the four friends toward the opposite doorway to the galley.  The masked helmsman, Hakugan, awkwardly stood in the entranceway, using his upper body to hold the heavy steel door open.  “Captain, you’re needed in the bridge for a quick maintenance check.  Sorry if I’m… interrupting something.”

Law was on his feet, hat situated back on his head faster than the speed of light.  His hand grabbed his sword that was left leaning against the wall, leaving his half-empty coffee mug completely abandoned as he followed Hakugan out of the galley.

His three friends watched him go, knowing smiles on their faces.

“He’s totally in love with her,” Penguin sighed, dreamily.

“Why won’t he say anything, though?” Bepo’s question was innocuous enough.

“You know how bad he is with feelings.  He’d rather die than be vulnerable with anyone,” Shachi responded, dropping his chin into his hand.

The conversation quickly dissipated, and the three finished their drinks and food before scattering for their own afternoon work.

—

A few days had passed since Law got called possessive.  Jealous.

The raven-haired man was staring at himself in the mirror of the crew washroom, hands clutching the sides of the metal sink as he gazed into his own face.  He wasn’t jealous.  How could he be jealous of his best friend?  Everyone loved cuddling with Bepo, how couldn’t you?  Law wasn’t jealous.  He didn’t own Ruža, no one did, and he’d rather swallow hot coals than ever make her feel like she was stuck in that situation again.  He wasn’t jealous.  He wasn’t–

“Captain?”

Law jolted.  In the mirror’s reflection, the person he wanted to see the least was behind him, leaning against the open door.  Ruža’s eyebrows were furrowed with concern, blue eyes shooting daggers into his back.

“Ruža, sorry, I’ll get out of your way.”  Law quickly grabbed his hat from the countertop beside him, turning around to attempt to get out of the room as quickly as he possibly could, sans using his devil fruit (he didn’t want to look that pathetic).  

“Are you alright, Law?” Ruža gently grabbed at the sleeve of his coat as he passed her.  “You look feverish.”

Law couldn’t bear to bring his eyes to meet her bright ones.  His heart was hammering so wildly behind his ribcage that he was scared it might give out.

“Yes, I’m fine,” he muttered blankly, staring off into nothing.  He bit down the disappointment that he felt as Ruža’s hand fell from its grip on his clothing.

“Okay…” she replied, though clearly unconvinced.  “Let us know if you need any help with anything.”  She finally entered the washroom after him, going straight to the medicine cabinet to grab her toothbrush.

With her back to him, Law silently turned his head toward her.  His eyes landed on the tattoo still imprinted at the base of her neck, exposed by her tied-up hair, his saliva catching in his throat.  The last thing he wanted was for her to feel trapped in this steel submarine she now called home, trapped with him.  She needed to be free.

But the smell of her shampoo lingering in the air after she passed him was making it very difficult for him to come to his senses, as not only himself, but as a captain.  Ducking his head, he finally took long strides away from the washroom.

—

“Ikkaku, have you noticed something wrong with Law lately?”  Ruža was hanging up her boiler suit on a hook on the wall, shedding her clothes from the day for something much more comfortable.  

Behind her, Ikkaku was changing into her own loungewear, tight, curly hair tied into two buns.  The two being the only women on the crew meant that they had the privilege of their own bunkroom, away from the 20-something other men that they lived with.  Ruža joining the crew made Ikkaku elated, excited to have not only a roommate, but a new girlfriend at that.  And the two of them sharing the privacy of their own room meant their more personal discussions stayed far away from the prying eyes of their crass male crewmates.

“Now that you mention it, he’s seemed pretty uptight lately,” Ikkaku murmured, wiping her face down with a damp cloth.

“I feel like I did something to make him upset, earlier I saw him in the washroom and he wouldn’t even look at me.”  Ruža’s voice was laced with discomfort, clearly sullen about the events from earlier in the day.

“What could you even have done?” Ikkaku asked, finally turning to face her friend.  The curly-haired woman already knew about the deep crush Ruža had on their stone-faced captain, being her only confidant in her emotional turmoil.  “You’ve never said or done anything bad to him before.”

“That’s what I’m wondering about!” Ruža responded with an exasperated huff.  “He’s impossible to read, and he never tells anyone what he’s thinking, so if I did do something to upset him he won’t tell me no matter how hard I pry.”

Ikkaku flopped face first into her mattress, rolling onto her side and watching as Ruža pulled a baggy shirt over her head.  “When did he start acting so off?”

“Uhm… a few days ago I think.”  The redhead sat on her own bed, falling onto her back and gazing dimly at the metallic ceiling above her.

“Did anything happen then?”

It took the blue-eyed woman a few minutes to think about the previous day’s events.  “I took a nap with Bepo in the common room a few days ago, and Shachi, Penguin, and Law were having a conversation that woke us up, and that’s when he started acting weird, I think.”

Ikkaku pondered intensely over her friend’s words.  Shachi and Penguin having a laugh at Law’s expense was nothing short of common on the Polar Tang, the two of them being Law’s closest friends but also his greatest annoyance.

Ruža’s voice piped up again.  “Maybe it was because I was napping during the day?”

“No, that can’t be it, Law naps on Bepo all the time so he’d be a hypocrite for getting mad at you over that,” Ikkaku responded.

“Maybe he wanted to nap with Bepo and I was in the way,” offered the red-head.

A light bulb suddenly flicked on within Ikkaku’s skull.  She sat up on her bed with a start, making Ruža jump in surprise.  Wide, brown eyes trained on startled blue ones.

“Maybe he was jealous that you were resting with Bepo and not him.”

It took Ruža a few moments to process her crewmate’s words.  “No, that can’t be it.”

“Why not?”

“Because he doesn’t like me that way!  I’m a crew member, a subordinate.  I’m nowhere close to his rank, and even then that’d be pushing his duty as a captain.”  Ruža was immediately on the defensive with a tight frown.  “As much as I want that to be the case, there’s no way that can be it.”

Ikkaku grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.  “Who says?  Law’s not the kind of guy to keep himself above everyone, we’re all equal in this tin can.  Penguin and Shachi make out in the supply closet all the time and no one bats an eye.”

“Penguin and Shachi have been making out in supply closets since they were teenagers.  Their scenario is different.”  Ruža sat herself up now, leaning back on her hands.  After a few tense moments, she released a pent-up exhale.  “I really want Law to like me the way I like him, but it’s wishful thinking.  He’s not that kind of guy, and he definitely doesn’t seem like the kind of person to get jealous.”

Ikkaku hummed.  “I don’t know, I have an inkling.  But, I don’t know him as well as Bepo, Shachi, or Penguin do, so I feel like if you really want an answer, you’ll have to go through them.  Even if it’s not some cute lovey-dovey romance situation, they might at least be able to help you figure out what you did wrong, if anything.”

Ruža glanced off to the side.  “You’re right, probably.”

“Probably?!” Ikkaku gasped, feigning offense.  “I’m always right!”

This got Ruža to finally crack a tired smile, a breathy laugh leaving her lungs.  “Okay, yeah, you’re always right.”

Their conversations continued until the lights went out.  Instead of sleeping, however, Ruža was laid on her back, staring blankly at the dark ceiling above her head.  Her lips quivered nervously.

—

“Shachi,” a hushed whisper alerted the ginger man’s attention from his porthole washing.  He turned his head left, then right, searching for the source of the noise.  “Behind you, dummy,” the voice came again, from behind him.  He finally turned around, spotting the nervous expression of Ruža peeking from around the corridor.  

“Why are you acting like you’re spying?  Just get over here!”  Shachi beckoned her over, and she complied without a word, slowly ambling her way over to where her older crewmate was working.  “Is everything alright?  Your eye bags look like they’re about to go on a longhaul trip.”

“I wanted to ask you something,” she replied, voice small.  She knew her eye bags were atrocious, she didn’t get a lick of sleep the night previous.

Shachi nodded, waiting for her to continue.

“Did I do something to upset Law?”

“Huh?”

Ruža paused, staring at the tinted shades that constantly covered the man’s eyes.  “What do you mean ‘huh’?  He hasn’t wanted to make eye contact with me in like a week now.  I want to know what I did wrong and figured you might know… you or Penguin.”

Shachi pinched the bridge of his crooked nose in between his fingers.  “Law is such an idiot, I swear.”  He dropped his hand, planting it firmly on his crewmate’s stiff shoulder.  “He’s not mad at you, I promise.”

“Then why is he acting like this?”

“Because he’s stupid and doesn’t know how to talk about his feelings.  He was jealous that you were napping with Bepo last week.”

Shachi’s words made the neurons in Ruža’s brain brown out.  Her jaw was slack, staring blankly at the man in front of her.  Ikkaku was right on the money.  She was always right.

“If you’re gonna get anything out of him, you have to corner him like a cat and force him to talk.  How else do you think he managed that alliance with Straw Hat?  That kid forced Law around against his will and in the end everything worked out.”  Shachi smirked.

“I’m not gonna drag him around like a dog,” Ruža muttered, hiding her flushed face in her hands.  “But… I want to try to talk to him.  I got no sleep last night because of this.  Clearly.”

Shachi patted the woman’s shoulder a few extra times before finally releasing his supporting grip on her.  “Let me know if you need anything else, alright?  You got this.”  He flashed her a toothy grin.

Finally having a few answers, Ruža felt her shoulders relax, a relieved smile on her face.  “Thank you, Shachi, you’re the best.”

—

The day dragged on slower than a ship on the Calm Belt, and no one had seen Law for the entire duration.  Not at breakfast, snack time, or dinner.  Someone claimed they saw the man make a mad dash from his office to the galley for food, but no one could back up that claim.  He was like a cryptid among his own crew.

Regardless, that evening, Ruža stood face-to-face with the hand-painted plastic sign that he kept hung up on the heavy metal door to his office.

DO NOT ENTER.  I AM WORKING.

‘Obviously,’ thought the woman with a frown.

With a trembling hand, she reached up and knocked three times on the door, cringing at the way the heavy sound screeched through the desolate hallway of the submarine.  She waited a few moments in deafening silence.  No answer.  Her hand faltered, but she knocked again, louder this time.

“Read the sign,” yelled a clearly agitated voice from within the closed off room.

“I can read just fine, Captain,” Ruža responded, surprising herself with the sass on her tongue.

More uncomfortable silence followed, before the sound of a screeching chair could be heard.  Slow footsteps approached the steel door, and Ruža backed up apprehensively, heart beating wildly as she anticipated the door opening.  It did, a tiny crack, allowing the glaring light from the hallway to shine off of Law’s weary face.  His eye bags were worse than her’s, and his hair clearly hadn’t been washed in some time.

He stared at the woman outside of his door for a few agonizing moments before simply saying, “Yeah?”

Ruža pursed her lips.  “I wanted to talk to you.  It’s imperative.”  Law didn’t need to know that she had been practicing that last word in the mirror for the better part of 20 minutes.  Instead, she kept her shoulders back, chin held high, attempting to assert herself in front of her brooding captain who she was madly, desperately, incredibly in love with.  She was failing miserably.

Law looked past the way her lips quivered and her arms trembled at her sides, as well as her own sleepless appearance.  He silently opened the door to his office a bit wider, inviting her inside.  Her apprehensive steps followed him, and she closed the door behind her, standing against it as she watched her captain meander back to his desk, plopping himself in his chair before leaning forward to rest his head in his hands.

“I want to hear from you why you’ve been ignoring me.”  Ruža tried to suppress the way her voice trembled on its journey into the air.  “I have my suspicions, but I want to hear it from you.”

Law bowed his head, the shadow from his bangs concealing his eyes from her vision.  “What are your suspicions?”

Ruža was very quickly growing impatient, not helped by her lack of proper sleep.  “That you were jealous that I was napping with Bepo.  Shachi told me, but if that’s the case, I want to hear the truth from you, no one else.”

Law was worried that the sound of his hammering heart beat would be audible from across his office.  His own fingers were trembling with nerves, he never in a million years thought he would ever be in a situation like this one.  He did everything possible in his attempts to close himself out from intimate, personal connections, losing one too many people for his liking.  And yet, a woman stood before him (well, behind him), who held his weary heart in a grip so warm and caring that he almost didn’t want it back.

The red-haired woman waited patiently for her captain to respond.

“Yeah,” was all he was able to breathlessly mutter.

Ruža waited for him to continue.

“I was jealous.  But I shouldn’t have been.”

“And why were you jealous?” she demanded.  “The entire crew loves napping with Bepo.  Tell me why it’s different when I do it.”

Now it was Law’s turn to grow progressively more agitated.  His teeth clenched within his closed mouth.  “Do I really have to say it?”

“If it’s really this hard for you, then you don’t have to bother.  I’m just tired of you acting like I don’t even exist.  We’re in a damn submarine, it’s a bit hard not to feel ignored.”  Ruža’s voice had softened only slightly.  She was aware of her captain’s emotional issues, she knew bits and pieces of why he held everyone at three arms lengths away from him.  She knew that the tattoo she had forcibly inked on the back of her neck was a disturbing sight for him, just as it was a painful scar for her.

With a deep, shuddering breath, Law finally leaned back in his chair.  He closed his eyes, tossing his head back, breathing shallowly through his nose.  “I know it was immature of me to treat you like that, Ruža, I’m sorry.”  He rotated his head only slightly to glance towards the woman at his door, gazing at her with golden eyes that were filled with an unspoken agony.

“It’s okay,” was all she said back.

An idea popped into Law’s anxiety-ridden mind.  He slowly pulled open one of the messy drawers of his desk, procuring a wrinkled blank piece of paper.  Pulling a pen from a cup on his desk, he pulled the cap off and started scribbling frantically onto the paper.  In his head, the vision of Corazon writing on slips of paper to communicate while he was pretending to be mute flashed through his vision.  If Law couldn’t muster up the courage to vocalize the three little words bouncing aimlessly through his skull, then he’d just write them down.

The scratching of pen against paper finally ceased, and Law stood, keeping his head low as he passed the paper underside-up toward Ruža, who carefully took it from his hand.  Flipping it around, she began to scan the words sloppily written on the front.

Ruža clenched the paper within her shaky fingers.  The words she herself had been afraid to say were written at the top.  I love you.

The silence was palpable, so thick you couldn’t even slice a sword through it.  Shockingly, however, a light, airly laugh infiltrated the space.  Ruža’s face was flushed a bright, rosy red, and her mouth was twisted into a nervous, childlike grin as she tried with all her might to keep down the nervous laughs that were forming in her chest.  She couldn’t help it, small giggles escaping her lips as her shoulders shuddered with the effort of keeping them in.  Law picked his head up, staring with a mixture of shock and bewilderment.  He poured his heart out onto a piece of paper, and she was laughing at him.

“I’m not laughing at you, Law,” she finally managed to say.  “I love you.”

The formidable captain of the Heart Pirates, one of the most wanted men in the world, nervously swallowed the glob of spit that had formed in the back of his throat.  “You… you do?”

“Yeah.”  Her response mirrored his curt words from the short minutes prior.  “I was so scared that I did something to upset you.”

“God, no, you could never,” Law replied, breathlessly.  He felt 100 pounds lighter, like he could float away on the slightest breeze.  The three words that had cursed him for almost 20 years of his life now held a new weight to them.  A new, liberated weight.

The woman in front of him, with a nervous, giddy smile dancing across her lips, eyes closed tightly with the force of her infectious smile, held his heart so tightly in her grasp and she didn’t even know it.  Not yet, at least.  That would come with time.

Ruža broke the silence.  “Can I please hug you?”

Law felt the corners of his own mouth twitch upwards.  “Of course.”

The red-head closed the distance within a few short steps, hiding her face within Law’s chest, still giggling like a child over the sudden revelation.  She kept the paper held firmly in her hand as she wrapped her arms around his torso.  Law’s scruffy chin found its perch on the crown of her head, the scent of her shampoo filling his nostrils and clouding his mind with a bliss he had never experienced before.  He couldn’t fight his smile any more, letting it consume him, the same way he accepted the way his heart beat uncontrollably within Ruža’s presence.

“I’m sorry I’m laughing, I can’t help it,” she mumbled, the sound muffled by her face squished in the fabric of his sweatshirt.

His hands found their place around her shoulders, his left hand involuntarily coming up to rest on the back of her neck, covering her tattoo with his own inked hand.  “It’s okay,” he responded, his words quiet and soft.  “This is all new to me.”

“It’s new to me, too.”

The two stood in the same position for what felt like hours before Ruža finally (though regrettably) backed away slightly.  Law’s hands slipped off her shoulders, but his fingers gingerly brushed along her tattoo.

“We don’t have to do anything about this if you don’t want to.  I know with you being the captain and everything makes this kind of weird.”  Ruža’s eyebrows angled in a way that made her appear almost sad at a reality that hadn’t even happened yet.

It took Law a few moments to really form his response.  “No, I… I think I want to try.  I don’t know what to do, though.”

“Me neither.”

Now it was Law’s turn to laugh.  “We’re fucking hopeless.”

“Tell me about it.”

Ruža gazed longingly at the paper she still held in her hands, eyes repeatedly glossing over the three words at the top.  Law could get used to the way her bright eyes softened, as if not believing that what she was reading was the truth.  In the back of her mind, the reason she had even shown up to his office in the first place pushed itself back to the forefront.

“So about you being jealous…”

[dokries]

always for you (my heart beats)

pairing: hong jisoo (joshua) x gender neutral reader

genre: fluff, comfort

word count: 875

warnings: some crying, passing mention of food near the end, reader not feeling well

author note: hi ! this is another repost, so if you’ve seen it, you probably have :D this is also very self indulgent but. i want a joshua :(

masterlist

it isn’t until you step into your shared apartment and slump down on the couch, tossing aside your things on the floor with a loud thud, that you feel the sheer exhaustion set into your bones.

you sigh, wiping your face with your hands before pushing the heels of your palms into your eyes.

today is not your day, to say the least. the drink you bought in the morning had found its way onto your clothes, and though you brushed it off with a weary smile when the barista apologized furiously, you’re just so tired. you don’t know why either, considering you got a decent amount of sleep last night.

lost in your thoughts, you don’t notice the sound of the key turning in the front door’s lock, and joshua making his way over to you.

“darling? are you alright?” he asks, squatting down and gently moving your hands away from your eyes, that are…tearing up? huh. when did the tears start rolling down your face?

“–y love. my love?” noticing that you aren’t paying attention to his words, joshua takes your face into his hands, slowly wiping your cheeks with his thumbs; the pads of his fingers are warm against your skin.

“darling, is anyone in there?” he says jokingly. you hum a reply, not having the energy to form words.

he frowns at your response (or lack thereof) before getting up to sit beside your defeated form. without saying anything, he takes your hands into his before squeezing gently, rubbing calming circles with his thumbs. his bangs fall into his eyes, and you notice how disheveled his appearance is. did he run here on his way home from work?

you aren’t unfamiliar with the sixth sense joshua seems to have when it comes to you feeling unwell. on days you feel off, he often grabs you a drink or small trinket from the shop close by on his way home, only saying that he felt as if you needed a pick-me-up, as if he just knows.

you don’t know how long you stare at that mote of dust in his left eyebrow before your voice comes out in a hoarse whisper. “i’m sorry.”

joshua immediately pulls you into himself, stroking the top of your head. “no, no, you don’t need to apologize to me ever, especially when you feel like this. no apologies in our relationship.”

his chest is warm against your head and you’re suddenly surrounded by his steady heartbeat, keeping him alive. you find yourself wondering if your heart beats as steady as his, even though you’re crumbling in his comforting arms. as his hands rub soothing shapes into your back, you focus on breathing, using the way joshua’s chest slowly rises and falls as an example.

after an eternity, or maybe just two minutes, joshua pushes you back slightly so that your back rests against the couch and he can see your face again.

“wanna talk about it?” he asks softly. you know joshua would never push you to talk if you didn’t want to but you feel like maybe it would help; you know he did it often when he was upset. if it worked for him, maybe it would for you too?

mustering up the energy to speak, you shake your head. “just had a bad day, shua. it just–it felt like nothing was going my way today.” you pause before your boyfriend nods for you to continue, softly grabbing your hands again. “this week has been so hectic, you know? for both of us.”

he smiles softly before bringing your hand up to his mouth, and places a small kiss on the side of it.

“yeah…you’re right. is there anything i can do for you today though?” he nudges your knee for an answer.

you speak hesitantly. “can you…let me listen to your heartbeat?” you see him raise an eyebrow and you rush to continue, face growing warm. “i—i was more calm when i heard it. it’s like, hearing your heartbeat grounds me because i know you’re alive, and i’m alive with you,” you finish, looking down at your intertwined hands.

you hear joshua let out a low breath and look up at his wide eyed expression as he kisses you on the cheek before moving back from your face slightly, your noses almost touching. his tone warm, he calls your name gently. “of course. you can always hear my heart beat, as it beats for you.”

you giggle a little at his slightly very corny line and at his goofy grin, knowing he’s just trying to cheer you up. you move towards joshua’s chest, his arms wrapping around you once more.

you close your eyes, savouring the warmth of being hugged by him, and listen to his heart beat, just for you.

soon enough, you fall asleep and joshua lifts you up slowly before moving you to your bed and wishing you sweet dreams with a peck on the forehead. when you wake up, he’ll make soup is what he plans in his head, as he moves to sit down on the couch.

a small smile creeps up on his face as he puts his hand to his heart. the one beats for you, always.

[thezombieprostitute]

Dragonfly - Part 2

Summary: Steve has just about everything he could ever want in life. He's got you, a baby on the way, and a successful Family. No one would dare interfere with that. Right?

A/N: Reader is female, pregnant. No other descriptors used.

Word Count: ~1k

Warnings: Death threats, Implied violence, Pregnancy. Please let me know if I missed any!

Part 1 -- Part 3

You’ve been stuck inside the house for days. It’s a beautiful house, you feel comfortable in it, but knowing you can’t leave makes you want out more than ever. You try to distract yourself by cooking and baking whatever it is the baby is craving but that only goes so far. Especially when you can feel Steve’s frustration adding to your own. Something needs to actually be done but, with nothing you can actually do, it’s just building up a lot of frustrated energy for both of you. He can at least use the home gym for some of his energy but all you’re allowed to use in there is the treadmill and it’s just not enough. 

Bucky finally has some news and calls you both into Steve’s office. You vaguely recognize the person with him as God the Bounty Hunter, or GBH as he allows only his closest circle to call him. Steve sets you in the chair behind his desk, the most comfortable one in the office, before sitting on the desk facing the two men. 

“GBH has been able to get an appointment with the person who runs the boards,” Bucky starts. Steve’s fists clench as he grabs the edge of the desk, fighting the urge to punch the faceless person. “It’s at the Cairo Hotel and I’m gonna recommend neither of you is there for it.”

“What?” Steve’s anger is evident in his clenched jaw.

“There are a few factors, Steve,” Bucky raises his hands. “Namely, I don’t think you can control yourself to follow the rules of neutrality at the appointment. We can’t afford to lose Pine’s support.” 

Steve lowers his head in understanding. You get up and gently rub your hand between his shoulder blades, trying to help him keep calm.

“Another factor is my professional standing,” GBH adds. “I have a reputation and clout to uphold. These aren’t the kind of people you want to piss off. Anything happens to Mr. Smith at an appointment with me, I’ll be done for. And not just professionally.”

“GBH assures me that there is procedure for a target to remove their contract or for someone else to do so on their behalf,” Bucky offers. “It’s likely gonna cost a lot, but I know that doesn’t matter.” Steve nods. “Plus, it’ll keep her off of the contract postings for at least five years.”

“But I am highly doubtful anyone will get any information on who posted the contract,” GBH confessed. Steve turned to glare at him but the other man seemed unaffected as he continued, “again, lots of regulation and factors. Namely trust within the business. No one’s gonna post a contract if there’s a chance the target finds out they’re the ones who opened it.”

“Just business, huh,” Steve mocks. 

You hug him from behind, “just getting the hit on me removed would be a major quality of life improvement.” You nuzzle your face against his shoulder. “And maybe we can send one of the Garbage Men to the appointment? They’re good at getting subtext and negotiations, right?”

Steve and Bucky both nod at your assessment. 

“I was planning on just me and God,” Bucky admits. “Would it be acceptable for us to bring a third?” 

GBH contemplates, “it shouldn’t be a problem. The key thing is that it’s at Pine’s establishment and he doesn’t have to worry about someone trying to hurt him in retaliation for doing his job.” 

Steve’s grip on the desk makes his knuckles go white. He hates the idea of his wife’s life or death being a matter of ‘business’. But he knows that’s how it is for everyone outside his circle. It’s the kind of thinking that he’s worked hard to make sure he doesn’t fall into. “Whatever you need to do, do it. I want this contract burnt.”

It’s finally the day of the contract appointment and you do your best to distract yourself and Steve. He’s always been willing to do whatever you needed but it’s been magnified since your confirmed pregnancy test a few months ago. Thinking it might help both of you to relax a little, you ask him to help you out. 

A foot massage for your swollen feet, keeping his hands busy and his thoughts focused on your moans of pleasure. 

A warm bath to help your muscle aches, keeping his attention focused on your naked body and the temperature of the water. 

Which, of course, led to the two of you in bed so he can properly worship your body. Part of you misses the rougher sex but you understand Steve’s hesitancy. And damn if he doesn’t still make you feel so good you forget your name. 

Steve holds your sleeping form in his arms, gently rubbing your belly. He knows you’ve been trying to distract him and he’s so grateful to you. He’s barely been able to keep from punching walls and checking his phone every five minutes. But taking care of you really helped to settle him. 

He hears the telltale chirp of his phone and moves as carefully as he can so that he doesn’t wake you. The message is from Bucky, Contract burnt. Possible lead thanks to Teach. His shoulders go lax as he finally feels the relief he’s been longing for. 

He returns to his place in the bed, holding you close. You barely wake up, just enough to make yourself comfortable and kiss his neck. It’s not completely safe for you and your baby boy yet. But now that the overarching danger has been taken care of, he can focus on finding and crushing the source. Whoever Dragonfly is, Steve vows they will die in agony by his own hand.

Part 1 -- Part 3

Tags:

@alicedopey; @aryhyuuga; @cynic-spirit; @icefrozendeadlyqueen; @jamneuromain; @jaqui-has-a-conspiracy-theory; @ktficworld; @leryg0; @rayofdawnworld; @rebekahdawkins; @texmexdarling

[lovereadandwrite]

Share the 🍉!! Free Palestine🗣️

I’m hoping this post can help others realize how easy & non-stressful it is for us to help💛🍉

Donate at Care for Gaza: https://www.gofundme.com/f/CareForGaza

Or if you’re wanting to support a specific family but are feeling overwhelmed by choice - the site Gaza Funds can choose the GoFundMe for you!

Every time you refresh, it rotates through & spotlights different fundraisers depending on their goal/when their last donation was, helping every GoFundMe get seen: https://gazafunds.com

It can make anyone feel helpless to see the horrifying statistics every day - but don’t let the fear of not knowing enough, not doing enough, or being an “imperfect” supporter silence you !! we can’t turn away.

There are SO many ways to help! I wanted to make a support post to list out how easy it is - & how we can recenter the focus on sharing donation links, continuing to spread awareness about the genoclde, & encouraging others to speak out without ever making someone feel bad!

“Guilt-tripping�� can often be seen as performative activism even if they’re coming from an authentic place, & it typically ends up turning people away from the cause.

let’s all work TOGETHER, instead🍉

*I included some bsd characters to create an easy-to-read, approachable post, & since bsd is what I typically draw/post - hopefully it’ll get pushed/shared/not fIagged! I’m also going to tag the post as such, for the same reason. (no correlation between the show/specific characters shown here & the cause)

Spread the watermelon around🍉🍉🍉

originally posted on my insta sarahdeleonart, where it’s also shareable🍉

[inmyheaddd]

heyy love your work could you please do the Hawthorne siblings headcannons?

hawthorne sibling head cannons

thankyou sm for the reqq, idek if these count as head cannons anymore 😭 wc: 848

when nash saw how skye was with grayson when he was first born, he was finally happy that his mom was more involved, but that was extremely short lived.

grayson would sit and talk to baby xander up until he was around 3 because he felt like he couldn’t really talk to anyone else.

xander and jameson made it their mission everyday to annoy grayson.

deep down they didn’t want to annoy him; they just wanted some sort of reaction out of their brother, like all little siblings do.

“grayson can i borrow your camera really quick?” xander would ask, knowing that he and jameson snuck into his room and hid it.

they would be stifling their laughs while grayson looked around his room for a minute, when he finally realized.

“you guys aren’t funny.”

whenever they’d pull something like this and it would go on for too long, nash would have to get involved.

xander and nash were getting ‘told off’ by nash, grayson standing beside him.

“jamie, would you like it if somebody took your things and you had to search the whole house to find them?" he rhetorically asked with a serious look on his face. jameson on the other hand, was anything but serious and was smiling widely.

“actually yes, i love searching for stuff.”

there was a beat of silence followed by nash muttering under his breath,

“yeah, i shouldn’t have asked you that.” he turned his attention to xander, who was starting to fiddle with his small hands and bite his lip.

“xander, would you like it if if someone too-“

“okay fine i’m sorry!” he blurted out suddenly. “i just wanted to play with you guys but i didn’t know grayson would actually get mad, jamie told me he wouldn’t, he said it would be funny and- and-” he rambled on so quickly nash couldn't even comprehend some of his words.

nash’s attempt at a stern face softened, “aw kid, you can always just ask to play, you know that, right?”

“but you guys are always busy,” 6 year old xander countered.

grayson finally spoke up after staying silent for 10 minutes. “i’ll always play with you, i just don’t like it when you steal my things.” he said quietly.

jameson agreed “yeah same, ill always play with you.” he paused and then continued, “but i actually really like it when we steal grayson’s thi-"

“jameson.”

nash, grayson, and jameson came to the realization that they didn't make the best decision that day, because xander was like a never-ending talking machine, constantly asking them to play.

one time, nash and alisa were hanging out, and 8 year old xander burst into the room. “hi guys, can i play robots with you?”

5 minutes later, alisa and nash were sitting in silence, their clothes slightly wrinkled, sending each other looks sometimes, while xander was droning off about the game, the different robots, and what they do.

he went silent for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke up. “nash, were you playing with mommy’s makeup?”

“no?” nash responds confusedly, as this question was extremely out of the blue and caught him way off guard.

“then what’s that red stuff on your neck?”

hangouts were at alisa’s house from then on.

grayson and jameson were honestly inseparable before emily came around, and the old man’s expectations tore them apart.

whenever they would actually get along, for days in a row even, grayson would suddenly snap and go back to being distant. jameson would think he did something wrong, and he was honestly angry at grayson in a way, because all he wanted was to just talk to his brother. but he never ever voiced those thoughts outloud.

grayson on the other hand, felt like he was becoming weak and like he had to put on that strong persona and unbreakable facade in front of everyone, even in front of the people who were practically half of him.

"it's going to be you one day," the old man’s voice echoed in his mind

though sometimes his brotherly love for jameson — for all his brothers —overpowered and silenced that voice in his mind. 

at the end of the day, his brothers always came first. above everything.

xander and jameson (and sometimes nash) lowkey make fun of grayson when he acts all emo — xander's words.

“honestly, he’s like if edward cullen had a child with chuck bass. the most broody, seriois, and annoying guy to walk the earth.” 

xander’s attempt at being quiet at the dinner table failed, and grayson heard it. he tried to hide his laugh by taking another sip of his water.

xander and jameson always feel like they’ve accomplished something when they make their older brothers laugh.

when everyone was in different stages of their lives—xander in high school, jameson about to graduate, grayson already being graduated, and nash always off somewhere—moments when they were all having fun together were cherished tenfold.

one time jameson called a 911 because he “missed everyone too much." grayson didn’t come, and then the leather pants punishment came to life. 

lmk if you likedd, also send more reqs id love to do themm

[stinkysposts]

FRENEMIES TO LOVERS GOJO X READER PLSSSSSSS

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

My first request, hopefully you enjoy it!!

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

You and Gojo had known each other since your high school years. Since there weren’t many students at the school, it was inevitable that you would meet and be paired together for missions. This is what eventually started your…interesting relationship. You couldn’t exactly say that you hated each other…but maybe getting into petty arguments almost everyday had to count for something. Now it’s ten years later, and you two couldn’t help but continue this pettiness even into adulthood. As a first grade sorcerer, you were often sent on dangerous missions. You were used to it by now though, it’s just part of the job after all. You signed up for this…even if you didn’t know exactly what you were signing up for as a teen… Anyways

You look down at your work phone and roll your eyes when you see an email notification from Yaga. Seems like another mission has been set up for you, and you need to collect the details from Yaga at the school. You cringe a little internally as you remember the blindfolded idiot is a teacher there. You sip your coffee as you think about possible escape routes if you were to run into Gojo, as you didn’t have the energy to deal with his antics right now…and all the feelings you get while seeing him. Feelings of…the past, the present, and maybe even a future. You shake your head before you get too lost in your thoughts and pick up your coffee cup as you spot Ijichi waiting outside in the car. You get in and greet him and he returns your greeting with a polite smile. As he starts the car and drives towards the school you can’t help but space out as you look out the window. Damn, he’s the longest lasting non sorcerer yet. How has he not died??? Wait, you shouldn’t think that…that’s not nice. Sigh. Oh, we made it!

You hop out of the car and exchange polite goodbyes with Ijichi before stepping into the school, swiftly making your way towards Yaga’s office. As you walked through the halls you could only reminisce about your time at school and as a carefree teen. You smile to yourself, lost in your thoughts when you suddenly bump into someone. You quickly step back, startled.

“Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry I-“. You stumble back and look up to get a good look at who you just ran into. To your surprise, or rather dismay, you see the one and only Satoru Gojo staring down at you with his signature cocky smirk. You look up at him and purse your lips, already regretting coming through this hallway at all.

“Well well well, look at this! The lovely Y/n has graced us with their presence once more! To what do I owe the pleasure?” You could practically see the condescending look in his eyes even though he was wearing that stupid blindfold. Has anyone told him he looks like a dandelion when he’s wearing it??? Whatever.

You shake your head at him and clasp your hands together in an attempt not to claw that stupid smirk off his face.

“I’m here because Yaga wanted to see me to provide some necessary details for the mission I’m going on. That’s all.” He tilts his head to the side.

“Mission? I don’t recall Yaga setting us up for a duo mission.” You immediately scrunch up your nose and you know what he’s implying. He’s saying you’re too weak to go on missions on your own. How rude.

“I’ll have you know that I’m perfectly capable going on missions alone. I don’t need you and your freakishly blues to accompany me anywhere.” You eyeball him and start to walk past to get to Yaga’s office.

“Hey! I’ll have you know that many people have said my eyes are a very pretty ocean blue!!” He calls out to you as you walk away in mock offense. He shakes his head while still having that same condescending smirk. Gosh, he’s infuriating to look at.

You eventually make your way to Yaga’s office and he hands you the mission details. A mission in the countryside, and the only way you could get there was by a long train ride. This was going to be a fun one. You thank Yaga for the information and quickly make your exit, making sure not to run into Gojo again.

…

A few days later you return to Tokyo after your mission was done. Yaga estimated it would take around two days, it took you four. It’s not a big deal though, the mission is done and no serious injuries were sustained. Well, for the most part. The cursed spirit managed to catch you off guard at one point and injure your leg. Nothing that required instant attention though, at the time you just bandaged it up and disregarded it. Now that you’re back at the school however, you decided to give Shoko a visit, just so that you could make sure nothing was wrong with your leg. Plus, Shoko had been a friend of yours since your school days, it would be nice just to sit and talk if she wasn’t busy of course. You made your way to the nurse’s office and poke your head in. Luckily, she was there and didn’t seem too busy.

“Shoko!!” You greet her as you walk in and she turns around and greets you with a tired smile.

“Y/n, what brings you by?” She sets down some files she was organizing and walks over to you.

“Oh nothing…just got back from a mission and wanted you to check out a little injury I sustained. Nothing major though, don’t worry. It’s not like I lost my lower half or anything.” You shrug. “And I wanted to see you! I swear we don’t hang out enough, we’re both so busy, especially you.”

She hums in thought as she leads you to the examination table and helps you up.

“You’re right, I wish you and I could hang out more often. Or at least get away from work for a bit.” She starts to roll up your pant leg and examine the injury. She sighs and shakes her head.

“You should’ve gotten treatment for this sooner, you’re lucky it’s not too bad. But, I know anything I’ll say will go in one ear and out the other, you’ve always been so stubborn.” Before you could respond, you hear the door to the nurse’s office burst open and you see a tall figure standing in the doorway. As soon as you spot the mop of white hair, you know exactly who it is.

“Shokooooo! I’ve come to-“ He pauses midway through his sentence when he sees you there. Shoko looks at him over her shoulder and sighs once again. She does that a lot huh.

“Gojo, I’ve told you multiple times that you need to knock, especially since I might be with a patient. Like I am now.” She goes back to examining your leg and Gojo’s gaze is direct towards the injury.

“Y/n??? Are you alright??? When did this happen??” He looks a little caught off guard at the sight of your injury. You raise an eyebrow at him, a little perplexed at how concerned he’s acting.

“Oh this? It’s nothing, just a little hiccup during my mission. But it’s fine, really.” He frowns slightly, but before he could say anything Shoko shoos him away.

“Sorry Gojo, you know my policy. While I’m treating a patient it’s best if nobody else is in the room if they don’t have to be.” He lets out a loud, dramatic sigh but leaves the room without protest. Weird, usually he’d make a big deal over being ushered out of the room. You’re lost in thought once again as Shoko treats your wound and eventually, she’s finally done.

“Alright, I suggest not putting too much stress on it for now okay? And next time, get some actually treatment instead of just messily bandaging it up.” You smile at her sheepishly as you hear her scolding you once more.

“Sorry Sho, won’t do it again, thanks for all your help!!” You pat her head and quickly scurry out of the room to avoid getting lectured. As you walk outside, you see Gojo waiting down side, still with that frown.

“What?? What’s up??” You furrow your eyes and look up at him. You get annoyed by his silence and start making steps to walk away when he suddenly takes a hold of your wrist. His grip isn’t hard or painful, just firm.

“Y/n, you should’ve been more careful!! How did you even get injured in the first place??” You’re a little taken aback by this sudden flurry of words at your face. Where is this coming from???

“Um, excuse me?? The first thing you do when you see me is berate me?? You need to calm down.” Gojo pauses for a moment and seems to calm down. He lowers his blindfold and now it hangs around his neck. You can see his freaky blue eyes, well maybe not freaky. Now that you’re up close you can see that they’re actually…really nice. A nice clear, sparkling blue…

“Sorry Y/n…I got a bit carried away. But my point still stands. You need to be more careful when you go on missions like that by yourself…” Your gaze softens slightly when you hear the concern in his tone.

“…why are you so bothered by it?” Gojo purses his lips for a moment and you swear you could see his cheeks flush the lightest shade of pink.

“I worry about you, you know? I know I call you weak and stuff…but I know you’re capable. I just don’t want anyone else I care about getting hurt, especially…you.” Your eyes widen slightly as he speaks. Is this some sort of confession?!

“Listen y/n I’m just gonna say it. I care about you, a lot. Maybe more than a friend usually does. I tease you a lot, but I also like you a lot, you know? You get what I’m trying to say here right…?” You couldn’t help but let a small smile slip past your lips. You knew that Gojo wasn’t that good at expressing himself at times, especially his emotions.

“Yes, I know what you’re trying to say, I I didn’t think you felt that way..” Your eyes sparkle slightly as you look up at him. He leans down ever so slightly..

“Can I…?” You can see the slight pout of his lips. Instead of answering, you press a soft and gentle kiss to his lips, melting into his embrace as he wraps his strong arms around you. Once you pull away, his eyes are sparkling.

“Sooooo…you’re not a bad kisser.” Your cheeks flush slightly. He always has to ruin the moment with something. But…you can’t help but find him endearing.

“You’re not half bad yourself. C’mon, let’s get outta here, I know a new sweets shop just opened up nearby.” You intertwine your hand with his and lead him away as he chats happily with you while you listen. He’s a handful, but now he’s yours. Good luck.

I def need to work on my enemy writing skills 😭

[kyonix-sparkles]

Pairing: scaramouche x gn!reader

Word count: 0.6+

Warnings:| oral fixation(reader has it), stimming?(can be taken as such), sucking on fingers, reader is stated to have sensory issues, reader is said to go into a sort of little headspace(bare with me people 🥲), modern au!

//This is based off a weird roleplay I was doing with ai last year don’t question it//

You always hated things for the way they felt, or the way they sounded, smelt, or even tasted, and if you're feeling extra sensitive the way things looked. Scaramouche’s hands though, no matter what he did they were always soft, like the porcelain of woods just always soft and smooth. Life was always hard with your oral fixation, never having something to suck or bite on, not having something cold or spicy enough. To avoid you being overstimulated or anything like it scaramouche bought things you said usually helps with it, so; lollipops, suckable candies, strong mints, just about anything spicy you liked and extra ice traps to keep stocked up with ice if ever needed.

But you just replaced the ice trays, your eating your last lollipop and you ran out of any other candies you could even possibly have same with the spicy foods and you didn’t want to tell scaramouche because he’s your boyfriend and you know him, well more like your scared of him reacting how your patents did yell at you for eating up everything for no real reason. So now you’re sitting next to him, burnt out and needing to stim but once more having nothing to stim with. You leaned on your boyfriend who was hunched over reading a book. He could tell by your sigh something was wrong to he gently patted and played with your hair before asking

“What’s wrong dove?” You exhaled long after his question before finally speaking up, “I need to stim but I’m out of everything..” he sat up, genuinely shocked “really..?” You once more burnt out, too understimulated to care you nodded. “Why didn’t you tell me I could’ve bought you more in advance..” “..whenever I told my parents they’d get mad..” scaramouche was a little offended and hurt by this, “dove I’m not your fucking parents” he said with his usually snappy tone. “Why are you yelling at me? okay, I’m sorry..” he sighed now realizing you're understimulated. He got an idea but y’all haven’t tried it before, but he doesn’t have any spare change as he needs it to help save up for a car so he can get to and from work easier. “Dove, I have an idea okay?”

You almost perked up, “hm?” He offered his fingers, the two middle ones pressed together while his pointer and pinky finger were outstretched. “Here suck on my fingers..” you blushed a bit, more so out of embarrassment than anything due to this catching you so off guard, and you’ve never sucked on anyone’s fingers. You stampered to get your response out so he rolled his eyes and sighed. “Just suck.. I don’t care.. do what you need to to feel better..” you blinked before taking his two middle fingers in your mouth and starting to suck on them. The sanded wood of his fingers made it so that they were just right for you and your texture sensitivity. From this point on he just continued reading, almost as if you weren’t sucking on his fingers as a means to stim. After a few minutes you laid on his lap and continued your autistic behavior and your boyfriend didn’t mind at all, once every few minutes he’d kiss your head and continue wherever he left off before he finally asked.

“You okay little dove” you were in a smaller headspace due to feeling safe, and due to work you haven’t done it in who knows how long. It did take scaramouche a minute but when he realized he kept quiet and let you do you, it’s not often you get to do this for yourself. You soon fell asleep and once he was done and you stopped sucking on his fingers he eased you into talks shared bed and tucked you in before joining you, kissing your head and cuddling you.

[sen-ya]

own terms

Summary: “We have to tell ‘em soon.”

Law huffed, hurrying across his room to find a sweater to take refuge in. “As I’ve told you,” he hissed, rummaging through a drawer, “I’ll be waiting as long as possible.” 

Warnings: gender dysphoria, unplanned pregnancy

Word count: 1494

hi hello this is kinda part 6.5/7 of that comic series I’ve been posting. I have lotsa thoughts abt a lot of other points in this timeline but this is the only other one I’ve done something with oops.

“We have to tell ‘em soon.”

Law huffed, hurrying across his room to find a sweater to take refuge in. “As I’ve told you,” he hissed, rummaging through a drawer, “I’ll be waiting as long as possible.” 

Luffy sighed, flopping to the foot of their bed with his head in his hands. “That’s what I’m saying,” he reasoned. “I think it’s been as long as possible.” 

Law rolled his eyes at his husband. “Well, you think wrong,” he insisted, freeing an oversized black hoodie from his dresser. He pulled it on and observed himself in the mirror. “I’m hardly showing, and I have plenty of clothes like this.” He nodded, satisfied with the way the fabric swallowed him. “Honestly I may be able to conceal the whole thing without even using my powers,” this part was muttered to himself.

”Why though?!” Luffy whined. “My crew knows!”

“And I wish they didn’t!” If looks could kill, Law would have been guilty of mariticide and, in this moment, he didn’t even think he’d regret it. “Do we have to go through this again? I don’t want my crew to know I’m pregnant. It’s bad enough that Bepo made me tell Penguin and Shachi.” 

“Why’s it bad that your brothers know we’re having a baby?” The irritation in the Pirate King’s voice was becoming increasingly familiar to Law, it’d been weeks of this conversation and he was, quite frankly, sick of it. 

“I can’t believe you keep making me have this conversation,” Law sat at his desk and crossed his arms tightly across his chest. “At this point it’s just insensitive.” 

“Did you forget we’re pirates, Torao?” 

This was a new talking point. Law quirked an eyebrow. “And that means you can be insensitive?”

”I mean, kinda? – But wait, that's not the point,” Luffy sighed heavily, speaking slowly like he was explaining something to a child. “Your crew should know the kind of coverage you need.” 

Law shot to his feet. “You’ve proven my point,” he said sternly. “I don’t need additional cover. I’m just as capable as I’ve always been.”

”Torao—“ 

“I’m not having this conversation again.” He waved his hand dismissively and swiftly sent himself to the deck of his ship. 

Left behind, Luffy let himself indulge in a long, frustrated groan. 

—-

“You don’t understand,” Usopp implored. “If I were in his shoes I’d be sensitive about it too, okay?” 

Luffy crossed his legs on top of the crate he was perched on in Usopp and Franky’s workshop. “But he’s always so…I dunno…practical,” he sighed. “And not telling your crew — y’know, the ones you fight with — that you’re fucking pregnant is totally not practical!” 

“I dunno, dude,” Franky offered from his work bench. “You sure that’s why you’re so hung up on this?”

Luffy’s face scrunched up at the question. “What else would it be about?”

Franky lifted his welding mask and shared a knowing look with Usopp. They nodded back and forth and whatever nonverbal conversation they were having led to Franky sighing. “Okay, okay. Think about it. When’s the last time you ever saw anyone land a hit on Traffy?” 

That was a tough question to answer. Truthfully, most pirates wouldn’t touch the pirate king or his consort. The new World Government still required levels and levels of approvals to engage with either of them, and even then it’s not like Koby would grant that approval unless a lot of things had suddenly changed.

”Doesn’t matter,” Luffy decided. 

“Exactly,” Franky continued. “Now tell me, why else would you want the Hearts to know?”

Another tough one. What other reason could there be?

”They were the last ones to know about you two being together,” Usopp added helpfully. Franky cleared his throat, clearly he’d wanted Luffy to get to that fact on his own. Usopp shrunk into himself sheepishly in apology. 

“Yeah, I still don’t get why Torao was so embarrassed,” Luffy muttered, paying no mind to his friends' silent exchange.

”And how’d it feel knowing he was embarrassed?” Franky encouraged.

”…I…” Luffy looked down at his hands in his lap. “…Didn’t like it.”

”Bingo!” Usopp cheered. “But it wasn’t that he was embarrassed of you, was he?”

Having finally caught up to the conversation, Luffy rolled his eyes. “No,” he whined. “He’s insecure.” 

“Exactly!”

”But he’s not like that anymore!” 

“And this isn’t the same situation as before,” Usopp insisted. “You’re asking a trans guy to walk into a room full of people and say ‘hey everyone, I have a uterus!’”

”But they’re his nakama! And everyone knows Ikakku’s trans and it’s not like anyone’s ever been stupid about it,” Luffy pouted. 

“No one’s gonna be stupid about it,” the sniper agreed. “But that doesn’t mean they can’t subconsciously change parts of how they interact with him, even if it’s only while he’s pregnant.” Usopp huffed a laugh. “Even if he weren’t a guy I’d think someone like Traffy’d want to keep it under wraps. When Kaya was pregnant tons of randos wanted to touch her belly all the time. It’s fuckin’ weird.” 

“…Torao does hate it when people touch him,” Luffy muttered. 

“And Ikakku talks about being trans, those are conversations she chose to have. I get to talk about it if I feel like it, like only when I'm comfortable enough to. I’ll bet Traffy hates not having a say in the matter,” Usopp sighed in empathy.

Luffy straightened up at that realization and a momentary silence fell over the trio. 

Franky cleared his throat. “Just keep an eye on him if anyone’s dumb enough to fight us,” he said in summation. “He’s his own captain. Let him handle his crew.” 

He hated to admit it, but Luffy knew he was right. He offered a grunt of acknowledgement and nothing else. 

—

Luffy returned to the captain’s quarters of the Polar Two greeted by the sounds of his husband emptying his stomach in the en-suite bathroom. It wasn’t an uncommon state to find him in these days, but it certainly didn’t make it any better. He made his way to the ajar door and poked his head in. Law sat on the floor, forehead resting on his arm that was slung across the toilet. Upon noticing his company, he shot his husband a glare.

”Lunch taking revenge?” Luffy offered light-heartedly. 

Law held his glare for a moment longer before allowing his face to soften slightly. “What else is new,” he grumbled, looking away. He decided his stomach was settling enough to relocate so he flushed the toilet and moved to get to his feet. Luffy was there in a flash, gently taking his arm.

”I don’t need any help,” Law sighed, pulling his arm back and reaching for his toothbrush. Luffy hovered, waiting for him to finish brushing his teeth before he spoke.

”I’m sorry,” he offered, hanging back in the doorframe of the bathroom while Law went to sit at his desk. 

“Are you now?” Law cracked open a book, pulled a few pages of loose leaf from a precarious pile on the desk, and started to scribble on them. 

“Yeah,” he replied, tentatively crossing the room to stand behind his husband. “Usopp and Franky reminded me that when you didn’t tell your crew we were together it wasn’t ‘cause you were embarrassed to be with me.”

Law placed his pen flat on his desk. “…That’s what this has been about?”

Luffy wrapped his arms around the other captain’s shoulders and nuzzled into his hair. “Maybe.”

They stayed like that in silence for a few long moments.

”I’m not embarrassed to be having your baby,” Law muttered after a while.

”I know.” 

“I’m embarrassed to be having a baby period.” 

“I know.”

“I’m certainly not embarrassed of her.”

“I know.”

”And I’m their captain,” Law continued. “I don’t want them thinking I’m less capable because…”

”They’d never think you’re not capable. They may be more protective though, and I get that you don’t want that.” 

Law nodded. “…Yes,” he agreed, leaning back into his husband’s embrace. 

“But if someone’s dumb enough to come after us, you can’t do anything stupid okay?”

That earned a hearty laugh. “Look who’s talking,” Law chuckled, looking up into Luffy’s eyes. 

“I mean it!” Luffy insisted. “You’re super strong. But…” He let his hand travel down to rest protectively on the front pocket of Law’s hoodie. 

“I know,” Law whispered. “If I’m being honest, I have been thinking about your point. It’d be…practical for them to know.” 

Luffy grinned at that. “And you do love practical.” 

Law nodded pensively. 

“Anyway, you tell ‘em when you’re ready. I’ll get off your ass about it.” In one swift motion Luffy hooked an arm under his husband’s legs and whisked him out of his chair bridal style. 

“Excuse me,” Law protested. “I have work to do!” 

“Yeah, I got stuff to do too!” the other captain laughed, turning on his heel to close the short distance to their bed.

[queen-of-the-avengers]

It's Looking Up From Here

Pairing: Mafia!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~1.6k

Warnings: relationship angst, fluff, implied smut

Summary: You and Gio grow closer over your shared interest in fashion and create something beautiful that only you can pull off. He invites you to a party this weekend but Bucky has bigger and better plans you can't resist.

Between Love and Hate Masterlist

Squares Filled: "tell me" (2023) for @buckybarnesbingo

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Then

Bucky was very secretive when it came to most of the things in his life. He trusted you enough to let you sleep over in his house but didn’t trust you enough to keep all the doors unlocked. You just wanted to know everything you could about Bucky since he didn’t share a lot with you. He’d always been with you whenever you went exploring his house but he was still in bed. This was your opportunity to look before he caught you.

Bucky’s mansion is huge with more rooms than he used. There was an entire wing of the house that no one used but he still kept this house as if he needed every room. Bucky didn’t keep a lot of stuff on the wall because he claimed that the pictures he wanted to look at were either in his wallet or on his phone.

All of them were of you.

Bucky’s mansion had a personal gym, two movie theater rooms, a bowling alley, two game rooms, a shooting range, two bars, over a dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, a spa, a huge indoor pool, and a multi-story car garage. You were still not sure how that even worked and you’ve seen him use cars that were on the second story. Sam and Steve had rooms here since he trusted them more than his other men but you hadn’t seen them in a while.

What kind of job does Bucky do that requires him to have a boatload of men with guns? Maybe you knew the answer and didn’t want to face it. You didn’t want to think of Bucky other than the sweet man you loved.

Since you knew of almost every room in his house, you head to the one place he kept under lock and key. Of course, his office door is locked when you get there. He told you never to go in here but why? Bucky’s maid walked out of the room next to his office, scaring you. You knew he had a chef and a maid that lived in the house but you didn’t expect her to be up this early.

“Sorry, you scared me,” you chuckled. She rolled her cart past his office and continued to the next room. “Aren’t you going to go in there?”

“Mr. Barnes doesn’t want anyone going in there but him.”

Now you were more confused than ever. You grabbed the door handle and tried again as if the door would be magically unlocked from the last time you tried it. Why didn't he want anyone in there? What was really in there? What was he hiding? You stood on your tiptoes and felt along the rim of the door. Maybe he kept a key there even though it was unlikely.

“What are you doing?”

You jumped at hearing his voice and you turned to face him. There was no point in trying to hide it. You were caught red-handed.

“Nothing,” you said sheepishly.

“Were you trying to get into my office?”

You dropped the innocent facade with an eye roll.

“I’m sorry, Bucky, but I’m curious. You don’t let anyone in there.”

“Yeah, there’s a reason why,” he glared.

“So, what’s the reason? What do you have in there?”

“Nothing. It’s just an office.”

“Tell me, if it’s just an office, why can’t I go in there? Why do you keep the door locked?”

“I let you have free reign in this entire house. Why can’t you let this one go?” he sighed in frustration.

You’ve always wanted things you couldn’t have.

“If it’s not a big deal, why can’t I go inside? What are you hiding?”

“Nothing.” You kept asking questions that pissed him off but he wasn’t going to yell in your face. Until you kept pushing the issue, and he exploded. “I said it’s nothing, Y/N! I don’t want you going in there!” You jumped from the sudden explosion and immediately hurt that he’d yell at you. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, I just don’t want people in there. I’m very private.”

“Okay,” you said in a hollow voice.

“I’m sorry for yelling. I’m just stressed at work.”

“And what is it that you do? You keep that a secret, too?”

“I really don’t want to get into this right now.”

“Yeah,” you scoffed, “what did I expect? A mature conversation? No, you go off running away every time I bring up your job that you don’t want me to know about.”

Bucky’s fists clenched but he didn’t move them from his side.

“Y/N…”

“No, it’s fine. It’s not like this is a relationship or anything,” you scoffed and walked back to your room.

Now

You and Gio put the finishing touches on the dress you two are making for class. The dress is light pink and goes all the way down to your feet. If you’re not wearing some kind of heel, the dress will drag. The top is elegant where the silky fabric crosses over each other over the breasts. It’s spaghetti straps but a line of fabric drapes from the front to the back giving the false look of flowy sleeves.

“Damn, you’re good at this,” Gio smiles.

“We’re good at this,” you correct.

“Alright, you should be putting the finishing touches on your projects,” your professor announces. “I’ll need one person from each group to try on the project and show the class.”

“So, who is going to put this on?” you ask Gio.

“I think this was made for you.”

“I don’t know, I’d like to see you wear this,” you joke.

You and seven other people take their projects and leave the room to try on what they made. You’re the first one back so you walk into the classroom with a shy smile. Gio stares at you with parted lips like he thinks you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. The dress fits you like it was made for your body. When designing it, you might have put your own size into it. If your professor would let you, you’d love to take this home and show Bucky. You and Gio explain to the class the process of making the dress and why you chose the silky fabric. Afterward, you step down and let the next group go.

“You look beautiful,” Gio smiles once back at your desk.

“Thank you. I love it.”

“It was made for you. It fits really well.”

“I wish I could take it home.”

Before class is done, you change out of the dress and leave it for your professor to grade. You and Gio walk to the cafeteria to grab something to eat. Bucky will be pulling up to the meeting point since you have a half-day today but you figure he can wait while you have lunch with Gio. You two pay for lunch and find a spot to eat outside.

“So, a bunch of us are going to a party this weekend. My friend is in Delta Phi and is going to be throwing one of their legendary parties. I want you to go.”

“I’ve never been to a frat party before. It sounds like fun. Let me check my schedule and see if I have anything planned.”

You take out your planner and look at this weekend.

“You did a really good job on the dress.”

“You helped,” you smile.

“Nah, that was all you. You’re going to make a great fashion designer one day.”

“Thank you. I don’t have anything planned for this weekend. I’d love to go to a party.”

Gio is about to respond when he notices something behind you. His entire face hardens into something you think is hate. You look back and see Bucky and sigh knowing he is pissed you weren't there. He takes a seat next to you but doesn’t regard Gio at all.

“Where were you?”

“I’m having lunch with my friend. Bucky, this is Gio. Gio, this is Bucky.”

Bucky only grunts in Gio’s direction. He’s never been a people person much less with men you know

“Come on, I have a surprise waiting for you at home.”

“You’re dating him?” Gio asks in surprise.

“You say that like you know him.” You look at Bucky. “Do you know him?”

“I’ve never met you before.”

“Sorry,” Gio chuckles breathily, “I thought you were someone else.”

“I have to go. Thanks for lunch,” you smile and pack up.

“So, you’ll be at the party?”

“Yeah.”

You leave with Bucky but only until he is back in the car does he say something.

“What party?”

“He invited me to a frat party. I told him I’d go. It’s this weekend.”

“You know what’s at those college parties? Booze, sex, and drugs.”

“What, you think I can’t handle myself?” you ask and look at him.

“I know you can. It’s them I don’t trust.”

“Then why don’t you come with me?”

Bucky looks at you with a bitch face.

“Do I look like a frat boy?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes you act like one.” He laughs and shakes his head. When he gets home, he escorts you inside with a hand on the small of your back. “So, what’s this surprise?”

Bucky steps away from you and walks over to four suitcases by the stairs.

“We’re going to Italy.” You gasp in shock. “Awh, looks like you won’t be going to that little party after all.”

“What about school?”

“I worked out a deal with your teachers so you can do it online.”

“I’ve never been to Italy before,” you grin.

“So, would you trade fine dining, luxury, and me for frat boys, drinking, and beer pong?”

You walk up to Bucky and put one hand on his shoulder and the other on the side of his face.

“You. I choose you.”

He grabs you by your hips and kisses you desperately. He picks you up by your thighs and you wrap your legs around his waist.

“We leave in the morning.”

You giggle when his stubble touches your neck but moan when his lips start kissing you there.

x

Follow my library blog @aqueenslibrary​​​​​​ where I reblog all my stories, so you can put notifications on there without the extra stuff :)

[lau219]

Enemies with Benefits

Part 6

Previous part here

…………………………………………………………………………….

“What do you mean you’re quitting? You can’t quit!”

Elise stood in front of Y/N’s desk as she was sitting in her office in the back of the club. After she’d told her what happened, Elise had been at a loss for words, but once Y/N had told her she was quitting, she found her voice.

“There’s no way I’m working for that bastard,” Y/N replied. “I’d rather scrape dead animals off the highway than work for him.”

“But if you quit, who’s going to be the head manager?” Elise asked, panic on her face.

“That’s for Shelby to figure out.”

“But who knows who he’d hire to replace you? It could be some inept moron who has no idea what they’re doing, or a control freak dictator who makes everyone miserable. Either scenario could ruin this place, and that’s if everyone doesn’t quit first.”

“Then he’ll get what he deserves,” Y/N replied.

“But what about all of us?” Elise asked her. “You’re just going to leave us? You’re the reason we all work here, Y/N.”

“I know, but I can’t—” Y/N began, but Elise continued

“And what about all the work you put into this place? You made this place what it is. This is your place.”

“Try telling that to the bank,” Y/N replied bitterly.

“But what about us?!” Elise asked again. “You can’t just leave us!”

Pausing, Y/N looked at her, and it broke her heart to see how upset Elise was. It was also breaking her heart to have to walk away from her club, but she didn’t see any other option. She had no idea what she’d do instead, seeing as how the Shelby’s owned every other place in town now, too, but she just couldn’t work for them, for him. No way.

“I’m sorry, Elise,” Y/N responded. “Really, this is killing me; you know how much I love you guys, and love this place. But it’s the principle of the thing. This guy bought this place out from under me and acted like he was giving me a choice. He’s taken away from me the one thing that was my own, that I worked so hard for. And all because he’s so obsessed with owning everything in sight that he couldn’t leave well enough alone and be satisfied with having his name on every other place around here. He’s an arrogant, selfish bastard.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” came a voice from the door behind them.

As Elise turned around and Y/N looked past her, they found Polly Gray standing in the open doorway to Y/N’s office. A large handbag hanging from the crook of her elbow, she was looking at them with a slightly hesitant smile. As Y/N recognized her and registered that she was standing in her doorway, she defensively glared at the woman.

“Door up front was open,” Polly said by way of explanation as to how she’d gotten inside in the middle of the day. She jerked her head in the direction she’d come from and then offered another smile.

“If you’re here to defend Mr. Shelby, I’m not interested in hearing it,” Y/N said to Polly, still glaring, her guard up. “In fact, I’m not interested in hearing what you or anyone from your family has to say, so you can see yourself out by the same way you came in.”

Polly gave a single shake of her head before answering.

“I’m not here to talk about Tommy, darling. I’m here to talk about you.”

Y/N’s eyes were still narrowed.

“Why would I want to hear anything you have to say?”

“Because, just as we agreed upon when I met you the other day, I, too, think Tommy is a cocky, greedy asshole. And as much as I love that boy, I have no hesitation in knocking him down a peg or two, which is why I’m here.”

Elise slowly turned back towards Y/N, her eyes wide as she registered what Polly had said. After looking at Elise for a moment, Y/N returned her gaze to Polly.

“Why should I believe that you’re not here with some ulterior motive to help your beloved nephew make my life even worse?” she asked her.

Polly reached into her bag and pulled out a short stack of papers secured with a binder clip. She held it up as she spoke.

“Because I’ve taken from Tommy the contract he intends on having you sign when you agree to work for him. When you meet with him again, you’ll see that what I’m showing you today is exactly what he’ll present you with at that time. You’re going to look it over ahead of time and be fully prepared with your own set of requirements from him.”

Y/N shook her head. While she was surprised by the fact that Polly did, in fact, appear to be on her side, she still had no intention of working for Tommy Shelby.

“I appreciate the thought, Ms. Gray, but I have no intention of working for your nephew,” Y/N said to her. “I’m sorry to tell you that you wasted your time coming down here.”

Polly lowered her hand that held the contract and tilted her head slightly.

“Believe me, darling, I’m as pissed as you are at the moment, but before you make any final decisions, I want to make sure you really know what you’re giving up.”

“I’m not giving it up,” Y/N replied, narrowing her eyes. “It’s been taken from me.”

“And I want to help you get it back,” came Polly’s reply.

Assessing her for another moment, Y/N finally shifted her focus from Polly to Elise.

“Can you give us a few minutes, Elise?” she said.

“Yeah, sure,” Elise replied, then gave Y/N a wide-eyed look of uncertainty before she turned and walked through the doorway, passing Polly, who stepped inside after Elise had gone by and closed the door behind her.

“Are you often cleaning up your nephews’ messes, Ms. Gray?” Y/N asked her, realizing she sounded rude, but not caring, regardless of the fact that Polly was apparently here to help her.

“Please, call me Polly,” she replied. “And let’s just say that I should be getting my name embroidered on a custodian jumpsuit for the number of messes I’ve cleaned up.”

Y/N nearly smiled at her remark, and after stepping further into the room, Polly spoke again as she made herself comfortable at the metal chair in front of Y/N’s desk. Definitely not the plush office environment she was used to, Y/N thought as she recalled Tommy’s office.

“You’ve got a great place here,” Polly began as she set her bag down on the floor. “The fact that you got it to this all on your own only makes it all the more impressive. I know how successful you are here.”

“Thank you,” was all Y/N said as Polly’s eyes met hers. There was a brief moment of awkward silence before Polly spoke again.

“Listen, everything about the way Tommy went about this was, in my opinion, wrong. He should have handled it much differently, however, I want to be sure that you understand that what he did may not have actually been the worst thing.”

Y/N raised her eyebrows in disbelief.

“You tell me that you think he’s an asshole for what he did, and then you defend him for it?” Y/N shook her head. “I don’t think we’re as much on the same page as you think we are, Polly.”

“His intention wasn’t to lead you on,” Polly said. “Well, maybe it was at first, but after meeting you, he changed his mind. Rather than buying your place and giving you the boot after the fact, he decided that he wanted to keep you at all costs. That’s because he was so impressed by you. Every other place we’ve bought, he’s fired the previous owner and manager and hired someone new.”

“And I’m supposed to be flattered enough by that fact to overlook that he essentially lied to me about his intentions?”

Polly cocked her head.

“It wasn’t so much that he was lying, as that he wanted to get you to hear him out before you knew about the sale. He figured that if he waited to try to discuss his offer to you after the sale, that you’d be so upset that you wouldn’t even listen to him. He wanted to make sure you knew what he could offer you.”

Y/N shook her head again in disgust.

“The fact that he was so arrogant as to take that approach only makes me more confident that he’s an asshole,” she said.

Polly gave a sympathetic smile.

“Like I said, I don’t agree with how he went about all this, but the fact is, this place still had money owed on it. And it’s true that that was brought to the bank’s attention before he even met you. After the purchase of the last club, Tommy immediately began looking into buying this place, and when he went to the bank to do some research, all the forgotten details about the property’s outstanding balance were unintentionally revealed.”

Y/N’s wary expression softened somewhat as she listened to Polly, who continued when Y/N said nothing.

“After that, it was already too late. The bank then had every intention of collecting the balance, and Tommy assumed it wasn’t anything you could afford.”

At that, Y/N scoffed and rolled her eyes in annoyance at Tommy’s presumptuous attitude, but Polly gave her a knowing look that Y/N had to acknowledge – it was true that the balance was nothing she’d have been able to pay.

“It wouldn’t have ever been an issue if he hadn’t been so hell-bent on owning every club in this city. If he hadn’t gone snooping around, this would have stayed forgotten,” Y/N said.

Polly gave her another knowing look.

“Come on, Y/N, you and I both know that it was damn lucky that this hadn’t been discovered before now. If it hadn’t, it would only have been a matter of time before it was, and then, what? The fact that Tommy found out first instead of the bank is actually in your favor.”

Y/N snickered.

“How do you figure that?” she said to Polly.

“Because he then immediately bought it,” Polly answered. “If the bank had found out before Tommy came around, they would have simply seized the property back from you. Tommy buying the place saved you from being put out on your ass.”

The truth was, Y/N had come to this exact realization after leaving Tommy’s office several days prior. Since she wouldn’t have been able to afford to pay the balance, she knew she would have been at the mercy of whatever the bank decided to do to her. But it was the way he’d handled it and the fact that he was so greedy about owning the club in the first place that had her so upset.

“Look, I understand that this balance would have turned me out on my ass,” Y/N said as she looked at Polly. “But it’s the whole way he handled it. Rather than explaining the situation and being honest with me, he chose to tell me only what he wanted to tell me, bought it out from under me, and then sprung the news on me without any sort of warning. It’s the principle of the thing.”

Polly smiled sympathetically.

“Believe me, darling, I understand. As I said, I don’t agree with how he went about it, either, but Tommy has his own way of doing things. And as hard as I’ve tried over the years, there are some habits you just can’t break. But despite that, you can still have everything you had before.”

Y/N frowned.

“I don’t want to condone his actions by agreeing to work for him,” she said. “And I won’t have everything I had before, because the place won’t be mine.”

“Not as in having your name on the deed, no,” Polly conceded. “But is that so horrible if you still get to function as you were before?”

“Yes, because it was mine,” Y/N replied. “I owned it. I worked hard to pay for it, I made it what it is, and it belonged to me. You just don’t understand.”

At that, Polly leaned forward.

“On the contrary, love, I do understand,” she said. “You’re talking to a woman who’s a member of a family full of greedy men who make every decision without consulting anyone else first. I have hardly a thing to call my own, including a moment’s peace.”

It was Y/N’s turn to give Polly a sympathetic smile.

“What I’m trying to convince you of here is to pick your battles,” Polly continued. “You may not like the way Tommy went about this, but you still have the opportunity to run your business just as you were doing before, as well as now also seizing the other opportunity he offered you. With all that being the case, is it really worth walking away from a place and people that you love?”

As much as she hated to admit it, Y/N knew Polly was right. But there were still plenty of questions.

“How do I know that he’ll let me run the place the same as I was before?” Y/N asked her. “How can I be sure he won’t just take control and overturn every decision I make? And what about any other sneaky shit he may try and pull?”

Polly smiled.

“That’s why I brought this,” she said, lifting the contract out of her bag and setting it in front of Y/N. “You’re going to look at it beforehand so you can review the terms he’s proposing exactly, and make your own demands and counter-offers. This way, you can be sure that you’re not going to be blindsided by anything Tommy does.” Polly then paused for a moment before continuing. “Although, when it comes to you, I think it’s safe to say Tommy will give you just about anything you want.”

Y/N frowned with uncertainty.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“He likes you,” Polly replied. “And he respects you.”

Y/N scoffed.

“He has a strange way of showing it,” she said. “Someone needs to tell him that actions speak a lot louder than empty sweet talk.”

Polly grinned.

“I think you’re the perfect woman to get that point across to him.”

Y/N smiled back. She couldn’t believe she was actually considering working for them, and as she thought more about everything Polly had said to her, she was reminded of something.

“You said when you first got here that you wanted to help me get this place back,” she said. “How do you think that would be possible?”

Polly grinned again.

“I still stand by everything I’ve said so far – you can make this as positive and beneficial of a situation for yourself as you want it to be,” she said, her eyes twinkling with a bit of mischief. “However, no one is more in favor of a woman like you owning a business than me. And there’s also no one more in favor of teaching Tommy a lesson.”

Polly paused before she continued.

“If there’s one thing Tommy finds even more enticing than a business deal, it’s a bet. I think you could get your club back if you propose a little bet of your own.”

“Like what, for instance?” Y/N shook her head in loss for ideas.

Polly’s grin was nearly devilish.

“You bet Tommy that if, within the first six months of working for him, you get at least five of the other clubs turning a fifty percent increase in their current profits, then you get your club back – full ownership, no strings attached. If you’re able to pull it off, then you get what you ultimately want and Tommy has to accept that he can’t own everything. If you don’t pull it off, then you’re no worse off than you were, and you still have your job with Tommy as the owner.”

Y/N smiled momentarily at Polly’s idea, but then she frowned.

“Why would he agree to that when there’s nothing in it for him?” she asked.

Polly gave a smug look of certainty.

“Because for Tommy, the enjoyment comes from watching the bet play out, not the final outcome. Besides, regardless of if you meet the fifty percent on enough places, you’ll have no doubt done enough to at least increase profits, and that’s money in his pocket. So, he’s benefitting either way.”

As Y/N processed all that Polly said, a mischievous smile of her own began to slowly spread across her face. After a moment, she focused on Polly again.

“I’m not going to make any of this easy on him,” she said.

“Good,” Polly replied as she smiled back at her. “I was hoping you wouldn’t.”

@nyxxie-pooh @xsweetcatastrophe @febris-amatoria @hannibellector @natalie--rushman

@beastofburdenxo @garrison-girl-08 @meister95 @betty21rose @hudson-bay-girl

@neonpurplestars89-blog @fuseburner @aphroditeslover11 @wild-rose-35 @allie131313

@ceirinen @devotedlyshadowytheorist @alltoowellbeneaththemangotree @judig92 @fairytale07

@galactict3a @runnning-outof-time

[hearts444innie]

Stop overworking yourself

Lee: Chan 🐺

Ler: Felix ☀️

🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁

It was around 12 am and all the members were asleep…except Chan. He was up working on songs and such, he was tired but the pressure of being a leader and not wanting to disappoint anyone was intense.

So he continue to work, he heard his door being opened and there stood Felix.

“Chan hyung why are you not asleep?”

Chan started at him for a moment Before speaking

“I’m not tired and I wanna work so-“

“hyung you ARE tired you need to take a break..I don’t like when you are overworking yourself”

Chan sighed “Lix I’m not tired and I’m not overworking myself I’m fine I just don’t…want to disappoint anyone.” Those words made Felix furrow his eyes brows

“Channie hyung your not disappointing no one your doing amazing but please take a break there’s always time to get back to work”

“I’m not tired tho-“

Felix pushes Chan lightly onto the bed.

Felix what are you-NOHOHO WHAHAIT-“

Felix just went everywhere all over his Body just really any spot Chan didn’t have time to protect

“Now tell me hyung are you willing to sleep now?”

“NO QUIT NAHAHAH IM NOT TIRED”

“Oh no? Fine then endure this torture for the mean time~”

He dug into chans armpits making the leader go ballistic on laugher

“NO STOHOHOHP HAHAHAH PLEASE I CANT TAKE THIS”

Felix stopped for a moment to give him a breather but still keeping his fingers in his armpits

“Get out of my armpits!” Chan whined out scared to even try to move knowing his fingers are still there

After a few minutes Felix went back to torturing the poor boy, now Chan was strong but when it came to tickles he was weak he fought as much as he could but the sunshine boy knew how to get him good.

“Are you tired yet~ because I won’t stop until you agree to sleep~”

Chan still keeping his pride up only gave the boy a sassy no only resulting in him getting tickled harder (rip Chan 😭)

Felix made an offended face making Chan giggle more “I’ll so make you take that answer back!”

“Ah! Waihait I’m sorry eek-!”

Chan squirmed around more as Felix’s fingers found their way to his and sides, just everywhere and it was driving the leader insane

“FELIX PLEASE AHAHAHAHA ITS TOHOHO MUCH!!”

Felix could tell how tired the boy was as he was panting and had tears from all of that so he thought maybe he should finish off softy.

“Alright then how about we go with soft tickles yeah~?

“Yehehes please” hey it was better than almost laughing to death.

Felix softy tickled his ears and Chan sunk deeper into the mattress wanting to be as little as possible from this embarrassing moment as he giggled and blushed.

“Hyung you’re so cute like this!…I need to do this more often” this made the boy blush even more of a deeper red

“Hahahaha pleaseee don’t sahahy that”

“Why does it make it worse?~”

“Plehehehease okay okay I’m tired”

“Yay good!” Felix said as if he wasn’t just torturing the boy

They both fell asleep and all chan could think was the whole thing that happened he blushed when he was in deep thought of it maybe he did want this to happen again

CHANLIX HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD SJDKSJ-