#it was a chapter about smoking and how part of the appeal of smoking is

[ink-the-artist]

“Social media has made this generation so narcissistic and self centered everyone’s always posting selfies and posting about everything they do during the day” shut up. The human desire to show you exist and you were here is innate and we’ve been doing it since the days we were leaving hand prints on cave walls

[writing-in-the-impala]

Secret Smokes (Part 5)

Pairing: Teacher! Remus Lupin x Reader

Series Summary: When the reader bumps into the new DADA professor on the bridge in Hogwarts she begins to build a friendship with him all thanks to their shared feeling of not belonging and love for muggle cigarettes. Their friendship blooms while they both fight internal battles deciding what is wrong and what is right leading to a lot of fluff, angst, flirting and a rollercoaster of emotions.

Warnings: Swearing, Drinking, teacher-student relationship (but like it’s all legal chill), SLOWburn we’re in for a long ride

Word Count: 2681

A/N: I'm back! Here's a new chapter sorry for the wait I love you all.

 | SERIES MASTER LIST (All chapters) |

Previous Chapter, Part 5, Next Chapter

On Monday morning you received an owl from Lupin letting you know he's "back" and your lesson is back on this evening. You spent the whole weekend thinking about your last interaction with him, the dynamic between the two of you was becoming very odd.

You were becoming a lot more self aware of your growing crush on him and you opened up to him about how you considered him a close friend and he seemed to share the same feeling. You would obviously never tell him how you realised in the three broomsticks that you had a crush on him as you began to feel jealous thinking he's on a date, fuelling your prank, it was ridiculous he was just a friendly teacher and you were developing a crush on him. Every girl in class flirted with him, his slightly messy hair and overall good looks did make him very attractive, and the idea that he was off limits made him a bit more appealing. You knew one thing the biggest rush caused by a boy all year was when he put his arms around you during your DADA tutoring last week. He made all of Percy's and anyone advances feel boring compared to the thrill of him calling you dear and winking at you.

When you came into his classroom in the evening he looked a lot more beaten up than usual, the full moon must've been tough on him this month.  His hair was a bit more floppy and shabby than usual and he was wearing a baggy warm sweater. "Hello Y/N, how was your weekend?" He greeted you gently as you walked into the room, you could feel his eyes on every move you made as you shut the door behind you and walked towards him, he had a genuine gentle smile on his face. "It was nothing special you know when you begin going to lessons you suddenly have a lot of work to do and a lot of studying. How was your trip?" You asked him keeping up the facade. "It was okay, very tiring." He stood up and that's when you noticed his cane as he walked around to the front of his desk. "So are you ready for a little bit of a duel to warm up?" He asked rolling up the sleeves of his sweater.

"I'm not the one with the cane and cosy sweater. Are you ready?" You mocked standing opposite him wand at the ready.

"Don't underestimate a man in a sweater, I bite." He said with a wink.

"You do?" You asked raising your eyebrow like he just raised your heart beat and he shot a trip jinx that you managed to defend. "I see your paying attention." He said shooting another which you also managed to defend. "A grown man trying to trick a school girl by distracting her, and you can't even hit me." You said shooting a sponge knee curse back in his direction that he defended well.

"Some men are into that you know." He said before trying to hit you again. "Oh, I know." You say again defending his attack. After that you both stopped teasing each other and focused on hitting each other, well the correct description is you tried to hit him and he easily diverted everything throwing a few simple duelling spells. No matter what you did you couldn't hit him and it was becoming increasingly difficult to defend his attacks as he began using more and more complex spells. That's when you began to play dirty you pretended to trip and fell to the ground and he immediately lowered his wand and went to the floor to make sure you're okay. "Y/N, are you hurt?" He asked quickly checking your ankle for where he may have hit it. "Stupefy." You whispered flicking your wand at him and he jetted back a bit. "Ouch. Now that's playing dirty." He said standing up slowly with the help of his cane and reaching an arm out to help you stand up. "I win." You smile at him.

"Y/N, the whole point of this is to teach you better defence and attack spells so you can pass your exams and be protected out there. Do you think a dark wizard trying to cause you harm will care if you hurt you leg? They'll just keep hitting you." He explained and that wiped the smug look off of your face. "But you cared, and I won." You said smuggly and in that moment he hit you with a stunner of his own "we're even now." But to you this meant beginning the duel again so you could win. You were more determined to beat him this time throwing shots back and forth "no fair you're using protego." You say noticing his shield charm. "Disarm it then." He snapped back. In the end Lupin won knocking you to the floor and getting you to give up but this time he was actually duelling you.  By the time you were finished both of you sat down on the small step in class drenched in sweat it helped that he was weakened by the full moon. "You know I wanted to begin work on your patronus today but our hour is already up." He said checking his watch and trying to catch a breath. "Already?" You asked shocked. "Time flies. I guess we'll begin that work on Wednesday." He confirmed drinking some water and offering you a glass that he magically got to show up. "Can we always start with some duelling practice profesor?" You asked honestly as you found today very fun he was standing up to grab a canteen of water to fill up both your glasses, he laughed gently before answering "whatever you'd like dear." There it was again the word that made your heart skip a beat and get stuck in your throat. "But definitely not for an hour next time, my condition is not what it used to be." He sat back down next to you pushing his hair back and trying to catch a breath. Do you think this is what he looks like just after sex? All hot and sweaty like that, hair a mess as he hands you some water, your brain began day dreaming about him while you both breathed heavily side by side. He put his hands on his knees saying "right" as he stood up. "Well I hope you took something useful out of this lesson, I'll see you later for a very healthy cigarette." He said opening the door for you.

"I'm sure daily cigarettes are going to help you keep up your cardio health." You said jokingly. "Can't get worse." He replied as you left the room and waved goodbye to him. As you were waking towards the great hall the twins spotted you. "How was your flirting session with Lupin?" Fred asked.

"Shut it." You said simply.

"You're spending a lot of time with him."

"I'm getting tutored by him Fred, that's how it works."

"What about the evenings?"

"What about them?" Your face felt red. "Nothing, so Three Broomsticks this weekend?" He asked. "Definitely."

After dinner you went to the usual spot and Remus was there he smiled gently and stood up straight when he saw you approaching. "Hello you." He said as you leaned on the side reaching into your pocket for your lighter. "Don't get too comfortable I want to show you something." He said filled with a excited look, starting to walk back into school. "Come on, don't just stand there." He lead you out near towards the Black Lake. "Profesor isn't it against the rules for me to be out here at night." You asked with a small laugh. "Call it a night class." You approached the lake and there was millions of blinkers aka glow bugs on the surface of the water lighting it up. You stood in silence and awe before Lupin took a seat on the grass at the edge of the lake and you joined him. "Thank you." You whispered. "This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen." You said not even looking at him, you didn't know he was starting right at you with a soft but needy look. "Yeah... It happens only once a year, I noticed it earlier in the evening when I went on a walk." He looked back at the view in front of him in the water. At this moment you were just two people sharing a mystical moment in time, the silence was thick but comfortable as you sat side by side watching. Lupin gently put a hand on your thigh and rubbed it while he said "You see the magical world isn't so bad after all." He removed his hand immediately and used it to support himself while he sat. You didn't respond your body felt like it was on fire from his touch. Slowly the lights began to fade as the glow bugs moved on and you and Lupin began to gently stroll around the lake taking a long way back to the castle.

"Y/N, what figure do I represent in your life?" He suddenly asked after a moment of comfortable silence. "I- I don't know what you mean." Cheeks going red again does he know that he makes your heart race every time he speaks, does he know your terrified of him knowing you have developed feeling for him, that he's the boy you dream of not anyone in your class. "I know we spoke recently and you said you see me as a friend but predominantly do you see me as a teacher? A role model? Or do you see me more human as someone you can talk to-"

"I see you as a friend. A close friend. Profesor I told you this before..." You interrupted feeling nervous this was the closest you could get to the truth without telling him about how you looked at his lips every time he smiled and wondered how they would feel colliding with yours. He didn't look at you he just nodded. "Good. I see you as a close friend too, as I've also said before, maybe one of the closest I have at Hogwarts however inappropriate that is to admit. As a friend I need to admit something to you." You swallowed as he stopped to emphasise the importance of what he was about to say and looked you in the eyes. He put a hand on your shoulder creating distance but also support. "I have to tell you something important before you get too close to me, I feel guilty I've been keeping this from you but I have truly enjoyed our friendship and I see this as something special. Now if you do not want to speak to me that is okay, however I please ask you keep this between us and keep attending my lessons as this is separate to your schooling-" he was avoiding saying it he looked composed but he looked anxious. "Lupin just say it." You had a feeling what he was about to say was going to change everything. He let go of your shoulder and said "I have Lycanthropy." He said looking at the floor in shame. "I know." You said beginning to laugh in relief he didn't know about your crush but wanted to admit something you already figure out. "What?" He looked genuinely shocked. "Lupin, we see each other on a regular basis, you disappear once a month around the full moon, you come back in pain, you get angsty right before the full moon."

"I don't get angsty." He laughed all the pressure easing away thanks to your reaction.

"You get angsty. I'm offended you didn't think I would figure it out." You simply said.

"I thought I was better at hiding it, I was genuinely scared you'll never speak to me again but I couldn't let you get close to me without knowing about my condition."

"What is it the 1950s? Do you want me to run for the hills in fear? Never speak to you again out of fear? Lupin, I'm not scared of you'd I don't care, you're someone I actually can talk to you don't find many of them at Hogwarts, you're not getting rid of me that easily." You didn't know how much those words meant to him but to him those words where repeated in his head all night. He has spent the last few weeks knowing he can't keep getting so close to you as your teacher and with his condition he was scared how you would react when you found out so he wanted to end it before he got too attached before you felt too much like one of the marauders. But here you were already knowing and not caring but treating him like a human, the only thing he had to be careful of now was not developing feelings for you...

Your next DADA class was interesting it started with Lupin talking about how you can use different charms and jinxes in a duel to win not with power but disarming and confusing your opponent. He walked around the class explaining this, pointing around and being his enthusiastic self. He looked so handsome when he leaned on his desk listening to what people have to say. He then instructed for everyone to stand up and waved his wands making the tables move to the side of the room. "Now before we end let's see all this in practice." He began. "What two lucky students would like to take part?" Lupin asked and some hands went up, he scanned the room deciding who to pick. "Mr Sallow." He said picking one of the more charismatic Slytherins. He was tall for his age with fluffy black hair and perfect cheek bones scattered with freckles and a known heartbreaker along with troublemaker. "And how about Miss L/N." He looked smug not as smug as Sebastian Sallow who was confident he could beat the girl who never showed up to classes. "You must be mistaken profesor I didn't raise my hand." You tried to protest. "Precisely." He winked at you before turning away and guiding everyone to empty space for the duel. "Surprise and disarm. You're already surprised by being picked Miss L/N are you ready to try and disarm Mr Sallow." You and Sebastian nodded. "Very well, wands at the ready. May the duel commence."

You and Sebastian started shooting spells at each other. Attempting to disarm one another, you decided to use leviosa to pick him up and start hitting him while he's in the air, he didn't know what to do or how to defend himself leaving you the winner. Lupin had a great big smile on his face as he slowly clapped while approaching you. He grabbed your arm and raised it "Miss L/N you're todays winner." People around you clapped including Sebastian who was getting up from the floor. The class ended and you felt smug as you gathered your belonging to leave you looked up at Lupin before leaving the class and he gave you a kind nod and a big smile which you knew meant he was proud of how you did.

When you left the classroom you heard your name being called to turn around and see Sebastian following after you. "I just wanted to say congratulations, was the reason you never showed up to this class the fact you knew everything?"

"I don't know anything maybe you're not that hard to beat." You said while you continued to walk.

"Maybe we should find out," he stopped mid track and gestured for you to get closer. "I run a duelling club," he whispered. "It's a unsanctioned and unsupervised duelling club, it would be interesting to have you come join along."

"Alright Sebastian and how do I find this duelling club?"

"Come find me by the Slytherin dorm room after classes are finished."

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[neptuneiris]

brooklyn baby (02/?)

we can go back to New York

pairing: rockstar!aemond × fem!reader

summary: you finally see the sexy guitarist again and after going through a disappointing time, things get interesting at a party where the whole band has been invited by Baela.

word count: 8.2k

previous part • next part • series masterlist

hi besties! here's the second chapter i'm so excited for you to read:) can't wait to read your comments, thanks for the amazing reception to the story, i love you guys! enjoy!

warnings: alcohol, smoking, kissing.

If there's anyone who hates the period a lot, it's you.

In desperate times many girls are relieved when it finally happens to them, fortunately you've never had a scare. But you feel completely sick and can't do anything when those days come every month.

Being irregular, you don't know exactly when it will happen, you've tried calculating, assuming and so on, you've even installed period apps, but nothing works. However, you should have known it was coming since you felt slight cramps this morning and since you started getting pimples two days ago.

But with so much to do from college, you didn't have time to prepare. And also a certain guitarist from a certain band wouldn't leave your thoughts alone sometimes.

Since that kiss almost happened, the next morning you were stalking him on Instagram, which is the only social media he has, compared to the remaining members who have Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

But he's not even active.

The photos he has are only of the band promoting the tour, albums and songs, or also photos of some cities he has visited. He only has two posts with his brothers and cousins, where they are more like random photos before concerts. He has very few pictures of him and you can't even see his face since he doesn't see the camera, in all of them he plays the guitar and nothing else.

There is nothing about his day to day life really, just music. Also you notice that he posts photos every few months, although lately he has been posting more consistently due to the concerts, but it's all about the band.

You go into Aegon's account, trying to find Aemond in his pictures where he's not doing anything related to his guitar, but there's nothing of him if it's not that way. You see how Aegon takes funny pictures and uploads videos with his brother and cousins where they laugh and make jokes, but none of it shows him.

The same on Jace, Luke and Daeron's account, there's nothing from Aemond if it's not band related.

Instantly this catches your attention more, guessing that he most likely doesn't really like social media and keeps himself as private as possible, seeming so different to you, so mysterious and appealing in a ridiculous way simply because of that.

And yet he has many followers, which is understandable, it is obvious why in addition to his music, when he follows at most three hundred accounts, all of them music accounts, he also follows his siblings, his cousins and other people who must belong to his team.

You let out a groan and finally leave Aemond's account in peace, sinking your face into your pillow, feeling the cramps stronger than before, so you try to calm down and seek to feel more comfortable so you can let the pills take effect.

And even when the cramps are less, you still don't feel energetic or up for anything, entertaining yourself on your phone or watching TV, not wanting to leave the warmth of your bed because you really feel terrible.

So when you least expect it, you fall asleep. When suddenly, someone's scream wakes you up.

"Y/N!"

You raise your gaze instantly, startled, as you see frightened and confused Rhaena at the door of your room, entering, watching you in horror.

"W-what... what are you doing here?" you stare at her between irritated and confused now, still sleepy.

"What are you doing like that?" she asks you incredulously and on the verge of collapse to then watch as she looks down the hallway, "Baela, hurry up! She looks awful!"

You watch her seriously.

"Wow, thanks."

"What? What happe-oh shit," Baela also appears, watching you instantly in horror and shock, "W-what... what are you doing?" she looks at you blankly.

"What are you guys doing?" you ask back, irritated, "How did you get in?"

"It can't be, have you forgotten?" Rhaena looks at you incredulously, "Tonight is the concert of your sexy guitarist."

"Yes," says Baela, "Tonight," she repeats terribly serious, "Now can you explain why you're not ready? We have to go now."

"I'm not going," you say grumpily, laying your head back down on your pillow lazily.

"What do you mean you won't going? Are you crazy?"

"You better be kidding me."

"You guys... I'm having a horrible headache right now and I feel like if I get up now I'm going to throw up, not to mention that every breath I take I feel more blood coming out, so could you please leave my room quietly and let me continue sleeping in peace?"

The room falls silent for a moment.

"Oh no, don't tell me that," you hear Rhaena say disappointedly.

And then you listen as Baela complains, also disappointed.

"And you feel very bad?"

"Very," you answer her without hesitation.

"It's your first day?"

"Yes and I feel like shit."

"But Y/N... you can't miss it," Rhaena says worriedly.

"The sexy guitarist gave you the free tickets to see you again," Baela insists too, "I understand you're sick but wouldn't it be rude if you didn't go?"

You let out a huge groan against your pillow and then look at them with a pained expression.

"You think I haven't thought about it too? Of course I have," you let them know sadly, "I'm just as upset as you are, but what am I supposed to do? Everything hurts, I feel awful and besides you want me to let him see me like this with all my greasy, zitty face?"

Baela and Rhaena exchange a look.

"She's right," Rhaena tells her with a look of pity.

And again they both focus on you.

"Okay, we get it," Baela says resignedly, "So is there anything you want to send the sexy guitarist to say?"

"No," you tell her instantly, confused, "I already feel bad enough about not going. I don't want to be so cynical as to tell him I couldn't go but still thank him for the tickets."

And without saying anything else, your cousins don't insist but they are still disappointed since they will have to go to the concert without you.

You really wanted to go, you wanted to see him again and you wanted to spend time with him again like last time, to get to know him a little more and maybe... just maybe, to find out what else could happen between the two of you.

But now, once your cousins leave, you can only go back to trying to sleep, wanting to forget about the world for a while and not think about him or the concert that will happen in another hour that you couldn't attend.

So the hours pass, the sun in New York begins to set and the nightlife in the city begins, which is what characterizes it so much. And yet by the time severe hours have passed, you are still asleep, very tired and your period is not helping you to have any energy, submerged in a deep sleep.

When around two o'clock in the morning, you are again awakened and your peace of mind is interrupted by feeling absolutely nothing. And those responsible? Your cousins again, of course.

"What?" you say completely sleepy, closing your eyes tightly as the light hits you directly when are turned on.

"Wake up, you have to hear this!" squeals Rhaena excitedly, followed by Baela, both invading your bed, each lying on your sides, while you grunt and groan, sinking your face back into your pillow.

"Leave me alone," you plead weakly.

"Stop sleeping already," Rhaena shakes you, "I bet you've slept all day!"

"As I should."

"Y/N, seriously, you must know this," Baela insists as well.

"What? What thing? Talk now so you can leave me alone," you say irritably, still with your eyes closed.

"How mean you are," Rhaena says with a pout

"Let her, she's on her period, it's understandable."

"Then tell her!"

"The sexy guitarist asked us about you."

And that's more than enough for sleep to leave your system and you open your eyes, so you instantly turn to watch your cousins carefully, brushing your hair out of your face and looking completely surprised and now very interested.

"What?" you inquire, watching them intently.

"Yes!" squeals Rhaena excitedly, nodding, "And Baela made out with Jace," she adds innocently.

You open your eyes wide.

"What!?"

"It just happened," Baela shrugs, with a look of superiority, amused, "It was amazing, by the way. We exchanged numbers, too."

"And Aemond?" you ask more than attentively.

"Well, we were talking to Jace and Luke already by the time the after party was over. We were at the bar when Aegon joined us and he was coming with Aemond, so..." Rhaena laughs excitedly, "Jace and Luke were called I think by their manager, so we stayed with the two of them."

"He didn't talk at all, he was just ordering drinks," Baela clarifies.

"Yes and... when Aegon also ordered a drink, he did talk to us, but to ask us about you."

"He asked us where you were and we told him you couldn't come because you were sick."

"And he just nodded and continued drinking," Rhaena finished.

You avert your gaze from both of them for a moment, focusing on your TV, and then dropping your head back onto your pillow, your gaze resigned, so you let out a long sigh and go back to blaming your period for not being able to go tonight.

"But he looked disappointed, we know," Baela assures you with a small smile, "I even felt bad for him."

"Are you sure?" you ask her not really convinced about that.

"Yes, very. If he wanted to hide it, it didn't come out."

You let out a long breath again, bringing your hands to your face, wanting to let go of the frustration somehow, but you can't.

"Oh Y/N, come on, cheer up," Rhaena tells you without wiping off her smile.

"Yes, this is not the end," Baela adds.

"It's not the end?" you repeat confused, "This was literally my last chance to see him again and I couldn't go."

"Stop it, drama queen," Baela says to you again amused, "You've already forgotten Jace?"

"What about him?"

"That he and I are in contact now, silly."

"So?"

"God, I can't handle her," you hear her say to Rhaena.

"Just tell her. That way we'll make her feel better."

"Yeah, just tell me so i can keep sleeping," you tell her too.

You listen as she lets out a long breath.

"The band will be taking a short break. Their last concert will be next Saturday here in Manhattan and Jace has invited us."

She finally tells you and even though you don't show it, you feel interested to hear such news.

"So now you get to see your sexy guitarist," Rhaena tells you with a mischievous tone.

After an exhaustive search through your closet, making combinations with a lot of shirts, skirts, pants and shoes, you finally put together your perfect outfit.

Thank God your period is over and another horrible week of stress, frustration, worry and this time pain is over, until it's finally time to have a good time. And since you're going to the concert, you decide to choose your all black outfit.

You choose a black skirt, a black sleeveless shirt that exposes part of your stomach, black high boots and a black blazer on top. The only colored thing you bring with you is your small white hanging bag. (click)

Your make-up is not too much, but it is elaborate, because you really want to look good. So at the end you apply a matte red lipstick and style your hair in light waves, leaving it completely loose.

You choose silver jewelry and in the end you love the result, seeing yourself with a little smile in your full-length mirror, happy and excited. Then you head to Baela's apartment, which is actually in the same building and in the same hallway as yours.

You both go to NYU, only she studies fashion and you study business management. You always wanted to live alone, you love your privacy and having a place to yourself, so you got your apartment with the help of your parents and Baela joined you shortly after, although it's really like you both live together.

Rhaena just started college months ago and lives with her roomie, Sara, in the dorms provided by the university.

"Wow."

That's the first thing Baela says to you when she opens the door to her apartment and looks as ready as you do.

"Yeah, wow to you too," you tell her laughing.

"Oh my god-you look so hot," Rhaena says to you, appearing behind Baela.

"Thanks, you too, both," you assure them, "So are we leaving or what?"

"In a moment, I'm waiting for Jason to answer my messages," Baela tells you with her phone in her hand.

"Jason?"

"Lannister."

"Jason Lannister?" you repeat confused, "Your friend the rich guy who lives in that huge, fancy apartment in Upper East Side?"

"That same one. He's having an party tonight and I asked him if I could bring the band after the concert is over. The after party will only last an hour and Jace had said that after that they wanted to go out and celebrate."

"Oh," you nod, "Well, that sounds great," you say, as inevitably a wave of excitement washes over you.

"Oh-he has replied!" she says excitedly, her gaze fixed on her screen, "And he said yes!"

"Great! Now let's go, I want to see Luke," Rhaena says desperately, ushering you both out of the apartment.

Driving doesn't take as long as last time, as you literally crossed half of Manhattan in order to get to Brooklyn and also half of Brooklyn in order to get to the club where the concert was.

And once you get to the club, finding parking is a bit difficult but you make it and finally Baela hands the three tickets to the security man to let you in. Once inside, you get the feeling that there are more people than there were in Brooklyn, seeing all the girls very excited and rushing into the club to get to the front of the stage.

You see Baela texting with Jace and the three of them make it to the front, in a seemingly exclusive section with a great view of the entire stage where they are allowed in after she shows security her phone screen.

"What did you show them?" you ask confused and curious.

"Some messages from Jace," she says with a certain superiority, making you laugh and shake your head at the same time.

Rhaena insists that the three of you take selfies and so you do, killing time as the concert begins. The minutes go by, the place slowly starts to fill up, security brings order, everything is ready on stage and after the lights are turned off for a moment, calling everyone's attention, the concert finally starts.

The first to come out is Aegon, clearly, greeting the whole audience and the other guys follow him, causing the excited and euphoric screams of all the girls.

Instantly your gaze focuses on him, on Aemond, making you smile a little as you watch him focus totally on the music, not even looking much towards the audience, taking a seat at one of the speakers, completely focused on his guitar. And again you become totally absorbed in him.

He looks so handsome, like it's not an everyday thing, with his black pants and a plain white t-shirt, making his black electric guitar stand out, while his hair looks as good as ever.

And the way he plays his notes, the way his face concentrates and the way he lights up the occasional cigarette during the concert, he looks completely sexy.

And you are not the only one who notices these details, you see how some girls around you focus the camera of their phones on him, you also hear how some of them scream his name or go crazy in his solos, all wanting to get his attention.

But then again… Aemond doesn't react much with his audience and only gives head gestures, that being enough for him and stay focused on the music. This especially catches your attention a lot, as his behavior is totally different from Aegon or Daeron.

In fact you were hoping that he will manage to see you in the whole audience, as Jace and Baela although they are not far away but not too close either, both still exchange glances and he especially focuses a lot on your cousin most of the time.

Then comes another solo from Aemond, looking extremely sexy in the way he focuses on hitting his notes perfectly, filling the place with more screams. And you watch in admiration, because even if you wanted to, you couldn't play guitar like that.

You see how there is a man with a camera taking pictures of everyone and him especially at that moment on stage, probably being the band's photographer. There are lots of lighting effects, the whole club looks great and they all put on an amazing show, since it's the last one.

You sing and dance along with your cousins, really enjoying the moment, since even though you were suffering all the week before because of your period, you still started listening to their songs and learned them.

You take more videos together, you also take several videos of everything and you may have focused on recording him a little bit more sometimes, unable to help it.

When it's time to finish.

Aegon again takes charge of dismissing the whole band, causing screams and applause from the whole audience towards them, all the girls screaming and throwing bracelets and necklaces on stage. The five of them say goodbye at the same time, Aemond again without showing much emotion and it's all over.

The after party takes place right there, as the club has its own separate pub-like bar section, so the girls with tickets to meet the band are guided, among them you too with your cousins, by security guards to a huge door that will take them there directly.

Upon entering the pub, everything is empty except for the bartender and more security people. The bar is also free and all the girls start getting ready with their t-shirts, caps and posters more than ready.

"I'll meet Jace before he comes out. I'll be right back," Baela says to Rhaena and you, visibly excited.

It's not as if she can be stopped, as she quickly heads down a hallway where you assume must be those break rooms where everyone in the band keeps their stuff while they tend to the fans and where they must all be now.

"Do you think Baela will take him to his apartment when Jason's party is over?" asks you Rhaena with a knowing look.

"Don't even doubt it," you assure her.

Then finally the band starts to come out, causing the screams of all the excited girls, quickly wanting to head towards them, but security instantly starts to bring order, controlling everything and asking all the girls to line up and wait their turn without scandal.

You don't move from where you are, but watch everything carefully, wanting to find Aemond. But it's just like last time… everyone shows up but him.

"Done," Baela suddenly appears with a small smile, "Jace sends his greetings."

"Wow sis, you didn't even sweat," Rhaena tells her amused and you let out a loud laugh which makes Baela look at her serious.

"Very funny."

"And what else did he tell you? Everyone is going to Jason's party?" you ask her interested.

"Everyone or Aemond?"

"Aemond," you answer reluctantly.

"Yes, everyone is going."

"And where is he?" asks Rhaena confused, watching the guys with all the fans, "They are all except him."

"I don't know, he was in that room with everyone, he looked… serious and bored."

"He's hiding, like last time," you say, "Eventually he'll have to come out."

"And you're going to talk to him?" says Rhaena excitedly to you.

"I think so," you nod to her.

"She's going to talk to him," Baela says in affirmative mode, serious and threatening.

Then Rhaena is the one who wants to approach Luke, so she asks you to go with her, while Baela takes the opportunity to order something from the bar, so when you start to wait in line, the wait is long.

Rhaena suddenly starts talking to some girls who are behind you both, also waiting, so you entertain yourself on your phone, killing a little more time, although from time to time you participate in Rhaena's conversation with those girls about the band, their favorite songs and so on.

When you briefly inspect the pub, you notice a platinum-haired person starting to join in, catching your attention. You step aside, as Rhaena obstructs your view a bit, and then finally there he is.

As soon as he leaves the hallway, a bunch of girls rush towards him, all smiling and excited, clearly happy to finally see him, to which the security guys instantly bring order and he starts signing and taking pictures with them.

You watch everything with a small smile, inevitably starting to feel nervous and you don't understand why, since he hasn't even seen you and doesn't even know you are here, but his presence in the same place as you already makes you feel that way.

At that moment your mind starts to plan what exactly you will do to get closer to him, telling yourself that you can choose a poster this time and have him sign it for you, but just thinking about it and such a simple action already makes you terribly nervous.

You think that Rhaena or Baela might come with you, but you don't even have the slightest idea how to start the conversation or what exactly to talk to him about, fearing that your nerves will betray you and you'll act like a fool.

So you also think you might as well do nothing and wait for a miracle to happen and he will notice you.

You let out a long breath, since of course you can't decide to do nothing if the man gave you free tickets and you didn't go to the concert, so this is the least you can do, however, you feel very nervous and you also start to get frustrated.

"There's finally your sexy guitarist," Rhaena says to you suddenly, excited, looking in the same direction as you, "Are you going to go to him?"

"Later, I'm just feeling nervous," you confess to her.

"Relax. When he sees you, he'll probably feel as nervous as you do, too, so you won't be the only one."

You frown.

Aemond nervous? You don't think he's nervous at all.

You can't focus on him anymore because the line starts to move faster, so now you focus on helping Rhaena with the pictures and also to want to see her shyly flirting with Luke, who is also shyly flirting with her.

Rhaena and Luke's moment unfortunately passes quickly, but he still tells her that he will see her at the party, in a whisper obviously, and then the following girls come by to meet him and talk to him.

Then again you focus on Aemond, but you are surprised to see that he is no longer with all the fans around him, he has simply disappeared.

Confused, you start looking around, not understanding where he has gone, bewildered, as it was only a brief moment when he was attending to fans and he should stay longer or not? When you are directing your gaze in all directions, you finally focus on that hallway where he had come out before, finding him.

However, what you see is definitely not what you expected.

You see how he heads to the men's restroom, which is normal, but what catches your attention is how a girl or rather a fan goes after him, not hesitating to follow him. And then they enter the restroom together, as he closes the door behind him.

And it's clear what they both went to do, you're not stupid.

You continue to stand there for a few more moments, staring at the closed door, feeling slightly surprised as you really didn't expect to see him like this and you also begin to feel disappointed.

Unable to help it, sadness and anger come over you, as you also feel discouraged now.

With a sad and disappointed look, also a bit serious, you avert your gaze to head towards the bar, all the while biting the inside of your cheek and trying not to let your emotions show too much on your face, but you cannot.

As you take a seat on the stool, you watch as your cousins are with Aegon, so when you inevitably start to think more about it, disappointment washes over you as well along with everything else you're feeling.

You had expectations of him, but you never expected him to be that kind of guy, that's why you feel so disappointed and you can't help it, not even having the energy to be here anymore.

That's why he offered to give me his merch inside that room in Brooklyn.

You think, since that's why you feel angry, not because you saw him with another girl, but because he wanted the two of them to be alone that one nigh and it happened, the two of them kissed, but what would have happened if Aegon hadn't interrupted you? Probably you two would have fucked, as was his purpose.

You start to feel really bad about that and get frustrated with yourself, because even this you should have expected, yet you didn't even though it was too obvious.

He is absolutely handsome and plays in a band, so he meets a lot of girls almost every day and every single one of them he has at his feet, so… who would be fool enough to say no to him? No one.

You were just going to be another one of the crowd.

You say to yourself, really sad, disappointed and upset.

You want to get out of here but you continue to wait for your cousins at the bar, order a drink just to kill time and try not to think about him, knowing perfectly well that you must have a very cold face.

You let out a long breath, continuing to wait, wait and wait, until Baela and Rhaena appear.

"Hey, did you talk to the sexy guitarist?" asks Baela, excited and interested.

"Yes," you lie, trying to put on your best possible face.

"And what happened?" asks you now Rhaena, also excited.

"I'll tell you later."

Luckily they don't insist and Baela again turns to Jace, so Rhaena stays with you, showing you the photos and videos she took of the concert, also the ones from a few moments ago with Luke, asking her which one is the best to post on her Instagram stories.

You're with her for a while, when you raise your gaze to observe the whole pub for a second, although you unconsciously look towards that hallway as well, when then your breath is cut short and you see how Aemond comes out of there to join the inside of the pub again, with Aegon by his side.

You must have averted your gaze the second you saw him come out, for suddenly Aemond casually glances over to where you are, both of your gazes crossing at that moment.

You don't manage to read his gaze, as again nerves and disappointment wash over you, so you instantly avert your eyes from him and focus back on Rhaena, trying to not let his gaze on you affect you.

However, you can feel how he continues to watch you, his burning gaze completely on you, but you don't respond to him anymore, in fact you feel more the need to get out of here now that he has already noticed your presence.

Out of the corner of your eye you watch as he attends to more fans, while at the same time talking to Aegon, who also attends to fans, but every now and then… you feel his gaze on you again, one that was screaming for you to watch him as well, but you didn't.

"The girls are already leaving."

Rhaena tells you, pointing to the doors and watching as the guards ask the fans who have already had their moment with each member of the band to leave.

"I'll go talk to Luke, I'll be right back," she tells you, starting to get up from her stool.

"Actually," you get up too, stopping her, "I'll go ahead to the party. You and Baela are going with Jace and Luke right?"

She frowns.

"Yes, but…

"Great. I'll see you guys over there then, you tell Baela please."

You start to walk past her, heading towards the doors.

"Wait, Y/N," Rhaena stops you, grabbing your arm, "Are you okay? What happened?" she asks you softly, confused, "I thought you wanted to be near Aemond, did something happen with him?"

You bite your lips, hesitant, as you really don't want to lie to your cousin, but you also don't want to tell her and look so dramatic about it, as it has nothing to do with you but you still feel disappointed and like a fool.

"Yes," you finally tell her, in a whisper "But I'll tell you later."

"You promise?" she looks at you, not entirely convinced.

"I promise," you assure her, "I'll see you there."

She has no choice but to let you go, telling you to call her in case of anything, so you nod and are finally able to walk away, starting to walk out of there with your car keys in hand, not letting go of that burning stare on you until you leave the pub.

At first you thought about deciding not to go to the party, sounding like a good plan for you, however, you were well aware that Baela would kill you and probably never forgive you if you decided such a thing, so now you are here, in Jason Lannister's luxurious apartment and with a bunch of other college students enjoying the party.

As you walk in, you greet a few people you know and also Jason, who asks you about Baela, Rhaena and those guys in that band she told him she was bringing.

You catch up with him, telling him they shouldn't be long and then you notice how all the people here are Baela's friends and also studying fashion, except Jason is studying law, so there are more people from that faculty as well.

You decide to help set up the beer pong tables, just to entertain yourself and start enjoying the party, while you talk to Jason and his friends, when not too long after, a half hour maybe, your cousins with them finally arrive.

You watch them almost from the other side of the huge apartment, watching as Baela greets her friends and introduces the band, where Aegon, Daeron and Jace look more than ready to start enjoying themselves, while Luke stays more calm and relaxed with Rhaena.

And even though you didn't want to, you still inevitably focus on him.

He closes the door behind him with a completely relaxed and unconcerned expression and posture, to your bad luck already having a cigarette on his lips, as he watches the whole party around him, now wearing a different black t-shirt.

And of course, his arrival starts to draw the attention of all the girls at the party and not only on him, on all of them, seeing them with a few small smiles and more than interested.

You avert your gaze, deciding not to make a big deal out of it, continuing to place the plastic cups on the table, though really, it's only a matter of time before Baela finds you, bringing them all with her.

With Jason at your side, she introduces them to him and he starts talking to them, while you continue to set everything up, deliberately ignoring his burning gaze when he sees you, not letting it get to you.

And after that it's only a matter of time before the real party starts.

People start dancing and your cousins along with all of them take a seat on some couches, starting to drink, so it's only a matter of time before Aegon gets up and now he's in a corner making out with a girl mercilessly, just like Jace and Baela, this surprising you but you're very excited for her.

Rhaena and Luke are also in a corner close together, but they're both talking, both with shy but willing little smiles, so you're sure that by the end of the night, something will have happened between them.

And at the end, Daeron and Aemond are still sitting on the couches, both drinking, with one girl already talking to Daeron, both very flirtatious, but you don't approach him.

Wherever you move in the apartment, you feel his gaze on you, always. However, you drink and enjoy yourself, although you don't go over one beer either, since you have to drive. But you admit that his gaze on you makes you very nervous and as much as you don't want to give it any importance, you can't.

Until one moment when you are talking to Jason, just for once you decide to return his gaze, and that's what happens, you look at him and he is already watching you so intensely and with a look between serious and curious.

But the moment doesn't last long, because just when you both exchange glances for two seconds, suddenly a girl appears and takes a seat next to him, starting to talk to him, her intentions clear, so he looks away from you to her.

You look away, finishing what's left of your bottle of beer with just one gulp, then you leave the empty bottle on the kitchen island and decide to go out to the balcony for some fresh air, as the place is getting more and more crowded and it's starting to feel suffocating.

Once outside, you enjoy a bit of the quiet, even though you can still hear some music although this doesn't bother you, as you observe the view offered by some New York skyscrapers around you, looking beautiful and eye-catching.

You don't know how long you last there, but you enjoy it, wanting to take another moment before going back to the party. When suddenly… you must have expected that the moment of the night would come for you and Aemond.

The doors open letting in more music and you turn around, this getting your attention, when again nerves and shame come over you, seeing that it's Aemond. But he is not alone… he enters the balcony along with Aegon, who laughs along with…. Cregan?

"Man, all this stuff I missed if I had gone to college," Aegon says, smiling.

Cregan laughs, giving him a friendly tap on his shoulder.

"Oh dude, you don't know what you're talking about."

When then both of their gazes focus on you, to which you wave your hand and smile a bit apologetically, but not for them, but for him, who continues to stare at you like that.

"Y/N?" inquires Cregan, approaching you, watching you incredulously.

"Hi," you smile at him.

"My godness, I haven't seen you in ages!" he exclaims happily, then locks you in a tight hug.

"Please, it's only been months," you tell him amused, reciprocating his hug.

"It's been years for me," he tells you melancholy, pulling away.

And you both laugh.

"So you know Baela's cousin," Aegon says without wiping away his smile, stepping closer, watching you and Cregan continuously.

"Yes," Cregan says, "You know them?" he asks you, pointing at him and Aemond, who stands apart.

"Baela and Rhaena are hanging out with their cousins," you tell him, nodding.

"Oh yes, the drummer and the bass player."

And you nod.

"And how do you two know each other?" asks Aegon, interested.

"We were classmates in business management," Cregan explains to him, "But I decided to change careers to law."

"At NYU?"

You both nod, as does he, now understanding, while Aemond still continues to stand apart, but at no point do you fail to feel his gaze on you, making you still very nervous but distracting with Cregan at your side.

"I didn't know the three of you knew each other," you decide to say, confused and slightly interested.

"Oh, we didn't know each other," Aegon says.

"We only just met a few moments ago when we played beer pong together," Cregan tells you with a small smile.

And you don't say anything else, that being so random, since the two of them barely met and apparently are now best friends, Cregan and Aegon more than anything, since Aemond continues to be just as serious.

"Anyway, have you seen Alysanne?" asks you Cregan, interested and hopeful.

"Yes, a while ago," you nod to him.

"Great. I'm going to go look for her, I haven't seen her in years either."

"Good luck," you smile at him.

"I'm coming with you," Aegon says instantly following suit, "Maybe your girl has a hot friend she can introduce me to."

Cregan laughs and just as they arrived together laughing and as best friends, they leave, only now you're left alone... with Aemond.

So there it is again… that tense air, but not a bad one somehow, as the both of you are left alone and there is an appropriate distance between the two, but again, you can't help but feel terribly nervous.

And even though you don't want to, still that moment of him going into the restroom with that girl keeps replaying in your mind, unable to help it. And that's why you look everywhere but at him, trying to distract yourself with the view.

Then he starts smoking, both of you without saying a word, just listening to the music and the sound of the city around you, which makes you feel a little uneasy, since you can't just leave like that, it would be too rude.

And again… that almost kiss invades your mind and doesn't leave you in peace, while you bite your lips and try to control your nerves, not having the slightest idea of what to do or what to say.

The slight smell of cigarette reaches your nostrils and you try to act as nothing, just like him, whom you see out of the corner of your eye and apparently, compared to you, he is comfortable and unconcerned.

Until he speaks.

"Are you always this quiet?"

He asks you and you bite your lips again, this making you feel more nervous, as you feel him watching you, but you don't look back at him.

"No," you reply, trying to act just as unconcerned as he does, "I'm just… relaxing."

"Hm," he says and you watch just for a second as he takes a drag on his cigarette, " You don't like parties?"

"Yes, I do," you reply softly.

And there you finally dare to look him in the eye, but you regret it the second you do, as he is already watching you and in that way, again as if he wants to see right through you, so burning and intense. So you steel yourself and continue firm, not letting him weaken you.

"I actually thought you didn't like parties," you decide to say, just to create a topic of conversation.

"I don't like them," he says and exhales smoke through his lips, looking away from you for a moment, "But I wanted to come," he says to return to watching you with such intensity.

And God, all you can think about is how ridiculously handsome he looks tonight, from his clothes, his face, his posture, the way he's looking at you, even the way he's smoking, basically everything about him.

There is a brief silence between the two of you, not uncomfortable fortunately, when suddenly he says to you:

"You didn't go to the concert."

Shit.

And there it is again, the nerves, which makes you look away from him for a moment and bite your lips.

"Yeah, I know, I'm sorry," you tell him softly, "I got sick."

"Yeah," he nods, "Your cousins said something like that. But don't apologize, it's fine."

"But I wanted to go," you clarify.

He places a small grin on his face, watching you intently.

"Did you?"

And you nod.

"At this concert you didn't even stay until the end."

Fuck.

You curse, thinking fast, again with that moment of him and that girl going into the restroom replaying in your mind, which was the reason you decided to leave early and why you decided to ignore him.

But ignoring him didn't work for you anymore since now you're here with him… alone.

"Of course I did, I saw the whole concert," you play dumb.

"I mean the after party."

He tells you softly and you again avert your gaze, terribly nervous, having no idea what to say to him now, since you can't tell him you left because you saw him that way with one of his fans. So instead, you lie, making an excuse about the party.

"I had to come here earlier to help set everything up," you explain, looking at him again, trying to sound convincing.

At this, he lets out a long breath, averting his gaze, bringing his cigarette to his lips.

"What a shame," he says in a sigh, then takes a drag.

This catches your attention, but you say nothing more, only until after you think clearly about what you are going to say before you speak.

"Baela said you're not giving any concerts until about a month," you say and he looks at you again.

"Yes, that's true," he says and you watch as he casually slides further towards you, beginning to close the distance between you, "But you could still come."

You frown.

"To where?"

"To rehearsals and then to the concerts."

At this you say nothing, you just continue to watch him, beginning to have a dilemma in mind about it and also beginning to be affected by how he is gradually moving closer to you, doing it so casually and so calculatingly, without stopping smoking, that you hate that he is already starting to make you feel that way.

You don't want to be another one of the crowd, remember?

Your serious mind tells you, since that's why you were crying before and why you decided to avoid him and get to this party earlier.

But God, you think, since he, everything about him, affects you and so much, so much so that you can't even avoid him anymore, starting little by little to let yourself be carried away by him.

And well says Baela that the flesh is weak.

You think grumpily.

"Or what? You really don't want to see me anymore?"

He asks you with that grin, weakening you more completely and making you more nervous, averting your gaze from him for a moment, really not being able to because of the way he's looking at you and making you react.

"N-no, I mean, yeah," you reply foolishly, "Yeah, okay," you look at him, "I'll go."

Then a small satisfied smile appears on his lips.

"Very well, but if you don't go…"

He begins to say, leaving his sentence in suspense and completely stealing your breath when he finally shortens the remaining distance between the two of you, at the same time as he tosses his now non-existent cigarette away, watching you attentively and determinedly.

You tense up completely and watch him completely attentive and nervous, unable to move, your legs and mind not reacting at all at that moment, starting to feel your heart beating too fast.

"If I don't go what?"

You can formulate in the midst of your nervousness in a mumble, as a distraction, as you inevitably look between his face and his lips with your lips parted.

"If you don't go like last time I'm going to be very angry and very disappointed."

You watch him in complete surprise, just at that instant also realizing how incredibly close the two of you are, the two of you completely invading each other's personal space, his entire presence and essence enveloping you completely.

And then this whole scene, it's just like when you both were about to kiss like last time, close to each other and with that tense air. When Aemond says something to you that steals your breath away.

"It was very rude to leave me waiting, you know that?" he says to you in a hoarse voice, his whole gaze determined and his eye dilated, full of desire.

"Did you really want to see me?" you ask him in a whisper.

"What do you think?"

Again your breath catches, as you focus entirely on him, watching or rather admiring the closeness of his face to yours, not being able to help it anymore, not wanting to pull away and wanting more of him.

Then you know there is no turning back when he raises his hand and places it on your cheek gently, caressing your skin with his thumb, continuing to watch you with that attention and with that desire at the same time that he sticks your chest with his, pulling you to him.

Again you watch his lips, completely absorbed in him, feeling your heart still beating too fast and completely enjoying this moment.

"If I don't see you again Y/N…"

He says again, not letting you go, with that direct, firm and challenging tone from before, but leaves his sentence in suspense again.

"What?" you ask him, wanting to know what's going to happen if he doesn't see you again.

But he doesn't say anything more to you, on the contrary, he starts leaning towards you, making you feel like your heart will jump out of your chest at any moment, when his other hand places it on your waist and the atmosphere changes completely.

And then you close your eyes, letting yourself be completely carried away and finally… you feel his lips touch yours.

And as soon as you feel the contact, you are enveloped by a sensation you haven't felt for a long time and you lift your face a little more towards him, pressing your lips more firmly with his.

A slow but completely purposeful and deep kiss begins, as he moves closer towards you, clinging and you let him, beginning to move your lips more constantly, as does he, as you bring your hands up and place them on his chest.

The kiss is perfect and with exact timing, as you feel him cling to you completely, not wanting to let you go, feeling him pull away an inch to take another angle and kiss you again, as you grab his shirt in a fist and pull him closer to you if possible.

You feel perfectly as he gently bites your upper lip in a way you haven't experienced before but firmly enough to make you gasp into his mouth and he takes the opportunity to enter your mouth, making you gasp in the middle of the kiss and bring one of your hands up to his hair, caressing it.

Now it's a fight, as you feel and hear the sound of saliva every time you move your mouths, being a wet kiss in which neither he nor you want it to end.

Everything about him is completely addictive, he is definitely an excellent kisser and you don't want him to stop, ever, enjoying the faint taste of cigarette and mint in his mouth.

"You're so beautiful, did you know that?"

He pulls away to tell you in a husky murmur, instantly attacking your lips again, never stopping caressing your cheek, at the same time he starts to pull you back until your back hits a table out here, now being trapped between it and his body.

You smile in the middle of the kiss, continuing to caress his neck and cheeks.

"You are so beautiful too, Aemond."

You manage to say between his lips, to again both resume the kiss, while you feel how he holds your waist tightly, which will probably leave marks on your skin since it's too firm, but you don't care.

Then his caresses start to be taken further, bringing his hand dangerously close to your ass, but you don't mind this either. When he suddenly lifts you up and sits you on the table behind you, making his way between your legs and caressing your thigh with one of his hands.

The mood changes completely, the whole air feeling too hot and with a need starting to appear in your lower abdomen.

Aemond caresses your thigh firmly and gently, which begins to bring waves of arousal to your core, especially as he grinds very gently against you, but pressing his hips right there as you hold him between your legs.

You gasp into his mouth, feeling too good and starting to drive you crazy, not only by his movements but also by the way he continues to kiss you, having you perfectly where he wants you.

You begin to feel his clear arousal against your center, as he grunts and continues to kiss you, bringing both hands to both of your thighs, caressing you and grinding himself more firmly and steadily against you, seeking relief, as you do, beginning to feel everything about you pulsing in an achingly delicious way.

However, the good things can't last forever.

Suddenly the doors to the balcony open again unexpectedly and this catches the attention of both of you, breaking the kiss and the moment instantly, seeing that it is a group of apparently already drunk friends, starting to make room for themselves on the balcony as well.

They notice you both but say nothing, going back to their own thing, to which you turn your focus back to Aemond, looking just as disappointed as he does at the interruption of the moment.

His lips are red and swollen, just as you must also look, so you try to get off the table, but he instantly won't let you, pressing his hips right back down there firmly, causing you to watch him in surprise and in alert.

"This is what I'll do the next time I see you if you don't go to the rehearsals and concerts," he tells you again with that determination and that honesty, his voice completely low and hoarse, not letting you go.

And at first you don't understand what he's talking about, still very overwhelmed and shocked by what happened, but mostly because he keeps pressing his hips right against your center.

But you remember what you were talking about earlier.

"W-what?"

Then that grin reappears, her gaze still full of desire and completely stealing your breath.

"I'll kiss you again without permission."

taglist:

@melsunshine @fan-goddess @toodlesxcuddles @helaenaluvr @tsujifreya @queenofshinigamis @manonmccrory @nockerin @iloveallmyboys @at-a-rax-ia

[eddiesguitarskills]

It Can't All Be Bullshit

Read part 2 here

Eddie Munson x fem Reader x Steve Harrington (unfortunately no steddie in this)

Summary: pinning after your best friend can be hard, especially when he doesn’t seem to like you back. You were trying to get over a crush the last thing you needed was another.

AN: this and the next chapter have been in my drafts for far too long so I thought I'd post them (not the best piece of writing but I like the story) I have tried to prove read it but I have dyslexia so sorry for any mistakes

Warnings: Angst, use of Y/n, mention of break ups, miscommunication, drug and alcohol use, swearing

Word count: about 2000 words

Halloween night 1985

Of all the people you had to have a crush on, why did it have to be your annoying, oblivious dork of a best friend? You knew you needed to get over it, and even if there ever was a chance of being with him, you feared you’d lose him. You weren’t what Eddie wanted in a girl, and you knew that. You were surprised he kept you around now with how much you nagged at him. It’s not like it was all the time, but someone had to look out for that boy, especially if he wasn’t going to do it for himself.

Eddie interrupted your plans for a Halloween movie night, which you had planned out for a month, costumes included. If anyone were to look at you together, they would assume you were a couple; most people did. You were dressed as Jack and Wendy Torrance from the shinning. He even let you put makeup on him to give him the frostbite effect. So when he suddenly announced he had to go to Tina’s party to deal, you were annoyed. You tried not to nag, even though you hated the sound of your voice at this point. Plus, he promised it would only be an hour tops, and then you could get takeout with some of his earnings so that you couldn’t complain, especially when he looked at you with those eyes. You could never say no.

You weren’t the biggest fan of drugs or him dealing them; you knew he was better than that life. But you understood how hard things were on him and his uncle, so as long as it wasn’t forever, it wasn’t really bad drugs, you let it be. You never liked to be around when he dealt, though. Something about watching it made you feel weird. You could never explain why. Eddie was kind, though, and he never did anything in front of you. He didn’t even smoke weed, especially after that one time when he got super paranoid and scared you. You weren’t part of that life. You didn’t do drugs, you didn’t drink, and you didn’t party. It’s not that you were boring. It was just never you. Hey, maybe you were boring, but at least you didn't need drugs to enjoy yourself. You liked to be in control.

You are currently leaning against the countertop in the kitchen, sticking out like a sore thumb with a Coke in your hand. You look at the clock, he’s 30 minutes late. You were trying to turn a new leaf, so you were trying to be understanding, even if his time-wasting was cutting into your Halloween plans. You couldn’t take your eyes off the clock, not like there were other things to watch at this party: teenagers making out, getting too drunk or being sick. The clock seemed more appealing. When it hit the 2-hour mark, you started worrying, so you looked for him. What you didn’t expect to find was him in the garden with a blunt in his hand and his other hand on a blonde’s thigh.

The voice in your head telling you not to nag was now becoming quieter with how annoyed you were. He ditched you, and he was smoking, which showed he had no intention of continuing your plans. He just wanted to get high and laid. “Eddie!” you said loud and stern enough for him to hear you, but too high he was in his bubble with his girl for the night. “Edward Munson!” you said louder; he only ever hears that name when in trouble, so subconsciously, he straightened his back and tried to hide the blunt, failing miserably. He turned around to face you, he waved “Hi darling”. You glared at him. “Are you high, darling?” a mocking tone coming from your voice, using his usual pet name for you against him.

He pitched his fingers together “a little”. Eddie always thought you looked cute when you were mad; he usually tried to get you a little angry so he could see that face. Usually, though, he could hide his smile and keep a straight face since he was sober. But now, when he tried to keep a straight face, he couldn’t; even more irritating for you, he couldn't stop giggling, making the girl to his right giggle, too. “If you wanted to go party instead, you should have told me; you didn’t need to lie”. If Eddie were sober, he would see how hurt you were, but in his mind, this was a joke, “you don’t have to stay. You can go home and watch the films. Tell me what happens”. You freeze; this is why you hated High Eddie; he never realised how hurtful he came across. How selfish he became. And when he finally sobers up enough to realise you must forgive him because he ‘wasn’t in his right mind’. It’s a frustrating cycle, which is why he stopped smoking in front of you. Except for now, apparently. That’s probably why he ditched you so that you wouldn’t find out.

Hurtful words were on your tongue, but you were in your right mind, so you could never say them. You knew you wouldn’t mean them. You were just hurt, so you stormed off straight out the front door, but when you made it to the front porch, it was like you were stuck in glue. You couldn’t leave whether he was being a dick or not. He was still your best friend, and you need to ensure he was safe. He shouldn’t drive high, and knowing him, he would try. So you waited. You couldn’t go back into the hell hole that was Tina’s Halloween party, so you waited on a porch swing. The air was bitter tonight, so you were glad your costume provided a jumper, not that it looked like a costume anymore without a partner to go with it.

Your eyes were drifting shut with how tired and bored you were, that was until you heard a huge slam come from beside you, making you flinch. You weren’t the only one having a terrible time at this party; Steve was having an even worse one. “You got cigarettes?”. He didn’t look at you, so you didn’t realise he was talking to you. That was until you felt his glare burning into you. You knew that look wasn’t meant for you, but it still made you feel uncomfortable. Maybe it was due to the shots you could tell he had taken from the blue tint to his lips, or perhaps he had gotten into a fight. But this look wasn’t meant for you, but it didn't make it any less scary when you were in his firing line. “Huh?”. With the way he spoke to you next, you could have sworn you had done something to hurt his feelings. “Are you deaf I said do you have any smokes?” he spoke slowly like you were a dumb child. He tutted at you and turned away from you “bullshit”. He kept repeating like a madman.

Jesus, was he that addicted to nicotine, you thought. Even if he did make you feel a little uncomfortable, especially since you knew he was a jock, and even though they didn’t necessarily pick on you because, in their words, “you were a girl,” they bullied your friends so you knew how bad they could be. But even for a jock, this was dramatic “fucking hell, I’m sorry, I don’t have any” you said a little sarcastically. He stopped his repetition and looked over his shoulder at you. “What?” He said with anger still laced in his voice, like you did anything to deserve his rage. You didn’t know why you were wasting your breath on him, but Eddie had pissed you off, and you needed to get the annoyance out somehow. “Are you deaf? I said I’m sorry, I don’t have any”.

He thought he knew girls well, but after tonight, he wasn’t sure, and he didn’t want to figure out what was wrong with you either. He couldn’t be bothered by the grief. “Fuck off”. You couldn’t tell if his words were in reaction to what you said or if he meant it. That was until he repeated it, and you saw the look on his face, and the tears in his eyes that he didn’t realise were there. You didn’t know what was happening with him, but it was not your place to sort it. You were making it worse.

So you went back into the party, to look for two people, firstly Tommy Hagan everyone knew he was Harrington’s best friend, so even if you didn’t like Tommy you couldn’t leave someone when they were like that. It would only make you as bad as them. You found him around the beer pong table. You lightly tapped his shoulder as you couldn’t deal with another boy's wrath tonight. He turned around, looking you up and down, smirking. “What are you supposed to be a virgin?” You rolled your eyes. You knew you could think of a comeback and put him in his place, but now wasn’t the time; you needed to get him outside, and you didn’t want to announce that his friend, the king of Hawkin High, was crying on the lawn in front of everyone. You weren't cruel. “Can you just come outside with me?” The room erupted into “oh”, as if you were suggesting something sexual. “Wait, was I right about the virgin thing? Is the freak not giving you any? Do you want a real man instead?” He said, getting closer to you. He smelt of beer and body odour, but you let him closer so you could whisper in his ear. “Your boy is outside, and something’s happened. I’d go and sort it if I was you”. He looked at you confused and nodded. He walked out, but not before smacking you on the ass. “I’ll see you later, darling?”. God, he was the most enormous prick. You couldn’t hold your tongue anymore. “Is that with your girlfriend or alone?”.

Eddie came sauntering alone into the room after hearing your voice, “I hope you’re not starting fights”, he said, putting his arm around your shoulder out of comfort. You ignored his question, not wanting to get into it now. “You ready to go?” You looked at him and weakly smiled. Eddie couldn’t tell, though he was still high as a kite, just in the mellow stage, so all he could see was you smiling. You took the keys out of his pocket and led him to the van. On your way out, you walked past Tommy and Steve on the porch swing. Steve’s leg bounced. “She said we were bullshit”, he kept repeating; you were glad Eddie wasn’t sober enough to hear it. Otherwise, he would definitely use it against him. Everything about his mood towards you started to make sense. He and Nancy had clearly broken up. So you gave him a smile and a nod of acknowledgement as you left, which he only glared at. You didn't mind, though you were just glad he wasn’t alone, even if that meant being with Tommy.

You drove Eddie home, struggling to get his dead weight onto the bed and to get his shoes off. You were about to leave for your car outside when Eddie's hand grabbed for yours. “Stay”. This used to be one of the only things you liked about him being high, the cuddles and needing attention. However, right now, this was probably the worst thing for your heart when you were trying to get over him, but when you looked at his face, how could you say no if that made him happy, even if it would end up hurting you.

Let me know if you wanna be tagged in the future

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[sadhours]

Wicked Sensation

part seventeen // billy hargrove x f!reader

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six | part seven | part eight | part nine | part ten | part eleven | part twelve | part thirteen | part fourteen | part fifteen | part sixteen | part seventeen

a/n: I’m going through a bit of family stuff but writing is my outlet so i don’t think it should be affected but to play it safe, this is going to be the hardest week of my life and I might get to requests slowly and post chapters slowly but maybe I’ll post more who knows. Anyways, thank you all so much for reading. I appreciate you all endlessly.

word count: 6k

warnings: 18+ minors dni, hey Eddie still exists!, Neil being Neil, pregnancy, smut, oral (m receiving), p in v

tag list: @blue-eyed-lion @bbyhargrove @sweet-villain @actuallyspencerreid @trapistani @sierrahhh @likeanimagepassingby2

Okay, so maybe it’s a bit ridiculous. The man has put a baby in you and is moving in to your parents house, you shouldn’t have to devise a plan to get him to propose to you. You never even pictured yourself in this role before but with all the pregnancy hormones and the devotion you feel towards Billy, the prospect of being his wife and the mother of his kids is insanely appealing. Perhaps this was all Mary’s fault. She’d put the idea in your head and now it was all you could think about.

That’s how you’re awake at the ass crack of dawn with her, making a lunch for Billy to take to his first day at your dads shop. You think that maybe if you start doing wife type things, Billy will realize how badly he wants to marry you.

“You wake up this early every morning?” you ask, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

Mary smiles wide as she pours you a cup of coffee, “How do you think I get anything done?”

“There’s like more than 12 hours left of today, that seems like too much time,” you complain as you hear footsteps down the hall.

You turn to see a sleepy, messy haired Billy with an unlit cigarette perched between his lips already. That same familiar feeling warming your chest and making you swoon whenever you see him. He walks into the kitchen, pulling the cigarette from his mouth to lean down and peck your cheek.

“Morning,” he grumbles to Mary and reaches for the coffee pot.

“Oh, here!” you cheer, extending out the cup Mary had just poured for you.

Billy takes it, smiling at you, “Thanks, darlin. Care to join me?”

“You haven’t quit smoking?” Mary gives you a look of shock.

Shamefully, you shake your head. You were going to schedule an appointment today for the doctors and figured you’d ask him about your options for that. You’d been smoking since you were thirteen and weren’t sure if you could quit and Billy wasn’t going to anytime soon so you’d always have the temptation.

“They’re Lights,” Billy offers, “It’s something.”

Again, your heart swells. It’s a small thing but you love how he defends you at any opportunity. Mary gives you both a disappointed look as you follow Billy out to the backyard. He lights the cigarette and takes a long drag before handing it to you.

“We can share,” he says, “At least you’re cutting back.”

You nod and lean your shoulder into his, “Thank you. I feel like you’re the only person who gets me.”

He kisses your temple but doesn’t say anything. You’d like to think you’re the only person who gets him. Billy’s still not good at talking about his feelings. He shows you how he feels through touch, and maybe that’s enough. For now, at least. If you’re gonna start a family with him, you’d like that to change.

He takes another long drag from the cigarette and speaks up, “I’ve got to get my things today. If there is anything left. You willing to make that trip with me when I get back?”

You think that means he feels safe with you. With a soft smile, you tell him yes. You know you two have to tell Neil that you’re pregnant, or at least, you think you should. See, Billy hadn’t told you about his dad finding the Polaroids of you and you still thought that Neil liked you, so you think maybe he’ll be excited that you’re pregnant. Billy knows better and is dreading telling his dad. In fact, he doesn’t really want to tell him, doesn’t want Neil to be a grandfather at all. He knows Neil will try to control his kid since he can no longer control Billy.

“Are you excited to work for my dad?” you ask.

Billy nods, he genuinely is. He likes working on cars, figures it’ll pay enough for you guys to find an apartment in a few months. He is thinking about marriage, but he’s afraid of it. Having a child together isn’t enough to make sure either of you stay, he’s learned that. He’s also worried you might run off into another man’s arms at the first sign of trouble. It’s a fear he can’t shake.

“Yeah. You looking for jobs today?” he asks as he stumps the cigarette out in the ashtray.

Sighing, you shrug. You hadn’t planned for that but you know you should. Billy shouldn’t have to have all the financial responsibility but you had no idea what you would do. Working at your dads shop could easily turn into a career but you didn’t have that luxury. Your options were limited with only being able to work until the baby was born.

“I suppose I should,” you tell him as he stands and helps you up.

-

You pick up the phone and dial a number you’ve had memorized since grade school but you don’t remember the last time you called it.

“Hello?” Eddie’s voice rings through.

“Hi,” you say meekly.

Eddie scoffs, “You remembered I exist.”

You lay on your mattress, looking up at the ceiling as guilt drips into your system. Billy kept you so distracted from everyone and then when you were broken up shortly, Steve took up most your time. Eddie wasn’t supportive of you and Billy and selfishly, you decided Billy was most important. He still was, even more so now that you were carrying his child but you and Eddie had so much history that it would be cruel to never talk to him again.

“I’m sorry… I haven’t been fair to you,” you say softly.

“I expected you to call when I heard Billy dumped your ass but you never did,” Eddie replies, “Guess you couldn’t bear to hear an ‘I told you so’.”

“We got back together,” you mumble, “But I should’ve called. I don’t want to have to chose between the two of you.”

“Then don’t.”

“Eddie, you’re the one who made me feel like I had to in the first place,” you explain, “Billy has no issues with you.”

He’s silent and your skin crawls. You didn’t want to lose him but you understood if Eddie wanted nothing to do with you.

“I just don’t want to have to deal with it,” he says finally, “If you guys are constantly breaking up and getting back together, I’m never gonna come around to the idea of him.”

“I don’t see that happening,” you reveal, “He’s moving in and I’m pregnant, so…”

“You’re what?” Eddie’s voice sounds shocked.

“Yeah. I’m having Billy Hargrove’s baby.”

“Jesus Christ,” he exhaled, “I tell you what, I didn’t see that one happening.”

“Yeah, we didn’t either,” you chuckle.

“And he didn’t run away? He’s moving in with you? Are you guys engaged or something?”

“No! Well, not yet. I don’t know if he wants to get married,” you admit, shyly.

Eddie laughs, “He’s moving in with you and you guys are having a baby. Why the hell would he skip marrying you?”

“I don’t know. Marriage is like a big deal, a big commitment,” you say and Eddie’s laughing harder, you picture him doubling over from it.

“Why are you laughing?” you pout, feeling like you’re missing out on some joke.

Once his breathing calms down, he starts, “He’s all fine and dandy knocking you up and you’re scared he can’t commit.”

Eddie starts laughing again and you really don’t see why it’s hard to believe. You and Billy both know that kids and marriage don’t keep people together. Eddie should know that too, but here he is laughing hysterically.

“It’s not funny,” you whine and finally, he sighs.

“You’re right,” he deadpans, “it’s stupid. So I have Hellfire tonight but if you’re not busy later this week, we should hang out.”

“Can I bring Billy?” you ask, twirling the phone chord around your finger.

Another sigh and he says, “Yeah… guess I should get to know him if he’s gonna be the dad of my god child.”

You’re heart swells, but you deep down knew Eddie would forgive you. You guys were practically family.

-

Dale holds out the light blue uniform shirt to Billy, tells him they can get him an embroidered patch soon and Billy thanks him. Having a name on the shirt was a privilege at the shop in San Diego and Billy never earned it. At your dads shop, it was something everyone typically got from the first day. He wanted his employees to feel important, like they belonged on a team.

Billy pulls the shirt over his white tank top and starts buttoning it up, eyes scanning over your dads office. It’s in disarray. Tools, papers and empty paper coffee cups placed sporadically. On his desk, is a photo of you and your brother. Billy picks it up and looks closer. He suspects it’s from a past trip to Florida because your hair is shorter.

“You’ll have to come out with us from now on,” Dale says.

“What? Sorry,” he places the frame back on the desk.

“Florida. For Christmas, you’ll have to come with us,” your dad explains and Billy feels weird but not in a bad way. Christmas wasn’t ever a special holiday since his mom left. In fact, they didn’t really even celebrate it before his dad met Susan. The only thing he’d looked forward to was a card from his grandparents. However, you talked about Christmas excitedly, you’d told Billy it was your third favorite; after Halloween and Thanksgiving of course. It must be that it was fun in Florida, that holidays with your family weren’t as empty or angry as the ones Billy was used to.

“Yeah,” he says, smiling at the thought, “Wonder what the surfs like down there.”

Your dad laughs, “The waters a lot choppier than California but I imagine you’ll have fun.” He gestures to the door, “Let me give you a tour, real quick.”

Billy listens closely as your dad explains the routine of the shop and what Billy’s primary responsibilities will be before sending him in with Darla from accounting and Billy recognizes the name when your dad says it. He walks into the little office and is met with a member of his fan club, one of the housewives that would hang out around the pool.

“Billy!” she smiles wide, “What are you doing here?”

“Oh, hi,” he says as he walks up to her desk.

She keeps looking over Billy’s shoulder, causing him to turn and look.

“Oh, don’t worry,” she says, “We’re alone.”

He looks back at her with his brows furrowed. Alone? he thinks and his eyes dart down to the worn romance novel sitting on her desk. She stands and he shakes his head, “Oh, no.”

“No?” she looks disappointed.

Billy chuckles, “Dale just hired me, he sent me in here so I could fill out paperwork.”

Her disappointment evolves back into excitement, “You’re working here now?”

“Yep!” he chirps as he sits at the plastic chair across from her desk. “Saving for the baby and all.”

“Baby?” she asks and Billy revels in the defeated tone.

“Yeah, that’s why Dale’s giving me the job. His daughter and I are having a baby,” he puts his elbow on his knees and leans forward.

“Congratulations,” she says as she slams a clipboard on the desk. “Just fill this out quickly and I’ll have you in the books.”

“Awesome,” he grabs it, “Thanks.”

-

Billy takes the long way home, chain-smoking and listening to an entire cassette even though it’s typically a fifteen minute drive from the shop to home. He just needs to clear his head and his favorite way to do so is to take the road that stretches all around Hawkins and back. It’s mostly fields and farms, but it’ll take him right where he’s needs to go and he likes that it’s empty roads. He figures his alone time will be limited from here on out.

When he finally gets home, you’re voicing concerns. They’re in the form of questions, he knows you were worried but he can’t help but feel a bit suffocated. He knows these feelings are because of his looming fear of seeing his dad but he can’t help but lash out.

“I just took a drive,” he bites, “Can you chill out? It’s not even late.”

You stare back up at him, a little stunned but you press your palm on his chest and rub in circles, “I’m sorry.”

Billy doesn’t expect that reaction and his first response is to push you away, but that’s Neil getting in his head. He sighs and wraps his arms around you, pulling you to his chest and tucking his face into your neck.

“No, I’m sorry,” he mumbles into your hair, “Just not looking forward to going over there.”

Your hands circle around his waist and you squeeze him, “I’ll be with you. We’ll make it quick, just grab as much as we can and leave.”

He pulls back and hooks his finger under your chin, tilting your head back as he leans in to press his lips to yours. It’s chaste but lets you know he trusts you. And anytime his lips are on you, it heats up your thighs and leaves you a little breathless.

“Shall we get it over with then?” Billy grumbles though his tone suggests he really doesn’t want to.

You lace your fingers and pull him out the door. He allows you to lead him across the street and then the two of you just stand at the door. Billy feels as if he has to knock, like he hasn’t just spent a little less than a year living in this house. His knuckles tap against the wood as he prays Max answers the door. She doesn’t.

“It’s about damn time,” Neil spews as he stares at Billy, eyes dark. He eyes dart to you and then back to his son, “Needed your safety blanket, did ya?”

Your blood boils so you squeeze Billy’s hand tighter, “We’re just here to get some of his stuff.”

You figure you’ll do the talking, maybe make this a little easier. Neil opens the door wide, stepping back and you can see Susan peeking her head out of the kitchen. Billy tugs you inside, making a beeline for his bedroom door. Upon opening it, Billy sees that Neil has sold all his stuff and all that’s left is his stereo system and two packed boxes on the floor. His face heats up, he wants to scream at his dad but it’s a losing battle. He knows what Neil will say. He bought everything that was in there. Billy knows because the stereo is still there, it was the first thing Billy bought when he got his first ever paycheck.

He heaves a sigh and then looks over to you, “Can you manage the two boxes? It won’t hurt the… ya know.”

“Billy, I’m like maybe a few weeks along, it’s a little tadpole in there,” you say and then your eyes widen, realizing that you’ve just admitted you were pregnant.

You turn around to see Neil standing in the doorway, looking dumbfounded.

“Fuck,” Billy curses, bringing his hand to rub his brow.

“What was that?” Neil asks, stepping into the room.

Billy heaves a sigh and turns to his dad, “Nothing.”

“Nothing?” he scoffs, “Sounded to me like your little girlfriend just said she’s pregnant.”

“Pregnant?” Susan’s voice rings through the hall and she hurries to stand in the doorway.

Billy doesn’t say anything, he just starts stacking the speakers onto the cassette deck.

“You really fucked up,” Neil laughs sinisterly, the sound startling you and causing bile to rise up your throat. You swallow it down and go to grab the boxes but Neil stops you, “I’ll get the boxes. You shouldn’t be doing any heavy lifting.”

“No, it’s fine,” you try but he’s already picking them up with ease and heading for the door.

“Shit,” Billy says, grabbing the stereo and following after his dad.

You eye Susan curiously before walking out behind your boyfriend. Neil’s already at your doorstep when you get outside and Billy’s quickly shuffling across the street after him.

“Dad,” he calls out.

Neil bangs on the door and your dad opens it. Your hearts in your chest as you run after them. You have no idea what Neil’s plan is but you’re scared he’s gonna deck your dad right in the face.

“Neil,” your dad says, opening the door wider to let him in. You and Billy right behind him.

“Go ahead and just set those down anywhere,” Mary says to him, perched over the kitchen counter.

You shut the door behind you, letting out the breath you hadn’t realized you’d been holding.

“Dad,” Billy pleads again, but nothing follows. He doesn’t know what he’s asking Neil not to do.

“So my sons knocked your daughter up, has he?” Neil says after dropping the boxes on the floor.

This is all your fault. The guilt rises in your throat and threatens to pour out, you reach to Billy for comfort once he’s set the stereo down.

“It would appear so,” your dad says, leaning against the kitchen table as he looks to Neil casually.

“And you didn’t kill him?” Neil responds, crossing his arms.

Your dad shrugs, “I like the kid.”

Neil chuckles, but it doesn’t sound happy, like he can’t fathom anyone liking his son. He shakes his head, seems defeated and you and Billy both admire your dad.

“Is that all, then?” your dad asks, crossing his arms.

“Well what’s the plan then? When are you getting married?” Neil asks, turning to his son now.

Billy clears his throat and you notice he starts tapping his foot, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?” Neil scoffs, “Well, boy, you better figure it out. You don’t want to marry her? You should’ve thought that before you did something so damn irresponsible.”

The words sting your chest and your dad moves in front of Billy, physically shielding him from Neil.

“Thanks for stopping by,” your dad says, “We’ll make sure to let you know the plan.”

Billy’s shocked when his dad retreats, through all the years of abuse, he’s never seen his dad give up on a fight. He takes a deep breath when the door slams. Most of all, though, he’s embarrassed. Without a word, he picks the stereo up and lugs it into your room.

“Thank you, dad…” you hug your father, unable to truly express your gratitude.

“Let Billy know that I didn’t only do that for you, I did it for him,” your dad says, a solemn smile on his face.

You nod, squeezing him once more before trailing to your room to see Billy still holding the stereo. He has no idea where to put it, you have too much stuff. You put your hand on his shoulder, “I’ll give mine to my brother. Yours is better anyways.”

Billy heaves a sigh, remaining silent as he watches you unplug your stereo and gather the speakers. You leave to put it in your brothers room, saying a quiet hello to him when he peers up at you from his book.

“Aw, really?” he sets the book down and sits up.

You place it on his dresser, “Yeah, Billy’s is better than this one.”

“Thanks, sis,” he says, springing up from his bed, “I don’t have any cassettes.”

“I’ll give you some,” you offer, placing your hands on your hips as you look at him.

“Was that his dad?” he asks, biting his nail.

You slap his hand from his mouth, not wanting him to form the habit, “Yeah.”

“Are you really having a baby?” he asks, a tilt of his head.

You nod, giggling as you ruffle up his hair, “Yeah, you’re gonna be an uncle.”

He grins up at you, “I hope it’s a boy.”

“Billy does too,” you reply, “I hope it’s a girl.”

“Typical,” your brother says, poking at the buttons on the stereo set.

You roll your eyes and head back to your room, noticing Billy’s set up the stereo but he’s no longer in the room. You peer curiously out the door to see him walking up to you with the boxes in his hands. He sets them on the floor and sits in front of them, opening the first up to inspect what Neil wanted him to keep. To his surprise, it’s all the things he's kept of his mothers. His heart aches, wanting so desperately to tell her she’s going to be a grandmother, wanting to tell her everything that’s happened since she left.

“He didn’t throw any of it away,” Billy mumbles in disbelief.

“Is it your moms stuff?” you ask, as you sit beside him.

He hands you a photo, it’s of an infant Billy being held by a beautiful blonde lady. You’d never seen any photos of Billy as a baby.

“Huh,” you say, “So our kids gonna be this cute.”

Billy shoves you playfully, “With any luck, it’ll only have my genes.”

You giggle, happy when this side of Billy makes a resurgence. “I’m hoping and praying.”

He hands you another photo, one of when he’s roughly a year old and he’s standing in front of his mom while holding onto her hands. He’s learning how to walk. You scan over it, smiling back at his mom. “She’s so pretty,” you muse, “You look like her.”

You swear he blushes, “Yeah, she was beautiful.”

He continues pulling the items out, showing you every photo and explaining every random item. Billy visibly relaxes, an easy smile plastered on his face and he’s never looked prettier. You kiss his face, starting at his jaw and all the way up to his hairline.

“Oh! Wait!” You spring up and barrel out of the room, only to return with an empty photo album. You sit back down and hand it to him, “Here, you can put them in here.”

He takes it gratefully and gradually, the two of you fill the photo album. Billy then moves onto the second box. It’s his jewelry and a few clothing items but at the bottom of it, his dirty magazines sit. Billy laughs, pulling them out.

“Why the hell didn’t he just throw these away?”

“Who is he to become between a man and his porn collection?” you tease, pulling the first Penthouse magazine from him.

You start flipping through it, seeing in your peripheral that Billy’s watching you with an amused expression. After flipping a page, Polaroids fall into your lap. You drop the magazine and gather up the photos, blushing when you see they’re of you and Billy. Some raunchier than others.

“You kept these?” you ask, softly.

“How do you think I got through those weeks without ya?” he nudges your shoulder.

You look at him, mouth agape. You’re extremely flattered at the thought of Billy pleasuring himself to photos of you. Granted, half of these, his dick is inside of you but still.

“You jacked off to these?” you ask, lowering your voice.

“Oh, yeah,” he says, grabbing them from your hand and shuffling through them. “This one’s my favorite,” he hands you a Polaroid, it’s one of the day at the lake.

You’re embarrassed as you look down at your body, riding Billy on a towel with your swimsuit top not covering your breasts but pulled to the sides. Then you tilt your head, looking at where your bodies meet and you can see just the tiniest inch of his cock. It is a hot photo and you remember how turned on you got when Billy reached for the camera.

Suddenly, you feel his lips on your neck and then his tongue, wet and hot against your sensitive flesh. You moan softly at the feeling, tilting your head even more to give him access while you continue to look at the photo. He reaches into your pants, cupping you over your underwear and your breath hitches in your throat. He gently moves his fingers, teasing the wetness out of you. The photo flutters out of your grip.

“You like it, too,” he notes, feeling you soak through the thin cotton.

“Uh huh,” you moan, awkwardly spreading your thighs and feeling as the magazines and photos fall from your lap onto the floor.

His hand rises a bit, just to snake into your underwear and his fingertips drag up through folds and stop at your clit. He sucks on your neck, rubbing languid circles against your sensitive bud. You lean back, hands pressing on the floor behind you to keep you upright. Billy’s fingers feel like magic, always do. You ache for him, want to feel him all over. You get frustrated sometimes, wanting him closer even if he’s as close as he can physically be.

“Billy,” you whimper, your arms shaking as you try to hold yourself up but when he slides two fingers inside you, you collapse onto your back and kick your feet out to spread your legs further.

He chuckles, leaning down to kiss your lips softly. He pulls away too quickly, so you cling onto his shirt and pull him back down, feeling his smile into the kiss. You lick against his teeth, still pulling at his shirt. He gives you what you want, licking into your mouth and curling his fingers inside you. Your back arches off the ground, moaning into his mouth. He groans back, his fingers faltering when you reach over to feel his cock straining against his jeans. You’re eager, unbuttoning his jeans and trying to claw them down, but with the way he’s positioned you can’t. He lifts his bum up and helps shove them to his thighs with his free hand. Your fingers wrap around his cock as soon as it’s free, stroking him quickly. He laughs against your mouth.

“Slow down,” he mumbles and you lick his teeth again, groaning in protest but you still listen.

You can hear his breathing and the slick sound of his fingers pumping in and out of your soaking pussy. You swipe your thumb against his tip, feeling his precum bubbling out and you spread it around which earns you a guttural groan from the blonde. You lift your other hand and push him back, leaning yourself over to take him in your mouth. You have to taste. Swirling your tongue around his pulsing head, your hand strokes whatever’s not in your mouth. Billy leans his head back, biting his lip to stifle his moans. If only he’d turned on the stereo when he plugged it in.

Billy’s pulling his hand away only to snake both of them into your hair, propping himself on his knees and pushing you further down on his cock. You’d be pissed about the loss but his pursuit of his own pleasure turns you on more. You position yourself better in front of him, grabbing onto his thighs while you breath through your nose as you take him into your mouth as deep as you can. You bob your head, by the aid of Billy’s grip on your hair as he guides you up and down. You look up to see his eyes meeting yours, mouth slightly agape and his eyes glassy. You can’t help but gag as he reaches the back of your throat and he moans, voice hoarse and just a tad whiny. It makes you squirm, feeling slick dripping down your thighs.

“Fuck,” he whines, as you pull off him with a loud pop, drool stringing between your lips and the head of his cock.

You stick your tongue out, eyes wide up at him and he wraps his fingers around his cock as he slaps it against your tongue. Your lips tug up before you wrap them around his head again, sucking hard and then pulling off again. Billy’s pushing you down into your back, then. He rips your leggings and panties off before following suit with your top and bra. As he’s lining himself up with your center, you start unbuttoning his work shirt and pushing it off his shoulders, the sleeves catching at his elbows. He gets the hint, smiling when he pulls it off and then grabs the hem of his tank top, bringing it over his head and tossing it aside. He presses his palm against your chest, easing you back down. He grabs his dick again and presses his tip through your folds, shaking it against your clit. You gasp, hands squeezing your own breasts.

“Give it to me, Billy,” you beg, “please.”

He smirks and then plunges his cock into you. It stings slightly as he bottoms out, his hand coming up to dig his fingers into your thigh. Your eyes flutter shut and he brings his other hand to grab your jaw.

“Look at me,” he orders and you obey, eyelids flying open to see his gorgeous, flushed face looking back at you.

Billy shoves his fingers in your mouth and you suck on them lazily, moaning around them as he rocks his hips against you. He pumps in and out of you, deep and slow as his thumb digs into your cheek. It’s crazy, with his fingers shoved in your mouth and his cock balls deep in you, all you can think is how fucking much you love him. How you can’t live without him. How you never want to go a day without this.

“Closer,” you mouth around his fingers.

He pulls them out and looks down at you curiously, slowing his thrusts.

“Closer, want you closer,” you plead.

Billy smiles, leaning down and wrapping his arms around you before pulling you up, holding you against his chest. Your arms circle his neck, holding him close while he moves his hips quicker again. You moan softly against his ear, clinging onto him for dear life. His arms tighten around you and you’re thankful for all the working out he does. He’s able to press against your g-spot with every thrust as this angle and you’re quickly coming undone around him. In attempt to help, you writhe against him. His labored breathing followed by small, high pitched moans in your ear pushes you along. You scratch at his upper back, letting him know you’re close and he starts pounding up into you harder. It snaps, the build up of your orgasm falling over the edge and you shake against him, biting his shoulder to quiet the cry you let out.

Billy’s leaning down, resting you on your back and relentlessly thrusting into you. You scratch all the way down his back, overwhelmed with pleasure as you ride out your climax. He freezes, eyes squeezing shut and gritting his teeth as he releases inside of you. You hold onto his face, wrapping your legs around his waist and grinding your hips up against him. He whimpers, hands grabbing onto your hips to pin you down. He collapses his weight on top of you and it’s the most comfortable feeling in the world. You squeeze him in your arms and pepper his neck with kisses.

He finally lifts himself up to his elbows and gazes down at you, curls sticking to his face with sweat. He looks ethereal, always does but more so now than ever.

“I love you,” he whispers, caressing your face.

“I love you, Billy.”

-

Three months of saving and he’s about to burn through it in an instant. Billy peers down at the ring, reading the engraving and second guessing himself. Not about proposing, but about the words he’s chosen.

Forever, Snoopy.

He knows you’ll get it but it feels cheesy and he’s a bit uncomfortable with that side of him showing. He knows he shouldn’t feel embarrassed around you. Besides, girls like that kind of mushy, romantic stuff. Billy has a hard time with being perceived as anything other than tough and cool so he tells himself you’ll think the ring is cool and that it was very cool of him to reference how you met and totally not tacky and cheesy.

It burns a hole in his pocket as he walks into the restaurant, seeing you sitting there with your dad, brother and Mary and wonders if proposing in such a public setting is a bad idea. Oh, God, what if you say no?

He feels his lunch threaten to make a reappearance and he redirects his path to the bathroom. He locks the door behind him and looks at himself in the mirror. He wore his best shirt, the maroon one and he’s only buttoned the last two buttons. He shimmies out of his leather jacket, suddenly feeling too hot. He rests it on the counter and then turns the cold water on. He splashes it on his face and then takes a deep breath. Why would you say no? There’s no possible timeline in which you say no to marrying him.

Hell, he’d asked your dad this morning and if he doubted your acceptance he would’ve said something like ‘Sure, Billy, spend all of the tiny bit you’ve saved to move out of my house to get rejected by my daughter’ instead of “Yes, of course you have my blessing.”

Billy takes a deep breath and exits the bathroom, only to turn around and retrieve his jacket. Nerves be damned, he was gonna marry you. He arrives to the table and you stand to greet him, his eyes darting to the tiny baby bump more obvious than it’s ever been in the tight dress you’re wearing. He kisses you, hand pressing to your hip as he does so.

“Hi, baby,” you say to him with those dreamy eyes.

“Hi,” he coos back, his nerves subsiding the second your eyes meet. He forgets why he was nervous in the first place. “Sorry, I'm late,” he apologizes to you and then your family, as he sits down.

Your dad gives him a knowing smile and it makes Billy even more nervous. He’s in his own head during the whole dinner, missing questions directed at him. You reach over and squeeze his bicep, asking if he’s alright and Billy just nods.

Then he tells himself he’s got nothing to worry about and maybe right now isn’t the right time to propose. He ignores your dads pointed looks and when you excuse yourself to restroom Billy announces to the table, “I am going to propose just not here.”

“You nervous?” Dale chuckles, sipping his wine.

Billy blushes, “I just… I don’t know, feel like we should be alone.”

Mary reaches in her bag and pulls out the Polaroid camera, “Then you have to take the photo.”

“I can’t do both at the same time,” Billy explains, a little exasperated.

Mary grins, “Why don’t you do it when she gets back? As she walks up, get down on one knee.”

Billy’s eyes widen, thinking about what a spectacle that would be, “God, no. I want to do it when we’re alone.”

“It’s their story, Mary,” your dad says, “Let them write it.”

“Fine,” she grumbles and reaches for her wine.

“I’ll ask for you if you’re scared,” your brother offers Billy earnestly.

Billy pats his back, “Thanks, kid but I’ve got to do this myself.”

You return to the table and raise an eyebrow as they all turn to Billy expectantly, “What’s going on?”

“Nothing!” Billy smiles too wide at you.

And he doesn’t ask, he thinks about it when you’re cuddling before bed that night but he can’t bring himself to do it. He presses kisses against the back of your neck

“You know I love you, right?” he mumbles, almost too quiet for you to hear.

You lean your head back, awkwardly angling your lips to his. He squeezes your waist and kisses back deeply.

“I love you, too Billy. Why are you acting weird?” you turn around to look into his eyes.

“I’m not acting weird,” he argues, but his cheeks feel hot.

“Are you trying to ask for a blow job?” you tease, pushing his hair back.

“I mean…” he laughs, “If you’re offering, I’ll accept.”

“Go to bed,” you giggle and tuck your head in his shoulder.

He’ll ask in the morning, he decides.

[jadequeen88]

Watchin' You

Summary:

He walked around the corner of the building that housed the showers when he saw them. Eddie knew that was your canvas bag, the very one he saw you pull out of the floorboard of his van when you got out. There was no mistaking that the black, lace boy shorts lying on top of your other clothes were yours. It looked like you’d stepped out of them and laid them right on the bag. That could only mean one thing… “Oh, fuck me sideways…” You’d been wearing these. You sat in Eddie’s van wearing these exact panties.

Notes:

I had a mighty need for more Virgin Eddie content that resulted in this monstrosity of a one-shot... that will have a part two! Let me know what y'all think of my characterization of our boy in the comments!

TWs: Virgin Eddie Munson, Unrequited Love, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Eddie Munson Has ADHD, Vaginal Fingering, Hand Jobs, Blow Jobs, First Kiss, First Time Blow Jobs, Panty Kink, Eddie Munson is a panty thief, Panty thief

“Hey.”

Eddie looks around his locker door to ensure he’s not hallucinating, that an actual, real-life girl is speaking to him.

“Y-yeah? Me?” goddammit, of course, his voice would choose to crack now.

“Yeah, you.”

Oh god, you’re pretty. Like, music-video-vixen level pretty. It’s terrifying.

“Um, what is it?”

“Smooth moves, jackass. Now you sound like a dick,” he thinks.

You bite your bottom lip, looking slightly amused. Ah, shit. You’re about to laugh in his face, aren't you?

“We’re twins,” you say, holding out the bottom of your t-shirt. Sure as shit, you are in matching Iron Maiden shirts. Eddie nearly faints. However, what he actually does could be considered worse than fainting in front of his dream girl.

“Oh,” he squeaks out, slamming his locker door and turning to walk away quickly.

Stupid, stupid, stupid! What the fuck was that?! his brain screams. The first time a girl speaks to him without ill intent, a girl who likes his favorite band no less, and he runs away like a bitch. Perfect.

That was the only interaction between you and the awkward metalhead in high school, but it was enough to make a lasting impression

.

After that day, Eddie soaked up any and all information about you that he could. He knew you had just transferred from Indianapolis and that you played the French Horn. You must be good because he discovered that you were first chair and section leader. Eddie knew that you liked to skip your third-period gym class to smoke. You often joked with your friends about how your days playing your instrument were numbered due to the bad habit (he may or may not also skip that period just to sit on the other side of the tall brick wall to hear your voice, not creepy at all, shut up).

He knew that you used expensive Italian perfume to cover the smell of cigarette smoke; something that in Eddie’s mind smelled like sophistication and raw sex appeal, but according to what you told Buckley, actually smelled like bergamot, sandalwood, and patchouli. He also knew you used cherry chapstick instead of lipstick in neon shades as other girls did. You didn’t wear much make-up, mainly eyeliner which made your eyes darker and more mysterious.

He knew that you mostly stuck to your group of band kids. There was this one time, however, when you saw Carol Perkins trip one of the chess team kids in the cafeteria. You gave her a black eye in front of the entire school and got suspended for a week. It was the most metal thing Eddie had ever seen.

He could write a novel about you. He could fill chapters describing how your hair caught the sunlight or how you twirled your rings around your fingers when you were concentrating on a test. He could write sonnets about your chipped, black nail polish and scuffed Docs. He could write dissertations about the intricacies of your music tastes and how closely they align with his tastes based on the bits of band merch you owned and how you chose to wear them.

But Eddie couldn’t fucking speak to you.

He considered it almost daily. But he’d always end up nauseous at the very thought of trying to approach you. So he never did, and you walked that stage in May of 1983 never to set foot in the halls of Hawkins High again. You got your diploma, went back to Indianapolis for college, and left Eddie behind to rot in the dusty trailer park he called home.

If you’d told Eddie then that a few years later, he’d be trauma bonded with Robin Buckley, Nancy Wheeler, and “King Steve” Harrington after fighting interdimensional monsters and saving the world, he’d have laughed in your face. But here he is, freshly graduated (finally), surrounded by friends, and sporting some gnarly scars to prove it all happened.

He was out by Steve’s pool (one of the perks of having a rich friend) watching the sunset and sharing stories with his friend over a beer. The crunch of gravel on the driveway drew their attention to the front of the house as they were standing to compare demobat scars.

“Buckley and Wheeler?” Eddie asked. Steve nodded.

“Yeah, and Robin’s other friend. Just graduated college. I don’t really know her that well, but she spent her senior year in Hawkins. She was a band kid or something, I think. Played the same instrument as Robin,” Steve waves his hands in a vague gesture trying to think of what the instrument in question was again. “That… big, curly trumpet.”

Eddie swallowed hard. “French horn…” he whispered, and Steve snapped his fingers in frustration that he’d forgotten the name of his best friend’s instrument.

There’s no way, it couldn’t be…

He didn’t have time to do more than grip the glass bottle in his hand and stare towards the side of the house where their friends’ voices echoed. He felt too exposed shirtless, so he bolted to grab his cropped Metallica tee and hurriedly threw it over his head.

“The fuck is your problem, man?” Steve asked, weirded out at his easy-going friend’s sudden burst of anxiety.

“Just,” he waved his hands around in frustration, trying to formulate a proper response. “The scars. They’re kinda gnarly, ya know?”

Steve scoffed. “Pretty sure it was Nance and me who kept you from bleeding out, and Robin has seen more of us than either of us are comfortable with, so what-”

Eddie shifted on his feet uncomfortably, arms crossed over his chest and eyes on the ground. Steve bent forward to meet his gaze, hands on his narrow hips and sporting a shit-eating grin.

“Oh shit, is it the band girl? Do you know her?” Steve walked towards him, speaking in a hushed tone, eyes brimming with mischief. The thought of Eddie “cold, cynical heart” Munson having a schoolboy crush was sending him over the moon with glee.

“Fuck off, Harrington,” Eddie hissed in Steve’s face right before you and the rest of the group rounded the corner of the house.

“Holy hell,” Steve murmured low enough for only Eddie to hear, “Didn’t know band nerds could look like that.”

Eddie was so enchanted by your sudden appearance that he almost missed the salacious tone of Steve’s voice. Almost.

“I will end you, Harrington. I swear to God, if you-”

“Jesus man, cool it. I won’t step on any toes,” he raised his hands in surrender, and Eddie’s glare softened marginally. “I’m only noticing what anyone who isn’t blind would.”

Eddie took a moment to look at you properly. You hadn’t noticed him yet, so he used the opportunity to drink in your form. He felt like a man wandering the desert deprived of water, finally making it to the bank of a river. Sure, he pined after you for an embarrassingly long time after you left Hawkins, and he never really forgot about you. There were other crushes and even a couple of make-out sessions, but they were never you. Seeing you now in that flowing, white swimsuit cover, skin glistening with sun tan oil, and that blinding smile spread across your face, Eddie felt like that sixteen-year-old loser who ran from you in the halls at school.

“Yeah, well,” Eddie grumbled under his breath so only Steve could hear. “If you try anything, I’ll make sure you do end up blind.” He schooled his features to look unfazed the closer you got.

“Jesus,” Steve wheezed, still a little shocked at Eddie’s rare burst of aggression. The last time he saw him this worked up he was holding a broken beer bottle to his neck in Reefer Rick’s boat shed. “Got it, chief. No funny business outta me.”

Eddie was so fucked. Not only was he trying to deal with being in your presence again without making an ass of himself, but his friends were also onto him. It’s almost like fighting monsters and nearly dying in a hell-dimension together made you all very perceptive of behavioral shifts. Who knew? It’s nice for Eddie to have a group of friends who finally get him, but hella inconvenient when he’s trying to hide the fact that he has a crush on the new addition to the group.

Steve, naturally, noticed first. Seeing Eddie get all “aggro” right off the bat killed any chances of him playing it cool. So his gaze followed him throughout the night, observing how Eddie would interact with you.

Steve’s attention then spurred Robin's attention. And when she has her sights honed in on a situation, it’s like a Great White sensing a drop of blood in the water.

The “Scoop Troop Wonder Twins” gawking at him (they were not being subtle at all, by the way) caught the attention of “super-sleuth” Nancy Wheeler. That led to the three of them huddled in a mass, whispering together on the opposite edge of the pool.

The only radars that Eddie was managing to fly under were Jonathan and Argyle’s. That’s not hard to do since they were balls-high on Purple Palm Tree Delight as soon as they sat in the metal deck chairs on Steve’s patio.

Then there you were, partaking in the rotation with the two stoners, a spot Eddie usually occupied. With your feet propped in an empty chair, he could hear you talking passionately about music with the other two. When he looked up as he heard you call out to him, Eddie knew his face had to give away how shocked he was.

“Hey! It’s Eddie, right?” You moved your feet out of the empty chair and motioned him over. “I remember you being a man of taste. Come over here and back me up on this.”

Eddie would readily agree to anything you asked of him. He’d fight to the death over it now.

“Uh, yeah, sure,” he scratched his head a little and walked over to sit.

You promptly handed him the tightly rolled joint, smoke curling out of your nostrils like some sort of sexy wyvern, eyes half-lidded and just a little red. Oh god, he’s so terribly in love.

“I’m going to give you two options to choose from. No right or wrong, no pressure. But be warned,” then your lips curled in a mischievous smirk. He was reminded again of a dragon offering a riddle to a poor mortal that stumbled upon her hoard, the answer granting safe passage or untimely demise. “I will remember how you answer, and I will definitely judge you for it.”

Eddie almost choked on the smoke he’d inhaled like he was fourteen again and smoking for the first time behind his uncle’s trailer. “Wow, yeah. No pressure at all. Okay, hit me,” he responded, trying to appear calm as he passed the joint to Argyle.

“Black Sabbath with Ozzy? Or Black Sabbath with Dio? You’ve got thirty seconds,” you grinned evilly, swinging one leg over the other and leveling your dark gaze at him.

“Oh shit, man. Uh,” Eddie was losing it. He didn’t expect such a difficult decision. Choosing between his two favorite metal vocalists? Pure torture. But he’s a professional metalhead, after all. He’s put thought into this very question. “Ozzy Sabbath is iconic, of course. But Heaven and Hell is hands down one of the best albums ever written.”

You clapped once loudly and then pointed at Jonathan cackling. “What did I say?! One of Sabbath’s best albums ever made was with Dio fronting!”

The shaggy-haired stoner groaned and rolled his eyes. You looked over at Eddie, biting back a wide grin. “Jonathan said Sabbath wasn’t really Sabbath anymore once Ozzy left and that no one would agree with me when I defended Heaven and Hell!”

“Wait, you listen to Sabbath, Byers?” Eddie questioned, brows raised. He never took the gangly pothead as someone who would listen to metal.

“I listen to a little of everything, I guess,” he mumbled, passing the joint back to you to start another rotation.

You leaned your head back to gaze at the stars that just started to appear in the sky as you blew the fragrant smoke from your lips. “You passed my test. Congrats,” you extended your arm to Eddie, looking at him softly. Your fingers brushed as you handed over the roach, the joint almost gone by now. “I won’t judge you so harshly now.”

Maybe it was the high setting in, but Eddie swore he saw you throw a little wink his way. There was no stopping the goofy little grin taking over his face as he took the last hit off the joint and relaxed into his chair.

Eddie wasn’t ever, nor ever would be religious, but there is one quote he’s often heard that has stuck in his brain:

“The Lord gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers.”

It only confirms there is no Christian god in his mind. He’s been thrown into the toughest battles of his life constantly over the past few weeks, and if there is one thing Eddie knows for sure, it’s the fact that he is no one’s strongest soldier.

Today’s challenge took the form of a slip of black lace peeking out of the top of your duffle bag.

This most recent dilemma was the result of Eddie agreeing to something he’d always avoided until now…

Fucking camping

Eddie hated the outdoors and hated being forced to spend more time than necessary roaming them. (Uncle Wayne always blamed it on having a dad who only ever taught him how to commit crimes and never took him camping as a small child, but who knows?). As soon as you consented to the idea, Eddie was totally on board with going along. Steve started to give him shit for agreeing so quickly to something he knew his friend hated until Eddie leveled him with a glare so toxic it could melt the paint off the walls.

By this point, he was pretty sure everyone besides you knew about his crush (and probably Argyle, but that guy was constantly operating on another wavelength). Even Nancy started giving him knowing looks behind her permed bangs when he’d laugh just a tad bit too loud at your jokes. Eddie nearly threw Steve out of his passenger's seat when you asked to hitch a ride with him out to Lover’s Lake campground.

“What the fuck, man! I can just get in the back-”

“Nope. No. Fuck off, Harrington. Take your own car this time.”

“But I just washed-,”

“Don’t care…”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake!”

Steve relented, making up a random excuse for taking his car. Robin happily jumped into the passenger seat of his little Mercedes and took over his radio. Eddie just grinned and threw a middle finger at his friend, who glared at him over the top of his car before getting inside.

“Thank god I’m riding with you! I don’t think I could suffer through any more of Argyle’s stoner tunes.” you hopped into Eddie’s van wearing a cropped Mercyful Fate tee and tiny denim cut-offs. So much exposed skin with no warning was doing terrible things for Eddie’s poor, inexperienced (dick) heart. “I love the guy, don’t get me wrong, I just needed to bond with a fellow metalhead today.”

Eddie cleared his throat and smiled, starting the car. He’s grateful he has the excuse of watching the road to keep his eyes (mostly) turned away from your exposed thighs. “Of course. Anytime.”

If Eddie weren’t so hopeless, he’d make some quip about all the fun ways the two of you could ‘bond’, but how could he flirt with you when looking at your legs had him getting hard like some fifteen-year-old? He was so hopeless.

“You can put in anything you’d like,” he gestured to the shoebox that held his cassette collection at your feet. “Most of my shit is at home, but I keep a decent variety here.”

He heard little ‘oohs’ and ‘ahh’s’ as you shuffled through the box. Eddie couldn’t help but feel a little proud that you approved of his musical selection. You yelled an enthusiastic “You’re fuckin’ kidding me!” and popped a tape into the radio before he could ask what you’d found.

“Where did you find this?! I’ve looked for months!”

Eddie started sweating when he heard the opening riff to the raunchiest goddamn song. It was his prized possession, one he only got his hands on because of friends in high places, W.A.S.P.’s “Animal” cassette.

“Umm,” Eddie’s brain short-circuited as you began to move to the beat of the music, throwing your head back and grinning at him wildly. “I’m pretty good buddies with a guy that owns a record store up in Indianapolis. Asked him to keep an eye out for me. I only got it a couple of weeks ago.”

“God, I’ve been dying to hear it again after hearing it live last March.”

Eddie’s nerves were quickly replaced with excitement. “Wait, live, you say?!”

“Yup,” you pop the p proudly and rest your feet on the dash. “I’ve got a cousin down in Dallas, which sucks, by the way. I don’t recommend ever going to Texas. Anyway, we saw them open for Iron Maiden. I’m telling you, it was a religious experience.”

Eddie slapped his hands on the steering wheel and a short, disbelieving laugh escaped his throat. “That’s insane! Holy shit, man!”

“I know,” you hummed. He felt you look over at him. “Have you gotten to see either of them live yet?”

“Nah,” he sighed. “Not yet. But one day! I’m already saving up.”

“We’ll go together,” you said it so casually, you acted as if it made perfect sense for you guys to go to a concert together. “We can split costs.” Eddie’s heart jumped up to his throat, and before he could form a coherent response, he saw you looking in the back of his van. He suddenly worried about what filth might be lurking back there. “We could even bunk up here and save on a hotel!”

Eddie stuttered and scratched his neck nervously. You must have taken it as rejection because you looked embarrassed as you sat back down and started fidgeting with your hair.

“Oh god, I’m sorry, Eddie. I do this thing all the time.” You waved your hands around in front of your face when you said ‘thing’, trying to find the words to express how you felt. “There aren’t many people I can talk about music with, you know? So I get all worked up and excited when someone else seems interested in the bands I love, and I assume we’re best friends.” You let out a self-deprecating chuckle, looking out the passenger side window. “I know it’s off-putting.”

Eddie couldn’t have that. He shook his head so hard that his hair slapped across his face. “Nope, uh-uh. Cut that out.” He glanced over to make sure your attention was on him. “That was like…” he sighed. How could he reassure you without outing himself as being obsessed with you?

“It was so far from off-putting. You have no idea.” Eddie swallowed hard and noticed you looked a little confused. He gathered the meager bits of courage he possessed and continued. “I’m just not used to…” he paused. He can’t say ‘Sorry, I’m not used to my walking, wet dream asking to road-trip with me to go to a metal show, so I don’t know how to function right now.’ so he took a moment to choose his words carefully.

“I’m just not used to other people being as excited as I am about my music, either. So I was just… surprised. But in a good way!” He gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and added under his breath. “In a great fuckin’ way, actually.”

Eddie watched you visibly relax. “Oh, thank god,” You chuckled. “I know I can be too much sometimes. I think the reason why one of the only people I’ve stayed friends with is Robin. She’s one of the only people that’s never judged me for it. Robin and I are kinda cut from the same cloth, I guess. Kindred spirits, if you will.”

It warmed his heart to see you smile when talking about the freckled girl that also wormed her way into his heart.

“Buckley’s a good one. She uh,” Eddie’s throat tightened as painful memories flashed across his mind. Tears and mud streaked across Robin's face, screaming something he didn’t understand…Her body quaking under his as she helped drag him along dank, dark earth… her sniffling and talking to him quietly as she bandaged his mauled sides, offering soft words of comfort and handling Eddie as carefully as if he were spun glass…

He cleared his throat and blinked away a rogue tear threatening to escape. “She’s one of a kind. Harrington, too. Shit, the whole bunch. You’ll see, you don’t have to be anyone but yourself around these guys. Promise.”

Eddie felt comforted as he watched you relax further into the passenger seat. He knew all about being ‘too much’ and how people treated those that dared to be unapologetically themselves. He had no idea someone as perfect as you ever experienced things similar to his own growing up.

The rest of the short drive consisted of talking about music and shows you’d been to, always with the promise of ‘when we see them next time.’ Including Eddie in your plans made Eddie’s insides all gooey and his heart flutter. He tried to keep reminding himself that just because you were being nice to him that it didn’t mean you were about to confess your undying love. It’s a problem Eddie has always had. He can’t love anything halfway; not his music, books, or even a few movies he’d been obsessed with over the years. It also bled into his relationships, this all-consuming, feral love. Uncle Wayne has always said that he wore his heart on his sleeve, even after life had given him every reason to build a barbed wire fence around it.

Eddie parked a little way uphill from the others since his van doubled as his tent and because he valued his privacy. He told himself he didn’t want the younger kids catching a whiff of his nightly smoking sesh (He knows they know about his drug dealing, but that doesn't mean he wants to flaunt it). A darker part of him knew that he might have to indulge in other nightly activities after watching you in a tiny, red bikini all day.

Eddie graciously helped everyone out with setting up their tents. However, he still periodically reminded anyone who would listen that he didn’t have to bother with tents since he owned the superior form of transportation that doubled as a car and a place to sleep. So what if his chest puffed up a little when you giggled at his comments? He didn’t think it warranted the gagging and eye-rolling he got from Henderson, Red, and both Sinclair siblings. Damn kids…

When everyone went to the campground showers to change into swimsuits, Eddie simply threw his shirt off, opting to swim in his cut-off jeans. He snickered, thinking about the look of horror he’d get from Mr. Former Swim Team Captain at his audacity (he banned denim from his pool to force Eddie into a pair of borrowed trunks, but they were at the lake now. King Steve had no power here).

When you left the showers with Robin and Nancy in a cherry red bikini, Eddie made a beeline for the toilets. There’s no way in the nine circles of hell he’d be able to swim around without getting hard at the sight of you. He walked around the corner of the building that housed the showers when he saw them. Eddie knew that was your canvas bag, the very one he saw you pull out of the floorboard of his van when you got out. There was no mistaking that the black, lace boy shorts lying on top of your other clothes were yours. It looked like you’d stepped out of them and laid them right on the bag. That could only mean one thing…

“Oh, fuck me sideways…”

You’d been wearing these. You sat in Eddie’s van wearing these exact panties.

He knew he’d probably hate himself forever for what he was about to do, but in his defense, Eddie did make sure you had extra pairs of clean panties before swiping these (He’s not a monster, okay? He wouldn’t dream of leaving a fair maiden pantiless). After taking them, cursing himself quietly, he high-tailed it back to his van to hide them. He couldn’t help feeling like Gollum, storing the One Ring away in his cave away from nosey hobbits.

Before going back to the lake, he couldn’t resist pulling the fabric to his face and inhaling deeply. Eddie’s eye’s rolled into the back of his head, groaning at the light scent of you that permeated the delicate fabric. He shook his head and threw them into the van to rest among his bedding. If he got too carried away now, he would never get rid of the persistent issue he had grown between his thighs.

After another adjustment and filling his thoughts with some of the most boner-killing scenarios, Eddie was finally able to rejoin everyone at the lake. If he had to remain solidly waist deep the entire time to avoid embarrassing himself and everyone around him… Well that was his business, wasn’t it?

As Eddie’s luck would have it, as soon as he dared to slip the tantalizing strip of fabric that haunted him all fucking day long over his face, there was a knock on his van door. He nearly jumped out of his skin, sitting up at lightning speed.

He cracked the back door open and gasped when he saw it was you, still clutching your panties firmly in his grip. He slammed the door shut before you could speak and dove towards his bedding, stuffing the offending garment deep into his pillowcase. Eddie took one large breath to steady himself before turning to open the back door again.

“H-hi, umm,” he wanted to curl up into a ball and die. He just knew you were on to him. You were probably knocking on his door to tell him what a filthy pervert he was and demand he hand over your underwear. “What’s uh… what’s up?”

You looked both amused and slightly confused, one eyebrow cocked upwards. “Well, the thing is,” you looked around the dark campground, biting your bottom lip. “My tent keeps collapsing. So I tried bunking with Robin and Steve, but there was no room. All the other tents are full too, so… if it wouldn’t be too weird, I guess…” you trailed off sheepishly.

“You wanna sleep in here?” Eddie knew his eyes rivaled the size of the full moon that hung above your heads. He felt equal parts horrified, shocked, and elated that you’d ended up seeking him out.

“I’m sorry if it’s too weird! I can just squeeze between Robin and Steve, it’s no big-”

“No,” Eddie barked. He cleared his throat a little and lowered his voice. “No, it’s totally fine. I don’t mind at all,” The thought of you snuggling up to Harrington was one he didn’t want to entertain. He hoped his smile was reassuring and not creepy like he felt it might be. You must not have cared since you beamed at him and announced you’d be back with your bedding in a minute.

Eddie scrambled around to ensure the mess in the back of his van wasn’t too out of hand. He’d thrown an old pair of boxers and an empty beer can over the driver’s side seat when he heard you knock again. He was relieved that he decided to shower and put on deodorant earlier when most of the other guys didn’t after swimming all afternoon. Eddie would have lain awake all night in misery if he’d had to share close quarters with you smelling like a fish.

Once you were both inside the van, he closed the door, and the silence was deafening. You must have noticed the tension because you shifted an inch closer and cleared your throat. That gave Eddie the courage to sneak a peek at you over his shoulder.

He nearly groaned as he watched you pull a joint out of your goddamn bra and wave it in front of you, cocking an eyebrow up and smiling.

“Purple palm tree delight?” Eddie whispered, his mouth dry as cotton before taking a single hit.

“You know it,” you responded, pulling a lighter out of your pillowcase. Eddie wondered why you weren’t using your pockets. He risked a glance down towards your lap. Your shorts (if they could even be called shorts instead of underwear) were so tiny that there was no way you’d fit anything in there, even if they did have pockets. He felt dizzy at the thought of you being in such little clothing this close to him all night.

You lit up the joint, the small, flickering flame casting your features in an enchanting glow. Eddie was close enough to smell that you’d used some of that expensive perfume. A tiny, pathetic part of him wondered if you’d done it for him. ‘Don’t be a fool’ he thought. ‘Just because she’s sharing her weed and talking about music with you doesn’t mean anything. Stop being a pathetic creep.’

He must have missed something you’d said because he heard you call his name and saw you looking at him questioningly.

“Oh, sorry. What was that?”

“I said, can I try something?”

“S-sure,” Eddie didn’t know (or care, if he’s being honest) if you’d asked to try out ritual sacrifice or if you asked to try a piece of his gum, but he knew he’d always let you try anything you’d wanted. “I need to get pretty close. Is that okay?”

Eddie nodded, transfixed by you getting up on your knees and leaning over his face. Your face was inches from his. Eddie thanked any deity that existed for the forethought he had to put his pillow over his lap. He’d beg to be struck down by lightning if you knew how easily he got boners when you were near him.

You brought the joint up to your lips. Before taking a hit, you asked, “Have you ever shotgunned, Eddie?”

Of course, he hadn’t. Eddie’s experience with the fairer sex was woefully lacking. Instead of admitting it out loud, he simply shook his head no.

“Do you want to try it?” you purred. Eddie gripped the pillow over his lap as he nodded yes furiously. You grinned and put the joint to your lips. Eddie could have cried when you placed your small hand on his cheek, thumb pushing his chin down to open his mouth for you.

Your hand traveled to the back of his neck as you released smoke into his waiting mouth, and Eddie shuddered. He grew so flustered that he could barely inhale what you exhaled towards him. His eyes closed, and he let out a shaky exhale as you began to play with his hair.

“How was that?” you asked, lips still heart-achingly close to his own. Eddie’s brain was mush. The defenses he usually kept up around you to appear cool were falling fast.

“Am I dreaming right now?” was the only coherent thought he could string together, so that’s what ended up coming out of his mouth.

Your laughter sounded like bells. “Why do you ask that, Eddie?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“No,” you drew out your response, still looking at him suspiciously.

“I’ve been obsessed with you since I was sixteen,” you looked genuinely surprised, but Eddie couldn’t stop the words from flowing now that he unleashed them. “I think I might die if I have to pretend for one more day that I’m not,” He paused. Eddie was so terrified. He felt like he might puke. “You scare the ever-living shit out of me, but not in a ‘horror movie villain’ way,” he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. “In the way you might fear a beautiful warrior queen on the battlefield, or a siren out at sea.”

When he opened his eyes, he saw you wearing such a soft expression that he felt safe to keep talking. He said your name so quietly that he barely heard himself whisper it. “I’m just a freak that dreams about entertaining a goddess.”

Before he could feel insecure about spilling his guts to you in the back of his shitty van, your hands were holding his face, noses pressed together.

“Eddie Munson, you are a fool,” you whispered before attaching your lips to his in the sweetest kiss Eddie knew he’d ever had.

Eddie only nodded in agreement, clutching at your waist. He felt drunk off your lips, all of his insecurities taking a back seat as he reached for another kiss.

“You really had no clue?” you spoke into his ear as you kissed along his jawline.

“About what? Oh, fuck!” he whined as you sat down on top of him. Your weight in his lap felt heavenly despite the stupid pillow being in the way.

“About what?!” You pulled away with a wide eye stare. “I’ve been wanting to get in your pants since high school, you dingus!” You emphasized your point with a light slap to his chest. “I thought you hated me for the longest time! I was so nervous when I talked to you that one time we wore matching Iron Maiden shirts! When you ran away, I thought that was it. Then, years later, not only do I find out my crush is now friends with my best friend,” your arms wrapped around his neck as you leaned in. “I also find out that he’s got a big, fat crush on me too.” Your noses brushed and Eddie shivered.

“No fuckin’ way,” he whimpered as your lips brushed lightly.

“Yes fuckin’ way,” you replied, capturing him in another kiss.

Eddie didn’t question how you found out about his crush because he quite frankly didn’t have the brain power for it. He’d deal with all that later.

“Not to run you off or anything,” he sighed, relishing the feel of your soft hands exploring his torso. “But I was so obsessed with you back in school. Like, to a concerning degree.”

He didn’t expect you to moan into his neck at his admission, but he also wasn’t upset about it.

“Tell me about it, baby,” your voice was a husky whisper. “Keep talkin’ to me.”

“Oh god,” Eddie whined as he felt you begin to suck a mark into the delicate skin under his ear. “Feels… that feels so good.”

“Want me to mark you up? Show everyone you belong to me, Eddie?”

“Holy shit, yes! Please…”

“Then talk to me,” you kissed over the mark that began to form on his neck. “Tell me all about your little crush.”

“Fuck!” He cried out, bucking up into the pillow. “I, uh. I n-never even looked at anyone else in school after I saw you.”

“Not even the pretty little cheerleaders?”

“No,” he gasped when your lips met his again. “No one, I swear.”

You got off Eddie’s lap and he thought he might cry at the loss. The pillow hiding the tent he was sporting in his sweats was ripped away and for a moment, he felt self-conscious. You noticed him tense up and cupped his face.

“We can stop, you know?” Your eyes glowed with affection and Eddie wondered again how he was lucky enough to warrant that expression from you. “I’m just thrilled that we can be honest with each other now. We don’t have to do anyth-,”

“I’m a virgin,” Eddie blurred out. “Like a uh, mega virgin…”

Eddie could tell you were trying to keep your features neutral, but he saw the smile that wanted to peek out.

“A ‘mega virgin’?” You said, biting your lip to keep from laughing.

“Yes,” Eddie answered with a grimace. “Like an ‘I’ve never seen boobies in real life’ level of virgin. So, I’m probably going to be very bad at everything,” he looked up from his lap to lock eyes with you. Any trace of humor was gone, replaced with that honey-sweet fondness in your eyes.

“Can I be blunt with you, Eddie?” Your thumbs brushed his cheekbones softly as you spoke. “I’m so insanely attracted to you that I don’t think any touch you decide to give me could ever feel bad. Do you understand?”

“Y-yeah,” he responded with a whisper. “I feel the same way about you.”

Your forehead met his and he closed his eyes, afraid that when he opened them again, he’d realize this was all a dream.

“Do you wanna feel what kissing you does to me?” Eddie could only nod and pray to Lucifer that this was going where he thought it was. You grabbed his hand and placed it on your lower stomach. “Go ahead,” your lower lip brushed his as you spoke. “Feel how bad I want you.”

Eddie’s fingers trembled as they traveled past the elastic waistband of your tiny black shorts. He was mesmerized watching your mouth drop open and your eyelids lower in pleasure. When his hand’s slow descent made it to your soaked entrance, he was floored by how impossibly wet you were.

“Jesus H. Christ, this is unreal,” he moved his fingers up and down, not having any sort of plan, simply wanting to feel. By the way you grabbed his shoulders and started panting, you didn’t seem to mind his lack of skill too terribly. “Are you always this wet?”

You shook your head no instead of answering verbally. Eddie’s forehead fell to your collarbone as he let out a loud groan. His eyes were fixed on the outline of his hand in your shorts.

“Can we get these off?” He asked. “I wanna look, please.”

“Yeah, sure,” you responded, laying down on his blankets. You lifted your hips to take them off when Eddie grabbed your hands.

“Let me?” Eddie’s hands shook and his breath froze in his lungs. He’d dreamed of this exact scenario so many times before. This all seemed as fantastical as the D&D campaigns he spent hours writing.

“Please,” your voice was so airy and desperate. Eddie still couldn’t comprehend that he was the reason for it. You raised your hips and he slowly pulled your shorts off along with your panties. Immediately, he began running his fingers through your wetness, looking up at your face to judge your reactions.

“Does this feel good?” he asked. You nodded, biting down on your bottom lip with your eyes closed. He continued that way for a couple of minutes longer, panting at how wet his pointer and middle fingers had become. He laid his head on your thigh and kissed your damp skin. He kept his nose buried there, reveling in your smell and taste.

“I-I wanna make you come. Please,” your eyes met his and he kissed higher up your thigh, not looking away once. You threw your head back with a loud moan. Eddie felt like a god, your obvious signs of pleasure giving him newfound confidence. His fingers sped up while he added the slightest bit more pressure to his strokes. “That’s it, get loud for me. God, I fucking love your noises. Show me, baby,” he stopped touching you and grabbed one of the hands you had fisted in his blanket and wove your fingers together squeezing gently to get your attention. You nodded and brought his hand back down between your thighs.

“Put them inside,” you coached him along as he breached your soaked entrance. He went as slow as he could manage, eyes flitting between his disappearing fingers and your blissed-out face. Once he was in far enough, you spoke again. “Now, curl the- oh, fuck!”

Eddie grinned wildly at your outburst. He might be a virgin, but he’s not clueless, okay? Weirdly enough, he’d learned this little trick from Reefer Rick, of all people. They got high once and when Eddie let slip he was still a virgin, Rick took it upon himself to give him some sort of fucked up sex ed class on women’s pleasure. At the time, he wanted to curl up and die of shame. Now? All the embarrassment in the world was worth seeing your jaw drop and eyes roll back like this.

“There we go,” he purred. The part of Eddie’s personality that allowed him to go feral while DMing was bleeding over into his interactions with you. He sat up and began rubbing back and forth along your soaked clit with his other hand.

“Oh god, Eddie!” you looked close to tears as he massaged you inside and out. Your hips began writhing and when your thigh accidentally grazed Eddie’s stiff cock, he nearly doubled over. You noticed instantly and repeated the gesture.

“Fuck,” his movements faltered and you chuckled darkly, “Baby, if you make me come in my sweats I might die of embarrassment,” he whined through gritted teeth.

“What if I wanna see you do it?”

Eddie closed his eyes and inhaled deeply to collect himself. “Nope. Uh-uh,” he looked back down with determination in his features. “I’m getting you off first. I’ve dreamt of this for years. I refuse to jizz in my pants before you come all over my hands,” he redoubled his efforts, tongue peeking out of his mouth slightly in concentration.

Your eyes flew open and your body tensed. Eddie began to feel your walls fluttering around his fingers. It was the most intriguing and arousing thing he’d ever experienced.

“Holy shit,” he gasped. “You about to come, sweetheart?”

You nodded and grabbed his shoulder, sitting up a little. “Kiss me, please?”

Eddie melted. You wanting to kiss him while you came was so insanely sexy and endearing at the same time.

“‘Course I will, baby. Come here,” you crashed into each other, lips brushing together between panting breaths. You had one hand in Eddie’s hair and the other had a vice grip on his shoulder.

“Oh, fuck! Eddie, I’m-,”

“I know, I know. Give it to me,” he kissed you hard and imagined he’d died and gone to heaven when he felt your whine against his lips. You tensed all over. Eddie felt your walls clamp down on his fingers. He was amazed when you got impossibly wetter and threw yourself back into his pillow, nearly screaming in pleasure.

“Good girl. Good fuckin’ girl,” Eddie brushed your hair out of your eyes, staying like that for a few minutes. After you came down from your high, he laid down beside you.

Eddie held up the hand he’d had inside you and admired his soaked fingers before licking them clean and moaning shamelessly. You looked at him fondly, raising your eyebrows at his dramatics.

“What? Can’t help it,” he said, as he made a show of licking up his palm. “You’re sweet as honey.”

“Hmm,” you hummed, turning to throw your thigh over his lap. He shuddered and you grinned up at him with lidded eyes. “I bet you taste just as sweet, big boy.” Your thigh traveled lower. Eddie groaned and bucked his hips to chase the sensation. “You gonna let me find out? I know I said I wanted to see you get these sweats dirty, but I think I want you in my mouth more,” you whispered filth directly into his ear while petting along his lower stomach the entire time.

“If you keep doing that, I can’t make any promises I won’t get these pants dirty either way,” he moaned, grabbing your thigh and grinding it into his crotch again.

“You didn’t answer me,” you responded, sitting up and positioning yourself between Eddie’s spread thighs. “Are you gonna let me find out how you taste?” You pulled your shirt over your head, leaving you in nothing but a black lace bra, one left little to the imagination.

“Uh, yes? Fuck yes!” Eddie was pulling at his hair, nearly hysterical with desire. He was on the verge of embarrassing himself because he was so worked up. He scrambled to get his pants down without knocking you over.

“Eddie,” you laughed lightly, grabbing his hands. “Let me,” he nodded and crossed his hands over his chest, not sure where they should go. It’s not like he’s ever been in this situation before.

“Relax,” you said as your fingers dipped below the waistband of his boxers. Eddie met your gaze and nodded. You began pulling his pants down and he tried his best to control his breathing.

He groaned long and low when you finally freed him from his clothing, the cooler air in the van a delicious contrast to his burning skin.

“I knew it,” you purred, wasting no time getting your hands on him. Your touches were firm but gentle, running up and down his shaft. Eddie keened when your palm slid over his weeping head, smearing precum down his length. “I knew you were hiding a monster in those tight jeans.”

“M-monster? Really?” Eddie lifted his head off the pillow and searched your face to make sure you weren’t just mocking him.

“Are you kidding? This thing has gotta be close to eight inches, Eddie!” You stroked him slowly from base to tip as you spoke. “It’s the biggest I’ve ever seen, anyway.”

“It is?” He said, probably a little too eagerly. He was practically glowing under your praise. And you seemed to catch on to it.

“It is baby,” your voice was low and sultry. “The biggest and the prettiest,” Eddie bit into his fist, trying to stave off his creeping orgasm as you began massaging his balls with your other hand. “I can already tell I’m gonna want you in my mouth any chance I get.”

“Oh fuck, oh god!” Eddie’s hips jolted, “I might not survive your hand, much less your mouth!”

You grabbed the fist he’d been biting and intertwined your fingers. “Only one way to find out.”

That was the last thing you said before taking him halfway down in one go. Eddie squeezed your hand and shouted.

“S-shiiit! Y-you’re so,” he panted and squirmed, trying to string together a coherent thought. “You’re so perfect. Your mouth is heaven,” you hummed in appreciation of the praise and the vibrations felt like electricity dancing along Eddie’s spine. “Oh goddammit, I’m gonna come so fuckin’ fast.”

You pulled off of him to meet his eyes, “Do it,” you took his hand and placed it on the back of your head, “Wanna make you feel good.”

“Oh, you sweet thing,” Eddie stroked your cheek affectionately, “You do. You really fuckin’ do.” His hand went back to your hair as you swallowed him down again. It wasn’t much longer before he began warning you.

“H-hey,” his voice rose in pitch the closer he got to his release, “L-listen, angel. I’m about to come. Pull off.”

“Want it in my mouth,” you said, kissing his hipbone as you kept stroking him. “Can I taste it? Please?”

“Goddammit, yes! Oh yes, please!”

You hummed around him and with just a few more bobs of your head, Eddie released straight into your throat.

You slowly bobbed your head, swallowing every time another wave of his release entered your mouth. After a few seconds, when you were sure he was done, you released him from your lips and sat up. Eddie’s vision returned just in time to watch you crawl over his body and lay onto his chest. Your hands carded through the damp curls around his face.

“Wanna know a secret, Eddie?” You whispered, tracing patterns into his scalp as his breathing finally slowed.

“Y-yeah.”

“That’s the first time I’ve ever let anyone come in my mouth.”

Eddie’s face whipped over to look at you. “Honest?”

You smiled as you bit your lower lip and nodded, “Honest, baby.”

He shuddered at the nickname. “Mmm, keep callin’ me sweet names and you’ll never get rid of me, ya know?”

“That’s the idea, my love.”

Eddie made a growling sound as he clung to you like a koala. “You’re lethal. You know that?”

You didn’t answer but sat up far enough to envelop Eddie’s plush lips in a deep kiss. You made out like that for a while, until he realized he began to harden again. You seemed to notice it as well.

“Down, boy,” you joked, stroking his sides and nipping at his throat.

Eddie groaned. “Nothing’s going down as long as I’m this close to you,” he turns you both to your sides facing each other. “I can’t stop thinking about how warm and wet you are,” Eddie squeezed your sides and kissed along your collarbone. “You squeezed my fingers so tight when you came. I wanna feel you doing that around my cock, pretty mama.”

You wrapped your leg around his hip and whined. “Eddie I’m not taking your virginity in the back of your van,” his hand found your still-soaked entrance and began petting you while his mouth worked your neck over. You returned the favor by fisting his damp cock.

“Oh god, I don’t give a fuck where it happens,” he gasps as you run your palm over his sensitive head. “Please, I need it,” he bit and sucked the delicate skin of your neck, whining the entire time.

“No, Eddie,” your firm tone made him shiver. “You’ll get my hand and my mouth tonight. As many times as you need it,” your hand sped up as his fingers followed suit against your clit. “But you’ll get my pussy in my bed. So you can fuck me into the mattress properly.” Eddie came for the second time with a shout into your fist.

He looked up in time to see you lick it up from your palm like it was sugar. Eddie’s brain short-circuited. “I-I wanna make you come again,” he blurted out, still circling your clit. You nodded and wrapped your arms around his neck, pressing your forehead into his.

“Keep doing that,” you encouraged. Eddie nodded and picked up speed. He watched you in a trance as you unraveled under his touch for the second time in one night. He felt like a god.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty when you do that,” Eddie kissed all over your face as you laughed. “Ethereal, stunning, a work of art!”

“That’s all you, pretty boy,” you kissed the bridge of his nose and he melted.

“By the way, I’m totally down for van fucking, ma’am,” he feigned irritation as he poked your sides playfully. “Making a twenty-one-year-old virgin wait even longer is just cruel.”

“Don’t pout, Eddie,” you cooed, cuddling into his side. “I promise you’ll be glad you waited.”

“If you insist, princess,” he sighed, pulling your body close.

“I do,” you yawned. “Now sleep.”

“Hey, sweetheart?”

“Hmm?”

“How soon after we wake up can we get the fuck outta here and preferably into your bed?”

Eddie let out an ‘oof!’ as you slapped a pillow over his face.

“Less talk. More sleep.”

“Yes, love.”

[giamee]

CHAPTER IX! hangover

<- prev masterlist next ->

despite what your friends had insisted upon, the walking tour did not, in fact, go by fast. thoma's words were floating around your head like a mantra, and you hd to admit that your friends' decision to go visit mondstadt's food stalls at the end of the tour sounded incredibly appealing. while sumeru city was bigger, mondstadt was still undeniably large, with multiple smoothly paved walkways that you and your friends wandered down with a bunch of other tourists.

you wished you were a bit more well-rested, that you didn't have a raging headache as the tourguide spoke, because what she was saying about mondstadt's history and the building of its chapel really did sound interesting. but instead, you lagged a little behind, doing your best too keep up and not be a downer for the rest of the group.

it didn't help that alhaitham seemed to be completely ignoring you, not even pretending that nothing had happened but rather that you weren't there at all. it really was the cherry on top of one of the most grueling first days of a holiday that you had ever experienced.

as for the rest of the group, they weren't completely oblivious to your struggle. nilou, the sweetheart that she was, kept offering you sips from her water bottle, often glancing back to check on you throughout the tour. dehya, on the other hand, often looked back to point and laugh at the state of you, and in her more sympathetic moments link one arm with yours to make sure you wouldn't flop down on the side of the road.

"c'mon, we're gonna eat soon," she tugged you forwards, steadying you as you almost stumbled. "or do you want me to carry you?"

"that would be nice," you mumbled as dehya barked a laugh.

as hellish as walking around for multiple hours on minimal sleep without sitting down was, you had to admit that mondstadt was beautiful. your drunken exploration wasn't quite on par with this structured tour, and you were discovering parts of the city that you didn't even know existed up until now. you could only imagine how kaveh felt as an architect major.

and finally, as the sun began to set, you had reached the end of the tour, safely back in mondstdt's main square, with the aroma of smoked meats starting to waft through the air, effectively making your mouth water and forget, if temporarily, the issue that plagued your mind.

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ trivia :: kaveh didn't go easy on alhaitham either, laughing his ass off at the fact that he looked like a raccoon, and for the first time that kaveh had ever seen was also having a bad hair day

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ gia's notes :: i can COUNT the pixels in those pics i want to SCREAMMM 😭😭😭

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ taglist :: ( let me know if you would like to be added / your username changed! ) @makimakimi @aeongiies @sukunasrealgf @ssoliva @sakiimeo @eggn0gcookie @yxcade @fiona782 @heartswonder @eunchaeluvr @clumsyphuq @pinksodacan @aelxr @themusingsofmany @obervation-subject-753 @kittycasie @aimno256 @maxineshearts @mafuyuslover @meigalaxy @mintydump @v4lerixxq @artwitchh @geo-hew-hew @imkaaayy @c4tsfr0mh3ll @kokoscutie @erzarq @eu-la @ddiluc @ichikaisflowers @rahhhmen @esmetrees @rain-and-a-nice-nap @g8mmaaa

[latent-sense-of-loyalty]

Ch. I

Word Count:3637

Masterlist ¤ AO3 ¤ Ko-Fi

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CW: Graphic depictions of violence

AN: I'm ferally excited to begin sharing this with everyone. The idea has been in my head for a long while and now I get to put it out there! Big big thank you to @enterthedreams for proofing and just being generally amazing.

If you wish to be updated for future chapters, let me know, and I'll add you to the tags! Now, enjoy!!

“Resignedly beneath the sky

The melancholy waters lie.

So blend the turrets and shadows there

That all seem pendulous in air,

While from a proud tower in the town

Death looks gigantically down.”

-”The City in the Sea”

Edgar Allen Poe

Tendrils of smoke pooled from his mouth and nose, dancing around him. The next was a breath mixed with the midnight sea breeze, carried away towards the distant ships of the harbor. With the sounds of the old ships groaning at the docks, the occasional shout and laugh of the late night stragglers, it was almost as if the smoke had some kind of harmony to dance to. A fleeting one, as the next breeze whisked it away into the far unknown of the city. 

The Gate always seemed so different at night. 

If one were to excuse the robberies, murders, and other unsavory activities that seemed to thrive at this time, it was almost beautiful. But maybe, to him at least, that was part of the splendor of it all. The unclean, the unsavory, it all had its appeal, he supposed. He was like that once, and he was nothing if not charismatic.

The sound of metal on stone broke him out of his thoughts, heavy steps making their way towards him from one of the alleys. It was the scent that really tipped Enver off first: a suffocating mixture of rot and dust. With another pull from his pipe, he emptied the contents into the inky black void of ocean beneath him, watching the ash dissipate and sink. 

For a moment, he could see the bodies he had placed in that very same spot. Vacant eyes staring up at him as they sank below. Hundreds of unspoken curses, each one paving the path closer to his ambitions. 

“Honestly, you’d think one of your station would at least have the common decency to bathe” The lord turned up his nose as he finally faced Ketheric, his cane leisurely staying at his side. “At the very least, it wouldn’t kill you.” 

He only received a huff from the cloaked figure. The Man strode up beside him, taking a moment to take in the ocean air before he removed his hood. The silver of his hair and beard seemed to illuminate from the moonlight above. Out here, he almost seemed alive. 

Almost. 

“The last person I would think about taking any kind of advice from is you, upstart.” The timbre of his voice reverberated inside Enver’s chest. Even in monotone, that voice still commanded power. Authority. It made even Enver shiver. They stood together for another long pause of silence, the tension growing quite palpable. “This could have been much more efficient if we had this meeting at Moonrise, or even in your...fine abode, Gortash.” 

There was something about the way Ketheric spoke his name that just irritated Enver. Like he was talking down to some child, in lieu of the fastest growing political powers in this city. 

“Unfortunately, we are still in a position where we need to be concerned about the walls listening to us. Besides, anyone that passes by here will either be too drunk to understand what we are discussing, or will be dead before sunrise.” Gortash waved his hand dismissively to the general, twirling his cane just so he had something to do with his hands. 

Under normal circumstances, Enver usually was far more in control and composed with these kinds of situations. Yet the general just unsettled him to no end. Was it the aura of undead? The separation of age? Or did he just see the Lord of Bones in those dead, lifeless eyes?

Ketheric simply raised a brow, looking the other up and down.

“So tell me, old friend, how does this new lease on life that your gracious lord gifted you feel?” Enver straightened his back a little. If the General was going to inspect him, might as well give the old man a show. 

The general scoffed at the assumption of friendship, wanting nothing more than to take that irritating smirk off of the lord's face. 

“He sees I still have a vital part to play. My devotion to him will not sway. I am his  justice -” The speech was quickly cut off by the lord’s snickering beside him as he balanced himself on the cane. 

“Gods, and I thought I was the one with the potential for grandstanding.” The scowl on the old man's face elicited another snicker. “Truly, Ketheric. If this whole general business doesn't work out for you, I'm sure you'd have a wonderful time in the world of politics.” Gortash motioned to Thorm with a flourish. “The Baldurian's, at least, would love you.” 

“Unlike you, Gortash, I did not have to scheme my way into power.” 

“No, only betray your greatest values. A few times, if I’m not mistaken.” The way Ketheric tensed tipped Enver off that he was indeed on thin ice. 

“Do not worry though, I'm sure most of us have surely had our own moments of weakness. Besides, with recent potential investments, I'm sure most would look over your past mistakes.” 

“How reassuring.” Sarcasm dripped like rotted ichor from his mouth. “You have quite the amount of confidence for one that is relying on a lot of… potentials.” Ketheric looked out to the ocean again before his eyes went back to Gortash, much more serious. “I'm not here to play silly political games with you, Gortash, and I'm sure our predecessors would agree. Now why have you asked me here.” 

“We haven’t  been chosen on a whim, dear General.” It was Enver’s turn to change his tone. “To save you the speech, it is time for a centuries old pact be reignited. With recent events taking place, we now have the greatest chance we could be gifted for absolute domination… and it starts with what is below your home.” The look of befuddlement on Ketheric's face was enough to quell any remaining nervousness Gorthash had felt. 

“I've devised a plan-” 

The sound of gurgling took the words from his mouth, both staring back into the alley. The golden eye, illuminated by brilliant crimson steel, froze Gortash in his place. Even Ketheric stood straighter. Slowly, they saw the crimson blade make their way from the stranger’s throat to his groin, body spasming in its death throes. 

All the while, Gortash stared into those brilliant liquid gold eyes, the stare almost searing into his brain. The grotesque sound of the man's entrails slipping onto the wet stone below, followed by the body, could only make the General shake his head. 

Slow, wet steps came towards them as the moonlight illuminated her face. Gortash had only met her a handful of times, yet the sight still made his throat tighten.

Ketheric was the first to regain composure, clearing his throat. Those eyes went to the General before she removed her hood. Her hair was damp, black strands clinging to olive skin. 

“A pleasure… to finally meet Myrkul’s chosen.” The Bhaalspawn inspected Ketheric, the look in her eyes flickering between predatory and admiration. 

When those same eyes landed on Gortash, they quickly changed to annoyance. 

“Lovely to see you again, my dear.” It took everything within Enver to hide his indignation. 

Just seeing how she smirked at his feeble attempt to gain some kind of control filled him with a silent rage. Judging by how her smirk grew, he was not surprised if she could smell it on him. 

“Never expected one of your kind to be so…” Ketheric was almost at a loss for words, the woman seizing the bit.

“Eloquent? Civilized? Lucid?” The Bhaalspawn circled around the man like a vulture, the image almost making Gortash laugh. “Oh, don’t fret, you're exactly how I expected one chosen by Myrkul to be. Dead, covered in the dust of his former life.”

Now that made Enver laugh. The two looked at him as he did his best to cover it with a cough. 

The tension was palpable for a few moments, all three waiting for the other to make a move. The Bhaalspawn cleaned her blade on her cloak, staring back at the body wistfully before sheathing the blade. The look on Gortash’s face tipped her off that he was less than impressed with the spectacle. 

“What?” She grabbed the body from the alley, dragging it so it could slip off the pier into the water below. “I was doing you a favor.” The three just silently watched the horrified face sink below before Gortash cleared his throat. 

“Well, “Gortash said, clapping his hands, “since we are all introduced now, I feel it is time to speak of why we’re truly -” The woman was quick to step in front of Gortash, smirking as he stumbled on the words. 

“Yes, the plan that I came up with that you so graciously tried to take the credit for.” She sneered at the lord, gold eyes brimming with irritation. “But you might as well finish what you started.”

“I would if the interruptions would cease,” Enver hissed. 

Ketheric rolled his eyes at the immature display. With a shrug from the Bhaalspawn, Gortash continued. 

“As you’re both well aware, we have all been chosen for a purpose, and it seems that our lord's have decided it best that we all work towards the same goal. Just as in the past, we continue the Pact of the Dead Three.” There was little reaction from Gortash’s compatriots, steeling himself before continuing.

“After some... collaboration,” His eyes flicker to the woman, “It seems a perfect plan has been laid out before us. All that stops us is our willingness to work together and take it..” Enver raises his hand, clenching it into a fist. The others could not help but roll their eyes, waiting for him to get on with the rest. 

“General, it seems that you hold one of the key figures to this plan, right beneath the very stone of your home.” 

The gleam of joy in Enver’s eyes was undeniable as he watched the General go through the stages of confusion to disbelief. 

“To even entertain the thought of any of us somehow using, let alone convincing, an Elder Brain, not to mention the colony surrounding it to work with the Dead Three? I see that Bane has chosen a man on a suicide wish.” Ketheric shook his head, scoffing at the mere notion that the three of them stood a chance against such a creature. 

“Hear him out.” She nodded for Gortash to continue. The spawn stepping in to support Gortash was enough to make Ketheric pause in shock for a moment. “Trust me, it is worth the risk.” 

“Thank you.” Even Enver was a little surprised at her sudden change in behavior. Shrugging it off, he kept going. “I agree, Ketheric, it would be a foolish endeavor for us to even try convincing the creature. But, what if we had means to control it?” 

The lord’s trademark smirk grew wider, which in turn made the General’s frown deepen. “Unless you have suddenly become the greatest archwizard of all time, I highly doubt it. This is becoming a waste of time -”

“The Crown of Karsus.” The Bhaalspawn looked directly at Ketheric now, gold eyes alight. “We may not be able to convince it, but we can bring it to heel and make it obey us.” 

Restless, the spawn began pacing back and forth, her eyes still trained on the General at all times. 

“Tell me, child of Bhaal,”  Ketheric arched a brow, his stare condescending as the girl laughed,  “How is it you know of such an artifact? Is that common knowledge around your circles?”

“Honestly, do you think of me as an untrained rabid dog?” Venom dripped from her tone, Gortash noticing her fingers twitch for just a moment. “I do know my fair amount of history, thank you. My father made sure I was born with a proper brain.” 

He almost considered stopping her if she were to lunge at the other’s throat. 

Almost. 

“Anyways, the plan is relatively simple.” Enver took the lead in conversation again. “We get the crown, place it on the Elder Brain, and use it to create an army worth the names of our lords.” Ketheric was quick to wave his hand dismissively. 

“If it does actually exist, how do we expect to find it?” The smile on the spawn’s lips grew, rocking on her feet a little. 

“We already know where it is located. It seems that after the fall of Netheril, Mephistopheles himself claimed possession. Now it remains sealed in his vault in Cania.”

“And how did that information fall in your hands?” The General stood much straighter now, that dismissive look now shifted to one of trepid curiosity. 

“My father showed it to me.” The toe of her boot scuffed itself on the cobblestone as she looked down. “In a dream.” 

Gortash couldn't stop himself from pinching the bridge of his nose. The bark of laughter that escaped Ketheric made the two of them jump. It was not a sound they ever expected to hear from him, making it much more unsettling. 

“So, that’s what we’re basing this entire plan? Dreams?” He motioned between the two of them, eager for some kind of answer. 

“Oh? I would think you would be the last to turn your nose up at a divine gift from your lord.” She got closer to Ketheric, staring up at him with a dangerous glint in her eyes. “Or are you really that unappreciative? Does Myrkul know? I'm sure he would be quick to resurrect another’s decayed carcass to do his work.” 

The General swallowed the lump in his throat, eliciting a larger smile from the spawn. 

“Either way,” she went on, turning her back to Ketheric and pacing back closer to Gortash. “Bhaal has shown us exactly where to go. Now, all that is left is to get there and get the crown.” 

Shaking his head, Ketheric let out another chuckle, this entire plan reaching levels of absurdity. “So what you’re saying is that the three of us make our way to the eighth layer of the hells, and perform one of, if not the most, ridiculous heist of all time.” 

“Exactly.” Both Gortash and the spawn agreed at the same time, giving each other a put off look before making the space between them slightly larger. 

“There has to be more to this than what you're saying. This can’t be it. Say we actually manage to steal the crown, how do we even control the Elder Brain?” Ketheric’s voice was tense, eyes kept flashing between disbelievement and genuine curiosity, his head tilting to the side. 

“There seem to be three foci that resonate with the crown itself. Using these three stones, we can control whoever, or whatever wears the crown. Convenient, for us.” Gortash said, shrugging his shoulders. “With that control, we can use the illithids to infect others with the parasite. With enough infected, who is there to stop our masters?” 

Gortash felt the muscles tense in his throat at the word. The spawn could see him tense, quickly flitting her eyes away before she was noticed. 

“Besides,” she spoke, motioning towards Ketheric. “You will be staying here. There is a different plan for you in all this.” 

Ketheric was taken aback, confused at the possible implications. “Are you saying I am not capable of such a heist?”

“Well we certainly wouldn't want one of your age and accomplishment to be over exerting themselves now, would we?” The glares Gortash received not just from the General, but from the Spawn made him put his hands up in feigned surrender. “Easy now, merely a joke. But in all honesty, we find that there is much more important work for you to do up here.”

“Such as?” Ketheric raised his brow.

“Even with my followers, we do not have the proper numbers to stage an invasion on the illithid colony.” The girl tried her best to keep her tone strong. Ketheric noticed the uneasiness in her voice. “If we are to have a chance at getting the crown on that brain, we need a big enough army to pose a distraction. Keep its attention away from us. Which is where you come in.” She motioned to the general, taking a deep breath before she continued. 

“We need you to raise a number of undead. Canon fodder, to throw at those squids until we can secure the crown on its head. So, while the upstart and I are gone –” She could not help but smirk as he hissed a breath through his nose. “--you will be building this army. I will have my sister, Orin, bring some cultists to you at Moonrise to… procure necessary ingredients, let's say.” The unsure look in Ketheric’s eyes fed into her anxiety, but she had to have some faith. “Don't worry, I'll make sure she is kept on a proper leash for you.” 

“Not the only one who needs it…” Gortash mumbled under his breath. 

She did not look back to him, but he could see the Bhaalspawn tighten her hand into a white knuckled fist, blood slowly blooming from her nails. 

“And what is your way to actually get into Cania? Not exactly a short distance to travel for the two of you.” Ketheric questioned, his eyes darting between the two. 

Gortash was the one to speak before the spawn.

“That, General, is what I am just completing. An old contact of mine has the means to make a temporary portal between here, and Cania. With that supplies, once we reach the vault, we can easily teleport the crown straight to your door. No sense in lugging such a heavy thing back.”  

The spawn jumped in after. “We will travel to the eighth layer by the barge on the Styx. Both the upstart and I have been able to procure a fair amount of Soul Coins. I'm sure Charon wouldn't mind giving us the lift.” 

There was another long pause between the three Chosen. Each looked between each other for some kind of affirmation. It wasn't until they started hearing faint birdsong that they were snapped out of their contemplation, all three looking into the horizon, now starting to show signs of morning bleeding in. 

“I will not go against the plan set in motion by our masters.” Ketheric’s voice was tense, yet firm. “If this is what we must do to see their grand design come to fruition, who are we to object?” 

Adjusting his cloak, he covered his head with the hood, readying his departure. 

“Wonderful!” Gortash clapped his hands together, his face positively radiating with cheer. “My business with this colleague shouldn't take too long, so I would expect us to see each other again within the week, at your humble abode.” Enver motioned to Ketheric  “We will bring those cultists in tow, best to get an early start on that army.”

Giving Gortash the slightest nod of the head, Ketheric turned his attention to the Bhaalspawn, her face calm. 

“Praise be the Dead Three,” she said quietly, bowing her head as Kethric turned on his heel, disappearing into the shadows. 

“Well, as enjoyable as your company is, I am a busy man with many things -” Enver was cut off by a crimson blade, the tip poking into his throat. 

“I am surprised, upstart, that you would take credit for this plan so quickly.” Her golden eyes burned with curiosity as she looked him up and down. The spawn stepped closer, forcing Gortash to put his back to the wall. “Interesting that you would omit how it was me who brought this to you.”

Her eyes narrowed as a small smile grew on her lips. Enver tried to mirror the expression, yet his own wavered in nervousness. 

“As the one who perfected the plot, I felt it was only right.” He knew he was treading on thin ice, the woman easily able to end him here and now. 

But both knew, there would be no other replacement capable of fulfilling this heist. Taking another step closer, the spawns face was mere inches from Enver’s, their breaths mixing. He was surprised how hers faintly smelt of mint. 

“Well, it is a good thing I am understanding. The credit is yours.” Her voice was menacingly quiet. “Now, if the plan fails spectacularly… our Three Lords know exactly who to direct their disappointment and rage at.” With a slight flick, the blade tip was removed from his throat, not without making the slightest incision on his adams apple. The woman’s eyes flickered to the blood beginning to bloom. “By the way…” 

Her hand reached out towards their right, her hand twisting and emanating a red glow. From the shadows, another figure slowly walked out, their eyes glowing the same hue that resonated around the spawn’s hand. Gortash quickly made out the emblem of the Guild on his chest, swallowing the lump in his throat. 

“Your throat, cut it to the bone.” The spawn hissed to the spy. 

The spy slowly took out their dagger, and after a brief pause, began cutting into their throat. Like a saw, the man cut left and right, blood pouring to the stone as their jugular was brutally torn apart. The smile never left the girl's face as, after another few seconds, the body collapsed before them, knife stuck in the guild member’s throat. 

“That is yet another favour. Be careful, lordling. Would hate Arden to not be around for your death.” Turning away, the woman stepped on the body, eliciting another hiss of blood to spurt towards Enver as he watched her walk into the shadows, quickly disappearing. 

It was when she was out of sight that Gortash realized two things: First, his heart was pounding in his chest, ears filled with each throbbing pulse. 

 The second: His lungs shrieked for air that had been denied them since the moment she nicked him.

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Tags: @theannoyingurge @enterthedreams @rivthewriter

[i0veless]

GUITAR STRING HEART 3 :: KYLIAN MBAPPE

𖥻 SUMMARY ー [ sometimes they're an unexpected chapter in the story ] 𖥻 PAIRING ー [ kylian mbappe x fem! guitarist and singer! reader ] 𖥻 GENRE ー [ social media au, band au, ex's to ???, angst, fluff ] 𖥻 WORD COUNT ー [ 4.7k ] 𖥻 WARNINGS ー [ poorly translated spanish, portugues italian and french, sexual jokes, tension, drinking, smoking, jealousy, alcohol and partying as a coping mechanism, break up over text, mention of depression and lack of eating, a lot of crying, slight love triangle, mbappe is kinda a dick, halland is an angel - let me know if I missed anything ] 𖥻 AUTHORS NOTE ー [ I'm so sorry that this is late. I had some personal issues, but everything is okay now, and I'll be back to posting as normal. obviously, this is the last part of the three-part series, which makes me sad as I really do love this series - I may do an epilogue if I feel like it. But otherwise, I will be writing some of the other ideas I have planned. Also, sorry if there are a lot of mistakes, I'll try and edit it later, but I just wanted to post it so you guys wouldn't have to wait any longer. ]

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"So, are we just going to ignore the tension between the two of you?" meanwhile, on the opposite side of Paris, PSG's first team sat in Marco Verratti's apartment as planned the previous day. They would hang out before heading to the concert. But as the boys indulged in the rare day off and looked forward to their activities later that night, some players couldn't help but bring up the noticeable tension between Kylian and the Singer/Guitarist of their favourite band.

"Thank god I thought I was the only one." Sergio Ramos said, happy that Pembélé had brought this up. As all eyes were now on Mbappe, he wished for the ground to swallow him whole. He quickly tried to dismiss the topic; he suggested they play FIFA in a last-ditch attempt to distract his teammates from the obvious suspense between the former lovers. It didn't work. But at least he tried.

Looking to his friends for support, Hakimi spoke up. "Brother, just tell them." before looking towards Neymar and Messi for a second and third opinion, he let out a deep sigh in response to their nods. "I guess it all started…" within the next 15 minutes, the number seven told them everything - well, almost everything as the group were left dumbfounded and confused about how Kylian had managed to keep it low profile with a person of Y/N stature.

"So, wait, the rumours are true?" Marquinhos asked in disbelief, and wide eyes, another nod from the young star, left the team perplexed again. "Santo Cielo!" Ramos cursed in Spanish as he took another swing of his drink. While his teammates were baffled by this new information, Kylian hung his head in shame. Noticing his friend's dishearted spirit, Hakimi told the boys to quiet down not to make him feel any worse.

As the racket finally died, the squad tried to comfort the young player. But that had little effect on the boy's broken heart, but he appreciated the kind remarks. As a pregnant silence developed in the following moments, the boys all looked at each other. "Why don't you get back together? I mean, the two of you are clearly in love." Verratti said in an appeal as. They weren't over each other. "We didn't end on the best of terms."

His answer was enough for his teammates to imagine the multiple scenarios that could have gone down between the two. "I was the one who called off the relationship" the striker's statement confounded his fellow players more - why would he break up with someone he was blindly in love with? "I was stupid." the declaration was followed by faux coughs from Neymar. "Yah think?" he muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Wait, you knew about this?" Ramos said wide-eyed as he looked between his two teammates. "Hakimi and Messi, too, but trust me, we found our by accident, parceiro", Neymar confessed. "But on a real note Ky, the two of you gotta patch things up" the Brazilian player was right, as much as he hated to admit it. "She's not going to forgive me, Neymar. Trust me. I know," the French player said in defeat, much to his friend's annoyance. "Have you talked to her?" Messi asked, wondering where he got that stupid idea from.

"No", facepalm, "Then how do you know that she's not gonna forgive you" the Argentina player questioned again, getting ready to prove him wrong. Regardless of whatever stupid point next came out of his mouth. "Look…" trailing off slightly, Kylian swirled his drink in his hand before taking a sip, cringing at the taste of the bitter alcohol. Vodka - Y/N's favourite. "She's not the type to forgive and forget."

"But for you, she would be" the comment helped slightly clear any doubts regarding her ex's love for him, but the singer wasn't just going to forgive him. Fucking hell, she wrote a whole album about how he ripped her heart in two. Safe to say, if he wanted her back, he would have to work for it. "look, I get it, ky. Heck, your right. She has the right to be angry, but that doesn't mean you should give up. Because this may be your last chance to get her back, so don't do something that you won't regret,"

Mbappe listened to Ramos with intent knowing that he was speaking from experience. "But how am I even going to get her to talk to me…" looking at his friends in concern, "you just leave that to us." With this bit of newfound confidence and a lot of encouragement from his teammates, he felt his spirits lift, optimistic that things may work out for them. He looked towards his teammates as they anticipated his answer - Okay, what's the plan." with that project, guitar string was ago.

onyxisarock

liked by sab.rina lewishamiltion and 40,921,456 others ➻ tagged yourinstagram sab.rina axeman

onyxisarock dinner before disaster

comments have been limited

yourinstagram wow actually using good pic - who dis ⤷ onyxisarock you mf ⤷ yourinstagram good to know

sab.rina ready for tonight ⤷ onyxisastone born ready

axeman where was i when these photos where taken ⤷ yourinstagram bathroom ⤷ sab.rina toilet ⤷ onyxisastone restroom ⤷ yourinstagram powder room ⤷ sab.rina lavatory ⤷ onyxisastone washroom ⤷ axeman okay you have made your point

maneskin can't wait ⤷ bloodyvalentine 🙏🙏🙏

bloodyvalentine . 4hr ago

seen by k.mbappe kendalljenner and 20,464,412 others

bloodyvalentine . 4hr ago

seen by ykaaar vicdeangelis and 20,464,412 others

HALLAND good luck today, sweetheart

Y/N thank you :)

Nerves were running high, not just because it was the last show of their tour. But because a lot was going on. They had been teasing the highly anticipated Bloody Valentines x Maneskin collaboration since the two bands met after Maneskin won the Euro vision song concert. But there was also drama behind the sense. The fact that two people Y/N wished were on the other side of the world rather would be in touching distance of her. Kylian and Earling.

Kylian, for obvious reasons, was her ex, so for blatant reasons, she wanted him at a ten-hundred-meter distance. But since that was impossible, she would have to power through and act unbothered. But what made this situation ten times more uncomfortable was the fact that her latest hook-up was there. Now don't get her wrong, she had nothing against the Norwegian. But it was slightly awkward that she unintentionally hooked up with her ex's rival. Now, usually, she wouldn't care. But the two were going to be in the same room. And the last thing Y/N wanted was for this to turn into a shit show.

As the two groups sat backstage, tuning their instruments - mentally preparing for the performance that awaited them. They stood behind the thin fabric separating them from the screaming fans who had decided to entertain themselves by singing Queen songs. But Y/N was nervous. Not because of the crowd, she had been stressing all morning, and it showed. "Baby, sit down your pacing is giving me a headache." Victoria, Maneskin's bassist, groaned as she rubbed her temples. Patting the seat beside her, Y/N plopped herself down next to Victoria.

"Why are you worried, la mia futura moglie" The Italian woman asked, looking at her friend concerned. "This isn't about who you were with last night, Y/N - is it?" Sabrina's question made her go quiet. Dame, her girl, was good.

"Wait, wait aspetta un secondo. Who did you spend the night with, mi cara? That wasn't me." The guitarist from Maneskin, Thomas Raggi interveined. The two guitarists had a curious relationship.

They had hooked up multiple times, but there was no feeling there. They were friends before causal sex partners and after the duo bonded over heartache. They vowed to comfort each other emotionally and physically until either was in a relationship, and they have stayed true to that promise till the present day. "Someone", the Bloody Valentine's singer's response naturally intrigued the Italians. They were very open about their hook-ups and one-night stands, so what could be wrong with this one?

"Darling, I doubt it's that bad", Damiano, the lead singer of Maneskin, said, still invested in what his friend had to say but highly doubting it was that bad. "I slept with my ex's rival" The sound of glass breaking made them all look toward Onyx, who was white as a ghost. "You slept with Erling-!?" Before the drummer could finish his sentence, a hand over his mouth (courtesy of Axel) shut him up as the group all looked at him pointedly. Quieting down the drummer, they turned their attention back to the singer.

"Okay, how did that happen?" Axel asked, unsure if he wanted to know how she got with the Norwegian star. "I mean, if you were doing it out of spite, fair play, but if not, why?" The male vocalist asked his bandmate as they eagerly waited for a reply. "I just wanna know how you two met" Onyx was a whore for Halland, and it wasn't surprising that he cut Y/N off from answering so he could ask about Halland. "We met in the bathroom…After the match."

The puzzle pieces were starting to fit together as her bandmates looked shocked, and maneskin just looked confused. "Am I the only one who's lost?" Ethan, the luscious locked drummer of the Italian band, said, "We didn't do anything, we talked and exchanged numbers, and he did a favour for me, so I returned it" when she attempted to explain the situation, it only made it sound worse. "So you slept with him out of a favour," Axel said. Now angry that Halland may have coerced his friend into something.

"No! He was helping me with Onyx's Christmas present - he was getting me a signed jersey, and I got him and his team concert tickets in return. He didn't coerce me into anything, and we slept together after my argument with you. Everything that happened was consensual." Quickly correcting the wording of her previous statement, she was met with less angry faces as her mutuals let out a sigh of relief that nothing had happened to their friend. "And I'm worried because He and Kylian will be in the same section." Ah, that was a reasonably significant problem, but there was no time to discuss solutions as it was time for the show to begin.

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Angelic. That was one way to describe how Y/N was playing. She poured her heart and soul into her performance as the colourful light and pyrotechnics lit up the stage painting her skin in shades of pastel red, making her look ethereal yet dangerous. The air felt full of static as the final pluck of strings echoed around the arena before the boisterous applause roared loud enough for the entirety of Paris to hear. Safe to say, both teams were in awe of the band - and they were only four minutes into the set. It was almost enough to distract from the unmistakable tension between the two teams, all seated in the private VIP section. They were the only ones there, which was good because if a fight broke out, there would be no one else to witness it.

As the applause dipped slightly, Y/N finally spoke. "Paris, are you ready!" the screams of excitement made her smile. "Good to hear. We got a lot of surprises for you tonight. So remember, have fun and…" Axel continued the small introduction before allowing the fans to finish the iconic intro. "And fuck it up!" the crowd roared back, transitioning into the first song. As the lights and pyro changed accordingly to the music. Played in perfect harmony, the audience sang the lyrics word for word as the four performers sang with them.

Safe to say that Kylian was also singing the words. How couldn't he? Her songs were ingrained in his head like a tattoo, as players from both teams took videos/pictures and sang/danced to the music. Everything was going great until Halland happened. It was no great surprise to anyone that the two were sizing each other up, but what Mbappe didn't expect was to see out of the corner of his eye a picture of him and Y/N set as his wallpaper. He tried to rationalise the situation. Maybe it was from a while ago. Perhaps he edited it, but his heart still hurt no matter how he put it.

As he tried to ignore the claws of doubt scraping against his heart, were the two of you together? She wouldn't do that, Would she? Date someone who had made it his mission to put himself above him in every aspect. Surely she didn't hate him that much that she felt the need to spite him in a way that left such a brutal scar - on his ego and heart.

Still in shock, it took all the strength not to beat the bastard up. His sadness and confusion were now souring into rage and hatred while not being sure who it was focused towards, Halland or Y/N. Maybe both, but mainly Halland, as he didn't want to believe that the girl of his dreams could do something so heartless. He was self-aware enough to acknowledge that he deserved to feel like shit for what he did to her - but this was too far.

As the climax to the current song began, he unintentionally focused on the lyrics. "You were my everything, and all you did was make me fucking sad cuz second chance romance doesn't leave enough time for one last dance." It was second chance romance - his song. As he watched her from afar, he felt his heartbeat like a drum. Glancing between Y/N and Erling, he realised something, on stage, the two of them were nothing to her. All that mattered was her and the music. Just like in his current situation, all that mattered was having Y/N back in his arms, so God help him. This was one prize that he would not allow Halland to have. Ever. Take the trophies in football, but the singer's heart was his and his alone, and he would prove it to everyone tonight.

k.mbappe . 2hr ago

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bloodyvalentines thank you, paris yall really showed up and showed out what a way to end our tour - can't wait to see you guys again

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The after-party was in full swing at the french nightclub 'tigre blanc.', as the smell of sex, drugs, and alcohol lay thick as the mob people celebrated on the first floor. The upstairs floor was reserved for the celebrities and other elite to enjoy the after-party without worrying about being swamped with fans. But unfortunately, Maneskin couldn't make it as they needed to fly back to the US. As the PSG squad sat in a booth enjoying the expensive alcohol, they all watched in concern as their teammate looked like he was about to break his glass.

Kylian felt like decapitating halland as he watched from afar, throwing himself all over Y/N. He was not enjoying himself as he revelled in jealousy and seemingly ingested more alcohol than humanly possible. Safe to say, this was a recipe for disaster. Wanting to do nothing more than walk up to them and break Halland's fucking face in, but he didn't. Knowing full well, the singer would hate him even more.

As another hour flew by, it was clear to his teammates that Kylian was drunk on equal parts jealousy and alcohol. So finally having enough of Mbappe's sour demeanour, they put their plan into motion. "Who up for a game of never have I ever?" Neymar yelled loudly, receiving scattered applause as everyone quickly formed a circle. "Hey, love birds, get over here!"

Onyx yelled to his bandmate and the Norwegian star as he watched the two stumble over (clearly drunk), taking a seat next to each other - truthfully, if they had sat any closer, the girl would have been in the blond's lap. With one arm secured around her waist, her head resting on his shoulder, and their hands intertwined, safe to say that Hallnad was complacent. As the circle consisted of PSG, man city and band associates, safe to say everyone could feel the tension brewing.

"Okay, let's begin. If any of you are unfamiliar with the game, take a shot. If you have done what the question is asking, I'll go first. Never have I ever kissed a friend's sibling," Neymar said, starting the game quickly to defuse the escalating situation. As multiple people began downing their shots, Sabrina looked towards her bandmates. "Ya'll better not fucking take a shot cuz if I find out any of yall have kissed my brother, I'm gonna kill you." the bassist said as she took her shot.

"Wait, who?" Axel said in surprise. "Jackson Mays, older brother." the mention of the asshole from high school made Y/N gag in disguise. "Didn't he get arrested for selling drugs or something?" the rest of the group watched a mixture of amusement and shock at the interesting people that the four knew.

"Oo, I have a good one. Never have I ever sent a dirty text to the wrong person." Phil Foden spoke, taking his shot a second later. "Was meant for the Mrs, went to jack instead, which made everyone laugh at the stupid confession. "At least now I know he's not lying about how big he is." The group of drunk people found that report very amusing as Foden turned a bright shade of red. But what caught people off guard was when Y/N tipped her shot into her mouth, hoping no one would notice.

"Who was it?" Neymar asked, knowing full well the answer, "An old flame" was all she could muster as her grip on Hallands hand tightened, and a sickening feeling swelled in her stomach. Truthfully the answer was Kylian. He knew it was Kylian - heck. It was how they met each other in the first place. Sabrina got a new number, and they joked about sending each other dirty/flirty text, but Y/N's messages when to the wrong number, which happened to be a famous footballer. An awkward conversation between a musician and a baller turned into a whirlwind romance.

As the tension builds again, Y/N tries to deflect from the obvious by continuing the game, "Okay, never have I ever faked an orgasm?" As all of the women in the circle (Y/N included) down their shot, the men look at them in horror. "Are men really that bad?" Ramos asked in shock at the revelation that most men are dreadful at making their partners orgasm. "You have no idea," Sabrina said, shooting a little look towards Kylian as if to say something without opening her mouth.

Now she knew that Kylian always made his partners cum. How did she know this? Y/N told her she knew he was good sexually, but that wasn't why she commented. It wasn't to bruise his ego but to see if he was genuine about her friend. Sabrina knew that Mbappe wanted the singer back. Heck, a blind man could tell you that. But she wanted to see how far he was willing to go because he would have to walk a mile over fucking glass after the shit he pulled.

"Never have I ever dumped someone over text." Halland's contribution to the game made Y/N look up to him, see she confided in him and told him a couple of things that she probably shouldn't have, but she never said to him that - educated guess, maybe. Y/N knew she should stop, but right now, being sober would only make things worse. At least if she were drunk, she would have some reason to excuse her behaviour. One gulp and the shot was gone, "No way, how could someone break up with you over text" Kevin De Brunier asked in shock.

"A fucking idiot", Halland responded for her as she felt herself growing more upset by the minute. The remainder of the way that she had her heart broken. Over a fucking text message. Many months of love and vigour, countless hours spilling her darkest secrets, lust and passion mixed with sweet nothings meant nothing more than a single line of text to him. 'We aren't going to work. I'm sorry, but we need to break up.' In his words, not her's.

And she just accepted it. She didn't resist or fight for the love that she cared for so dearly. Instead, she mourned the loss of someone she thought would be her forever. She coped in the only way she knew how. Drinking, partying and smoking as she fell into a deep depression. As she hardly slept or ate anything, it took Y/N a long time to finally feel like herself again. But now she was back at square one.

But the singer wasn't the only one going through the motions as Kylian felt the rage of a thousand suns burn inside him, and in a moment of heated outrage, he said something he would regret. "Never have I ever wanted to get back with my ex." as tension reached new heights, "I'm gonna go smoke." with that, Y/N walked away from the situation, unable to face him. As she tried to hold back her tears, she walked up the stairs that led to the club's roof. She was utterly unaware of her surroundings. As the night's cold air welcomed her, she walked towards the roof's edge.

She sat with her leg dangling over the edge as she lit a cigarette. Letting out a deep sigh as the rush of s nicotine hit, "You know those things are gonna kill you." Halland joined the girl on edge as Y/N took another deep puff before exhaling in euphoria. "It's a form of coping. I'm just so stressed," the singer finally spoke, her eyes full of tears. "You know it's okay to cry", and with those words, Y/N began to cry so violently that her whole body began to shake. As Erling placed her head into the nook of his shoulder, he let the girl of his affection release her pent-up emotions.

After her heavy tears reduced to sniffles and sobs, the football player asked her a question that made her want to cry again. "You are still in love with him, aren't you" with that, more tears streamed down her face as she cried her heart out. she had ruined her make-up. "I do, and I fucking hate it. Why can't I stop? Please make it stop." the girl's voice cracked mid-sentence making her sound even more pitiful than she already did. The Norwegian hugged the girl as tightly as he could. He placed a kiss on the top of her head.

As much as Halland wanted Y/N for himself, he couldn't take advantage of her. He had already done it once. When they hooked up, it was clear that it only happened because they were intoxicated and emotional. But that didn't mean that he didn't love her, no. He would give anything to see her happy. That is why he was going to let her run back to Mbappe. Even if it hurt his pride, he was happy as long as he made her happy. But if he messed up again, he would treat the singer like the queen she was.

As they stayed in each other's embrace, they were unaware of the third party watching from the door. Clearing his throat, Kylian made his presence known. As Y/N went frigid with fear, she looked towards Halland for help, but all he did was nod slightly as if to say, 'talk to him. Please, for all our sakes', to which she agreed. "If you need me, I'll be with the others, okay."

And with that, the Norwegian left, but not before he and his rival had a short stare-down. The PSG player slowly walked towards his ex-lover as if she was a scared animal, worried she would run off at a moment's notice. They fell into a heavy silence as he kept his distance beside her. "What happened to us, mon amore?" the player asked, looking at the girl. "We ended, Kylian, that's what happened. You ripped my heart in two, and you left." the bitter tone was enough to tell mbappe how she felt about the split.

"That was a mistake, ange de mon coeur" God, she missed the sound of him speaking french, but Y/N refused to cave in - she couldn't. Getting up, she began to walk towards the door. This conversation was over. Kylian walked behind her, quickly grabbing her wrist and gently making her stop dead in her tracks. "Let go of me, please", refusing to look in his direction. Her heart begged her to embrace him. But if she did, there was a chance that this would end in disaster. She would be left like a broken china doll again, leaving her to put herself together again. It was not going to happen.

"Let's talk about this, please" Kylian sounded just as desperate, if not more, as he refused to let go of her hand as he intertwined their fingers. "No, Kylian, we shouldn't talk about it." in a fable attempt to deny him any comfort, she removed her hand from his. "Why not" now he was on the brink of crying, "bébé, please look at me." he knew how to tug on her heartstrings as she turned to look into his deep eyes. She said, inches apart and breath fanning each other's faces.

"Kylian, don't" as this point, she didn't know what she was saying no to, but frankly, she didn't care. "Don't call me that" it sounded like more of a plea than a demand. "But you love it when I speak french." he knew what he was doing, and in his defence, it was working. "that is exactly the problem, Kylian. We can't keep doing this" Y/N was frustrated and angry, and the alcohol was not helping. "Doing what?" now playing oblivious, they looked into eyes of each other, both telling two different stories.

"We aren't good for each other" the whisper did not sound very convincing. "Did Halland tell you that?" the question was a mixture of anger and dread. What could the Norwegian have said to her before his arrival? "No" a slight sight of relief didn't mean he was out of the woods yet. "Then why" his voice was small and breathy, as if he was unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"You hurt me, Kylian. I thought you were my one, and you destroyed me." The silence was deafening as they stood face to face for the first time in a year. "I told you things I had never told anyone. I let you into my world. I showed you my dreams and fears, and you disregarded them. I put my heart in your hand, and you threw it away like it was nothing, Ky it hurt. Did I not even deserve to be broken up face to face? Did I mean that little to you?" As he stood there and listened, he felt his throat dry as his words got stuck.

"No, ma reine", he protested. How could Y/N say that? she meant everything to him - did she not know that? "Then why did you hurt me?" tears again fell from her eyes for the nth time. "I don't know" the singer appreciated his honesty, but it still hurt. "But it was the biggest regret I have ever had."

"That doesn't fix things. Kylian"

"I know"

As the two stood closer than ever, they felt the tension hit the stratosphere. "But it's a start." with that, two sets of lips collided in a feverish kiss, tongue and teeth, swirl and bite. Hands all over each other as they momentarily forgot their problems. Breaking apart with heavy breathing and noses still touching, "If we do this promise me one thing", Y/N said, short of breath, "Anything, ma princess." giving him a small peck on the lips before speaking ", please don't leave me again."

"let get out of here"

"my place?"

"sure"

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yourinstagram it was always you 1/2

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k.mbappe my love ⤷ yourinstagram 🤍

k.mbappe

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k.mbappe it was always you 1/2

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yourinstagram 🤍 ⤷ k.mbappe mon amour

[lavendertales]

I put a spell on you—Javier Peña x f!reader**

Chapter 3 of the Unholy series

summary: you cannot refuse Steve’s invitation to join the team for drinks. But you also don’t expect things to turn out the way they do.

word count: 3.7k

WARNINGS: mentions of  alcohol & smoking. rough kissing, piv (unprotected), cowgirl. 

AGELESS/EMPTY BLOGS & MINORS WILL BE BLOCKED!

gif: @joseph-quinns 

series masterlist | AO3 

No one would believe Javier if he’d told them you are vindictive and downright cruel. No one. They’d all say you are hardworking and devoted, a fantastic agent with a heart of gold.

While that may have been true, what was also true was that you were spiteful as you could be. At least towards Javier.

You seemed to have made it your personal mission to outshine him and simply be better than him or anyone else in the department. What was baffling was that you were doing so completely effortlessly and smoothly, to the untrained eye it could pass as pure kindness.

But it wasn’t. Not entirely. You were every bit of Javier as he was you, the good and the bad parts. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Javier could barely stand you. There was too much of him in you—and vice versa.

Too much of him… in you…

The mere thought was repulsive. Not because you were in any way unattractive, but because of all the anger and stubbornness you brought along with your persona. He couldn’t imagine spending so much time with that, he’d get a headache. Then again, from a physical point of view strictly… you weren’t bad on the eyes at all. Hell, he could be honest with himself—and strictly himself—and admit that you were possibly one of the most stunning women he’d ever seen. But the bad blood in between you two would’ve made it impossible to enjoy any possibility at carnal pleasure.

The shocking part was that he could easily picture himself fucking all of that stubbornness out of you, wiping that cocky smirk off your face with sloppy kisses, and he could easily imagine what you’d sound like should the right man know how to push your buttons.

But he wasn’t the right man. Not for you, not for anyone. And he didn’t even want you, in any way. You were just a thorn in his back: annoying, persistent, impossible to get out.

He chooses to suck it all up, put everything aside, and do his best in finding ways to put an end to Pablo Escobar. Now that he had that side bet with you, he’s felt motivation like never before. He started showing up earlier for work, doing as much research as possible, keeping track of every little detail he could. Most importantly, he minimized his personal encounters with many of his female companions as much as he could. Before he realized it, he’s gone without it for weeks.

And for the first time in who knows how long, he didn’t care about it one bit.

All he cared about was finding a way to Escobar. Proving himself to be a worthy agent. The best, if need be.

Funny how your presence has influenced him so deeply, yet he despised admitting it even to his own self.

How even more painfully ironic that he couldn’t acknowledge the influence you have on him, but he could easily picture the filthiest things with you.

When did that even start? And why? How come? He had no feelings for you whatsoever. Your attractiveness was to blame, of course. Nothing else was at play. But everyone else was seemingly eating up your every word, soaking up your image like a tall glass of water on a warm day, whereas Javier couldn’t be any more miserable.

Or so he thought.

“Hey, you coming tonight?”

Steve’s question wakes him up from his deep trance. He looks up at his partner from the computer, removing his headphones.

“To what?” Javier asks.

“Carrillo suggested we go out for drinks, lift up the morale a little.”

“Yeah, sure.”

Having a few drinks with his colleagues suddenly sounds like a very appealing prospect.

“By the way, the whole team means—“

Steve doesn’t get to finish the sentence before Javier realizes what he means. He rolls his eyes, huffing loudly.

“Okay, I get the whole academic rivals thing, but this is crazy,” Steve continues. “You seem to genuinely hate each other.”

“I don’t… hate her. She might hate me, I don’t know, but it’s just what we do. What we’ve always done in college. We can’t help it.”

“Then you don’t have a problem with her joining us for drinks tonight?”

“I do, but only because I’d hate to spend my time trying to relax being fucking stiff cause she can’t keep her snarky remarks to herself.”

“I’m sure she’ll behave.”

Yeah, if someone would teach her how to.

Shut the fuck up. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about.

“Hey, wanna join us for some drinks tonight?”

You look baffled at Steve, then you notice Javier in the background practically hearing him grit his teeth. You resist the urge to laugh out loud, though you know yourself that would be very mean.

“I don’t know,” you say with some fear in your voice. “I don’t think Peña wants me there... so I’ll definitely be there.”

You smile brightly, taking Javier aback. He could tell it’s one of your trademark devilish beams, but he still feels locked in some sort of trance watching the exchange between you and Steve.

“Uh, okay, cool,” Steve says, slightly confused. “Could you… keep those smart comments locked up? Just for tonight. Don’t get me wrong, they’re funny as hell, but—“

“I know what you mean. Don’t worry, I promise I will be on my best behavior.”

Just then, Steve leans in and whispers, “But I’d like to hear some of college Javi stories if you got spare ones.”

You chuckle, touching his arm gently.

“I’ll see what I have in stock.”

Javier watches absentmindedly, his sole focus you and Steve all cozy in a corner of the room. This is no professional jealousy.

This is something else, much uglier and darker.

Yep. Alcohol is needed. Much, much alcohol.

He arrives at the bar around nine p.m., looking around for his team. Carrillo, Steve, Sofia Ramirez and Trujillo are already at a table. He walks confidently towards them, then stops in the middle of the floor.

You’re there, too. And you’re—a distraction.

You’re wearing a black pencil skirt, paired with heels and a red top. Your hair is loose and curly, and your lips wear an awfully tempting shade of red, enunciating them from afar. Javier gulps, and this time he knows exactly why. It’s hard not to admit that you look gorgeous, but only to himself. He could never reveal that to you, or to anyone else.

That doesn’t change the fact that your personality is still off-putting. So Javier decides to focus on that to keep his distance from you tonight. He intends to play nice.

He resumes his walk, nodding towards the guys and you, taking a seat.

“How you doing, Peña?” Carrillo asks just as he sits beside him.

“Not bad. Eager to blow off some steam.”

“We all could use it.”

“We’ve done great work lately,” Ramirez points out. “We deserve a little break.”

“That is true,” Trujillo agrees. “As long as our boss is okay with it.”

Carrillo chuckles, standing up. “He’s fine with it. For the time being. First round is on me.”

Exclamatory cheers are shared at the table, except for you. You only showcase a polite smile, but nothing more. You’re sitting next to Steve, being awfully quiet. If Javier wouldn’t have known you, or if he would’ve truly cared, he might’ve thought something was wrong.

“Have you two met each other?” Sofia asks Javier and pointing at him and you.

“Unfortunately, yes,” you reply.

“The displeasure is reciprocated.”

“Don’t ask,” Steve recommends Sofia, and she instantly pulls back.

“You’re being quiet for once in your life,” Javier remarks at you.

“I promised to be on my best behavior tonight, and that can only happen if I keep my mouth shut.”

Luckily, Carrillo appears just in time with a tray of beers for the table, easing some of the tension. Everyone takes their first sip, and most of those present light up their cigarettes.

Soon, the party is broken down in several little ones: Carrillo and Trujillo, Javier and Steve, and you and Sofia. You’re glad you can share a proper conversation with a woman. It’s not easy being a woman in a man’s world, especially when it comes to violence, drug dealers and rough, mean agents. And you’re even more thrilled to discover how much you have in common with Sofia.

“I was pretty much the teacher’s pet,” she laughs. “I didn’t get teased as much in college, but high school was horrible.”

“Tell me about it. High school kids have the emotional intelligence of a bean.”

You giggle, taking a long drag out of your cigarette. “If this bothers you, I can put it out,” you tell her.

“Oh, it’s no problem! I’m trying to cut back on smoking too.”

“You too?”

“Yeah. Things get rough down here. Need a little something to de-stress.”

Your eyes fly to Javier, watching him blow the smoke from his cigarette. When you lock eyes, you don’t pull away, and neither does he. There is also no hatred in that glare, only… curiosity. You haven’t really seen him in outings outside of the office, or outside of classes, really. You weren’t in the same social groups back then, so you didn’t cross paths as much. Once or twice per semester was more than enough for your taste, given that you saw each other daily in class.

But now, oddly enough, there’s no resentment. The beers have surely helped, and now that you’ve shared the first round of tequila shots, you are in a sweet spot of acceptance.

“I hear you and Javier were in college together,” Carrillo says.

Your eyes meet again, but this time you both look away, uncomfortable.

“Fun times,” you reply sarcastically.

“They were very competitive,” Steve clarifies. “Always fought against each other to see who had the best grades, the best projects.”

The table laughs, much to your—and Javier’s—displeasure.

“So, who won?” Trujillo asks.

“It was a tie,” Javier says.

“Not surprising. You’re both great agents,” Carrillo smiles pleasantly.

“In terms of academia, sure, we both won,” you say, knocking back another shot of tequila. “But otherwise, I am much better overall than he is.”

Javier stares at you, utterly unimpressed. “Easy to think that way when you have this massive God complex.”

Instead, you shrug, putting your arms on the table and staring right at him.

“Why do you do this? You know I got plenty of stories on you.”

“Fine. I dare you to say one. You can’t make me feel bad.”

The team remains quiet, neither daring to say anything. Even Steve enjoyed the show, even if he claimed otherwise before.

“Fine,” you concede and turn to face the others. “In our first year, at one of the parties, Peña threw up on a very expensive painting in the house we were in and blamed it on one of the nerds, said he spilled beer.”

The table remains quiet, aside the not-so-repressed chuckles escaping your colleagues’ mouths.

“Blaming another kid? That’s so unlike you, Jav,” Steve laughs, shaking his head.

“Oh yeah?” Javier retorts meanly. “What about that guy, Spencer, whose pants you and your friends stuffed with fireworks? Poor guy flew right out of the house.”

The men remain with their mouths wide open, as does Sofia; they all stare at you in disbelief.

“He picked on my friend, Susan, relentlessly,” you explain. “He had it coming. Is this how you wanna play? You wanna play dirty?”

“Oh, I can play dirty… Bambi.”

The nickname stirs something wild inside of you. You haven’t heard it since college, and it was the cruelest form of revenge you could think of.

You straighten your position in the chair, sheer hatred emanating from your eyes and body language alike. Though you feel the alcohol working its voodoo on you, you remain grounded by rage.

“Uh… excuse me, sorry,” Sofia interrupts, barely daring to look at either one of you two. “Why do you call her Bambi?”

You’re afraid that if you open your mouth now, you might cuss him out in all of the three languages that you know. You barely muster the courage to mutter the words, “Say it.”

You look right at Javier as you say them. He needs to see the rage in your eyes, the effect he and his stupid words have on you.

“It annoys her because I once said she resembles Bambi,” he explains, a little tipsy himself. “You know, confused, little and defenseless.”

Trujillo frowns. “Doesn’t seem like that big of a deal though.”

You throw him a deadly glare as well, to which Trujillo signals surrender by putting his hands up.

“I used to call him Grumpy,” you fire back. “I still can, now more than ever I guess.”

“Because he resembles one of the seven dwarves?” Steve cheekily asks.

“In a way. He’s a grump head, but he’s also… tiny. A tiny, pitiful and spiteful boy. Not even a man.”

You grab your purse and head for the exit. The hot air hits you in an instant, making you almost throw up, though alcohol plays no role in that sensation. No, all of the college flashbacks have you weak and angry at the same time, and you just want to go home now.

It’s close to midnight on the dot, which means you have to risk it and call a cab. While you wait, you feel someone move behind you, and your hand goes to your purse, feeling the gun inside. Your reflexes may be slower, but your instinct isn’t.

“You can’t go home alone.”

The voice, husky and yet irritating, makes you turn around with a blank expression on your face.

“And why not?”

“It’s not safe.”

“I can handle myself. And I certainly don’t need you, of all people, to keep me safe.”

Javier exhales, moving closer to you. “I just don’t want it to look bad if something were to happen to you.”

“So what, that makes you my babysitter?”

Javier refrains himself from chuckling. His own words recoil in his mind, surprised once again at how much alike you are.

“Not even a little,” he agrees.

“What the hell do you want then?”

He falters, questioning his own intentions and beliefs, even. Everything you do is meant to anger him, to push him, and vice versa. But this moment right here, right now, it’s far from that. Javier sees the anger in your eyes, but he also sees disappointment, as if you’re waiting for something else along the lines of an apology.

But words fail him, which is bizarre. He’s good with words when it comes to women, and he was always great with words when it came to returning your verbal serve, but now he finds himself to be speechless before you. Moreover, guilt takes control over his body, making him inch even closer to you. So much so that your noses nearly touch, sending unwanted shivers down his spine.

“I asked you what do you want, Peña,” you repeat.

Then it hits him: how it’s been months of this purposeful dry spell of his, how being close to you makes his pulse race and his blood boil, and not in the usual way, how exceptional you look tonight, how close he is to you… they’re all conspiring against him to make a regrettable decision.

He sees you licking your lips as you return his glare still. You feel your own pulse get out of control the more seconds pass, yet you do not back away.

“The more you shut up when I am asking you something, the more it’s making me so—“

You hesitate yourself, and Javier picks up on it.

“Making you so—what?”

With his tequila-flavored warm breath on your face, it’s hard to think straight. Usually you’re the first to come up with a proper insult or comeback, but now… you feel emptied of anything other than heat.

“Hot,” you finally reply.

Javier remains astounded. “Hmm?” he murmurs, lips nearly touching yours.

“It’s—hot outside.”

“It is.”

You don’t know how to follow up to that. Frankly, you’d rather just walk home, in the coziness of your apartment. But all you can feel right now is his hand pressing into the flesh of your neck as he pulls you in unexpectedly, his mouth finding yours in the most immoral, sloppy kiss you have ever reciprocated.

Yes, you find yourself reciprocating. It’s been a long while for you too, and right now, infuriated by the moment, hot from the weather, his hands and his hip don’t really feel like they belong to your long-term enemy. They feel… good, and expertly press into your body in ways you haven’t felt probably ever.

The ride home is a blur as well; it’s a mixture of alcohol-tainted breath, smoke lingering on your clothes and Javier’s cologne. What you do know is that he crosses your threshold as his lips are on yours again, eager and insatiable. You’ve let a sinner cross your beloved home, and that, in return, makes you one as well.

But it doesn’t feel that way when his lips leave a wet trail down from your jaw to your neck, and definitely not when his calloused hands use whatever strength they possess to quite literally rip the clothes off your body, tossing them carelessly to the floor. It feels… perfect. Perfectly wrong, oddly in sync with your shared dynamic.

Greediness starts to consume you both; there doesn’t seem to be enough time, much less when the clothes are hastily stripped off your heated bodies, and each touch hurts more than the last. The more you wait, the more it hurts, and it makes no sense because why should it feel this way with someone you couldn’t stand?

No words are exchanged between the two of you, nor is there time or desire for them to be said. You only care about release. That’s all there is to this moment, as wild as it may be. At long last, Javier makes his filthy, yet decisive move.

His index presses into your core, seemingly testing the water, and when you huff at the sensation, at the mere thought of being filled up, he smiles in utter madness and lust. He figures you’re more than ready, so he strokes himself a few times under your studious eyes and, in one languid motion, slides inside of you. You both grunt at the sensation, more so at the lewd imagery: open legs on the couch for none other than Javier Peña, mouth agape at the feeling of having him inside you. He gives a few short thrusts, making sure it’s the right pace, but when you wrap your arms around his neck to kiss him again, he loses any crumb of rationality.

He loses himself in you. Everything about you is enticing; in this moment, you are no rival of his, no enemy. You are simply a painfully attractive woman, warm, and he aims to please. He can feel how needy you are, and he can’t blame you. It’s probably been long enough for you both, so he wastes no more time. He knows that once this is over, he will have done a grave mistake that will linger on his mind and body for weeks to come. So all he can do is be present, make the most out of it.

He snaps his hips fast and rough, smiling down on you whenever you moan. At this rate, he won’t last, and he knows it damn well, but does he care? Not a fucking chance. All he cares about is chasing that high, living this moment to its full dirty potential. So he fucks into you however he can, pushing deeper and faster, till inevitably—

He pulls out, spurting thick ropes of seed over your swollen pussy, and nearly freezes, cock in hand. He can’t just fuck you through it like he would other women. It’s debilitating how intensely he feels pleasure right now. He struggles to regulate his breath, but it’s so damn difficult when he looks at the mess he’s made over you. Fuck, he’s still hard. How is this possible? Is this even a thing?

There’s mutual understanding in the look you exchange with Javier; he allows you to mount him, starting to ride him to the best of your abilities, mouth pressed against one another again. Javier moves to meet with you halfway, but you know what you want and how to get there. Whether in circular motions or up and down, you ride him as fast as possible, too eager to have your own pleasure rip through your body.

It doesn’t take you long, either. Being deprived for so long, and sharing this forbidden, lustful moment with the last person you would’ve thought as suitable is forming a massive pool of arousal in your body, and now, it’s tipped over, spilling at last. Your walls clench around his cock, your body barely moves at all, and you throw your head back in sheer ecstasy. Javier’s hands roam around your back, lying you back down on the couch and kissing you again, this time slower, tenderer.

You don’t want to think about what this means, other than the fact it’s a huge mistake. You don’t want to think about anything except how great of a kiss this is, how spectacular the sex was, and call it a night. Hell, you don’t even want to look at him and acknowledge that it is, in fact, Javier Peña who’s just fucked you.

And Javier reciprocates the sentiment. When he pulls out for a second time, it’s to search for his clothes. He doesn’t say anything to you, and neither do you. You avoid him like the plague in your search for your own clothes and, by the time you gather all of the items that were stripped from your body mere minutes ago, Javier is gone.

This wasn’t perfectly wrong. It was simply unholy.

previous | next 

[summercourtship]

Do you have any other Batman fics that you’ve enjoyed reading? I find there aren’t enough especially now!

I'm unsure if this is asking about the character Batman or the fandom Batman but I will answer both anyways. Sadly, I don't have any Bruce Wayne x Reader fics because I honestly don't read that many. The last time I looked, none of them really appealed to me. But maybe I'll check again soon.

But for other characters, I do have some. I'll relink ones I've talked about before just to have them in one place. If you have any fic recs, please send them my way, especially if they're multi-chapter! Any universe is okay (I would love a good long Arkham Knight Scarecrow fic but sadly I don't think it exists)

Scarecrow/Jonathan Crane

to rest in crypts and wake in gardens by milkywaykitten (Nolan!Verse): my all time favorite Jonathan fic. Reader is an author consulting Jonathan about the human psyche. WIP, though probably abandoned. What is there is amazing though. I also highly recommend the NSFW alphabet from the same author.

Ruined by silkarus (Nolan!Verse): Reader is close to discovering Jonathan's secret, Jonathan thinks of a way to distract them. A oneshot but I've read it many times because it is Very Good.

Riddler/Edward Nygma/Nashton

Cat & Mouse by caeseriawrites (Arkham!Verse): I will never shut up about this fic. Super long, super slow burn, WIP. Reader is a detective assigned to be the newly rehabilitated Ed Nygma's handler.

Why Should I Be Good If You're Not by BirdWhistle (Reeves!Verse): A two part fic. I'm not sure how to summarize it, but the dynamic between the reader and Edward is *chefs kiss*.

I Breathe You In (You're Secondhand Smoke) by DrJackStraw (Reeves!Verse): the only reason smoker!edward is in my brain and won't leave. no plot, just kinda gross stuff. but it's hot.

Joker (Heath Ledger)

happenstance by anaisangel: lives rent free in my brain. I've talked about it before but I will continue to talk about it because it is very good, the way he's written isn't cringy and that is what is most important. sadly abandoned.

Going a Little Mad by ?: From an orphan_account but very good. literally just smut, but there's a loose plot.

Sorry this isn't very long. I'll keep adding to this as I find them, I've been wanting to read a good multi-chapter fic again.

[proxissima]

Least favorite Ozai take you know (you can also name more if you like too)

Even after taking a thorough break from the ATLA fandom in the past year, that Ozai "isn't the sharpest tool in the shed", that people seem to think that he's the dumbest member in the royal family is the take that came to my mind immediately, and it's the one that I still abhor to this day.

Dishonourable mention goes to Ozai being also the most talentless and/or weakest firebender, which tends to go hand-in-hand with the above-mentioned take.

People who spout this nonsense with such confidence make me wonder if they even watched the same show as the rest of us or if they transferred here from some parallel universe, because what part about Ozai shooting lightning like fireworks during Sozin's comet, what part about him sensing the end of a total eclipse in a bunker deep in the earth, from his inner fire alone (all while regular firebending soldiers hadn't even noticed that their bending was gone in the first place!!), what part about Ozai being the only person that was able to summon lightning from both hands simultaneously (in the OG show tbf), near instantaneously and with just a sliver of the sun (never mind that by this point there were only two other people in the world that were even able to generate lightning and neither were on his level), gave the impression that he's an unskilled or untalented fighter?

And that's just listing his feats regarding his lightning, not even his general technique and bending.

Ozai is both powerful AND capable of extreme precision, something people also just love to ignore when they're forced to admit that Ozai is no chump in the power department.

EOS Azula would absolutely NOT defeat prime Ozai and Iroh would at least have a hard time with him. Jeong Jeong, however, is decisively getting smoked, never mind anyone less than a master; some people need to come down from cloud cuckoo land.

On a side note, I like how in the bottom right picture, it looks like Ozai is bending blue fire when he's unleashing huge lightning bolts in reality.

Another take I despise is the common notion that Ozai wanted to have Zuko dead since his birth, or that he couldn't wait to kill his infant son, which is factually wrong. Even the comics, despite instigating this whole mess, made it clear that Ozai wasn't that bad.

Okay, further tonal whiplash incoming, but there's another topic on my mind. That's your warning.

I also used to hate the notion that Ozai is a rapist and that the relationship between him and Ursa was one of constant abuse. (I think it was a bold move of Bryke and generally everyone to portray Iroh, of all people, as the polar opposite and a demure character, considering his history with women... but Iroh is a whole different can of worms.) Let it be said that I still think the plot of the comics is complete horse-shit in that regard, so my opinion on that hasn't changed.

However, I won't lie and say that there isn't a certain, morbid appeal in Ozai using sex as a weapon to exert control over people.

There was a fic, I think it was called Queens and Consorts that portrayed Ozai's manipulative and subtle side quite well, where each chapter is written from a different woman's perspective that all are either in or have some business with the royal family. Ursa felt unloved, but when it turned out that she was the only one Ozai truly loved? *Chef's kiss*. The fic deals with the inner workings of not just the royal family but also the political intricacies of the royal court in a captivating manner. I remember it being worth a read, but I digress.

Back to my original point though, I do also have to give Dominion credit where it's due, because the particular chapter, chapters? where Ursa departs, written from her POV, were an interesting read that gave insight into Ozai's character and their toxic and abusive relationship. I liked that Ursa was actually in love with him, but turned to despise him all the same. One part that has stuck with me was, paraphrased, how Ozai would sometimes forcefully take her, but she would spread her legs for him willingly on enough other occasions.

The abuse, in general, is a touchy topic and it's a delicate balance to strike, between giving Ozai edges, without taking away from his humanity entirely, and avoiding making it grotesquely obscene, but if done right, it can add a whole lot of complexity to their dynamic. Needless to say, the comics busted it miserably. Like, so thoroughly, a twelve year old could come up with a more cohesive and interesting plot.

I think this type of characterisation of Ozai works best, when it's not just him, but also the rest of the family to be depicted to have extremely dubious morals that serve as a reminder why exactly no one was objecting to perpetuating a century-long war their ancestor started, but also why practically every member of the following generations was either willing to carry out a genocide/mass murders on their own, have successfully done so, or were actively endorsing it. (It's certainly noteworthy that we know nothing about Lu Ten's mother, and that any of Iroh's past in the military has been carefully tiptoed around in all official portrayals post-ATLA.)

All of this being said, I don't get it when Ozai is the one portrayed as this depraved, sadistic rapist, all while characters like Azulon and especially Iroh, out of all people, are treated as the bastion of moral superiority in the meantime, or something, like they'd genuinely be outraged by... (marital) rape and abuse. These two. It's a bold assumption at best.

It's just kind of a pointless endeavour, trying to apply modern-day (western) morals on the setting ATLA takes place in and pretending [favourite] characters would hold those same values and act accordingly, when it's more comparable to the late 19th century. (Yes, there's enough people on stan Twitter and Reddit who actually seem to forget about this)

Obligatory disclaimer that I've got nothing against modern AUs or whatever. I just don't like it when people are genuinely pretending that is how characters would be thinking in canon.

[unabashednightmarepizza]

𝐵𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒

A/N: Hi, hello! I'm sorry for making people wait but I had to get my shit together, I hope everyone is fine! This chapter was, for some reasons, so hard to write even though it has 7.8K words and I once wrote 18K for one chapter in 3 days...

Warnings: Minors DNI( there is a smutty part in here), dry humping, nipple play, hint on smexy times, my inability of writing anything smutty when I read the most filthy shit, Joel Miller being softie for who he loves, 7.8K words...

Series Masterlist

“Maria, I swear I'll be living in here for these foods!” You moaned in delight at the delicious food while Joel, next to you, chuckled affectionately and offered a napkin to wipe your mouth. But upon seeing that you childishly declined, he sighed softly and touched your cheek, turning your head to himself and wiped your mouth.

Tommy let out a loud whistle, Ellie made a disgusted face while Addy squealed and Maria tried to stop her husband from making a scene that would end with you withdrawing inside but to her and everyone’s shock, you giggled and let him do as he wanted, making him blush and laugh at your puffed out cheeks. “Thanks, old man. Didn’t think I would let someone wipe my mouth...”

“If ya ate like the adult you are, you wouldn’t have.”

“Yeah, and it’s definetly not because you have a caring side...”

The night went like that, with you two sharing meaningful glances and shy smiles and Joel telling embrassing stories of him and Tommy.

“Come on, man! It was one time, stop complaining all the time!”

“One time? Tommy you smoked like shit, and our parents always blamed me because ‘you were such a good boy.’ It hurted me at that time!”

“Just because you have a fuck-boy look, doesn’t mean I can’t use that to my advantage, brother!”

You and Maria smiled to yourselves in the kitchen, the typical Miller mischief as Maria called it kicking in at high drive when the duo sat together and even the girls started to meddle in with their affairs. “Those two are so smart when they’re seperated, but so stupid when they are together.”

“You know what they say, Maria. Two men are always more stupid then one man.” You both giggled at that, briefly looking at them happily sat together when your eyes caught Joel’s through the window. Even though years obviously passed, and wrinkles slowly appeared on everyone’s face by now, his eyes still captivated you. Your first thoughts at seeing the man for the first time was how his eyes seemed so cute and loveable, and even after weeks knowing him, it didn’t change a bit. He was well-built, strong and brave, all the reasons why he survived this long- and made many women swoon over him-

But they never knew that tender side he had he only showed to those close to him. You saw how he went to many shops here even though he didn’t want it just for Ellie, how he always had time for Addy to teach her new ways to hunt...

Or how he always helped you around your home, came by whenever he was close and had a cup of coffee with you while asking how the hell did you find these here happily like an excited kid, you answering with an equally giddy heart how you traded something for the luxury...

How he would sit with you in the middle of the night, talking about the past, the future...

“What are your hopes fo’ the future, Y/N? You don’t think of spending it like this?” you looked at him curiously, both of you leaned over the fence in your home with mugs warm enough to stop you from shivering. It was an odd question coming from him, someone who didn’t see the appeal of a future-yet alone dreaming of one in a shit world like this.

“I don’t know, never saw the appeal. I think I’ll always spend my life, fighting etc. When I no longer can... Maybe I’d teach or something. How about you?”

“Never imagined one either. Before coming here, at least...” the silence stretched over, you nodded at his question absentmindedly and looked over to see him biting his lips. The sight made you smile, not expecting the grumpy man to feel anxious over talking to you. It was no lie that you two had gotten more closer over the days, lingering touches, flirting and embrassing the other...

Both sides thinking that the other wouldn’t accept the other’s feelings.

“Have someone in mind, Joel? Did anyone catch your attention for a possible future?” you asked teasingly, nudging him with your elbow and he gulped nervously. He couldn’t possibly tell you that he thought about one, someone to spend the rest of his life with, here in Jackson after taking Ellie to the Fireflies...

That someone being you.

He didn’t exactly know when his feelings started to change for you, when all he had ever felt was annoyment and anger whenever you spoke.

At least for the first few days.

To him, you were a cold and mean survivor who didn’t care who she killed. And it wasn’t like he was any different, he stopped having any morals after Sarah died and after he saw that the world they lived in had no more ethics or morals. People run around, doing their jobs with fear and if you weren’t someone the others feared, you would be one of those piles of dead. Blow after blow would make even the softest person harden, especially after loosing someone precious.

And that was what happened to him. He was, at first, scared just like anybody else but through time... He became some kind of a scary legend around, to silence his own heart beating in pain and fear.

That was his sorry excuse of a life he wished he didn’t live, not after loosing his daughter.

But, even though you irritated the shit outta him with your corny jokes and answers... He was grateful to have you, to meet you. He was grateful for the way you treated Ellie as one of yours, how you fought for everyone. He was grateful for the way you trusted him and opened up about your past, also making him come to conclusion with his. When you had to listen, you listened and when you had to comfort him, you exactly did that.

If he thought a bit harder, he could feel the warmth and comfort you gave. Feel your hot breath against his neck, fingers softly raking through his hair and rubbing his scalp...

Yeah, he was down bad... But he wouldn’t seal your deal with death by loving you.

Even though eveything led him to you.

“Nah, darlin’. I’m too old for that-“

A giggle made you shook your head swiftly and turn to Maria leaning over the sink and cleaning every plate with a smirk. “You may deny all you want, sweetie but you both are down bad for each other. And before you talk, you both always blush whenever you would look at each other. Just like now.”

You slapped a hand over your cheeks shyly, turning your back to save yourself from the embarrassment of being caught. It was true that you told yourself that it wasn’t your right to be happy, that he wouldn’t feel like that and therefore didn’t see the appeal of ruining what you had.

“The world we live in is harsh and lonely, Y/N. And just because you did bad things in your life doesn’t mean you should shield yourself from happiness.”

“I killed dozens of people Maria...”

“Yet all of them were rapists, cannibals, shitty army! You saved more than you killed, Y/N... Before it’s late, please take a step to your happiness. For yourself.” With a final pat on your shoulder, she went out to her husband’s waiting arms outside, leaving you to your thoughts.

You desperately wanted to confess, to have that said-happiness with Joel. It was one of your dreams when you were younger after all... But the things you did, the horrors you bestowed on people...

The way you lost your last love...

Would you trully feel happy? Would he still look at you the same after he knew-

“What’cha doin’, sweetheart?” Joel leaned on the doorway with worried eyes, coming to where your figure was looking out of the window dejectedly. Upon hearing his husky voice, you turned to look at him and your eyes went to the plates he was holding out. With a smile, you took and set them inside the sink, avoiding his question about you.

"Thank you... I would have come to get these."

“ I know, I wanted to help though.”

You chuckled sweetly at him and put the plate in the sink, slowly turning to him with a playful smirk tugging on your lips, making him blush at how your laugh reached deep into his heart and pulled him more towards you. His feelings got the best of him, making his heart soar loudly and maybe he couldn’t tell his feelings, his love for you...

But he would express his gratefulness.

“Thank you...”

You stopped momentarily at the foreign words leaving his mouth but continued scrubbing the dish with your heart skipping a beat. “You have been doing that a lot recently..." you mumbled quietly, making Joel step closer and set his hand on your shoulder , turning you to himself softly.

"Do what, darlin'?"

"Thanking me. What did I do this time? Because I baked for you and Ellie? Or get her off of your back for a few hours with the training? Oh, maybe..." you continued rambling, hands making gestures here and there and Joel only smiled wider second by second. His eyes watched your lips, even if he tried to stop himself, and the way your chest rose up and down fast. His hands slowly creeped up, following the path the column of your neck and held your face in his much bigger and warmer hands.

The act alone made your heart stop beating, eyes looking at his widely, breaths evened out. You didn’t realize when your hand started to trace the lines on his forearm, slowly rubbing his wrist.

I could get used to this, you thought happily but a frown soon replaced the smile. But what is this to him? Is this a game-

"For being in ma life... our life." He tried to correct himself but you already got the message behind the soft words he uttered.

His eyes betrayed his words.

Shuffling to him, you took his face between your palms boldly. His beard itched yet it was a pleasing feeling to both of you, with him leaning closer to your height. You could just tip-toe and then your lips would... touch...

“You’re welcome, Joel... I’m always here, you know?”

“Hmm...” he grumbled and lifted his eyes to yours, so that he wouldn’t be seen as a creep.

But the eyes he was met left him breathless and shaken.

For the same want, same pull, same... love was there. Waiting for him to do something. Just like how you always did, waiting for him...

He saw your own fear, fear of mistaking all of these, and in amidst all, he wanted nothing more than wipe those silly fears. But he, too was scared.

Scared of fucking everything up.

I can see that you like her, motherfucker. Just go for it! Ellie’s words rang in his mind, telling him that you also liked him. At that time he didn’t believe in her, thinking that she was playing games again because how can a 14-year-old actually understand that concept?

But right now, as you both were so close yet so far, he made a note to thank her.

He slowly lowered his head, finally saying fuck it, and wanted you to know how he felt. You already knew him well-enough to know that he wouldn’t go around kissing everyone and hoped that he could convey his feelings like this.

And, he also wanted to feel your lips too.

Seeing him slowly move towards your lips, waiting for them to touch for the first time, was an agony by itself for you. Not because you didn’t want to, but because you knew you would be betraying both to him and yourself.

Even if you wanted him, this, the voice in your mind wouldn’t allow you to have this tiny bit of happiness... But, still a part of you was able to fight back against it, your still a teenager part which always knew you deserved this.

Yes, you deserved to be happy.

Taking a deep breath, your hand slowly went to his waist and bunched the flannel he wore. The sight of him, all wanting you and loving, made a heat crawl up in your belly, a warm feeling settling in your heart, making it beat harder. You felt his hands also slowly crawl up on your back, slightly pushing for you to land on his chest with a hand on his pounding heart. The sound of it brought a smile, he was also nervous...

But before anything more happen, Addy burst in and let out a high squeal enough to make you both part quickly and look at her with wide eyes.

Gosh, I can’t believe my kid literally saw me almost kissing!

“A-Addy, dear-“ you stuttered to her, Joel’s hand still grasping on your waist with an equally shocked stare at the girl standing there frozen like a statue. She didn’t expect to see her mother in this state, kissing the man she and pretty much everyone was shipping her with, and definetly she wasn’t expecting to be the one who cock-blocked you.

“I-I’M SORRY, IT’S JUST MARIA WANTED ME TO LOOK FOR YOU SINCE IT’S BEEN LIKE 20 MINUTES! I’LL GO NOW, BYE!”

She stumbled out and went to sit with the others with a tomato-face, one that matched yours. And by the looks both Tommy and Maria gave, you knew that they knew what was going on inside.

“We, uh... We shoulda get out... I guess, darlin’.” Joel was also embarrassed, not being used to experience such things. You nodded at what he said, embarrassed and unsure of what to do. You didn’t know what the night would bring for you two tonight, but hoped that you wouldn’t have to break a bone.

“Oohhh, I see that two lovebirds finally came down~”

“Shut it, you old fucker. I don’t make fun of your activities.”

Tommy raised a hand in defence, murmuring to himself that Joel’s head was in trouble with a feisty one and Joel chuckled while trying to hold you back from possibly killing someone who was yet to be a father and rubbed your sides softly, which made you melt slowly and curl up to him.

Tommy would have laughed his ass off but he had half of the mind to anger you, knowing you would jump on him, kill him twice if needed with no sign of tiredness.

Ellie, watching how he cowered slightly at your anger, snorted at his misery. “Dude, you really are scared of her? She couldn’t kill you, right?”

“Trust me, Ellie, that woman is as crazy as the Night Killer and wouldn’t hesitate to land a good punch on my handsome face.”

“That awesome person who murdered more than hundreds of cannibals?!” / “ The one who punishes pretty much every FEDRA officers?!” both young girls exclaimed at the same time, and had it been another time, you would have laughed at how they were in sync with each other.

But it seemed that even when you were trying to get yourself away from that name, that past... It always found its way back to you.

Without realizing, your body tensed under Joel’s arms. Your back muscles were thight as if you were ready to run miles, jaw clenched thightly while they... spoke highly of you, unaware that the person they were gushing about- not that you thought there was anything to gush, after the bloody past you had- was sittin right there, and accross the fire in the middle, Maria’s eyes caught yours worriedly.

She was the only one who knew who you trully were, after all. You only told her after giving birth to Addy, not having anyone to trust. And when the guilt became too much while holding the purest creature you had ever seen with your bloody hands...

You just burst out the truth to her.

You were lucky that she didn’t judge you, but rather understood you. It wasn’t her place to judge, after all she did her own share of questionable things. She swore for secrecy until you were ready to share this with everyone, never ever uttering something to even Tommy even if it ate her alive.

She would protect her best friend.

“Man, I wanna be just like her! She has this wicked yet rightful way of thinking! Like the world is already shit, and the people are even more shitty!”

“Yeah, as if cordyceps isn’t bad, there are cannibals, rapists and ruthless army cornering people around! I say, they deserve it!”

With every word they spoke, your heart beated faster and faster, breaths coming shorter while cold sweats gathered around your forehead. Too much, it’s too much...

You don’t know how I murdered women, how I watched men turn into monster before taking my time with them...

I killed in the most gruesome way, waiting for them to suffer with a sick smile...

I’m not someone heroic, not someone my own daughter should look up to-

“We’re goin’ back, ‘kay? It has been a long day for Y/N and she needs to rest...” Joel voice boomed over the excited sounds of Tommy and the kids. He got up while supporting your frame to his chest, grabbing his jacket to throw it around your shoulders when three heads snapped to you and a worried Addy ran at you, holding your hand in her much smaller and softer ones.

“Mom, you okay? Do you need me to come with?” you smiled at her happily, her worried big, brown eyes making you melt inside at how she was thoughtful of you. You couldn’t blame her, she only had you. She knew that her father died because of FEDRA, you had to tell her after she came to you crying her eyes out while asking why her daddy wasn’t with her, if he hated her.

He would never, sweet girl, you remember telling her while trying to keep yourself from crying. He would have fallen in love with you the moment you were in his arms...

Shaking your head at the past memories, you looked into her much more worried eyes and shook your head while kissing her forehead and cheeks affectionately. “No, sweet girl. Stay here and have fun with your uncle and friend, I’m sorry I ruined-“

“You’re more important mom! But... if Joel’s gonna be there with you... I think I can stay.” She said almost immediately, pouting at you cutely. You gave a small smile and nodded to her, her kissing your cheek while waving you goodbye.

You didn’t see but Addy gave a cheeky smile to Joel and whispered him to do what he meant to do back in the kitchen, which he blushed as an answer.

“Come on, I wanna show you something...” he put his hand on your shoulders, leading just outside of the Jackson where you used to go out with Addy whenever you both needed some time alone as mother and daughter. You walked past the tree you two used to sit under, when Addy was still a baby and a toddler that would run around trying to get her little hands into anything. You used to bounce her up on your lap, lifting her high and slowly making her come back with your arms to give the biggest smooch on her chubby cheeks, resulting with the most beautiful sound you ever listened...

Damn, they grow up so fast... I feel like I’m old even if I’m almost 40...

Joel softly gazed at your far-away look, how your eyes glowed under the moonlight and looked amazed at the fireflies that flew around from time to time. He was nervous, to say the least about both what happened back in Tommy’s and being alone with you right now. What he did back in that kitchen was a sudden burst of confidence and he was sure that he no longer had that.

Get yer ass together Joel! It’s not your first rodeo with a woman... But it’s the first time with the woman you love, you dickhead!

His inner voice screamed at him back almost instantly and he groaned at himself for acting like a teen when he was 52 year-old-man who was trying to ask his 38 year-old crush out... He was no longer the man he used to be, the easygoing man he once was gone. And even then, he wasn’t good with expressing his feelings in general.

But he wanted you to know, to feel how he felt. How you made him feel safe, how you made him feel alive and young again...

How you helped him with his problems, how you made him fall asleep quickly even without really being there.

He sighed to himself, finally getting enough courage to walk up to you, putting his hand before your eyes and cooing at you to calm you down after letting out a shriek. Feeling his calloused hand over your eyes, completely blinding your eyesight, your hands immediately found his to stop him. Your eyesight was everything to you, they were what made you and Addy survive. It was thanks to them that you were able to survive this long, it was them that made you who you were.

And even if it was Joel, with whom you trusted your life with, it was still a big thing to show your trust to him.

“I’ll show ya what I wanted to show now... Yer safe with me.” You breathed out almost instantly, relaxing back against his sturdy chest and he smiled down at you sweetly while making you take a few steps further before you two completely stopped, the voice of the nature was the only thing you heard and the feel of his lips on your ear. “Are you going to let me see, or do I need to bargain with you?”

“What would ya offer if I said yes?” he teased you back playfully, which you responded with a hit of your head to his chest, making him laugh at you amused. “Maybe a kiss that we couldn’t share back then. Would that be enough?”

“It’s more than enough... Here we go.” He gave a long sigh, eyes expecting to see a look of boredom. He didn’t think that this place was anything special, you must have seen it maybe before he did and possibly thought of him to be stupid-

His wide eyes turned to look at your hand thightly holding his, fingers flexing over the veins of his hand. And when he looked inside your eyes...

He saw the true wonder in there.

What was laid open before your eyes was a sight by itself, as if it was dropped from the heaven itself to give a tiny bit of hope to the humanity. It was just what you needed to see after years of fighting, surviving... protecting... killing...

After years of never feeling like you were enough.

All you wanted, ever since you were a teen, to be enough for the whole world, to achieve something, to have someone you could shoulder all of them together. Your biggest wish was, probably, to return to the days before cordyceps, turn back to those days when your biggest worry was what to eat the next day.

You once opened up to Joel about this all, while he was carving the wood he was working on and you were sitting on one of the empty tables with your mug. You told him about your once-hopes for the future, of what job you wanted to do, places you wanted to visit, telling him that you always wanted to sit down under the night sky and watch the stars with someone you loved next to you...

And at that moment, even though he kept his silence, Joel wanted for you to know that you were the whole world.

His world.

And looking at the astonished, wide eyed look you gave around yourself, amazed at how ruins covered in nature could have such a sight, he swore that he wouldn’t loose you like he lost everyone.

If here were to loose you, his whole world, he would loose himself.

And if he lost you... He would make everyone and everything pay, bringing Hell itself on them.

And he wasn’t going to let you get away.

You weren’t aware of the emotional turmoil Joel was in, how a silent rage filled him with the possible outcomes but one look at you, who was already looking at him with a happy and excited look, Joel couldn’t help but marvel at you, eyes going back and forth between you and the hand on his arm when you spoke.

“I have been living in Jackson for 16 years almost, but never thought the scenery would be this good... How did you find this?”

“ Patrolling, I thought you would like it. Wanted to return the favor...” he mumbled the last part shyly, eyes never looking at you for fear that you would hear his heart beat hard and loud for you

“What favor?” you asked curiously, his chuckle making the butterflies erupt again. He tugged on your hand softly, getting back to the path you two took to his home when he awkwardly explained that he wanted to return everything you had done for him and Ellie so far. That he felt like he was using your good will, which you responded with a hard hit to his head, making him flinch and wince at you.

“What the hell was that for?!”

“For thinking bullshit! I’m so mad at you right now, you have no idea!” You playfully hit his chest, him returning it with his own that caused a soft scuffle between you two. “You sure as hell love loving people by hitting them, huh?”

“I love rough and harsh, what can I say?”

The silence you were met stretched over minutes, you walked ahead of Joel, giggling to yourself in dizzying happiness when the weight of what you said dawned on you.

Did... I just say something dirty in front of my crush?Oh, God...

Both you and Joel kept your silence to not make things even more awkward, two adults blushing as if that was their first time with a crush, Joel went to his kitchen to make coffee for you both while you were left alone in the living room, looking at everything that screamed that Joel Miller was living here.

There were not many things yet, with him not even actively trying to find things for himself to have in his home, there were many things scattered around.

Things that you gifted him with, things he took with a grumble but kept.

Your eyes widened yet a soft look soon settled when you realized that he had been so kind and considerate with you, making your heart jump up and twirl in your ribcage when you caught a movement outside, a curtain being pulled. Cautiously walking to the window, you saw Esther-someone Tommy was trying to set Joel up with- peeking through the gap between her window and curtain but immediately closed it after seeing you dead-staring at her.

You didn’t know, but Tommy only did it so that you could act on your feelings out of jealousy...

You always knew he was attractive and basically a heartthrob to many in here. Everyone also had their eyes on Tommy when he first came with you, and you were the one who had to sit back and listen to Maria scowl at every women passing by while taking care of a toddler.

Unaware that there were many men who was the same with you. Not that it mattered to you, not after loosing your first love and the father of your daughter.

But now... You understood how Maria was so vivid about them.

Joel came back with two mugs, steaming hot, and you dropped the curtain when you heard the squeak his shoes made, taking the mug from his hands while thanking him and sitting down on the sofa right next to him. As soon as you did, your legs started to bounce- a habit you had whenever you were stressed, a habit Joel quickly noticed- while drinking the coffee with the most blank face ever.

Joel sighed to his mug and set his down before laying a wide hand on your thigh, making you stop and look at him with wide eyes. He shuffled closer to you, his hand almost covering your whole upper thigh when he spoke, rubbing the tender flesh to soothe your worries. “What’s wrong? You were fine before coming here... If you don’t wan to, you can-“

“No, no... It’s not that or you, Joel. It’s just...”

“I don’t wanna remind you of bad memories but... Is it about the Night Killer?” you willed yourself to not get tense at the name, heart beating hard at the question but shook your head, not being ready to talk about that part of your past.

“No, it's not that either.”

“I saw and felt how tense you were when kids were talkin’ about that person... Did that shit do-“ you sighed at his protective voice and dipped your head low at his stubbornness, knowing that he wouldn’t let go of it if you didn’t tell him the real reason.

“I heard Tommy trying to match you up with Esther... She is a good woman, funny too...” you mumbled to yourself, not looking to where he was sitting right next to you and rather played with your flannel. His hand froze at the sight of you, all shy and awkward and it made Joel’s chest burn in the most beautiful way. His heart beated faster, breaths coming out shorter at the true beauty that was you. His eyes never saw the way women looked at him, even before the Outbreak. But now that he had you, and you had his heart and soul between your smaller hands...

He would never dare to hurt you, or let anyone hurt you.

Not when you showed all of your beauty, inner and outer.

Eyes big and shiny, soul so bright it even loghted his dark one, skin so beautiful that it lighted you in an ethereal way that made you open all of his eyes and take you in.

Let you in...

He no longer could stop himself from reaching out to you, slowly and tenderly, fingers brushing yours so softly that one would think he was holding a fine China.

And you were unaware of the feelings suddenly surging to him, continuing to ramble out of your heartbreak.

“ And it’s not like I have a saying in this, you may choose anyone you wanted. Esther is beautiful and talented-“

“Yes, she is talented and funny too...” you turned and looked up at him shocked, not really excepting an answer and your heart broke more...

Until you saw the look in his eyes.

His hands slowly caressed either sides of your face, rubbing the apples of your cheeks softly and huffing out towards your nose to warm your cold cheeks and nose, amused at the shock of finally understanding what he had been trying to tell you. “... I’ve already chosen but that woman also needs to choose me.” You leaned to the warmth his palm emitted, like a cat nuzzling, and he smiled at you lovingly feeling your smaller and less calloused hands clasp his and look at him with big, full of wonder eyes.

There was no longer the painful beating of your heart, no more hurt. Only one thing you always denied yourself from: Love.

And even if it could be taken away from you any time... You wanted to saviour the feeling of him longer.

“She already had...” Joel’s eyes slipped to your lips as soon as those words left, lingering there for a second and you shuffled closer to him, body half on top of him, lips apart by just a slight inch. He felt your breath as his own, both of you breathing in the same air, feeling the same emotion, being one.

And in that moment, Joel only wanted to kiss you, and officially make you his.

(A/N: I really wasn’t going to interfere BUT AGHH THAT NEYTIRI AND JAKE SCENE! BASICALLY THAT SCENE!)

Just when you were ready to pull away, taking his hesitancy as this being too much for him, his arms shot up and slithered around your waist, making you brace on his chest with a giggle, hopeful eyes looking into yours. “Can I... Can I kiss you?”

You rolled your eyes at his ever gentlemanly attitude, feeling your smile erupt again for the millionth time before diving in to do what you always wanted to do.

“Please, do.”

When your lips touched for the first time, it wasn’t a burning feeling but rather a calm one. It was like all the chaos and rage in you calmed down as soon as you had a taste of him, making you both sag in relief and moan into the kiss in relief. It has been a long time since you let someone in, let yourself love someone again after...

After Michael, your first love, died. Brutally.

If it was up to you, you would have spent your life taking revenge for him. Find the shit who gave his location away, torture that fucker to death for taking such an amazing, considarate and kind man away from you...

But the last words he had told you, begging you to move on and find someone to love again... Knowing how dark of a place your mind was and how you had the potential to ruin human kind, he begged you with his last breaths.

Find someone you could love again, my love. Live your life, don’t waste it over me... Your heart and love is beautiful, any man would be happy to love you...

And that’s what you did, even when a part of your soul left with him that day.

You loved again, you loved Joel and it scared you with how fast you had fallen for the man next to you, but it was all this world meant. Without loving, caring for someone... There was no way to keep going.

And, as the fates would have guessed, in this damned world, to Joel, you were the most beautiful thing. His only light that made him still human, a man with feelings, love and care.

And in amidst all of his fucked up self, you chose him. Waited for him to come to you patiently, never rushing him into things. At first, he always thought that patience, love... They were unnecessary, not when he had the pent up rage of years and the strength to throw a good punch. He was used to make things go in his way through them, and seeing you so patiently explain why it wasn’t a good idea to go to hunt in a certain place or that time when you sat down with Addy to talk about her frustrations so calmly, caressing her hair lovingly made him realize that being loving, having someone in his life wasn’t a bad thing.

And realizing this, alongside with everything you did around, how you always teased him, offered him help with his work, baked and cooked which Ellie was happy to eat, grabbing some coffee beans for him whenever you went out because you knew how much he loved them... All of the little things you did for him and others piled on each other slowly and surely, and with the physical attraction he felt for you whenever he saw you in those thight clothes or whenever you picked something up with the muscles of your arms and back flexing...

It made him fall for you, crave you.

He moaned harder to your lips when you get on his lap while his mind played dirty tricks by reminding him of your body, sitting directly on his cock under the rough jeans he wore, eyes closed in bliss while your hands took a hold of his neck and brought him closer to yourself, bruised lips kissing down his neck and putting a red hickey right on the sensitive spot, which made him groan louder in pleasure and grab your hips hard enough to print his hands on your skin.

Most thought of him to not have an attachment to his feelings, like he wasn’t aware of them. But he was, he always was but just scared to show them when all it would ever end with was agony in his end. But right now, having you between his arms, knowing the taste of you, the feel of you... He knew that what he felt for you was beyond casual fling, it even repulsed him. You were so lovely, yet dangerous, like poison ivy...

And he loved it, he loved you.

Both of you let out breathy moans through each stroke his hardening cock made over your clit, sure that the wetness growing in your panties also leaked to Joel’s jeans but neither of you cared. Neither parts knew, but the moans weren’t just because of the blinding pleasure building up bit more like you both come to accept your feelings. You both were lost in each other, too dazed in the pleasure to care for such things. “f-Fuck, Y/N... I-I....”

Joel felt like a teenager, as if that was the first time he had a woman on him. It surely wasn’t, but it was the first time that he had a woman he loved with all his heart.

Straddling him, making him feel so much love and pleasure by just grinding on him, making him also leek precum and wetting his own boxer briefs. His hand absentmindedly shot up to your breasts, kneading the flesh roughly and making you moan harder at the impact over your nipples. He growled under his breath, yanking down the collarless shirt you wore under the flannel and immediately took one in his mouth, swirling his mouth around the hard nipple but never giving it much attention.

You groaned at how he was teasing you, how coy he was being but if he wanted to play this game, you would give him a taste of his own.

Your hands yanked the shirt open, making the first three buttons fly while he let out a surprised yet amused chuckle, dark eyes watching you kiss down his upper chest while your hands tavelled through the hair on his chest, down to his v-line and up to-

You smiled devilishly to his neck, still kissing his neck when your fingers pinched his nipples, mouth travelling down to take the other in your mouth which made him leave your breasts and threw his head on the couch, letting out a loud groan and a few tears.

Who knew the lone wolf, the grumpy Joel would have sensitive nipples?

“You’re so sensitive, Joel~ It’s kinda cute.” He groaned harder at you, yanking your head up to kiss your feverishly, his chapped lips roughly finding yours.  As he lightly nipped on your bottom lip while his hands grabbed a hand full of your ass, his other one pinched your nipple roughly, pulling it up and down, left and right as you cried out in ecstasy, hips grinding harshly on his big cock to reach that sweet release when a familiar thightness grew deep in your belly.

“Joel, Joel I- Fuck, I'm cumming...” your cunt spasmed with want, the sight of the grey hairs and the lopsided smile over Joel’s lips making you cum undone alone. You let out a slight cry at the thunder like orgasm you had, panting and letting out an amazed wow at having such a relaxing and amazing orgasm. It surely wasn’t the same as masturbating and before you could have slumped over to Joel’s chest to catch your breath, you shrieked when he grabbed your hips and made a few hallow thrusts over his cock. “I know, I know... Lemme cum, sweetheart, fuck-“ Joel selfishly chased his own release, touching all over your body while watching your breasts bounce, entranced by your beauty while you whimpered for him, nodding to what he said and moved your thighs even though they burned.

He gave a long groan when he shot inside his boxers, seeing your fucked out look ending it for him, hips giving a few jerks while your hips rolled on their own.

After having the man you always dreamt of right beneath you moaning your name, and a courtesy of him rubbing your clit to make you come for a second time, you both panted and slumped against one another, breathing in each others necks while Joel peppered kisses down your neck and up to your cheek, shocked at how much more amazing this was than the sex itself. He rubbed your slightly damp hair lovingly, “Am I still an old man after this?” he asked, smirking coyly while you hit his chest playfully, him faking hurt but let out a relaxed hum when your lips found one of the scars on his collarbone. His eyes got glossy at the many emotions passing through him with your lips and fingers caressing every part of his chest so smoothly.

Never in his life did someone touch him so lovingly, so delicately. Even when everything was okay, even when he had a normal life. He sacrificed everything for his girl and he couldn’t help but curse the world for not having you at that time...

Sarah would have definetly loved the shit out of you.

Unknown to his turmoil, you let a finger linger on there, the scar on his collarbone, rubbing the puckered skin and peppering a kiss there lovingly. Joel pretended like it didn’t faze him, as if his heart didn’t press painfully hard to his chest.

“I don’t know... Maybe you can show me that by carrying me upstairs to have a shower?” he chuckled and sweeped you off of your feet, happy and content after a long time and feeling alive with you giggling between his arms like highschoolers and looking deep in your eyes, he took you to the shower to spend more time, your moans and his grunts reverberating deep into the night with the bedroom door closing behind you two...

And you didn’t have to know, but both Ellie and Addy reached out to Tommy to tell them that the ship was sailing, and they were close to vomitting because of sea sickness.

When the first lights of the morning reached behind the chest of the man you were holding, somewhere in the middle of the dark ending up spooning him, you groaned slightly at the intruding burn to your eyes and raised your hand to fix the messy hair you both had when Joel shuffled to lay on his back with a groan, his chest shining with pecks of silver thanks to the light coming in.

And upon realizinghis open arms greeting you, you happily snuggled into his chest, happy to be like this with him. Joel, after years of having nightmares, had the best dream he had ever seen. He didn’t wake up in the middle of the night, he was happy, he was loved and in love...

There was nothing that could stop him from smiling down at you, taking your sleepy state in and letting his knuckles run through your cheeks softly. You weren’t stupid, and he definetly wasn’t too, he could very well see that you were indeed awake and was just trying to enjoy the warm bed more. “Stop looking at me like that, Joel...”

“Lika what?”

“Like you want to kiss me, I just woke up and my mouth probably smells-“ you were cut in the middle by his lips and when you opened your eyes with shock, him smiling cheekily at you. “Too bad, I already kissed you...”

It was a waking moment for you, with the sun shining over both of your naked bodies, the domestic vibe, the way his chest flexed under your hand and his heart beated...

That moment was the moment of realization that you were trully, madly in love with this man.

And that was fine, maybe one day... You would tell him what you kept hidden, and even if he would hate you for it.

You at least had him for this time.

“Y/N, do you copy? We need to go outside, we are waiting.”

“May both sides of your pillow always be warm, dick.”

Joel let out a laugh at the way you didn’t miss to insult whoever was the one at the other side of the radio, calling to you and let you stand up to get your clothes on while he himself leaned on the back of the headboard with the blanket covering his lower region, watching you mesmerized.

“You’re so beautiful...” you blushed at his breathless whisper but still went up to him and kissed him both from the cheek and lips. “You can’t get away from what you did to me with being cute, mister. I’ll teach you a leasson when I come back.”

“Then, I’ll be waiting for you... Be careful out there.” Kissing his lips one more time, you nodded and got out with a skip over your steps while Joel let out a disbelieving chuckle and plopped back on the soft bed with a lovesick smile, a head sporting his head.

But before you got out, a paper and pen caught your attention. You knew the “mission” Joel had and you knew what Fireflies would do to Ellie, causing her to die for vain when you knew there was no way you would let them kill an innocent girl...

Do the thing they weren’t able to do to you.

He would most likely want you to explain how you onew all of this, and you would tell him at one point. But your first mission was to make him change his mind.

And not knowing when you would be back, you quickly grabbed the pen and scribbled what you hoped was enough to let him know that it was a bad idea, putting it on the table in his working shop before jogging up to where your squad waited with teasing remark.

Joel, I know that you intend to continue your mission but we both know that you had started to care for the girl... Fireflies will not be the answer human kind is looking for, and the only thing you will end up with will be regret.

Regret of letting them kill her.

Please, just wait until I came back so that... So that I can explain everything. For once, don’t be stupid. For me, okay?

[cirilla-fiona-riannon]

Kicho's Main Story Ch. 11 Part 1 Romantic

These translations are not intended as a replacement for the game. Please support cybird by buying their stories. Spoilers under the cut. Expect mistakes.

TW: This chapter contains/mentions violence and death. Please read on with caution.

Kicho: "The disappearance of things from the future means that history has changed."

Kicho: "When history changes, the lives it spins also change."

Mai: "Oh no."

(So I'm going to disappear?)

I never thought it'd affect me in this way.

The pain that should've settled down returned, making me clutch my chest tightly.

Kicho: "Mai."

Mai: "Kicho."

He hugged me gently, and I buried my face in his chest.

Neither his warmth nor his scent, which usually made me yearn for his touch, now only become an inescapable sadness that tears my heart.

(I want to live. I want to stay with him forever.)

(But history has already started to change.)

I bit my lip as I remembered the rebellion I had just witnessed.

Just now, the will of many moved Japan in a big way.

(What the hell should I do?)

Bang!

Mai: "----!"

I heard a gunshot, followed by the sound of commotion.

Mai: "Kicho, that's..."

Kicho: "I guess they didn't wait for dawn to break to start the rebellion again."

Kicho: "The sound is still far away, but we can't stay here like this."

Kicho: "Mai, let's leave for now."

Mai: "O-Okay."

We hurriedly ran outside without being able to sort out my feelings.

(There's smoke coming from the other side!)

Kicho: "By the looks of it, it's probably on fire already."

Kicho: "Let's not go down that street. This way."

Mai: "Okay."

I took his hand and started running toward the empty street.

As we ran, the gunshots and screams echoing from behind us grew louder and louder.

(It's happening again, like yesterday.)

(Not just there. I'm sure it's happening everywhere.)

I couldn't help but frown as I recalled the scenes I had seen earlier.

This rebellion could cost many more lives, and then history will change, then I'll disappear.

Mai: "..........."

Kicho: "Are you okay?"

Mai: "Sorry, my legs almost gave out. I'm fine, so let's go."

(Now's not the time to think about anything else. My priority is to get away from here.)

Kicho: "No, wait."

Mai: "Huh? Whoa!"

He pulled me into a hug and then ducked back into the shadows.

Confused and anxious, I looked up at him and saw a hint of alarm in his profile. Suddenly, I heard something.

(There are multiple footsteps.)

(Maybe they're people like us trying to escape the rebellion.)

(We should go with them so they don't get caught in it.)

Man's voice: "Hey, we're here. Does everyone have a weapon?"

(-----!)

The words I heard caught my attention.

The footsteps grew louder, and a group of men emerged from a few streets away, each holding a weapon.

Mai: "Kicho, look!"

Kicho: "These are not the weapons that we distributed."

Kicho: "They probably gathered it all up themselves."

Mai: "They just said they arrived, didn't they? Maybe they're our enemies?"

Kicho: "No, they didn't seem to notice us. The ones they are waiting for are..."

Man 1: "Listen up. Don't take any chances. Beat up as many rebels as you can."

Man 1: "This is revenge. If you don't hit them, they'll hit us."

Man 2: "Yeah, I know. My gut is already boiling. Even if I die, I will avenge them."

(Their target is the rebels.)

The other side had enough force and people to burn down an entire town with the guns they had obtained from Kicho.

(No matter how you look at it, there's a clear difference in power.)

(I can’t believe they’re trying to confront them when it’s just a suicide mission.)

(They’re filled with hatred and anger that they can’t make normal decisions anymore.)

Mai: “Um, please don’t do that一 “

Kicho: “Mai.”

Mai: “Hmhp!?”

He hugged me from behind and covered my mouth as I tried to jump out, unable to resist.

(No, let me go!)

I screamed inwardly and desperately slapped his arm to appeal, but it didn’t budge.

(I can’t just overlook it.)

(Hate gives birth to new hate, which turns into violence.)

(Those who wish to live are cruelly robbed of their lives again.)

Kicho: “I know how you feel, but stay put.”

Kicho: “We can’t hold this place down. The spark has already been ignited.”

Mai: “.............”

After saying that, I realized I was just using my sense of justice as an excuse, so I stopped tapping his arm and squeezed it.

(I know. No matter what I say, nothing’s gonna stop them anymore.)

(But that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything about it.)

I don’t want them to die.

I don’t want to disappear either because if I disappear, I won’t be able to be myself.

(No. Don’t get emotional.)

(I can't do anything, but I can't just act selfishly and cause him trouble.)

Kicho: "I'll take my hands now."

He released his hold on me, perhaps noticing that I had stopped resisting.

Mai: "Sorry for causing you trouble."

Kicho: "It's fine. I told you, I know how you feel."

Kicho: "That's why I was trying to do what’s best here."

Mai: "Huh?"

Kicho hid me by wrapping me up in his haori.

Kicho: "Hey! Look, guys! The rebels are coming from the other side!"

Kicho shouted at the men in a low voice to sound like a different person.

Man 1: "What!? Where!?"

Man 2: "It doesn't look like there's smoke, but it's so dark I can't see shit."

Man 1: "Damn it. Anyway, let's hurry up before they get out of control!"

The men, re-gripping their weapons, ran in the opposite direction from where the smoke was rising.

(I see. It may be a stopgap measure, but it avoided an immediate conflict.)

Mai: "Thank you."

Kicho: "No big deal. More importantly, let's get going."

Kicho: "We need to meet up with my men and see what we can do to stop this rebellion一"

Kicho: "Get down!"

Mai: "Kyaah!?"

BOOM!

As soon as he hugged me and pushed me down on the spot, I heard a deafening roar.

(Cannonball!? That's so close.)

He hugged me tighter to protect me from the falling debris as nearby houses collapsed.

Kicho: "Guh..."

Mai: "Stop! Your shoulder is injured!"

Kicho: "It's okay."

After taking it all in, he finally released his arm.

He desperately hid it, but his face was contorted, probably due to his wound.

Mai: "Kicho..."

Kicho: "You can worry about me later. But more importantly, we've got a problem."

Kicho: "The road is blocked by debris. We can't go that way anymore."

Mai: "Then we have no choice but to take the street over there."

(We have to get through the rebels somehow.)

Kicho: "Don't worry. I'll protect you no matter what."

He held the pistol and hugged my shoulder with his opposite arm.

(Kicho...)

Mai: "I don't want it to be just me. I want us both to survive."

(The way he just said it sounds like...)

Kicho: "Yeah, I see. I guess I made you worry unnecessarily."

He kissed my cheek lightly and gently narrowed his eyes.

Mai: "Um..."

Kicho: “Of course, I feel the same way. I want to protect you so that we can survive together.”

Kicho: “If I put it this way, are you no longer worried?”

Mai: “Yes.”

Kicho: “Okay. Then let’s go.”

Kicho: “Mai, are you okay?”

Mai: “Yes.”

We ran out into the street and found it in a much worse condition than we had imagined.

Destroyed houses blocked the roads, and the streets were littered with people scrambling for shelter and armed rebels.

Woman’s voice: “Please! Someone, help me!”

Man’s voice: “Hey, stop...gaaah!”

(I can hear screams from everywhere, but I don’t even know whose it is.)

(Still, everyone is doing their best.)

Kicho: “We need to go in the opposite direction of the armed men to get through.”

Mai: “Okay, I under一ugh...”

Suddenly my vision blurred, and I couldn’t breathe, as if my lungs were being crushed.

(Not now!)

Wobbling, someone shoved my shoulder, and I fell to the ground.

Kicho: “Mai!”

(Ah...)

I let go of Kicho’s hand and instantly get swept up by the crowd.

I hastily tried to stand up, but something grabbed me by the ankle, causing me to fall down again.

Mai: "What the hell?"

I turned around, still in pain, and saw a battered old woman lying on the ground.

Old woman: "You must be the woman from back then."

(Is this the old woman we met in the village where the twins were?)

My body froze in surprise and fear as the old lady smiled eerily.

Old woman: "The village is a mess because you helped those kids."

Old woman: "You've been in cahoots with those twins from the beginning. You helped them bring disaster, didn't you?"

Mai: "Of course not! In the first place, you一"

Old woman: "Shut up! I'll take you with me!"

Mai: "----!"

The old lady took a dagger from somewhere and raised her arm.

Still having trouble breathing, I tried to run away, but my body had no strength.

(I can't avoid her. She's gonna stab me!)

Old woman: "Eeek!"

(Huh?)

When I opened my eyes, I saw that someone had grabbed her arm, and the dagger fell out of her shaking hand.

Mai: "Kicho..."

Kicho: "Why are you here?"

Mitsuhide: "Odd. I was about to say the very same thing."

(W-What's happening...?)

Kicho was the one who grabbed the old lady's arm, and Mitsuhide was the one who picked up the dagger that she had dropped.

A brief silence fell between us, even though we were in the middle of the chaos.

Mitsuhide: "For the sake of the stunned little lass there, let me explain in a simple and detailed manner."

Mitsuhide: "As you can see, I've just arrived with my troops to take control of this place."

Mitsuhide: "Would it make sense if I told you I found a target to capture and a target to protect?"

Mai: "Yes."

(I see. Of course, Mitsuhide has to capture Kicho.)

(Kicho already wants to stop this mess, though, so he won't be a threat to the Oda army.)

We don't have the time to explain it to him, nor will it cancel out what he has done so far, but...

(If we have the same goal, just for now...)

Old woman: "Ha, that's ridiculous. You're going to control this place?"

Old woman: "It's useless. Just look around you. It's never going to end, no matter what anyone does."

Old woman: "All these people are killing each other without knowing who their enemies are and their purpose."

Mai: "But..."

Old woman: "You've seen it firsthand. The kid you saved turned out to be a murderer."

Old woman: "Your pretty words will not help you here."

Old woman: "Ugh..."

Mai: "----!"

Suddenly, a stray bullet pierces the old lady's heart.

Her wrinkled face helplessly nodded as blood dripped from her mouth.

Mai: "No...way..."

No matter how much of an asshole she may have been, seeing a life end in front of my eyes made my entire body freeze, and my vision began to waver.

Mitsuhide: "Mai."

Mitsuhide: "We can't stay here. It's time to give up, Kicho."

Kicho: "Yeah, you're right."

Releasing the old lady's arm, Kicho quickly raised his pistol and pointed it at Mitsuhide.

Mai: "Why?"

Mitsuhide: "Oh? You want to kill me here?"

Kicho: "You said you had only one choice, and you're willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it."

Kicho: "Then I'll do the same and choose the only option left."

(Choice? What is he talking about?)

Kicho: "Mai. I'm sorry, but I will fulfill my promise."

Kicho: "I will protect you no matter what."

Mai: "Don't tell me you..."

Feeling uneasy, I hurriedly reached out my hand, but Kicho avoided it and just stared at me gently. Then he quickly turned around.

Mai: "Kicho! Wait!"

(It hurts. I can't speak well.)

(Please don't go.)

I could only stare at his back as he disappeared into the crowd, and the words I desperately spun were drowned out by the gunshots and screaming around me.

Mitsuhide: "Mai, calm down. First of all, you need to breathe properly."

Mitsuhide: "It's dangerous here. Let's move to a safer place for now."

Mai: "But Kicho..."

Mitsuhide: "I'll have my vassals pursue him. I can no longer allow him to do whatever he wants."

Mitsuhide picked me up without even asking and proceeded to go on.

(Why are we parting like this again?)

Until a moment ago, I was just feeling anxious that I was going to disappear.

But now, my heart was almost bursting with anxiety over what his choice was.

Previous Part╏Masterlist╏Next Part

[cthulhu-calling]

See You In Hell i

Natasha Romanoff x f!Reader

Warnings : alcohol, drugs, one night stands

Author's Note : If you couldn't tell, reader (as in you!) are Hades. I haven't mentioned any specific body type or other physical traits. My readers are mostly woc when I write them but anyone can read. More tags will be added but for this chapter your warnings are listed below. Happy reading!

Summary : When a dangerous group gets their hands on a substance that could mean the end of the world as we know it, it's on you to find out how to stop them. Of course, you don't mind some help along the way. Especially when it's in the form of a redheaded former assassin.

Word Count : 2155

series masterlist

This was getting old. Every night a long pub crawl, only coming to an end with the arrival of Apollo himself. Stepping through the doors of your penthouse, the tight leather of your pants sticking to you like a second skin, you really wished you hadn’t given her your spare key. 

Hecate lounged on your couch, one of the few pieces of furniture in your otherwise sparse living room. ‘Minimalism is all the rage’, the interior designer had said. A steaming mug of what you believed was peppermint tea was in her delicate hands. 

“Is there any whiskey in that by any chance?” you wondered out loud.

As an immortal being, a God, you couldn’t possibly get drunk on human liquor, though that didn’t mean you couldn’t appreciate the taste of a tumbler of aged scotch or a glass of wine that would put Dionysus to shame. Living forever loses its appeal after a couple hundred millennia. It was fun at first, great wars and even greater monsters. The high of slaying the horrors that had been unleashed upon the world by Kronos enough to make you continue this whole God gig and the shenanigans that came along with it. Thanks Dad. 

Rolling her deep brown eyes, she moved towards you before pushing the cup into your hands, “Drink up. Chad has called a council and you don’t want to be late,” she said as she fixed her deep red midi-length dress which you found too conservative for your tastes. I mean, you’re immortal. Live a little, for God’s sake. 

Your hands fly to your face, the heels of your palm digging into your eye socket as you groan throatily, “Ugh, remind me why I still bother to stay in touch with those losers?” you whine, beyond annoyed at this point. 

“Well, for starters, as the Ruler of the Underworld, you cannot just cut ties with the Ruler of the World and your brother. Plus, Mount Olympus has a pretty sweet waterslide,” she answered with a smirk. She wasn’t wrong. The waterslide was mean, even by Godly standards.

And she was right about the whole ‘Being the Ruler of the Underworld, overseer of souls and overall baddie’ part. But, contrary to what ‘Paradise Lost’ and ‘Lucifer’ would make you believe, Hades, or ‘Satan’ as you were more popularly known for the past couple of centuries, was not your charming, chain smoking bad boy with feathery black wings and a severe case of daddy issues (though that part could be argued. I mean, years stuck inside a wacko’s stomach with four siblings and a pretty large rock is bound to fuck a gal up in one way or another, right?) or even an ugly swamp monster. To begin with, Hades is a woman. Most people refuse to believe that Hades is anything but 200 pounds of pure muscle and seduction. A slice of heavenly beefcake. 

“Alright, let’s go. But I’m going to require an actual drink after this,” you grumble as Hecate slowly pushes you towards the shower. You didn't really need to shower as a God but why not? Especially if it will help you put off showing up at the upcoming family reunion for as long as possible.

“Do this and I’ll come out with you tonight,” she bribed. That was incentive enough for you and you quickly freshened up for what you were sure was going to be an awkward and uncomfortable coming together of The Ancient Family.

*

You huffed angrily as you walked back into your house, throwing your clutch and keys to one side before flopping down onto the chaise lounge. You were so sick of this. Every time. Every fucking time. 

You could hear Hecate’s rushed footsteps, her flats making an unnecessarily loud noise across the tiles. You groaned loudly, a hand across your forehead as you wondered why you even bothered.

She sat down next to you on the sofa and pulled your head into her lap, running her fingers through your hair. 

After a couple of moments of silence, your eyes closed, the stress of the day melted away slowly with the gentle movements of her fingers. Hecate had always been sensitive. She could feel your distress before you left for Mount Olympus but the anger rolling off of you in waves really put her on edge. 

“Look at the positive side honey, you get to spend more time around here on Ear-“ she says but is swiftly cut off by your throaty groan. “Fuck no,” you moan. 

“C’mon don’t be like that,” she tried but you moved away from her, walking towards your bedroom. “I need a real fucking drink,” you grumble as the door shuts with a loud band behind you, Hecate left alone in the living room, gently shaking her head. 

*

Natasha was exhausted. From back to back missions and Sam and Bucky’s constant bickering the whole time, it was safe to say that she’d had it. She needed a drink. 

So here they were, the whole team minus Bruce, in some seedy bar in Brooklyn where she knew the barkeep could make a decent enough drink and the patrons generally left them alone. It wasn’t easy being one of Earth’s mightiest heroes. 

Another mission that would last far too long, more than she cared for. At least it was a pretty low profile mission, just scouting and gathering some intel. There were strict orders not to get involved until and unless it was absolutely imperative for them to do so. She was glad it was Bucky who would be joining her. Steve was a goddamn killjoy and Sam never seemed to know when he should shut up. 

But for tonight and tonight alone, all of it was forgotten. Ideally, she’d like to meet a pretty girl and take her home for the night but she’d make do with a good drink and a plate of mozzarella sticks. But that was before she saw her. 

Looking at her, Natasha’s interest was instantly piqued. 

Even dressed down, she looked better than anybody present. Black skinny jeans that hugged all her curves, cropped red tank top and a leather jacket, paired with what looked like black Louboutin boots that proved she valued comfort just as much as style. She could faintly see the gleam of a gemstone of some sort at the woman’s waist, partially hidden by her jacket. 

She saw the woman take a seat at one end of the bar with her companions, directly in her line of sight. The taller one had russet brown skin with dark curly hair, dressed in a long, flowy purple dress and what looked like a necklace full of odd charms, her face having little to no make up. The shorter one was plump with pale white skin and dark makeup, wearing leather from head to toe. 

Sam too had noticed the women walk in. It was safe to say that a gorgeous woman never failed to catch his eye. Nudging Bucky, he jerked his head towards the trio. Bucky was instantly attracted to you and did not protest when Sam led him towards your seat at the bar. 

Natasha watched from afar, completely engrossed in the interaction. A small smirk played at her lips as she registered Steve taking a seat next to her, watching Sam and Bucky make fools of themselves. 

Natasha was definitely interested now. 

*

You were ready to end this shit show of a day on a good note. On a high note at the very least. And what better place than Dan’s, where the drinks are strong, the food is far too greasy and the music’s loud. 

You don’t know how but Hecate managed to convince Nyx to join you for the night but you weren’t one to complain. Nyx was an absolute blast, the best person to party with. Hecate on the other hand was only here for your sake. Dark and dingy bars were admittedly not her scene. 

The moment you set foot into the establishment, you know this was going to be a good night. You were dressed comfortably but you knew you looked good either way. It was hard not to be aware of it, especially when all heads turned to look at the three of you when you walked towards the bar. 

“Two beers and a ginger ale please,” Nyx says as she plops down on the barstool, letting her long, dark hair down. 

“Not drinking again?” You question, grabbing the beer and taking a large gulp. 

“All of it tastes like piss anyway,” she grumbled, cracking open the can and taking a small sip. 

Hecate elects to stay quiet, slowly sipping her beer, cringing at the taste of it. You’re scanning the establishment, generally checking people out when you see two men approaching your group. They were hot, no doubt, but you kinda just wanted a night to yourselves. But you decided to have fun with them before letting them down not so easy.

Natasha had front row tickets to the shenanigans, watching as the group of women totally tore into both Bucky and Sam. She would have felt bad for them if she didn’t find it so fucking hilarious. But what was funnier though, was the fact that you were there the next morning, sitting at the kitchen island while Sam made pancakes. She saw you walking towards him, reaching for the syrup and grabbing his butt in the process. 

“This is a common space, you know?” Natasha asks, walking towards the counter and grabbing a plate.

“Sorry,” Sam mumbles bashfully. You just toss her a smirk and she’s not sure if her eyes are deceiving her but you seem to be checking her out. She’s sure you are when you wink at her before focusing your attention on Sam again.

Once most of the team is here, other than Bucky who seemed to have spent the night elsewhere, Tony is quick to start an interrogation

“So, Y/n, what is it that you do?”

You take your time answering, taking a long, drawn out sip of your coffee.

“Oh, I’m a manager of sorts,” you answer vaguely.

“Here in Manhattan?” Tony continues, still suspicious. 

“Mhm, downtown,” you supply. 

“Hmm, interesting,” Tony trails off and all of them stare at him, wondering why he’s acting so strange. Sam looks particularly embarrassed but you don’t seem to care, finishing your food and putting your plate away. When your phone begins to ring, you grab it quickly, but not quick enough that Natasha can’t read the name of the caller. Vanko Lebedev. Why does that sound so familiar? 

“Uh-huh, okay,” you’re quick to get on your feet then, giving Sam a kiss on the cheek before you leave with a “I’ll call you,” thrown his way.

He only realises later that you never got his number. 

*

The next time the team sees you is rather unexpected. It’s two weeks after they initially met you. Natasha and Clint are undercover at a gala hosted by the governor in honour of Valerie Banks, philanthropist and business woman. The woman had made a donation to one of the charities that the governor had started, a sizable donation. And there you were, all dolled up and hanging off her arm. 

It’s when she sees you that all warning bells start going off in her head. Valerie Banks was who Natasha and Clint were on the lookout for. Her company, a pharmaceutical one, was rumoured to have procured a substance quite like the super soldier serum and were supposedly on their way to making their own superhumans. To see you with her definitely raises her suspicions. It’s not just Banks that they have to look into now, but you too. 

Natasha, despite her good looks, knew how to blend into the crowd. So well that you didn’t realise as she followed you to the restroom. She sees you slip into the restroom but unlike what she expected, you don’t lock the door. She’s cautious, listening through the door. 

“Yeah, yeah, I’ve basically got her eating out of my palm. I mean, who knew rich women could be so desperate?” you giggle.

[joeyclaire]

fnaf white house au thoughts of the day: the gang writes their autobiographies

secretary of defense cc releases an autobiography that has a remarkably short chapter covering the nightmare gassing. he says it made him a stronger person.

william, reading the manuscript over cc’s shoulder: and add that story about the time you were 12 and michael and his friends peer pressured you into smoking weed with them

elizabeth, dropping by cc’s office to see how progress on the book is going: did you put me in it yet? did i look thin?

michael releases a book that’s openly a counter to cc’s. free me i only did some of that.

his account is extremely self deprecating bc he still feels really bad about what he was like when he was younger despite in this au not having worked on himself much. so he’s like okay yeah i DID peer pressure cc into smoking weed once but what he DIDN’T tell you is how he threw up on my lap and locked himself in jimmy’s guest bathroom to cry for an hour straight

cc’s account of the weed story appeals to conservatives bc they care about weed. michael’s account appeals to conservatives bc they care about elected officials sounding like a pussy

many years down the line elizabeth releases a “tell-all” interview detailing her side of the story. also all lies

people tend to believe michael’s the most since it’s the least self serving account so probably more likely to be factual, and they would be right!

cc cries reading michael’s book, including the parts that aren’t even about him