#if you’re reading this i am sorry i forgot your name but listen. i cannot tell you politely to fuck off and i really care about being nice

[tamingicarus]

realtors are so god damn annoying i tried to check my mortgage to income ratio bc we’re moving in april and of course a realtor got my fucking information in the process and now i’m getting texts like this every so often

[unreadpoppy]

Wash My Dreams Away - Chapter 3

Raphael x Tav (Gwen)

Read on AO3

Chapter 2

A/N: So yeah, I had no idea where I wanted to go with this fic, and I was a few steps away from deleting everything but I think I found a way to still salvage this.

edit: I changed the name of the fic from Brown Eyes to Wash My Dreams Away

“Halsin.” She nudged the elf. “Halsin, wake up.” He continued motionless. She thinned her lips. “You’re an elf, I know you’re not really sleeping.” 

The druid sighed and opened an eye. “I apologize, I tried to save a few more minutes of sleep.” He groaned, sitting on the bed roll. “What do you need?” 

“I think I know who’s the man in my dreams.” At that, Halsin sat up straighter. “It’s Raphael.” 

“Who?” 

Oh right, Gwen forgot. Raphael had appeared before she met the druid. “He’s this devil who offered to help us.” She explained. “It has been so long since we last saw him, I had completely forgotten. But after speaking with Astarion, I’m sure it’s him.”

Halsin frowned. “Do you think this devil is sending the dreams?”

“I’m not sure…I don’t know the full extent to what devils can and cannot do. But, since our vampire friend wants to have a chat with him, I could ask him then.” She rubbed her neck. “Just… gotta find him first, I guess.”

He nodded. “Remember to be careful around these fiends. You never know when they might ask for too much.” 

“Thank you, Halsin, for listening. And sorry for waking you up.” She chuckled.

“It’s alright.” Gwen hugged him and said good nights before returning to her bedroll.

She had no dreams that night, but it would not take long until Gwen found the devil again. 

…

Raphael could tell there was something more that the tiefling wanted to ask. Although she was engaged in the conversation, there was a question bothering her, just like Astarion and his scars. 

When they were nearly done with that topic, Raphael said, looking at the leader of the group “I believe you also have something to ask of me.” 

Her eyes widened, first in shock and then in fury. She gulped and then said “Yes. There is something, as a matter of fact.” 

“Why didn’t you tell us anything?” Astarion asked. 

“You have your secrets, I have mine.” She turned back to look at Raphael. “Could we speak somewhere…private?”

“Hang on.” Astarion interrupted. “How is that fair?!” 

She huffed. “It is fair because I’m in charge and I said so.” The elf crossed his arms, rolling his eyes but didn’t debate her on it. “You guys go back to camp.” 

Gwen pointed towards the door leading to outside the establishment. “May we?” She asked the devil. 

He nodded his head. “Lead on.” 

They walked until they reached the docks, just on the edge of the protective barrier of Last Light. 

Gwen crossed her arms and frowned. “I believe I have been dreaming of you.” 

“Straight to the point, I see.” Raphael raised a brow. “And what happens in these dreams of yours?”

She shook her head. Gwen turned her back to him, walking around as she spoke. “I am at this event, where everyone is masked. I am approached by a man wearing a fox mask, and only his eyes are visible.” 

“And you believe that to be me?”

“...Yes. I mean, you likened yourself to a fox on our first meeting. And last time I dreamt of him…you…his voice was the same as yours.” Finally, she faced him. “But the most damning part was the eyes. The man in the dream had the same brown eyes as you do.”

Gwen looked into his eyes. It had to be him. 

“If you are so certain, then what do you want me to do?” He asked. 

“I want you to stop perturbing my sleep.” 

Raphael chuckled. “Oh dear, but that is not my jurisdiction.” Her face fell. She felt foolish for thinking that questioning him would help.  “Besides, do not worry about a thing as feeble as a dream. They come and go, and most don’t have any meaning.” 

She sighed. “I guess you’re right.” 

“I always am.” He smirked. “Now, I have more important matters to attend to.” Raphael snapped his fingers, leaving Gwen alone in the docks. 

…

Arriving at the House of Hope, Raphael was furious. His little scheme had almost been discovered, if he hadn’t been quick to dismiss it. 

Opening the door to the boudoir, Haarlep, his personal incubus, lay in bed. Raphael pointed a finger towards him. “No more dreams for a tenday. We were almost caught.” 

“How?”

“I do not know how, but she started questioning it, wondering why I was appearing in her subconscious.” He explained. “You ought to be more careful from now on.”

Haarlep nodded. 

Raphael sat on a chair, hand on his forehead. They would need to do this more slowly, if this plan was to work, lest he lose his only chance at the crown. 

[hookedsworks]

Edge(ING) Fitness Chapters I-IV

I never made a masterpost for this and now cannot find the original chapters omg. So here we are.

Word Count: 1287

Chapter I

Vessel waved his QR code in front of the scanner. It made a successful little beeping noise. The employee behind the counter glanced at the computer. 

"Oh, hold on a second. Your first time here? I need to take your picture for your account," the short brunette smiled at him from behind the desk. 

"Uh, yeah, for sure," Vessel muttered, annoyed that he couldn't just walk in. The man behind the counter smiled again. 

"Just right here. The camera is above that red dot on the back of my monitor. You ready?" 

"Uh huh," Vessel grunted in affirmation, making no effort to smile. The guy's smile dropped a bit, and Vessel tried to ignore that he felt bad. "Take it," he nodded at the camera. 

"Right, okay. One, two, three," the computer made a little shutter noise. "Model perfect," the guy laughed at his own joke. "I'm II, if you need anything. Go on in, you're all set," Be civil. 

"Thanks, II," 

Chapter II

"Hey, Ives, did you see that new guy?" the cute personal trainer turned when II started talking. His eyes flashed around the gym before locking on the newcomer. 

"That guy?" II turned in the direction that Ivy had nodded in, catching sight of the exact guy he was referencing. He was wearing a sweatshirt with a band written across it, one called Alpha Wolf. II had heard of them before, but had never really listened. I should check them out. 

"Yeah, over by the mirrors," the man in question, Vessel, was testing some of their heavier free weights. "He's kind of cute, right?" 

"Little tall for you, isn't he, II?" Ivy flashed his gorgeous, straight teeth at II. II gave him an annoyed look, but let his gaze wander back to the grumpy guy. "Oh, I'm sorry, okay? Don't be like that," Ivy came up next to II, leaning on the counter with him. 

"His name is Vessel," II informed his friend. Ivy smiled. Together, they watched Vessel for a few minutes. He had two 25kg dumbbells next to a bench. After Vessel put the bench in a reclined sitting position, he ripped his sweatshirt off. II kind of...forgot how to breathe. Vessel had a hell of a body hidden under that sweatshirt. He was long, and lean, and in the tightest black compression shirt II had ever seen in his life. Vessel went to sit, and II pretended to be doing something on the computer so that Vessel wouldn't know he had been watching. Ivy had, much less subtly, just turned entirely around, facing the other wall. Ivy checked his watch. 

"Well, it's about that time. I've got a client in five, which I think means you can go get a closer look. The paper towel stations need checking, or something," Ivy was always doing that, trying to get II to hook up with every person who caught his eye. 

"Yeah, the paper towels, that's right," II went in the back to get the trolley and began his daily circle of the gym. Vessel was doing dumbbell chest presses. II froze for a moment, pretending to change a paper towel roll. Are those... are his nipples pierced? 

Chapter III 

III’s feet pounded the pavement. His warm up had gone well, but he was worried about jumping into a circuit. He kept an eye on the clouds above, dark and heavy with rain. His music was interrupted. New text from Vessel. Would you like for me to read it? 

“I guess,” though odds were, he was probably yelling at III for starting a run when it was this close to raining out. Command not recognized. New text message fro- “Yes! Yes, yes. Read it,” Are you seriously running right now? Would you like to respond? “Call Vessel,” Calling “Mom”. “What! No! Stop. End call!” III ripped his phone out, jabbing the red end call button. The whole point of the tech was to not have to do this while running, but technology was not on III’s side today. Neither was the weather. A fat raindrop hit him right on his forehead. 

“You’re not really running, are you?” 

“Yes, Ves, I am. I’m committed to this marathon,” III could hear Vessel roll his eyes. 

“You’ve been committed to every single marathon since you turned sixteen, III. It’s going to rain bad today. It is already here. Can I convince you to come to the gym with me?” 

“Ugh, Vessel, I hate being caged in a building. I have to be free,” 

“III. Please. I don’t want you to get sick,” III tipped his head back and groaned. He felt himself give in before he even opened his mouth. 

“FINE! Ugh. Fine. JUST for today,” III could already feel the walls. Running on a treadmill made him feel like a hamster. 

“I joined a new gym, by the way. Heavier weights. I maxed out the free weights at the old one,” Vessel bragged. He had started a specific regime and was seeing incredible improvements, even III could see it. 

“Text me the address and I’ll meet you there,” 

Chapter IV

Ivy was at the desk, watching a guy pacing out front. Ivy didn’t remember ever seeing him around before, and he hadn’t made an attempt to come in. He was just outside… walking. Almost jogging, actually. A black sedan slid past him and he began to follow it. 

“Hey, man, what are you looking at?” II was beside him suddenly, scaring him. 

“You need to wear a bell or something,” 

“Don’t you have a class to teach?” II ignored Ivy’s comment about the bell. Ivy glanced at his watch, seeing that it was half past. He did indeed have a class to teach. 

“Shit. Yeah. But it’s 7:30 yoga, so it’s all older women, and they’re usually late. Hopefully they’re just setting their spaces up in there,” but Ivy paused, because he caught sight of the pacer marching toward the doors. He had that guy that II had been checking out the other day with him. Ivy could still recall II racing up to him and hissing “he has pierced nipples, Ivy!” while he raced by to solve an issue with someone else. “Hey, II, isn’t that your guy?” II glanced out the door, turned away and then turned back in a nearly comic double take. 

“Uh, no, he’s not my anything, Ivy. And his name is Vessel,” II hissed, as the two came through the doors. The smell of rain followed. “Hi, Vessel!” II brightened up when speaking to him. 

“II,” Vessel did one of those bro nods. Ivy wasn’t really paying attention. He was staring into the clearest, lightest, bluest eyes he had ever seen in his life. The mouth under those eyes was moving. 

“Vessel! You never told me you switched to a gym staffed by models,” and by god, how had Ivy missed that mouth. It was under a well groomed pale blond mustache, stretched wide by his grin. His tongue flicked out, just barely licking at his bottom lip. He winked at Ivy. Ivy’s heart stuttered and his stomach flipped on itself. “I’m III,” the guy, III, held his hand out. Ivy automatically grasped it and shook. 

“Ivy,” he barely exhaled his own name. The hand against his was smooth, firm, with softened calluses rubbing against his own. Heat rose in his cheeks so fast he thought he might pass out. “I…I have to go teach a class now,” Ivy was so embarrassed, he had never been caught on the backfoot. He was always the one flirting, never the one flustered, until now. 

[sarah-dipitous]

Hellsite Nostalgia Tour 2023 Day 69 (Nice!)

Yellow Fever/Evolution of the Daleks

“Yellow Fever”

Would I Survive the First Five Minutes??: oof, probably not. Omg wait…I honestly have no clue. Like, here’s the thing, anything that would have this kind of effect on Dean would probably take me out

Dean’s enjoying the mortician being mean to Sam just a little too much.

Loving the tension between Dean and the sheriff. Dean’s not taking any of this seriously and that’s all the sheriff CAN do

Omg yes. Whatever is causing this has infected Dean too and I’m ecstatic. I only VAGUELY remember this episode, but it’s good

So the thing is…if I’m expecting to be touching a snake, no problem (not a euphemism). But if it sneaks up on me? Yeah, Dean’s reaction is entirely rational

“Am I haunted?!” Is he tucking possessed?! He used to be Sam’s brother! Next thing you know, he’ll be listening to nothing but Jimmy Buffet

I forgot this was the episode with Eye of the Tiger yesssssssssss

These are the worst-best softball team names ever. Game cocks? Corn jerkers??

I’m so sorry. To read “you’re dying. Again. Loser.” As a hallucination in a book after what Dean has gone through shouldn’t be this funny. This book is BULLYING HIMMMMM

“I dunwanna be a clue,” he’s so pathetic. I adore him

You’re taking your brother, infected with ghost sickness who has under a day to live before he literally DIES OF FRIGHT, into aN ABANDONED LUMBER MILL??? Yeah, this can only go awesome

I’m sorry for putting so many out of context quotes, but I will keep doing it because “I’ll man the flashlight,” is so goddamn cute. Because…a gun can go off (like he’s not usually the one insisting on bringing a gun to whatever fight they’re in).

The blood curdling scream upon seeing a rat followed by “that was scary!!” I cannot. I literally can’t.

I can’t fault him for running out like that. I would have been long gone way before that

Oh, sheriff’s infected too…

I love Dean worrying about the legality of posing as FBI agents…omg…

Omg…the ghost’s story is so sad…

Oh I wanna hug Dean. He’s really goin through it right now. Just absolutely freaking out and not without good reason. But GOD is it so sad to see

Not complaining but I thought he had way less time than this…

You are not helping by not telling Dean the plan. I want you to know that, Sam. There is nothing more panic inducing to someone who worries than hearing “don’t worry about it” ESPECIALLY when their life is on the line

Oh no. Competing hallucinations. And they both only have a little bit of time left…well, now only Dean does

On one hand, of course it worked, but on the other, I can’t believe they actually scared a ghost to death. On a secret third hand, it’s terrible that they had to use this sad man’s horrific death to scare him AGAIN

I’m here for Sam and Bobby roasting Dean afterward

You guys are so bad at being honest with each other…

And the iconic post-episode “by all means should have been just on the dvd extras but I’m SO GLAD IT ISNT” Jensen performing the ever loving shit out of lip-syncing Eye of the Tiger

“Been On My Mind…”: Nope. 9

“Evolution of the Daleks”

Say what you will about the costuming and makeup in this part of the series, they’re trying something at least. They’re putting EFFORT in

Omg are we gonna reset the counter? Is this gonna happen every time we meet the Daleks?? He gets really riled up when they show up. Just sayin

Yeah, your mistake was thinking you could convince the Daleks to exhibit compassion.

Why does Dalek Sec want the Doctor alive??? Omg could you imagine if the combined a Dalek and a Time Lord??

I feel for Martha here. The Doctor hasn’t been as open with her as even Nine was with Rose, and he’s just expecting her to figure it out like they have the rapport Ten and Rose had. It’s not fair to her

Mmmm, Dalek Sec’s gonna get got by the end of this, aren’t they?? (Also, autocorrect, it’s definitely Dalek Sec, not Dalek Sex…that’s…something I don’t want to think about lmaooo) BECAUSE they’re showing too many human traits, not Dalek enough

But of course, Martha figures it out anyway. Good for her

Bye, Dalek Sec…or not??? And the Doctor’s gonna help them? I don’t believe it

I love that this woman thinks aliens have only come to New York City and only now

Mmmm, the other Daleks are getting suspicious

Martha’s so wonderful. She just wants to be appreciated for who SHE is. Sure, she also has a crush on the Doctor, so many people who meet him do, but she just doesn’t want to be CONSTANTLY compared to Rose

Okay, NOW bye, Dalek Sec. “you told us to imagine, and we imagined your irrelevance.” What a line.

Like…honestly though, were all these characters necessary?? Laszlo doesn’t look like he’s gonna make it, though………

Dalek Sec is STILL ALIVE??? They haven’t just killed him?? Unless they need to put them through some kind of trial because they can’t JUST KILL a member of their own heavily dwindled race

There it is. Gave their life to save the Doctor

Episodes Since the Doctor’s Last Attempted Genocide: 2 (there was a genocide but it wasn’t the Doctor’s fault. There’s also only one Dalek left, which wasn’t the Doctor’s intent or fault either)

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Father of Mine – 1/2

Character: Bruce Wayne x Daughter!Reader

Summary: With the tragic passing of her mother, Y/N learns to the truth of who her father is. 

Word Count: 4,000+

Warnings: Family death, cancer, absent father, cremation 

A/N: The reader is described as tall in this fic. Bruce Wayne is 6′2 and I’m tall, so I’m indulging myself with no apologies. Read it or don’t. 

“Do you want to say anything before we…” the operator asked her.

“No,” Y/N answered quickly.

“Oh, my assistant forgot to give you this,” the operator gave her a shy smile as he handed her a small cardboard box.

She opened it to find all of her mother’s jewelry that had been on her body at the funeral.

“Thank you,” Y/N told him.

“Ready?” The operator asked.

He had been so kind throughout the whole process. It was obvious he was used to people breaking down and being extremely emotional. 

But Y/N had been stoic, almost concerningly so. 

Though he wasn’t one to judge. Everyone grieved differently.

With the pull of a handle, Y/N watched her mother’s body going into the chamber.

“It will be a few hours,” the operator told her.

He meant it will it will take a few hours for her mother’s body to burn to ash. Then they would hand her a tacky vase with her remains.

Y/N just nodded. “I’ll go for a walk.”

As soon as she was outside, Y/N called her mother’s executor.

“Ms. Y/L/N, I was just about to call you.”

“I’m at the crematory,” she told him. “I figured we should discuss the bills that still need to be paid for.”

“Yes, of course. As I mentioned to you before, your mother’s life insurance covers quite a lot of it…” his words died out.

“But it’s still not enough,” Y/N finished for him. “I’ll get the money.”

She wasn’t exactly rich, but she also wasn’t living paycheck to paycheck. But people never realized how much money it cost for loved ones to die. It was honestly ridiculous.

“You might want to consider taking out a loan,” he tried to suggest gently.

“I’ll think about it.”

“Another thing, Ms. Y/L/N. There was an envelope with a name on it. And your mother left instructions on delivering the envelope to them.”

She stopped her pacing. 

“What name is on the envelope?” Y/N asked.

There was a pause.

“Bruce Wayne.”

Y/N’s brow furrowed.

Of course she knew who Bruce Wayne was – everyone in Gotham did, as well as most of the country. He was a billionaire playboy, only making headlines when he was a mess. But every once in awhile his philanthropy would sneak in there. Y/N always assumed those were only to help recover his image and not because he was a good person.

“You still there?” The executor asked.

“Yeah. I’m just a bit confused. But please pass it along to him, if that’s what my mom wanted.”

“I can’t. The instructions specifically say for you to deliver the envelop to him in person.”

“In person?” Y/N groaned in annoyance as she pinched the bridge of her nose.

Why did all of this have to be so god damn complicated?

“Yes. Her instructions are…oddly specific."

“Fine,” she huffed. “I’ll pick up everything from your office before the work day ends.”

——————

Y/N stared at the envelop that she’d tossed on her coffee table as she sipped a rather large glass of red wine.

She was wracking her brain trying to think of a time when her mom mentioned knowing Bruce Wayne. But Y/N would’ve remembered her mom saying his name – even in passing. It’s not a name that one can drop casually.

Y/N pulled up her phone and googled him. But she looked at his history. Yes, he was from Gotham, as was her mom, but so were 10 million other people.

But then Y/N’s scrolling paused when she realized they went to the same high school: Gotham Academy. Not only that, they graduated in the same year.

‘Were they friends?’ Y/N wondered.

But just classmates or friends still didn’t seem to warrant a handwritten letter to be delivered after one’s death.

Y/N didn’t open the envelope.

Her mother’s instructions specifically told her not to. And if she put in that much of an effort to get this done after her death, Y/N wasn’t going to ignore such a request.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t curious.

“Fuck,” Y/N sighed before throwing back the rest of her wine.

——————

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t grant you access to the building without your name being in the system by the company you’re visiting,” the building receptionist told her for the third time.

“I understand. But I called his office 30 fucking times and they refuse to put me through to him or get me an appointment,” Y/N practically growled.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I already called their office to say you were here and they didn’t recognize your name. I can’t let you through to the elevators.”

Y/N’s gaze flickered to the security guard who stood a few feet away. He was eyeing her now that there was clearly an argument going on.

Y/N wanted to roll her eyes. She had a good foot on him – even without her heels on. And he looked like he couldn’t run a 50 yard dash without passing out or vomiting. If he thought he was going to physically stop her, he had another thing coming.

“Listen, I am not some crazy fucking stalker. My mom knew Bruce Wayne and in her will she asked me to deliver this to him,” Y/N’s voice lowered and became disturbingly calm. “I don’t want to be here just as much as you don’t want to have this conversation.”

“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to calm down,” the security guard finally stepped forward.

“Oh, fuck off,” Y/N rolled her eyes at the rent-a-cop.

“Ma’am, I’ll have to ask you to leave,” he continued.

“Call me ma’am one more fucking time…” Y/N growled.

But the security guard was taking a step to her.

“Excuse me. What seems to be the problem here?” A voice suddenly interrupted.

Everyone turned to see a young man – younger than Y/N – glaring at the security guard just as he was about to grab Y/N.

“M-Mr. Drake, we were just escorting this young woman from the premises,” the guard stuttered out.

Everyone at the building knew every member of the Wayne family. But unlike his siblings, Tim Drake was at the office almost every day. As one should be when they’re the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company.

“For what reason?” Tim Drake asked.

“She insists on seeing Mr. Wayne. But she doesn’t have an appointment. For security reasons, I cannot let her through, obviously, unless the company she is visiting has put her into their system and the building’s system,” the receptionist explained nervously.

Y/N frowned as if she was bored of the whole thing.

Tim stepped forward. “May I ask what your business with Bruce Wayne is?”

Now that he was closer, Y/N noticed how exhausted he looked. He was handsome still, of course. But she wondered when he last got a good night’s sleep. He was shorter than her, probably standing at 5’5. And she still believed he was younger than her, which was wild seeing as he was already the CEO and couldn’t be older than 24.

Y/N sighed before she grabbed the envelope from her black leather satchel, and showed that Bruce Wayne’s name was handwritten on it.

“My mother wished me to personally deliver this to him.”

Tim tilted his head slightly. “Why isn’t she doing it?”

“Because she’s dead,” she shot back without emotion.

But Tim’s face became sympathetic. “I’m sorry. I should’ve assumed…”

“It’s fine,” Y/N quickly cut him off before he could continue.

She was so tired of being on the receiving end of people’s sympathy. It didn’t help. And the words stopped holding any meaning to her.

“But I’m sorry. Bruce isn’t in today. And he probably won’t be coming to the office for the rest of the week.”

“Oh,” was all she responded with.

Of course Bruce Wayne didn’t come to work. Why would he?

This was a stupid idea. And now she had made a scene because of it.

“But if you give me your information, I will personally let him know that you are trying to reach him.”

“Really?” Y/N asked in shock.

Tim smiled at her surprise. “Of course.”

“Here’s my card,” she quickly grabbed one from her wallet and then a pen. “All my info is on that.” She wrote something on the back. “And that’s my mom’s name.”

He took it from her and nodded. “What was your mother’s relationship with Bruce?”

Y/N shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve been trying to figure it out. Apparently they graduated in the same high school class. But that’s all I was able to find.”

He nodded.

“Thank you…Mr. Drake. For your help. Really,” she urged.

“Please, it’s just Tim.” Then he glared at the receptionist and security guard. “For you it is, at least.”

“Thank you again,” Y/N felt like saying it 30 more times still wouldn’t be enough.

“You don’t have to thank me. Someone will be in touch. Have a good day, Ms. Y/L/N.”

“Y/N,” she corrected with a smile before she nodded and started backing away.

He smiled at her correction and gave a final nod.

——————

Y/N didn’t expect to hear from anyone for at least a week.

If the Wayne family was one thing, it was busy.

They probably had parties to go to, meetings to attend, private jets taking them around the world whenever they wished.

Why would they ever prioritize a meeting with her, a stranger?

So imagine her surprise when she received a call from an unrecognized number the same day she gave Tim Drake her card.

“Hello?” She answered.

Usually she would let any unknown number go to voicemail.

“Hello,” a British voice answered. “Am I speaking with Ms. Y/F/N Y/L/N?”

“This is she,” Y/N sat up straighter on her couch.

“This is Alfred Pennyworth. I work for Master Wayne and manage all his personal appointments. I was told by Master Tim that you wished to meet with him?”

“Uhhh. Yes. Yes, I do. Is that…is that possible?”

“Would you be able to stop by Wayne Manor on Friday afternoon?”

Y/N already knew she had nothing going on that would stop her from getting this done. But she still paused to pretend to think about it.

“Yes, Friday afternoon should be fine. Are you sure he doesn’t just want me to stop by Wayne Enterprises?”

It felt oddly intimate to stop by Wayne Manor. Wouldn’t they want to meet her in a more secure location like a corporate building with security that already hated her?

“He is quite certain. Should I send a car for you Ms. Y/L/N?”

A car?

Y/N felt even more out of her depth now.

“Oh, no. That won’t be necessary. I’ll be there.”

“I look forward to meeting you, Ms. Y/L/N.”

“Thanks,” she answered before hanging up and realizing that probably wasn’t the proper response to such a polite goodbye.

——————

“I haven’t heard that name since high school,” Bruce had muttered as he stared at the business card for what felt like the thousandth time.

“Yes, and the end of your relationship did not end on the best of terms,” Alfred commented.

Y/M’s/N Y/L/N had been Bruce’s high school sweetheart.

An she had seen the last moments of Bruce’s normal life. 

Upon graduation, Bruce decided to leave Gotham and that’s how his second life was founded. The two of them broke up before the summer after graduation had even ended.

Well, “Breakup” was a strong word.

Bruce stopped answering her calls.

She was his first love and he continued to love her.

But once Bruce realized where his life was going and who he wanted to be, he knew he couldn’t drag her into it. She deserved better.

And Bruce was a coward about relationships then. Maybe he still was.

“I am certain you did a thorough background check on her already,” Alfred commented with a smirk.

Bruce took in a breath before listing off all of her accomplishments. “Y/F/N Y/L/N. Graduated number one in her class at Gotham Academy. She was the star of the track team, breaking the regional record for fastest time in 100m, 200m, and 400m races. Also captain of her soccer team. Attended NYU’s photography program before dropping out after a year. Now she’s a professional photography. Her work’s been featured in Vogue, New York Times, National Geographic…amongst others.”

“Rather an impressive woman,” Alfred said.

Bruce nodded.

“I should get the tea and coffee ready for her arrival.” And with that, Alfred left Bruce in the drawing room.

30 minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Bruce glanced down at his watch: she was right on time.

He heard Alfred saying his pleasantries before he heard the clicking of her heels as she rounded the corner to enter the room he was waiting in.

For being a famous photographer, she could’ve been a runway model with her height and the way she walked into the room, completely owning it. She wore four-inch heels, only adding to her natural tallness. And her bright, red coat only added to her presence.

For a split second, Bruce was convinced that he was looking at an Amazon. Diana immediately flashed into his mind for a split second. Perhaps that was what Y/M’s/N needed help with: to get her daughter to her real people. But how would she have known Bruce Wayne had such connections? Unless she knew Batman’s true identity…

As soon as Y/N spotted him in the room, he rose from his seat.

“Ms. Y/L/N,” Bruce greeted.

He took a step forward and held out his hand.

“You guys really love the formalities.” She said it with a dark evenness, but it was clearly a joke. “Y/N is fine, Mr. Wayne,” she added as she shook his hand.

“In that case, it’s Bruce,” he countered with a soft smirk.

There was something so familiar about her. But Bruce knew they’d never met. 

“Thank you for seeing me. I don’t want to waste anymore of your time,” Y/N quickly got to it. She opened her purse to grab the envelope.

“My mom wanted you to have this. And she wanted to make sure I was the one to give it to you,” Y/N explained as she offered it to him.

Bruce took it carefully, but didn’t open it. “Yes, I heard about her passing. I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you,” she said hurriedly, making it obvious to Bruce that she did not want nor need his condolences.

Bruce nodded slowly.

There was a pause.

“Do you know what it says?” He asked her lightly.

She shook her head. “I wasn’t supposed to read it.”

“I see.”

“I should really be going. I have a flight to catch later tonight.” Most people that visited Wayne Manor wished to stay there forever. Or their curiosity got the best of them and their eyes took in every little detail.

But Y/N looked like she’d rather be anywhere else. And she wanted to get out as soon as she possibly could.

“Thank you again for seeing me,” she rushed out.

Without waiting for his answer, Y/N turned and started walking out of the room.

But she only got a few steps before she stopped.

Bruce watched her shoulders tense and her body move as she was clearly taking in deep breath.

Slowly, Y/N turned around to face him.

“Were you friends?”

Bruce gave her a watery smile. “She was my girlfriend in high school.”

Y/N seemed annoyed by that answer. “She never mentioned you. Not once.”

Bruce’s brow furrowed at that and his eyes zoned out as if he was revising the past in his mind. “I’m not entirely surprised. Things didn’t really end well between us.”

She nodded slowly. “Goodbye, Mr. Wayne.”

And Y/N turned and strutted out of the room without looking back.

As soon as Bruce heard her cab drive away, he ripped open the envelope and pulled out a letter.

He barely noticed that Dick had walked into the room. “May I ask…Who was the extremely attractive and tall woman that just walked out?”

But Bruce didn’t hear him as his eyes raced across the letter. His heart sped as he continued reading.

“Bruce?” Dick asked after being ignored. “Is she your next conquest or what?”

It wasn’t until Bruce was done reading the letter for the third time that he finally looked up and acknowledged Dick.

Alfred had also walked into the room, unbeknownst to Bruce.

“You OK?” Dick asked, now concerned with how silent Bruce had become.

“Master Wayne?” Alfred also urged.

“That was…my daughter,” Bruce finally muttered.

Dick blinked before his eyes grew wide in shock.

Alfred seemed less surprised, almost as if he had already put that together.

“Excuse me,” Bruce told them and exited the room.

———

Dick and Alfred must’ve warned the rest of the family not to bother Bruce in the cave. Usually he would’ve been disturbed by now.

Bruce had been at the computer for hours.

Alfred was the first person to come down, carrying a tray with dinner and tea.

The butler wasn’t surprised to find Y/N’s face all over the screens.

If Bruce had left any available information hidden before inviting Y/N to the manor, it was all out there now. Bruce knew everything about Y/F/N Y/L/N that was public knowledge – probably even some things that were not.

“You know, you did not seem all that surprised,” Bruce said to Alfred as he put the tray of food down next to him.

“Seemed rather obvious, didn’t it?”

Bruce quickly turned to look at him. “It did?”

Alfred smirked. “Her eyes,” was all he said.

“The color?”

Alfred shook his head. “As soon as she walked into the manor, they were reading me.” He tilted his head in Bruce’s direction. “Observation. Perception. Attention to detail...That is all you, Master Wayne.”

“The way she held herself,” Alfred continued, "Shoulders held back, head high, walking with purpose. No hesitation.”

“Also me?” Bruce asked.

Alfred simply nodded.  

“I don’t think she liked me very much,” Bruce sighed.

He didn’t know how he felt about that yet.

“A lot of people think you don’t like them when you first meet them,” Alfred countered. “Because I don’t trust them yet.”

Alfred raised his brows and silently ask him, ‘Don’t you see my point?’

Bruce rubbed his face and reached for the tea on the tray, ignoring all the food.

“I don’t know why you’re so entertained by this, Alfred.”

“Yes, I was entertained. I just saw a younger, female version of you, Master Wayne.”

“I abandoned her,” Bruce shot.

“You didn’t know she existed,” Alfred corrected.

“And why do you think that is?”

Alfred’s face dropped a little bit when he noticed the envelope discarded on the far end of Bruce’s desktop.

He looked down at the ground as he asked, “Might I ask what the letter said?”

Bruce glared at the letter as if touching it would burn him.

But after a moment, he grabbed it and quickly handed it to Alfred.

Bruce,

If this letter has finally reached you, it is because I have passed.

I must admit that I wrote this letter mostly in the event that I leave my daughter before she is an adult. But once Y/N turned 18, I decided to still pass this along to you.

There is no easy way to tell you this, so I will get to the point.

The young woman who delivered this letter to you is your daughter, Bruce.

Y/F/N Y/M/N Y/L/N.

When I found out I was pregnant with her, I was only 18. We had just graduated high school. You had started traveling. You called less and less. And you grew more distant – physically and emotionally. Eventually, you stopped answering my calls altogether. I left you a voicemail, only saying that I so desperately needed to talk to you, that I needed you.

But you never called me back.

With no words at all, you made it very clear that you no longer wanted anything to do with me.

But there I was, a teenager who was pregnant with our child.

I would be lying if I said I never considered terminating my pregnancy. I was scared and you broke my heart. All I wanted to do was erase you from my life.

But I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Once I decided what my future was going to be, I also decided that I did not want you to have any part in it.

I knew even if you pretended to play the doting father and the committed partner, you would grow tired of us eventually. You would resent me and our child for bringing you down. And you would brush us aside for yourself.

I realized I would rather Y/N have no father at all than one who would only disappoint her over and over again.

To this day, I truly believe I did the right thing for all three of us.

There are not enough words to explain the complicated woman that Y/N grew up to be. But I will try my best. I think I owe you that at least. 

Or maybe you have no interest.

I don’t know how she became so much like you, even when I never so much as showed her a picture of you or uttered your name.

She enjoys being alone – almost to her own detriment. I constantly catch her repressing her feelings, always staying strong for everyone else. It reminds me of you. She’s assertive and confident, never letting anything stand in the way of what she wants. Sometimes I don’t think she’s scared of anything. It worries me, just like it worried me when I thought the same of you.

I truly don’t know what you will do with this information.

But…if you have any desire to form some sort of relationship with her, then you should know this: she will not make it easy for you. She will push you away. And she might even hate you. I raised her to never need a man in her life, and she’ll make sure you know that.

I don’t expect anything from you. I never did.

But I would just like to know there might be someone who will be there for her should she need them.

Goodbye, Bruce.

Alfred slowly handed the letter back to Bruce when he was finished.

“I pushed her away because I knew what I was about to become,” Bruce explained darkly. “And I didn’t want her anywhere near it. She would’ve been in danger.”

“Y/N, as well,” Alfred added.

“But had I known…if I just listened to her–”

“Master Wayne, I thought we had agreed to never linger on the ‘what ifs.’”

That sure silenced Bruce.

“Now, what do you plan on doing, Master Wayne?”

———

Y/N frowned when her phone started vibrating and she recognized the name of her mom’s executor on her phone screen.

“Hello?”

“Ms. Y/L/N, how are you?”

“Fine. How are you?” She was quick, wanting to get this over with. Surely, he had bad news. Another medical bill came in or some other expense that slipped by them.

“Good, good. Just curious…have you placed any payments to our various claims?”

“Uhhh…no. But I’m working on it.”

Y/N hadn’t expected to get a call nagging about paying bills.

“No, no, no. You misunderstand. They’ve all been paid,” the executor explained.

Y/N sat up straighter in her chair. “What? That’s not possible.”

“An anonymous donor. They somehow got record of all your outstanding payments and covered all of them.”

Y/N was stunned to silence.

“Ms. Y/L/N…this is a good thing.”

She blinked and shook her head. “Right. Yes, of course. I just…thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank this guardian angel of yours.”

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

Part 2

Let me know what you think!!!

[twistedmusings]

Petting Dorm

A/N: I petted my cat for a good thirty minutes yesterday while I was watching the translation for the camp event and...surely the Savannaclaw members must like at least some pets, right? Like they must really want some pets after a good long hard day. Warnings: None, just descriptions of petting and three very happy boys u wu

The Savannaclaw members watch on as Grim gets the petting of a lifetime, wondering when the hell it is going to be their turn.

“Grim you are acting so spoiled.”

“Nyaha~! I deserve to be spoiled today! I aced my test while Ace and Deuce failed and me and Epel got a good grade in the potions assignment today!”

Grim leans back into your touch as you rub all the way to the tip of his ears before going right back down again. He lets out a happy grunt as his little foot starts to twitch, your hands now massaging right under his ears and near his cheeks before scratching right near the nape of his neck.

“Fgnaa...go a little lower!”

“Here?”

“Ah~! I really needed this. This is the reason I made you my henchman, [Y/N]”

“Because of how much I’m petting you?”

You press a kiss to Grim’s face, the other complaining for a moment before smiling as your finger rubs right on the top of his head. The two Ramshackle residents keep talking as they sit in the middle of the Savannaclaw lounge, many eyes staring at them but three sets of eyes in particular glaring at the cat currently laying his entire body on one of their pillows.

“[Y/N]-san...” Jack speaks up first as he watches Grim’s leg give another twitch, his eyes not even looking at you but focusing entirely on your hands.

“Hm?”

“Did you…” the wolf man can practically feel a shiver down his spine as you rub right under Grim’s ears, “Did you...uh...did you bring the assignment?”

“I did.” you play with Grim’s tail before running your hand up and down his back, “I thought you said you wanted to start when Ace and Deuce got here though.”

Leona growls when Grim lets out another satisfied sigh, watching your hands go right back up to play with his ears as you press the tips of them together and then watch them go back to their normal place.

“What is even keeping them so long?”

You shrug and rub a little circle right on Grim’s forehead, Ruggie following the movement with his head as he closed his eyes.

He could almost feel it--

Another slow and agonizing five minutes later and you sigh, shaking the shivers out of your hands as Grim is finally asleep, leg up in the air as you pull away from him and pull out your phone.

“Knowing those two they probably forgot…” you shake your head and stand up, “I’ll go get them--”

“NO!”

All Savanna claw members stand up as they lean towards you, eyes wide with different emotions as you do your best to understand their sudden outburst.

“What’s...what’s wrong?”

“You’re not leaving.”

You blink and point to the exit.

“I’ll only be gone for a couple of minutes, I’m not going to take long--”

“Sit down.”

It was frustrating that you couldn’t disobey this man even if you wanted to. The way he did anything was just so annoyingly confident that you weren’t even surprised when you simply sat down on whatever chair was available before Leona plopped himself in front of you and put his head on your lap.

“You have a lot of nerve petting that raccoon in front of me.” he glares at you before closing his eyes and leaning further back, ears twitching expectantly as you look down at him in, well, rather justified confusion.

“I’m...sorry?” you put your hands up and look at Jack and Ruggie, “I honestly do not know what to do, what is he talking about?”

You can practically feel Leona’s growl against you as he grabs your hands and puts them on his hair, letting your fingers reach deep into the dark waves as he visibly relaxes and lets you go.

“Whatever the hell you did to that cat monstrosity you better do for me...and if it isn’t as good that it makes me fall asleep in five minutes then I’ll be using you as one of my pillows.”

What...the hell?

Your eyes look over at Ruggie and Jack but they don’t even seem to be paying attention to you, simply looking on as you start to do some of the things you remembered doing for Grim.

He smiles as the petting finally starts, his ears being played with gently before your hands rub the tips and press them flat on his head. They give a solid twitch as they pop back up, twitching once again as they pick up your slight chuckling.

Now he understood why the raccoon had been so vocal about this treatment. Feeling your hands reach right under his ears and scratch made him let out a happy groan, tilting his head back as he gave you more room to play with.

You scratch the back of his head with one hand while the other does little cross shapes on his forehead, Leona opening his eyes to watch you work so diligently on putting him to sleep.

“Is this something you do every day for that thing?”

“His name is Grim.” you say and go back to playing with his ears, “And no, not all days. Only when he does really good.”

Leona closes his eyes as he moves his head to the right as your fingers scratch one spot in particular.

“Is that all it takes?”

“Yeah...I mean it keeps him motivated.”

He stays quiet for a few seconds before speaking up again.

“I stayed awake during one of Crewel’s lectures.”

You stop scratching to look down at him, amazed at what he just told you.

There was no way that was true.

“Awake?”

“Uh-huh.”

“As in fully awake? Listening to the lecture awake?”

“Uh-huh.”

“...what was the lecture about?”

Leona yawns and opens one eye to look at you.

“Advanced Magical History.”

You frown knowing for a fact that you cannot quiz him on anything since you still weren’t in that class. The reason for him telling you this was lost on you for a moment before you looked down in surprise and realized what this really was about.

No way...

Had he told you about that...just to justify you petting him?

“That’s really good Leona-senpai” you test the waters carefully, running your hand through his hair as he tilted his head back so he could feel the pull of your hands a bit more. Your eyes widen when the dorm leader nods along to the rather shallow praises you were sending his way.

“I didn’t know you were such a hard worker.”

“Mmmhm.”

“Or able to stay awake for so long.”

“Mmhmm.”

“I always thought you were just a lazy lion who liked to sleep all day.”

“Mmmmmm.”

It takes your entire will of strength to not laugh at Leona’s face. This man usually had his guard up so much that no one could ever get a read on him but give him some scratches and he opened up like a kitten to a new owner?

You knew you had blackmail material in your hands but the prospect of using it was still rather terrifying.

Leona’s threats should never be taken lightly.

You finish by rubbing his ears and letting go, the dorm leader’s head lolling forward as you stand up and grab whatever cushion you can get your hands on and putting it under his head so that you can lay him on the ground softly.

That was...weird.

“...I’m going to get Ace and Deuce now. If we don’t finish this assignment we are going to be screwed."

“[Y/N]!”

What should he say? He had just called your name out randomly and put himself in danger of waking up Leona. Dammit think of something, Ruggie!

He seems to come up with an answer as his usual playful smile comes back, standing up and walking over to you as his tail wags slightly.

“I can go get them for you.”

You smile and take his hands, shaking them twice before plopping yourself down on another available seat.

“Ruggie-senpai you are so nice! I think they might be at Heartslabyul? Ace might have dragged Deuce in on a game of cards or they most likely got caught doing something they shouldn’t. If you have any problems just text--Ruggie-senpai?”

Blue gray eyes look up at you, Ruggie’s trademark smile shining up at you as he giggles.

“Shishishi...you really think I wouldn’t do this without a price, [Y/N]-san?”

He grins and grabs your hands again, putting them right under his ears as he closes his eyes.

“Ruggie-senpai our assignment--!”

“Five minutes! That’s plenty of payment for the walk I’m about to do all the way to Heartslabyul!”

“It isn’t that long of a walk!?”

Ruggie shrugs as moves his head so that it is at the most comfortable position on your lap.

“Hm, but I also will have to walk all the way back to Savannaclaw so maybe it should be ten…”

You should stop talking at this point or else the times were going to go up higher, your hands getting to work as you scratch right in between his ears, Ruggie’s grin melting into a satisfied smile as you dug your fingers into his hair and started to scratch right under his scalp which earned you a giggle.

This sort of petting was so different than the ones he would use to get in the Afterglow. Just some slum kids trying to give each other love and affection because in the end, they all needed it after a hard day. Petting someone like this was a sign of close friendship and even romance, if done with that intent, but Ruggie never thought humans would be any good at it.

Yet the way your hands rubbed small circles right on his forehead, the very action you had done to Grim, he was still surprised he was half awake and not falling asleep on your lap.

“Mmm...is there anything else that needs to get done, [Y/N]?”

You smile when you see him so relaxed, surprised at how comfortable he looked. This hyena ran around the school doing errand after errand and getting buck after buck. It was almost inspiring if it wasn’t for the fact that some of his dealing weren't necessarily...legal?

Not like you knew about law in Twisted Wonderland so you let it pass.

“Not really, not for me anyway.”

Ruggie pouts but still melts when you run your fingers through his hair, starting right at his forehead and working all the way to the back. His ears twitched as you rubbed the tips before pressing both of them together.

“Well I am not charging for the walk back but if you want me to wrangle up those two first years I should charge a bit more, so when I come back I want what Leona-san got--”

“Ruggie-senpai it’s been five minutes.”

Jack’s tail is curled around him while he looks away, his eyes only barely making contact with yours as he looked at Ruggie and then back at, well, nothing.

Ruggie clicks his tongue before standing up and shrugging.

“Fine. I guess I will take that as a down payment.” he grins at you, “I will take the full payment later!”

You want to ask just what kind of payment he was talking about but you decide to keep quiet because that man would find some way to convince you that, yes, you do owe him something and that your payment was going to not be your money but your time.

And you didn’t have a lot of that to be spending it all in one place.

He walks off and you lean back, smiling as your hands finally get a break. Grim’s fur was always so silky and if you were to compare it you would say it was the same as Leona’s hair but Ruggie’s was definitely a bit more rough. It wasn’t a bad sort of rough but you figured this was the difference between long haired and short haired animals.

Although since Leona was a lion wouldn’t he also have short hair? Or was his hair more like his mane?

And what about Jack?

You turn towards your friend, tilting your head as you catch him staring.

“I don’t know why but I always feel like I have to apologize for Ace and Deuce, Jack. Maybe it’s because I met them first?”

He shakes his head, “You shouldn’t apologize for their actions.”

“Well they are also my friends so...I figured I could do this much for them.”

You wiggle your fingers in front of your face as you send Jack a teasing smile, “Want me to pet you too?”

The wolf’s tail goes right up before Jack pushes it back down with a growl, his cheeks burning a beautiful bright red as he answers back.

“We should just wait for Ace and Deuce, I want to get this assignment done already.”

“Me too. But it’s going to be a few minutes before they come back.”

“Oi!”

You are already standing up when Jack complains, telling you that you really didn’t need to do any sort of things like that for him and that he was perfectly fine and didn’t want to get distracted--!

“You’re the only one who didn’t force me to pet him, Jack. Just relax and unwind!” you smile and sit right behind him and open your legs so that you could pull him back and let his head rest on your stomach. His neck now burns bright red as you scratch right under his ears which only served to make his leg bounce slightly while he slowly got accustomed to your touches.

He wondered if you would pet him when he was using his unique magic as well, although knowing him he would get on his back and present his stomach if it started feeling this good and he didn’t want Ace, Deuce or even you teasing him about it! It wasn’t that his was enjoying this to that point--!

It’s just that somehow you knew just what spots to scratch and for how long to scratch them that he was starting to feel weak.

“Hm. So you would be a long hair…” you mutter to yourself as Jack closes his eyes, pressing his cheek against your palm as you rub circles right on his temples, “I think I like your hair the most...but maybe I’m just playing favourites here.”

The wolf wants to ask you a bit more about him being your possible favourite from the Savannaclaw dorm but his jaw snaps shut when he sees his dorm leader start to get up, glaring at the two of you with a dry smile.

“So you’re the favourite, huh?”

Jack blinks as he looks back at you and then at Leona.

“Leona-senpai--!”

The lion moves closer as he presses his body right against Jack’s shoulder, grabbing one of your legs and putting it over his own shoulder so that you would fit both of them in between.

“Ow--! Owowowowow--I’m not that flexible, Leona-senpai!!”

“He got his turn and now I want another one. Get to work, herbivore.”

“Hey!”

The three of you look to see Ruggie pointing an accusatory finger in your direction.

“What are you hogging [Y/N] for! They still owe me! Move over!”

He shoves at Jack’s unoccupied shoulder, trying to make his way into the little nest as you feel your other leg being raised up--!

“Stop! What in the world do you think I am--and where is Ace and Deuce!?”

Ruggie blinks before looking around.

“Oh right...I was supposed to go get them.”

[eeunoia]

Hi. Can I request a Jay fic just like Ni-ki's in "Enhypen as Campus Hearthrobs" and can it be with Sunghoon? Tysm <3

I love your stories so much. Take care always! I love you 💜

hello bb, here you go! Jay’s kind of a playboy here. But still the concept is still there. Btw, enjoy! Thank you so much for requesting anon! Ily <3

ENHYPEN Imagines

pairing: jay park x reader

summary: you were in love with the campus playboy and he wanted nothing but plain hook ups.

warning: a bit spicy.

word count: 5.5k

a/n: It was long, lmao sorry. This was a request from the concept of Niki’s in my campus heart-throb series. You guys seems like to love his plot a lot because this was the second time it was requested. Anyway, enjoy reading this!  🌸

“Y/n!” you rolled your eyes when you heard the voice of your brother from outside of your room. Instead of responding, you continued flipping through the pages of the book you were holding and ignored him.

“Y/n!” he once again called out and you can’t hold it anymore so you shoot glares towards your door.

“What do you want?” you hissed at him.

“Aren’t you at least gonna send me off? Give me some hug or something?” you’re not quite sure if he’s being sincere or he’s trying to piss you off.

You let go of the book and marched towards the door to open it. There, in front of you was your twin brother, all dressed up, ready to go out and party.

“You should know that’s the last thing I would want to do, Jake Sim!” you glared hardly at him.

He sighed, “I’m not bringing you tonight.” his decision was firm as he put both of his hands inside his leather jacket then leaned over the wall.

You let out a frustrated sigh, “Why not? I promised to behave tonight.” you looked straight to his serious eyes.

Jake shut his eyes for a while before he let out a sigh, “No. I want to party hard tonight and I cannot do that if all I can think about is my sister.”

He was always the protective brother. Maybe the fact that he went out minutes earlier than you gave him an instinct that he’s older and that he has to protect you at all cost.

You pursed your lips and leaned over your door frame and stare at him. “You don’t even need to look after me. I have friends there too and besides, Jay will be there!” your voice sound so excited when Jay’s name went out from your mouth.

Jake’s stares became more serious as he eyed you. He was pretty much aware about your feelings towards one of his best friends. He’s not against it but he also not saying he won’t interfere if it’s already hurting you.

He clenched his jaw, stares not leaving you, “Jay won’t be able to look after you as well. He’s gonna get laid tonight, y/n.” he straightly told you. When it comes to the activities of his friends, he was not gonna lie about them. If anything, you need to be aware that Jay isn’t the type of guy who will settle with one girl.

You gulped, trying to get rid of the lump inside your throat and to mask out the sudden pain that took over your chest. You knew about how wild of a teen-ager Jay is and how hard it is to handle him. But you also think that if you give up on him pretty much quickly, it wouldn’t be worth it.

“What taking you guys so long?” both of your heads snapped over to the person who just appeared at the hallway.

It was Park Sunghoon, one of the best friends of your twin brother. He’s looking so handsome as always, seems like he’s also ready to party hard tonight. You rolled your eyes inside your mind, you don’t want to think about how many girls will he get tonight. You bet they will kneel before him without him even asking.

There’s a mischievous smile plastered over his face as he eyed his friend then over at you. His eyes then went over to your pajamas and it now furrowed hardly.

“Why are you in your pj’s, y/n?” he asked confused as he walked closer to you.

You pouted and looked back over to your brother. Jake looked over his friend, “She’s not coming.” he said right away that made both you and Sunghoon to look at him.

“What? Why?” Sunghoon asked and stood beside you like as if he’s on your side. Well, he is always taking your side.

“She just can’t, dude. I wanna party hard tonight.” Jake huffed out a stressed groan as Sunghoon slowly smiled at him.

“I can look after her.” he volunteered that made you smile widely and you looked at him.

He smirked and winked at you that made you chuckle a bit. Jake watch the two of you and he rolled his eyes.

“Dude, I’m serious.”

“I am too. You can have your fun tonight and I can take care of your sister.” You smiled widely at Jake while you stood beside Sunghoon then you even cling your hand over to his firm arms.

“I promise to behave.” you added.

Jake’s stares exchange from Sunghoon and you then he let out a sigh of defeat that made a grin appeared over to your face. “Fine. Hurry up and get change.” he said and rolled his eyes.

You cheered in happiness and went to him to give him a hug before going inside your room. The two followed you with their eyes, smile slowly spreading through their faces.

“Look at her, she forgot to close the door of her room. How stupid...” Jake mumbled and slowly shut your door for your privacy as they patiently wait outside.

Jake eyed Sunghoon who’s now busy with his phone. “Dude, I swear. You asked for this. You have to take care of her and promise not to hook up tonight.”

Sunghoon raised his gaze up to him then he gave him this assuring smile, “I got her, don’t worry. I won’t blink while looking after her.” he said.

Jake smiled and nodded his head raising his fist towards him for a bro fist. Minutes passed and you finally went out looking great as well. Of course, you’re Jake Sim’s sister. Good genes ran through your blood.

As you made your way out of your house, your smile grew bigger when you saw a familiar fancy car parked right outside. While you approach closer, the window of the driver’s seat rolled down and the face of the boy you’re crazy with appeared.

He looked amazing as always, his all black outfit sure makes him look dangerously hot and his stares pierced towards you making chills ran down through your whole system.

“Why is she coming, Jake?” Jay’s stares were fixed at you and you didn’t break the eye contact as well. You even raised your eyebrow at him.

“Sunghoon said he will look after her, don’t worry.” your brother answered as he went straight to ride the passenger seat.

You put your tongue out over at Jay to tease him as Sunghoon opened the door for the back seat, offering it to you. He was smirking as he watch you tease Jay.

Jay scoffed and rolled his eyes, “Just don’t expect me to babysit for her. She’s all yours, Park Sunghoon.” he said and you just entered his car while Sunghoon followed after you.

“It’s okay, I’m planning to behave tonight.” you smiled and you saw how he looked at you through the mirror and Jake turned his head towards you.

He raised his pointer finger and point it at you, “Don’t make Sunghoon have a hard time.” he reminded you with those serious looking eyes.

You sighed and rolled your eyes before shoving away his hand. “Yeah yeah, whatever.”

You didn’t notice that Jay was still watching you and he slowly shake his head from side to side. He doubt it that you’ll behave. If Jake’s the nice one, you’re the stubborn twin. You just don’t listen to anyone and you often push his buttons.

You can hear the loud music even from the outside of the house. Since the person who’s organizing this was pretty famous in throwing great parties, people sure go here to have fun. You’ve been in a lot of parties already, this isn’t the first time.

You were walking between Jake and Sunghoon. Jay was in front of you, walking like he’s in a fashion show. Eyes followed him shamelessly. He was used to it, it was almost like it’s part of his daily life.

Your face showed a displeased expression how a girl flirt with Jay. He seems to recognized her because he stopped to talk to her. Since you’re behind, you have no choice but to stop as well--or that’s what you rather want your brother to think.

You felt a hand rested over your shoulder so you turn and saw your brother. He leaned closer to tell you something, “I’ll go party now. Remember, behave.”

You rolled your eyes and raised your hand to show him an okay sign. He starred at you for a while.

“I’m warning you. Create a problem, Sunghoon’s dragging you out of here.” he added before messing your hair before leaving.

Sunghoon chuckled behind you so you turned towards him. He smiled and looked down at you, “Ready to party?” he asked.

You smirked and bite your lower lip before nodding your head. He cheered playfully before grabbing your hand to drag you somewhere. Your eyes unconsciously looked for Jay since he’s the main reason why you wanted to be here.

You saw him now sitting over a couch, a girl was hovering above him. They were having an intense making out session. You starred at them blankly, not completely surprised by the situation. It wasn’t new for you anymore.

Sunghoon stopped from his tracks and followed your line of sight. He scoffed and pull his hand away from your hand then relocate it over your waist.

“Let’s get you drunk first and then you can bother him.” he whispered at you, lips slightly touching your ears as he talk. His suggestion sounds fine so you turned over him with a smirk over your face.

“What if I cause a problem? I’m wild when I’m drunk.” it’s not like he’s not aware of your drunk state. Of course, he was well awared about it.

He smirked before he turned towards the drinks to get both of you some. He then looked over at you, “Don’t worry. I’ll handle you if he can’t.” he said and pointed Jay using his chin.

You chuckled and accepted the drink he was giving you. The night continued and the people in that party just increased just like the number of shots you took. After your fifth shot, you can feel yourself starting to feel hot already. You fan yourself as you turned over to Jay. He wasn’t there anymore, panic took over you for a while but Sunghoon tried to calm you down.

“He went to the bathroom. You should follow and stop them.” he have this sly smirk, messing up with Jay sure sounds funny for him.

You nodded your head and was about to take another shot but Sunghoon held your wrist, stopping you, “Nah-uh. You already had five shots. The sixth one will be deadly.” he said smiling.

“You should go. If you need anything, you can find me here.”

You pouted but followed what he said. You stood up and even if eyes were darted at you, you ignored them. Your mind was fixed over to the guy who’s probably planning to bang someone at the bathroom.

You gulped when you arrived in front of it. Your fist balled as you hear soft whimpers and grunting from inside. You want so bad to just barge in and pull that girl away from Jay.

After letting out a heavy sigh, you knocked furiously at the door. They didn’t responded so you repeated it once again, now a bit harder to make sure they heard it. Since the music was so loud, you were afraid that the two was so immerse with their lusts.

“Occupied!” you heard a girl shouted from inside. You clenched your jaw as your eyes pierced over at the door. Imagining Jay’s hand wrapped around her body just made your blood boil.

“Jay! Sunghoon left me!” you shouted from outside.

Suddenly, the whimpers was stopped and in just an instance, the door opened. The first one you saw was Jay,  his used to be neat black polo was now crumpled and you can see lipstick stains over his neck. Your eyes then darted over to the girl at the back, she was glaring at you while she fix her dress. You rolled your eyes at her before looking back at Jay.

“What the fuck are you doing here, y/n?” he sound so frustrated as he ran his hand once over to his sweat stained hair.

You pouted, “I was getting a drink and when I turned around I can’t find Sunghoon anymore.” you lied to him.

The girl slowly approaches Jay as she kept her glares at you. You ignored her because she don’t matter to you anyway, you’re just glad that you stopped them even before they can do the did.

You heard Jay muttered soft curses, “How many did you have?” Jay asked you that made you furrow your brows.

“What?” you asked because you didn’t quiet catch it.

He sighed, eyes darkly darted at you, “Shots... how many?”

You raised your hand showing him five fingers. He shut his eyes for a while before he turned towards the girl behind him and his other hand reached over your wrist.

A smile then slowly appeared over your face. A winning grin was present at your beautiful face when you turned towards the girl.

“I need to take care of her first.” Jay said firmly that made a displeased expression appear over her face.

“But--”

“See you around.” he didn’t even let her finish her sentence and he turned over at you. His eyes were dark as always.

“I knew this would happen. I told Jake to fucking not bring you.” he mumbled to himself but you managed to hear it anyway.

He pulled you over to a less crowded part of the house before he fished his phone. Maybe to call Sunghoon or something.

You stood just in front of him and let yourself enjoy the sight. He looked extra hot after his hair was all messed up and the first three of his polo was now open letting you have a sneak peak of his chest.

You gulped, feeling your cheeks burn because of the thoughts that taking over you. As you continued checking him out as you hear frustrated groans from him, still at his phone. Your mouth fell a bit open as you saw the bulge over his pants. Oh... you interrupted something.

You gulped and starred back at his face. He was hardly furrowing his brows, “Fucker’s not answering his phone.”

“Do you want me to help you?”

He glanced at you for a while, brows still hardly furrowed, “Help me with what?” he asked still focused with his phone.

He was about to dial somebody again but you advanced towards him and rested your hand at his erection. Jay was taken aback, he do know about how you feel but you never done this before. You were never this bold to him. His hand rested over your shoulder, ready to push you away from him before you can do something you will regret.

But Jay had lose it when you look up at him and he saw how your eyes were so innocent. Despite of your actions, your eyes was big and seems like clueless of the situation. It drives him crazy.

His breath hitched as he raised his head up, shutting his eyes and trying to breath heavily. You leaned closer and rested your face near his neck, breath fanning over to his skin.

“Damn it, y/n. Stop.” he was about to push you away because he’s slowly losing his mind.

You didn’t back away and moved your hand over to his shoulders. Jay stared down at you, slightly getting pissed after your hand left his erection.

“Y/n you don’t want this.” he said with a low voice, eyes completely darted at you.

You leaned closer, your lips were just inches away from each other. Both of your noses slightly touching each other. Your eyes were fixed over his slightly parted lips and Jay’s was just at your eyes.

His mind was clouded with a lot of bad thoughts about you. The wall he had created between you and him was slowly being broken down by you. Not even once does the thought of you initiating this had occurred to him. Between the two of you, he was the corrupted one. For him, you’re just an innocent little kitten.

“You sure?” was it the liquor? or is it the jealousy that drives you to do this? You have no idea, all you know is you love being this close to him.

His scent was invading your nose as your body felt hot close to him. Jay’s dangerous, you know it. But he’s the kind of danger you want to be involve with.

Your eyes trailed from his lips up to his eyes as your hand slowly cupped his face, “Because I really want this Jay--” you didn’t even have the time to finish your sentence when Jay cursed under his breath and pulled you over the bathroom where he just went out moments ago.

He pushed you inside, body dangerously close to each other. He kicked the door close and click the lock before carrying you. He placed you over the sink as he connect his lips at yours.

“Fuck y/n.” he mumbled between the kisses.

You hissed and groaned at the feeling of his lips over yours. You didn’t expect this would happen tonight. Jay’s hand moved from your face down over to your waist.

You pulled away and Jay was smirking at you, “I’m gonna ruin you tonight, y/n.” he mumbled that made your heart thump.

As he leaned over your neck, your fist balled and your eyes shut. You were very nervous since this is your first time and you didn’t really expect to lose your virginity in a bathroom.

Jay, as expected was professional at this thing. He knew where to kiss you to make you feel good but your slightly shaking body didn’t slip off from him.

He reached over your wrists and pushed you a bit away from him. His eyes were serious as he eye you now.

“You’re shaking.” he said, disappointment lures over his tone.

You gulped, lips trembling a bit as you try to compose a sentence. You can’t deny that you are nervous.

“I w-was just--” Jay cut you off as he took off his leather jacket and silently cover rested it over your shoulder.

“I can’t hook up with you when you’re acting like this.” he said. You were left silent.

Not because he said he ain’t gonna do it but because of what you heard. Hook up? Your eyes watered as you let out a sarcastic chuckle, “Hook up?”

Jay eyed you as he fixed the buttons of his black polo, running his hand over to his hair once.

“Yeah, what do you think? I still don’t like you, y/n. I never did.” his word rings inside your head and you felt your heart sank.

You’re so stupid for thinking that he will take you seriously just because he pulled you inside a bathroom to have sex. Of course, Jay was known for being a notorious playboy in your campus. You should’ve known better.

“And you really pull me here just to get in my pants?” your tears streamed down your face now. Jay looked at you blankly like as if it doesn’t bother him.

“Well you asked for it, didn’t you? You were basically throwing yourself at me--” your hand hardly slapped Jay’s face after you went down the sink.

You starred angrily at him, tears still pooling your eyes. You felt pathetic, you feel sorry for yourself for being this desperate.

“Screw you.” and you turn your back at him without saying anything anymore.

Jay clenched his jaw as he watch you walking out. He didn’t know but the slap did something to him.

You’re a bit still clouded with thoughts when you met Sunghoon’s eyes. He was flirting with this one girl but when he saw your face, his smile fell and he left the girl right away to approach you.

“Hey, what happened? Did he do something to you?” he asked worriedly.

You pursed your lips and gulped trying to get rid of the lump inside your throat. You wiped the tears away, “I wanna go home, please.”

Sunghoon didn’t know what to feel when he heard your voice crack a bit. He sighed heavily, slightly regretting that he send you to go after Jay. He fixed Jay’s jacket that was resting over your shoulders before he guided you outside the house.

It’s been a week already and you were trying so hard to avoid Jay. It was kind of hard because he’s basically everywhere you are since he’s friends with your brother. They often hang out at your house and you stay at your room during those time.

Jake noticed that you were avoiding him but he just shrugged it off since maybe you just had enough of the chase. He’s somewhat happy about it because he doesn’t have to worry for you being hurt by his playboy friend.

On the other hand, you were spending most of your times with Sunghoon. Lately, you two just became more close to each other. He’s always fun to be with but since he always accompany you, he became even more entertaining for you.

“What’s up babe?” he was smirking as he called you with that playful endearment he kept teasing you with.

You rolled your eyes but did your handshake with him before you plopped down beside him. Jake didn’t give much attention to the two of you because he was used to it. But Jay was different. He starred at the two of you with hawk-eye like eyes. His brows furrowed as he watch Sunghoon rested his hand over to your waist to pull you closer to him because he wanted to whisper something.

His jaw clenched as an unfamiliar emotion took over him. Were you guys always this touchy with each other? And Jake was fine with it?

He then eyed Jake who’s busy eating his food while chatting with Heeseung. He, then roamed his eyes to their other friends to see if he’s the only one thinking that you and Sunghoon is flirting right now.

Feeling a bit frustrated, he lost his appetite and just played with his food. Your giggles and Sunghoon's laughs ringed inside his mind and it just made him pissed even more.

He knew he had said that he never liked you but maybe that’s not the case? Maybe he’s just afraid of how crazy he’s gonna end up if he lets you into his system? Yeah... maybe that was it. He really liked you and you being the sister of one of his good friends created a boundary he made his-self.

“Hyung, you okay?” Jungwon had noticed how Jay hardly played with his food and how his brows were hardly furrowed.

“Huh?” Jay asked finally snapping back to his senses.

“You were playing with your food.” he said and even pointed the food using his chin.

He eyed it and he just let out a sigh. He stood up and decided to leave first. The boys were eyeing him weirdly. Jake had also noticed that something’s up with his friend. Lately, he’s not like his usual self.

“Did you had a fight with Jay?” Jake suddenly blurted out while you two were chilling at your living room.

You tried hiding your surprised reacting by covering your face with the book you were holding. Your feet were rested over your brother’s thighs as he sat beside you, watching television.

“No.” you answered.

If you’re gonna be honest, you kind of miss Jay. You missed hanging out with him. You messed his pissed off face whenever you follow him around and cling unto him. But you also think you had enough, he had made his self clear that he don’t have feelings for you.

“Really? He seems like not himself lately.”

Hearing that made your heart thump faster but you tried to shrug it off once again.

Your head snapped over the door when you heard your door bell rang. Even before Jake can stand up to go and open it, you stand up.

“Are you expecting someone?” he asked curiously.

“That’s Sunghoon! He’s gonna sleep here tonight, we’re gonna watch movies.” Jake just watched how you opened the door for his friend completely abondoning him.

“Where’s Sunghoon?” you asked Jake as you walked down the stairs, finger combing your hair.

Jake looked over you and he furrowed his brows as he gave you an elevator look. “On his way here... you look great.” he complimented you.

You smiled after muttering a soft thank you and held a leather jacket by your other free hand. His eyes darted over it.

“Is that Jay’s?” he asked you. You blushed and you panicked a bit but you tried to compose yourself once again.

“Yeah he let me borrow it last last week. I’m gonna return it to him now.” you said.

He just gave you a nod, “He’s outside,”

You nodded as well and walked yourself out. You’re partying tonight again and you decided to return his jacket to him. You had forgotten about this and while you’re fixing your room, you found it.

“Hey,” you softly called out.

Jay's eyes sparkled as he eyed you walking closer to him. He doesn’t know how to contain his excitement, you just talked to him again after that incident. He was actually so happy.

“Hey.” he greeted, trying to keep his cool.

You sighed and handed him his leather jacket. His brows furrowed and slowly reached for it.

“I forgot to return it, I’m sorry.” you plainly said and turned your back ready to leave him.

Jay doesn’t what got into him but he quickly grabbed you by your wrist.

“Are we good?” he asked you, lips ran over to his lower lip.

You starred over his eyes and you smiled. Even if you’re in front of him smiling, Jay felt your coldness lingers around you. You were cold towards him like as if he doesn’t matter for you at all.

“Yeah, of course.” Lies. You were lying.

Not really feeling okay about the situation, you were planning to get away but Jay held unto you tighter.

He was about to say something but you both heard someone talk.

“Hey sorry if I was late. I had to look for someone who will accompany Yeji for tonight.” it was Sunghoon. You pulled your wrist away from him as you playfully shoot glares at him.

“You’re just slow, Park Sunghoon.” you said and you heard him laugh before he wrapped his arms around your shoulder.

Jay clenched his jaw as he stare at the two of you. He couldn’t handle it but he knew he was at fault why all of this was happening. He’s the one to blame why the girl he loves hates him now.

Jake went out afterwards and you all went inside Jay’s car. Jake was at the driver’s seat while you and Sunghoon was at the back. The drive was silent until Jake decided to break it.

“Oh I remember, I really had a hard time sleeping last night.” he said that caught all of your attention.

Jay was clueless about the situation so he just kept his mouth shut and decided to just listen.

“You two should try and lower your voices. I was at the other room but I can still hear you. It’s annoying, you know.”

Sunghoon laughed and so did you. Jay on the other hand was gripping tightly at the steering wheel. He wanted so bad to stop the car and punch Sunghoon right there.

Jake shake his head acting like as if he was really disappointed at the two of you.

“Blame Sunghoon, Jakey. He’s such a baby.” you joked and laughed again.

“What? I told you I can’t take horror movies so well but you still insisted and it’s not like I’m the only one screaming! You were loud too.”

You two continued bickering as Jay spaced out. His grip slowly loosen up as he realized he was being dirty minded and actually thought Sunghoon and you did it.

When you arrived at the party, Jay was planning nothing but to have his eyes at you. He’s not gonna hook up or even look at other girls. It’s not like he ever did the past week because ever since he realized his true feelings for you, he stopped fooling around with other girls.

The night was pretty much going smooth, not until a girl approached Jay and he was trying to reject her in a nicest way. But the situation appeared differently for you, he seems like flirting for you so you can’t help but to feel bad.

Your eyes started to water, you had a couple of shots already so your emotions were getting the most of you.

“Hey doll face, why are you crying?” Sunghoon asked, making you face him. Now, you’re not facing Jay anymore.

Sunghoon laughed at your crying face before he leaned closer to fix your slowly getting messed up mascara, he was too close that you two were almost like kissing.

That was Jay had seen and he exploded. He couldn’t take it anymore and before you even knew it, Sunghoon was already at the floor.

“Jay! Oh my gosh, Sunghoon! Are you okay?” you asked and was about to go help him but a pair of strong arms wrapped over your waist to carry you.

You tried freeing yourself but you failed. He managed to bring you inside his car and his jaw clenched hardly after sitting down at the driver’s seat.

“Are you out of your mind? You punched Sunghoon!” Jay was pissed and you defending his friend just made him pissed even more.

He darkly looked over you, “He was kissing you!” he shouted that made you shut silent for a while.

Your brows furrowed, “What? No he wasn’t!”

“I’m not blind!”

“He was really not kissing me and if he is, then so what? So what if he’s kissing me, Jay?” you said, tone sounding a but challenging.

He clenched his jaw, “I don’t want you kissing someone else.”

You scoffed at him, “You have no right saying that.” and you were ready to go out of his car but Jay stopped you.

He snaked his arms over your waist and carry you to place you carefully over his lap.

“You're not going anywhere, y/n.” he mumbled under his breath that made your knees go weak.

You rested both of your hands over his chest for support. Silence took over both of you, eyes just starring at one another.

“I’m not planning to hook up with you, Jay.” you tried making yourself clear.

He licked his lower lip as his eyes trailed over your lips. “I am too.”

Your brows furrowed, “Then what is this?”

His eyes went back to you and you can’t explain how your heart thumped faster when you saw his eyes starring lovingly at you.

“This is me trying to confess to you.” he mumbled that made you pursed your lips together.

“I’m in love with you.”

You were surprised of course, you’re refusing to believe him but his eyes just makes it a bit more hard not to.

“I-Impossible.” he helped you sat to him properly, both of your legs over his sides then his large hands held unto your thin waist.

“You don’t know how crazy I am to you, y/n.” he mumbled, face leaned closer to you and now claiming your neck. His lips peppered you with soft feathery kisses.

“I was a fool for hurting you. Forgive me,” he said sincerely between his kisses.

You lose it as you shut your eyes, head tilting over to the side giving him more access. You hitched your breath, a low groan letting out.

“I love you.” you said that made Jay’s heart jump in excitement.

He smirked as he suck unto your neck, leaving a mark before he pull away to claim your lips.

“I love you more, baby.”

“Where were you?” Jake asked when you entered the party again. You saw Sunghoon and he was holding an ice over to his cheeks.

He smirked at you but his grin grew wider when a tall figure appeared behind you. The party continued like as if no commotion happened a while ago. You went inside and found your brother and his friends at one of set of couches at the living room.

“I w-went out for fresh air.” you reasoned out to your brother.

Sunghoon scoffed as he eye your neck, a couple of hickeys were visible but the party light makes it quite hard to see. He smirked as he saw Jay’s hand possessively rested over your waist.

“Did you fix her mascara, Jay? I was just helping her, you know?” Sunghoon said, a sly smile plastered over his face.

Soon, the boy’s eyes were darted over the two of you. Your brother’s brows furrowed in confusion and he just noticed Jay’s hand.

“Shut up, Sunghoon.” he said, smirking.

Jake smirked too, finally getting the situation, “You fucker, what did you do to my sister?” he jokingly said and pushed his shoulder a bit.

Jay looked at you for a while before he kissed your temple gently then he smiled warmly. His eyes looked at you with full affection and love.

“I just claimed what’s mine.”

main master-list

[lilith-of-rivia]

Monster House

Trigger Warnings: Claustrophobia, mentions of self-hatred, self-degrading voice, panic/anxiety attack, mentions of blood and gore.

Summary: after Geralt lashes out at you and leaves you alone in a house, you have an anxiety attack/panic attack.

Word Count: 1,676

Paring: DAD!GeraltXFemaleMinorDAUGHTERReader

Request: Hello! Could you write one where the reader is Geralt's child surprise. Reader is in her teens and gets in trouble. Geralt is pissed and grounds her. Reader cannot leave the house. The reader has developing claustrophobia so no fresh air for a while eventually gets to her. Reader starts to have an anxiety attack but doesn't dare go outside for a quick breath of fresh air. Geralt comes home and tries to calm her down and stuff. Thank youuu!!! 🥺🥺🥺

@theichabbieclub

Thank you for the request, my dear, so sorry for the wait. Hope you like it?

“Geralt! You’re being unreasonable. I didn’t do anything wrong!!” You yelled. Your hair was a mess around your face. Dirt smeared all over with some blood that thankfully didn’t belong to you.

“Did nothing wrong??” Geralt’s face to you, now eye level. He had to bend down to be eye to eye with you. His eyes searched yours. You could see the anger, fear, and concern on his face. Something you had only ever seen, no one else got to see that.

He sighed heavily, his hands rubbing down his tired face. He was attempting to calm himself down, knowing he could sometimes be a bit too harsh with you.

“You deliberately left the house after me. You could’ve gotten killed.”

“-But I didn’t.” He sighed, grabbing your chin in his hand making you look at him.

You did leave the safety of the house, even when he said no. You wanted to come with him. It was only a pack of wolves. Nothing he couldn’t handle and you wanted to help, more than anything. You hated not being able to help him with anything, you could never do anything unless he was by your side. He or Jaskier. It made you feel like a burden.

“You’re right you didn’t. But you could’ve. You’re not to leave this house for three days. You stay in here, read the books Yen gave you. Unless I am by your side you do not step foot past that threshold. Do you understand me?” His voice was deep, stern, mean. You hated it when you got grounded. You sighed deeply, nodding in agreement.

“Good. I’m very disappointed in you Y/N.” He stood again, his back to you. Before you could say anything else he was out the door. You had half a mind to follow him but chose to listen to him. His lingering disappointment still thick in the hot air of the cramped house.

You walked to the corner of the small room, sitting down in the pile of blankets. You grabbed one of the herbal books Yennerfir gave to you and began reading. No matter how many times you reread the same paragraph about mugwort you couldn’t absorb the material. You were getting hotter and hotter, the hot summer sun now at its full peak at noon making the small cabin you were in getting hotter. You grabbed your water canteen and slugged it down. To your disappointment, Geralt had taken his own with him.

“This isn’t a house, it’s a shack. With walls enclosing it around me.” You huffed to yourself. Gathering your hair in your hands you tied it back, hoping it would help. But it did nothing. The room began to feel smaller, tighter. The air getting thicker.

Your mind wandered over Geralt’s words.

“He’s right. I’m such a disappointment. He should’ve left me years ago.” Your hot tears began to stream down your red cheeks. You put your hands on your face, holding it tightly, squeezing it as your eyes shut. You tried to not let these thoughts penetrate your head, but you couldn’t help but feel like you were a burden to Geralt. He constantly had to do things for you. You never did anything for yourself even if you wanted to. No matter how hard you tried you always felt like you were only a burden on him.

Your breathing became ragged and harsh as you cowered into the corner. Your body trembled, the walls around you closing in around you as you watched the floor move up and down like a monster’s mouth.

“If you ever need me; scream my name, I’ll hear you.”

His voice echoed through your head as you moved to the window. You pushed the small glass panel open and sat below it feeling the very soft breeze that came through. Your throat felt like it was closing. Your body shaking more as you cried harder, the thoughts of Geralt not coming back for you.

“GERALT PLEASE COME BACK!!!” Your screams echoed off the walls of the house. Your head in your hands as you cried harder and harder, your throat beginning to hurt.

“Please...please...please...please come back Geralt.” Your head began to get heavy as you laid on the hard floor. The door of the house flew open, but you didn’t have the energy to open your eyes, but you knew it was him. His smell was all too familiar to you. His arms quickly grabbed your limp body pulling you into his chest, his hand quickly grabbed your chin making your face turn to him, your eyes still not opening. You couldn’t.

“Jesus Y/N, your burning up. Did you eat something bad??” His voice was full of panic, it made your heart hurt. All I ever do is cause you pain. Your thoughts were filling your small head, making it harder for you to stop crying.

“The house is eating me.” You crooked out. He quickly lifted you, carrying you quickly out of the house. The fresh air instantly made you take in a breath, your tears subsiding.

You could hear the splash of water as Geralt walked into the river near the cabin. He kneeled into the water, using his hand to cup cold water pouring it over your face.

“Open your mouth.” You did as he asked and drank the cold water from his hand. Your senses slowly started to return, your eyes opened and the bright sun made them burn. You slowly moved them around the running water. You could feel Gerlt’s fingers stroking your hair behind your ears as he completely sat in the water, no regard for his clothes. You locked eyes and gave him a weak smile.

“What happened?” His voice was softer than before, it was deep, comforting. Made you feel safe, even in the unsafe world you lived in.

“I feel like nothing but a burden...you never trust me to do anything on my own. It's like I’m a leach to you…” you couldn’t look at him, closing your eyes feeling the cold water rush into your back.

“You're not a leach, you're my kid. It's my job to protect you.” your eyes snapped back to his own. For years he never referred to you as his kid, or his daughter. At least not out loud. He treated you like his daughter. He was all you ever had when it came to parents, other than Yennefer.

His hand gently combed your hair from your face, sitting you up fully, your legs submerged in the cool rushing water.

“If something happened to you, if you died I wouldn’t be able to live in this world.” The smile that overtook your face made him roll his eyes playfully.

“You love me.” You cooed in a sing-song voice as you pointed your small finger at his face. He grunted, rolling his eyes.

“Of course I do, kid. I didn't have much meaning in life before I found you.” Your smile only grew as the big bad witcher gushed about his kid.

“Could you actually say it?” You asked, lifting your head slightly as he washed the dirt from his arms, you two slowly separating, leaving a foot between your bodies as you sat in the water.

“Say what?”

“That you love me. You've only ever said it once. But I don't think you meant to then.” Geralt eyebrows furrowed together.

“When?”

“A long time ago, you had gotten badly beaten by a group of banshees. Yen found you and brought you back with her. She had no one else to help, so I had to. I was barely eleven yet. It was scary, you were all… bloody, and cold. Your eyes were stuck open- corps like.” Your eyes were looking all over his body, and the earth around you. The story was never easy for you to remember, but you never forgot it.

“I honestly hate that I remember it so much, I remember watching Yen cry as she tried her best to stitch you back up. She just kept begging and pleading with ever god she thought was listening to her. It was horrible.” Geral's hand gently held yours, his finger softly stroking the back of your hand.

“I didn't forget it though. You woke up the next day, and I've never cried harder.” You said with a soft laugh.

“I hugged you, too tight and it hurt you. And I said I was sorry and I was just happy you didn't die. And you asked me why...I didn't know why you asked that stupid question. So I just said because I loved you. And you said it back. But you haven't sense. And honestly, if I'm your kid, you should say it more often. Because only telling me after you die really fucking sucks.” This time he laughed.

“I love you, Y/N. More than any father could ever love his child.” his arms wrapped around your shoulders, pulling you into his chest as you held onto him, a smile ear to ear.

“I love you too, fuck face.” he groaned into your hair as he rested his chin on top of your head.

“I'm like this because of you.” You mumbled and he nodded his head, humming softly.

[the-himawari]

A3! Guy - Translation [SR] Brilliance of Blooming (2/2)

*Please read disclaimer on blog; default name set as Izumi

---

Izumi: I’m used to seeing it at your shop, but it's refreshing to see you dressed like that in the dorm.

Guy: I see. I hope the fans feel that way as well.

Izumi: Alright, shall we get your stream started now?

Guy: Sure, I’ll be counting on you.

-pause-

Guy: …

Comment: “Hello, Guy-san!”

Comment: “I’m excited for the stream!”

Comment: “Guy-san’s in his bartender outfit!”

Comment: “Huh? Does he not notice us?”

Comment: “Oiii, it’s started~”

Guy: Ahh, I’m sorry. …So many people have arrived already?

Comment: “Were you waiting for us to gather?”

Comment: “He’s so nice!”

Guy: Alright, then once again. …I am Guy from MANKAI Company’s Winter troupe.

Comment: “Hello!”

Comment: “You look great in those clothes!”

Guy: Thank you for the comments. You may have guessed already from this outfit… But I have decided to be a bartender for today’s stream.

Comment: “A bartender in the stream?”

Guy: I thought I could make some drinks while listening to everyone’s requests. It is only for a short time, but I hope you enjoy your visit to my shop.

Comment: “It’s an online bar!”

Comment: “I’m underage and can’t go to your bar so I’m so happy”

Guy: Now then, I shall hear your requests. …What will you have, dear customer?

Comment: “It’s so legit!!”

Comment: “He’s so cool~”

Guy: Ahh… no, your order.

Comment: “I was staring at him and forgot to order lmao”

Comment: “A classic margarita!”

Guy: Coming right up. I apologize for the wait. Here you go.

Comment: “Such deft handwork!”

Guy: So then, your next order?

Comment: “Maybe a Moscow Mule?”

Comment: “An image cocktail would be nice too!”

Guy: An image cocktail on the spot? Do you have any requests?

Comment: “Someone from the Company!”

Comment: “MANKAI Company!”

Guy: …It looks like there are many saying MANKAI Company. Alright, I shall make a cocktail in the image of MANKAI Company.

Comment: “Yay!”

Guy: Let me see… the base will be gin. Then to pair with that—.

-pause-

Guy: I will add lime at the end, and it’s finished.

Comment: “The cocktail has such pretty colours!”

Comment: “The yellow to red gradient is beautiful”

Option 1: “Just like I imagined”

Comment: “It has warm colours, just like I imagined!”

Comment: “It’s got MANKAI Company’s vibe!”

Guy: I see. I was a bit unsure as impressions change depending on the observer and the angle… However, when I thought about the Company, the first thing I imagined was warmth.

Comment: “I feel you!”

Guy: I see. That’s great.

Option 2: “I’m a little surprised”

Comment: “I’m a little surprised!”

Comment: “I imagined green~”

Guy: Green… I see. I think it’s better for everyone to have their own varying images. That means we are showing all of you many different sides of us.

Comment: “I like how he doesn’t reject the other colours”

Comment: “You’re so kind, Guy-san!”

Comment: “I wonder what flavour it is!”

Guy: I wonder if I can ask someone to give it a taste test. Please wait a moment.

-pause-

Guy: I apologize for the wait. I have brought Furuichi over.

Comment: “SAKYO-SAN!?”

Comment: “He’s totally the perfect person!”

Sakyo: So, what do you need me to do?

Guy: I have prepared a cocktail in the image of MANKAI Company, so I would like you to give it a taste.

Comment: “They jumped right to it lol”

Sakyo: Is that it? Alright, I’ll have it… …I see. So this is your image of MANKAI Company, huh?

Comment: “Does it taste good?”

Sakyo: It’s a bit sweet for my taste. However, I bet those who aren’t good with liquor could handle this.

Guy: Next, please squeeze the lime and have a sip.

Sakyo: Let’s see… I get why you made me squeeze the lime. It’s by far more delicious this way. For me, I definitely prefer it with the lime.

Guy: As I thought. I was correct to include the lime. …It looks like it’s about time. This is the recipe for the cocktail I introduced today… For those who cannot drink alcohol, try using sparkling water in place of gin.

Sakyo: Oi, don’t forget to take your selfie at the end.

Guy: Ahh, that’s right. Then…

*click*

Guy: …I suppose it’s like this. Thank you very much for watching today, everyone. I hope all of you enjoyed yourselves…

Comment: “Guy’s bar is the best!”

Comment: “I’ll try making the cocktail”

Guy: Please look forward to the other member’s streams as well. We will continue counting on your support for MANKAI Company. Thank you for tuning in.

-pause-

Izumi: Great job!

Sakyo: Good work.

Guy: I have the cocktail I made in the beginning. If you don’t mind, would you like to drink it, Director?

Izumi: Itadakimasu!

Sakyo: I’ll have the rest of the image cocktail. …Guy. The lime is Director, isn’t it?

Guy: So you realized after all. That’s right.

Izumi: What do you mean?

Sakyo: That cocktail was mixed together to have its flavour adjusted and taste better with a squeeze of lime.

Guy: And so, the lime was added with the image of you, Director, who brings MANKAI Company all together.

Izumi: I see! But if you say that, then I feel like drinking that one too.

Guy: In that case, I will prepare another one for you this evening.

Izumi: I can’t wait!

-pause-

Guy: Director. I think I will make your image cocktail now...

Izumi: Ah, before that. Have you chosen the photo you’ll upload to Inste?

Guy: Indeed I have.

Izumi: Alright, please post it first.

Guy: Understood. I shall post the photo and then make your cocktail.

I’m glad the InsteLive stream went well. The image cocktail was quite popular. I would like to thank all those who came watch.

---

previous |

[keanureevesisbae]

sugar sugar - the planning 3.0

Summary: Someone the engaged couple both didn’t expect, is coming back into their lives

Sugar Daddy!Henry Cavill x Becky Kim (asian OFC)

Warnings: Light mentions of an argument. Mentions of hospital, cock warming (it’s becoming their thing now) and some rough sex (spanking, anal play, vibrators - the whole deal)

Wordcount: 4.9k

Masterlist // Sugar Sugar Masterlist // Sugar Sugar the wedding Masterlist // Previous chapter // Next chapter

March 1st 7 p.m.

Work has been killing Henry lately. He grows more and more tired and to my own surprise, he is even in a bad mood every now and then, a rarity when it comes to Henry. He hates talking about what is bothering him and I hate having to pry.

But it has been enough. I don’t like the fact he continues to lock himself in his office at work and I decide to surprise him. He always likes surprises, especially these ones I arranged myself.

I barge into his office and I see… He is actually taking a nap? That’s new. He only takes naps at home, with his hands slipped underneath my shirt, his head resting on my chest. His eyes flutter open, ready to scold anyone who came in, until he realizes it’s just me.  ‘Thought I locked the elevator,’ he says, ‘made it unavailable.’

‘I have a surprise for you,’ I say, as I walk up to him and ignoring the fact that he might’ve made it unavailable for me as well to come up here. He probably didn’t mean it like that.

‘Okay, what is it?’

I hop on an empty corner of his desk. ‘I made reservations for us at the Plaza and afterwards, you and I can do all sorts of things in all sorts of compromising positions, if you know what I mean.’

Henry frowns, the complete opposite reaction I was expecting. ‘I can’t, baby.’

‘Why not?’ I ask him. ‘I checked your schedule and it’s all free. You have time and you should take time. You’ve been working really hard.’

‘I know, but I can’t. I have too much to do here.’

I don’t understand. He has been working non stop this week and he still doesn’t have time? He always makes time for me, for us. ‘It’s just one night, Henry,’ I try again.

‘I already told you that I can’t.’

Oh, he is in a mood? Never did he sound so… Flat and borderline annoyed when he is talking to me.

‘Oh,’ I say, not really sure how to handle this type of disappointment. ‘Sure?’

‘Damn it, Becky. Yes, I’m sure. I have tons of work to do and I cannot afford to take a break now! Some people actually have tons of work to do.’

Okay, he is mad at me now, something I totally didn’t deserve. I think I didn’t deserve it, I’m not even sure right now. Maybe this was too much? Yeah, it was too much. I shouldn’t have done that. ‘Well, excuse me for trying to do something nice for you,’ I say, sliding off his desk. ‘Good luck with work.’

‘Are you mad?’ he asks me.

He has some guts. Yes, I’m mad. ‘No, why on earth would I be?’ I ask in a petty tone, as I walk backwards towards the elevator. ‘Bye Henry, hope you finish your work.’

‘Baby, wait,’ he says, but I don’t listen. With large strides I near the elevator and get in, not even looking at him anymore. As the doors slide shut, I grab my phone and send both Genevieve and Viola a text.

Becky: You girls want to spend the evening at the Plaza?

Genevieve: Is that even a question?

Viola: When?

Becky: Thirty minutes?

Genevieve: I’ll be there in ten.

✤ ✤ ✤

Genevieve, Viola and I are sitting in the Plaza, the three of us looking over the city, as we enjoy the view. Well, they are enjoying the view. I keep on thinking about Henry. He never snaps at me like that, just like he never calls me by my name. It’s always sweetheart, darling or my favorite: baby girl. For him to call me ‘Becky’ means I did something wrong, right? Was I out of line? Should I have checked with him? I mean, surprises are meant to surprise, so I shouldn’t have told him, right?

My brain is working overtime, unable to actually enjoy hanging out with my friends.

‘Earth to Becky,’ Viola says, nudging my side. I look up from my wine glass. ‘Honey, you’re still thinking about you and Henry? It’s just a little set back, nothing too bad.’

‘Oh my,’ Genevieve says, ‘are you that disgusting type of couple that never fight? I fight with Greg all the time.’

‘We know,’ Viola butts in. ‘Come on, Gen, you know that Becky doesn’t do well with fighting. Besides, Henry is the type of man that is above pointless fights with his fiancée. Becky, what can we do for you?’

‘I don’t know. Cancel the wedding?’

Genevieve chokes on her drink. ‘For heaven’s sake, Becky, please tell me that is a joke. I swear, if you are going to cancel, I will kill you.’

I glare at her. ‘It may have been a poorly misplaced joke and a total overreaction from my side. Sorry.’

She takes a breath out of utter belief. ‘Don’t do that. I can take jokes about a lot of things, but not our wedding day.’

‘My wedding day, Gen. I’m the one getting married.’

She snorts. ‘Okay,’ she chuckles, rolling her eyes as if she cannot possibly believe that I just called it my wedding, instead of ours. ‘Anyways, I actually got a call from the bridal shop. The bridesmaids dresses are gonna be done at the end of the month, so make sure you can join us for the final fitting.’ Genevieve lets out a squeal. ‘Ah, I’m so excited. You know what comes after the wedding?’

‘Honeymoon?’ Viola and I ask.

‘Yes, that too, but also kids. I think that we should get at least once get pregnant together, because that is such a cute friendship thing for us to do.’

I don’t know if I can handle being pregnant and dealing with Gen’s hormonal mood swings, but I keep those words to myself.

‘Since our little baby factory is probably gonna have a few, Viola and I will have time enough to get it right.’

‘Do you have to call me a baby factory?’ I ask Genevieve. ‘I say once that a large family is okay for me and all of the sudden I’m a baby factory.’

‘I mean, you’re having at least two and with the way you guys are at it, there is a chance his little soldiers will find their way multiple times. One way or another.’

‘Stop talking,’ I say to Genevieve, as blood rises to my cheeks.

Viola tries to contain her laughter, but fails miserably. ‘Are you finally gonna tell her?’

Now I’m confused. ‘Tell me what?’

‘A few months back I kinda walked in on the two of you.’

Genevieve could’ve literally told me that she was gonna be president of name a country and I wouldn’t be as surprised as I am now. ‘What?’

‘Yeah, you left your keys at my place, so I figured I would bring them to you. However when I walked in, I was met with loud moans and skin slapping.’

Oh, no, I want to die.

‘It was really hilarious,’ she continues, ‘because you were on the back rest of the couch and let’s just say that you have a respectable boob size, you two kiss hella sloppy and Henry’s ass naked is delicious.’

I look at my glass of wine and gulp it all down, hoping that drinking my embarrassment and humiliation away would make the situation less awful.

It’s not working.

‘I kinda wished you never told me this,’ I mumble.

Viola finally bursts out into the loud laughter I was expecting from her a few moments ago. ‘This is gold, I wished I had this reaction on video.’

Genevieve chuckles. ‘So yeah, when I say you two are at it like bunnies, I’m not lying.’

✤ ✤ ✤

When I arrive back at the apartment, I almost forgot about the little situation Henry and I got ourselves in. Genevieve and Viola always know the exact things to tell me that makes me forget about a lot. Seeing Henry sitting on the couch, clearly beating himself up, almost makes me feel sorry for him, however I decide to be a petty bitch.

He really did hurt my feelings.

I walk straight to the kitchen and despite me hearing him follow me, I disregard my instinct and don’t turn towards him.

‘Becky,’ he says, his tone soft and slightly unsure. Him calling out my name in a tone like this, is an indication he is aware of the thin ice he is skating on.

‘Mhm?’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘What for? You were busy and I was intruding.’ I let the tea bag soak for a few moments. ‘You know, Genevieve, Viola and I had a great time together,’ I continue. ‘I arranged amazing seats at the Plaza. It had a view over the Hudson and we saw a lot of fairies.’ I know those are his favorite spots and he always tells me that one day he’ll take me on a fairy. ‘Never been on a fairy before.’ That’s a jab I knew would hurt the most. Damn, I’m awful. With the mug in my hand, I turn around, to see that Henry is looking slightly uncomfortable. ‘How was work? Did you finish it?’

He shakes his head.

Don’t say it, Becky. ‘Oh, why not?’ Damn it, Becky.

‘You serious?’ he asks. ‘We had an argument.’

‘Oh, don’t be silly, Henry. It wasn’t an argument. You were working and I had some poor planning. A small misunderstanding. Happens to all the couples some day.’

He sighs. ‘I shouldn’t have spoken to you in that tone,’ he says. ‘You were right, I could’ve needed a break. Work has been killing these last few weeks and I… I keep convincing myself I can do it all…’ He leans against the kitchen island and folds his arms. ‘Truth is, we lost some investors and I’ve been trying to rectify the situation. It’s just that it’s not working.’

Oh, I didn’t know that. Now I feel sorry for being so bitchy to him. ‘I see,’ I mumble. ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’

‘I didn’t want you to worry,’ he says.

‘You understand that I can read you like a book, right?’ I ask him. ‘Henry, I’m gonna be your wife, I know when something is bothering you.’

‘I know and to take it out on you, wasn’t fair to you. I’m sorry.’

I nod, placing the mug on the counter. ‘I’m sorry too.’

‘Sorry for what?’

‘For being petty and inconsiderate of your time. I shouldn’t have just surprised you like that. I know you’re busy.’

‘But never too busy for you. You did everything right. Checked my schedules, arranged it at a time where I barely have anything to do. It was the perfect surprise. Having dinner with you at the Plaza is one of my favorite places to have dinner with you. Staring at those fairies is what we do.’ He carefully approaches, still unsure whether or not we’re on the same page. ‘You have nothing to apologize for. The only one who was at fault was me.’

I grab him by his tie and pull him in a hug, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. He nuzzles his face in my neck, whispering soft apologies.

‘It’s all good,’ I say. ‘I’m sorry for being petty.’

‘No, no, no, don’t be. I deserved that one. Especially after the tone I used on you.’ He pulls back a little and presses a soft kiss on the tip of my nose. ‘How about I take you to dinner tomorrow night?’

‘Sounds good. But you have to call this time,’ I say.

Henry raises his eyebrows in surprise. ‘You made the reservations yourself?’

I nod. ‘Hence the reason I might got a little bit extra defensive.’

He smiles at me, before giving me a kiss. ‘I’m so proud of you, baby. Practice makes perfect.’

‘I know,’ I say with a soft smile on my lips. ‘We’re good again?’

‘More than good,’ he chuckles. He lifts me on the counter and stands in between my legs. ‘How was it with Genevieve and Viola?’

‘Good,’ I say, ‘just discovered that Genevieve once walked in on us having sex.’

His eyes enlarge. ‘Really?’

‘Yes, really,’ I say. ‘She told me I have a respectable boob size, we kiss sloppy and that your naked ass looks really good.’

He lets out a nervous chuckle. ‘Your boobs are perfect,’ he says and I slap him across his chest. ‘You know I can never look at her again?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ I laugh. ‘It’s nothing. She’ll just pester us with it for a while and then she finds something else to humiliate me with. Really, it’s no big deal.’

March 20th 2 p.m.

I place the groceries in the fridge, after I got back home. I actually want to plan cooking Henry some dinner so I bought all the ingredients I think I need. He always does so much for me, so it’s only fair that I’m doing it too every once in a while.

Let’s just hope I don’t fail miserably.

My phone starts to ring and I quickly pick up. ‘Hello.’

‘Good afternoon, is this Becky Kim?’ a female voice asks.

I frown. ‘Yes, this is her. Is everything alright?’

‘My name is Alicia, a nurse at NewYork-Presbyterian. I’m calling in regards of Sehun Kim.’

Dad? That Sehun Kim? Too say I’m absolutely flabbergasted is an understatement. ‘Excuse me if I come off extremely rude, but I’m sure I’m not registered as his next of kin. Isn’t there someone else to call?’

‘Well miss Kim, you are his next of kin. Your father had a ruptured appendix. Thankfully he got to the hospital in time, but his health is severely declined. We are keeping him here for a few days, to see if everything is alright.’

I lean against the sink, thinking about my next move. ‘Is there anyone with him right now?’ I ask.

‘No, miss.’

I sigh deeply. What to do, what to do? ‘I’ll be there shortly.’ When I hang up the phone, I arrange the chauffeur to drive me to the hospital and I grab some stuff I need. As I step into the elevator, I text Henry to tell him what’s going on.

Becky: My dad is in the hospital, I’m going there right now

Daddy 🥰: Darling, are you okay? Do you need anything?

Becky: I’m taking the driver. Just be there when I get home?

Daddy 🥰: Of course, baby girl. Just tell me when you need something, okay?

Becky: Will do

✤ ✤ ✤

I have been looking at my father for a few minutes now from behind the glass. He looks a lot older than I remember him. I wonder why I’m next of kin and not my mom or my siblings.  I mean, he hasn’t seen me in so long, I literally told my family I never wanted to see them anymore and that included him.

With my arms crossed in front of my chest, I hesitate whether or not I’m gonna open that door and walk into his room.

I mean, I kinda want to.

I always felt like my father and I were pretty much the same, however he never showed me how much he loved me. It always seemed easier to love my siblings than me, but maybe there were certain things that held him back.

I never asked him and now I finally have a chance.

Finally I mustered up the confidence to just do it. I open the door and walk in. He is awake and looks at me, but like usual he isn’t saying anything. It could be hurtful, but it doesn’t feel like that. I walk towards the side of the bed. ‘Are you okay?’ I ask him.

Still he is unable to talk, but I see it. I see his eyes filling with tears and for the first time in forever, I see the hurt he probably had to endure all this time.

‘Dad, please say something to me.’

‘I’m sorry, Becky,’ he then says, his voice breaking in the process. ‘I’m so sorry.’

‘What for?’

‘For not standing up to you. For not being the dad you deserved, you needed.’ He rubs his eyes with his fingers and adds: ‘What kind of father allows this type of crap?’

I honestly don’t know, so all I can do is simply shrug. ‘I’m guessing mom wasn’t too kind on you either.’

He shakes his head. ‘She wasn’t.’

‘Then why didn’t you divorce her?’ I ask, in a harsher tone then I originally intended to. ‘Took me with you? We could’ve been happy, dad, just the two of us.’

‘I know, I know.’

‘Then why didn’t you do it? Why didn’t you stand up for me?’

‘Because I was scared.’ It must be so painful for him to admit it, but I rather want him being honest with me, then him dancing around the subject. He was scared and I can’t blame him for it. Mom was (and I presume still is) pretty scary and if she was mean to me, I don’t think I can even fathom what happened between her and dad.

‘But why am I next of kin?’ I ask. ‘You have Liam and Celine.’

‘They are not you,’ he says and that hits something deep in my heart. ‘I was too scared to call you and tell you how sorry I am, so I changed you to my next of kin a few months back. I know, it was weak and I’m a coward, but it was the only way I felt like I could do ever talk to you again.’

It happens before I can even stop it. I place my hand on his and at first, dad doesn’t move, but then he holds my hand tightly in his.

‘I’m sorry, Becky. I’m so sorry.’

‘I know,’ I say. ‘I know.’

‘I can’t imagine what you went through. I should’ve been there for you, I should’ve protected you.’

I don’t know what to say, so I simply grab a chair and drag it next to his bed, before taking place on it. ‘Then tell me everything you went through,’ I whisper, ‘maybe we can understand each other.’

✤ ✤ ✤

The afternoon turned into the night and it’s already seven p.m. when I arrive back the penthouse. It was both draining and very insightful. Everything I went through, my dad went through as well, for being a more shy personality, more serious and less out there. While I knew he would draw the short end of the stick when we were all together, he got it real bad when he was alone with my mom. The thing was: it didn’t stop when I moved out, when I told them I never wanted to see them again.

It only got worse.

Somehow me ending up in juvie, was his fault.

I close the door of the apartment and Henry says: ‘There you are. Baby girl, how are you?’

‘I’m okay,’ I say, though that is not quite the truth. ‘It went well.’

Henry stands up and walks over to me. ‘Glad to hear.’ He gives me a kiss, as his hands find mine. ‘Your dad is gonna be okay?’

‘Yeah, he just has to stay to see if all goes well tonight.’ I let out a deep sigh. ‘I missed him.’

He nods, allowing me to find the words to describe how I’m feeling.

‘We talked for a long while,’ I continue. ‘But I’m going back tomorrow, because I feel like we have a lot to catch up on. Wanna join me?’

‘If you want me to, I’ll happily go, you know that.’

I don’t want to cry, I think I did that enough the last few hours, however a few tears escape. ‘Daddy, can you hold me?’

He doesn’t waste a single second, before he hoists me up in his arms, holding me closely to his body. ‘I’m right here, sweetheart.’

I close my eyes, as I cling onto him. I start to sniffle, but it’s enough for Henry to be alerted.

‘Baby girl. What is it? What do you need?’

‘A hug.’

He pulls back a little and cocks an eyebrow. ‘That kind of hug?’

I nod. ‘Please?’

‘Of course.’ He carries me to the sauna, where he undoes me from my clothing and quickly shreds himself from his. We step into the hot sauna and I sit on his lap, before he starts the preparations. His hands massage my entire body, as I place my forehead against his. ‘I love you,’ he whispers against my lips.

‘I love you too.’

‘You did well today.’ He squeezes my breasts in his large hands, flicking my nipples and it’s already doing its magic trick in between my legs. ‘I’m proud of you, because it mustn’t be easy.’ He gives me a kiss, before he brings his lips to my hardened nipple, wrapping them around the sensitive nub.

I kiss him on his hairline. ‘You are?’

‘Oh baby, you have no idea.’

I reach down, grabbing his semi hard cock and rub his tip against my clit. I whimper, causing Henry to look up. He kisses me, soft and slow. ‘When you’re ready,’ he says.

I line him up near my throbbing entrance and I sink onto him, biting away the slight pain as I stretch around him. Henry rubs my clit and the pain quickly subdues. He leans back against the wall, pulling me onto his chest, his fingers drawing soft circles on my back.

I don’t know how long we are in this position, but when I open my eyes again, I feel pretty drowsy, almost like I fell asleep.

Henry is already awake, still holding me close against him, not caring that we’re both drenched in sweat. ‘Hi, baby girl,’ he whispers.

‘Hi.’

‘You were gone for quite a while. We’ve been here for an hour, or so.’

I smile. ‘I feel better, thank you.’

‘That’s good, that’s good.’ He gives me a kiss and says: ‘You look better.’

‘Daddy,’ I whisper, ‘I love you.’

‘Oh, I love you too.’

I rock my hips on his and he hums in content. ‘Fuck me,’ I beg. ‘Please do. I need it.’

‘How do you need it?’ he asks. ‘Rough? Soft? I’ll give it to you, baby girl. Just tell me what you need.’

I bite my lip. ‘I need it rough, daddy. Please, I need it rough.’

✤ ✤ ✤

When I ask for rough, I’ll get it even rougher. Henry used his tie to restrain my hands above my head, so he has his hands free to press the vibrator against my clit while he pounds himself inside of me. He is ruthless, but that is exactly what I need.

My mind is blank, as the only things I feel is being overpowered, loved and taken care of. I don’t know how many times I already came, but my sobs are quite telling.

‘You gonna cum again, baby?’

I nod, before my eyes roll back and my juices squirt passed him. Telling from his grunts, he is close as well.

‘Shit, baby girl, you feel so fucking good around me.’ He throws the vibrator to the side, tightening his grip on my hips, as I ride out my high. I’m a crying mess, tears dripping over my cheeks and that’s about the same time his hips stutter against mine, his warm seed spilled deep inside of me. He unties my hands, before giving me a sloppy kiss. ‘You okay?’ he asks, still buried inside of me.

‘I’m fine, I’m fine.’

‘You feel better?’

I smile. ‘I do, thank you, daddy. I needed that.’

He gives me a kiss on my lips and wipes away the tears. ‘You want to talk about it or not?’

‘I don’t want to talk about it. I’m just glad you helped me out here.’ I place my hands on his chest. ‘Could need a shower, though.’

‘I know,’ he chuckles. ‘How about you take a shower, I’ll clean up in here and then join you?’

‘Sounds good to me,’ I whisper. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too, baby girl.’

March 21st 11 a.m.

The next day I’m back at the hospital, only this time I took Henry with me. He holds my hand in his and gives me a reassuring kiss on my fingers. ‘You want me in there with you two immediately?’ he asks me.

I don’t need to think about that for very long, because I quickly nod. ‘Of course. I actually quite need you in there.’

We stop in front of his door and I take a deep breath before knocking three times and peaking around the corner. ‘Dad,’ I say, causing him to look up from his book, ‘I’m back and brought someone.’

Henry and I step into the room and my dad nods, taking in Henry. ‘Your fiancé,’ dad says, closing his book. Yesterday I told him a lot about Henry already, especially because my dad read my interview and actually figured out how to check my Instagram. It was his own way to keep track of me and for some odd reason, I’m glad he did. He holds out his hand and Henry is quick to take it. ‘I’m Sehun, nice to meet you.’

‘My name is Henry, sir. It’s great to meet you too.’ He pulls two chairs next to dad’s bed and we both take a seat.

I take his hand into mine and say: ‘Dad, how are you feeling?’

‘Better, better.’ Dad stares at Henry and says: ‘It doesn’t take a genius to see how happy you are with each other.’

I smile, my other hand blindly searching Henry’s.

‘I also don’t need to tell you, but you need to take good care of her.’

Henry nods. ‘Don’t you worry, sir, I take good care of her.’

My dad looks up at the ceiling, tears in his eyes.

‘Dad, please,’ I say, ‘it’s all okay. We spoke about this yesterday: I don’t blame you. Not at all, not in the slightest.’

He has never been the talkative type, I know that. It pains me to see how crushed he is, how much he is beating himself up. I understand that he feels like that, however I am not mad. After yesterday’s talk I understood and realized I never wanted to be mad at him at all.

‘I don’t know if you can make it and if you even want to, but you—and you alone—can come to the wedding if you want. It’s a little short notice, I know, but Henry and I would love it if you were there.’

Dad simply nods. ‘I would love that too,’ he says in a hoarse tone. ‘Just… You have to help me with something first.’

‘And what is that?’

‘Help me arrange a divorce.’

Don’t overreact, Becky. The rush of utter euphoria fills my body. He wants to divorce my mom? After all those years? Is there an opportunity I could still have that relationship with my dad I have always secretly wanted and wished for.

I look over my shoulder to Henry, who seems to read my eyes. ‘I can arrange something with my lawyer,’ Henry says, squeezing my fingers. ‘You know what, I’ll call him right now. Maybe we can arrange something very soon.’

Henry leaves the room, holding his phone in his hand and my dad nods. ‘You have a nice fiancé,’ he says. ‘Takes good care of you.’

I smile. ‘Yeah, he does. He is the love of my life.’

Dad tilts his head. ‘You sure you want me there?’

‘Yes, I’d love to. We have an entire month to get to know each other and that of course won’t change after the wedding. We could look for an apartment for you, make sure you can start a new life.’

‘It’s a father’s job to protect and take care of his kids, not the other way around.’ He sighs deeply and says: ‘I have never taken care of you. Protected you from those vile words spilled from your mom and siblings.’

‘But you will,’ I say. ‘Please, it’s all good. Know and accept that, okay? I want to work on our relationship and that can start with an apartment when you are released from this awful place.’

For the first time he widely smiles. ‘I’m a lucky man for having a daughter like you.’

Henry enters the room again and says: ‘Well, I spoke to my lawyer and he is ready to meet you in a few days. There is a possibility he can expedite the process.’

Dad nods again. ‘Thank you, Henry. Now please sit, so I can get to know you.’

✤ ✤ ✤

When Henry and I are back in the car after hours of getting to know my father, tears finally drip over my tears. ‘Baby girl,’ he says, ‘it’s okay. You did amazing.’

‘I just don’t know why I’m crying, especially because I’m happy. I’m happy with all of this, however it’s just that… I wish there was more I could do.’

‘You are doing all you can,’ he says. ‘And your dad knows that.’

I hide my face in my hands and I feel Henry’s hand in the back of my neck. He presses a kiss on the top of my head.

‘I love you, baby girl and we’ll get through this.’

[girl-with-cat-eyes]

Divorce? Is that a kind of Cheese?

Summary: Sea monsters mate for life. They're not like people, they don't separate or get divorces. Mates are permanent. Except when they're not.

Or: Giulia and Alberto are both children of divorce. Luca is confused.

A/N: Here it is! The long-awaited Luca fic! I hope you all like it! Special thanks to @psadler1 for beta reading this! And now without further ado.

Luca bounced in his seat as the train carried him home from Genoa. He couldn’t wait to see his family and tell them all about what he’d learned while he was away. He couldn’t wait to see Alberto again. He smiled at the thought of seeing his friend.

Giulia smiled from where she sat next to him, “You’re really excited to get home, huh?”, He nodded shyly, “So am I. I love my mom but I miss my dad while I’m away.” Luca sat back down from where he’d been staring out the window. A question formed in the back of his mind, one that he’d wondered since he’d left Portorosso and met Angelina. He’d never dared to voice it until now, “Why don’t you’re parents live together?”

She looked away and, for a split second, Luca thought he saw her tearing up. He wanted to take back the question but, before he could, Giulia blinked away her tears and schooled her expression, “They used to. When I was really little we all lived in Portorosso together. But they fought a lot. And eventually, they sat me down and told me they were getting a divorce and I’d go to Genoa with Mama for school.”

Divorce? Luca wondered what that could be. It sounded like some kind of fancy cheese. Like the ones, Angelina would buy to make sandwiches with. Judging by her tone, however, Luca didn’t think it was like brie or mozzarella. He decided to test his luck once more, “What’s a divorce?” “It’s when two people who are married decide they don’t want to be married anymore. You probably have a different word for it.”

Again Luca was puzzled, “You can stop being married?”, he asked. From everything he’d heard up to this point, marriage seemed pretty permanent.

“Yeah. Don’t you have anything like that?” He shook his head, “No. Sea monsters mate for life.”, He’d known this since birth. Upon turning 16 they would declare mates and spend the next two years courting before sealing their relationship. And that was that. They spent their lives together. Your lifemate was your everything.

“What if they stop loving each other??”, He rubbed the back of his neck at the question, trying to think of an answer. In truth, Luca didn’t know what would happen then. The thought of not loving your lifemate enough to leave them was unthinkable. You just didn’t do that. It was permanent.

Then again, from what he’d been told, marriage was supposed to be permanent too. That didn’t stop Giulia’s parents from divorcing, “I don’t know. But I can ask my parents and tell you what they say?”

Giulia sighed, “It’s ok. You don’t have to.”, Luca nodded, but was secretly determined to find out.

The question didn’t come up right away, he was busy catching his parents and Alberto up on how his school year went. The reunion had been full of hugs, kisses, and tears. His mother and Massimo had worked together to make a feast of both human and seafood for the pair, with Alberto even chipping in to make some desserts. It was a fantastic night of dancing, singing, and eating. And at the end of it all, Daniela and Lorenzo agreed to let him spend the night with Alberto.

The taller sea monster had been all too eager to show him the changes made to his island. He wasn’t fully ready to stay with Massimo all of the time, so Massimo agreed to let him go back and forth between the two places. Of course, that didn’t mean that he wasn’t going to make sure that Alberto was safe and protected. So the pair had spent the fall working to make it more secure from the elements. Luca was impressed upon seeing the changes that had occurred while he was away. They’d spent the night catching up and playing games together. Luca had had a blast. So much so that the question of divorce was forgotten completely.

He didn’t think about divorce again until two weeks later. He was eating dinner with his family, listening to his mother catch him up on everything that had changed while he was away. It was just them tonight; most nights they ate with Giulia, Massimo, and Alberto, but they had a family dinner at least once a week.

Daniella was prepping dinner, sharing all the family news he missed while away at school, “And did I tell you that your cousin Camilla picked Donnie Branzino to be her lifemate? I love her I do, but Donnie Branzino? Out of everyone she could have picked, she picks Bianca Branzino’s boy? Now we have to deal with them at every family gathering from here on out.” Luca stilled in his seat at the mention of lifemates, the conversation he’d had with Giulia returning full force, “Mama?”, he asked, trying to be discreet.

Daniella turned and sat his plate in front of him, “No you cannot go have dinner with your friends. I worked all day making your favorites.”

Luca shook his head, “It’s not that. I have a question about lifemates.” She raised an eyebrow at him, “Lifemates? You have two years before you have to worry about lifemates. What do you want to know?”

He swallowed, gathering all of his confidence before speaking, “What happens if they don’t want to be lifemates anymore?”

“What do you mean?” He shrugged and tried to act casual, “Like if they stopped loving each other. Could they stop being lifemates?” “Sweetheart.”, she placed a hand on his shoulder, “You know we mate for life. Sea monsters don’t fall out of love or stop being mates. Did you hear something?”, Luca sighed and lowered his gaze to the food in front of him.

“Giulia told me about this human thing called divorced. It’s when two human mates stop loving each other and then stop being mates.” Daniella sighed, “That’s awful. But I can’t think of anything happening like around here. Have you Lorenzo?”, for once the other sea monster was paying attention and shook his head.

“Not that I’m aware of.”, Luca nodded in response. He supposed it really was as simple as he first thought. That was until his grandmother spoke up.

“I remember a pair of lifemates who split up.”, Luca looked over at her, hoping she’d elaborate.

“Go on?”, he encouraged with a smile.

“You were only a baby when it happened. Only 3 or 4. There was a couple who lived on the outskirts of town. They had a son around your age. My friend used to babysit for the wife, I can’t remember her name. Lucia? No, Liliana? It doesn’t matter. They argued all the time. Eventually, they split and went to two different pods. He took their son. And then they were both gone.” Luca swallowed at her story. “Oh.”, were the only words he could find himself able to say. The rest of the meal was silent.

“And sometimes human mates just leave each other?”, Alberto asked. They were gathering stones along the beach while they waited for Giulia to finish her deliveries. Luca had told him what she’d said in the meantime.

“Yeah. And I asked my family what happens if lifemates fall out of love and my grandma told me about this couple she used to know that just left. They went to two different pods like they were never together. I always thought lifemates were forever. It’s crazy, right?”

He over at Alberto, expecting him to agree. Instead, he was staring at the ground, a dark look on his face, “Berto?”

“My parents split.”, It came out as a whisper, almost too quiet to hear. Luca’s jaw dropped. He knew that Alberto’s dad had left him, the thought of a parent leaving him filled Luca with white-hot anger. But he’d never said anything about his mother. Luca had assumed that she’d died.

“Oh?”, Alberto sat down and Luca sat beside him, “What happened?” “They fought all the time. And then one night I heard my mama say she couldn’t deal with my papa anymore. And then she left. Only she didn’t take me with her. She...She forgot me. I don’t know why but she did. My father said she didn’t want me. That she didn’t want either of us.”, Tears slowly but surely began to drip down his face, Luca was regretting ever bringing it up.

He wrapped an arm around Alberto, pulling the other boy close, “I’m sorry she left you. She shouldn’t have done that.”, Alberto shook his head fiercely at his words.

“It’s my fault. She left because I’m such a bad kid.” “You’re not bad. You’re amazing. And anyone who says otherwise is a liar.”, Luca hugged the other boy tightly.

“My dad always said so.” “And he’s as much of a liar as Bruno then.”, the resolution in Luca’s voice was as clear as the sky on a sunny day, “You are amazing. And my best friend.” Alberto snorted, “Thanks.”, he whipped his eyes and sat up, “Sorry about crying on you.” “It’s fine.”, Luca rubbed his shoulders, “I’m sorry your parents put you through that.”, They sat like that for some time before Alberto spoke up.

“I wish I didn’t have to pick a lifemate.” Luca looked at him, “Why?”

“Because what if I end up like my parents? I have to trust that they understand me like you do.” Luca looked at Alberto in understanding, “I get how you feel. What if my lifemate doesn’t like me going to the surface? Or what if they don’t like me hanging out with you?”

Alberto sat up straighter, “Lifemates are stupid. Who needs them? We have each other.”, Luca nodded in agreement. Surely a lifemate couldn’t be as cool as being with his best friend, “It can be you, me, and Giulia exploring the world. No lifemates needed.”, The pair sat like that for only a moment longer before getting up and swimming back to town. One thing was clear for both of them; all they needed was each other.

A/N: As always, leave a comment if you liked it.

[santigarcia]

Bot 🤖

Human Touch Part One

a nathan bateman x f!reader fic~

word count: 3.3k

rating: T - nudity (non sexual), mentions of masturbation

summary: After a wrong turn on a hike, you find yourself on Nathan’s property and joining him for dinner. 

a/n: ahhh this is part 1 of 10 of this series! i cannot wait to share it all with you!! remember these will be posted at 9 CST. check here for the schedule so you won’t miss one!! thank you to @punkpascal for encouraging this and listening to me yell nonstop! and thank you to @sergeantkane for your support and for making the moodboards for this series!! 

You only agree to this because of the view. Not for any other reasons. No. No. Certainly not.

Your cousin owns a timeshare in Norway for her work. And she invites you to come up for a few weeks. You’re in desperate need to get out. She won’t even be there half the time, which is even better. You love your cousin but you’re ready for some quiet. Some space. The fresh air. And you’ve seen photographs, the mountains outside her door look beautiful.

Those are enough reasons for anyone to go.

But it’s when you find out who her ‘neighbor’ is that has you chomping at the bit to go.

The term neighbor is a loose term, the neighbor in question lives two hours in a different direction. It’s a secluded private area. But it still gives you some strange hope you might see him.

“I’ve only seen him once,” you remember your cousin telling you. She wasn’t that impressed, but you – you’re dying to see him.

Nathan Bateman, the multi-billionaire CEO, and creator of Bluebook. He’s a celebrity crush of yours. Half the reason you have a Bluebook phone in your pocket is because of him.

There’s something about him. You’ve followed his career quietly, but more than anything you think he’s handsome. Gorgeous even.

He’s a hot topic for gossip since he remains in seclusion, working on his mysterious projects. To be that close to him sends a thrill down your spine. And he’s all you can think about on the plane ride over.

Your cousin picks you up at the airport and you spend the next few days hanging out with her and relaxing. She leaves on the third day and you spend most of it reading that book you’ve been meaning to finish.

As you sit near the window, you can’t help but admire the mountains. The lush greens of the field at the foot of it, the rich white snow. The crisp air feels good to you, even if it gives you chills.

You decide that you want to go hiking. Your cousin mentioned there are several easy trails and you think you can figure them out.

You get to packing that night. You shove your backpack with things you think you’ll need. You don’t plan on being gone long, so just some essentials for the hike.

The next morning is a lovely one, that mountain air is crisp, and it fills your lungs. You feel rejuvenated. The trails are easy to follow and you walk for hours. You stop to rest every so often and keep hydrated and eat.

You have every intention of turning back when it begins to rain. Hard. Within minutes you’re soaked to the bone. It’s freezing and if you don’t get warm you worry you’ll get sick. You try not to panic, but the rain is coming down so hard you can’t see the trail.

Somehow you take a turn and find yourself going down a decline. Maybe you’re near the trails edge.

The rain continues to pour, but through it you see lights of what looks like a house. Shivering, you make the long walk to this place. It’s your port in the storm.

It’s not your cousin’s house, and you don’t remember seeing this one on the way in. You bang loudly on the front door, hoping someone will hear you over the rain. The house looks huge.

“Hello?” you bang on the door; you feel tears welling up in your eyes. You’re so cold. “Is anyone home?”

After a few moments, the door is opened. And you’re not sure who is more surprised. You or the one and only Nathan Bateman standing across from you.

“It’s you,” you gasp, shivering violently from the cold. “Nathan!”

He blinks, his eyebrow ticks up in bewilderment.

“How the hell did you even get out here? Are you okay? Yeah, come in. Shit, you’re freezing. Umm… yeah. That’s me.”

He opens the door wider so you can come inside. The warmth hits you like a wave, and it almost hurts. You haven’t stopped shaking. And now you’re trembling for any entirely different reason.

“I was hiking, and it started raining and I got lost and…” your teeth are chattering. And Nathan looks confused but concerned.

“This is a hell of a way to get introduced, but-“ he pauses for a beat. “We need to get you out of those clothes. You’re gonna get sick.”

You follow him in this maze of a house, and he takes you to a large open bathroom. He turns on the shower and you take a step towards it, but he stops you.

“This is for the steam, you need to get warm slower, you’ll go into shock.”

You’ve heard about this, and you know he’s right. One of the best ways to prevent hypothermia is warming the body through skin to skin contact and body heat.

“Look, shit, I know this isn’t ideal,” he snorts, “but you need to get naked. I won’t look.” He smiles softly and you feel sick. Maybe it’s the hypothermia.

You turn your back to him and begin to awkwardly peel off your clothes. You’ve never felt so embarrassed in your life. He’s turned the opposite direction and isn’t saying anything. You almost wish he would.

“Ok,” you tell him. You’ve turned back around with your arms covering your chest. He’s taken off his shirt, and he’s quick to wrap you up tight in his arms before you can think too much.

His bare chest is warm. His arms squeeze you tight and he rubs your back. His beard tickles your ear, and you feel all of him all at once. It’s making your head spin. Is this? Is this how you’re meeting him?

“I’m Nathan,” he chuckles softly, “but it seems you already knew that.”

You tell him your name, and he chuckles again. “Interesting meeting huh? Story to tell the grandkids.”

That gets a soft laugh from you, and you can feel him physically relax. The awkward tension has been cut.

“You’re feeling warmer now, less shivering.” He states this as if you don’t know, but it’s impossible not to shudder while naked in his arms. He seems to pick up on this, because of the look he gives you when your bodies pull apart. “You okay?” he looks at you, his eyebrow up again.

Tears well up in your eyes and you can see a look of slight panic cross his face.

“No,” he whispers, “No, hey sweetheart, it’s ok. No need to be embarrassed ok? Do you need me to call someone for you?”

“There’s no one to call,” you sniffle out. “I’m staying with my cousin at her place, but she’s out of town.”

“Do you- you wanna stay here tonight? Get warm? We can figure out shit tomorrow.”

“I’m not an inconvenience, am I?”

“Not even a little. You’re the first person I’ve seen in… months. And… it’s way too cold out there. You’re safer here. Just as long as you’re not a serial killer or somethin’… you can stay.” He gives you a little smile, and hands you a towel to wrap yourself in.

”Definitely not a serial killer. I killed a spider last week and I screamed.”

He chuckles while he dries off his chest and pulls his Henley back on.

“Is it just you in this house?” you ask trying to keep the subject off your nudity.

“Yeah, just me. It’s… yeah, it’s a little lonely. But it’s the ideal working environment. No distractions. No noise. But sometimes, it’s too quiet. Listen, hey we can talk later. You should get in the shower, get warmed up ok? Don’t turn the water up too hot alright? I’ll have my housekeeper set aside some dry clothes for you.”

He exits quietly closing the door behind you with a soft click. Once he’s gone, you drop the towel and step into the warm spray of the nicest shower you’ve ever seen.

You try to process what just happened, and you decide this must be a sign or a dream.

At one point there’s a soft knock on the door and you briefly see a woman set a stack of clothes on the counter. She exits as quickly as she arrived.

You wonder why he’d said he’d not seen another person in months when there she was.

After you dry off, you reach for the stack of dry clothes which you assume are his. There’s a soft pair of sweatpants and a warm Henley that looks like the one he was wearing. They smell fresh and clean, and you pull them on eager to not be naked in this house anymore.

You step out of the bathroom and no sooner do you step foot into the hall do you see his face.

“You don’t have any kind of electronic device on you, do you? Like your phone? Just until you leave, for security purposes. It’s just a precaution.”

“You scared me!” you laugh and touch your chest. “And I do, in my backpack. Which I don’t remember where-“

“It’s in the dining room, I’ll show you.”

Once again you follow Nathan through this maze. Your backpack is sitting on the table just as he said. The fabric is soaked, and you have little hope anything is dry on the inside. There’s a neatly folded towel next to the backpack and you spread it out to take out the contents of said pack.

Your phone is in there, and it looks dead. Soaked from the water.

“I can fix that,” he tells you and extends his hand for the phone. You hand it to him, and he pockets it.

After your phone is out, you dump the backpack onto the towel and all your stuff spills out. A clean shirt, a small first aid kit, a phone charger (just in case), and to your horror – a forgotten vibrator that had been stuffed in the bottom of your pack.

You look up at him with fear in your eyes, but he’s got that eyebrow up again.

“Carrying the essentials huh?”

“I-“

“I have so many questions about why you’re hiking with a vibrator, but you look way too embarrassed to answer them honestly. You can keep that for yourself.”

You quickly shove it and the rest of your things back into your soaked backpack.

“So, you’re just… in the middle of the wilderness, alone, with a phone and a vibrator. And no one to call. And you’re sure you’re not a serial killer?” he winks playfully.

“I swear I forgot that was in there!”

“Hey, sorry. I am the last person who’s gonna judge you for somethin’ like that. And you’re not the only person here with a vibrator,” he winks again.

“You sure you’re not a serial killer?” you flush.

“Would it make a difference if I said no?” he can’t help the grin on his face. “Kyoko, my housekeeper, is done with dinner. Would you like to eat with me?” He picks up the damp towel from the table.

“That would be nice, thank you. You’re a good host.”

“I’ll admit, I don’t get a lot of visitors. Or… any visitors, really. But against my better judgement, I’m not gonna let you freeze to death outside. And you seem… relatively harmless,” he smiles again fiddling with the towel in his hands.

The woman you saw earlier sets plates of food down on the table, and Nathan hands her the towel.

“This looks amazing, I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. You kinda looked like a wet cat when you got here. No offense,” he bites his lip and glances over at you.

“None taken,” you laugh.

“Do you drink?” he glances at you when he sees you reach for an empty glass.

“I’m not much of a drinker, but I like the occasional wine!”

He chuckles fondly, “We can definitely do wine. I have a Chateau Lafite 1787 and a Cheval Blanc 1947 that are begging to be opened. And… from the look on your face, you have no clue what that means. Kyoko, grab the Cheval.”

“I admit I don’t know! But I can tell you do. You seem to know a lot about a lot of things. Including saving someone from hypothermia,” you almost grimace at the memory.

”That’s why they pay me the big bucks,” he chuckles taking a generous sip of his freshly poured wine. “Damn… this is the good shit.”

You watch him drink and it’s beginning to hit you. This is really him; this is the Nathan that you have his social media accounts on notifications. This is the Nathan that you’ve watched random tech videos you have no interest in but wanted to hear his voice. And now you’re sitting across from him, at his table, watching him drink wine.

“You definitely seem to enjoy the finer things in life, don’t you? And yes, this is good, especially with the meal. I’m not used to this much luxury. I feel like I don’t belong here,” you bite your lip. He’s a genius. Famous and sexy as hell and you’re just-

“Well, you get used to a certain way of living when you’re… me,” he chuckles.

“This wine probably costs more than I make in a month,” you laugh taking another sip. “I don’t know what I’d do if I even had a million dollars.”

“Done.”

“Pardon?”

“I can wire your bank tomorrow.”

“Wait, you can’t be serious.”

“As a heart attack,” he shrugs. “Pocket change. Consider it a get well soon present. So, what’s home like for you?” He changes the subject so abruptly, but you go along with it, but it’s hard to keep up.

Suddenly you feel like spilling your whole life out to this man. That you’re stuck. You live at home because you can’t make ends meet and nothing seems to stick. You’re looking for something, but you don’t know what it is.

“I live in a small town. It’s cozy. Simple. But sometimes it feels too small. That’s why I wanted to get away. See something new. I realize how I’ve not experienced much in my life. I want excitement. I want- well I want to move away. That’s what I want.”

He takes another sip of his wine and you can’t help but stare at his delicious beard.

“I specialize in exciting, honey. You stumbled into the right place,” he grins, another soft chuckle escapes his lips.

“I think I did, though it sounds like you know something I don’t know.”

His brow raises as he smirks devilishly, “there’s a lot you don’t know, kitten. There’s a lot I can show you. I didn’t come out here just to be alone.”

Your stomach drops and you feel your face heat. He’s called you two pet names back-to-back. His eyes are fixed on you, watching every move on your face. He’s calculating, tucking everything away into his memory.

“K-kitten?” you find your words, but you sputter on your wine. “Did you just call me kitten?”

His smirk only seems to grow. The confidence is oozing out of him and it’s thick in the air.

“You liked that, didn’t you? Your pupils are dilated.” He causally sips his wine as if he didn’t just ruin your whole life with a short sentence.

He’s rendered you speechless, the very air in your lungs is gone. And there’s a feeling low in your belly. A pang of arousal and need and thrill hits you all at once.

“I-“ your words are lost again, but he speaks up for you.

“Look, kitten,” he punctuates the word, he’s teasing you now. “You obviously did. Can we just skip to the part where we have the conversation?”

“The conversation?”

“Y’know. The one where I tell you I’m not just interested in you because you’re the first person that’s come around here, like… ever, but because you’re beautiful and interesting and genuinely fun to be around. And that you need to make the first move if you want this as much as I do because I’m not some rich asshole who’s trying to take advantage of the fact that you’re completely vulnerable right now. That conversation.” He sips his wine again, and you feel like you might pass out or jump across the table into his lap. You’re too frozen to do either.

“You think I’m beautiful?”

“Honey,” he sighs setting down his wine glass and folding his hands together resting his elbows on the table. “I don’t mince words. And let me put it to you clearly. You’re exactly my fuckin’ type.”

“Is this really happening?”

“Only if you want it to baby. But I’m as real as it gets. And I couldn’t have made a more perfect woman if I tried, and I have.” He mumbles the last part into his wine glass, it’s so quiet you almost don’t hear it.

“Look Nathan, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m in love with you.”

Both his eyebrows raise in question and a smile grin spreads across his face.

“No, I mean,” you bury your face in your hands, “I mean I have a crush on you, you’re kind of… my celebrity crush,” you wince a little and peek out from behind your hands. “My cousin really does own a timeshare and I really did want to get away, but I came because I thought you would be nearby. I didn’t actually think I’d be having dinner with you after you saw me naked.”

“So, that explains the vibrator then,” he scratches his chin, pretending he’s lost in thought. He’s messing with you but when he sees your obvious distress he leans back in his chair. You think he’s about to apologize when you get up and walk down the hall and pick a random room that’s open.

You sit down on a couch and look up to see a Jackson Pollack painting on the wall. Lights are angled at it, it’s the focal point of the room.

A few moments later you hear a soft knock on the doorframe.

Nathan walks in and leans against the desk under the painting, he’s facing you. His arms are crossed, but he doesn’t look angry.

“Look, I wanna talk to you about earlier. I know I come on….strong. And it’s a shitty excuse but you’re the first real woman I’ve seen in months that isn’t my housekeeper and what I said before about you being my type? Shit. I scared you, didn’t I?”

“It’s just overwhelming,” you flush. “My celeb crush saw me naked today and wants to have sex with me. Not to mention you offered me a MILLION dollars without batting an eye!”

“Okay, okay. How can I put you at ease about this? We obviously have a connection. And you might as well stay until I can fix your phone.”

“What about the money?”

“I could put you to work. I’m writing a thesis. And I need to make sure it’s readable to someone who may not understand all this,” he moves his hands around in the air.

“Is that worth a million dollars?”

“It would be to me; I need help on this.”

“Okay,” you nod. “I’ll do it.”

“Really?” he smiles, he seems so excited. “Great. I’ll take you to a room you can stay in. Let me give you a tour of the place.”

Your tour ends with the bedroom. He tells you goodnight and disappears down the hall. You shimmy out of the sweatpants but leave on the Henley and slide into the bed. The sheets are soft, silky. There’s a thick warm blanket on top and you snuggle deep under the covers.

You’re thinking about your day, what a crazy day it’s been. You try not to linger on the naked part, but you think more about his skin. The warmth. The touch of his beard. His obvious desire for you at dinner. You wonder what he’s doing right now. You wonder if he’s thinking about you as much as you are thinking about him. Maybe you have some charge left in the vibrator….

// 

if this looks familiar....it’s because w/ permission from @sergeantkane, i wrote a fic based on my thread w/ her on @thatortheschlong!! 

// 

next part will come on thursday feb 18th!

// 

tagging: @punkpascal​, @pascal-isaac​, @wasicskosgirl​, @velvetmel0n​, @huliabitch​, @shadow-assassin-blix​, @writefightandflightclub​, @aellynera​, @softboywriting​, @veuliee2​, @spider-starry​, @mylifeliterally​, @millllenniawrites​, @ntlmundy​, @foxilayde, @writingletterstothefire​, @mandoplease, @anetteaneta​, @feelmyroarrrr​, @artsymaddie​, @shakespeareanwannabe​, @thevalentinowhitebag​, @deanfanatic​

[falcqns]

Adore You

Pairing: Chris Evans x Reader

Summary: 3 times Chris tries to tell you he loves you, and the 1 time he does.

Warnings: smut, angst, swearing, fluff

A/N: hope you enjoy!

Walk in your rainbow paradise  Strawberry lipstick state of mind

He first realized he was in love with you the first time he hung out with you off set.

The rest of your co stars were going to be filming late except you two, so you invited him over for a movie night, to which he agreed.

You had run around before he arrived making sure your apartment was presentable before he arrived. You made a whole bunch of snack, including your moms hot dip, which was a favourite of everyone who tried it.

When the doorbell rang, you walked up to let him in, and greeted him.

“Hey!” You said, giving him a smile.

“Hey, thanks for having me,” He said, taking off his shoes.

“Well, if you hadn’t come over, I would have had a very boring night involving me, my cat, and Harry Potter,” You joked. 

He took off his coat and hung it up. He looked around at your apartment as he followed you. You didn't have a very big apartment, but it looked very spacious, especially for Los Angeles. 

It was open concept, the kitchen, dining and living room all connected with a hallway leading back to what he guessed was the bedroom and bathroom.

“You've got a pretty nice place here,” He mentioned, as you poured him a drink in the kitchen.

You chuckled. “Well, it’s super cheap, it’s in a nice spot, and I knew the girl who rented it before me, she just moved to Hawaii with her baby daughter.” You finished before taking a sip of your own drink, and leading Chris over to the couch. 

Your faded calico cat, Rella, lifted her head up and meowed at the two of you, before climbing onto Chris.

“What’s her name?” He asked, as he pet her gently, and listened to her purr.

“Her names Rella, she’s my childhood cat. She’s getting older and my mom thought she’s be happier out here with me instead of home in Canada with my 3 loud siblings,” You said, watching as she got comfortable on his lap.

The two of you spent the rest of the night watching Harry Potter, and chatting, before Chris headed out around midnight with a promise of movie night being at his place. 

As he hugged you goodbye, he knew he wanted to tell you how much he loved you.

I get so lost inside your eyes Would you believe it?

The first time he tried to confess his feelings, he messed up.

He was too scared to tell you face to face, so he settled on sending you a bouquet of flowers with a note confessing.

Which, he did, but he (stupidly) forgot to sign the card which would tell you it was from him until after it was sent and he couldn't cancel it.

So when you called him ecstatic about having a secret admirer, his heart hurt a little. 

He was going to tell you it was him, but then you almost broke him in two with one sentence.

“I wonder if it’s from the man I’m in love with,” You asked, and his stomach dropped.

Of course you were in love with someone else. You were beautiful, strong, and an amazing actress. It only made sense, but it didn't hurt any less.

You don't have to say you love me You don't have to say nothing You don't have to say you're mine

When you announced you had a boyfriend, he tried to tell you again, which obviously didn't work either. 

Instead of just calmly telling you about his feelings, and acknowledging that he couldn't have you, he got angry. 

He wasn't angry at the fact that you were taken, he was angry at who you were dating. “I cannot believe you're dating Noah Centeno of all people,” He said.

You crossed your arms. “What’s wrong with Noah? He’s a nice guy, and I like him.” You reasoned.

He scoffed and looked up from the carrots he was cutting. “You don’t love him.”   

“I can see myself loving him,” 

He dropped the knife, and braced his hands on the counter before lifting his head and looking at you. 

“You should be dating someone you’re in love with, and who loves you back,” He said.

You slammed your glass on the counter top, and stood up.

“JUST BECAUSE I DON’T LOVE HIM NOW, DOESN’T MEAN I NEVER WILL!” You screamed. “WE’VE BEEN DATING A WEEK!”

“I DON’T CARE, Y/N! I’M TELLING YOU HE’S NOT GOOD FOR YOU, AND IT’S JUST GOING TO END BADLY!” He screamed right back at you.

“FUCK YOU! YOU SAY THAT ABOUT EVERY GUY I TAKE AN INTEREST IN AS IF IT’S ANY OF YOUR BUSINESS! I’M DONE WITH IT, CHRIS!” You screamed, tears streaming down your face as you turned away from him and grabbed your purse. You walked towards the door, and he came after you.

“Y/N, wait-” He started to say before you slammed the door in his face.

He turned away from the door to face Dodger.

“I fucked up bad, I know.” He said, and Dodger barked in agreement.

Honey I'd walk through fire for you Just let me adore you

Just as he’d suspected, your relationship crashed and sank to the bottom of the ocean quicker than the Titanic, but he didn’t find out until a drama news source got hold of the story, and announced it.

“Y/N Y/L/N and Noah Centeno are over,” The title read. 

He knew he shouldn’t click on it, that he shouldn’t believe it. But, as he scrolled further, he saw a post from you confirming the breakup.

‘I hate to have to make this post, but certain organizations have somehow gotten ahold of the news, and there’s no denying it. Noah and I have decided to end our relationship. I will not go into details about what happened between us in this post, but it’s not hard to figure out what happened if you google it. I have no ill feelings towards Noah, sometimes things just don’t work out. We had a great time together, and I will always be grateful for him.’ The post read.

He scrolled back up and clicked on the article. He lightly skimmed through it, before a sentence caught his eye.

‘Sources are reporting that the relationship ended when Centeno was spotted kissing another woman in a Las Vegas night club, when Y/N was at home in Canada visiting family.’

That mother fucker. 

He dialled your number and tried to call you, but you didn't answer, so he decided to text you instead.

‘Hey, Y/N. I just saw your post about you and Noah and I wanted to saw that I’m sorry. I’m sorry for a lot of things that I won't mention over text, but I’m mainly sorry for what that asshole did to you. I’m here for you if you  need anything, just let me know,” The message read. Sure, he had thought about telling you how he felt in that message, but he knew it wasn't the right time.

He sent the message, and you responded less than a minute later.

‘Why do you care? You got what you wanted, him out of my life. You were right, so I don’t know why you're even pretending to care.’

That hurt, he thought to himself, before putting his phone down. You were right of course. He was a complete asshole to you, so why was he pretending he cared, when he obviously didn't. He had gotten what he wanted, shouldn't he be happy?

Because you were hurting, that’s why.

Your wonder under summer skies (summer skies) Brown skin and lemon over ice Would you believe it?

He woke up the next morning, and decided that enough was enough, and he needed to tell you.

You hadn’t answered him all week, and he was getting annoyed. He wanted to talk to you, and sort shit out, but it’s kind of hard for him to do that when you refuse to talk to him, so he called Adrianne Palicki.

You were a part of the cast of The Orville, and Adrianne was one of your best friends.

“Hello?” She said as she answered.

“Hey, it’s Chris,” He said.

“Hey, what’s up,” she responded.

“Well, I was wondering if you could convince Y/N to talk to me,” he pleaded.

Adrianne sighed, before continuing. “I don’t know Chris, she’s pretty mad at you. I mean she refuses to even watch Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. any more, she’s so mad at you,” 

He ran his hands through his hair as he spoke again. “I know. I messed up bad. I just- I’m in love with her, and I let my feelings get the best of me, and I want to make it right. I just need you to get her to talk to me,”    

“Alright, I’ll talk to her. What do you want me to tell her?” Adrianne asked. 

“J-Just tell her to come to my place Saturday at 8, and I’ll explain everything.”

“Kay, I’ll tell her. But Evans, if you hurt her, I think I still have my Mockingbird batons around here somewhere,” She threatened, and Chris chuckled.

“You got it,” He said before hanging up. 

You had no idea how you had managed to let Adrianne talk you into this. I mean, you were still mad at Chris, and didn't see that ending anytime soon, yet here you were. Standing at his doorstep, at 7:55 on Saturday night.

You knocked, and heard Dodger barking before the door opened to reveal Chris.

“Hey,” He said, giving you a smile.

“Why am I here?” You stated, plainly.

He gestured you to come in, and you followed him. You took your shoes off, and followed him into the kitchen before you were attacked by Dodger.

“Hey, buddy! I missed you!” You exclaimed.

“Well, he’s not the only one,” Chris said, before handing you a drink as you stood up.

“Are you going to tell me why I’m here?” You said.

Chris sighed, before getting straight to the point. 

“I’m sorry for the way I acted, and for what I said. It was stupid, and I let my personal feelings get in the way of our friendship. I really am sorry,” he said, looking you deeply in the eyes.

Your eyebrows scrunched. 

“You’re personal feelings? What does that mean?”

He cleared his throat before confessing.

“You remember that bouquet of flowers you got from your ‘secret admirer’?”

You nodded. “Yeah...”   

He looked up at you. “That was from me,” He said, looking down at his feet.

He heard the sound of you putting your glass on the counter, and he looked up just in time to see you walk up to him, grab his face, and press your lips to his.

He put his glass down, and wrapped his arms around you, before lifting you up and onto the counter.

A few moments later, he broke the kiss, and looked you in the eyes.

“Why didn’t you just tell me?” You asked, resting your forehead against his.

“I was scared. It’s a stupid excuse, but that’s it.” He responded, before kissing you again.

You don't have to say you love me I just wanna tell you something Lately you've been on my mind

Less than a minute later your back was pressed against the sheets of his bed, with his lips still on yours.

His lips left yours to trail down your neck, his beard tickling you sensitive skin there.

Chris ran his hand down your sundress clad body, and gripped your left leg, bringing it over his hip.

You moaned at the feeling of his jean covered hard on against your core.

You brought your hands up and around his neck. He pushed his tongue into your mouth as you tangled your fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck.

He disconnected his lips from your skin, and looked you in the eye.

“You want this?” He mumbled out, and you nodded. He sat up on his knees and fumbled with the buttons on the front of your dress. He struggled for a few more moments before he gave up.

“I can’t get it,” He groaned, and you giggled.

You sat up and quickly undid them. Chris watched you for a few moments before he began stripping himself. Your dress was thrown on the floor, followed by his shirt and jeans moments later, before his mouth attacked yours once more.

You moaned out when he moved his mouth from your mouth to your chest. His hands trailed up from your hips, to your back to undo your bra, which he did successfully. 

He threw his head back and moaned at the sight of your uncovered breasts, before pressing kisses to them. 

You ran your fingers through his hair as his mouth moved lower.

He stopped just below your belly button, and his fingers looped into your underwear, before pulling them down.

He made eye contact with you, before lifting your left leg over his right shoulder, and diving into you. His tongue swiped over your clit twice, befarepressing into your entrance.

You cried out, and tugged on his hair.

“C-Chris, please,” You begged.

He removed his mouth from you to smirk in your direction.

“Yes, my love?”    

You groaned, and tugged on his hair again. “Get up here, and fuck me,”

He chuckled, but did as you asked. He sat up and tugged off his own underwear.

He spread your legs again, before gripping his own hard cock, and lining himself up with your entrance.

“Not my fault you taste like fucking heaven, baby,” He quipped. 

You rolled your eyes, and then threw your head back as he began to push in.

He bottomed out, and hovered over you again.

“You ready?” He asked, pressing a kiss to your nose.

“Obviously,” You said, before Chris pulled out slightly, and then snapped his hips against yours.

You cried out, gripping his biceps while he set a quick pace in his hips. 

Honey I'd walk through fire for you Just let me adore you

“I’ve wanted you like this for months, baby,” Chris growled out, snapping his hips against yours. “Ever since our first movie night, fuck.”

You moaned out. “I’ve wanted you like this since before we met,” 

Chris bottomed out, and ground his hips against yours. 

“Did he make you feel this good? Did he fill you like this?” Chris growled into your ear.

“N-No!” “Yeah, I’m the only one who makes you feel this good, right?” 

You nodded, and moved your hips under his. “I’m close, Chris,” You whined.

“Me too, baby, me too. God, you kill me,” He moaned out. “How’d you manage to make me last barely 5 minutes inside you,”

He dropped his torso against yours, and grasped your face in his hands.

“I want you to look at me when you cum baby,” He moaned, his thrusts becoming erratic.

You nodded, and wrapped your arms around his torso as you were barrelling towards your high, as was he.

He moved his right hand from your face, and snaked it in between your bodies, his thumb coming to rub circles on your clit.

“C’mon, baby, let go all over me,” He moaned in your ear, and you were pushed over the edge. 

You clamped down on. him, and he was pushed over as well.

Moments later, Chris collapsed against you, his head falling to your shoulder.

“I love you, too.” You whispered into his ear. “I realized I never told you.”

Chris chuckled. “We were a little busy, weren’t we?”      

You giggled, before connecting your lips once again.

Oh, honey Just let me adore you Like it's the only thing I'll ever do

[mmvalentine]

Lockdown Lovers, pt 5 | Feysand

Modern pandemic AU. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4. Smut abounds.

Rhys padded to his room with Feyre's body in his arms and her tongue in his mouth. Luckily, the apartment was so small, there wasn't much to navigate between the couch and his bed, and very soon, he was pressing Feyre down against his rumpled sheets.

Feyre kissed him, but then scooted back against the headboard. Her lips were kiss-reddened and swollen, but her blue-gray eyes sparkled with mischief.

"I've never been in here," she said, her voice husky. His cock throbbed at the sound of it. "You haven't?" Feyre shook her head. "Always kind of wanted to though." She tilted her head curiously at him.

Rhys scratched at the back of his head, wondering whether to indulge her, or to just grab her ankles and pull her back down to him. Eventually, he gestured an invitation. With an inward sigh.

Feyre grinned, and slid out of bed. Rhys sat down on the end, and watched her walk around the room. Gods, she was still naked from the waist up.

Feyre walked slowly, taking in the black chest of drawers and stack of books sitting on it, work desk with computer off and papers strewn over the top, and the shelves on the far wall that appeared to hold the rest of his miscellaneous belongings.

The latter she stepped up to, and peered over with her fingers on the bottom shelf. "Is it okay if I look?" she asked. Rhys shrugged his consent. Honestly. What was he not going to let her do while she was shirtless in his bedroom? He watched her ass as she tip-toed up to examine the objects, and when she bounced on the balls of her feet, he found himself crossing the room to get his hands back on her skin.

"What's this?" Feyre giggled, as Rhys's fingers dragged over her stomach. She held up a small stuffed bear. Rhys moved his lips over her shoulder. "That was a present from my mother, before she died," he said. "Oh." Feyre regarded the item with new reverence. She placed it carefully back where she found it. "How old were you?" "Eight," Rhys said, pulling her hips back against him. "I'm sorry," Feyre said. She picked up an old but expensive looking watch. "And this?" Rhys smirked into her neck. "That I pinched off Cassian while he was drunk. Back before the lockdown, of course. He's still looking for it, turned the house upside down. Nes is ready to kill him." Feyre laughed. She set the watch back too, and then picked up a couple of cologne bottles, sniffing each one. "Ooh, I like this one," she said. Rhys inhaled at the base of her throat. "I think you smell better than anything in the world."

He replaced his nose with his lips, and then his hand slid in between her legs. Over the layers of fabric, he could feel the heat of her. Feyre forgot the bottles, finally, and leaned back into him. Rhys rubbed his hand over her again, and she turned her head to kiss him.

With his teeth on her lip, Rhys dipped his fingers down the front of her absurd little shorts, brushed down the seam of her. Feyre moaned, and all he knew was that he wanted her to make those sounds for him forever. He stroked gently up and down, until his fingers were slick and it was her own wetness that was guiding him into the core of her.

Feyre's legs buckled, and Rhys bent to catch her under the knees and sweep her up into his arms. He carried her back to the bed, and this time, she was going to stay there.

Indeed he was getting no argument from Feyre, who had wrapped her legs around him and was lifting her hips to grind against him. The feel of her soft, bare breasts against Rhys' chest, and her eager writhing beneath him had Rhys on fire. He moved his lips from her mouth, to her jaw, to her nipples. He pressed open-mouthed kisses to her ribs, down her stomach, and over her hip bones. Then slid a hand under her knee, lifted her leg, and bit gently into the soft part at the top of her inner thigh. Feyre bit her lip and bucked her hips off the bed, and Rhys had her shorts pulled off in one fluid motion.

He laid her back down and kissed where he had just bitten, then repeated the action on the other side. Goosebumps rippled down her legs, and he could feel the laboured rise and fall of her chest as her breathing stumbled. Then he placed his mouth over the damp fabric of her underwear, and sucked her clit through it.

Feyre cried out, and he was rewarded with the feeling of her getting even more wet on his tongue. He licked her roughly a couple of times, and then pulled her underwear off. Then his too.

Rhys knelt by the foot of the bed, and pulled Feyre toward him so her feet dangled off the edge. He smoothed his hands from her knees to her hips, and then settled his hands over her stomach before dragging his tongue up her centre and around her clit.

Feyre clutched at his hair, and moaned his name. The sound of it had him grabbing himself, stroking slowly even as he flicked his tongue rapidly over her.

"Fuck Rhys, holy- gods- fuck," she ground out. Rhys let go of his cock, and slid a finger into her instead. Her moans became higher, more breathy, as he added a finger and kept his tongue going at a frantic pace.

"Rhys, stop, I'm going to..." But the words faltered, and Feyre rocked against him in silent ecstasy. Yeah, there was no way in hell he was stopping now. Not a minute later Feyre broke against his tongue, and then she was pulling him up toward her so she could get her mouth on his.

Rhys pulled away to find a condom in his bedside drawer, and Feyre took the opportunity to wrap her hand around him. She didn't start slow, but went straight into the same rhythm he had been using on her moments earlier. For a second, Rhys just gripped the wood of the table top, all thoughts deserting his mind. Then he dragged his focus back to the drawer, and sat back on his heels to put the condom on.

Feyre watched him with hungry eyes, and as soon as he was over her again, she licked up the column of his throat. Rhys shuddered, and the twitch of his cock tapped against her. He kissed her deeply, then pulled back long enough to say,

"Is this okay? Is this what you want?"

Feyre responded by using her legs to pull his hips to hers.

"Holy gods yes," she said. And that was more than enough agreement for Rhys.

Rhys pushed into her slowly, and the sensation that skittered between them had them both groaning. He paused, and let Feyre adjust. Then he pushed in a little more. A little more. A little more.

Feyre was perfect. She was warm and tight and absolutely delicious. Some distant part of him marvelled that this was actually, finally happening, and that after a month of torture, he was at last inside of her.

Rhys began a lazy rocking, just savouring the exquisite feel of her. Her nipples grazed his chest and when he put his mouth on hers, the sensation intensified. He got faster, Feyre's legs tight around him and pulling him in more. The thought of her wanting him drove him wild.

"Rhys," she murmured. "Rhys." His name, breathless on his lips, almost pushed him over the edge. But first...

Rhys pulled out of her, and flipped her over onto her stomach. He pulled Feyre's hips up to him, and pushed into her from behind. She propped herself up on her hands, but when he reached around to toy with her clit while he fucked into her, her arms gave and she slid onto her forearms. Deepening the angle even further.

From this vantage point, Feyre looked incredible. He sped up, and Feyre got louder. The sight of her on all fours like this was surely something Rhys would have burned into his brain forever.

"You're fucking gorgeous," he told her. "Just.. fucking..."

He was so close. But he was going to make her come again first.

Rhys moved his arm to pull Feyre up against him. Her head rested against his shoulder, and from this position he had much better reach round the front of her. To make use of his idle fingers.

Feyre came, the force of it throwing her back down onto her hands and knees. Rhys had wanted to keep fucking her until the waves had subsided, but he broke apart before she had stilled, putting his forehead on her sweat-slicked back and holding onto her hips as his own climax wrung him out.

Exhausted, they collapsed together. Rhys dropped the condom into a nearby bin, and then rolled into her back to spoon her.

"Well," she said thickly. "That is one benefit of being stuck with me for so long." Rhys listened to her heart beat slowing down in her ribcage.

"Honestly?" he said against her skin. "I hope you never leave."

A slow smile spread over Feyre's lovely features, and then sleep stole silently over them like snow. ****

We made it kids! Thank you so much to those of you who stuck it out with me for all five parts, I cannot tell you how amazing it has been to come home and read the notes. And I am sad to leave this little world.

So should we go again?! Please send me comments, asks, prompts... messages are morgan-treats.

TAGLIST: @artemisausten @ghostlyrose2

UPDATE- Thanks to a certain anonymous asker, there is now a bonus scene for your reading pleasure x

[hopelesshawks]

Physical Fatality Part 10- Salve

18+ Hawks x fem, pro hero!reader

Summary: You’re a rising star in All Might’s agency. Hawks is the darling of Endeavor’s. By virtue of your job descriptions, the two of you are supposed to hate each other, or at the very least be cautiously neutral. For a long time that’s exactly what the two of you did. You stayed out of each other’s way and formed little opinion of the other. One fateful night at an HPSC gala changes all that. Based on the album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom by Halsey.

If you don’t want to see Physical Fatality content blacklist #hopelesspf

This story will have multiple NSFW parts so it is 18+ ONLY minors dni

Warnings for brief mention of background character death and description of unprotected sex

Masterlist

“The first person I ever loved was named Kiyomi.”

It’s certainly not how you expected Hawks to start this conversation but it had taken nearly half an hour of him pacing for him to sit down next to you on the bed and spit out even that much so you decide to just let him talk.

“I was 18, fresh onto the hero scene and still in that post-debut hustle trying to prove myself. She was a college student. She told me that we’d make it till she graduates. I told her heroism would be worth the wait but she wanted me in an office with a 9-5. We didn’t last. The next girl I fell in love with was Yua. I thought it’d be better because she was a hero too so she’d understand, but before I could ask her out she died in a villain attack. Then there was this one girl with an attitude I met on a mission up north. We never told anyone we were together and in the end we both had way better things to do so we didn’t last long, but I always think about her when I’m in the area.”

“Hawks why are you telling me all this?” you finally ask, starting to get impatient for him to reach the point. You didn’t relish in hearing about his past lovers even if you figured he was telling you for a reason.

“I’m getting to the point I promise. The last one before you was Mirko. I loved her but I lost her because as great as things were going she wanted more time from me and I loved work more than I did her. But when I met you? Fuck (y/n) it was like every single person before you was suddenly meaningless. That night at the gala I was looking for Mirko but the moment I laid eyes on you I forgot all about her. You are genuinely the first person I’ve ever loved more than anything else and I’m sorry I hurt you baby, I am. It’s not that I don’t love you, I’m just bad at love,” he finally finishes.

“If you’re so bad at love then why are you here right now?” You ask. “Can you blame me for trying to be better? Look I could lie and say you’re the one that will finally fix me but the truth is I don’t know, ok? I just know that I want you to be. I want so badly for you to be. Can’t that be enough?” he asks, no pleads, of you and it breaks your heart. “It’s not my job to fix you Hawks. Especially when I’ve got my hands full keeping my career from going to shit,” you reply. “You’re right. Fuck, sorry, you’re right that’s not what I meant. I just...,” he sighs running frustrated fingers through his hair before turning back to you again with a desperate but determined look in his eyes. “For the first time I don’t want to be resigned to being bad at this. I’m asking for patience and a second chance,” he clarifies. “I’m scared,” you finally admit and immediately Hawks is kneeling in front of you, his hands gently cradling either side of your face as he forces you to make eye contact with him. “I know that you’re afraid I’m gonna walk away again but I won’t. I swear to you I won’t,” he promises and his eyes are so full of conviction that your resolve finally crumbles. There’s no denying how genuine he is in this moment and you are so, so tired of hurting him. So you let go of the anger and the hurt you’ve been clinging to for dear life since the moment you read that damned article. “I believe you Keigo,” you confess and it’s one less weight on your shoulders.

You’re shocked at the desperation with which Keigo surges up to press his mouth to yours, his once gentle grip tightening possessively. He pulls away just a bit, his forehead still pressed to yours. You’re both out of breath and panting already and you’re about to close the distance between the two of you again but Keigo pulls away. You whine your disagreement as your hands go to his shirt to try and pull him back into you but he insists. “Say it again,” he commands, his voice shaking. “What?” you ask dazed. “I need to hear you say it again. Please.” “I believe you Keigo.” “Again.” “I believe you Keigo.” “I love you. I’m so sorry.” “I love you too.”

Finally his hands move to your waist, slipping underneath your shirt to find bare skin, and it’s like cool salve on a burn. You hadn’t even realized how deeply you’d ached for him all this time until he was laying you down against the bed. His body baring down on you as he presses you into the mattress. Your lips connect again and all you can think is that you need more of him. You open your mouth in an invitation he gladly accepts to slide his tongue in and tangle it with yours. The kiss lacks finesse, it’s probably the sloppiest the two of you have exchanged, but now is not the time for gentle, tantalizing skill. Not when the two of you have been denying each other all this time. The two of you separate only for brief intervals in order to shed clothing and underwear until there’s nothing left keeping you apart. Finally, finally it’s just skin on skin, your hearts pounding in your chests as if trying to escape and finally be together. “Need you,” you murmur against his lips and he immediately nods, his yearning for you just as overwhelming as yours for him. He presses his throbbing erection into your tight, wet heat so slowly and carefully as if you might break. Or perhaps more accurately as if you might disappear. You realize that every kiss, every touch, every movement he’s made has carried an element of disbelief, as if he cannot fathom that he’s finally with you like this again. By the time he’s fully seated inside you Keigo is absolutely trembling. The two of you stay like that for awhile, just breathing each other in, appreciating the intimacy of being so connected. One of your hands caresses Keigo’s cheek. “Baby why are you shaking?” you ask, even though you’re afraid of the answer. “I just thought I’d never have this again,” he confesses. “I’m so sorry Kei,” you whisper but he shakes his head. “I deserved it.” “No you didn’t. Not all of it.” “I’m the reason everything’s fucked now.” “Faced with Endeavor and the evidence you had, I probably would’ve done the same thing if I were in your position. And the paparazzi stuff I played a part in too.” “But I hurt you.” “And then I hurt you right back.”

It’s quiet for a moment as the two of you let the words hang in the air. You expected the admission to feel heavy but you actually feel the lightest you have in weeks. “We really are a mess aren’t we?” you finally chuckle with a slight shake of your head. “I’d rather be a mess with you than perfect with anyone else,” he swears. “That’s a bit corny isn’t it?” you tease. ��Oh absolutely. But I mean every word of it,” he replies easily before pressing a sweet kiss to your lips. It doesn’t take long for it to become heated again. “I’m gonna need you to start moving baby,” you whisper into his ear as one of your hands drifts to the base of his wings to spur him on. “Shit Love, well I guess if you need me that bad,” he smirks but a quick tug on his feathers has him hissing instead. He gives a quick roll of his hips in retaliation before starting to move in and out of you in earnest. God how you’ve missed this, missed him. For the first time since everything went to shit you’re not worrying about your career or All Might or the press or anything else. With each languid thrust, each muttered curse, each lust-filled moan, Keigo cleanses you of the worries and anxieties that have haunted your every waking moment. In him you find relief and bliss and ecstasy, such sweet ecstasy. When the two of you reach your climaxes your moans sound more like sobs as you cling tightly onto each other, scared to let go and risk discovering this was all a dream.

When you both come down from your highs Keigo doesn’t let go, just cuddles you close to him and let’s his feathers tuck you both into your bed. “Do you have any other plans for tonight?” he asks. You shake your head no as you bury yourself closer against him. “Good,” he responds before pressing a kiss to the top of your head. Hours pass the two of you by as you simply hold onto each other, barely speaking, just reveling in each other’s company. You don’t even notice yourself drifting off to sleep, it’s just one moment you’re listening to the quiet sounds of Keigo’s breathing and the next you’re slipping into the first restful sleep you’ve had in a long time.

You wake up to the sound of Keigo’s alarm. He shuts it off quickly but makes no move to extricate himself from your hold or otherwise get out of bed. “You gonna get up and go to work?” you ask. “Don’t really want to,” he sighs, “I’d rather stay in here with just us.” “We can’t stay in here forever,” you point out. “You sure about that? It sounds infinitely more appealing than dealing with Monoma this early in the morning,” he groans. “Believe me I wish we could too, but you have terrorists to catch and I’ve got people to save so,” you gently remind him. “Five more minutes?” “Fine, five more minutes.”

Five minutes passes by all too quickly and soon the two of you are forcing yourselves out of bed. It’s oddly reminiscent of that first night together. Both of you getting redressed without nearly the urgency you should. Both of you ignoring the dread building at the thought of stepping out of the little bubble you had created. Once you’re both dressed and ready you link hands again and step out of your room. Almost immediately you feel the weight of your responsibilities land heavily on your shoulders once again. The two of you move through the apartment to your front door and it feels like that crossroads moment in the hallway when both of you had run opposite directions without so much as getting a name. You hope he’ll understand why you’re going to once again choose to part ways. “You go on ahead Love, I think I’m going to wait to head to the office until closer to my shift,” you tell Hawks as you hesitate in the doorway. “Are you sure?” he asks. “I’m sure. You go ahead though, tell the others I say hi,” you insist. He gives you a worried look but agrees, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead before leaving. “Looks like you two are doing better,” a voice comments behind you. You turn around to find your new roommate standing watching you as he eats cereal out of a bowl nonchalantly. “I’m gonna be honest I have already forgotten your name again,” you confess. “Denki.” “Right, Denki. Thanks I guess.” “You’re welcome. Why didn’t you go with him to work?” “All of my coworkers except for the ones who will be busy working with him think I’m a traitorous slut.” “Yikes.” “Yea.” “Anyway I can help?” “You could make me breakfast to make up for picking the lock on my door.” “Fair enough.”

Author’s Note: This was difficult to write tbh because the content from the song it’s based on tapped out pretty quickly and I needed to figure out narratively where else it needed to go, especially considering what’s coming down the pipeline. I hope the result was satisfying and you guys enjoy it though

Taglist [open]: @akkaso @cathy8taffy @eeppff @iikillerkitteh @pixelwisp @pokesosa @lildockel @bread0nhead

[thiswasinevitableid]

For mermay, could you do 11 for sternclay? sfw please :) I love your prompt fills!

Thank you so much! Here you go. The prompt was “royalty” and I based Barclay on a basking shark and Joseph on a mimic octopus.

For the last two weeks, Joseph has been hearing what a difficult assignment he’s taken, and how most bodyguards wouldn’t take it even with the handsome pay. That the princes of Sylvain are impossible to guard, that they’ve gone through more security staff than sharks go through teeth (this part he knows to be true from the records he’s found). 

Two days in, he’s starting to wonder if there’s been some sort of mistake. 

Now, had he received Duck’s assignment, he’d understand the warnings. Prince Indrid, seer to the court of Sylvain, has already shown himself to be a strange mixture of aloof, demanding, and spoiled.

But Prince Barclay?

When Joseph was shown into his chambers and introduced, the instant the servants left Barclay swam over to him with a nervous smile. He asked if there was anything he could get him, was he hungry, would he like something to drink? Joseph accepted that last offer, curious to see how the prince would react if called upon to perform hospitality rather than simply offer it. 

What happened was Barclay swam into an anteroom and came back with a carved coral platter with mother of pearl pitcher and goblets, pouring Joseph’s first before taking a glass for himself. 

That set the tone for his behavior, and it hasn’t changed in the week since he’s arrived. The prince, charcoal tailed and a little shy, seems to view Joseph as just another mer to talk to. When in the castle, Barclay will ask him his thoughts on the historical and political scrolls his tutors assign him as part of his preparation to one day inherit the kingdom. Out in public, Joseph shifts into the background, watches everything with care while the prince swims behind his parents or, more often, their advisors. 

“Do you think there was some kind of misunderstanding with his previous guard?” Joseph asks Duck over a late night dinner in the hall, which allows them to keep their eyes on their charges rooms. 

“I mean, he seems like a nice enough fella to me. But nice fellas can still be sneaky; from what Ned told me, Barclay’s an escape artist. Think he might be lurin you into a false sense of security.”

“And I think trusting what Ned Chicane tells you is a terrible way to gather intel.”

Movement from Indrid’s room and Duck stiffens, listening, then relaxes.

“Shouldn’t you go check on that?”

“Nah, he’s just pacin, does that a lot, especially at night.”

“He really should get some sleep.”

Duck shrugs, “He should. But treatin him like a child is the wrong way to go. He knows he oughta rest, my remindin him will just annoy him. Besides,” Duck raises an eyebrow, “maybe you better be more focused on your prince.”

“He turned in an hour ago.”

“You sure?”

Something in Duck’s voice sends worry bubbling through his guts, “I’ll check now, just to be positive.”

The bed is empty, the prince nowhere to be found. 

“Shit!” He darts back into the dim hallway, “he’s gone, I’ve got to find him and fast. How, how in name of the deep did you know?”

“Call it a hunch. Indrid likes to play the ‘I know somethin you don’t’ game, but if I let ‘im play it long enough, he let’s somethin important slip out.”

“Shit” Joseph says again, “I, if anyone asks-” 

“I’ll say I ain’t seen you or Barclay since dinner. Ain’t a lie.” Duck winks and Joseph flashes him a quick smile before swimming back into the prince’s rooms. There’s only one door and no secret passageways, (he checked for those himself), so the windows it is. His tentacles can sense Barclay’s trail, faint but unmistakable, and he follows it until he’s almost at the shore. Then it’s gone. 

He spends the next three hours feverishly tracing and retracing his path and keeping his panic to a minimum. When he spies a figure swimming towards him, he backs against a rock, planning to hide until they pass. 

This plan changes the instant he registers who it is. 

“Gaahfuck” Barclay catches his yell quickly and muffles it down to a hiss, “what the hell Joseph, you scared me.”

“And you just made me spend three hours swimming around and wondering if my charge had been abducted. I’d say that makes us even.”

“Didn’t make you do anything.” Barclay grumbles as Joseph turns them towards the palace. 

He sighs, “No, I guess technically you didn’t. But I take my job very, very seriously. If this past week hasn’t demonstrated that sufficiently, maybe tonight has. When you disappear into the night, it’s my duty to follow.” He catches brown eyes studying him warily and adds, “I’m not doing it to be punitive or steal your freedom, or even because their majesties told me to; I’m doing it because you’re under my protection.”

The prince nods but says nothing else until they return to his rooms. 

“Joseph? I’m uh, I’m sorry. For scaring you. You got farther than anyone else did, none of them ever tracked me that well, if they noticed I was gone at all. I figured you wouldn’t notice, so you wouldn’t worry. So, yeah. I’m sorry.” 

Joseph knows a false apology when he hears it, and this is as far from one as a desert is from the deep sea. 

“Apology accepted, my prince. But Barclay” he levels the other mer with a stern gaze, tries not to notice his cheeks tinging pink the longer he holds it, “don’t do it again.”

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

“Are you certain we cannot trade?” Indrid’s fin ripples with agitation as he draws. 

“Nope, Joseph is a good bodyguard.”

“And your crush on him is not governing your answer in the slightest?” Indrid smirks but doesn’t look up. 

“No idea what you’re talking about. Besides, Duck seems nice.” Barclay stretches his other arm, then pauses, “wait, fuck, is he hurting you or something?”

“No. On the contrary, he is annoyingly concerned with my wellbeing.”

“That’s his job.”

“It was the job of all his predecessors as well, but all it took was ordering them around or demanding things in the right tone before they were letting me do as I pleased. I wanted to go to that bar on the edge of town last night and do you know what he did? He told me no, because word had gotten around that it was a spot I frequented and someone there might try to take me hostage.”

“...And?”

“And, and then when I tried to leave anyway he blocked the door with that blasted muscular tail and obnoxiously charming face and wouldn’t move! Then he told me he would if I looked at the future told him we’d both be safe if we went. It turns out he was right, the chances of violence were high.”

“I mean, you don’t like places that loud anyway-”

“It’s the principle of the thing.” Indrid sighs, “so we stayed in and I made him read to me as penance but he was very good at it and I fell asleep within a half hour.”

Barclay is trying hard not to laugh, only because he knows how hard it is for his brother to admit such things. And because, given what else he knows of Duck, the mer might be exactly what his brother needs. If nothing else, Barclay hopes Duck might be observant enough to notice what’s there, not just what his brother tries to toss up like so much sand in hopes of obscuring the truth. 

Indrid goes back to his drawings. Barclay can remember the first time their ministers caught Indrid capturing the futures this way and scolded him, saying the futures to look at were only those the court asked him to, nothing else. Indrid had explained, in a number of different ways, that this was how he could keep the images from overwhelming him, but still they insisted he stop. It wasn’t until he drew on his status and threw a near fit that they relented. That was a lesson he never forgot. 

Barclay hopes todays lessons will be more enjoyable. One of the jobs of a royal bodyguard is to train the princes in self-defense. When Joseph and Duck enter the gym through kelp curtains, Barclay can’t help but be mesmerized by the poise with which his tentacles move across the ground. 

“Good morning, your highness. And to you as well, your highness.” Joseph bows to them each in turn, “Barclay, today you and I will be working with swords while Duck and Prince Indrid work on hand to hand combat.”

“What?” Indrid looks up, red eyes wide, “Barclay is the one who trains hand to hand, not me.”

“Which is exactly why we gotta mix things up. You need all the modes of defense you can get. Unless of course you’re, uh, afraid you can’t take me.” Duck raises an eyebrow at Indrid. 

His brother says nothing, simply grabs his bodyguard and pulls him towards the designated room, calling, “I’ll see you after lunch!”

He and Joseph trade an amused look, then swim to the shelf of blunted training weapons. They’re still bone or sharks tooth, but they’ve been sanded down so no one can get hurt. 

“Now, you mentioned you’ve done some sword work, so am I right that you know how to hold this safely?”

“Yep.” Barclay takes the sword, swimming over to one of the Xs on the floor. 

“Good. To keep things fair for now, I won’t use my tentacles for anything other than swimming.” Joseph takes his position on the opposite X and lifts his sword, “ready?”

Barclay nods and then immediately parries as Joseph lunges with a burst of speed. He recovers quickly, and they begin an elegant back and forth, bubbles and stray sand swirling through the air as they spin and dodge around one another. Joseph keeps up a steady stream of commentary, either positive or instructive, and Barclay is having a hard time ignoring the the thrill he gets every time Joseph pulls off a graceful maneuver. 

When they break, both a little winded, there’s a crash from the next room. 

“Fuck! You okay, your highness?” Duck sounds concerned. 

“Yes, now try that again, I am going to get this right.” 

Joseph glances at him, “Should we-”

“Nah. He kinda sounds like he’s enjoying himself.”

The other mer studies him, “Are you?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Then I’m going to ask you to stop holding back. I can’t train you effectively if I don’t know what your skill level actually is.”

He’s learned not to insist Joseph is mis-observing things when he’s actually observing them perfectly; the other mer is too sharp for that. 

“I...I just don’t want to hurt you.”

Joseph swims close, sets a hand on his shoulder, “For starters, these are fake swords, and I’m not a bad fighter. But more than that, I suspect there’s a very impressive swordsman under those scales.”

They take their positions and when Joseph gives the signal Barclay attacks with all the force his tail can muster. Joseph dodges easily but makes an approving noise. Then he grins, the expression downright rakish, and attacks with such precision and speed that Barclay barely manages to counter him. 

His focus narrows down to the fight, to watching Joseph’s body for every sign of movement, every twitch of muscle and tentacle. Finally, he sees his opening and drives the other mer backwards until he’s trapped, back to the rocky grey wall. 

“Well” Barclay pants, images of finishing the fight with a kiss banging about his mind, “what do you think of that, Joseph?”

Two tentacles rise, plucking both swords from their fighters hands as his bodyguard murmurs, “I’m impressed.”

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

It’s been a month and a half since Barclay slipped out of his room, and while he’s tried twice more, Joseph has been ready each time. Tonight, however, he’s opting for a new strategy.

He bids the prince goodnight, well aware he’ll swim out the window around moonrise. Then he waits just across from the window, skin and tentacles camouflaged with the rocks. Right on time, Barclay emerges, swimming quickly and quietly towards the shore. Joseph follows at a safe distance, forces himself to focus on the prince’s likely path rather than on how handsome he looks in the moonlight. 

When they reach the shallows Barclay pauses, slips a woven bracelet onto his wrist, and kicks towards the surface. 

Who in the name of the wide ocean gave him legs?

Joseph’s physiology allows him to crawl across the tidepools, keeping his eyes on Barclay as the prince retrieves a set of clothes hidden behind a rock and walks into the small town of Kepler, turning towards a restaurant on the pier. 

Someone had to enchant that bracelet for him, has to know where he’s going while using it. And that someone has to be a mer he trusts. 

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

“Yes. I made him the bracelet. What of it?” Indrid says coolly. 

“Indrid, do you have any idea how dangerous that is?” Joseph throws his arms and several tentacles in the air. 

“Hold up” Duck turns to his prince, “Indrid, I’m guessin Barclay probably asked for a reason, right?”

“Indeed, but if I say what it was, you will reveal it to our parents and ministers and take it away from him.”

“I won’t. I promise. I, I just want to help.”

Indrid narrows his eyes. Then, remarkably, he turns to Duck and cocks his head. Duck nods. 

“Very well. And yes, I will grant you that favor you’re about to ask for…”

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

How do humans manage with these things? His tentacles tell him so much more than these useless feet do. 

Joseph makes his wobbly way into Kepler, following Barclay’s trail down the pier, the one he’s walked the last two weeks while Joseph intermittently clung to the nearby wooden supports or fencing to make sure his prince wasn’t in danger. 

Even with Indrid’s explanation, the room he enters is a surprise. Several counters with what he knows humans call “stoves” sitting on them, each manned by one or two people. 

“Hello there” An affable older man in a multi-colored shirt approaches him, “you here for the class?”

“Yes.”

“Great! Hmmm, since you’re new, better pair you with someone, just to be safe. Follow me.”

Joseph isn’t afraid of much. But when he sees who the man intends to pair him with, he almost jumps out the window and flees back to the sea.

“You’re in luck, gonna pair you with my best student. Barclay, this is…”

“Joseph”

“Joseph’s first class with us, so I’m handin him over to you. Make me proud.”

Barclay isn’t blinking, but he manages to say, “sure thing, Thacker.” 

The older man nods, pleased, and makes his way towards the kitchen set-up at the front of the room, greeting people as he goes. 

“What the fuck, Joseph?” Barclay keeps his voice low, “did Janelle give you legs just so you could come drag me out of class?”

“No, no not at all. Indrid did this.”

“What?”

Joseph takes a deep breath, “Barclay, I told you that first week that I’m here to protect you. The way I see it, I’ll do a much better job if I come with you to something that clearly matters to you, rather than force you to hide it from me. No one knows about this but Indrid and Duck.”

Barclay seems stunned, doesn’t say anything as Thacker opens the class and instructs them on how to make something called “marinara” to go on “pasta.” The prince stays silent until they’re working on the cookies the human is also having them make.

“Here, it’s easier to cut them out like this.” He sets his hand atop Joseph’s, pressing and shaking it so the dough comes away from the stone slab in the shape of a heart. 

“Thank you.”

Barclay smiles at him, and the kitchen grows hotter. 

When everything is done cooking, they sit on stools at their station, eating the fruits of their labor. Barclay is animatedly describing the pie they made last week, occasionally stopping to chat with some of the other students. He looks so happy, and Joseph decides he will not tell their majesties about this even if they torture him. Or fire him. 

As they walk back along the beach, Barclay explaining all the things he’s learned about cooking and how much he wishes they’d let him cook at the palace rather than insist it’s beneath his station, the prince takes his hand.

“Humans do this when they’re waling on the beach together. I think it’s to keep them from getting separated if they get hit by a wave.

Joseph is pretty sure that’s not the reason, but he’s not about to say so now. 

They dive back under the waves, removing their charms and swimming side by side in the dark water. Once they’re safely inside, Barclay turns to him, beaming, “Thank you so much for coming.”

“Even if I wasn’t invited?”

“Yeah. It, uh, it means a lot to me that you wanna learn about the stuff that matters to me. That you wanna know the real me.”

“Of course I do.”

Barclay swims dangerously close, “You, uh, do you wanna know another part?”

He nods. Barclay leans in and presses their lips together. Joseph manages to keep his hands himself, but his tentacles have other ideas, curling protectively around the prince’s tail and waist. The instant Barclay pulls back with the most adorable sigh in the sea, Joseph forces them to return to their normal position. 

The prince gives him a final, shy smile and whispers, “‘Night, Joseph. And thanks for everything.”