#id write a pick up line but my mind is blank

[ratatouillewastakendammit]

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Pairing: Keigo Takami x reader

Summary: when you started writing online erotica about your boss, you had been under the strict impression that he would never, ever find out about it.

Warning: Smut, vaginal fingering, degradation, praise, slight public-sex, Language, Hawks deserves his own warning

Word Count: 2.3k

Part 2

The phone rang.

For a secretary, one may have thought this to be a completely normal occurrence, just as you did now. It never would have occurred to you that this particular phone call would be anything but.

So when you picked it up, you answered in your usual, well-mannered tone, completely devoid of any sort of concern. "If this is about the Hero Billboard Chart event then your seat has been reserved and I've requested that it be close to Endeavor."

The laugh of your boss echoed down the line. "Thanks, lovebird, but that's actually not what I'm calling about." He paused, leaving the crackle of empty static in your ear. "Would you mind coming up to my office for a sec?"

"Oh, uh, yes I'll be there right away."

Usually, you were quite good at your job.

You were responsible and efficient, taking on tasks diligently without fault. There was only one unplanned vacation day on your record, taken only as a result of some unforeseen food sickness that left you slumped on your bathroom floor for most of the afternoon.

Still, after you had been able to pry your body away from the safety of your toilet, you had gone back to bed, opened your computer, and reorganized some meetings so your boss had the maximum amount of free time.

He was probably why you enjoyed your job so much, or at least was a big part of it.

Hawks, true to his image, was very laid back and lenient. He met your hard work and determination with praise, a huge comparison to some of the other famous names you had worked under.

This worked as continual motivation to please him, hoping to make his life easier in return for his kindness. Thankfully, he was forgiving, brushing past the meaningless mistakes that many egotistic administrators would've relished in punishing.

So when he had called you into his office without telling you why, the only thing running through your buzzing mind was that you had something very, very wrong.

Mentally replaying through all your actions from the past week, you searched for anything that might've warranted a reprimand and came up completely blank.

You stepped into the elevator, grazing your ID through the scanner device and selecting your preferred floor.

Nervous energy was beginning to simmer in your stomach, growing more intense with every level you passed on the way to the top.

With a ding, you were released into the corridor leading to the same room you visited every morning. Those sessions were usually on your own accord, nothing but a quick catch-up on whatever important party or conference Hawks was supposed to attend.

Of course, he would ask you up here if there was something specific that he needed accomplished at that very moment, but you couldn't ignore the small twitch of intuition that this was different somehow.

Walking down the hall, you acknowledged the fact that you were probably just being nervous over nothing, simply anxious from the negative outcomes that were buzzing around your mind.

After taking a deep breath, you gently knocked on the faded glass of your boss' office. A distracted mumble of confirmation could be heard through the walls and you took it as a pass to enter.

You walked in, eyes immediately flashing to the man in front of you for any signs of external indignation.

He was staring fixedly on his phone, attentively scrolling through an unseen article with his legs propped on the surface of his desk.

All in all, he seemed relatively normal, giving you the minuscule confidence to make yourself known. "You needed something?"

At the sound of your voice, Hawks looked up, allowing a recognizably easygoing smile to spread across his features as he slid his boots off the table. "Yeah, thanks for coming. Would you mind taking a seat?"

You nodded, but the ball of anxiety in your stomach exploded at his words. Nothing good had ever come after that statement.

The next inquiry did nothing to help either. "So, do you know why you're here?"

Beginning to pick at the skin in between your fingernails, you shook your head. "No, not really. Did I do something wrong? An error in one of my reports or something like that?"

"Not at all! Your work here is great." He complimented, waving off your concerns. "However, I do have to bring up a tiny problem regarding your social media."

"My social media?" Hawks nodded at the question. "I'm not really on it. I mean, I have some of the popular apps and stuff, but I don't post anything."

He hummed, tilting his head in feigned confusion. "Not even online erotica about me?"

The blood drained from your face.

You watched in utter horror as he swiveled his phone around, revealing the welcome screen of your very own Tumblr profile.

Words were failing you. You doubted that your voice would work at all if you even tried, but Hawks seemed more than willing to break the silence.

"This one's my favorite. I mean, seventeen thousand likes?" He scrolled to your most recent post and let out a low whistle. "Pun intended, I'm more of a Twitter guy myself, but I'm pretty sure that's impressive, yeah?"

The muscle in your chest was beginning to thump harder and harder. With his acute sense of hearing, you were almost sure he could hear its beat amidst the quiet. "I... I don't-"

"And the tags are even better!" Hawks turned the screen around in his direction once more. "I quote, now tell me if I get anything wrong, hashtag 'I want this man to rail me until I can't walk.'"

In your defense, you hadn't written about Hawks since he had hired you.

The first post had been a sleep-deprived, most likely horny result of your crush on the winged hero. You hadn't even thought it was all that good.

But the internet disagreed.

They came flocking to your sweet words like bees, pollinating your page with likes, reposts, and motivating comments. Their approval worked as motivation, pressure to keep feeding the masses in unneeded media.

When you had been offered the secretarial position here, you had obviously stopped, but you just couldn't find it in yourself to delete the account.

Hours of hard work spent writing and scouting Google for synonyms was just too hard to let go of. Not to mention the readers who genuinely enjoyed your content would have it deleted without a proper explanation.

You had kept it up, leaving your account to slowly become untouched, even if your attraction to the pro increased steadily during the span of these past few months.

Besides, there was no way anyone could connect it to you, right?

Wrong, apperently.

So fucking wrong.

"I've gotta say, you're quite the little writer. I would've said your talents lay in haggling me out of meetings, but this is some good stuff."

Your eyes shot up at his words in shocked dismay. "You read them?"

Golden irises darkened, fixed in your direction in a way that made you squirm. "All of them."

Hot tears began to brim at the corner of your eyes. You willfully pushed them back, hoping to retain what minuscule specs of self respect you had left.

Pushing back the chair, you stood up, offering him a polite bow in refusal to meet his gaze. "I guess I'll go collect my things. Thank you for the opportunity."

"What?"

The confusion in his tone made you look up in surprise. "Aren't I being fired?"

He furrowed his brows, offering you an unreadable expression. "Fire you?"

You nodded at his question, trying to ignore the glimmer of hope creeping into your train of thought. "Well, um, I just thought that-"

"Sit down."

The authority behind his voice had you immediately in compliance. You watched him slowly stand up and make his way over to you, the already established power dynamic reinstated physically.

He placed his hands on the arms of your chair, effectively caging your body between them. "Writing porn online about your boss? A termination would probably be letting you off easy."

Your heart dropped.

Did I commit a felony?

There's no way, right?

There can't be.

I mean, yeah sure, the commission's super uptight about his image, but people write shit online about the heroes all the time, so it can't be that bad.

I hope...

"Did you mean it?"

You glanced up in confusion. "Mean what?"

Cocking an eyebrow, he offered you a smirk that reeked of self-satisfaction. "Did you really spend all that time daydreaming about how good my cock would feel inside you?"

Your mind went blank at his words. There was nothing you could focus on besides the warmth his voice was sparking in your core.

This couldn't be happening. You had to be drunk or asleep or something.

He raised a hand to softly cup your jaw, eyes boring into yours in anticipation. "Listen, sweetheart, you have to let me know this is okay first or I'm gonna stop."

Gaze trailing downward, you line of sight shot

"Please don't." You breathed. He quickly backed away, but you made a grab for his hands in realization. "Fuck, I-I mean don't stop, please don't stop. You can... I want you to keep going, please."

Hawks scanned your expression for any sort of hesitation, finding nothing but desire hidden behind a thick veil of shame and embarrassment.

An impish grin materialized across his face and Hawks resumed his previous position, confining you into the chair with muscled biceps. You gasped when he lifted his right leg, pushing it in between your thighs.

Dexterous fingers began to slowly undo the buttons of your blouse. "I'll admit, you're pretty good at writing about me, but I can promise that the real thing is a lot better."

Intimidating could be a word to describe him, sure, but never like this.

After pulling open your shirt, Hawks tugged down the strap of your bra. The cold air hit your chest and you stiffened in shyness under the heat of his stare.

He nudged your averted gaze upward with the tip of his finger, allowing you to see the affection and lust swimming in his expression. Golden eyes met your own before his mouth crashed against yours.

The kiss trailed downward as he began to pepper your neck and exposed collarbone with his lips, sucking on the skin as his hands moved up to rub your breasts.

You began to unconsciously roll your hips against his thigh, squirming in desperation. He immediately took notice, giving your nipple a soft pinch.

A low whine fell from your throat when he removed his leg from in between yours.

"So needy." Hawks clicked his tongue, voice laced with imitated disapproval.

You watched his hand move to slip underneath your skirt, hooking a finger into the fabric of your underwear and pulling it to the side. A sharp exhale fell past your lips as his breath hit your core.

He ran a finger through your slit, eyes wide in satisfaction at the wetness that followed.

"Always getting here on time, always so polite. What a good girl." He cackled, slowly inserting a finger into you and pumping it experimentally. "Who knew you were such a slut?"

His thumb found your clit, rubbing the bud and drawing a soft moan from your lips. "It doesn't matter very much to me though, as long as you're mine."

The movement of hands came to a slow as he reached behind himself to grab something. "In fact, why don't you show me? Since you seemed so keen on it before."

"What?" You breathed, aching for the pleasure he had just taken away.

"I wanna hear how much of a slut you are for me." He held out his phone, allowing you to see the faintly lit screen of your writing profile. "I want to hear every sentence your perverted little mind has conjured up about me. You stop talking and I stop fucking you with my fingers, understood?"

Allowing him to press the device into your hands, you nodding, silently begging for him to continue.

You started to speak, voice wobbling with every syllable. His movement hung off every one of them, motions led by the fantasy you narrated.

"His touch was like fireworks against her skin, still cold from the evening air."

Every word added to your personal humiliation, but it was an evil you would gladly endure if that meant feeling like this.

"He added another finger." He did as you said, causing you to gasp at the added pressure. "Fuck, Hawks!"

"Keigo, sweetheart."

"Kei-"

With a curl of his fingers, the last syllable of his name fizzled away into low groan. "Almost there, princess, you've got it."

He was right.

This was so much better than anything you could've ever come up with.

The words that fell from your mouth soon turned to a puddle of moans. They blurred together on the screen as bliss flooded your mind, replacing any coherent thought with pure need.

Pleasure coursed through your limbs with every thrust of his fingers, edging you closer and closer to the brim of ecstasy. A few more moments and you pushed past it.

The phone fell from your shaking hands as you unraveled in his.

Hawks tenderly soothed you down from your high, softly continuing to caress your overstimulated clit before removing his hand from under your skirt.

"Request the day off tomorrow, yeah?" He pressed a gentle kiss against your lips, sending you a devilish grin. "I'm taking you up on that hashtag once we get off and you're definitely gonna need it."

[quordleona03]

MirrorMASH2 for the wip game if it hasn't been asked

Playing @thebreakfastgenie's WIP game - and the genie also asked for MirrorMASH2 -

Okay. A long time ago, in a universe far far away, it was a dark and stormy night (can't actually remember, but it was a January night in Scotland, so more than possible): and I was in a mood to write something but hadn't got a proper idea, so I opened up a blank file and I wrote the opening paragraphs of a story set in the Mirror Universe of M*A*S*H.

This wasn't the kind of house Hawkeye liked to visit. It was Major Burns's pick, and Trapper said he'd been there before and it was fine: but Major Winchester stayed in the ante-room, sipping tea from a gaudy, fragile cup and looking down his nose at the furnishings, and Hawkeye was genuinely beginning to wish he'd stayed with Winchester.

The whores were in rooms off the hall: you could have any one whose door was open, and when you decided on your choice for the evening - or rather, for the hour - you closed the door behind yourself. It was a rational and efficient system, but not a friendly one.

That's Hawkeye Pierce, only that's Mirror!Hawkeye, and he's just walked into a brothel, and through one open door he sees

The man lying on the bed sat up, and the lamplight lit his chest with gold. Hawkeye stared. Almost unconsciously he kicked the door shut behind him.

Gorgeous. Fair-haired, blue-eyed, solidly-built, light hair on his chest thatching downwards to his groin. Blinking at him with an expression of hopeful idiocy, but with a face and a body like that, you didn't ask them to be bright.

"Are they all like you, or do you come special?" he said out loud.

The man gave a sudden, huge start. His head jerked forward and he peered at Hawkeye as if - Hawkeye frowned - as if he were shortsighted. No glasses, of course. Curious now, Hawkeye came forward from the doorway, and as he entered the pool of light from the lamp, the man shrank back, looking horrified, looking fearful.

That's Francis Mulcahy. Only from our universe.

I wrote that story one chapter at a time, in a very strange state of mind that someone else labelled the Id Vortex. I didn't know in the first chapter what kind of army medical unit Mirror!Hawkeye was working at, I just knew that he was working there with Trapper John McIntyre and Charles Emerson Winchester and Frank Burns, and they were all themselves but Mirrored - and oddly enough, I found as I wrote the story, Frank Burns and Hawkeye Pierce changed least. BJ Hunnicutt showed up too, as is his wont. [BJ] shrugged. “Radar’s looking for his tracks before he showed up in that brothel,” he said. “You’re right, he sounds American. And if there’s some way to prove that, you can manumit him and send him home. But I promise you, he’s staying round your neck till then – unless it turns out he was set up to be one of your practical jokes, in which case…” [BJ] smiled, confidentially. “You’re going to wish you’d never tried this on me.” He put his hand on Hawkeye’s shoulder, and gripped him, shaking him back and forth. “But your man’s going to wish he was never born. Or, if he’s a clearer thinker, he’s going to wish you were never born.” I finished the story, posted it, and that should have been that. It's up on AO3, 12 chapters, just under 30,000 words. as A Priest Through The Mirror.

Only I couldn't get Mirror!Hawkeye out of my head.

He kept walking in and finally I realised one thing at least he was trying to say, and it became the opening line of the first chapter of the WIP, which is on AO3 all but the last three chapters: There were images of a man tortured to death in every room.

Mirror!Hawkeye is stuck in the middle of a situation he doesn't really comprehend (and we don't either) and his only friend isn't really his friend and he keeps walking into things he doesn't understand. I started writing this, telling one chapter from Mirror!Hawkeye's point of view and one chapter from our Hawkeye's point of view.

And in chapter 10 Sidney Freedman shows up for a Thursday night game of poker and - does not get to play poker. Sidney finds himself being called on to be a meatball psychiatrist in a situation that's a struggle for even him to cope with. I had never written a story with Sidney Freedman before and found him a marvellous if slightly controlling character, and writing him just slightly over his head was hellish good fun. The story got stuck. I transferred it all over on to AO3, with the prequel, last year, and realised that as Mirror!Hawkeye came back into my mind that I finally saw how to finish it. I do. It's three chapters from the end now - I have been writing chapters and adding them as I go, and there are now just three chapters - one from Hawkeye's POV and one from Mirror!Hawkeye's POV and one from Mulcahy's POV, and I know what happens in each of those three chapters - I can see the end of this prolonged writing at last. And I want to get there, and be able to click Finished! And I sort of don't. Because once I write that penultimate chapter, I'll never get to write Mirror!Hawkeye again. Hawkeye shook his head. "Not really. No." They had been his mom's books, on the shelf in the parlor, his to read if his hands were clean, Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, consulting detective and arny doctor. John! You are the one fixed point in a changing age. He wondered, momentarily and quite randomly, what the Holmes stories were like here, if Watson even existed. "It doesn't matter. You have Kipling, too, but - he's not the same."

Mirror!Hawkeye is our Hawkeye - grew up in Crabapple Cove in a United States where various key moments in history are different, became a surgeon, drafted into a different army, anger turned sideways and mirrored. Figure the worst thing possible to happen to a person and do it to them is one of things I like to do to characters I love to write, and I love to write Hawkeye. What's the worst thing possible you could do to Hawkeye? In that Mirror universe, I did it. And I want to finish the story, and I don't want to let him go.

[rainofdauwuand0w0]

Its one forty six am as i start writing this out on my phone

I sometimes think about alot of things of course randomly, sometimes I ramble about them in a video format (which I will make another rain rambles video at some point) but rn is just my intrigue with seeing…idk things of mine starting to get considered…old? Or seeing the styles of certain things come back, like frutiger aero/web gloss 2.0 and all its other brothers and sisters of styles coming back into the limelight of that era cus we’ve grown up and wanna either re-get in touch with how it was and style our own things after it, or the younger of the current generation z and gen alpha taking a look at it and loving the style. Hearing songs getting bundled in “all your hits of the early 2000’s” and audibly saying “noooo not yet!” While my mom laughs and says “your turn” in a lighthearted manner. Watching things near my homes over the years shift and change, things getting added, places i wished existed when i was younger so Id have more interest to even think about staying in my home state thats been memed about to death but is so goddamn boring when you are actually here, im watching anime bars get added from tiktok, a goth themed food place called biteme i believe dealing in mainly sweets, A FUCKING NARUTO RESTURANT THAT YOU CAN CURRENTLY GET TO GO ORDERS FROM AND THEY PLAN TO EVENTUALLY OPEN THE INSIDE IF IT DOES WELL, I just…

I’m watching the world around me change while i can smell the winds of old blowing of my past at the same time, I picked team present for the splatoon 3 grand festival for another secret reason.

Because the past is hard to remember for me, due to probably a mix of trauma and being in a bad car accident when i was little, I can only emulate the limited good feelings, not to mention me being undiagnosed (still to this day, i only have vibes and peer review) so that combo just…fucks with my mind.

Then there is the future, while my current future looks bright, so many times Ive watched a future that I thought would happen and planned out in my head just crumble apart or feel so damn hard to achieve, I fall and fall into my mind at each time, and eventually I just became just…so focused on the now, so much so it feels like a haze, only recently thanks to my boyfriend of current do I feel comfy even dare looking towards the future.

…hearing splatoon 1’s sounds was both a blessing…and a bit of a curse, good to hear the fun of old songs that made me happy when times were rough…but remembering the rough times themselves almost in a fixed camera view…like silent hill or games that take inspiration from that, being the director to my own fuzzy memory, meanwhile I get nightmares again randomly, even though my brain originally stopped making them, I might’ve talked about it, but in a final nightmare for a bit…my brain zoomed in on a radio, and it said “and thats the end of our dream programming” or something along those lines….but after that, until ive been with my boyfriend a bit, I didnt have nightmares just…blank mind since middle school.

Its weird.

I feel “old” in a sense that only the internet and regular general media can make you, because “okay we kinda acknowledge ourselves as adults now, here is nostalgic vibes playlist to post to youtube and stuff” and also “2000’s hits” just… agh

[websitesdepotla]

Lawyer seo marketing writing content tips that dont involve writing

Does it feel like your law firm’s blogs are missing something? Has your site’s bounce rate bounced a bit too high? Of the many reasons that we post content on our sites, one of the most important is to hold onto a user’s attention. Great content can do that as well as so much else. Good content, however, isn’t just in the writing. Below are some things I keep in mind when I sit down to write lawyer SEO marketing blogs, city pages, service pages, and more.

None of these tips have anything to do with writing exactly. I’m not making any comment here about your authority, your knowledge of the law you practice, or anything like that. Rather, these are some things that I’ve picked up as I’ve gone through my career as a writer for our many law firm clients.

These can work for any lawyer, yes, but they can also apply to just about anyone creating written content in any industry.

Blank Space is a Boon Which of these looks better:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Or:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

– Both are nonsense, of course. They’re Lorem Ipsum. However, one is a lot easier to read, isn’t it? The second is easier on the eyes. The content is the same. But, it feels like less of a chore to read it, doesn’t it?

How This Relates to Your Writing

This can make your writing so much easier to read. No matter what kind of content you’re creating, shorter paragraphs are beneficial. Remember: a strong majority of the people coming to your site don’t know that much about the law. They may already be wary of “legalese.” So, when they see a big block of text, they may just close your page entirely.

As you may have noticed, unless I’m trying to fit a keyword into the first paragraph, I try to keep every paragraph to four lines or less.

Having smaller, easier-to-digest paragraphs is one more way that you can better engage your users. This doesn’t mean you’re “dumbing down” your content. Not in the slightest. It just means that you’re creating it in such a way that it can be easily consumed by your audience. More Words Has to Equal More Value If you’ve been writing content online for a while, then you know that the word count for how long something should be to rank online is seemingly always changing. One day, it’s 500 words, the next, 800, then 1200, and now up to 1800 or more. That’s fine. Nothing wrong with having longer pieces of content. That said, every piece of content should provide value.

Too often, when writers see that a piece of writing should be 1800 words or something, they just load it with nonsense. Some even stuff a bunch of AI into it, like a suitcase in a heist movie where there’s blank pieces of paper underneath a few dollar bills.

This won’t help you with anyone: Google or your users.

Instead, the key to writing longer pieces is to have more to say. When I have something longer to write, I don’t tend to spend more time writing. Rather, I spend more time researching ahead of time.

An Example From My Work We have a great attorney and a good man who’s been a client of ours for a long time: Belal Hamideh. The time came recently for me to add more words to one of his pages, one about Wrongful Death cases, to make it meet modern standards. I didn’t just sit down and start writing about wrongful death. Neither did I ask some AI: “Tell me about wrongful death cases.”

Instead, I looked at his page. Then, I researched wrongful death. I specifically noted aspects of the law that weren’t currently covered on his page. Also: I looked for what could be fleshed out that was already there.

That took longer than the actual writing did. Why? Because from doing all of that research, the writing was a breeze. It was easy to sit down and add those new parts because I knew exactly what I was talking about. Lawyer SEO Marketing Content and Beyond As you’ve probably surmised at this point, all of the tips I mentioned above are not exclusive to lawyers. You can use this in all of your written content, regardless of what industry you’re in. I certainly use everything I’ve said above for all of our clients.

What’s great about working for an agency, like I do, is that I’m not doing this by myself. I’m part of a team. Our team has web designers, SEO strategists, videographers, podcast hosts, and so many others. To see how we can help your law firm to reach more of your clients (or more of your customers to find your business) schedule a free consultation with us through our site or by calling.

[areallybadwriter]

7/5

Im writing this while my power is out so excuse me if it seems a little scatterbrained at points. A general update of my life I guess:

I am moving to the city on august 1st (hopefully). I say hopefully because we have yet to come up with an actual place to live - two friends and I have scavenged the rental apps and the one already living in the city has used a realtor friend to help find and tour places. We applied for one dreamboat of an apartment (besides from no laundry in unit) for $45 a pop, which meant $90 for those with cosigners, and received the news that we didn’t get it hours after paying. So, we picked up and started our search again, which ended with a more expensive option on an unknown street with an even greater application fee. The three of us have now payed $150 each for this apartments application fee an gone through all of the very thorough steps to ensure we have a good chance of getting it. One of the cosigners submitted a picture of his couch instead of his ID, thus halting the process, and my cosigner (my beautiful mother) had to make a statement pertaining to her certain late payments and bankruptcy, but im sure we’ll all laugh about it soon enough on our porch. Hopefully. I am ready to move out of this college town and forget about a lot of the people still occupying it. I am ready to grow more and while ive been doing a lot of it, I think I need to flap my wings elsewhere. We have a full group moving there around the same time, all from the college town and all rooming together in a couple different apartments. The boys house and the girls house, etc. So, we have the support system of friends and familiar routes of downtown that ive known for years now and I am excited to continue in that direction. It feels really strange to move of the state that ive never moved out of before, leaving my family and old stomping grounds behind and therefore all of my memories as well. I fear that once I move and settle in, I won’t make it back to visit my hometown as much. With how the dynamic is currently, I think that means I just point blank will not see my family as much because they don’t believe in coming to visit me (I am the one to always drive an hour and a half home to see them and the dog). We will see. I also don’t have a job lined up yet, but I trust that I will find one soon enough. I know myself and I know that I can make ends meet when necessary and I also don’t mind struggling for a bit to do so. I will probably first start out in the service industry, as I have been since 2016, just to make some quick money and then find a more stable, salaried position. That is the plan, anyways. 

Moving states has also ushered in a new era of my love life - one where I am moving on from people and trying to leave them in my past. Some are easier to leave than others. My real (this applies later) ex ben is someone who ive been “over” for quite some time but we have had on and off contact since the actual breakup. Years now, which is crazy! Some of it has been good, and some of it has been downright confusing for my pea brain when not given the right amount of affection from other people in the months leading up to one of these catch-up sessions with him. I get all googly-eyed for what could’ve been and old memories and all of that, but I know beyond surface level we are two very different people who have only grown more different since the breakup. We don’t want the same things, the values aren’t there, whatever. The most recent happenings with him have been a sort of pattern where I get drunk and say some dumb shit (which to be expected, im 23 years old, but he lacks relatability to other 23 year olds so everything I do is dumb shit) and then block him because I feel as if I want him out of my life for good BECAUSE my brain gets all loopy but then we somehow reconnect, see each other to catch up and exchange niceties and maybe even flirt a lot and then the cycle continues. Right now we are on a blocked period but I intend to keep it that way. There are only so many times we can ask about each others moms and quite frankly he’s not very nice and doesn’t even seem to want to see me (when he’s the one asking to!). So honestly he’s not hard to leave behind in this aspect because we’ve been moved on for quite some time and I think we just need to leave it alone. 

The one I do have trouble leaving behind is you guessed it - wyoming (ding, ding, ding). Much more complicated than any other relationship I’ve had, he’s never even been considered my actual partner so really it’s unfair. Since the last update to this cursed little story, we entered into some pseudo relationship around the time we went to the city together on like a 30 hour trip. For whatever reason, he actually decided to go with me, and for whatever reason, everything changed after that. We got home and continued to act like our city-forms. The most affection ive received from the man since 2016, it shook me to my core. And oh god, the physicality of it all. Its one thing to cherish someone from 2,000 miles away but when you’re in the same state and can look eye to eye and hold their hand and lay in their bed and wash their body with your own two hands in the shower, its a different ballgame. So no wonder it absolutely destroyed me when it crashed and burned (something that I really should’ve expected, but I was on planet bliss). We dated until mid-april and then I think he thought that I expected too much of him which made him nervous and mean and standoffish which in turn made me nervous and mean and standoffish and it was buried soon after that. I don’t even want to know how many times I blocked then unblocked him within that month period.

There were a few times after that that the flame would get reignited for just a bit but it never flourished again in the same way and we never really got back to our normal talking cycle either. I think it all being in person did really affect us differently this time. I don’t know if we can ever go back to just being best friends. Anyways, ill go into the most recent interaction as its the one freshest in my brain and honestly the reminder I needed to update this journal again. I will set the scene. I was visiting my family back in my hometown because my grandma was in town and I had a couple days off. At that point, wyoming and I were okay with each other but not making any effort to hang out or anything (lets be real, he wasn’t having it. I would’ve in a heartbeat). On the way out of my hometown, I drive past his house on my route and that particular day I was feeling feisty and like I needed a cigarette. i had the cigarettes but the problem was I didn’t have a lighter. Half excuse, half necessity, I texted him when I was about a minute away from his neighborhood asking if I could borrow a light on the fly. He surprisingly answered fast, so I was in his driveway the very next moment. It was the first time I saw him in person since April (except for the one time I sat at the bar he worked at) and I was so giddy. He was very, very high so his face was all puffy and his eyes were glazed over and he actually seemed happy to see me. We went back and forth for a few minutes and then I decided to ask him to hang out the day before July 4th and he agreed. It was the first time we actually had plans to do something in months, so I left feeling good about it and it might’ve been the best tasting cigarette ive ever had. fast forward to July 3rd, I got off work around noon, power napped, got ready (which including mulling over what to wear for soooo long because I was nervous), and drove the hour and a half back to my hometown. I was already going to be in town for July 4th, so plans with Wyoming were just an added reason why I was driving up there - although I wouldn’t have rushed back so quickly without those extra plans. I even bought a little bottle of Jameson for us to split for some liquid courage (and it was his favorite). We kept each other updated that day and planned to meet up a little later in the evening as he had some homework and chores to get done. I waited to fully get ready until those plans were confirmed because nothing pisses me off more than putting on makeup or doing my hair for something and then it getting canceled. 8 pm rolls around and he is done with his tasks and out of the shower and I am ready to go. Can you guess what happens next? He says he doesn’t really want to do anything to which I reply that ill just come over and we can figure it out then (thinking he’s just referring to activity). He doesn’t respond for a minute, so I say “or are you saying you don’t want to hang at all?”. He basically responds with some bullshit about not feeling like hanging out with anyone and continues to completely stand me up. I had already left because I didn’t want to wait around my family anymore and ended up driving myself to go see a movie at the art cinema in town. I got a child size coke and some mini Reeses cups and watched the most heart wrenching movie available to me (of course one about childhood friends to lovers to friends to lovers throughout 24 years) and sobbed the whole time. Sobbed until my face was all puffed up and my eyes felt like they were on fire. It was healing but not something I wanted the opportunity to do. 

unfinished but...

xoxo anon

[beatvenueyani]

💟💙💘🎼🌌🎀🌸🌷

💟 - I love you!  

💙 - I think you’re cool!💘 - I think you’re cute!🎼 - I think you’re talented! 

🌌 - We don’t have much in common, but I appreciate you!

🎀 - I consider you a friend already!🌸 - We don’t talk, but I appreciate your presence on my dash!🌷 - We don’t talk, but I would like to!

ZEPHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH (*ﾉωヾ*)

[jamiedc-they-them]

One way ticket (Platonic)

Requested Imagine: An argument with your parents sends you to your best friend, and on a journey of self discovery. 

The door to your house swung open, and a tired you walked in through it. You closed the door, your back resting against it as you closed your eyes. Today had been a hard day, lots of studying and deadlines.

However, part of the weariness now came from being at home. It was something you weren’t exactly thrilled by.

 “Evening, dear.” Your mother called from the kitchen, your step father barely paying you any attention.

 “Hi, mum.” You greeted in return. She gave you a smile. If it was your old dad, he would’ve said something.

 But, they just had to fall out, didn’t they.

 In your room, filled with posters of films and large posters of book covers and your favourite characters, you sunk into your bed, back hitting it first and you exhaled. For once, a moment of peace.

 Your phone vibrated, and your reached for it. You saw the caller ID, and smiled.

 “Dickhead.” She greeted in her usual manner. You could practically hear the smile on the other end.

 “Maeve.” You weren’t as creative with the nicknames, but she didn’t care.

 “Tough day?” She asked, there was some softer part to her tone there.

 You let out a breath, “In a way.” Was your cryptic answer.

 It wasn’t, however, cryptic to her, “Parents again?”

 “They haven’t done anything yet.”

 “That ‘yet’ is the concerning part, Y/N,” As she spoke, you heard the door to her home unlock. She was home too, “If they’re giving you any trouble, you call me, ok? Spend the night at mine. Nothing wrong with taking a break. Or just walking away” She assured you as you heard her keys hit the counter.

 You always were a bit envious of your best friend, how carefree she was. If only your father didn’t cheat, maybe the month long that turned into a forever long break wouldn’t have happened.

 “Yeah, he was a bit of a prick for doing that, wasn’t he?” Maeve’s voice was softer still when she spoke. Seemed you said some parts of that out loud.

 You paused, hearing call up to you from downstairs, “That’s dinner. I’ll call you later.”

 There was silence, she must’ve nodded and then remembered she was on the phone, “Yeah, sure thing.”

“So, son, how was school?” Internally, you cringed at the misgender, but didn’t correct your father. More importantly, neither did your mother. They had made their voices known on that want of yours, to go by something else, something they called a “none entity.”

 “Good, yeah, thanks.” You answered, going back to your food.

 “That it?” He asked, making you look up at him.

 “Is what it?” It wasn’t meant to be a challenge.

 He took it as one, though, staring you down as he spoke, “Was school just, ‘good’?”

 “Yeah, I mean nothing really happened, mum can attest to that.” You answered, trying to be careful with your word choice. Your father’s choice of words explaining his action was what caused the break.

 He looked to his wife, and she nodded, confirming it.

 “You been hanging around with your friends?” You nodded, “They still…preferring to go by the plurals?” Again, you nodded, “Youth of today, doomed, I swear.”

 “Because you don’t like a pronouns?” Ok, you shouldn’t have said that, and you immediately regretted it right after as there was a pause. It was sharp, and it was a direct pause.

 Your father stopped eating and looked to you, “Excuse me?”

 “I’m sorry, I –” You started to apologise. But you knew you had crossed a line.

 You were in your room the next moment, having ran up there yourself to escape your fathers growing wrath.

 You found your phone, dialling the number you needed instantly, “Maeve – I… I don’t –“

 “What’s happened? Are you safe?” Was the first thing your friend asked, concern leaking through the phone.

 “I don’t – I…I think Mum’s calming him down. But--”

 “You know the bridge?” You nodded, and Maeve seemed to know that you had nodded, “Meet me there.”

 “What?”

 “Meet me there.”

 “Can…can I stay the night?” You asked. You heard her door open and close, and her breathing became more laboured as she walked.

 “Of course you can.” She answered.

 “Ok, bridge, right?”

 “Bridge.”

“Ok, see you there.”

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

You had nothing with you, just yourself. You didn’t even have a jacket. You were still in your school clothes, but the night was cold.

 Maeve was there, just as she said she would be. When you saw her, she was smoking, but eyes were scanning the water.

 She heard you approaching, and turned to you. Her eyes softened at your figure. You probably looked lonely, and you looked anxious. You were.

 She approached you when you stopped, bringing your timid figure into a hug. She didn’t say anything, she just held you.

 You appreciated it massively, how she didn’t say anything, just hugged you.

 It lasted a few seconds, but when she released you, you were teary eyed. You were scared, but you weren’t alone. You were scared still.

 She gave you a sympathetic smile, “Let’s go home.” She said, arm looping into yours and bringing you with her to her home. Yours was behind you, not too far away.

 Unlocking the door, she opened it up and ushered you in, closing the door behind the door and flicking on the light and taking off her jacket.

 “Do you want something to eat?” She seemed to just know without ever being told the circumstance you were in. It made you feel for your friend, wondering how she was able to just know what you had gone through.

 She grabbed a spare plate, filling it with the Chinese food she had picked up on the way home.

Together, you both sat on the couch, eating in silence. She didn’t seem to mind, but she did curl up, feet touching your own.

 “Thank you,” She looked to you at your words, “For this, I mean. Thank you.”

 She smiled, “Anytime. I know what it’s like to have shitty parents.” She said, despite the attempt of humour, you detected the sadness that was there.

 “Sorry.”

 She shook her head, “You have nothing to be sorry for.” She told you. You both went back to eating, but she did grab a blanket for you both.

 When you were done, you just started venting. You didn’t even mean to, it just all started to spill out. The whole time, she did not speak, she only let you talk and vent and rage about it all.

 There were tears, your own tears as you spoke. Maeve passed you a new tissue every so often as you spoke.

 “I’m sorry, Y/N. I really am. You can stay here as long as you –”

 “It’ll just be for tonight, I’ll go back tomorrow.” She looked like she wanted to say something, but nodded in granting and respecting your wish.

 “You can have the bed.” She said, and your eyes met her’s in an instant.

 “No, Maeve –”

 She held up a hand to stop you, “I’m not arguing about this, Y/N. I don’t mind you going back tomorrow, but if you’re staying, then you take the bed.”

 “…Why?”

 She rolled her eyes, “Because I know how to be comfy on that sofa. Besides, can’t have my best mate here and have them be uncomfortable, can I?”

 You resigned yourself to your fate, going to the bedroom, but not before you both shared another hug.

 As you went to bed, you saw a piece of paper on the floor. Picking it up, it was a form to be a guardian, but the name was blank as to who it was. So, you just left it.

 You woke up in your school clothes, you hadn’t exactly had time to change. But ‘school clothes’ you were wearing a smarter shirt than usual and some jeans.

 Maeve entered your room, toothbrush in her mouth, “Morning.” She said, even if it wasn’t as clear as it could’ve been, what with the toothbrush and all.

 “Morning.” You said in return, getting out of bed.

 She spat into the sink, before leaning against the doorway, “You can borrow some of my clothes. I’ll make sure they aren’t too embarrassing.” She said, lightly, before going to the drawer to find just that.

 “Might as well go out, right?” You joked, referencing to the opinion your parents had on your identity.

 She laughed, “If you’re up for it.”

 “Mum will say what she says, but I can’t let her define me, try and make her understand it.”

 Maeve just nodded, but there was some conflict there.

 Your mother worked at school, she was a science teacher – it was where her view on your identity came from.

 You had her today on the schedule, you liked science enough, but you knew this would be an…awkward session.

 Maeve had walked with you. She had called Aimee and told her she would be with you today, and the other woman understood, giving you her love. So, arm looped in yours, Maeve and you entered school.

 “First period, you ready?” She asked, putting her head on your shoulder for a moment as you continued going down the hallway to the lesson. You ignored the looks from people in the hallway. Otis had his mother to contend with, now so did you.

 “As I can be.” You answered honestly. As you got the doorway, she gave you a wink, before she went in first. After a few moments, so did you.

 It was to make your mother think anything other than the fact that you had gone to Maeve for help.

 As you went to your seat, you felt your mother’s eyes on you the whole way. When she went back to teaching, you saw that she had a slight darkness under her eyes. She had stayed up. A feeling stirred in your stomach. However, you went back to looking at the lesson.

 You did pay attention, just not all the time. Sometimes, you’d find yourself writing notes or just looking them up yourself in the textbook, just to avoid looking at your mothers gaze.

 However, as the bell rang, you were one of the last to leave. The other, was Maeve. She sat on the desk, legs swinging as she looked between yourself and your mum.

 She never hated your mum, or your dad. They had their flaws, but it was mainly their apathy to who you wanted to be that pissed her off.

 Still, she didn’t voice it, which was something that was unusual for her.

 Your mother looked up at you as you put a book on her desk. You looked nervous, eyes darting a little, but you managed to get the words out, even throwing a bit of humour in with your tone.

 “Parlay?” Behind you, once she approached, Maeve smiled a bit, before it turned a little bit – just a little – more threatening to your mother, a warning.

 As stated before, she didn’t hate your mum, just hated the discomfort it caused you.

 “He’s not angry, not now anyway. If anything, a little impressed.” Your mother said. The little amount of praise, despite it being so little, stirred something within you.

 Maeve saw how your shoulders relaxed a little. How you seemed to almost not expect it, but be deeply appreciative of it at the same time. She made a mental note, and her smile became more sympathetic.

 “Talk about it at dinner?” You asked, your mother nodded.

 “Talk about it at dinner,” She said, standing up and packing her own bag to leave for the teachers lounge, “And I can finally meet this girlfriend of yours.” You sighed, seemed you wouldn’t be able to fully escape their ideas yet.

 As she left, you turned to Maeve with your eyebrows up, but a tired expression on your face.

 “Dinner?” She asked, light smile on your face.

You laughed, putting your hands to your face before moving them around and interlocking them at the back of your head, you smiled at your friend, “Dinner.” You confirmed.

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

 You had gone back to Maeve’s place without her. She had something to do with the clinic, which you understood and so she gave you her keys, telling you only to leave the door unlocked for her.

 So, it was just you, alone in the home. You actually looked around it now, seeing the little things, like how the cups were stacked neatly, how the plates had been washed. She took care of this place, she cared for it. It was a shithole, but she stayed and looked after it.

 If she stayed and managed to make this place work, maybe you had hope with your parents just yet.

 Your thoughts went back to them, your parents. Maybe you had been too hasty, maybe they’d just accept you back with open arms. Maybe, for once, they’d be sorry. You had stood up to your father, that was new.

 Maybe you’d still have a place to go.

 The door opened, and Maeve entered, she tossed her bag onto the sofa and took her jacket off, giving you a smile as she saw you getting a drink.

 “Sorry I took so long, Otis held me up.” She said, gently moving you aside and doing the same – getting a drink – for herself.

 “It’s alright, he’s a good guy but can…I don’t know.” You conceded, not really knowing how to explain your other friend – a mutual one of yours.

 “Much?” She filled, you nodded.

 “Please don’t make a scene tonight.” Your friend took a sip of her water and looked at you, almost a little taken aback by your words. You further explained, “I need to go well, Maeve, please. I can’t have it turn into another row. I can’t have another uncomfortable breakfast, again.”

 Maeve stopped you, “Wait, ‘again’? Your staying?!” She couldn’t stop the surprise that one.

 You cocked your head, “Course I am. Why wouldn’t I? They’re my parents –”

 “Not good ones.” She pointed out.

 “They aren’t the worst.”

 Again, she couldn’t help herself, “They aren’t exactly the best either,” She sighed, putting her glass down and approaching you, putting her hands on your shoulders, before using one hand to cup your chin and turn it up to face her, “You are so much better without them, Y/N. They don’t accept you for who you are. I’m sure in some way they love you, just like my mum did. But, you know what I did.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement, you did know what she had done.

 Part of you resented her for having the strength to do it. Still, you insisted, “I can’t just drop them like that, Maeve…How would I fund school? What about rent and –”

 “We’d figure it out –”

 Now it was you stopping her, or more so talking over her at her first word, “’We’?”

 She creased her eyebrows, “Yeah, ‘we’, you think I’d just leave you if you did it?” She almost seemed hurt at the accusation she was now accusing you of.

 “I just – I don’t think I can do that. I don’t even know how.” You confessed, voice sounding tired.

 “I do, I know how,” Maeve assured as she nodded a few times, “It’s called ‘emancipation’.”

 As she went to explain, the alarm on your phone went off. Looking at it, you saw it was a half hour reminder to get to your house for the dinner.

 “Just…please don’t mess this up for me…please.” Was all you asked of your best friend.

 Her eyes softened at the pain, the loss, and the fear that laid within them. She had more on her mind, more she wanted to say, you could see that clear as day. Still, she nodded, and said nothing.

 You stood outside your door with your best friend by your side. You had walked together in silence, both trying to prepare as much as you could for this event. The main thing you had said to the other being that you looked nice. You both did, you in your normal clothes, Maeve in a dress. She had even redone her makeup.

 You saw that hurt in her eye hadn’t fully left, but there was an almost apathetic look now. She was here to help you, not to appease your parents who she had plenty to say on.

 You knocked, the door opening and your father stood there in smart, but causal wear. Seemed he’d put some effort into it too. Out of the pair, your mother had the better job, but it didn’t matter. Job meant nothing to how you were as a person.

 He didn’t say anything, he only moved aside as a silent beckoning to enter. You both did so.

 Maeve took time to look around. She didn’t comment, just looked around. She then met your eyes, a bit of life returning and you saw them soften a little, she raised her eyebrows; “Fancy.” Her gaze seemed to communicate to you.

 You had no idea if she meant it or not, so you just smiled a thin one, trying not to show your nerves. Maeve, however, was good at reading people. So, as you went to the table in silence, she held your hand to provide some comfort.

 However, as you both sat at the table, you saw your mother had seen the hand holding in a different light. Of course she did.

 You saw her have a look on her eyes, almost a proud look. You felt Maeve tighten her hold on your hand, trying to supress a sense of frustration. It did pain you a little, but you tried not to show it. This was redemption with your parents, not a further regress.

 Still, she didn’t say anything, she remembered the promise she made. And Maeve Wiley was not one to break a promise…to the best of her ability.

 “So, you’re the mysterious Maeve we’ve been hearing all about?” Your mother asked as your father put food on the table. No, the irony was not lost on you.

 Maeve looked to you, a silent dialogue going between you two. However, your communication was clear, “I’ve never mention you to them.” She knew it wasn’t in a mean way, just wanted confirmation.

 She nodded, “Yeah, that’s me.” She said, bullshit smile on her face. The smile, however, eased your mother – hell, even doing the same to your father, for once he smiled and it was genuine.

 You envied it. But, as you put your hands on the table, Maeve held one. To your parents, it meant the opposite to what it actually was, she gave your hand a squeeze.

 “One step closer to being a man, my lad.” Your mother hadn’t been lying when she told you your father was proud. Christ.

 You looked at your father with the same distaste you always had for him, but now it was less easy to mask.

 So far, no food had been touched by anyone other than your mother.

 “See? Even got the look.” He seemed to celebrate your hatred. Not revel in it, just celebrate it.

 “’The look’?” You parroted back to him in a questioning manner.

 “Yeah, every man needs –”

 “Y/N doesn’t identify as a man, though.” Maeve spoke up. You moved your hands down to your side, keeping your eyes only on your best friend. You shook your head, begging her not to.

 She, however, only kept her eyes on your father, a challenging and daring look in her eyes, “Y/N is a they –”

 “Not this bollocks again. He got you doing it now, too.” Your father’s tone was filled with frustration.

 “Yeah, I guess they have, haven’t they?” Her eyes squinted a bit, she seemed to be daring for him to try it.

 “Let me guess, you two haven’t shagged either?” He sounded tired. Done.

 Wasn’t quite the bite Maeve was looking for, but she still took it, “Y/N doesn’t feel that way about anyone. They don’t won’t a partner in that way, and that’s just fine.”

 “It’s sick,” Your father looked to your mother, “Isn’t that right, honey?”

 She seemed to just be enjoying her food, but when your father asked, she hesitated. There were a few look in her eyes, fear wasn’t one of them, but shame was as she spoke, “Yes.” Her voice was monotone.

 “I think it’s time you leave.” Your father said, seemingly taking back control.

 However, Maeve stayed put, “Not without Y/N.” She was firm in that.

 “Get out, now, or I will call the police,” He then looked to you, “Is that why you brought her, to get it all out in the open these beliefs you have about yourself?” His tone was cold.

 “N-No.” You managed to stutter out.

 “If you lay one hand on them –”

 “Him, and I won’t. I’d never hit my boy, I just need it to get through to him that he can’t think the way he does.”

 “So, verbal then?”

 “If you want to be a snowflake, then yes, verbal.” He seemingly had no problem with saying that.

 So, Maeve stood up, and she gave you a pat on the shoulder and an apologetic look. Then, with a click of the door, she was gone.

 Silence permeated the room, and now your father had his hands on the table and his chin resting on them.

 “I don’t want you seeing her again.” Your father said, “Go to your room, I’ll bring some food up in a few minutes.”

 You didn’t say anything, only getting up from the table, “Phone.” Your father said. You brought the item out of your pocket and gave it to him, before going upstairs.

 You laid on your bed, closing your eyes and letting out a sigh. Could’ve gone better, but it definitely could’ve gone worse.

 You heard a knock at your door. You gave yourself a moment to try to get rid of the tears that were pooling in your eyes and told whoever was there to come in.

 It was your father, who was carrying a tray with a plate of food on. He placed it on the floor, before he stood at the door.

 “You know I just want what’s best for you, right?”

 It was bollocks, but you nodded, “It’s just…there are two ways of being. I’d rather you be Trans than be…this.” Harsh, but it was more honest, more controlled.

 Again, you nodded. You hated the words he said, but you nodded.

 “We’ll talk again, tomorrow.” He then left, closing the door more softly this time.

 You picked up the tray, apathetic look on your face as you ate the food. It wasn’t too bad, to be honest.

 This was your life, one filled with pain, but two parents that gave you a roof over your head.

 You heard a knock at your window, turning, you saw the last person you expected to see. It was the face of someone else who gave you a roof over your head.

 She waved to you. You put your empty plate down and looked to the door. He never did say you couldn’t leave. Then again, he also said you couldn’t be how you felt inside. So, you know.

 Quietly, you made your way to the window, opening it with her help. Neither of you spoke, but she didn’t need to, she only offered you a hand – and a silent question along with it.

 You looked to the door one more time, one that – outside of it – held only misery.

 You took the hand that was offered.

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

She held your hand the whole way home, leading the way. However, this time you worked with – an admittedly – shaky confidence.

 She opened the door, going to her bed room to get her dress off. You, meanwhile, got a glass of water and sat down. You knew your dad still had your phone, but that was ok.

 Maeve re-entered, now with pyjamas on, “What’s on your mind?” She asked, seeing a look on your face that told her you had a plan.

 “Mum’s gonna be at school tomorrow. But, I’ve made my choice, I’m done with them. We just need to do that…what’d you call it, ‘emancipation?’”

 Maeve nodded, “Ok, we’ll need some papers for the court. Plus, I have this,” At ‘this’ Maeve held up her phone and hit ‘play’ it was a recording of the meal.

 It was proof.

 “Ok, you got my back?” You asked.

 “Always.” She swore.

 So, off to school you went to execute your plan. You walked to the school grounds, talking and – for once, in your case – being happy and having a sense of agency.

 You had made your request to the court and made some calls to friends, now you just had to hope your parents wouldn’t try and stop it.

 “Otis and everyone else agreed? Just like that?” You asked, only having spoken to Eric while Maeve called everyone else.

 “A noble cause worth fighting for.” She said with a smile, parroting your own one.

 You believed those words, and you believed in your own course too, you believed in your own freedom.

 Going to science, you saw your other friends now sat there, awaiting you. It started out as normal, just with you in a more positive beat.

 That was, until the bell rang and your mother asked you to stay behind. Without having to ask, your other friend stayed as well.

 “So, you’re applying for emancipation?” She asked, tone flat.

 “That’s right.” You answered, sure of your choice.

 “You know we’ll fight it, right? There’s no way you can take care of yourself out there. You can barely handle us. Besides, who else is going to take care of you?”

 You felt a presence next to you, it was Maeve. However, you felt the others behind you.

 “They will.” You said, standing strong, “And, yes, it’ll cost us, but we’ll fight it. Because it’s worth it. You were toxic to me, mum. And, I think I deserve better.”

 With that, you and your new family walked out.

  It had been a long battle, one filled with ups and downs, but the others stood by you, chipping in however they could.

 Plus, Maeve found herself with a new sibling, so that was something. It felt nice, to be validated, to have your pronouns respected and your thoughts taken on board.

 As you returned home from school one day, Maeve had left a bit earlier. You opened the door, going in and throwing your bag to the floor and laying on the couch, “Good day?” She asked, stirring the coffee she had made.

 You looked to her with a smile, “Yeah, good day.” You confirmed.

[sweetchup]

A Helping Hand 4: Ghosts of Pasts // Day 1

Type: Shalnark x reader

Au?: Savior Au

Word Count: 2,800+

Warnings: Reminsing of last chapter, Injury, Meteor City mentioned

Author Note: Ah! I’m glad to be back writing this series sorry for the long wait. I split chapter 4 up into multiple parts so it’s going to be looooong.

Also, I’ve started a Taglist for all of my series to make it easier for people to find out when the next installation is. So if you want the be added just sent me an ask thats not anonymous and I’ll add you.

<—(Pt.3) / (Pt.4.2)—>

A Helping Hand Masterlist

It was the eve of December 18th, when snow finally fell throughout the Republic of Padokea. However, there was no celebration or cheer by the citizens as all of the festive winter holidays had already passed by then. With most just deciding to bunker in for a quiet night at home. Even at the Hospital near the bloodthirsty Heaven’s Arena it was rather quiet, almost dull in a way.

Though, one specific doctor, Doctor (y/n) of the intensive care unit, had little to complain about the lack of patients and activity. It was rather refreshing actually, mostly due to the fact it was your last night on the job before you went on your week long holiday break, a break you had planned out with your supervisor months ahead of time.

Months before you had met a specific man. Much more specifically, a specific patient named Shalnark Ryuseih. A member of the infamous Phantom troupe who you had saved from his demise at the Heaven’s Arena.

…. As well as someone you might have developed a really really big crush on during your time taking care of him. But, that’s a story for another day and something you shouldn’t be worrying about right now. Especially since you still have plenty of time left on the clock before you go home.

As the seconds click a way, you find yourself letting out a groan. It was no use. You couldn’t get him out of your mind.

You just wished that it was the usual thoughts of Shalnark that festered in your mind during work. The ones that were caused from something as simple as him holding you in his arms tighter than usual while he slept one night or perhaps a teasing comment he shot at you while passing in the hall.

But that sadly wasn’t the case.

For the last couple of weeks, Shalnark had been acting…… weird.

Well he technically always acted weird—a man who actually enjoyed indulging in birthday cake flavored ice cream could not be considered normal in your book— but this time, he was actually acting quite strange.

Sometimes, when doing check ups or just visiting his room you could hear him sigh. It was quite unnoticeable at first, you had just thought he was frustrated with some new tech thing he got into, but as December went on the sigh only got heavier and more frequent. This was also when some of Shalnark’s other actions started to be strange as well, something as simple as,“What are you doing for the Holidays?” Or, actually now that you think about it, anything that was remotely related to the holidays would have the corner of his lips drop slightly. Something very strange for him, for he hardly faltered that smile of his.

And it wasn’t as if you weren’t trying to find out what was wrong. You had asked him plenty of times about his new habits. Though, in a Shalnark fashioned way, he would just brush you off with a grin and be confused as to what you were talking about.

So, if Shalnark isn’t going to tell you himself what was wrong. You were just going to have to take it upon yourself to make him feel better. Emotional health is just as important as physical health in your book.

“For the last time (y/n), I hope you know what you are getting yourself into.” Mal reminds you for the 15th time since you entered her office space.

“Yes, yes. I understand, don't worry about it.” You reassure the older woman as you continue to fill in the blanks to finish up the paperwork. All the while attempting to ignore her as she nags your ear off. “Okay I’m done. Thanks by the way Mal, I really owe you one”

As Mal takes the paperwork from your hands, she gives you one last warning of caution,

“I know Shalnark is under your care and all, and you have gotten pretty close to him during his stay…. but don’t you think having him leave with you for vacation is a little much? It’s legal, for some odd reason, but you should be careful. Not only is he a grown man that could try anything while you are alone with him but if any of the higher ups hear about this, you could get in a lot of trouble.”

“True, but I doubt that,” You hum out as you fumble with grabbing your winter coat off the rack, “The higher ups don’t exactly care much about paperwork unless one of the secretaries, like yourself, reports something. So unless you choose to report me, I don’t have much to worry about.”

“Fine. Just…. be careful. I swear you have been getting more and more reckless the more you spend with that man.”

“I will. Don’t worry, Mal. See you in a week!!”

“Okay, see you in a week.” Mal responds back, her wave goodbye immediately faltering as you close the door. Taking a deep breath to calm down the uneasy feeling in her gut, She just hoped you knew what you were doing.

Once Mal sends you off, you make your way in the direction of Shalnark’s room. You are excited to tell him about your little surprise but also quite scared because you did not exactly ask him… permission…. to sign him out.

“Come in.” Shalnark's voice rings out from behind the door as you knock. Coming into the room, you see that, as per normal, Shalnark was clicking away at his laptop. He seemed busy with something since even when you took the seat at his bedside he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the screen.

After a couple more minutes of listening to the clicking of keys, Shalnark finally closes his laptop and turns his attention to you.

“Hello (y/n)! What brings you in here today?” He asks, resting his chin on one of his hands as he observes you. As Shalnark scans you up and down you can’t help but notice the mischievous look in those blue eyes of his. You kind of wondered what he was thinking, or possibly planning, but then again— knowing Shalnark —you didn’t want to know what was running through that brain of his.

“Can’t I just visit you?”

“I guess you could.” Shalnark comments halfheartedly as if you don’t already visit him for fun on the daily already, “I’m just surprised you haven’t gone home for your vacation. It’s your last shift tonight, right?”

Shalnark might have asked the last part as a question, but you already knew— from tons of experience with dealing with him —that he already formed his own answer in his head.

“Missed me that much huh?...” Shalnark whispers out, his eyes seeming to sparkle under the light as he leans back against the headboard of his bed.

“S-shut up.” You grumble out. Swiftly putting the paperwork in your hand up to your face as you could already feel your cheeks begin to flare up from flusteration. You swore this man had no sense of fear or dignity.

“Hmm?” You feel Shalnark grab at the paperwork wrinkled in your hand; recognizing his photo ID on the cover. “What’s this?”

“Paperwork.”

“What type of Paperwork?” Shalnark presses forward, already taking it from your hand to examine it. No matter how close you two have gotten during his stay, he has always been extremely thorough about looking at what you put down on his paperwork. Must be something he picked up while being in the troupe you guessed.

Suddenly, you see Shalnark’s gaze pause on a section of the paperwork. His body unintentionally freezing up in surprise as he rereads it again. However, instead of instantly asking or explaining his confusion, your eyes are trained to his lips, ever so slightly parted due to confusion.

Unconsciously, you run your fingers over your neck. Your mind flashing back to what happened when Shalnark was under the effect of the aphrodisiac drug. The tingly feeling of his lips raking up and down your neck. Kissing, sucking and biting at any possible skin he could—

“(Y/n), What is this?” He mumbles out, his eyes still trained to the paperwork.

“U-uh Well…” You pause for a second as you try to calm yourself down from your thoughts, thinking about what you should exactly say, “Recently, I’ve noticed you being quite down. Kind of depressed or miserable in a way—”

“Huh? I haven’t been depressed.” Shalnark exclaims, snapping out of the trance he was in as well as cutting off what you were saying.

“Let me finish idiot.” You grumble at Shalnark, flicking his forehead in anger. “Also even if you aren’t depressed—“

“Which I’m not.”

“...Do you want to get punched this time?” You threatened, watching as Shalnark suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. Memories flashing in his head of Lara pissing you off and facing your unwavering wrath. After one last glare, you continued what you were explaining, “As I was saying, Even if you aren’t depressed, it would be good for you to get out of the hospital. Hence why I decided to sign you out for my vacation week.”

It’s silent in the room as Shalnark just stares at you; an unreadable expression on his face. However, before you can figure out what expression it was, he quickly snaps out of it.

“Oh nice. That’s actually awesome.” Shalnark announces out, letting out a small giggle. “Just one question though… Is this even legal?”

“In a way…” You squeak out, watching as Shalnark looks at you with a knowing smile. Clearly understanding that you were pressing the line of legality and a possible felony in this situation.

“Well,” You watch as Shalnark shuffles out of bed; Planting his feet in front of yours before sending you a subtle wink, “Let’s get out of here before we get caught, okay?”

—.—.—.—.—.—

“So,” Shalnark starts, looking at the small white townhouse in front of him, “This is your house?”

“Um. Yeah?” You answer questioningly as you fiddle with your keys, “What about it?”

“Oh nothing.” You watch as Shalnark squats down in front of the garden gnome next to your tomato plant. Seeming to take in the plethora of plants covering your front patio. “It’s cute. I like it.”

“Thanks.” You mumble out bashfully as you unlock the front door, “I only rent the bottom floor of this place so it's quite small. But it's home.”

Before you enter, You offer a hand to help Shalnark up (He still has quite the injury in his legs after all) and watch as he walks inside your house; a limp still ever present as he walks. You just hope that he doesn’t push himself too far while with you. He might be a nen user but—

“Oh wow!” Shalnark’s voice calls out from inside the house, breaking your train of thoughts as you shut and lock the door. Confused yet curious at what he found interesting in your house, you slipped off your shoes—taking a small mental note that you should tell Shalnark to take off his as he forgot to— and walked over to his location. As you round the corner of the hall and gaze into your living room, you can’t help but let out a huff of a laugh. You can’t believe you totally forgot about Chloe.

There she stood, your 8 year old Sphynx cat that a college roommate had given you years ago, curled up in a fluffy blanket on top of her cat tree. Shalnark stood in front of the tree, looking up at the cat with an amused look as it glared down at him.

“Chloe.” You call out to your cat as you make your way next to Shalnark, “Come here baby.”

As you lift the cat off the tower, still wrapped in a blanket, and cradle her in your arms, you feel your breath hitch for a second. You turn your head as you feel a sudden pressure on your back and see Shalnark leaning over your shoulder. You stood there frozen and flustered, unable to move or look away from his face, from how close he was to you. However, Shalnark doesn’t notice how flustered you are; his attention focused on the cat in your arms. Eventually, he brings his hand down to pet her. Watching curiously as she sniffs his hand for a second before allowing him to touch her.

“They truly don’t have any fur…” Shalnark muses out as he rubs at Chloe’s ears, causing you to smile as you feel the rumbling of her purrs against your chest. “Hey (y/n)... did you know these guys are actually from Meteor city?”

“Wait… Really?” You shout out surprised, finally snapping out of the trance you were in.

“Yep!” Shalnark states rather proudly, “They were caused by accidental breeding by abandoned cats in the junkyards. …Though, the ones from Meteor city are quite rabid and terrifying so you can’t pet them like this. They would surely kill you.”

Startled, you give Shalnark a confused look, “No way…You're joking…”

“Nope.” He responds, popping the ‘p’ at the end as he walks away from you two and takes a seat on the couch. Your back suddenly feeling quite cold now that he was no longer next to you. “Even our toughest members like Phinks and Feitan were scared of those things.”

“Oh wow…“ You mumble out in amazement, placing Chloe back at the top level of the cat tree before taking a seat next to Shalnark. “...Meteor City sure sounds scary.”

“Eh, in a way.” Shalnark sighs out, stretching his back before suddenly resting his head on your lap. Startled at the act of affection, you freeze and stare down at him. Your mouth agape in shock. What… What was he doing?

“Oh.” Shalnark murmurs out as he takes note of your expression, already beginning to sit up, “Sorry, I stepped over a line didn’t I—”

“Ah! No!” You shout out, startling the both of you at how loud you were, “I mean… uh. I don’t mind, it just surprised me that’s all.”

“Oh. Okay?” Shalnark says, raising an eyebrow at you. As he sees your still worried expression looking down at him as he lays back down, he decides to flick at your forehead, surprising you. You two stare at each other for a couple of seconds before breaking out into light laughter at your stupid expression.

“W-what was that huh?”

As your laughter eventually stops, leaving you two in a comfortable silence, you stare down at Shalnark; his arms lazily crossed above his head with his eyes shut.

“You know…” You start, a stifle of a giggle sneaking up as a funny thought crosses your mind, “...You remind me of a cat right now.”

“Oh really?” Shalnark huffs out amused, popping one of his eyes open to gaze up at you.

“Yeah. All elongated on the couch, looking like you're about to fall fast asleep… Just like a little kitty cat.” You cooed out at him, taking two strands on the opposite sides of his head to form cat ears.

Shalnark sputters out a laugh before sending you a wink, “Go on. Give me a pet, Doc.”

You feel yourself freeze up as everything that has happened in these last couple of minutes hits you like a truck. Shit… You're his doctor, you idiot. This was what Mal was talking about about you getting too close with him. You have feeling for him but you can’t—

“Hey (y/n). You know…” Shalnark murmurs out, snapping you out of your thought, “One day…, I would like to take you to Meteor City.”

“R-really?” You answered, confused as where this was suddenly coming from.

“Yeah…” You watch as Shalnark eyes shift up towards the ceiling. His eyes unfocused and expression dazed as if he was off in a distant memory, “Not right now… But, In the spring…”

A smile slowly edges its way onto his face.

“Yeah… The spring,” He murmurs out again, sort of to himself, before looking at you, “You wouldn’t believe what it is like in Meteor City at the start of spring, (Y/n)... After a long hard rainy winter, seeds from rotten food, or hidden in garbage, come blooming out. It hardly lasts a month but… It’s gorgeous….”

As he stares up at you with those dazzling blue eyes of his, you can’t help but finally allow your hand to rest in his blonde locks. Wanting to understand more about that far off memory he had.

“I-I…” You murmur out, pausing as a small smile comes upon your face, “I can’t wait… Shal. Do… Do you think you could tell me more about your home while I wait?”

Just…

Just one more time, you’ll let your affections slide.

Allowing yourself to blur the lines of professionalism and wanting more.

Taglist: @meromelodi, @quartetstarheaven, @yumezai, @lvndrhwis, @writtenappreciation , @jojo-sinner, @pastelbear12, @aly-kurta, @bbunnycore, @feifood

[colorfulmetaphors]

rewatched all of mauls TCW eps last night (with a friend; thank you sam ily) and am just marveling at the Maul Appreciation journey because

the first time i watched them i was like ok yes this dudes vibes are off the charts terrible love that in a man good aesthetic good voICE GOD good dialogue etc. and then i started digging into all the EU stuff and with everything i learned/read that casual hey this character is cool feeling became hey what the fuck. HEY WHAT THE FUCK (wrath of darth maul) hey what the fuck?????????? and pulled him out of my usual “this is a character in a narrative” approach to media and let him just Be because THERES SO MUCH to him. i remember soon after i finished the show for the first time, i went looking for playlists and for a bunch of them i was like?????? i dont see how this applies but okay. and then listening to them later after i knew more i was like OH SHIT YEAH. i get it now. it’s not that TCW does bad?????? but it only scratches at the surface and bless witwer for giving us those extra spidermaul lines to tie him together more… so now rewatching it with all the context is entirely different from the first time and each expression means so much more than the haha angy guy go brr… i love him so much and i kinda love that the fullness of his character exists outside his canon presentation. it’s like a weird blessing? (for me, will explain below)

it’s why i don’t want more content lmao fenris voice what does disney touch that it doesn’t spoil. (im very bitter about the sequels, from a writing perspective) and based on my own experience and on seeing other people’s (fandom; some comics; one novel i forget which) interpretations of maul, it’s VERY EASY to see the red/black color palette and welcome to my twisted mind sequences and vengeance quest and write the simplest aggressive edgelord version of him.

id hope it wouldn’t happen but if it did it would make me so sad, because FOR ME the most important part of the media i enjoy is the writing. far above (far above) ((far below)) anything else, because i want to break things down and analyze them and you didn’t connect shit them, if the writings no good i cant engage in the same way. i think thats generally very different from most fandom? based on what i can see, it seems most people are able to pick around what they dont like or use fanfiction to fill in blanks or fix stuff. and i dont think thats bad. it’s cool. but it’s not for me. i need the source material to be tightly woven so i feel like it’s fine to step out and venture across it. half the fun for me is learning about the creators and how they approached the project. it’s me being able to say oh witwer loved this character so he added depth by including the aforementioned spidermaul lines about the sith code and mauls introduction to the jedi/sith history. i need to know that if i go digging im going to find intention and care and attention to detail so i can have fun unearthing those details. it’s CRAFT more-so than narrative or character. thats how it is for me. i kinda wish it wasn’t because it feels very no fun allowed but over a decade in fandom and i haven’t been able to change it.

a simplistic (and not even necessarily the same as mine; just one with no depth) canon interpretation of maul would feel like someone dumping a bucket of water on a sandcastle ive built in my driveway after precariously hauling the sand from distant beaches with my toddling chunky child hands. (i built this man up from a cave! with a box of scraps!) and i would not be able to rebuild that image of him because then his presentation would exist in the “this must be included because it is now law” zone rather than the wild west of the EU. i WANT more maul content but i also dread more maul content. gonna laugh at hope and attachment for maul getting in the way of accepting maul. sidious meme voice ironic.

anyway. i feel that the Journey is ending with: im graduating him into baby youre my forever girl status and building a glass display case to keep him separate, just on the chance i need it. i think the buzz will start to fade soon but hes firmly planted

[lilypixels]

...............all of them.....?

It took me an hr to do this....🥲💀

1. coffee mugs, teacups, wine glasses, water bottles, or soda cans?

Teacupsss

2. chocolate bars or lollipops?

Lollipops

3. bubblegum or cotton candy?

Uhhh cotton candy

4. how did your elementary school teachers describe you?

Probably quiet and smart lol I did my school work and was friendly with everyone so I was a favorite and heard all the nice things 🙈

5. do you prefer to drink soda from soda cans, soda bottles, plastic cups or glass cups?

I kinda like bottles more but like the glass ones with the caps that could slice your fingers-

6. pastel, boho, tomboy, preppy, goth, grunge, formal or sportswear?

I’m for all but sports lol

7. earbuds or headphones?

Earbuds

8. movies or tv shows?

Shows cause I’m the type to watch an hr long episode vs hr long movie idk why but I’m rarely in mood for them

12. name of your favorite playlist?

Drop the beat (ie songs that are upbeat and I like most)

13. lanyard or key ring?

Hmm...I guess lanyard?

14. favorite non-chocolate candy?

Skittles or twizzlers

15. favorite book you read as a school assignment?

I had lots I had to read in school but only ever finished a handful lol my favorite I think was maybe Macbeth? I would say Odyssey but I don’t think we read the full thing cause I remember being disappointed about something like that...

16. most comfortable position to sit in?

Sitting with my legs bent up in seat with me in some way

17. most frequently worn pair of shoes?

Converse and some nice but cheap sneakers from Walmart

18. ideal weather?

Not too hot, not too cold, mild like before/after a rain (most the time), idc if it’s raining or sunny but as long as temp is comfortable I’m fine

19. sleeping position?

On my side most often

20. preferred place to write (i.e., in a note book, on your laptop, sketchpad, post-it notes, etc.)?

Phone and notebook

21. obsession from childhood?

Oh gosh uhhh I guess my like of dolls maybe? Or obsession with anything ✨unexplained✨ like ghosts, aliens, cryptids, etc

22. role model?

Kim Namjoon lol just kidding (sorta)

23. strange habits?

Ok I know I have some and my friends would be more than happy to point them all out but hm let me think...idk if these count as habits but I’ll never place a mirror facing a bed (this is more superstitious I guess than habit,,,) I can’t stand my food touching, if I have a tray like in cafeteria I have a certain spot for everything and uh my mind just went blank-

24. favorite crystal?

Moonstone, lapis lazuli, and I feel obligated to say garnet cause it’s my birthstone

25. first song you remember hearing?

Circle of Life maybe who knows xD

26. favorite activity to do in warm weather?

Walk or clean,,I’m more active and about with warm/nice weather

27. favorite activity to do in cold weather?

...stay inside where it’s warm

28. five songs to describe you?

Not this again😭 uhhh idk you tell me ajdbd

29. best way to bond with you?

Indulge me when I go off about things I like or learn 😔✊ I know I’ll talk your ear off and I’m sorry but know I don’t often talk about these things with people so once I start it’s hard to stop,,and it makes me really happy when people do listen to me about these things and send me related items every so often or even look into it themselves to learn more 🥺

30. places that you find sacred?

For some reason this feels like a trick question...um cemeteries and anything with ages of history I guess

31. what outfit do you wear to kick ass and take names?

Oof do I really have a true outfit?? I have shoes for this which are just black platform sneakers I call stomping shoes

32. top five favorite vines?

I never,,,watched these,,,

33. most used phrase in your phone?

“Yes”...?

34. advertisements you have stuck in your head?

State Farm and McDonald’s, always

35. average time you fall asleep?

10-11...usually...

36. what is the first meme you remember ever seeing?

Uhhh that one with the ginger dude (I think it was someone’s yearbook photo??) I don’t remember much else about the meme but it was on ifunny, or whatever the app was, a lot

37. suitcase or duffel bag?

Suitcase

38. lemonade or tea?

Easy, tea

39. lemon cake or lemon meringue pie?

...neither

40. weirdest thing to ever happen at your school?

Dude these questions really testing my brain power here- for senior prank someone put cereal in some bathroom sinks I think

41. last person you texted?

My mom

42. jacket pockets or pants pockets?

I’m gonna say jacket since I wear those often

43. hoodie, leather jacket, cardigan, jean jacket or bomber jacket?

Hoodie or cardigan

45. which genre: sci-fi, fantasy or superhero?

Fantasy

46. most comfortable outfit to sleep in?

Usually whatever shirt I’m wearing that day and some pj/lounge pants 🤷

47. favorite type of cheese?

Mozzarella

48. if you were a fruit, what kind would you be?

I-what kind of question is this? How does one even answer this?

49. what saying or quote do you live by?

What comes around goes around lol (yes I’m a heavy believer of karma)

50. what made you laugh the hardest you ever have?

Lol who knows, probably something dumb me and my siblings were doing or something we watched cause there’s been plenty times of that xD

51. current stresses?

Homework vs free time e-e

52. favorite font?

I like the gothic looking ones but it’s usually not practical to use so idk

53. what is the current state of your hands?

My hands...? They’re fine ??

54. what did you learn from your first job?

How to care for babies and little kids, how to put on a diaper lol

56. favorite tradition?

I can’t remember a particular one off hand but I’m trying to start few new ones like decorating cookies for Halloween uwu

57. the three biggest struggles you’ve overcome?

Uhhhhh like personally or...? Cause we’ve overcome homelessness before, um finishing assignments idk😭 oh maybe bullying?? That’s all I can think of since I still struggle with a lot,,

58. four talents you’re proud of having?

Alright let’s do thisss: creativity (mostly in writing sense), I can bake/cook, I have amazing organization skills and many work places have used that lol (bonus is I don’t mind, I actually really enjoy it, very peaceful), surprisingly good balance all things considered, I’m a quick learner

59. if you were a video game character, what would your catchphrase be?

“I’m too tired for this.”

60. if you were a character in an anime, what kind of anime would you want it to be?

Good question good question🤔 I don’t think I’d last in any of them/have a terrible side character role so 💀

61. favorite line you heard from a book/movie/tv show/etc.?

“Life’s too short to hold grudges.”

62. seven characters you relate to?

Dude this is gonna get embarrassing I can feel it🤠

Itaru, Iori, Sogo, Belle, Simeon (obey me), Nozaki (he’s clueless about romance irl and doesn’t know when someone has a crush on him yet can write romance well enough and yeah it’s me lol), and uhh Swindler/Ordinary Person in Akudama Drive (still can’t believe no one really has names in that anime but the way she gets wrapped in everything felt like something that’d happen to me lol)

63. five songs that would play in your club?

Like nightclub...? I’m skipping this ajdbd

64. favorite website from your childhood?

Probably the Barbie site, me and my sister played all the dress up games almost daily istg

65. any permanent scars?

Appendectomy scars and then looks like I have one on a toe but it’s possible it still might heal...

66. favorite flower(s)?

Nightshade, foxglove, baby’s breath, bellflowers, roses

67. good luck charms?

I don’t think I have any...

68. worst flavor of any food or drink you’ve ever tried?

Lemon

69. a fun fact that you don’t know how you learned?

Let me think...I read something once about flowers having ears(?) but like not ear ears just something about having a part that picks up sound waves

70. left or right handed?

Right

71. least favorite pattern?

Lolll animal print I think

72. worst subject?

Physics...the worst science

74. at what pain level out of ten (1 through 10) do you have to be at before you take an advil or ibuprofen?

6...?

75. when did you lose your first tooth?

I don’t remember, it probably happened when i was 6. I do remember losing one of my front teeth during my birthday one year and I was happy since the tooth had been loose for some time xD

76. what’s your favorite potato food (i.e. tater tots, baked potatoes, fries, chips, etc.)?

Chips I guess or just like fried in skillet

77. best plant to grow on a windowsill?

A succulent probably

78. coffee from a gas station or sushi from a grocery store?

Neither ew

79. which looks better, your school id photo or your driver’s license photo?

They are both about equally terrible

80. earth tones or jewel tones?

Earth

81. fireflies or lightning bugs?

Fireflies

82. pc or console?

I am on pc side now

83. writing or drawing?

Writing

84. podcasts or talk radio?

Podcasts I guess

84. barbie or polly pocket?

Barbie

85. fairy tales or mythology?

Mythology, it’s too fun and chaotic lol

86. cookies or cupcakes?

Hm...cupcakes

87. your greatest fear?

Uh,,,I don’t have many fears but I guess one would be falling from a great height? So I would get scared of crossing a bridge and it collapsing or riding a plane and it falling easily

88. your greatest wish?

World peace🥲

89. who would you put before everyone else?

My mom maybe...?

90. luckiest mistake?

I honestly don’t remember but something I do remember is I out semicolon instead of period and turned out to be correct grammar lol

91. boxes or bags?

Boxes

92. lamps, overhead lights, sunlight or fairy lights?

Sunlight or fairy lights, I don’t require much either way and prefer more natural lighting

93. nicknames?

Lassie, twinkle toes, Ash, poody butt (by 3 yr old I sometimes watch and play with lol he means it affectionately; I call him monkey butt and it’s catching on slowly instead)

94. favorite season?

Starting to be fall just a little more but I like transition times most

95. favorite app on your phone?

Let’s go with twitter

96. desktop background?

It is a moriarty and gang pic

97. how many phone numbers do you have memorized?

2: mine and my moms

98. favorite historical era?

Ooo tough one but I’ll say renaissance as some of the coolest things came from that time

[iam93percentstardust]

Any kidfic recs where they have a lil kid but not a teenager? 🥰 Love ya!

Definitely! Kidfics tend to be very hit or miss for me since child development can be very hard to get right but the ones that I do like, i tend to positively love and frequently reread

You didn’t specify a ship so I went with Stevetony, Winteriron, and Stuckony, but I’ve separated them by ship so you can easily pick and choose which ones you want to read:

Stevetony

Of Strippers and Snow Shovels by @betheflame

Tony has some questions about what Peter's dad does for a living after Peter draws an ... interesting picture about why his dad is his hero.

Practically Perfect in Every Way by @betheflame and @hogwartstoalexandria

Tony Stark is a lot of things - billionaire, former playboy, professional philanthropist - but a few years back he added two more titles: widower and single father. As Peter keeps growing, Tony can't seem to keep a nanny. Thankfully, his employee James Barnes has a solution.

Art therapist Steve Rogers is really tired of living grant cycle to grant cycle, but is wary when he gets an opportunity from his best friend's boss to be his child's live-in caregiver. He hates Bucky's boss. But then he meets the kid and then he gets to know Tony and then...

And then they all live happily ever after.

Rockabye by @bladeofthenebula27

Cute alphas didn’t appear out of nowhere to help ruined omegas. That was a widely accepted fact.

Tony Stark had always known his life wouldn’t be easy as a genius omega in an alpha’s world. But not even he predicted getting knocked up and forced to move to a small town in the middle of nowhere.

Some things can’t be hidden by @s-horne

“What?” Peter sat up in the booth, suddenly alert. “Dad, what is it?” He followed Tony’s eyes right to a man in the doorway of the restaurant. A big, blond and young man that even Peter could admit was attractive.

“Is that him?” Peter asked. “He’s young.”

“He’s 32,” Tony argued, though he was still pale and didn’t shift his gaze.

“Have you actually seen proof of age? Because he looks young, Dad. Like not that much older than my age. Have you checked his ID? There are some good fakes out there, just warning you.”

“Will you be quiet?” Tony hissed, lifting his hand and waving to the man. “He is perfectly legal, thank you very much.”

Peter watched as the guy lit up as soon as he noticed Tony, awkwardly dodging the lunchtime crowds as he tried to make his way over to their table.

“Hi,” he said when he reached them, a beaming smile on his face. He made a motion to kiss Tony before his eyes flickered to Peter and he changed his course, pressing his lips to Tony’s cheek instead and stepping away quickly.

Adventures in Babysitting by @s-horne

Bucky babysits Peter for the first time on his own. There are cuddly toys, tears, cupcakes, and bedtime stories.

It Takes a Village (or a team of superheroes) by aven_garde

Three months after the Chitauri attack, Tony received a phone call that changed his life. (Or, the one in which a group of remarkable people come together and balance battling villains and raising a child).

In Trouble Deep by @festiveferret and @sirsapling

"Whoever did this has a reason, and Stark needs to be with someone who can protect him. He won’t exactly be able to protect himself like this.” Fury looked at the baby consideringly. “No, it’s you, Steve. Besides, he likes you. Suck it up, soldier, you’re stuck with him.”

Tony, Please by @festiveferret

Steve is doing just fine nursing a painful crush on his most captivating client. That is, until his babysitter has an emergency and drops Steve's six-year-old daughter off at his work. Somehow, everything goes off the rails.

like-like by nanasekei

Morgan doesn’t really know Captain America.

And honorable mention cause even though it’s just a pregnancy fic right now, I’m holding out hope for a sequel with a baby:

Baby’s Breath by @s-horne

Wow. Tony’s mind went blank when his eyes moved involuntarily and focused in on where Nurse Rogers was pointing something out on the computer screen. It was nothing, really. It was a blob roughly the size of a jelly bean. The picture wasn’t even clear. It was black and white and so ridiculously grainy that Tony couldn’t see clearly.

Oh. Actually, the reason he couldn’t see clearly was because of the tears in his eyes.

“Wow,” he said, voice breaking on the short words. “That’s…”

“Your baby. Right here.”

Tony fell silent again, just taking it all in. That was his baby. His child. A whole little person living inside of him, ready to grow and stretch and make his body do all kinds of weird things. Nine months of his baby inside of him and then eighteen years of them living in Tony’s house.

Somehow, it already didn’t seem like long enough. Seeing it on a screen wasn’t enough either. Tony wanted to reach out, to trace the tiny image with his fingers and try and feel what little extra he couldn’t inside of him.

After a long moment, he licked his lips. Shit. He was having a baby.

“Steve would love this,” he breathed out.

Winteriron

High Noon in Sandbridge (part of the Nights in Sandbridge series and does rely on some of the other works in the series, so make sure you read those first if you haven’t already) by @tisfan and @27dragons

Life is pretty good for Bucky and Tony these days. The restaurant is doing well, and they’re happy with their little family. Then Bucky’s sister meets an untimely end and Bucky and Tony are suddenly guardians to a niece they’ve only met a handful of times. Their attempts to make a home for the bereaved child are complicated by Tony's mother, Bucky’s ex-lover, and the man who claims to be Billie’s father. But whatever her parentage, Billie is a Barnes through and through -- stubborn and hot-tempered and not remotely interested in making a life in the one place that her mother had sworn never to return. Will she ever learn to call Dockside and Sandbridge home?

Place in Your Heart by potrix

They try to hide it, Bucky can see the effort they all put into making him more comfortable, but Bucky isn’t stupid, he knows they’d rather have him somewhere else, somewhere far away from their home, the place where they’re supposed to feel happy and safe.

The Long Way Round by potrix

“Maybe we shouldn’t see each other anymore,” Tony blurts out in a rush. “It’s—I think it’s for the best. If we stop.”

It takes a moment for the meaning of the words to register, but when it does, Bucky turns cold, stomach sinking. “Are—are you breakin’ up with me? Tony—”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Tony hurries to reassure, reading Bucky’s mind. “You were perfect, Bucky, I swear you were. Are. This. It’s not. It’s really not you,” he says with a small, humourless chuckle, “it’s me.”

Bucky looks at the tense line of Tony’s shoulders, at the sad set of his mouth, the defeat in his eyes, and he knows it’s the truth. Or, at least, what Tony believes to be true.

 Or; sometimes, people mean well, but that doesn't always mean they know best. Bucky and Tony, unfortunately, have to learn that the hard way.

Letters to a Soldier by CityofAngels

When Peter Stark, son of the famous tattoo artist Tony Stark, signed up for a program to write letters to a soldier, he didn't know what Bucky Barnes would change in his and his father's life...

Boys Will Be Boys by NotEvenCloseToStraight

When Peter and Harley can't stop fighting at school, Dad!Tony and Dad!Bucky meet up to try and figure out a way to keep the peace between their kiddos, but end up falling for each other instead.

Stuckony

‘Til the End of the Line by Avengers_Whore

“Steeeeeve!”

“There’s the lil devil now,” Bucky murmured fondly. “Lemme see ‘im.”

Steve laughed and nodded his head, walking out of the kitchen and heading towards the bedroom. He opened the door and sighed when their omega was nowhere in sight on the bed. He made his way towards their closet and opened the door, pointing his phone at the brunet curled up in all of the clothes.

Fennel Root & Super Soldiers by @betheflame

Peter hasn't stopped crying for weeks and Tony is nearly at his whit's end. Thankfully, Steve and Bucky have a plan.

Forging Bonds by Huntress79

Just when Tony thought that his relationship with Steve and Bucky is safe and stable, he learns of a son he apparently has. How will “his” soldiers react to the sudden addition to the household?

[fallingfor-fics]

Teachers pet-chapter 22: forbidden forest

All chapters

Chapter 21

It was the next day and id not gone to breakfast or any of my classes. It was Lunchtime and I was supposed to be in Snape's room for lessons. But after last night, I didn't have the energy to get out of bed. I didn't know what it was but I just couldn't seem to move from the spot. Hermione had come to check on me after I had missed breakfast and I just told her I wasn't feeling well. I know she didn't believe me, but she didn't press any further. I felt guilty for not telling Snape that I was gonna be absent from our tutoring sessions today. I guess I could send a note. I reached out for a journal in my bag and tore out a piece of paper.

Dear Professor Snape,

I'm afraid I've come down with something and will not be attending our lessons, or class today. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Y/n

I forced myself to get up folding the note and opening my window. I got Hera out of her cage and gave the note to her, she took it in her beak and I walked her over to the window. "Get this to Professor Snape please. She cooed and flew off my arm out the window. I went and crawled back into my bed pulling the covers up over me. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't see him after last night, it was too embarrassing, and him not talking about it only made it worse. How did he feel about me now? I thought about what Dumbledore had said. But there was no way the universe would give me the opportunity of me earning this man's affection. I closed my eyes in hopes to just fall asleep so I wouldn't have to worry about these petulant thoughts. But with my luck I couldn't. I remembered the book Ruth had given me and lazily grabbed it from my bag. I looked over the title once more, laying back down and began to read it.

Hera flew to Snapes window landing on his windowsill with a small flutter. He looked up over at her and opened his window. He didn't recognize this owl and was a bit confused at first, he was wondering where you were and why he hadn't seen you all day. He took the note from the owl and looked it over. Had he messed up giving you those lessons? Did you feel violated from him entering your mind the way he did? He was afraid he'd overstepped. He grabbed parchment and a quill and began writing back to you. Halfway through he realized you'd probably not want to speak to him. Unless you were telling the truth and he was just being foolish, and you really were sick. He pondered for a moment before getting up and walking over to his potions closet, he found a small versatile antidote for any common illness and walked back over to his desk, handing it to Hera. "See to it this gets to Ms. L/n" he said as the owl took off out his window and he sat back down at his desk.

I saw Hera flying back in and sat up holding out my hand for her to land on, I noticed a small vial she was holding and she dropped it in my hand. There was nothing else though besides a note that read:

Ms. L/n

This should help with your illness, be careful and don't drink too much or you may get drowsy. I hope you feel better.

Professor Snape

I gave a small smile at the fact he cared enough to send me this, I guess he really did think of us as friends. If only I could get him to think of me as more. I mean it couldn't be too hard could it? Getting the lonesome, cold, and  mean Professor to return my feelings. Easier said than done I guess. I thought back to that book I took. Make him jealous? Could that even be done? I shook away the foolish thoughts and opened the vial. "Well i'm not actually sick so should I really take this?" I said, talking to the only person in the room, myself, and Hera I guess. She just looked at me and turned her head. "Well that wasn't a no" I took a swig and almost threw it up immediately. "Holy shit for a potions professor he really gave me the worst tasting potion ever." I took one more sip not sure how much was too much and put the cap back on, sticking it in my trunk at the end of my bed. I grabbed my book again and continued reading it. It was very interesting so far. It was  about an older gentleman, very intelligent living in Paris, and he had a particular taste in women, for they weren't women but young girls. I squirmed at the thought, what kind of grown man would like 12 year olds, it's very gross, but I couldn't help to think about the way he talked about his feelings. I hated to say it, he was a bad man, but he didn like them in nasty horrific ways I guess. I paused for a moment thinking about my Professor. He was what 36? And I'm 16 almost 17. Well when I put it that way it definitely makes it worse. He would never love me simply for the fact I'm a child. I got about halfway through the book throughout the day, fighting the sleepiness I began to feel. He had now met Lolita and was explaining how he felt for her, and how she felt for him. In the beginning I was repulsed by the idea of him and a girl. But she loved him and he loved her, it wasn't focused on the idea she was young, just how he felt for her in his heart. This gave me the smallest bit of hope. Maybe if Severus liked me for me and looked past the 20 year age gap it wouldn't seem like such a big deal. I mean this is all irrational thinking anyways since he'd never actually develop the feelings I'm hoping for. I looked up out my window and quickly got up realizing it was already dark. I had missed dinner, and usually this is when Id go for more lessons with Snape. I still could make it if I tried, but it doesn't change what had happened last night and if we were... normal again. I decided against it and took out the vial, sipping more than last time, and layed down. I felt myself grow very sleepy and drift off into sleep, hoping I could just sleep the rest of the week.

   I woke up dazed and confused, how long was I out? I looked around and saw it was still dark outside. I looked over at my clock and it read midnight. Is it midnight today? Or of tomorrow? I slowly got up and walked over to the calendar Ruth had taped to the wall next to her bed. Ok so it's still Tuesday, well I guess Wednesday now since it's past midnight. I went to the bathroom and realized I was still in my nightgown, never having changed out of it. I felt nasty though, it makes sense since I was in bed all day. I went to my trunk grabbing my shower bag and new pajamas. I took a quick hot much needed shower and brushed out my hair. Slipping on my underwear, dark green silk pajama pants and a matching silk black tank top. I exited the bathroom letting all the steam out and opened my window a tad. When I did I noticed a note that was on the windowsill, but since it was on the outside it fell and I reached to grab it but it fell outside, I huffed looking down at it and leaned back inside, slipping on some socks and putting on a black knit cardigan, and grabbing my wand. I quietly tiptoed out of the common room into the dungeon hallways, I guess I could have just used magic to grab it, but I needed the air after being in my room all day. I quietly illuminated my wand and began walking to go outside. I didn't see any teachers so far, thankfully. It was kind of late so I doubted there would be a lot of them walking around. As I walked I looked at the dimly lit paintings and such, admiring all of them. I walked out the doors and shivered as I walked into the cold air. Holy fuck its cold, it thought as I walked around to wear my window was. I saw the note on the lightly sodden ground and quickly ran over to it picking it up and unrolling it.

   But when I got it open I realized it was blank. I furrowed my brow looking on the front and back, why would this be delivered to me if it had nothing on it? I had assumed it was from Snape about not coming to our evening lessons, but it had nothing on it. I pulled out my wand and held out the note, "Aparecium" I whispered hoping maybe the note was written in invisible ink or something. Sure enough a short note began to appear. But all it said was "Go here" after I read it a small map began to appear. Ok what? There's no way this is real, someone must be messing with me. I looked around me, still outside, but saw no one. I looked back at the paper trying to figure out where it was going to lead me. I looked back up looking around for any students that might be pulling a prank but didn't see any. This could be a very bad idea I thought to myself. I don't wanna get into trouble, but then again I figured it might be important. I began to study the map once more and looked at it intently, it was a very vague map, I wasn't sure where anything correlated to. I began to walk back inside and noticed an arrow on the map move as I moved, I turned and walked th either direction and it still followed me. Wow so I guess i'm just supposed to trust this random arrow to follow the lines. I looked around once more and decided I would at least need my shoes, I looked up to my window and summoned my boots, I slipped them on and let the map guide me.

   I took me around the outside of the school and down towards Hagrid's hut. Hmm maybe Hagrid sent it and thought I wouldn't remember how to get to his house. But then again I go here all the time for class, and why wouldn't he just come get me? I kept following the arrow and it took me past his hut and over to the Whomping willow, I knew better than to go there so I stopped. This is weird. Why is it taking me here? I looked at the tree and walked very far around it. The arrow followed and I continued on its path as I got in  safe distance from the scary tree. I could see my breath in the cold air and was certain my cheeks and nose were red. I'm sure it didn't help that I had wet hair. I beard the end of the map, my supposed destination and looked up to see where it led me. You have got to be kidding me. It took me right to the edge of the Forbidden Forest. "Ok this has to be a joke, no way i'm going in there" I said out loud looking around for any sign for what I should do. I looked back at the map and flipped it around trying to figure out if I had gone to the wrong place. But the arrow had turned into an x and I looked back up at the forest. I knew of all kinds of creatures that inhabited this forest, Unicorns, centaurs, werewolves, and hippogriffs to name a few, I was fairly skilled in DADA. But I don't think I could fight off any of these by myself. And Hagrid had told me the stories of the students that disappeared in the forest, so why in my right mind would I listen to a random note and go in.  Harry had even told me of the time he and Draco were sent in to find a injured unicorn and ran into The Dark Lord himself, I mean there's no reason the dark lord would want anything to do with me so I highly doubt id see him but the thought still carried in my mind.

[tangledstarlight]

days go by and seasons change (lets try again next winter)

julie's ready for a year away from home, studying and trying to refind the magic in music. luke's about to start on a summer tour around europe opening for a band. they meet one night, sparks fly and emotions run hight. now they've just got to try and see if they can maintain a long distance friendship.

ok hello hi so this is my wild ride of a fic that i’m working on, a scene (much later on) came to me in a dream, and much like how smeyer wrote twilight, i just had to find out how they got there fhbdj there’s some drinking which would be classed as underage in the us but is legal in the uk which is where it’s set so 

trigger warnings!! alcohol and swearing

also on ao3 –– [ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | extras 1 & 2 ]

winter

There was a line almost outside the door for the coffee shop, people wanting something to warm them up or just to avoid the sudden downpour of rain. Julie had been in England for just over a month now and she still wasn’t used to the randomly changing weather, how were you supposed to plan an outfit for the day if it started mildly sunny and ended in a thunderstorm? It was January! She had come prepared for snow, not rain, damn it.

From her table in the back corner of the cafe, hands wrapped around a mug and headphones blaring music, Julie people watched. Sure, she was supposed to be working on an essay, but she’d been there for half an hour already. She deserved a little break.

Even through her music she can hear the sounds of the cafe around her. Customers placing orders and rain on the windows and cups hitting tables and people laughing and it’s comforting. The sounds of life going on around her while she pretends to be doing work.

Pretends, because she’s been trying to work on this essay for a week now and getting nowhere with it.

When she’d signed up for the study abroad scheme her mind had been on experiencing a new country, on the places she could visit, the new friends she could make, the thoughtful looks she could escape.

She hadn’t thought much about the work she would have to do, the essays that would need to be written, the awkwardness of settling into a new place, the strangeness of hearing new accents.

The actual creative side of her course she found easy enough, but when it came to writing about her stylistic choices and her themes and her influences and how they all tied back with what they’d been reading about? She was drawing a blank.

Blowing on her drink, Julie let her eyes wander around the coffee shop. It was a fairly small place with an extensive collection of teas and fresh baked cakes and free wifi. She’d found it by mistake while looking for a music shop her first week in the city, they’d lured her in with carrot cake and coffee and she’d been coming back at least once a week ever since. A group of boys push through the door, shaking off hoods and laughing at something as they join the queue.

Something about them seemed vaguely familiar, like she’d seen them from a distance in a dark club, or scrolled past a group photo of them on her instagram suggested posts. Or maybe it was because they just looked like every other group of young adults she’d come across, both back home and in Liverpool. One thing she had learnt pretty quickly was that boys were the same everywhere.

She was saved from mulling it over by her phone vibrating on the table with a text, Carrie’s name popping up on the screen and Julie swapped her cup for her phone, a small smile already tugging at her lips as she read the series of texts on her screen.

Julie’s attention is dragged away from her phone by something – someone – knocking into her table, sending her pen rolling off and her cup to shake. Pulling her headphones out of her ears she looks up as the culprits eyes widen, mouth pulling into a grimace as he stares at the coffee now running down the back of her jacket that had been happily sitting in the spare chair.

“Shit,” he mutters, already pulling a napkin out of his back pocket and dabbing at the mess. “I’m so sorry, I uh– wasn’t looking and the chair leg and fuck I’m so sorry about your jacket, can it be dry cleaned?”

And he looks so sincere in his apology, all wide sad eyes and words stumbling out too quickly and messy brown hair curling out from under a beanie and accent that sounds like home, that Julie swallows back the annoyed retort she had ready to go.

It was just an accident. Accidents happened. At least it wasn’t over her laptop. Blowing out a breath, Julie shakes her head at him once, pushing back her chair to inspect the damage.

“It’s fine, honestly. Don’t–” she pauses, holding up the denim on either side of the collar and frowning at the pretty large brown stain. “Worry about it.”

Can she wash it? She’s never tried, but well. She bites her lip as she looks at it, the stranger awkwardly standing just a short distance away with a wad of used napkins and his half spilt drink, and yeah, she definitely won't be able to wear it tonight.

“I’m so sorry.” He says again and someone must catch his attention over her shoulder because his eyes dart away from her, eyebrows shooting up and shrugging his shoulders and, it’s kinda cute. The way he seems to be hovering, unsure if she’s going to shout at him.

“Seriously, it’s fine. Accidents happen, right?” She shoots him a quick smile – though not missing the way his cheeks turn slightly pink – before turning back to her jacket, carefully laying it out on the chair to hopefully dry out enough for her to stuff it in her bag before she needs to leave. She really hopes it stops raining.

“I uh– shit I’m sorry. Again. I gotta–” He gestures to the door where Julie can see his friends waiting for him, barely contained grins on all their faces that has Julie rolling her eyes. Boys. She looks back at him, raising an eyebrow even as her lips tick up into a small smile, she’s rewarded by his cheeks going red, the hand still holding the napkins rubbing at the back of his neck and a stuttered ‘goodbye’.

Sitting back down, Julie rolls her eyes again, muttering under her breath about ‘annoying cute boys’ and ‘favourite jackets’. Leaning down to pick up her fallen pen with one hand while the other tapped out a reply to Carrie. An hour more of sitting here, attempting to do her essay and then she’d have to go if she wanted enough time to get ready.

\\

“So where are you?”

Julie couldn’t hear what was being said on the other side of the phone, but judging by the way Carrie was rolling her eyes the answer wasn’t correct. Flynn leans her head on Julie’s shoulder, their linked arms drawing them closer as they walk, it’s not the most comfortable way to walk, but they’ve already had a few drinks and Flynn gets a little clingy after one. Julie puts her head on top of Flynns as they stumble along cracked stone streets.

“She actually might end up killing Bobby at this rate,” Julie mutters and is rewarded with Flynn letting out a laugh that has Carrie looking over her shoulder at them, eyes softening for a moment before she’s rolling them again. If she hadn’t known the other girl as long as she had, Julie would be worried about permanent eye damage.

“Fucking hell. Okay. Yeah, okay we’ll be like, ten minutes then. Yeah, yeah, okay bye.”

Sliding her phone into her back pocket Carrie took a half step back so she was walking with them again, linking her arm on Flynns other side.

“They’re at the Cavern Club,” Carrie looks at Julie over the top of Flynn’s head and lets out a loud sigh, “I know. That’s where we were going to go anyway. They’re so annoying.”

But she says it in a fond sort of way. Like how you talk about your neighbour's dog that barks too early in the morning and wakes you up, but always runs over to say hello to you through the fence when you walk past and brightens up your day. Annoying, but sweet.

Julie’s only met Carrie’s cousin Bobby once, it had been a short ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye’ type interaction as he ran into Carrie’s house to pick up his bag and then run straight back out again.

She’s never met the other three members of the band at all, but she knows, after doing a little bit of internet searching, that their band isn’t half bad. They’ve got some pretty good songs and a small following that she is sure is bound to get bigger by the time they’ve finished being the opener for whoever they’re touring with and their first album is out in the world.

The three of them flash their id’s to the security on the door, slightly giddy smiles on all their faces even now, still not used to it all being legal for them to drink under the age of twenty-one. But the security guy doesn’t even blink and then they’re walking down a flight of stairs, the air getting warmer and the sound of drums and guitars reaching them.

Carrie grabs hold of Flynn's hand and Flynn grabs a hold of Julies and then they’re weaving through people and avoiding knocking drinks out of hands.

Her attention is pulled from the crowd to the stage at the back of the room, a band playing a cover of something she can’t name, they don’t sound too bad, and the part of her that used to fall in love with music every time she heard it wants to stop and listen. But that part of her is small and quiet and shy now, so she keeps her grip on Flynn’s hand and follows along.

Julie doesn’t know how Carrie knows where she’s going but all of a sudden they’re coming to a stop, her free hand reaching out to balance herself on Flynn’s shoulder even as a small part of her is still trying to work out what the song is.

Turning her eyes away from the stage she looks at the five boys sitting at the table, a collection of bottles scattered across the wood, and Julie smiles at Bobby who’s standing up to hug Carrie, opens her mouth to say hello before stopping. Her brows furrow as she locks eyes with a shaggy haired brunette who’s own eyes are widening in realisation.

“You!” She blurts out before she can stop herself, and if anyone asks she would blame it on the three drinks she had before leaving the dorms, detangling her fingers from Flynn’s to point at him. With the music blaring so loud only the boys still sat at the table and Flynn heard her, the latter turning to raise her brows while Julie can see the boys trying not to laugh.

“He’s the guy who spilt coffee on my jacket earlier,” she shouts over the music, hand gesturing wildly at the table and Flynn follows her hand, eyes resting on the culprit.

“That was her favourite jacket!” Flynn props one hand on her hip and almost glares at him, but it loses part of its ‘scare factor’ when she starts swaying a little in place to the music. Well, Julie thinks it should lose some of it’s scaring power, but the guy still looks kinda worried, so who’s Julie to know?

“I said I was sorry!” He puts his hands up, shoulder raising to almost his ears, and with his eyes already open so wide and his hair curling slightly at the ends, Julie has to wonder how much trouble that look has gotten him out of over the years.

“You guys have already met?” Bobby jumps into the conversation before Julie has a chance to reply and Carrie is looking between them, lips pursed.

“This is the girl whose jacket Luke ruined earlier,” the blonde one says and Julie vaguely recognises him as being one of the boys from the cafe.

“Dude,” Bobby raises his eyebrows at the jacket ruiner – Luke, Julie reminds herself – shaking his head in disappointment.

“It was an accident!” Luke turns his sad kicked puppy look on Bobby before looking back at Julie, his hands lowering but his eyes still drastically wide, “I really am sorry about it.”

Julie tries, she really does, to hold on to that small kindle of annoyance that she’d felt upon seeing him again. But well, the jacket is already ruined and she’s come out to avoid doing an essay and she’s finding it really hard to be mad at someone so cute. Blowing out a breath she shakes her head at him.

“It’s fine, I’ll forgive and forget the whole thing if you buy me a drink.”

“That I can do,” the furrow in his brows smooths out and his shoulders relax and suddenly there’s a smile spreading across his face that seems to light up his eyes.

“So, you’ve met Luke. That’s Reggie, he’s our bassist,” Bobby nods at the dark haired guy sitting next to Luke who grins and waves, and it’s such an infectiously happy wave that Julie can't help but wave back. “Alex, kickass drummer,” the blonde who spoke earlier ducks his head a little, an almost shy smile on his face as he nods at them, “And Willie. Officially he’s one of our roadies, unofficially he’s just here to hype us up and do cool tricks in empty arenas.” Willie, who’s sat pressed against Alex’s side, raises his hand in a wave.

“This is Julie and this is Flynn,” Carrie points at them each before claiming the seat next to Alex and looking at Luke, “We’ll take 3 vodka lemonades. Please.” She only adds the please on the end after Flynn sits next to her, nudging her elbow into her side, Julie notices with a smile.

There’s a moment of bodies moving as Luke gets up from his side of the table, pulling Bobby along with him towards the bar and Reggie is waving his hand at her, nodding at the empty space along the bench next to him that she slides into gratefully.

They can’t really see the stage set up from here, but the music is still just as loud and Julie starts nodding her head along to the beat, trying to focus on the conversation happening on the other side of the table. Something about Carrie’s group and choreography and convincing someone to add in a dance break to a song. She’s laughing at something Willie said when a glass is slid across the table in front of her, a bottle of something passing over her to Reggie and she looks up in time to see Luke sliding into the space next to her, a small smile on his face.

“Forgiven and forgotten?” He asks, eyebrow quirked as he lifts his own drink, tilting it towards her in invitation.

“Forgiven and forgotten,” she agrees picking her glass up and tapping it against his beer bottle, shooting him a smile of her own before chasing the straw of her drink to take a sip, trying hard not to blush at the intensity of his stare.

//

It’s two hours later, three drinks and a deeply regrettable shot later, happily on the precipice of truly drunk but hanging out in tipsy land, when Julie shakes her head at Luke who’s standing on the bench. Tongue poking out of the corner of his mouth in concentration as he writes on the curved brick of the ceiling.

“Dude no ones gonna be able to even read that!” Reggie complains from next to her, his eyes squinting as if it will help him to read their names better. It doesn’t, Julie’s already tried.

“Why did we let the one with the worst handwriting do this?” Alex tilts his head to look up at Luke, who waves the hand not holding the pen in his face, almost hitting him but missing by several inches to the left and it sets them all off giggling.

“Because the rest of you are cowards!” He wobbles a little as he shuffles his feet to change angle, and Julie reaches out on instinct to hold his leg, fingers wrapping around his calf as if it will stop him from falling. His head drops down to look at her, teeth biting his bottom lip as he smiles at her quickly before going back to the ceiling.

To leave his – their – mark on a legendary musical site. Luke's words, the rest of them hadn’t been able to talk him out of it so they’d gone right into encouraging.

“I think you’re getting cowards and idiots mixed up,” Carrie mutters, head propped up on her hands, elbows resting on the table. Well, Reggie and Julie and Willie had gone straight to encouraging, the others were still on teasing.

“Do you want your name added or not?” Luke grumbles but Julie can see his pen moving, going over the letters of what she assumes is meant to be Dirty Candi, and bites her cheek to not laugh.

“Don’t forget it’s an ‘i’ instead of ‘y’ for candy!” Flynn leans forward, eyes on the ceiling as she shouts up at him and Luke says something, but it’s too quiet for any of them to hear.

It isn’t until he moves to get off the bench that Julie realises she still has her hand wrapped around his calf, her fingers idly tapping along to the song some guy with a guitar is playing behind them. Heat fills her cheeks (that she’ll blame on how warm it is in the club and the alcohol in her system thank you very much) as she lets go, pulling her hand back into her lap, watching from the corner of her eye as he jumps down and back into his seat, a proud smile on his face.

“Now when we’re big and famous people can come and hunt our names down.”

“And finally realise that you have awful writing and question how any of our songs get written,” Bobby grins at him, elbow nudging his side which sends Luke leaning into her to try and avoid it, sliding along the bench until there’s no space between them, and she can’t find it in herself to be too mad about it. He smells like tequila and mint and aftershave all mixed together, not really a good combination, but one she finds herself liking anyway.

“Well why don’t you start writing the songs, huh?” Luke retorts, and starts a back and forth with Bobby, Alex chiming in and Flynn watching it all like a tennis match, and Juile tries to follow it, but all she can think about is how Luke hasn’t moved back. How his thigh is pressed against her leg and his arm is resting around her back, hand near her hip and how if she wanted to, she could rest her chin on his shoulder and kiss his neck.

Not that she wants to kiss his neck. Does she?

Julie furrows her brows, biting her lip as she examines those thoughts, tries to decide if it’s the alcohol or the music or her lack of sleep or if she just wants to kiss him.

Flynn says something and it makes him laugh, loud and bright and unrestrained, head thrown back and eyes closed. And yeah, she just wants to kiss him. Fuck.

//

Reggie slings an arm around her shoulders, the other going over Flynns and tugging them together until their cheeks are all pushing together and Julie giggles, poking at his side with her partially trapped arm.

“What do we think chocolate tequila is like?” He asks, eyes glued to the chalkboard menu above them.

“Not as nice as the summer fruits one,” Julie says back, wrinkling her nose a little at the memory of when she’d tried it. If you liked chocolate, it was a bitter disappointment in her opinion. But she was also drunk enough now not to mind.

“Alex says we can’t get the coffee one. Thinks we’ll have a repeat of the red bull incident.” Luke appears on her other side, pushing his body into the small gap between her side and the next group of people. He’s stood so he’s facing her – them – and rests one arm on the counter top.

“Man he’s gotta get over that, it was one time,” Reggie mutters and Julie wants to ask what the ‘red bull incident’ is, but then Flynn is sliding three shot glasses towards them, salt and limes following, apparently having ordered without any of them noticing.

“We’re standing with mango!” Flynn shouts, shot already in one hand and salt on the other, clearly waiting for the three of them to catch up. Reggie lowers his arms and Julie can feel Luke’s hand brush past her arm as he moves to lick the back of his hand, she can feel herself flushing as she watches him do it. And is happy to note that he flushes just the same as he watches her lick her hand in turn.

Idly, Julie notices that Reggie counts them down, that Luke inclines his head at her before he lifts his shot to his lips, that Julie lifts her own, the liquid sliding down her throat with a slight burn that’s not eased at all by the lime she bites into. She squeezes her eyes shut against it and when she opens them sees Luke grinning at her, eyes full of something she can’t name but makes her want to blush again.

“Y’know what? Screw Alex, four of the coffee my good man!” Reggie shouts next to her, waving a hand at the bartender in front of them who just rolls their eyes but puts out four more shot glasses.

“Okay, you gotta tell us about the red bull incident,” Flynn finally asks what had been nibbling at the back of her mind from the moment Luke had spoken so she pulls her attention away from him and back to her friends as Reggie launches into his story that even grabs the attention of the bartender for a moment.

But Luke is a warm presence at her side, leaning into her space and breath ghosting against her neck as he chimes in the story. If she stepped back, just a little, she could lean her back against his chest. She wonders if he’d wrap an arm around her waist to hold her steady? Julie blinks and blows out a breath, raising an eyebrow as Reggie talks.

“Wait, how’d you get onto the roof?”

//

“So why Liverpool?” Luke asks, hands stuffed into the pockets of his coat as they aimlessly walk through almost empty streets, faint music coming from clubs and other drunk people giggling in doorways. The fresh air has helped a little to sober her up, but not enough for her to know where they’re going. But they’re following Carrie, who has a plan for the night and they’ve no option but to follow it.

Julie wraps one arm around herself, the other pushing hair over one shoulder as she thinks about it. There isn’t really a big fancy answer, no special reason for her choice, she shrugs at Luke, lips ticking up into a smile.

“It was the only place still with spots open,” she can see the slight confusion on his face and explains more, “I wasn’t going to take the study abroad year, but I changed majors and I needed to get away from home for a while. Carrie and Flynn had already signed up and the internet said the train didn’t take too long to get to Manchester or Glasgow.”

“You changed majors?”

Of all the things she’s said that hadn’t been the part she’d thought Luke would zone in on. It wasn’t really something she liked to talk about much, her fall away from music. She still loved it, still listened and wrote and sang, but the passion she’d once had, the magic she’d once felt whenever she sat at a piano? It had gone away. Had been gone for a long time. Had been gone for four years and she’d only been pretending she still felt the magic.

Everything she played or wrote was missing something and no one had seemed to notice but here.

It hadn’t been until one of her teachers in first year had pointed something out that Julie had finally confessed. And changed course and major the next week.

Everyone had tried to understand, had listened as she explained why she couldn’t do it. How her mom and music were so intertwined together in her head and her heart that it felt impossible to detangle them, to love and play music without always feeling like there was something missing. But she knew they didn’t really get it

So she’d signed up for the study abroad, and picked Liverpool because they had a good English Lit course and was close enough to her friends if she needed them. Okay, so maybe she’d lied a little, there was a fancy answer for why she’d moved, but picking Liverpool had just been random.

“Yup,” she pops the ‘p’ and glances ahead of them, where Willie has Alex clinging on to his back, running through a puddle and laughing loud and clear. She can’t help but smile at them, at the carefree way Willie spins around and Alex holds tighter, face red with whatever he’s trying to say between laughs. Luke must follow her gaze because he lets out a soft snort of laughter, and she can see him shake his head from the corner of her eye.

“I’d hate them if they weren’t so adorable together,” he muttered, but his gaze is soft as they both watch the couple; Willie lets Alex off his back and grabs hold of his hand before he had a chance to get too far away. They’re all soft eyes and teasing smiles and vibes that scream about being in love, you’d have to be blind not to see it. Julie looks away, feeling like she’s intruding on a private moment as they share a kiss.

“Tell me about the tour,” Julie says, drawing Lukes attention back to her and it’s the right thing to say because his face lights up with a smile that she’s sure is going to drive girls wild one day soon.

//

Julie nods along with the song blaring through the speakers, mouthing the words so herself as she scrolls through her phone, ignoring the press of bodies crowding the smoking area as best she can. From her spot near the wall, opposite the door, she can see Carrie and Willie and Alex dancing together, wide smiles and heads thrown back.

Flynn and Reggie are talking to a group of people off to the side and Julie can see the way Flynn has pulled her braids over one shoulder and is gesturing to Reggie every few words the way she does when she’s trying to hype someone up (she knows, from having been on the receiving end of it, many times). Bobby, standing with them, seems to find the whole thing hilarious, grinning around the cigarette hanging from his lips.

“Okay, favourite book?” Luke asks, leaning in close to be heard over the noise and if he doesn’t move back, well Julie’s not about to complain. The little space heaters on the wall don’t provide much warmth, and it’s January and she’s cold and someone ruined her jacket.

“Currently or of all time?” She asks, raising an eyebrow as she turns her head a little to look at him. Her heart stutters for a second at how close his face is to hers, she can see the small flecks of green in his eyes, can feel his breath ghost across her cheeks.

“Current,” he says and she can see as his eyes flicker down to her lips quickly before back up to her eyes and Julie really hopes she’s not blushing right now.

“Stardust. By Neil Gaiman. I’m reading it for one of my classes and it hits all the boxes for a fairytale.” She likes fairy tales, likes the idea of them, likes the message of true love and pure of heart and happily ever afters. This one just happened to involve lightning pirates which was a bonus. Okay, so maybe the lightning pirates were mostly a film detail, but still. “Favourite food?”

“There’s this little hole in the wall place down by the strip? They do the best cheeseburgers. If I could have one for every meal, I would.”

They’re still standing close together, eyes staring too intensely for a game of twenty questions and comments about cheeseburgers and Julie’s eyes flicker to his lips, can see the way they’re pulling up a little on one side. She wants to lean forwards, close the gap between them and press her lips against his. But then she shivers, shoulders hunching up around her ears as she rubs her bare arms, conscious of how close they’re sitting and how much she just kind of wants to steal his body heat.

“Are you cold?” He’s biting his lip, pulling back out of her personal space and Julie almost whines at the loss of contact and body heat and – well maybe she’s too drunk to be making smart choices right now if she’s five seconds away from whining.

“Well someone ruined my jacket,” she points out, eyebrows raised at him and is rewarded with his cheeks flushing and one hand rubbing at the back of his neck which she’s quickly coming to realise means he’s embarrassed or just a little flustered.

“I thought we’d agreed to forgive and forget about that?” He mumbles and before she can come up with a response Luke is standing up, shrugging his jacket off his shoulders and then he’s carefully draping it over her shoulders, fingers tapping lightly on her arm until she holds it out for him to slip through one arm hole, doing the same on the other side and then pulling her hair out from under the collar.

It’s too big on her, but the faux fur inside is soft on her skin and still warm from Luke and she can stick her thumbs through the little gaps created by the fastened buttons and if she turned her head a little she could smell his aftershave clinging to the collar. Julie can’t help the little smile that graces her face, rotating her shoulders to let the coat settle better on her body.

Looking up at him her brows furrow a little at the look on his face (if she wasn’t so drunk and giddy and tired she’d say it was something like awe but that made no sense. Why would Luke be looking at her in awe while she wore his jacket?), but it’s gone just as quickly as it appeared and he’s smiling at her, that wide smile from back at the start of the night when he’d handed her her drink and she’d tapped it against his.

“Thanks,” she tilts her head to the side, loose curls falling across her cheeks as she looks at him, a wide smile of her own and she opens her mouth to say something else – though she’s not sure what she’s going to say – when another voice cuts through and pops the little bubble they’ve created.

When did they even create their private conversation bubble? Julie doesn’t know, and from the way Luke’s head whips around to land on Flynn and Reggie and Bobby with wide eyes, he probably doesn’t know either. But it’s nice to know that he’d been enjoying their conversation as much as she had.

“We’re gonna get food, come on!”

//

“I wanted to be wrapped up in bed an hour ago,” Julie sighed but there’s no real annoyance in her tone as she hugs Luke’s jacket closed tight across her chest, shoulder brushing against his arm as they walk.

“But you also wanted pizza instead of McDonalds like everyone else.” And Luke has a point but she still pulls a face, sticking her tongue out at him and getting a laugh in return. She couldn’t even be annoyed at it, he had a nice laugh.

Plus, when she’d said she wanted pizza Luke was the only one who’d wanted to come with her, the rest of their friends going back to their hotels. He’d walked all the way to the takeaway with her, shared half of his chips and then started walking her back to her dorm, insisting on carrying her half eaten pizza too. It was all very sweet and kind and not helping her not want to kiss him.

“Where’s your first stop?” She asks, because he was about to start a tour and she had school and maybe if they were both back home they might have been able to give something a go, but they weren’t and Julie wasn’t really a one night stand kind of person.

“We’re heading up to Newcastle on Sunday to kick it all off,” there was a slight bounce in his step, his excitement almost palpable and Julie could tell that this was all he’d ever wanted. To play music to as many people as he could. A small part of her remembered what that was like, to want to share your songs with the world.

“Sing something!” She pulled him to a stop in the middle of the street, bouncing a little on the balls on her feet and grinning at him. Because she was still a little drunk and she missed feeling excited about playing music and here was this sweet charming guy who loved it so much and felt it with everything he had and Julie wanted to be like that again too. She wanted to think about music without it being tinged with sadness.

“What?” He laughed, eyes a little wide and glassy and with his hair looking more wild then it had when they’d started the night, but Julie was pretty sure she looked the same so she didn’t comment.

“Sing! Anything! Please?” Julie tried pouting at him, doing her best impression of Carlos and his puppy dog eyes and something about it must have worked because Luke huffs out a laugh as he looks at her, biting his lip in thought for a moment before he nods his head for them to keep walking before he starts singing.

His voice is a little rough, from screaming lyrics in the clubs and shouting to be heard in the bars, and his words are a little slurred because he’s a little drunk and a lot tired, but Julie’s sober enough to decide it’s one of the best versions of Mamma Mia she’s ever heard. As he gets to the first chorus she joins in.

They were just two slightly drunk young adults, singing in the street and if nothing else comes of his night she’ll always have this memory of unadulterated joy.

“You can sing,” he whispers and now it’s Luke’s turn to pull her to a stop with a hand on her arm and a look of wonder on his face. Julie shrugs a little and can feel her cheeks heating, but she keeps their eye contact and smiles at him.

“Only drunk in the streets.” Which is more true then he’ll ever know.

Luke opens his mouth to say something but she cuts him off by pointing over his shoulder at the building behind them.

“This is me.” She’s not sure what to do now, take her pizza and run? That seems a little rude, and unsafe. Julie’s not sure she can actually run in these shoes without falling. Luke looks over his shoulder quickly before looking back at her, blowing out a breath and nodding.

“Right, right.” He seems just as unsure as she is about what to do now, which makes Julie feel a little better about it.

“I should–”

“Can I–”

They both start at the same time and then Julie is laughing and Luke is huffing out a breath while a smile grows on his face. The only thing between them is a pizza box and she doesn’t miss the way his eyes keep flickering down to her lips.

“I can’t kiss you!” She blurts out, a hand quickly going up to cover her mouth and Luke’s eyes widen, taking a half step back, retracting his hand like he’d been burnt.

“That wasn’t– I– this–” Luke started stuttering, face going red and Julie quickly shook her head at him.

“That came out wrong! Fuck. I–” She curled her hands into fists at her sides, squeezing her eyes shut before opening them, “I want to kiss you, but I can’t.”

The shock on his face had softened at the start of her sentence only to morph into confusion at the end.

“You’re gonna have to explain this to me, Molina.” Luke still looks confused, but he’s still standing in front of her and that’s enough for her.

“I like you,” she dips her head as she says it, because Julie’s pretty sure she could really like him if given the chance, “but I’m no good at one night...things and you’re about to go on a tour and I’m stuck here and I just, I think– I think I’d like us to be friends. I think we could be really good friends actually.”

Because they’d only spent a few hours together and she’d laughed and smiled more in that time then she had in awhile. Luke was sweet and funny and had something to say about every song the DJ picked to play but sang along anyway. Which is why she doesn’t want to risk a friendship for one night in bed. The confusion on Luke’s face turns into understanding and the soft, slightly sad smile that he gives her tells Julie that she’s right. A friendship with him would be better than one really fun night.

“I get it,” and he carefully puts his hand back on her arm, squeezing slightly before pulling away. “And, for the record, I’m not very good at one night things either.”

Her heart beat sounds loud in her ears and it takes Julie a moment to refocus her thoughts. Friendship. No kissing. Friendship.

“Well, maybe if we can keep a friendship going until we next see each other we can try this moment again,” she waves her hand around them with a small laugh. They could probably keep a friendship going long distance, but Julie isn’t so sure that they’ll ever get a moment like this again.

“Deal,” Luke grins down at her and pulls his phone out of his back pocket and unlocks it, Julie raises her eyebrows at him when he holds it out for her, “In order to keep in touch we’re gonna need to exchange numbers.”

“You make a point,” she agrees, putting in her information and handing it back to him in exchange for her pizza box. “Text me when you get back to your hotel, okay? So I know you didn’t get lost.”

“Yes, boss.” His smile is a little teasing now and Julie shakes her head at him as she brushes past him to walk into her dorm. She’s half way across the road when stops in her tracks to turn back at him.

“Wait, I’m still wearing your jacket.” Julie stars to shrug the item off when Luke shakes his head, already starting to walking backwards down the street.

“No, keep it!” He shouts with a smile, “Means we’ll have a reason to see each other again and have another go at this.”

Julie just shakes her head at him with a laugh, watching as he walks away before tightening her grip on the box and finally making it into her dorm. She’s still got an essay to write and a pile of laundry to put away and magic in music is still missing, but she’s gotten herself a new jacket and a friend who she thinks could make her life a little brighter. So she’ll forgive and forget that she's home an hour later than promised.

[faulty-writes]

Hiii! I’m new here but I just loved more than I imagined, that college AU scenario where Mirio is volunteered in an art class to pose as a nude model for the reader... so... could you write a part 2 where they go on that date and they pose together, but the reader takes of her clothes too... 👀 Id LOVE a NSFW but you do as you want

[ I’m probably late in saying this, but welcome! This sounds like it’ll be fun to write. Let’s see what I can do. This turned out so much longer than I thought it would. ] 

WARNING: Sexual Acts, Vaginal Sex, Fingering. 18+. You get the idea. 

Part One Located Here. 

You still couldn’t believe you had agreed to this and thinking back to what led up to it was a little amusing. You still flushed thinking about the way Mirio had pulled you into his lap, his arms around you and his heat brushing against you while you somehow focused on drawing yourself and him from the reflection of the mirror. How did he even get you to do that in the first place?

Most would consider themselves lucky to be in that situation, of course, it was a little different for you. It was one thing to admire someone from a distance, but you knew Mirio up, close, and personal. Sure he was attractive, you could admit that. But ever since that day, you got butterflies in your stomach whenever you were near him.

You tried to convince yourself it was only because you had agreed to go on a date with him, which meant there was the potential you could become more than friends. Though in a way you had already crossed that line, still. As the days ticked away until the agreed date, you couldn’t help but find yourself shying away from Mirio.

Every time you saw him in the hallway, you couldn’t help but blush and act shy. It was unlike you, to be so nervous around someone. In a way it bothered you, but you knew there was very little that could be done. On the day of the date, you had trouble picking out an outfit. Mirio had suggested that he bring the food and drink, that way you could snack between art pieces.

Still, that led back to the same question. What the hell would you wear? Eventually, you settled on a lazy day outfit which consisted of a plain shirt and sweatpants. There was no use in wearing anything but casual clothes, especially if they were bound to get dirty from whichever art supplies you decided to use. Still, you looked yourself over before heading out of your dorm room.

The butterflies in your stomach seemed to increase the closer you got to your destination, which was the art department of the school. Luckily, while you passed by plenty of students on your way there. It seemed like the art department was empty and you lifted your head when you noticed Mirio was waiting outside the door for you.

He was leaning against the wall, his head was toward the floor and his foot kicked up dirt. There was a wooden basket hanging from his arm as well, which you assumed held the food and drink he had talked about. He was wearing a baggy shirt with a white and red-colored jacket. He also wore plain blue jeans and sneakers.

When he heard you approach, he lifted his head and smiled. “Hi there, sunshine!” he called as he walked over and you lifted your hand to wave at him. But you noticed his steps seemed rushed as if he hadn’t seen you in years and his arms were spread out.

“Oh no…” you knew what he wanted to do and braced yourself, despite that. You let out a squeak when his arms wrapped around your legs and proceeded to lift you into the air. You reached out, clasping onto his arms as if to steady yourself and even though he noticed this, he chuckled. “You look so cute today.” he commented, something that caught you off guard and caused you to blush.

“I uh...I do?” you replied, almost dumbfounded. But Mirio only nodded and was tempted to lean close and nuzzle against you. But he decided that maybe such an action was best left for later. Instead, he turned and walked to the door. Still holding you in his arms, “Hold on a sec…” he said before reaching for the door handle, the door itself gave a rusty squeak as it opened.

You looked over your shoulder, noticing that the classroom was pitch black. However, light filled the room as soon as Mirio stepped inside. He closed the door with his foot and the sound of it slamming made you jump in his arms. “Whoa, easy there!” he said, you were never a fan of loud noises. “I didn’t mean to scare you, sorry.” Mirio looked away, a little embarrassed but it was okay. It’s not like he had ruined the date, with that in mind.

He lowered you back to your feet and you shyly rubbed your arm. “So uh…” you trailed off and looked around the room which was surprisingly empty. Usually, there were easels everywhere and chairs. But everything looked as though it were cleared, the smell of paint and glue still lingered in the air. “Hm, is something wrong?” Mirio said as he leaned down to hover over your shoulder.

You jumped again and turned to face him. “Oh!” you exclaimed before clearing your throat. “Uh, heh. It’s nothing. Just looks empty.” you said and Mirio leaned back up with a chuckle. “Well, we can fix that! After all, this is an art date. So, do you wanna try to draw me again?” he questioned and you felt your mouth go dry.

You reached up to scratch the back of your head, feeling a sort of warmth course through your cheeks. “With...your clothes on?” you replied before folding your hand into a fist and lightly tapped your forehead. Okay, maybe that was a stupid question. Still, Mirio laughed in response. At least he found it humorous, guess that was a good thing.

“Well, I could always take them off if you want,” he said as he slid his jacket off, such a simple action sent your heart racing. “Uh! I mean...well you don’t have to, uh...I think I’ve seen you enough without your clothes.” you replied, shyly glancing at the floor. Mirio tilted his head before shrugging in response.

“Well, that might be true. Though at this point, it almost feels weird to have someone draw me with my clothes on.” you shyly glanced back at him, you somewhat understood what he meant. He seemed pretty shameless when it came to nudity, but once again you found yourself blaming his quirk for that.

“R-Right...well, why don’t you...um, why don’t you try to draw me?” you suggested and Mirio looked confused, his eyebrows lowered as he looked at you. “Me?” he repeated as he jabbed a finger into his chest and you nodded, “Yeah, come on. It could be fun, I can’t be the only artist on this date.” you said before chuckling, “Well I...I mean I could give it a try if it makes you happy, sunshine.” he said before walking over to the table and setting the basket down.

He then looked around, he wasn’t sure what he could use. An easel was usually reserved for painting and he knew he wasn’t a good painter. So maybe...he walked over to the charcoal sticks and picked up one, it was messy but definitely easier than painting. You smiled as you watched him, he almost looked cute. “Do I get a kiss if I do a good job?” he teased as he continued to gather his art supplies, though his words made you blush.

“Uh...y-you...want a kiss?” it was a strange thing, usually people didn’t ask for kisses. But Mirio seemed like the type that would always want consent and that wasn’t a bad thing. Still, he walked over to the table and pulled a chair up. “Of course I do! After all, I like you! So why wouldn’t I want a kiss? This is a date after all and I’m super eager to see what we can create together!” you nervously chuckled and scratched the back of your neck.

“R-Right.” you looked over, Mirio seemed happy with the large piece of paper in front of him and various charcoal sticks that looked to be of different sizes. “So, how are you going to pose for me?” he questioned and you took a step back, “Pose? Oh uh, right…” you hadn’t actually thought of what poses you could do.

Though laying down might be the most comfortable considering you didn’t know how long it would take him to do the drawing. Mirio’s eyes were on you as you walked to the center of the room and proceeded to get onto your knees, “Hm.” Mirio was a little eager to see what you were planning to do. Though the sight of you on your knees was quite interesting, he tried to keep his mind from wandering and focused on the blank paper in front of him.

However, he felt a little cheeky and looked back at you. Feeling his mouth go dry as he watched you lay on the floor, you decided that laying on your back would be the most comfortable position. He swallowed and looked away, what was wrong with him? He normally didn’t have thoughts like this and it was almost silly how dirty his thoughts could get when he was around you.

Regardless, he tried to clear his mind. “Um, just...let me know when you’re ready,” he said, glancing at you once again and watched as you squirmed around a bit before laying your hands on your stomach. You couldn’t really see anything but the table and Mirio’s legs that were stretched out underneath it. Those butterflies continued to swarm in your stomach, but you took a deep breath.

“Okay...I’m ready,” you said, trying your best to keep still and closed your eyes, believing that it was easier than trying to keep them open. Especially if you were on the floor where the dirt and dust would irritate them. Mirio found himself blushing, you looked rather peaceful and cute. He had a sudden urge to walk over and cuddle you, forget about the drawing altogether.

But he had promised you he’d try to draw you and well, he never went back on his word. Still, it was a little difficult to do the outline of your figure. He could only see your head and part of your upper body from his position. Your arms seemed a little tricky to draw, and he was nervous about how well he could do your portrait justice.

The most frustrating thing he found to draw however was your shirt. It covered most of your body and seemed to be a touch too baggy which meant it concealed some of your curves. He latched onto his lip, tapping the charcoal stick against the paper that was already a smeared mess. “Uh, sunshine.” he said, “Hm?” you peeped one eye open.

“Yeah? Is something wrong?” you asked and Mirio looked down, his feet seemed to be tapping against the floor which was often a nervous habit people displayed when they were feeling insecure. “Could you...maybe, take your shirt off?” he questioned and while his words seemed innocent, you couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Your eyes went wide and your heart almost bounced right out of your chest. Such a simple question had you flushing, “T-Take my…” you trailed off, reaching up to press your hands against your face. Your cheeks were warm and you were almost afraid that Mirio might notice how red they were.

You cleared your throat and reached down, your hands curled into the bottom of your shirt. “Why?” you asked and Mirio looked down, “Um...well,” he began, unsure of how he would explain himself. “Well...it’d be easier to draw your beauty that way, I don’t want anything separating it. Also...you’ve seen me naked plenty of times, so maybe it’s only fair I get to see some of your skin.” he concluded and you frowned before crossing your arms over your chest.

Part of you was nervous to take your shirt off, you were modest, and although this was a date. You wondered just how much of a gentleman Mirio could be. Then again, he did have a point. He had been a nude model for a while now and you had certainly seen more of him then he had seen of you. “Well…” your hands trembled slightly before you let out a sigh, thankfully you had worn a bra today.

Mirio sensed your hesitation and smiled before standing up. “Here.” he offered before pulling his shirt over his head. He could have used his quirk, but what would be the point of that if he just wanted to take off one item? “So you don’t feel alone,” he said, however, you hadn’t expected him to do such a thing and your eyes glanced over his shirtless form.

He was quite muscular, though you heard stories about how much he worked out. You looked away, “F-Fine.” you said, despite your cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. You hesitantly pulled your shirt off. You trembled as the cool air hit your skin causing goosebumps to rise. How did Mirio do this? You shrugged at the thought, trying to ignore the small amount of excitement you felt as you laid your hands back on your stomach.

Mirio chuckled, happy to see you semi-shirtless. His eyes took in the shape of your chest before he went back to drawing, though you still felt somewhat embarrassed. The feeling seemed to go away as the minutes ticked by. It seemed like an hour had passed before Mirio finally spoke. “Finished!” he said as he held the paper up, his hands were smeared black and he had gotten some fingerprints on the portrait of you.

But it was clear he was still proud of his work and you rolled over before standing on your feet. You grabbed your shirt and eagerly walked over, “Let me see.” you insisted and Mirio smiled before holding the drawing up, you tried not to laugh and covered your mouth. Snickers still escaped and Mirio frowned, “What’s wrong? Is it that bad?” he questioned before looking at it once more, he wasn’t an artist and the lines were jagged and he made you look more like a messed up cartoon than an actual person.

But either way, he had tried hard and you lowered your hand, “Sorry, heh. Sorry Mirio.” you said as you reached up to touch his arm, which felt muscular and tensed up. “It’s great, you might be an artist yet,” you said, trying to cheer him up. He turned to you with a smile and nodded, “Heh, maybe but I think I’ll stick to being a model.” his eyes looked you over, he swallowed and once more focused on your chest.

That bra hugged you just right and the temptation to pull it off was there, but he restrained himself. Gees, where were these thoughts coming from? “So, I guess it’s your turn to draw me. Unless you wanted something to drink, you must have gotten thirsty laying on the floor for that long.” you chuckled in response and shrugged your shoulders.

“Hm, well I guess I could use a drink.” Mirio smiled, “Coming right up!” he said before turning to walk over to the basket that was still sitting on the table. He opened it and reached inside, feeling for the bottle of cold tea he had. “Here you go.” he chuckled as he handed it over and it only took a moment for you to unscrew the cap before taking a long sip.

You licked your lips after and noticed Mirio was no longer in front of you. “Hm?” you turned around, seeing he was now standing in the middle of the room. His hands were on his hips and he turned to look at you. “Hm?” he tilted his head and his lips formed a pout. “Sorry, I was just thinking of what kind of pose I want to do. But there’s something I gotta do first,” he said before smiling at you, but somehow you didn’t trust that smile.

Your eyes widened as you watched what remained of Mirio’s clothing fall through his body and he stood there completely nude, giving you the thumbs up. You tilted your head and quickly averted your eyes when he walked over to you, your cheeks looked so red but Mirio secretly enjoyed knowing he had such power over you. “Hey,” he said as he placed a hand on your shoulder, using his other to lift your chin up gently.

Though you didn’t want to look at him, you found yourself lost in his eyes nonetheless. “Uh w-what?” you replied, feeling your cheeks burn all the more. “I have an idea, if you’re up to it,” he said, and you raised your eyebrow in question. “An idea?” you repeated, almost too afraid to know what it was. Mirio was...rather different when it came to ideas, but he nodded.

“Yup! This is supposed to be a date right? If you don’t mind the strange vibe it gives, well I was thinking...maybe I could lay my head in your lap as you fed me?” his tone shifted as he asked the question and you stepped back, cradling your hands to your chest. “You don’t think that’s too weird?” you questioned, though Mirio just shrugged and rubbed his stomach.

You followed his hands though quickly glanced to the side as they were above a rather forbidden area. “Well, I’m kind of hungry and I thought it’d be neat. You can draw my portrait as I lay my head in your lap and have you feed me, after all. It’d be nice to be fed by a Goddess.” you nearly choked at those words and looked at Mirio wide-eyed and curious. Did he really think that highly of you?

It was a little too much, no one had ever complimented you like that before. Honestly, it was kind of nice. “Well...if you put it like that.” you looked over your shoulder at the basket before turning your attention back to Mirio. “Okay, I can do that,” you replied, sounding a little more confident than you had before. Still, he seemed pleased with your answer and watched you walk over to the basket.

Soft ruffling filled the air before you pulled out a container of fruit, it was filled with strawberries and mango chunks. You turned back and walked over to Mirio, “Will this do?” you questioned and Mirio’s eyes lit up at the sight of the container. He laughed and gave you the thumbs up. “Looks great, now there’s just one more thing.” he said as he reached over and grabbed your hand, you blinked.

What else could there possibly be? Mirio chuckled and pulled you close to him, causing a gasp to escape. His arm reached down to snake around your waist, “I know this may be a little inappropriate and I’m not trying to be a pervert, no. Just sometimes it’s hard to control myself around such a beautiful person and well, you are topless.” his eyes drifted down to your chest before gazing back at you.

“Well, almost.” your stomach twisted once more and you squeezed your thighs together, the way he was looking at you made a strange warmth begin to build. “What...what are you saying?” you questioned, almost afraid of the answer. 

“Well, I’d feel more comfortable if I wasn’t the only one in my birthday suit. Plus it’ll give you a chance to feel what it’s really like to be a model! I mean, your artistic skills are amazing and well, I’m sure one day someone will want to capture your shining essence on paper so...well…” another chuckle left his lips, God he was so nervous.

You knew what he was implying, what he wanted you to do.  You had already taken your shirt off for him, wasn’t that enough? Then again, he did raise a good point. He was standing bare as if it were completely normal and yeah, maybe one day you would get asked to model. You groaned and looked around the room, no one else was here.

It was just the two of you and you highly doubted there were cameras around. Still, you’d feel a little shy if you took your clothes off. Yet, Mirio, while he seemed somewhat insistent, wouldn’t force you to do anything and it might make drawing his portrait a little more interesting if you did go through with his suggestion. You took a deep breath, reminding yourself not to be nervous. Easier said than done.

“Okay.” you replied, which surprised Mirio, “Really?” he questioned and you nodded, “Yeah, so you want to sit your head in my lap right?” you questioned and Mirio smiled, “Yup!” he replied, “So...let’s find a comfortable position together.” you suggested as you stepped away from him.

You shyly scurried to the art supply table, grabbing a few pencils and a sketchbook before returning to him. You lowered yourself to the floor and sat on your knees before placing your art supplies on the floor. You then opened the container of fruit and placed it by your side. Mirio followed your lead and lowered himself to the floor as well, smiling at you the whole time.

“Are you sure this is okay with you?” he questioned and you nodded, “Yeah just…” you looked to him before feeling your face light up once more. “Just look away when I undress okay?” Mirio looked confused for a moment but did what you asked nonetheless. He covered his eyes with his hand and turned his head the opposite way. It was a little entertaining, still, you felt nervous even when he wasn’t looking at you.

But, you gave him your word and reached up to slide your bra off, you could feel your nipples harden due to the cool air. You tried to ignore the feeling and leaned back, taking your shoes off before wiggling out of your sweatpants. The last remaining item was your underwear and you latched onto your lip before looking over at Mirio.

He looked so content sitting there, as if being naked was natural. Maybe it was in a way, you closed your eyes and hesitantly pulled your underwear down. You folded each item before placing it into a pile, you shivered and wrapped your arms around your naked body. Gees, you were tempted to turn the temperature up. But you highly doubted that would help anything, so instead, you turned to Mirio who still had his hand over his eyes.

“Okay...you can...look now.” you replied, though your arms were still covering yourself. Mirio did as you said and the moment he saw your naked body. His eyes widened and a soft blush came to his cheeks. “Oh wow…” he said and you ducked your head, your face burning red. 

“W-What...I know I’m not much to look at-” you began but Mirio interrupted you, “What? Sunshine, you’re beautiful! I just...I guess I feel lucky that I get to see you like this.” he replied, smiling as brightly as ever before laying on his back.

He nuzzled his head into your lap and smiled as he looked up at you before grabbing one of your arms. “Hey, it’s okay. You don’t have to hide your...chest,” he said softly and you groaned in response. You felt embarrassed yet excited, almost as if this out of the norm situation caused something inside of you to tick. You shyly glanced down at Mirio, he looked so innocent laying in your lap like that.

The scent of strawberries caught your attention and you had almost forgotten that you had opened the container to begin with. You looked over, and honestly, the fruit itself was making you a little hungry but you said you were going to feed Mirio. You reached over, flipping the sketchpad to a fresh page before grabbing one of the strawberries, “Open.” you said as you brought it to his mouth, Mirio smiled before complying with your order.

Taking a bite of the strawberry and its juices splattered, staining Mirio’s lips and chin. You looked at him before grabbing your pencil and with one hand, you began to sketch a rough outline of Mirio. You lowered the strawberry, allowing him to take another bite. But you shivered when you felt his lips brush against your fingers and his tongue licked at your fingertips.

It was an odd sensation, “Uh…” you wanted to say something, but tried to focus on your sketch instead. You continued to feed Mirio the fruit and it certainly made the portrait interesting, though it changed slightly every time you looked at him. You had recreated his image almost perfectly, in addition, you had almost forgotten the fact that you were naked as you were too focused on your art.

However, when the realization came. You wanted to cover your exposed chest once more, but Mirio quickly sat up and wrapped his arm around your shoulders. Licking his lips of the remaining fruit juice before pulling you close, you squeaked and felt your cheeks flush once more. “Let me see.” he insisted before grabbing the sketchbook.

He smiled as he glanced at your drawing, clearly impressed. “You’re always so good at this, I’m jealous,” he said as he lowered the sketchbook to the floor and turned to face you. However, you were looking away from Mirio. Too embarrassed and self-conscious, despite the fact that both of you were naked. He seemed to catch on and leaned closer, you gasped when you felt his warm lips against your cheek.

It only lasted a few moments before he pulled away and reached over to grab your chin, turning your head toward him. “I know this might be a weird date, but I wouldn’t want it with anyone else. You’re my special someone and I wasn’t lying when I said I liked you a whole bunch.” he chuckled and you looked down, you remembered when he confessed his feelings to you.

But you never imagined that it would lead to this. You swallowed and found yourself nodding, “Y-Yeah, I uh...remember.” you replied, unsure of what to say. “Hey…” Mirio smiled as he leaned over and picked up the container of fruit, he could still taste the sweet substance on his tongue. But he turned to you and while you expected him to speak, instead a laugh escaped him.

“You should draw us again like you did last time in the mirror,” he said as he handed you the container, which you nearly dropped in surprise. “What?!” you exclaimed and once more you found yourself blushing, it was a miracle that you hadn’t passed out yet. Mirio only smiled, determined to have you bend to his will as he quickly stood up. You watched from your position on the floor as he pulled a chair over.

He then grabbed an easel that was lined with paint and brushes. He walked over to grab a blank canvas which he made sure was straight after he had placed it on the easel. The last thing he grabbed was the large mirror, the same one he had used last time. “M-Mirio...I don’t think…” he looked over his shoulder at you, “Hm?” you swallowed as you took note of his expression.

The abnormal way he styled his hair up and the way his blue eyes always seemed innocent of any crime, his lips which were currently puckered up. Almost as if he were confused about something. “Don’t think what?” he questioned as he approached you and you expected him to pull you close. Touch you in some way, however instead he leaned over and picked up another piece of fruit.

He brought it to his lips and took a bite and you couldn’t help but become hypnotized as you watched those juices drip down his chin. His tongue came out and swiped across his lips. He then held his hand out, which you took before standing on your feet. He brought the half-bitten fruit up to your mouth, but you hesitated to open. You knew he wanted to feed you, but you couldn’t help but look at him and that smile he always wore.

The echo of your heartbeat sounded in your ears, which was paired with the butterflies that continued to fill your stomach. Maybe they were just a sign to lower your defenses around Mirio, after all, there was nothing to fear when it came to any feelings for him. He seemed pretty confident in the way he felt about you and honestly, you could see him as potential boyfriend material.

You felt him push the piece of fruit past your lips and you hesitantly used your tongue to pull it inside. Your cheeks were rosy as you began to chew, though you nearly choked when Mirio leaned closer. Hovering in front of your face, his eyes drifted to your lips, and slowly, he cupped your face. You paused, the half-chewed fruit still in your mouth as Mirio guided your head up.

You knew what he wanted, but you didn’t pull away as he leaned close and pressed his lips against yours. You swallowed what was in your mouth and reached up to grab his shoulders if anything to keep yourself from falling. Your legs were trembling, Mirio’s lips felt soft and a certain warmth carried with them. The taste of strawberries lingered and you pulled yourself closer, though the container of fruit remained as the distance tool.

Pressed between your body and Mirio’s but regardless, Mirio seemed to enjoy the fact you were melting into his advances and reached up to place his arm against your back. You heard the sound of the floor squeaking, the source was caused by Mirio shifting his legs just before he pulled away. “You...k-kiss really good, sunshine...um…” you tilted your head, though your lips were tingling from the kiss.

Was Mirio nervous? It was odd seeing him act like this, “Here, let’s try to create another masterpiece so we can...remember this date forever.” he insisted as he took the container of fruit from you, “Uh wait...I…” you began to speak but Mirio had already turned to walk over to the chair. He sat down, crossing his legs over one another as if he were trying to hide something.

You shrugged and walked over, making sure you had all the supplies you needed before you looked at the mirror. You squeaked and briefly covered your chest, remembering once again that you were naked. It was funny, Mirio had distracted your mind enough to the point where you had actually forgotten you weren’t wearing any clothes. Still, this would be interesting.

You took a deep breath and turned back to face Mirio, his attention was turned to the container that sat on top of his leg. “So...I guess you don’t want me on your lap like last time,” you said, which caught Mirio's attention. “Huh?” you chuckled, “Oh uh, you can! Sorry, guess my mind was elsewhere.” he said before taking a strawberry out of the container and placing it down on the floor.

You raised your eyebrow but didn’t question him, maybe he just wanted something to munch on while you painted. “Um, okay...so…” you walked up to him, shyly looking away which made Mirio chuckle. He reached out, grabbing your hand. “Hey, it’s okay just uh...be careful of my willy, okay?” you flushed, the way he referred to it as “willy” was both cute and slightly entertaining.

“Uh…” your hands tightened into fists but you nonetheless nodded, “Right, I’ll try to be careful,” you said as you hesitantly took a step closer, and with Mirio’s help, you climbed onto his lap. Though your heart raced and you felt a certain tingle course through your sex, you noticed your thighs were slick with something. You tried to deny the cause of it and avoided Mirio’s gaze, though he was smiling.

Mostly due to the fact that he had you in his lap and you were still holding his hand. Your nerves made you tremble as you pressed your hand against Mirio’s rather thick thigh and turned around so you faced the mirror. Your back was now against Mirio’s chest and his hand snaked around your waist, pulling you close. You gasped in response and tried to clear your throat. This was just an art date, nothing more.

Nothing more than having fun and creating art, even nudity themed art. Once you were comfortable in his lap, you reached over to grab one of the many pencils that laid on the small stand attached to the easel. Though you repeatedly averted your gaze in the mirror, which made it difficult to sketch the outline.

You weren’t used to this and you wondered how long it took Mirio before that certain shame and embarrassment left him. Then again, Mirio was confident as a person so that could have something to do with it. Still, once you had the outline, which took longer than you thought. You shifted in Mirio’s lap, “You okay?” he asked and you swallowed, trying to find your words.

“Oh yeah, fine.” you replied and Mirio chuckled as he looked over your shoulder. “You did a good job! Well, you always do a good job actually. I’m sure it’ll make a wonderful contribution to the art world!” you almost wanted to roll your eyes, you really didn’t want anyone to see this. Still, you picked up the paintbrush and began to fill in the background, though you didn’t draw it.

You decided to make the background abstract using the colors that were reflected in the mirror. Mirio smiled as he rested his head on your shoulder, you wondered for a moment why he hadn’t released his arm from your waist. Was he waiting until you were done? “Uh Mirio, I think we can get dressed now. I can paint in the colors by memory,” you said and it made Mirio frown.

“But I like having you close.” he replied before finally taking a bite of that strawberry he had been holding, “Besides,” he began, talking with his mouth full. He nuzzled against you before pressing soft kisses to the back of your neck, you gasped and squirmed in his lap. “Mirio!” you warned, his name leaving your lips with a hiss. “Heh sorry, was that too much? Your skin just looks so kissable,” he said before swallowing.

“In fact,” he smirked and grabbed your arm to place over his shoulder, something that forced you to turn your body. You were about to speak, demand was he was doing. But instead, he brought the bitten strawberry up and you gasped as he smeared it across your breast. The juice left a light red trail and you latched onto your lip when he circled it around your nipple.

“You look good enough to eat.” he purred, tossing the strawberry to the floor before leaning forward. His lips clasped around the hardening nub and once more you tried to bite back the noise that threatened to escape you. “M-Mirio…” you whined his name and felt his legs spread, causing your body to slide into the open space.

“W-What are you…” Mirio parted his lips and wiggled his tongue around your nipple before gently squeezing it between his teeth. A moan escaped and you wiggled in response to the building pleasure, Mirio smiled before he pulled away and his hand slid over your thigh. You placed your hand on his chest, your other arm remained across his shoulder.

Your face was tinted red and soft pants came from your lips. Your body was beginning to feel warm, more than likely a sign you wanted more of Mirio’s advances. “Sorry…” he said, catching you off guard. “We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to, but well...you kind of got me excited.” he said before his arms wrapped around you and he lifted his hips.

You shivered when you felt his willy, it was warm and felt a little moist. It was somewhat soft, though you couldn’t help but wonder how big he was when fully erect. You wiggled in his lap, and Mirio hissed in response as you turned your body. Allowing your legs to dangle off the sides of Mirio’s lap and properly face him, “Sunshine,” he said, looking into your eyes. “I...I’m okay with it,” you said, though you were nervous.

Mirio had started this, so he should take responsibility. But then again, this was just as much your responsibility and you were willing to take the consequence for it. Mirio looked surprised, “R-Really?” he questioned and you nodded, “Yeah…” a smile came to his face before he reached over, grabbing onto your hips. “Then... in that case,” he smirked and began to grind against you causing your clit to throb.

Your juices already stained the inside of your thighs, but you weren’t fighting the pleasure. In fact, you leaned close. Mirio smiled and slammed his lips over yours. You shivered at the feeling of his thick moist tongue as it probed at your bottom lip, begging for entrance. You happily parted your lips, trembling as his tongue slithered inside your mouth.

Once more, you could taste the hint of strawberries on his tongue as it brushed and wrestled against yours. His hips continued to grind against you, the tip of his hardening willy briefly brushed against your dripping slit causing you to gasp and break the kiss. “Hm? What’s the matter?” he questioned, though a smirk on his face as he continued moving his hips.

One hand retracted from your hip and reached down between your thighs. You threw your head back, moaning as you felt his fingers graze along your slit. Collecting your juices which continued to drip from your sex, “Wow...you’re really wet.” he replied, somewhat making you feel embarrassed. But such a feeling was quickly forgotten when he leaned close and peppered your neck with kisses.

You felt yourself clench around nothing when Mirio fingers circled around your throbbing clit and pressed down on it. “It’s kind of cute, I didn’t expect to have this much power over you.” a groan left your lips as you slumped over his shoulder. A thin layer of sweat was forming across your skin and your body involuntarily jumped when Mirio slid a single finger inside.

You clenched around him and leaned back, your arm shot out desperate to grab onto something. However, the closest thing happened to the easel and you grabbed onto the ledge. Your fingers dipped right into the paint jars, staining them a rainbow of colors. But you didn’t care, more so you didn’t mind the feeling of paint on your skin.

Even though it went unnoticed during your moment of pleasure. Mirio chuckled before he leaned forward, once more clasping his mouth around your nipple. Above all else, he didn’t want to hurt you. Especially as he added another finger, slowly scissoring your dripping cunt. He wiggled his fingers, allowing that unmistakable wet sound to echo. You whimpered before leaning forward again and you grasped onto Mirio’s shoulders.

Your hand smeared paint onto his skin, and the outline of your fingers were present as you dug your nails into his shoulder. Your legs were trembling, yet you found yourself moving against his fingers. “Don’t...stress yourself too much...sunshine,” Mirio replied as he released your nipple, you whimpered in response. “I...I-I’m not...please Mirio…” you begged, knowing that he was hard.

You could feel his willy poking against your inner thigh, covered in thin lines of your juice. Mirio caught onto the hint of what you wanted and you reached up to touch the side of his cheek. Though it too became stained with paint, “Hm?” Mirio retracted his fingers, which were moist with your essence and grabbed your wrist, “Oh? You got a little paint on you.” he chuckled before releasing your wrist and placed his hands back on your hips.

However, they moved to slide over the curve of your ass where he eagerly squeezed each cheek. You gasped and impatiently moved in his lap, missing the feeling of his fingers inside you. But it seems like Mirio had other plans and squeezed your backside once more before he stood up. You immediately wrapped your arms around his neck as he took a step forward and kicked the chair away.

It hit the floor with a loud bang and you were worried that someone might hear and come rushing, but Mirio seemed absent of any such thoughts. Your grip on him tightened as he got onto his knees, lowering you onto the floor. You shivered as your back touched the cold tile of the art room and crossed your arms over your chest when Mirio leaned back up.

His hard-on bounced between his thighs and you couldn’t help but notice how big he was, though you were a little nervous. Could you fit Mirio’s length inside you or would it break you? “Thinking about something or are you looking at my willy?” he questioned and your thoughts were broken. “W-What...I...I was…” you glanced away in embarrassment.

Though Mirio laughed, “That’s alright.” he said as he turned his attention to the easel, more specifically the paint that you had stuck your fingers into earlier. He smirked and reached over, dipping his own fingers into the different colors. He pulled back and smirked as he watched the paint drip down his fingers, much like your pussy juice had earlier.

You blinked, a little confused as to why Mirio was playing with the paint. However, he turned back to you and with his free hand. He pushed your legs apart, comfortably nestling himself between them. He reached down, stroking his cock. “You like playing with paint huh?” he teased as he reached two fingers out, he pressed them against your stomach and proceeded to draw something.

You latched onto your lip, trying your hardest not to laugh as Mirio decorated your skin. “There,” he said, grinning at the large heart he created. Then he grabbed one of your ankles with his paint-stained hand, guess you’d be taking a shower after this. He guided your leg to rest over his shoulder and you moved your own leg to rest over his opposite shoulder.

“You comfortable, sunshine?” he questioned and though you felt your clit twitch, your juices seeping down to create a small mess on the floor. You nodded and Mirio smiled, “Great, then don’t mind if I...make you scream out.” you moaned at his words and eagerly moved when he rubbed his cock against your slit, he loved teasing you. “Mirio…” you whimpered and your nails dug into the floor.

“Okay, okay. Take a deep breath,” he warned before slowly guiding his cock inside you, though you were tight and instantly clenched around the intruding member. Mirio hissed, “Gees…” he commented as he continued to push, filling you in the most delicious way possible. Though it ached, Mirio was kind enough to rub your clit with his thumb. Providing some mix of pain and pleasure which felt amazing, you couldn’t help but squirm in response.

Though that only caused more of your thick juices to escape, Mirio didn’t seem to mind as the slickness made it easier for him to finally nestle himself inside you. For a moment, you lost your breath. A dull ache coursed through you and you were almost too afraid to move as you felt so full. Mirio might as well be pushing your stomach up, your toes curled and much like Mirio, soft pants escaped you.

“So...tight...and warm, feels so good,” he commented before leaning over you, taking note that your eyes were watered over. The sight made him frown, “Are you alright?” he questioned and you hesitantly nodded, despite your trembling legs. “Y-You’re really...big..” you said and Mirio dipped his head down before rubbing the back of his neck.

“Uh, well thanks…” he said, looking at you once more. “I’m going to start moving okay?” he warned and though you looked scared, perhaps nervous. You nodded, but as soon as Mirio began to pull back. You hissed, though Mirio continued to rub your clit. Giving you more pleasure as he snapped his hips forward, you let out a cry and threw your head back.

Closing your eyes as your body succumbed to the pleasure, the pain shortly subsided and you could hear the wet slaps of Mirio’s balls against your dripping wet cunt. Moans escaped you and every time Mirio pushed back inside, your walls desperately clenched around him. Your thighs were soaked and the essence dripped from Mirio’s cock and stuck to the small amount of pubic hair he had.

The noises coming from his mouth echoed through the empty room and drowned your own out, which wasn’t surprising. Mirio’s face was red and sweat was beading down his skin, but he chuckled and reached over. Taking hold of your wrists and pulling them, forcing your breasts together. “Look at me, sunshine...I want you to see when I come.” your body arched at his words, wiggling impatiently before you slowly lift your head.

The sight of him between your legs made you moan, but he only smiled. He loved hearing those noises from you, especially knowing he was the cause. Without warning, he began to thrust and it took everything in your being not to lay your head back. Instead, you watched as that thick cock entered you over and over again, your breast jumping with each assault Mirio made on your body.

But it felt wonderful nonetheless, giving yourself, your body over to Mirio. Having someone else claim you, “Mirio…” you whimpered the man’s name, “Y/n! Y/n! Say my name...again please…” Mirio begged, feeling his cock twitch eagerly. He was holding back, but damn he wanted to fill you to the brim with his seed. But he knew that would be irresponsible, so he had another plan in mind.

“Mirio...Mirio!” you moaned, the sound of your lust-filled voice filled the room before Mirio gasped and pulled out of your warm pussy. “Sunshine!” he cried out as he stroked himself, his fingers pulling at his cock with ease thanks to your soaking wet cunt. He dipped his head back, his body trembling as he continued. He was so close, damn. “I...I think I love you, Y/n!” he suddenly shouted and you gasped as that thick hot semen painted your body.

Splattering across your pelvis and stomach, he groaned and fell forward, but used his arm to keep himself from completely using you as his cushion. His face was red and uneven panting sounded from him. You whimpered and pressed your thighs together, feeling your own orgasm slowly drip down and add to the mess you had already created, that is the small puddle underneath you.

“Mirio…” you said as you reached one hand up and pressed it against his cheek which was sweaty to the touch. “That...t-that was...amazing.” he said in between pants and you chuckled in response, “It was.” you agreed and Mirio smiled before leaning down, you closed your eyes. Taking a blissful moment to enjoy the soft kiss before Mirio suddenly pulled away.

“Oh wait!” he said, turning his attention to the paint that still sat on the easel. He smiled and dipped one finger into the yellow paint cup. Though the paint that was already present on his fingers was dried out, he turned and looked at the heart he had painted onto you earlier. Though the lines were smeared and small amounts of his cum were mixed in with it.

“Try not to move.” he said before he began to write his name on the inside of the heart. ‘MIRIO’ was written in a sloppy fashion, but he smiled at his artwork. “I think you’re my favorite creation,” he said and his words made you blush, though you tried to hide it by turning your head to the side. Mirio took this chance to lay on top of you, despite ruining what he had just painted on you.

He noticed your body was sticky and wet, then again so was his. Still, he didn’t mind leaning over to kiss your neck and resisted laughing when your body jumped in response. “It’s okay, don’t mind if I mark you.” he commented, “M-Mark me?” you replied before feeling his teeth sink into the side of your neck, you wiggled and your hands reached up to squeeze his arms.

Especially when he began to suck, effectively creating a bruise and ‘marking’ you as he said he would. When he pulled away, you could feel the bruise pulsing and almost glared at him. However, he spoke. “So…” he began as he reached over to grab your chin, guiding your head back to look at him. 

“I said I loved you earlier, which might have confused you. But...in that moment with you, what we were doing. What we just did, it really felt like love and it’s okay if...you don’t feel the same way. But...just know that I really do think I love you, Y/n. Even if that’s moving too fast for the first date.” your heart accelerated, Mirio was so meaningful with everything.

Did you love him back? Honestly, you weren’t sure. But the connection you just made with him, honestly you wouldn’t regret it. So this must be more than a feeling of just liking someone. Still, you reached up and wrapped your arms around his neck. Pulling him down for another kiss, which said more than enough about your feelings. “I really...like you Mirio…” you said softly as the kiss ended and your words seemed to make him happy.

“I’m so happy you feel that way! I promise, I’ll make our next date uh...a little less messy,” he said as he pulled you in for a hug and you happily returned it, nestling your head into his shoulder. “Uh...that is if you’re willing to go on another date with me.” you chuckled and tilted your head to whisper in his ear. “I’d love to.” you said, “But, maybe just a regular date will do,” you said and Mirio chuckled.

“Don’t you worry! I’ll plan something casual.” he said before looking at you, though you were both naked with sweat and paint covering you. He still leaned his forehead against yours and nuzzled against you. “Maybe we should get dressed,” you suggested and Mirio shook his head. “Let me cuddle my sunshine for just a few more minutes,” he said before finally laying his body against yours and nuzzling into the crook of your neck, you rolled your eyes.

But complied with the overgrown teddy bear of a man, though you couldn’t help but think how an innocent art date turned into this. But once more, you didn't regret what you had done. The unfinished canvas continued to sit on the easel and you couldn't help but turn to look at it.

The thick outline you had done was still there, as well as the background you had managed to paint before your attention shifted to something else. Maybe you’d finish it later, it’d be a nice contribution to the memory of what occurred on your first date with Mirio.

[sunflowersteves]

The Price of Freedom

Modern Mob!AU

2/11 Sam Wilson

Steve Rogers x fem!reader

Author: @cap-n-stuff​

Chapter summary: Steve has agreed to help you escape the treacherous Russian mob. Now, you’ll need Sam’s help to escape. What happens when the Council figures out your plan? [Heavily based on John Wick]

Ба́ба-Яга́ means the boogyman.

Also for those of you who don’t know, “bumpy” Johnson was a real mobster and the biggest in Harlem!

Song for Chapter: Death On Two Legs by Queen

Word Count: 3.4K

Author’s Note: LMAO I’m sorry I ended it on a little bit of a cliff hanger. I really enjoy this series. It’s so fun to write! Anyway, I hope you all enjoy! I’m not adding any links accept my masterlist so we’ll see if this works. I also tagged my own self but maybe that’s the issue too. I’m not sure. Hope it works!

Warnings: angst, some fluff, swearing, mentions of murder and illegal activities, mentions of minor character death, eventual smut, VIOLENCE AND BLOOD!!!

Masterlist // Series Masterlist // Next Chapter

You are now sitting in Steve’s car and driving to Harlem to meet Sam. The car ride was ridden with complete silence. He had one hand on the wheel and the other was gripping his knee. You sat in the passenger seat and tried to look anywhere but him. Honestly? You were a fidgety, nervous mess. Normally, you were an unresponsive, apathetic assassin that had blank expressions on your face at all times but Steve’s presence just makes you nervous. Especially considering the last time you saw him, really saw him, was the day you left.

His eyes drift onto your silhouette and you quickly looked out the window watching the sunset. Right now, you wanted nothing to do with confrontation. You wanted out of this disgusting corrupt world and start a family of your own. Of course, this leads to you thinking about Steve.

Being with him was one of the happiest memories you had other than your family. Steve showed you a life above the violence and killing. He showed you that despite learning more than five ways to kill somebody, you were still capable of normal romantic emotions. Damn, you remembered the night you left him pretty clearly.

Even that day had even been one of the best.

Steve had promised to show you aspects of Brooklyn since you were raised in Manhattan and in Harlem. So, you were going to a Cyclone game. You had never really watched baseball but before your parents passed, they considerably enjoyed the sport. Steve also reassured that he would teach you. You and Steve stood near the front of Calvert Vaux Park, near the MCU stadium in Coney Island. Clouds rolled into the area, casting shadows on the two of you.

Steve smiled and pulled you into an opened mouthed kiss, tongue swirling sweetly. He put a hand on the small of your back and pulled you in closer. Your hands came up and cupped his cheeks, feeling the slight gruff of his subtle coming in. Your lips tangled with love and passion, getting lost in the smell of sandalwood and cinnamon, aka, him. He pulled away making you whine. You stood there still entangled in his arms and watched him smirk.

You pick up your hand, and gently caress his cheek. “C’mon, мой сладкий [my sweet], let’s go watch the game.” He chuckled and interlaced his hand with yours. “God, you speaking Russian is the single most sexist thing.” You laughed wholeheartedly at his comment and shook your head. “Whatever, Залупа [dickhead].” Your lips slid into a smirk as he pestered you the whole walk about the meaning of that word. After a couple of blocks, you both walk into the stadium and sit down in your seats.

Being born into a Mafia had made both, you and Steve, forget what normal life was like. Until you found each other. Steve had then promised to show you that life. Steve told you that after the game, you were going to walk around Coney island and ride some of his favorite rides like the Cyclone Roller and the Soarin’ Eagle. To say you were jumping with giddiness was an understatement. Even, the next week, Steve was going to take you to a Brooklyn Nets game in Barclay stadium and he said while watching, you both had to have hotdogs and beer.

You were excited about this new life with Steve. You were both carefree and happy. Something you only found with Gamora and when Wanda was born. Never had you left love before this.

Now, sitting in your seats, Steve was yelling at some of the players for a ball settling on foul territory. His arm was around you while you snuggled into his side, enjoying some stadium nachos. And occasionally you’d slip a nacho in his mouth when he begged. Then, Steve was full of anger, making your seat wiggle slightly and you laughed at his demeanor. He poked his tongue at you but then one of the players scored a home run and the anger vanished into cheering. Your laugh was soon interrupted by your phone buzzing with an incoming call. You didn’t answer it at first but they kept calling. Steve watches as you check it.

No Caller ID. You knew it was your director, wanting some information on the next target they assigned you. You looked at Steve with sorrowful eyes but he understood, nodding his head and slightly waving his hand dismissively. As you walked away to a more private area, Steve was now furiously standing and continuing to yell at the poor players.

You pick up the phone, looking around for others so they don’t hear your conversation. “Да?” “Ба́ба-Яга́, you are to be reassigned immediately. You are to have no distractions. Leave for Senegal at 9 pm.” They immediately hung up and your stomach plummeted to the ground. You quickly return to your seat and don’t say a word, suppressing any tears that wanted to roll down your face.

How were you supposed to tell Steve? How were you supposed to tell the man you loved that you could no longer see him? You knew the ‘no distractions’ was a quip at Steve. They knew you were here. They always knew. God, your heart aches at the thought of telling him.

You could only look ahead, acting like you were intently watching the game but Steve could sense your displeasure. His hands slid onto your back, trying to comfort you. “Who was that? You okay, doll?” You nodded and you both continued to watch the game in silence. You just told yourself that this was for the best. There is no love in the world you two live in. Did you both really think that? Did you both really think you could be together? Have a happy life together?

That night you packed your bags and left for Senegal, never looking back.

Your mind was soon interrupted by Steve’s voice. “We’re here.” By this time it was dusk, the warm kisses of the sun split into the darkened twilight signifying that night has only begun. While the dimmed sky sits as if cushioned upon pure charcoal velvet, Steve finally pulls up into a hidden alleyway. He puts the car in park and slowly turns to you, eyes trying to lock with yours.

“Y/N.” You first don’t meet his but your eyes ultimately gravitate and clasp with him. “Look, Y/N, I think I-”  He was interrupted by a figure tapping on the window. He sighed up pushed the button that rolls down the window. A masked man tells Steve to continue to drive into the parking garage. You pull up into a parking spot and get out.

You both walk towards the elevators of the garage to see a man in a purple suit and a bunch of men behind him.

You grinned widely at the man in front of you. “Hey, Cottonmouth.” Sam walked up to you and wrapped his arms around you, giving you a tight squeeze. “Hey, little pumpkin.” You snorted at the nickname. And gave him a ‘whatever I can kill you.’ He punched you lightly in the shoulder and laughed. He then looked at you and Steve with a raised eyebrow. “Thought you two weren’t a thing anymore.” Steve was quick to defend you both. “We aren’t togeth-” Sam immediately interrupted Steve and gestured towards you. “It’s so good to see you! Thought you were in Saudi?” Steve just rolled his eyes playfully.

You nodded, “I was but I was relocated back to New York.” He nodded in understanding but quickly pulled you into another hug, sniffling a bit. “I’m sorry about your family, little pumpkin. Gamora was always a good business partner and friend. Wanda was a burst of sunshine too.” You sighed a bit at his words, lucky to have a friend like Sam in this grim life. He patted your back and guided the two of you inside.

You stared in awe at the inside of Apollo Theater, long ago, the Tarasov and “Bumpy’s” Mob did a lot of business in the theater together. “Bumpy” Johnson was the first really big mobster in Harlem, which coincidentally was Sam’s grandfather. The two mobs doing business resulted in you and Sam being trained together for their benefit which is why the two of you became good friends. “Damn, I didn’t realize how much I miss this place.” Sam chuckled and continued to guide you both to a table at the center of the theatres’ stage. The red and gold accents striking to the eye. “It’s a place easily missed.” The three of you sat down at the rounded table and continued to talk business.

“So you do the big weapons now, Cottonmouth?” You teased Sam slightly while he just playfully gasped. “I’ll have you know I’ve been doing this for a while!” Steve was pretty quiet when the two of you caught up which then made Sam tease him even further.

“I gotta admit, little pumpkin, this is not going to be an easy ride but I’ll be dammed if I don’t help you. One of us has to have a happy life.” He paused looking at his men, prompting them to go get the weaponry. “The Council can actually fuck itself. They’ve been corrupt for far too long.” You and Steve agree with him and he continues. “Now, to be able to get through the council’s reign and possibly the Tarasov, you’ll need some fine weaponry.”

Sam has his men pulls out a table from backstage that has a long line of weapons from grenades, AK-47’s, different types of daggers and blades, revolvers, battle rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, pistols, grenade launchers, push blades, machetes, and polearms. You clapped your hands and rubbed them together as you stood up and gravitated towards the weapons.

“Woah there, little pumpkin.” Sam chuckled at your eagerness. “These are for Steve to pick from. I got something special for you.” As Steve grabbed what he wanted and placed them in duffle bags, Sam snapped his fingers towards one of his men and they came back with a velvet case. Sam had the man open it and your eyes widened at the set of gold daggers in front of you. “Sam. These are 2 million dollar knives I-” “oh, shit up and take it.” He rolled his eyes and paused, pushing the case of daggers towards you. “Think of it as thanks for all these years.” You nodded and picked up the golden knives in awe. “Thank you, Sam. You’ve always been like a big brother to me.” He smiled brightly and ruffled your hair endearingly.

Your talk was quickly disturbed by the sound of explosions in the distance. The three of you both look at each other but quickly take action as a redheaded woman came barreling inside the main theatre, shooting at anything that moves. She yelled at her men to come inside and they came rushing in. They were all able to get quite a few of Sam’s men. Steve throws the table on the ground, blocking the bullets that come hurtling towards you.

You quickly grab two of the knives and attach them to your waist and take ahold of a pistol that fell onto the ground. Checking the ammunition, you then swiftly shoved back the chamber of the gun. Steve does the same on his end with an AK-47 in his hands. Sam retreats towards backstage, a pillar blocking the bullets.

You look behind the table to see the woman fighting off more of Sam’s men and then with every chance, shooting at the table or pillar. Her aim was clearly all three of you. You brace yourself for a quick second. Steve’s eyes widened at your demeanor. “Cover me, Steve.” “Wait, Y/N, don’t-” You cut Steve off by you running from the table to the strange woman. He curses to himself and jumps above the table, shooting anyone that comes near you.

In that success, you grab ahold of the red-headed woman’s shoulders and lift yourself onto her back, triumphantly putting her in a chokehold and throwing the pistol she has away from her. She’s only caught off guard for a second as she then wraps her other hand around you and grabs your head yanking it to the ground.

You were able to catch yourself from falling and you waste zero time by aiming your gun at her but she quickly blocked the bullets with a dead body. She then runs up to you, aiming to punch your sides and legs but you blocked them. You were just about able to pull the trigger again when she kicks the gun out of your hand.

You took that opportunity to grab her by the neck, holding her in place, and repeatedly kick her stomach. She staggered a bit but got out of your hold by punching your jaw. You quickly try to reprimand her again but she instantaneously pulls out a dagger and throws it, lodging into your shoulder. You yell out in pain but your composure was fast and quick.

Steve was trying to get to you and give you help, especially when he heard you yelp in pain. He knew you could handle yourself quite well but he still wanted to help. For now, there were a bunch of this woman’s men surrounding him and he just kept fighting them off.

Steve looked over a quick second to see Sam help some of the men that were still alive, all while fighting off some men that come barreling towards him.

You quickly took the dagger out of your shoulder and slice down her arms in a zig-zag. Blood splatters onto you, thick and warm but this woman doesn’t want to back down. You went to cut her again but she blocks you and puts you in an arm hold. You use your leg and raise it high to kick her in the head. She stumbles at the impact which releases the grip she has on you.  

She looks at the three of you, Sam and Steve fighting off her men that keep getting closer and closer to you both, and then she looks at you. She knew that if she continued she wouldn’t last. You were too good, the Tarasov’s ‘best.’ You were about to attack again but she suddenly runs, trying to escape to one of the balconies. You ran after her, wanting as many answers from her as possible but she escapes through a small window. You look out the window, panting as she runs across the street, disappearing in the distance.

She was able to get away, unsuccessful at killing the three of you. Sam looks around, counting how many of his brethren had died from one woman. “I swear, I know her from somewhere.”

Sam turned towards the two of you, holding pressure on a gun wound. “I think you should visit T’Challa in Toronto. He’s there on business and may have some information about the Council and what the fuck they’re up to. Or even the Tarasov. I bet they both know you want to leave.” You nodded and made your way towards the car in the garage, both you and Steve getting in. You were still trying to figure out why that woman looked to familiar.

--

The car was indefinite in its silence. You just couldn’t believe that someone knew you were there. It was clear she was in the Tarasov but how did they know. How did Sam know?

You knew word travels fast in this world and secrets are practically nonexistent but the only person you’ve told is-

You whipped your head towards Steve which made him slightly jump at your action. “Jesus, Y/N-” You narrowed your eyes. “Did you tell them?” He quickly shook his head, trying to defend himself but you growled at his defiance to confess and continued to talk. “Fuck, Steve, I just want to know why? I thought I could trust you, I thought you could trust me.”

Steve’s face quickly looked at yours and then turned back towards the road. “I didn’t tell anyone, Y/N. I’m just as perplexed as you are. The only one I’ve told is Sam but there’s no way that he would rat you out nor let that many of his men die.” You nodded, knowing his statement was true. “Then how did they know?” he wiped a hand across his face, smearing some dried blood. “I don’t know-” You interrupted him, fury covering your eyes.

“You know, I can do this on my own. I don’t need you.” You cringed a little at Steve’s slight broken face. He wouldn’t lie saying your words didn’t hurt him. However, he quickly masked his face back to an emotionless one. “I swear to you, Y/N. I didn’t know. Even if I do have resentment towards you, I don’t hate you. I would never put you in danger.” He paused, knuckles tightening slightly on the steering wheel. “I owe you that.”

Then it clicked. Oh. Of course, he was just doing this to repay his debt to you. You’re fucking ridiculous to think otherwise. That’s how this world worked. If one had a debt, one kept that promise to fulfill it.

Steve pulled into a cheap motel as it was around 4 in the morning and because the road to Toronto was long, he knew you both needed some sleep. God, how could he say that to you? He wasn’t just doing this because he owed you. He knew that. He genuinely cared for you despite the deep internal wound that you left, which made him angrier than ever. How could the woman that left him, the woman that he was going to ask to marry still have so much effect on him?

He parked and you grabbed your belongings while Steve went to convince the concierge to give you both two rooms. He came back in success and gave you a key. You both immediately went on your separate ways. Although, without the two of you knowing, you both look at each other’s backs with anguish.

Once you get inside your hotel room, you immediately strip off your clothes and take a long steamy shower. Your thoughts came caving in about today. Fuck. How did they know? You thought you could trust Steve but was he just ratting you out for revenge? You really wanted to trust Steve and believe you meant as much to him as he means to you but something it doesn’t look like he’s telling you everything he knows.

Was it Sam? Was it just some spy that the Tarasov had assigned to you? One thing for sure was that you needed to find Nick Fury, an ex-council member and old friend.

After standing in the shower for a long time, you turn off the water and get out, put on a robe, and let your hair drip dry while sitting on the bed. Your head was buried deep into your hands as your mind continued to race.

There was no way a close and old friend like Sam would tell the council, however, people change. But you just refused to believe it. And Steve? You knew you were a bit resentful at yourself so your anger was just portrayed onto him. You honestly didn’t think Steve was the rat.

Your whole body tenses at the sound of a knock at your door. The only word going through your brain was ‘The Council.’ So, you instantly grab the Glock and magazine loader on your nightstand. You knew it had a full round of bullets so you quickly insert the loader and the clicking sound of the bullets being locked in followed.

You slowly make your way towards the door and as quietly as possible, shift back the chamber. Several more knocks have already sounded behind the door by this point. You hold the Glock slightly hidden on your side. You don’t even open the door, crouching near the side of it in case the intruder comes whisking inside. “Yes?” “It’s me.”

Your eyebrows shot up in surprise. It was Steve. You open the door to see a freshly showered Steve. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and you lowered the gun, putting it on the table next to you. “Hey...Can we talk?”

Next Chapter

[thorne93]

Inside the Criminal Mind (Part 38)

Prompt: You’re married to Dr. Spencer Reid of the BAU, and are a distinguished doctor yourself on the team. You’re sent down to Miami, Florida for teaching and as a side request from the FBI, to investigate a string of missing persons. When you think you’ve figured out who the unsub is, your life becomes more complicated than you ever could’ve imagined.

Word Count: 3563

Warnings: (throughout the fic –>) death, blood, gore, killings, language, disturbing mental notions, mentions of rapes/murder/etc (You know, Dexter and Criminal Minds related business)

Notes: Thank you so much to @arrow-guy, @carryonmyswansong, and @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo - without each of you, I couldn’t have finished, written, or properly navigated this story. Each of you helped me fish out details that were incredibly important to me. Beta’d by @carryonmyswansong and @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo… Aesthetic by @mrs-dragneel-stark-solo

This is a crossover of Criminal Minds x Dexter. First time writing Dexter.

Also, the timeline is after Season 1 of Dexter, but during season 14-ish of Criminal minds into Season 15. Enjoy!!!

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

The two of you rode in tense silence all the way to the BAU, where you grabbed your things and stormed to your car, waiting for Spencer to get in the driver’s seat. The two of you rode again in a silence wrapped in thickness. You got home and now your home was tainted with Cat Adams and Maxine. 

“What the fuck?!” you screamed as you got inside, throwing your purse and briefcase in the corner of the foyer. 

“It’s not what you think, Y/N. I didn’t cheat on you.” 

“Just because you didn’t make out with her or stick your dick in her doesn’t mean you haven’t been fucking ignoring me for her.”

Spencer responded by pressing his lips into a thin line. 

“So is it true? Did you take her to your favorite museums? Buy her books?”

“I let her borrow some of my books. And yes, on some of our outings, I took her to a museum, but don’t listen to Cat. You know this is what she wants.”

“Don’t blame your actions on Cat Adams, Spencer! You’re the one who was running through the park with Max in your arms. And she didn’t even know you were married?! Why wasn't I ever brought up?!”

“My therapist told me to keep it separate from work--”

“I’m not work!” you roared, nearly deafening you both. “I’m your fucking wife! You should’ve mentioned me! At least once! And clearly, you were doing something that made Maxine upset that you weren’t single.”

“She must’ve gotten mixed signals. I never did anything inappropriate with her, I promise.” 

“You never let me meet her. You had her in our house and I had no idea what she even looked like. You know, at least as soon as you found out about Dexter and me, there was no secret in our relationship. But all I knew was you were ignoring me to spend every waking moment with another woman. How do you think it makes me feel, Spencer?”

In an even tone, but laced with anger, he responded, “It probably makes you feel the way I did when you were doing that with Dexter.”

You flinched away from him. “I only started ignoring you with Dexter when you told me about JJ,” you reminded. “Don’t confuse reality with fantasy to make yourself feel better. You really didn’t see the problem? Spencer, for the last month, you’ve done nothing but text her, spend time with her, and focus on her. And if you weren’t talking to her, you were smiling. It was like no matter what I did, I couldn’t put that look on your face. I never made you feel that way with Dexter.” You threw your hands out to the side. “So what did I do to deserve this? If you're having second thoughts because of what I did, then tell me! Don’t distance yourself from me and start to fall for another woman.”

His face whipped up to yours, conviction in them when he said, “I’m not falling for her. I’m still in love with you and only you. If this is just about kissing Cat--” 

“Fuck the kiss!” you shouted. “I don’t give a shit about that! You should know me by now! I know why you did that. I’m not an idiot. I was over that before you were done kissing. What I’m upset about is you being devious and sneaking around after we promised never to do that again. So what is it? If you don’t love Maxine, why have you been so obsessed with her? Doing things we should've been doing?”

“I don’t know,” he started, shaking his head, shrugging.

“You nearly had an emotional affair with another woman who was just in our house. I need more than ‘I don’t know’.” 

“You want to know why I talked to her so much? I just wanted a conversation with someone who wasn't fighting crime. I wanted one conversation that wasn't burying the lead on a case, or some BAU case, or even JJ... I just wanted a non-messy human interaction for once…”

You tried to keep the tears at bay. “All I saw was you falling for a woman who is the polar opposite of me. If you’d just been honest and told me why you enjoyed your time with her…” 

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I knew how it sounded. I know how it sounds now. I did flirt with her, but that’s as far as it went. It was stupid of me not to tell Max about you, and I should’ve introduced you two. I guess I felt like you had… have Dexter, someone outside of work, and I wanted that too.”

The tears were already flowing now, there was no stopping it. “A friendship with someone outside of work is one thing, Spencer, what you did tonight and every day for the last month is very different.”

“How?” 

“You seriously don’t see the problem? You gave her gifts, Spencer. You had her in our home, without me here. You lied about being married. You texted her nonstop. When I asked you to do something with me, you blew me off to go hang around her. I never did that with Dexter, never. You were either always included or I asked you first. You were always my priority. I never made you feel like second best, even when I was lying about what I was doing. And don’t even mention when I was being distant, we both know why I was doing that.” 

He stayed silent, his gaze dropping to the floor. 

“I didn’t cheat though. I didn’t kiss her, I didn’t talk about a future with her, I didn’t--”

Your rage had hit a ceiling though. He was pretty close to defending his actions, and you weren’t okay with that. “You keep saying you aren’t cheating but everything you've said, done and reacted leads me to believe otherwise! I can’t fucking believe you don’t see the issue and you’re actually trying to justify what you did!” 

“I know I fucked up, but you’re not even hearing me out. I can tell something’s not right, alright--”

“You’re right. Something isn't right and it's that my husband hid me and his marriage away to self-indulge with someone new who seems to be doing a better job at making you happy than I am so clearly there's more than you’re really saying."

“When have I ever lied to you?” he asked, offended. 

“Hmm, where should I begin?” You threw your hands in the air. “When you kept fact that JJ confessed to you, that you and her seem to be hiding something still, now the thing with Maxine!” You were trying so hard to not let the tears slip from your eye. “I- I can’t deal with this..with you right now.” She walks away to their room to pack some things.

“Y/N, wait, let’s talk about this,” he called after you, chasing you up the stairs to your bedroom. 

“There’s nothing left to talk about Spence, you lied, point blank.” You tossed your clothes into the bag you had pulled from the suitcase. “We promised there would be no more hiding and no more secrets.” You closed the bag and headed out of the room.

“That’s different. I meant about the killings. I know what I did wasn’t the best thing but I’m sorry for it. I made a stupid mistake. It’s nothing like what you did and hid from me.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?!” she turns around with a fire burning in her eyes. “What I did in Miami is nothing compared to what you're doing now, I didn’t go off to find someone to keep me entertained and feeling some type of way, for such a genius you sure are being an idiot. I hid my criminal activity from you and then I was totally honest about it. I confessed to murder so that you wouldn't think I was cheating. Do you get that? I was willing to go to prison before letting you think I was cheating...” You pushed him away from you. “And it wasn’t just about the killings. We promised it would be on everything!” the tears fell but she didn’t care.

“I’m the idiot? Lying is lying, Y/N. It doesn’t matter what it’s for--” Just then, he got a call from JJ. As he picked up the phone, you saw her name on caller ID and at that point, you weren’t sure you could even see straight anymore. 

“Jesus, Spence! Not even a few moments two of the three of your other women are gone and the third one is already calling.”  You stood there glaring at him waiting to see what he would choose to do. “Choose what you do wisely right now because this determines how this ends.” You crossed your arms.

He glanced at you for a moment before answering, keeping eye contact. “Now’s not a good time.” Then he hung up, still looking at you, not saying a word.

“Oh yeah and when is a good time, huh Spencer?” you seethed at him. “Between ignoring the shit out of me, going out with Max, your little girlfriend and seeing an old flame?"  You grabbed your bag and walked out without  an explanation.

“Y/n!” he yelled, trying to chase you, but you slammed the door in his face. He turned around and screamed. “Fuck!” 

You got into your car and drove off to the nearest hotel. For the next few days, you stayed there, but came into work like normal. You spoke to Spencer as much as you could professionally. It was easy to separate the feelings of hate, anger, betrayal, and hurt from work. Your training with Dexter really helped to control your emotions, at least in this setting. At home was an entirely different matter. 

One night, you couldn’t take it anymore, so you called Dexter. You needed a friend. 

“Dex?” you choked out just before letting out a sob.  

“Hey Y/N it’s been a while how are things?” He immediately realized things weren’t okay. “What's wrong is everything okay?”

“No, no it’s not.” Then you launched into everything that had happened since you got home. Spencer being distant, ignoring you, Maxine, kissing Cat, JJ still giving you issues. By the time you were done, you said, “I have no idea what to do. I think he’s going to leave me. I just… I wish he’d get it over with and not parade around with another woman.” 

“Y/N, take things slower, don't try to analyze it all at once.” he started by telling you. “We know the thing with JJ is one-sided right? Put that to the side let's look into the other two.” He had stopped what he was doing to focus on you.

You took a deep breath. “Okay, you’re right. Okay the thing with Cat, I can mostly forgive and forget that. I know why he did it, and he had to be convincing. There was no time to hesitate or she’d see through ihm again.” 

“And what exactly about the situation with Cat do you feel is wrong?”

“How passionately he kissed her. That’s reserved for us. He… He did it quickly, without reservation, and he did it with passion. I haven’t seen him that passionate since before he told me about JJ.”

“If I recall correctly he’s a man who uses his brain passionately not always with action especially outside of your relationship.” he nodded his head though clearly you couldn’t see it. “Alright and I understand how this might affect the situation but remember he did so to keep Cat in the game and not cause harm.” He could hear how you were breathing evenly now. “ if it weren’t a kiss it could have been something else that she’d want him to do. Now onto the next issue this Maxine person when did this exactly start?”

“Right after we came back, pretty much. He went to see his therapist, sheshe gave him homework to talk to someone outside of work, and he went out that day and found Maxine. So around a month ago… Why?” 

“Well this helps me get a better understanding in terms of timeline.” he took a swig of his drink and continued. “What exactly was it that him and Max were doing in the time frame of the month? Do you know exactly where and what they did?” It was still a bit unclear as to why Spencer would do such a thing at this precise moment. “Besides the things that Cat has said and shown you, is there enough evidence to prove that he indeed is being unfaithful like say deliberately sneaking around to see her or making excuses as to why he’s never around?”

“All she did was show me what they were doing in their time together. Dex, I would ask Spencer to go out to dinner for a date, and he said he was too busy and he was going to see Maxine. I asked him to go to an opening of a museum and he said he was meeting Maxine. I made him a nice brunch one morning, but he ran out to go meet her. Even when we were sitting and watching TV together, he was glued to his phone, texting her, smiling, laughing. When I asked to meet her, he said he wanted to keep us separate because I’m related to work. So other than how I feel about how he’s been treating me, no, I don’t have proof he’s had an affair. All he’s done is shown he’s emotionally attached himself to her. You should've seen it. I’d make a joke and he rarely smiled. She texted him once and he’d be laughing on the floor. It was ridiculous. I felt invisible in my own home. ” 

“Did it ever occur to you that maybe the recent events were too much to handle for him and he wants to be around someone outside of it all to find some peace of mind before fixing the issue?” he asked. “Now I'm not saying the way he went about it was correct or that he has a right to do so but aside from the arguments did you tell him these things you're telling me?” he sounded like there was more he wanted to say but kept quiet.

“For the most part, yeah, kinda. I didn’t tell him how I’m feeling. More so I tried to get him to admit that what he did was wrong.” You sighed. “But you think he’s right? I know I asked him to handle a lot these last few months. I know that. I told him that all the time. I thanked him for being by my side. But I just lost it when I saw his almost-girlfriend standing in our house, and it was a second after he kissed another woman.” 

“And that's where you went wrong, Y/N. Getting him to admit that he did wrong when he didn't do that to you and letting your feelings be known are two polar opposites. I don’t believe that how either of you two are going about is right.” He sighed. “I believe that you two have put a strain on your relationship because of so many things that have happened far too close to one another that it’s clouded both your judgment’s.”

You nodded, regardless of the fact that he couldn’t see it. You took a deep breath then swallowed.  “Yeah. I think you’re right. I… He shouldn’t have hid me from her, or hid her from me, but past that… I should’ve understood where he was coming from. I asked him to take on too much. I wish things would just go back to normal,” you sighed. “I need to make things right with him. I need to hear him out. Maybe then he can admit that he didn’t do things the right way, and I can apologize for doing the same thing. Thank you, Dexter. You’re always my rock.” 

“I care too much about you Y/N to let something like this get the better of you” he smiled knowing you felt better about this. “What are best friends aside from killing together?” he joked hoping to get a laugh from you. “If you need to get a clear mind you where to find me.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without you. I’ll talk to Spencer and let you know.” 

You two ended your phone call, and you went to sleep, feeling a bit better about the outlook on your marriage. 

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

But you didn’t get a chance to go to Spencer and apologize. The case for Everett Lynch launched into full swing just a few hours after your phone call with Dexter, and you and Spencer didn’t have a moment alone. 

You’d been chasing Everett Lynch for a while now, and finally had him cornered at a woman’s mansion with his mother in the basement. It was a highly volatile situation.  Spencer was able to get Roberta to release Olivia before she got hurt. While he was on the phone with Roberta, she apparently gave the all clear to let the team breach and Spencer gave the order. The SWAT crew moved in and you turned to JJ who was on the phone, to ask her why she looked confused. She glanced to you, then turned and screamed, “Spence! Wait!”

But it was too late. An explosion sent the team, and your husband, soaring back, where he hit the pavement hard. 

Your heart stopped before you ran over to him, kneeling in front of him. “Spence? Spencer? Can you hear me? I need a medic!” you shouted. He was clearly disoriented, but he was conscious. 

The paramedics on site looked him over, but there were no visible signs of any damage. They said he might have a concussion and you needed to watch him. You sat beside him on the plane, holding his hand, but he seemed distant, not talking to you. You were hoping that after a near death experience, it would bring you two closer, and he’d apologize for everything he did… But even then, he couldn’t say anything. 

You two got home and you carried his bags inside. He seemed lost in thought still, so you sighed. 

“Well, I’m going to go check out of the hotel. I should be here to watch you,” you said, the sadness in your voice. 

“Hmm? Oh, yeah.” He was dismissive and he went back to thinking. Maybe he was thinking that his life was short, and he didn’t want to spend it with you any more. Maybe he really had moved on mentally with Max and was just waiting for the right time to bring it up. 

You cried the entire drive to the hotel. You gathered your things, and checked out, driving back. Your marriage would end. Not by your doing, but by your husband’s. It was evident he had someone else on his mind all the time, even after he swore he wasn’t seeing her any more. 

But the signs were clear. He didn’t fully apologize, he didn’t see anything wrong in his actions, he lied about JJ, he kissed Cat so easily… Clearly, you weren’t the woman he loved any more.

Just as you pulled into your driveway, it was early morning. It took all night to get home from the case, then to get all your things and check out. Hell, it was time for you to be in the office, but you assumed Emily and the team knew Spencer was hurt and that you’d be caring for him. 

But there was another car in your driveway. 

JJ’s. 

You got out and slammed the door to your car. “The fuck are you doing here?” 

“I came to check on Spence. He had a nasty hit yesterday. We tried calling both of you but didn’t get a reply. Where have you been anyway?” 

“That’s none of your goddamn business.” You started to unlock the door. “Spencer’s fine, by the way. I just had to run an errand. I’ll be in the office in a little--”

But as you walked through your house and JJ followed you, you saw Spencer on the floor of your dining room floor. 

“Oh my god. Spencer!” You gasped, running to check on him. “Spence? Can you hear me” In seconds, he started to seize out. “Holy shit. JJ, call 911.” 

“On it,” she said quickly, pulling her phone out. 

“Don’t do this. Don’t do this,” you begged. "No, Spence, come on. You have to be okay. You have to be. I can't fucking lose you." You held onto him, trying to keep him steady so he didn't hurt his head. Blood was spilling out of his nose. 

You had to keep a level head, you had to keep Spencer stable and alive, and also fight off every horrible feeling racing through you. It dawned on you that the last few words you’d said to your husband outside of work would be about him loving other women, and you having no idea where you stood with your own husband. Were his last thoughts about leaving you?

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

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