#its 11:35pm

[horsescary]

late-night ebay just might be my downfall

[sweet-milky-tea705]

Thank u for the tag <333

LOL i guess that fits, this picrew was soooo cutesy

Tagging @problem-possum @karokawwo anddddd @dreamtydraw ooh and @diamo-chan ,,,, ozzy? I forgor ur new blog name so i cant tag it ;-; @evanox @vaultureculture and also all my other mutuals im scared to bother,, thanx again 4 the tag >_<

thx for tag @raeygina-george

Game: take this uquiz && this picrew

tagging @mysandwichranaway @egyptianwalk @sweet-milky-tea705 @shionin @halfbit @deathbyworm & whoever else wants to do it!! sorry if you've already been tagged in this lol

[cry4mina]

Take Me Back to Eden - Ascensionism (Part 4)

(Nayeon x Fem!reader)

Take Me Back to Eden - Choke Hold - Part 1

Take Me Back To Eden - Granite - Part 2

Take Me Back To Eden - Aqua Regia - Part 3

Word Count: 8.5k Angst/Angst/Smut Summary: Reader finds out the truth behind what Jihyo and Nayeon has been up to, she takes the steps to become more independent and heal her grief, only to fall back into old habits. TW: Betrayal, suggestive themes, lying, break ups, cheating, manipulative behavior, anxiety, top!reader x Bottom!nayeon, choking, degradation, truthfully its rough sex but anyways, let me know if I missed anything! A/N: After a reasonable amount of requests I decided to continue the series. I also decided to write smut for the first time. Thank you to @saiiidahyunee @neoplatinum and @miinatozakiii for the help/advice for this part! <3 (srsly, this wouldn't have happened without them)

--

“Did she believe you or do we actually need to stop seeing each other?” 

Pulse radiating in every cell of your body, waiting to see if there’s another text from Jihyo. Absolutely baffled as the lie shatters your consciousness, returning you to the jagged spiral you were still reeling from.

It was true. She did this to you. 3 years of deception and it was all happening right under your nose. 

Knees buckling underneath you as you think back to the conversation you had in the kitchen the night prior. 

The tears she shed, the way she spoke…the way she studied your face… She was acting through the whole thing and you believed her. 

“Nothing has happened since, and nothing like this would ever happen again. I wanted to tell you but the person I was then and the person I am now are two completely different people. Even that version of myself would never dream of hurting you in such a way.”

 Stomach churning at the words previously said, fighting back the hatred growing in you. 

‘Please understand that I would do anything to remove this from my past…our past.” 

Nauseously fighting the tears threatening to spill from your eyes, remembering how your skin felt against hers as you slept next to her the night prior and you cringe knowing it was all fake and you had fallen for it. 

Nayeon’s phone vibrates in your hand again, revealing another text from the other responsible party. 

“We can lay low for a little while and let it all simmer down, if that’s easier. But I don’t want to stop being with you.”

As you stare at the screen, truth reflects back onto your face, flashing through your memories with her. Decorating the house on the holidays, her meeting your parents, anniversaries, going out to dinner; Even the small touches to show affection that intertwined themselves into everyday life hardened your exterior as you built your walls back up brick by brick wondering how long they’ll hold up with the digital reinforcement you’ve stumbled upon.   

The need for the truth pokes at your chest while opening the text thread between her and Jihyo. 

———————————Yesterday 11:34 pm——————————

Jihyo: Y/n didn’t seem to believe me when we spoke, I hope she listens to you or we might have a problem. 11:34pm

Nayeon: We might have a problem then 11:35pm

Nayeon: I don’t know if her and I will make it thru this 11:35pm

Jihyo: Do what u can. We will just have to cover our asses if the company finds out we are sleeping together. 11:37pm

Nayeon: It seems like she can’t really make a decision. I put her to bed a little while ago because she was exhausted. 11:38pm

Nayeon: She did bring me dinner last night… 11:38pm

Nayeon: She actually just came to the living room and def only in underwear…I’ll update u in the morning. 11:40pm

Jihyo: Just because she’s the piece that’s keeping the public and our company from finding out doesn’t mean I want to hear stuff like that, Nayeon. 11:42pm

———————————Today 8:12 am——————————

Jihyo: Did she believe you or do we actually need to stop seeing each other? 8:12am

Jihyo: We can lay low for a little while and let it all simmer down, if that’s easier. But I don’t want to stop being with you. 8:14am

Forgetting to blink as you’re reading the thread, in disbelief that you almost gave them the forgiveness they asked for. Caught between the smoke and mirrors, an illusion painted for the public eye to cover the secret that only they knew. 

Screenshot clicks lightly as you send yourself the evidence and delete the pictures from the text thread as well as Nayeon’s phone. You wanted to be able to look back on this and remind yourself that she was responsible, and that you'd never give her another chance. 

Sliding her phone into your pocket, you walk into the bedroom. 

Nayeon is distracted in the bathroom preparing for your morning shower together. Hearing the door of the shower sliding open and the sound of the head sputtering to start. The clashing of the water hitting the tile mimics the storm you felt brewing up inside of you.  

As your rage builds you quickly grab a backpack out of the closet, unintentionally knocking a tote bag down as you pull the straps. Trinkets of all kinds scatter across the floor, you flinch at the sound and look down at the mess before immediately unzipping the bag.

“Is everything okay, baby?” Nayeon yells from the bathroom, it's muffled by the foam of her toothpaste as you hear her spit into the sink.

Body tensing at the pet name, knowing the illusion of the past 3 years was uncomfortable and devastating. 

“Yes. Just dropped something.” You shout back trying to hide the towering rage that is rocking against the winds of change your digital confirmation created. 

 “Okay, my love, I’ll be waiting for you in the shower.” She sings back trying to play cute with you. 

You roll your eyes while shoving the bag full of everything you’d need for the next few days as quickly as possible. Clothes, charger, wallet, important documents, and your laptop. 

Putting on the first pair of pants you see and not even bothering to change out of the oversized sweater you threw on to cover up while you had your morning coffee. 

Quietly running to the dresser to grab some socks, your foot kicks some of the mess left on the floor. Sighing at the annoyance of it being in your way but it slows down enough to see what the contents were. Jewelry you’d never seen, love notes opened with a wax seal, and countless pictures of Jihyo and Nayeon together. 

Frozen in fury as you take in what you’re unintentionally uncovering, a singular tear drenched in anguish falls - the tap on the photo echoing in your ears. Reaching your limit and the overflow of emotions are about to spill out of you in a slurry of misery and hatred.

Grabbing the specific Polaroid of them kissing, tucking it into your pocket with her phone and leaving everything else where it landed. Preparing for the confrontation, knowing she’ll probably try to cover it again. No more running from it and no more hiding from it, you had her cornered with the proof that she was a liar. 

Hopping onto the counter in the bathroom, you waited for Nayeon to realize you’re there. The shower door is slightly open, she left it for your entrance. Opening her eyes momentarily to see you staring back at her, much like most mornings. 

This morning was different though, after the fight you got into that spread out over a week and the information you got this morning; there was a thickness in the air that wasn’t just steam. Almost visible in how it intimately caressed your heart into a conflicted mess of emotions, waging wars inside your chest.  

 “Aren't you gonna join me? I’ve got a blank canvas for you if you’d like to make more art out of me.” She coyly says, winking at you.

 Your cringe is covered by the steam coated glass, repulsed by the thought of this stranger touching you the way she used to. The trust was no longer there. Being past anger, past sadness, and clinging to the numbness so you could get through this conversation. 

Trying to keep your brain on track when Nayeon steps out of the shower and walks towards you, seductively. A thin layer of sweat is starting to appear on your skin as she gets closer to you, you’re trying to talk yourself out of the thoughts of what would happen if you just showered with her and forgot what you found. 

You can’t do that to yourself, you know that. You would never knowingly accept less than you deserve but your heart was fighting you with every step she took towards you.

She puts her wet hands on your thighs, allowing the material to cling to your skin, “why are you wearing these? Just so I can take them off?” Her pupils are wide as she fixates on your face watching you half glare back at her.

 Swallowing as you try to keep yourself from shaking as the numbness wears off and turns to despair and then shifting erratically to pure anger and then back to despair again. The pattern is familiar, you’ve lived it before a few times. Trying your best to conceal the rapidly changing mood and keep a straight face.

 It seems to go unnoticed as she parts your jean clad legs and slides her waist between them wrapping her arms around your neck. Shivering at the warmth of her skin against yours as her fingers lace through the hair on the back of your head, trying to get you to cave into her wants. 

Your body is definitely reacting to her being this close to you the way it always did. The ache in your core screaming at the familiarity but your mind is repulsed. How many times had she done this with Jihyo? 

Not pulling away, allowing her to set herself up, the same way she let you. Leaning into your ear, lips brushing against its shell as she whispers “I’d love to take this off, if you’ll let me.”

“Do you really think you deserve it after what you’ve done?” sternly leaves your mouth. 

Clench her thighs as you speak, she loves when you talk to her that way. Not realizing that your voice is heavy with a different type of malice, not the usual light hearted mask you wear for her when she wants some roughness. 

 Hands come off your neck and slide under the sweater. She’s relieved you don’t have a bra on as she scratches harshly down your back, like she always did during sexually driven moments much like this one, in an attempt to rile you up more. 

It works for a moment, you groan and chase after her lips as she teasingly pulls away from you. Challenging your power and being a brat, refusing what you were asking for to intentionally make things more heated. Two can play that game.

“Close your eyes and hold your hands out.” Softly spoken while only an inch away from her face. Her half lidded eyes looking up at you for a moment. The sparkle for you is still encapsulated in her big brown eyes. 

Immediately listening, placing full trust in you. Removing her from between your legs, you guide her back and against the glass shower door. It rattles on impact as she leans against it, inciting a gasp from her. 

Her hands are up and out, waiting for whatever you had in store for her.  She’s smiling up at you, eyes closed, intrigued about what you’d place in her digits. 

Reaching into your pocket and pulling out her phone and the picture. Looking at them one more time before placing them directly into her hands, almost as an offering, like it’s your ticket out of this mess you unknowingly found yourself in. 

“You can open them now.” Tone leaving little to mystery as it sneers out of you. 

Her brows furrow as she realizes something isn’t right. Nayeon opens her eyes and looks down at what you’ve placed in her hands. Confusion waves across her face until she sees the image of her and Jihyo kissing, staring back at her. Hearing the gasp leave her lips, a deep gust of air is still not enough for Nayeon as she almost starts to panic.

You’re out of the room in seconds, her quickly following behind you, she grabs onto the sweater leaving a wet handprint that matches the ones on your thighs. 

 “Please, let me explain!” she begs frantically and tugs on the sweater harder to try and get your attention while you’re gathering more necessities for your daily routines. 

“Drop the act, Nayeon. I don’t want to hear anymore from you.” Your tone is growing more callous as time goes on. It roughens up the few soft spots she had even if it was entirely her fault you were going through this life changing event.

 Her face shifts from worried to annoyed as you sprint around the room, not bothering to organize anything being placed into the backpack.

“And where are you going to go, huh?” she asks, tilting her head and dropping her arms to her side heavily, allowing her frustration to show for a split second before she remembers she’s still completely naked and dripping wet from the shower on the rug in your bedroom.

Taking a step forward to get in her face, you startle her, not expecting you, soft gentle y/n, to approach her in such a way. Leaning back when you stepped forward but not breaking eye contact. You watch her leg start to bounce as she gets more anxious realizing you were angry in a way she had never seen, fire behind your eyes noticeable as you adjust your stance to show her you weren’t backing down and you were no longer scared to lose her. 

Movement feeling foreign to her as she’s unable to keep calm like the Nayeon you knew of. Backed into a corner and baring her teeth as you confront her about her wrong doings, is an attempt to control the situation and she was about to try an old tactic that had worked previous to this. 

Playing with the belt loops on your jeans, she brings her voice back to the sweet one you used to know,  “Are you just going to keep running away from me? Or can we talk this out? I thought we were okay. I thought we could get past this together” Retorting in a semi-cooled tone. Eyes watering again and the block of ice in your chest is trying to thaw in you as she leans in to put her satin lips on yours for a small second of contact before you avoid the affection, knowing you’d crumble at the act. Not allowing yourself to fall into her grasp again, knowing she was willing to hurt you in an incomprehensible way, and feel no guilt.  

“That was before I saw those texts and before I found the bag of secret Jihyo shit in the closet, Nayeon!” 

Looking down at the phone you handed her to read the message. The realization of what’s happening washes over her face, it couldn’t be played off as a misunderstanding anymore. She had been caught red handed and had to deal with the consequences. 

Nayeon leaned in harder to her act of fake innocence, insinuating that you were in fact the big bad for violating her trust like she wasn’t the one who burnt yours to crisps and used the ashes as eyeshadow.

“Why did you go through my phone?” She crosses her arms, pushing her breasts together. She’s trying to distract you with multiple tactics but it wasn’t working, her act faltering when scrutinized. . 

Extremely angry, your brain couldn’t see her as anything other than an enemy. “Is that really what you’re worried about right now? Our entire relationship was a false front for you and Jihyo and all you can do is try to flip it on me?! …Who made you like this?” harshly asking just trying to understand what she had to gain from hurting you in such a way. 

“You don’t trust me?” Nayeon says sweetly, touching your torso again. Pulling away roughly, unable to  believe it’s even a question she thought would be a good to say out loud, when you both knew what the answer was. 

 “You have been cheating on me for the entirety of our relationship and you have the audacity to ask if I trust you? Fuck you.I gave you the opportunity to be honest with me and you threw it right back in my fucking face, Nayeon!” laying into her, letting out every drop of anger she caused you through your teeth.

“3 years of what?! You completely ruined everything, our entire relationship was fake so you could fuck Jihyo without suspension! So absolutely not, I don’t trust you in any sense of the word.” voice starting to crack as you tear up, “and to think I was actually going to propose to you” letting the sadness of the future lost memories drain out of you onto the person who caused it all. 

Speechless and not believing that the docile person who was head over heels for her could have such venom to spit. A new light is shining down on you as you display your livid behavior. Oddly, even more attracted to you than she already was, she was in a trance as she realized what you said. 

“You were going to…propose?” Quietly said back to you. Her eyes are saddened as she starts to understand the weight of her choices and all the things that will never happen again between the two of you. The guilt cuts deep, creating a sharp sting in her chest as a heart string popped.  

Rolling your eyes and open the drawer in the kitchen that normally is reserved for “junk” to pull out a little black box, slamming it on the counter. “I really wanted to…” allowing yourself to be vulnerable for a moment as she reaches out to open the jewelry box and sees the perfect ring. 

The pear shaped diamond in the middle was huge, with little diamonds laid into a rose gold band. This is how she described her dream wedding ring to you on your 3rd date. You wrote it down in the notes of your phone for the moment you would need it, thinking she was the one. 

Eyes matching the diamonds, sparking with light as they fill with tears. She never thought about how much you paid attention or how well you knew her. Too wrapped up in playing her role with both you and Jihyo to even think that you were set on her being the one you wanted to spend your life with.  

“I need you to tell me how it started. I need to know why.” speaking cold heartedly, keeping the distance between the two of you. 

“...It did start with a drunken night. That was true. I never tho-” She started as she lowered her eyes. 

“Look at me when you’re talking.” deliberately call her out, rattling her a little bit, her face turns red, eye wide as she goes to speak again.

“I never thought that it would go this far with her. I really was genuinely upset when Jihyo told me what happened the first time. I didn’t remember anything at all and then she convinced me not to say anything and then we hung out a few days later and…it happened again but sober this time and it just never stopped. There was no emotion behind it for me, I swear. I love you, not her.” 

A freight train crashes through you as you reel at the information hitting your ears. 

“You don’t get to say that. You don’t get to claim you love me when you’ve been living in a black light paradise with someone else this entire time.” hissing dispassionately to assert your words.

“But two things can be true at once, like you always say…” throwing back at you with a smirk knowing how much your own rhetoric being used on you makes you angry. 

Aggressively grabbing your backpack again and heading towards the door again, once intimidating, now a way to safety as you jerk it open, feening for escape from the heavy atmosphere. Your steps are quick and precise as you make your exit. 

 “I made a mistake, y/n. She’s not you. She will never be you.” Almost shouted at you as one foot stepped over the threshold. 

 “You were the mistake and I hope your guilt drowns you.” 

– 

An anchor pulls your heart to the bottom of the ocean. You told Nayeon to drown but it was you who couldn’t swim. Pulling harshly at your arteries as you sludge towards your car, feeling as if you’re moving in slow motion just trying to escape the shark infested waters.

Remembering this same feeling from before, but this one was much more certain. With the evidence in front of you, the admission from both parties, and the way Nayeon spoke to you- there was no more safety in who she portrayed herself to be. The illusion has smashed into shards of false love, leaving you to pick up the pieces. 

You drive to Momo’s house, not bothering to call before showing up, you don’t think you could speak anymore, your jaw is tense the entire way there to hold everything in. 

Walking up to the door and hitting the door bell, the dogs bark to alert their owners. The locks click open and the door cracks open to reveal a surprised Momo. 

“Y/n, what are you do-“ cutting her off as you collapse into her arms. You kept it together long enough to get to your best friend, but now the dam was broken and unable to contain the pure pain that was born from the cruelness Nayeon showed you.

Momo drags you into the house and sits you on the same couch you slept on days before, sitting next to you and trying to comfort you as you shake and sob, wrapping your arms around yourself trying to create a sense of safety for yourself that couldn’t be torn from you.

“Y/N, what happened?” Momo is so concerned with your inability to calm down, it’s starting to make her upset. 

Dahyun walks into the room, hearing the commotion. The loudness of your sobs ringing in her ears with her heart sinking into her stomach as she sits on the other side of you, joining Momo’s effort to comfort you. 

Shakily breathing as you try to regulate yourself yet again, this time it feels harder than the last because at least last time there was hope. You are only experiencing extreme sadness and betrayal, with a lot of anger mixed in it but there was no hope present.   

Unaware of how long you’ve been crying as Dahyun gets up “I’ll go make up the guest bedroom.” Rubbing your back as she walks past you. 

“Thank you,” you squeak out through your teeth, struggling to calm down. 

Momo has a look on her face that could cut diamonds. Anger radiating off her cheeks as she grabs her phone, taps it a few times and brings it to her ear quickly, she stands and taps her foot waiting for the other person to answer.  

Nayeon is heard on the other side, “is she with you?” 

Momo’s face is repulsed by this considering the state of you in front of her but she answers the question anyway,

 “Yes, what happened? She’s obviously not okay. Tell me what happened.” Momo’s arms are crossed, standing up she shifts her weight from one leg to the other. 

“I don’t know, she just got upset and left”

“Nayeon, I have known you for years.You’re lying. Y/N wouldn’t just show up sobbing uncontrollably for no reason, so tell me what happened or I'm hanging up.” talking with her hands, raising them in a frustrated manner as the lies keep coming.

“Well if she didn’t want to hurt herself she should have gone through my phone.” annoyance present in Nayeon’s tone.

Momo looks over at you, devastated for the second time on her couch pulling your phone out in silence and showing her the text thread screenshots you had taken earlier.

“It’s not as big of a deal as it’s being made out to be.”

“Are you serious right now?” Momo harshly questions as Nayeon continues. 

“Are you going to question Jihyo like you questioned me? Or are we just gonna pretend like she’s not part of this too?” 

The sharpness in her tone was something you had witnessed before but the taste of her name coming out of Nayeon’s mouth was unbearable.

Momo gasps at the new knowledge that has now been thrown at her. Completely statuesque, as she tries to wrap her mind around what Nayeon just said.

 Momo’s eyes look up on your screen to reveal the name at the top of the text thread: Jihyo  

The rush of emotions she was experiencing was overwhelming to her senses, momo’s voice choked with tears as she spoke to Nayeon.

“Wait…what did you just say? J is Jihyo?!” Momo says in complete disbelief, shocked at not only what she’s reading on the screen but by what she was hearing from one of the parties involved.

“Yes. So please call and interrogate her. Can I speak with my girlfriend now?”

“No, you can’t. I am not friends with people who do this type of thing, Nayeon. How could you do this to y/n?” she shouts through the phone, hunched over with a hand on her knee, trying to understand all the pieces of this complicated puzzle.    

Momo, trying to keep the anger she felt under wraps, started pacing in the room taking laps around the couch as she spoke. 

“Nayeon…are you kidding me? How long has this been going on?” Confused was an understatement, Momo was completely overstimulated with the information she was being given. 

 Never noticing the connection between how close Jihyo and Nayeon were, always sharing hotel rooms on tour, finishing each other’s sentences, the looks across the room, Nayeon staying at Jihyo’s house frequently…it was all starting to add up and Momo is seeing red over the pain of her best friend being hurt beyond belief, and by someone who was supposed to be her family. She was just as angry as you were. 

“Momo, I don’t want to do this right now, Can I please speak to Y/n? I’m trying to save my relationship and not be put under a microscope by you.” 

“I can’t believe you would do this. You spoke of Y/n like she moved mountains for you and this is what you’ve been doing behind her back? I’m disgusted with you and your actions…and I’m pretty sure she’s your ex-girlfriend now but you knew that already, didn’t you?” 

Momo hung up quickly, not caring about what Nayeon had to say back to her. More worried about you and your emotional state than anything Nayeon had to say.

 “Did she tell you why or was it her avoiding the question?” inquiring as she took a seat next to you, giving an apologetic look and a bear hug to try to make you feel better. 

“She told me enough for me to want to leave my home, technically she didn’t even tell me, I found a secret bag of Jihyo stuff in our closet with a bunch of pictures of them together, and one shot of them kissing, wax sealed love letters and jewelry.” Voice cracking and shaking as you bite back more emotion. 

Momo gasps as the story unfolds before her, she can’t believe what she’s hearing. It is so polar opposite of what she expected of her members. She always thought they were kind and loving. She imagines what y/n might be feeling in all of this. 

“I am so sorry. Please let me know how I can help you get through this.” reaching for you to pull you into a warm embrace. 

“Well, I’m definitely going to need to find a new apartment so if you want to help me with that I’d be grateful.” half chuckling through some tears, trying to add a little light into the situation. You hated the idea of someone else being upset because of this situation.

“Consider it done” Dahyun walked back in with swollen eyes, sniffling. She probably overheard the argument Momo just had and was reflecting the same amount of empathy as Momo was. 

“We can start tomorrow!”

—

About 3 weeks went by and you were slowly showing signs of your old self. You were going out with friends again, hanging out with Momo a lot, and starting to become present again, no longer constantly seeing the rewind of Nayeon’s innocence faltering behind your eyes. Still receiving texts from Nayeon at least 2 times a day. They served as a reminder of what once was. 

Momo and Dahyun were patient with you, letting you speak with them about the effects this trauma was having on your mental health. It’s always hard to watch your loved ones go through something this difficult but it was obvious that they were proud of how you were handling it, even if it was hard. They were always there to remind you that you could do hard things. 

Finding a 1 bedroom 1 bathroom that was close to Momo and Dahyun’s, signing the lease immediately. It was a slight upgrade to the studio that you and Nayeon occupied previously. The kitchen was bigger, the natural light was brighter, and the bathroom had a large bathtub that you could fully lay down in, which you were looking forward to. 

Spending a week finding the perfect furniture for it, designing the interior however you wanted and making it your own space without someone else’s opinion in the back of your mind was fun. You enjoyed doing this for yourself, fixating on something that had to do with you alone. You felt the ashes from previous ruin sprouting stems as you tried to move on.

You had really been focusing on yourself, trying to resurrect yourself after total devastation. Pulling out the roots, and planting good ones so later on you could reap the benefits. Changing the perspective of your brain was hard, but well worth it.

Being in a better place mentally and emotionally as your sense of stability was so close to being present again, you thought it was time that you continue with the last step of separating from Nayeon.

There was still some stuff you wanted to get back at your old apartment but you didn’t want to run the risk of Nayeon being there. You had no desire to face her, especially while you were still mending. You decided to reach out to her to let her know you’d be coming by to get the rest of your things. 

“Hey, I’m going to stop by today to get my stuff. I’d really like it if you weren’t there.“ You hesitate to hit send, not wanting to come off in a rude way. Quickly realizing how absurd that was and hit send. 

 “So now you reply? I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for weeks… are you doing okay?” almost immediately after the message was delivered, like she has been staring at the thread waiting for you to say something. 

“That’s not your concern anymore. What is your schedule like this week? I won’t be long. I’d just like my things, thank you.” you replied with haste, just wanting this to be over. 

“I’ve got something scheduled at 5 today. You can come then if you really don’t want to see me.” 

You can hear the pout over the text message without any hint of it present in the text. This instinctually sparks sadness in you. Biting the inside of your lip and type out a few replies before deciding to just drop it. A wave of the past just flashed in front of you, causing you to fall into loneliness, something you’d fought to keep at bay. 

Checking the clock and it’s already 3pm, you finish up what you’re doing in the living room and take a cold shower before setting out to the apartment one last time.

–

Stepping into the once familiar place, you are hit with the smell of vanilla and sandalwood. “That’s odd” thinking to yourself, wondering if she’s left a candle burning as you walk in, sliding your shoes off by the door. She always forgot to blow them out after lighting them or would fall asleep on the couch with one lit. 

You were right, but with an added twist, the candle was burning in the center of the coffee table flickering against the shadows in the room around you. The flame was blocked out by the shadow of someone on the couch in the dimly lit space. 

“I thought you had schedules.” sighing, irritate at being met with another moment of dishonesty.

“I just needed to talk to you…” she whispers, she had been crying. Hearing it in her voice and seeing it on her face as she turned her back to the candle, taking in your features like it was the first time she’d ever seen you. A  tinge of hope runs through her, your face must be showing sympathy.               

“I needed you to be faithful and that was too much for you so I don’t really want to do any conversing with you.” asserting that you’re completely vexed by her as you walk into the bedroom to gather the rest of the stuff you were taking with you. 

Following you closely, a habit you used to think was cute as she watches you pick up small knick knacks from your childhood, clothes, and some other important tokens left behind. Sorting through every drawer to make sure you got everything, wanting this to be the last time you’re in the once shared life.    

Almosting touching you with how close her proximity was, she wondered if you’d give her some of your time so she could plead for you to stay when you finally spoke up. 

“Can you stop hovering so I can do what I need to and leave?” 

“Can you just talk to me for a second?” Nayeon replied equally annoyed and choked up as she watched you tuck all she had left of you away. 

Turning around to face her, “Fine! What do you want?” 

You’ve never shown her such apathy, the emptiness that rings in your voice hollows her chest out as she takes a few steps forward, you are surprised by the sudden closeness when she leans in and kisses you roughly. 

You gasp which leaves an opening for her to slide her tongue into your mouth, the neediness pouring out of her drenches you with adrenaline and you slowly succumb to her as she bites your lower lip and tugs gently. The world stops.

Every ounce of love you ever felt for this person came slithering back into your mind for a split second, followed by anger as you remind yourself of the betrayal. 

You can’t believe she’s just throwing herself at you. Body reacting exactly how you would expect when your recent ex partner kisses you like this, the familiarity of her hands on your body sends jolts of comfort and excitement through you and you aren't strong enough to fight the primal urge. 

Trailing her hand up your back under your sweater while keeping you distracted with her mouth and sinking her nails into your shoulders, dragging them slowly down your back, causing you to lean into the kiss even more, moaning into her mouth as she smiles. 

Falling into the trap she was setting and you knew it. 

Hands slowly find their place on her waist, she kisses your jaw whispering sweet nothings into your skin. 

“Baby, please stay” she lays another kiss farther down your jaw

“I know you missed this” laying another kiss

“You are always so hungry for me…show me”

She ghosts her lips up and returns to yours as she kisses you passionately, revealing pure lust as she grips onto you. Bringing your hands up to cup her face, allowing yourself to get lost in the breathy haze, heart pounding as you feel your body temperature rise, effects of the love that once was and the lust that now is. 

Spiraling in the dizzying moment,you and Nayeon sink into each other, closeness returning as you’re swept away by the intense feelings you’re both harboring. Hands are exploring as you fumble around, not allowing space between you as you both collapse onto the bed, hungirly taking each other in as you gain control, Nayeon is lost in the essence of you and it was your turn to hold the power.  

In addition to getting on top of her, you place your knee between her legs- just enough out of reach so that she couldn’t get a good position on it. You were going to give her this moment to remember and you were going to make her earn it.

The heat emanates off her as you rip off your sweater tossing it aside. She’s looking up at you like you put the moon in the sky as you reach your arm around and unhook your bra, letting the straps slide down your arms slowly, her eyes wide with anticipation as you remove it, throwing it on top of the sweater. 

Nayeon’s hands reach up, eyes darkened as she tries to touch you when you slam her hands back down into the softness of the sheets, pinning her to the mattress forcefully above her head, glaring into her with white hot anger.  

“No,” as you hold her in place, your body pressed against hers, faces close enough to feel each other's quickened breath. Nayeon sees the flash of spite in your eyes as you press your mouth on hers, it makes her ache while she is refracting desperation, subtly grinding on your thigh as she lets your tongue dance with hers.

Pulling back from the kiss to admire the sight before you; Nayeon is anchored to the bed by your hands, whimpering and grinding on your leg practically begging for you to fuck her. 

Faces return close enough for your lips to lightly graze, teasing her as you remind her where you stand, “Tell me… does Jihyo excite you like this or is this only for me?” with a sultry nuance. She squirms underneath you as you taunt her, her eyes flickering down to your thigh as she tries to grind into you to get some friction to satiate the ache you’re creating within her, only for you to pull your knee back just enough so she can’t reach it. 

 She whines “y/n…please, it’s only yo-” getting up before getting the full answer and dragging her legs to the edge of the bed letting them bend over the edge, pulling her shirt off frantically, exposing her tits. 

 The knot in her stomach tightens as she watches you become completely carnal, continuing toying with her. Lightly tracing her chest with your finger before you kissed her again, this time more aggressively as if you are claiming what had been yours. She groaned into it, always loving when you got like this, you’re ghosting your finger along the waistband of her sweats as you pull back from the kiss again and attacking her neck leaving a trail of dark marks down to her chest. 

“She’ll have to admire my artwork for the next week and I hope she enjoys it” leaving bite marks and bruises as you descend down slowly.

You take one of her nipples into your mouth and swirl your tongue around it, you can hear her breathing hitch as you roughly pinch the other one. Without letting go of her bud between your fingers you detach your mouth and slide your other hand up to Nayeon’s throat, lightly squeeze and ask “Does Jihyo fuck you like the slut you are? Or does she leave you for me to ruin?” 

Nayeon let out a wail as the words cascaded off your tongue, completely bewildered at what is happening right now as she feels the intoxication of your agitated demeanor wash over her while she grows impatient. Pushing back and trying to take the power from you when you mimic your prior movements and slam her down on the bed, letting her know that wasn’t going to happen.

“Don't. Move.” Stoically said while standing up, sliding her pants and underwear off to reveal a string of arousal clinging to the fabric and the soaked mess that she was. She was already clenching around nothing. 

“Pathetic.” You smirk. 

“Does she ever make you this wet?” as you part her lips with one hand, gathering her arousal at her entrance with your finger, and slowly bring it up to your mouth, sucking it clean. She rolls her hips up at the sensation, body screaming for more. 

“I told you not to move.”

Nayeon whines loudly, “Please, Y/n…touch me” begging for some continuous form of contact and being sure not to move while your stand above her watching as tears well up in her eyes. 

“...so needy… does she make you beg for it like this?” the words daunting as they snake out. 

“You’re so good at lying, I’m sure she thinks you belong to her.” 

“What was it that you said earlier?” following up slyly while lowering yourself between her legs, knees on the floor and arms are wrapped around her thighs, with hands planted on her hips keeping them in place. 

“You’re always so hungry for me…” breathing out as you traces patterns on her lower stomach and bring your face closer to her pussy, 

“…show me” she sighs out as you dive down into her folds, moaning intensely as you tangle yourself between her legs. She feels you devouring her sloppily, not leaving a single place unexplored as she tries to buck her hips into your mouth.

Nayeon is seeing stars as past experiences flood back into memory, senses heightened as you consume her more possessively than usual. She loves this version of you. 

Hands holding onto her so tightly as you start sucking on her clit, she squirms under your grip, squealing at the erratic pattern traced with the tip of your tongue before giving her the rhythm she craved so desperately. 

Nayeon’s breathing gets heavier as you stick to the pace you know she likes, building her up to where you wanted her. The moaning gets louder as you continue lapping at her, hands go up to your hair, locking you in place as you bring her as close to the edge as possible. 

Hearing her high pitched whines and feeling her pussy clench around nothing, completely stopping everything that you are doing.  

“Wha?!-..” she let out a groan that could’ve shattered windows as you stood before her, watching her react to the orgasm being ruined. 

“Why would you do that?!” she groaned out, squeezing her legs together again. You lightly smack her thigh, telling her without words not to. The slap radiates through the room and leaves a small red hand print displayed. 

Enjoying the blissful anguish on her face as you licked the evidence right off your mouth while removing your pants and underwear. Getting on the bed, straddling her, wetness visible as it drips off of you, she looked up at you with wanting eyes, hips still rutting, and knowing exactly where this was going.

“Did you really think I’d give you what you wanted so easily?” you start scooting up so that your knees are on either side of her head, a mere inch from her face.

“You’ll have to earn it.” Leaning forward and head between your legs, tongue out already anticipating the taste of you. 

A gasp echoes in your chest as she licks the inside of your thighs, making sure not to waste a drop of you before taking one big slow lick up your slit, doing that several times, causing you to thrust into her more before attaching her lips to your clit and finding the rhythm she knew you wanted. 

Drowning in her all over again as you feel the knot in your stomach stir, you need more from her but she wasn’t going to give you that right away.

“Naye- ..fuck, just like that -on” you whine her name, slowly start to fuck her face. 

“More.”  Demanding breathlessly, feeling your release building throughout your body, muscles tightening as she shakes her head no, trying not to remove her mouth from you.

“Nay-“  a guttural moan stops you mid sentence, knowing what she wanted from you. 

“Baby…please, I need you” pleasure all consuming, you’re aching for her inside of you.

Before you can ask again, a long finger slides into your core and starts pumping forward to hit your g-spot a few times before adding another finger. 

Another loud moan, as you steadily rock your hips against her mouth, building on the list you were already feeling. Close to breaking, you feel one of her hands slide up to your chest and start tugging on your nipple, that’s what sends you over the edge. 

Throwing your head back as your breath quickens, grinding against her face, with a death grip on her hair. Shaking on top of her as your orgasm rips through you, she keeps going, letting you ride it out. 

“Good girl,” you say breathly as you scoot back to straddle her hips again, body feeling like static as you come down. 

Catching your breath while looking at her cum covered face, you know you aren’t finished with her just yet. Leaning up to you, wrapping her arms around you and kissing you. Tasting yourself on her as you pull her arms off of you.

“I missed the way you taste.” she cooed as you stood up again, half wobbling as you were still recovering. 

“Didn’t I say not to move?” sternly rolls off your tongue, her eyes widen as you push her back down roughly and spit directly onto her pussy. Not that you needed the extra lube, you spread it around her entrance before slamming 2 fingers into her.

“Fuck, Y/n…” she moans as you pump your fingers quickly into her, feeling how wet she is from the orgasm you stole. She thrusts harshly, forcing your digits deeper into her.

“You don’t cum until I say you can.” growled at her from between her legs - peering up to see her face, eyes clamped shut as she leaked out onto the sheets - impatiently waiting for you to stimulate her in some way. 

You can’t help but torture her a little. 

“Does Jihyo make you wet like this? Or is she a shit replacement fuck when I’m not around”

She doesn’t even hear what you’re saying while she’s writhing underneath you, completely fucked out and trying to focus on not cumming while you’re toying with her. Your mouth finds its way to her clit causing a frantic moan to rip through her chest, hands pulling at the sheets as she holds everything back.

“Ca- can I cum please?” She screeches between moans, nodding your head back to her while keeping the same circular motions going with your tongue on her clit, picking up the pace of the fingers inside her as she screams out - back arching, body tense, and clenching down on your fingers as she cums, gushing all over your hand. 

Trying to take a breath, she squeals because you never stop fucking her at a relentless pace; she’s immediately back to moaning your name. 

“Baby, What are yo-” words cut off as she loudly moans, giving her a second to try and finish the sentence. 

“Use your words” as you pick up the pace even more, holding her down onto the mattress with your left hand on her hip, pounding your fingers into her. 

Unable to speak coherently, almost screaming as she tries to formulate sentences. 

“You wanted to cum so bad, so give me another one.” Answering the question she couldn’t ask while snapping into her g-spot, bending down to put your lips on hers again, giving her a taste of herself as she moans into your mouth, unable to hold back from the feeling of being over-stimulated. 

She feels the tension inside her forming again, threatening to burst at any moment when you lean over to ghost your lips over her ear. 

“I bet Jihyo doesn’t make you cum like this.” Violent combustion dispels from her body as she tenses underneath you, screaming into your mouth and sinking her claws into your back while riding out her orgasm.

Both of you lay on the bed, attempting to catch your breath. She rolls over to you, and tries to curl up in your arms but you get up before she can get too comfortable.

“Baby, where are you going? Sleepily stated while staying on the bed.  

Silence as you put your underwear back on.

“Hello?” 

Silence as you slide your pants on 

“…are you leaving?” She says in a sad tone, leaning up on her elbows, watching you put your shirt on and gather all the stuff you came to get. 

“Yup.” 

She is in complete disbelief as you walk out of the bedroom door, hearing you put your shoes on in the kitchen and then hearing the door open. 

“What the fuck are you doing here?…what is that on your neck?” heard from the kitchen. Nayeon’s eyes widen as she realizes the time and the plans she made…with Jihyo. 

“I don’t really think she will be much use to you tonight but you’re more than welcome to try.” You say condescendingly to Jihyo as she stares at you about to walk out. 

“Oh, by the way” , turning your head to her as you open the door.

“I hope you like the way I taste. Enjoy.” smiling at her as you walk right out of the apartment. She stares at the front door in disbelief as she’s figuring out her next move, now in a similar position to where you were.

“Nayeon!” screamed loud enough for you to hear while you’re walking toward the elevator. Not even being able to help the smirk across your face knowing she’s about to get an earful. Laughing to yourself as you call the elevator.

-

Starting the ride home, you think about exactly what just happened. Unable to believe you allowed yourself to fuck Nayeon and act like that towards Jihyo. Thinking about it not with regret, but with a blend of malice and sadness. They were both important to you, previously but that’s reality anymore.

Looking into the rearview mirror at the complex behind you, almost a far-well glance for you as your phone vibrates in your pocket. 

Pulling it out to see Jihyo’s name across the top and hit the end button, sending her straight to voicemail. She calls again, same response. The third time your phone vibrates, you answer it 

“Can you stop calling me? I obviously don't want to talk to you.” sounding heavily annoyed. 

“…Y/n?” A familiar softness rings on the other line as you look at the phone number that isn’t saved.

“Oh…uhm, sorry…I thought this was Jihyo. I don’t have this number saved in my phone…”

“That’s alright” a small chuckle follows, “It’s Mina.”

"Mina?"

---

Take me Back to Eden - The Summoning - Part 5

[self-hatred-at-its-finest]

I had my first and half glass of water for today. Its 11:35pm/23:35😮‍💨

[soongyeopsal]

Who Wants to be a Dumbass?

Summary: Seungkwan wins the olympic gold medal in overthinking in under an hour and Jeonghan wins some money on the side.

▸ Pairing: Seungkwan x AFAB!reader

▸ Rating / Genre / AU: 18+, humor, f2? Minors / Ageless accounts DO NOT INTERACT. You will be blocked.

▸ Warnings: suggestive dialogue

▸ Word Count: 961

▸ A/N: More for KBCS’s Bon Voyage Bingo event! Prompt: Sunscreen (yes again but different lol) Kisses for @shuadotcom my forever-beta!

Seungkwan has been pacing for the last 20 minutes trying to make sense of this, but the longer he thinks the more he works himself up. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. He spies his phone light up on the coffee table in his periphery, reminding him of the unread message waiting for him. Really deep breath in, ok? 

Finally, he grabs the device, bracing himself as he reads over the preview of your texts.

Y/N💐: i wanna go to the pool tomorrow, but… 11:23pm Y/N💐: Attachment: 1 Image 11:25pm Y/N💐: Kwannie :( 11:35pm

The attachment is dangerous. When he saw the preview come in 20 minutes ago, he glimpsed your bottom lip, quirked up just slightly. And from what else he could see in the minimized image, it also included your chin, neck, and the suspiciously bare expanse of the top of your chest. You’ve sent Seungkwan plenty of selfies, but something was different about this - he just knew it. But different how? What would he see when he actually opened his messages and saw the photo in its entirety? What if you sent something by accident? What if…what if you sent something on purpose? Seungkwan lives a moderately stressful life, but this is definitely the most stressed he’s ever been. The thought of seeing his crush - seeing what he’s pretty sure could be the love of his life, actually - indecently shoots equal parts excitement and terror through his veins. It’s that excitement that pushes him to unlock pandora’s box.

He enters his password and holds his breath. Y/N💐: i wanna go to the pool tomorrow, but there’s no one to help me put my sunscreen on! will you help me? 11:23pm The image beneath the message is better than anything Seungkwan’s imagination could have conjured up. You’re smirking, chin up and confident. His eyes stroll down your neck, past your collarbones to your exposed upper chest, image cut off just at the top of your cleavage. White sunscreen is smeared everywhere - oh. Oh. It looks a lot like cum. Like Seungkwan's wettest dream that he has on a regular basis at this point. As if you’ve never applied anything to your skin in your life. As if your hands suddenly stopped working. As if you specifically wanted Seungkwan’s hands to do the work instead. 

When he eventually does remember how to breathe, he reaches out to a lifeline. In times such as these, it’s helpful to phone a friend. “It’s midnight, loser, what do you want?”

“Y/N sent me a bunch of stuff and I’m freaking out,” Seungkwan cries, numb to Jeonghan’s (typical) greeting.

Jeonghan sighs dramatically on the other line. “You’re always freaking out. What’d she say?” “She sent me a photo.”

There’s rustling and suddenly Jeonghan’s voice is so much clearer in the receiver. “What kind of photo?”

“Y-You know. Like, a photo.”

“Like, a photo-photo?”

Seungkwan is still reeling from the image of you in such a suggestive pose. “I guess? Maybe? I don’t know.” Shit, what if he’s blowing this out of proportion? What if he just saw what he wanted to see?

“What do you mean, ‘you don’t know’? Did she send nudes or what?”

“No!” Even though he was literally just imagining you naked, hearing anyone else talk about you like that makes Seungkwan almost offended on your behalf. “It’s just her chest and–”

“Tits count as nudes.” 

“It’s not her-” why is he whispering? - “boobs, it’s just, like, the top of them, you know?”

“I don’t know because I can’t see the pic and you’re being a bitch.”

Y/N💐: hey Seungkwan the read receipts are on i’m sorry can… 12:03am

Oh shit. Oh fuck. Jeonghan tries again, “Just try to describe it.”

“There’s, um, sunscreen? I think? All over the top of her chest. It looks kind of like… Her face isn’t even in it. But she said she’s going to the pool tomorrow and needs–”

“Yyyes!” Jeonghan claps. “I called it!”

“Pardon?”

“Shua and I were betting on who’d confess first. I was right, naturally.”

This guy.

Wait, is this a confession though? Seungkwan really needs to check his messages. What if he wasn’t supposed to look? No, that text was for someone else. Oh no. He shouldn’t have looked. He’s such a fucking creep. You’re never going to talk to him again. “Seungkwan!”

“Yeah? Sorry, man. What if she’s not into me like that?”

“Are you dumb?”

“Jeonghan, shut up. It’s just that - what if it was a butt dial?”

“Oh my god, you are dumb!”

“Look, I’m just–”

Y/N💐: Facetime Video

“Fuck, Han, she’s facetimeing me!”

Another clap from Jeonghan. A condescending sendoff wrapped with love. “Break a leg! Just tell her the truth!” The line clicks dead and Seungkwan is left staring at your incoming call with seconds left to pick up. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no rrreally deep breath in no no no no no exhale through the mouth no no no no no. “Y/N?”

“Seungkwan, listen, I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, I just misinterpreted–”

“I-I’d love to rub sunscreen on your tits!” Seungkwan gasps loudly and covers his own mouth, mortified. What was that? Now he’s definitely a creep and this will be the fumble that haunts him to his grave. 

You’re not saying anything. Did you hang up? No, you’re still on, but you’re not saying anything. Phoning a friend right in such a critical moment was the absolute stupidest–

“Actually, there’s something else you could rub all over my tits if you want?”

“...Pardon?”

[softcursechoso]

Memoirs from a Gilded Cage: CH. 8

Attack on Titan x Reader

Black!Reader Levi x Reader Erwin x Reader

Masterlist

MDNI 18+ ONLY //NO SPOILERS ARE OFF LIMITS

CH. 8 Warnings: None- just very angsty. I was strangely sad writing this chapter ???

Words: 7.4k+

THE CRUEL REALITY

The Eternal Thread : 11:00am : Mitras

By no means was today going to be a day of leisure. This was a day for showing face. Well, another day that is. You’d been making yourself seen a lot these past few days in order to curve any suspicion. 

You’d take your time getting ready today. If you were going to spend more time on the surface, then you needed to do so in your own way. Didn’t mean you had to spend a ton of time with everyone else. It just meant that you needed to be seen. Show everyone that you weren’t being sneaky.

The past few days without bitching to Levi and Furlan were tough. That shabby old apartment was more of a home to you these days than any place on the surface. Plus, you missed the guys of course.

You couldn’t stop thinking about your last conversation with Levi. He truly had no idea how much you thought about him on the days that you were gone. You couldn’t do that right now though. Today, you were a woman of the people. 

You were keeping it everything but simple with a long sleeve yellow dress. Embroidered low square neckline with a back cutout. Form fitting and innovative. It fit your body perfectly like all of your other designs. Truly, you were so far beyond Mitras with your fashion. Seemed like centuries ahead of your time. 

The dress was more than just a statement; it was a carefully chosen piece of armor. Bold and unapologetic, meant to command attention and deflect scrutiny. Its elegance matched the confidence you wore outwardly, even if restlessness stirred beneath the surface.

You were going to take your time today.. Hair and makeup. You were going to straighten your hair for the first time in months. 

Ever since you found out you were a child of the sunrise you stayed away from the hot comb, but perhaps today you were just feeling it. Not to hide yourself like Cassius suggested, but because you just wanted to.

You were beginning to hate days like this- when you had to remain on the surface. It was hard to figure out how to spend your time. Maybe that was the reason you were taking your time in the mirror.

Your hair, sleek and straight, fell in silky waves down your back, and your red-painted lips curved into a faint smirk as you looked at yourself in the mirror. Yeah, you were ready.

Walking out of your shop, you greeted your MP escort. “Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon my lady. Staying in today?” He gave a courteous bow.

“In this dress? No. I’m gonna take a little walk, okay? Catch some sun.”

He knew what that meant. You’d begin on your walk and he’d tag loosely behind you. A quick whistle signaled to the other that you were on the move. Leaving for the day. You had to wonder how they got through days like this. All that training in the cadet corps just to be the parasite on the ass of a noblewoman. Shame.

East Point River : 2:35pm : Mitras

The river was quiet this afternoon, its waters shimmering in the soft light of the sun as it filtered through the clouds. Mitras was awake, and the faint sounds of distant voices carried through the breeze. You had wandered to the riverbank for some air, your mind restless, but the peaceful view had done little to ease the tension coiling in your chest.

There was so much on your mind. You were beginning to frustrate yourself. Your original plan in going underground was to find out about the lost tribe. Your ancestors. Your family. All you did, however, were things that would only serve you. 

You wanted to learn to use the ODM gear, yes, but being true to yourself- you knew that wasn’t the reason you stopped searching for the Kuremi. Or rather, the reason you never really began. 

“Miss Greville.” A familiar voice called out from behind you, deep and steady.

You turned, already knowing who it was, and your heart gave a small lurch as Erwin Smith’s tall frame came into view. He was as composed as ever. His uniform crisp, and his sharp blue eyes meeting yours with quiet confidence. There was something softer in his expression today though. Something that made your smirk deepen.

“Captain Smith.” Your tone lifted upon response. “A pleasant surprise.”

“Please, just Erwin is fine.” He corrected with a gentle smile. “We’ve known each other long enough, haven’t we?”

It was true. Though your meetings were sparse, each one had great meaning. You knew him for a while, and you knew him rather well.

“Erwin.” You spoke, drawing out his name as though testing it. “What brings you to the river? Surely you’re not here to enjoy the view.”

“Perhaps I am.” His gaze lingered on you for a beat. You caught the slight flicker of his eyes over your dress, and though he quickly looked back up, you didn’t miss it.

“The view, is it?” You teased, stepping closer. “How much time do you have to spare today? Twenty minutes? Thirty?”

“I’ve got a few hours. A luxury I don’t often get, so I suppose I should spend it wisely.” His voice lifted. For a moment it actually sounded as if he meant he was offering said time to you.

You tilted your head, feigning surprise. “Oh? The busiest man within the walls giving up his precious time to entertain me? How could I refuse?”

The MP’s shifted behind you- their presence a constant shadow. You glanced back at them, your smile bright but commanding. “Gentlemen, do you mind if I take a stroll with the good captain? I promise I’m in capable hands.”

The MPs exchanged a glance, reluctant but ultimately yielding as Erwin added, “I’ll see to her safety. You have my word.”

With a slight bow, they stepped back, “Before the sun sets, please meet right back here at the riverbank.”

You nodded before turning to Erwin with a triumphant grin. “Shall we?”

The two of you strolled along the riverbank. The gentle flow of water and the occasional chirping of birds filled the silences as you walked. For a while, you simply enjoyed the moment, the easy rhythm of his stride matching yours.

“May I ask the real reason you haven’t left Mitras?” Erwin asked suddenly, his voice cutting through the quiet. “It’s obvious you don’t want to be here. You said it’s your disease, however, that doesn’t explain the Military Police watching your every move.”

The two of you turn the corner into a residential area. It’s quiet, and the tall buildings shroud you from the sun.

You let out a laugh, the question both unexpected and blunt. “I appreciate your straightforwardness, Erwin. No beating around the bush with you.”

“It’s not in my nature.” He replied with a lifted eyebrow. “So?”

“So…” You sigh. “I told you. My father is very protective of me, and the royal government didn’t want my… condition spreading. So, here I am, living out my days in Mitras. The MP’s are just- they want to protect me too.” Your voice sounded quite unsure by the end.

His brow furrowed slightly, and he shook his head. “That’s bullshit.” He’d stop walking and face you.

He couldn’t help but feel a surge of frustration at the thought of you being confined here, your potential wasted. The logic didn’t add up in his mind, and he couldn’t ignore the nagging sense that there was more to your story than you let on. It wasn’t just unfair—it was infuriating, and his sharp tone reflected his inability to reconcile what he saw with what you claimed.

You gasped theatrically. “Captain Erwin Smith, such language! I didn’t know you had it in you.”

“It’s not right.” He ignored your teasing and kept his tone serious. “If it truly is a disease, why wouldn’t they study it? Learn about it? What harm could it possibly cause?”

You hesitated, the weight of the lie pressing heavily on you. He was too perceptive, too sharp. “It’s complicated… But I appreciate your concern.”

His eyes searched yours, as though trying to decipher the truth, but he didn’t press further. “You deserve better than to be caged here.” He said quietly. “You know that.”

Before you could respond, voices from a nearby alleyway caught your attention. You froze, straining to hear as you tuned in mid conversation. Key words gripping your ears, and forcing you to listen.

“Guess there’s an exotic lookin’ bitch he’s got.” One voice said, low and rough. “Kinda looks like Greville’s kid.”

Your heart stopped. The words sent a jolt of adrenaline through you, your mind racing. Exotic that looked Greville’s kid. They could only be talking about you and as far as you knew, and the only people that looked like you went extinct decades ago.

You turned to Erwin, holding a finger to your lips as you gesture for silence. Carefully, you peeked around the corner, your breath catching as you spotted two men loading crates onto a carriage.

“South entry point?” The other man speaks. 

“Yeah, let’s move.” 

The phrase struck you immediately. The south entry point wasn’t just another location—it was a covert route often whispered about in underground circles, a pathway leading to hidden networks and dangerous dealings. If they were heading there, it wasn’t for anything innocent, and your instincts told you this was tied to something much larger.

You watched as the carriage took off, your pulse hammering in your ears. Turning to Erwin, you whispered urgently, “They’re going to the south entry point. It leads underground. I have to follow them.”

Erwin’s brow furrowed. “If it’s illegal dealings, shouldn’t the Military Police be informed?”

“They can’t get involved.” You shook your head. “This is… personal. I’ll explain later, but I need to do this.”

His gaze held yours for a long moment, and then he nodded. “I’m coming with you.”

“You don’t have to.” You reply quickly.

“I’m coming with you.” He spoke more sternly this time. 

In that moment you knew what needed to be done. You had to chase after the carriage, and there was no time to think about if this was a good idea or not. You had to go now or get left behind.

The streets of Mitras seemed to blur as you sprinted alongside Erwin, your hands gripping your dress so that you’d not trip over it. Running on cobblestone in heels was by no means an easy feat, and you’d gloat about having done it so efficiently in any other situation.

The carriage ahead pulled away with terrifying speed. The clatter of hooves and creaking wheels echoed through the narrow alleys, growing fainter with each desperate stride.

“Shit!” You hissed, frustration burning in your chest.

Without hesitation, Erwin reached out, his hand gripping yours with firm determination. The contact sent a jolt through you—your heart racing, though adrenaline left little room to process the sensation. 

His pace quickened, his strength pulling you faster than you thought possible. Despite your efforts, the carriage disappeared into the maze of streets. You weren’t going to catch up.

Breathless, you both came to a halt at a quiet corner. Erwin released your hand, his sharp mind already working. “I can get my ODM gear,” He began, his voice steady. “It’ll be the quickest-”

“No.” You snapped, cutting him off. “You can’t use ODM gear in Mitras. It’ll draw too much attention, and it’ll take too long for you to retrieve.”

He arched an eyebrow, unaccustomed to being interrupted, but he didn’t argue.

Your mind raced. Then it clicked. “There’s a service tunnel that cuts through the district. We can take it to get ahead of them. I know Mitras like the back of my hand. Every shortcut, every nook, every cranny. This will be the fastest way to the South Entry Point.”

Erwin hesitated only for a second before nodding. “Lead the way.”

You navigated the hidden paths with ease, weaving through alleyways, slipping past distracted MP’s, and ducking under archways. Erwin followed closely, his movements precise, but you caught the occasional glance he cast your way—an impressed glint in his sharp blue eyes.

He was usually the one who came up with the plan. You having made one before him was quite out of the ordinary. It was… nice.

South Entry Point : 4:26pm : Mitras

When you reached the South Entry Point, you crouched behind a crumbling stone wall, heart pounding. The hidden stairway loomed, shadowed by the overgrowth of neglect and secrecy. So unlike anywhere else in Mitras, but also, hidden in plain sight.

Erwin studied the entrance. “How did you know this is here?”

You swallowed hard. “I’ve heard about it.” The lie felt brittle on your tongue.

Together, you watched. The scene unfolding below made your blood run cold. Women were dragged from the underground, shackled and tossed into a waiting wagon like livestock. Others were pulled from the wagon and thrown down the stairs, exchanged as if they were nothing more than cargo.

Your breath hitched.

“It’s a trade.” Erwin whispered- his jaw clenched.

You couldn’t tear your eyes away. Human trafficking. The realization hit you like a fist to the gut. 

None of the women resembled you, but that didn’t ease the suffocating dread. They could be connected to the truth buried in your past.

One of the men laughed, his voice drifting up. “This one will pair with that exotic broad I was telling you about earlier. Guess the ol’ man likes a variety of women. Make sure she’s not hurt too bad or her price will devalue.” He tossed a petite blonde girl into the carriage.

Your eyes widened. “No.” 

It was the woman you were just dancing with in that underground pub a few days prior. The woman who looked so happy. The woman whose name you never caught, but whose energy you’d never forget. 

Your chest tightened. The words of the men were vague, but something about them tugged at a hidden thread inside you. You couldn’t breathe. You found yourself crouching as you attempted to catch your breath.

Erwin noticed instantly, his hands on your shoulders, grounding you. “Breathe.” He whispered, kneeling beside you. “Focus on me. In. Out.”

You tried, gasping as you attempted to catch your breath.

“You’re okay.” His presence is solid and unwavering.

You breathed deep before forcing yourself to look from behind the wall again. The wagon rolled away, and with it, a piece of your soul. You clenched your fists, guilt gnawing at your insides. You knew why you didn’t intervene—surface life, even enslaved, was better than the horrors underground. It still didn't make it easier.

Erwin pulled you into his arms, his hold firm. You broke then, sobbing quietly into his chest. His hand rubbed soothing circles on your back, saying nothing, just anchoring you.

Was this how your ancestors were treated? Used until they were deemed useless, and then thrown underground and forgotten? Left only to be killed by disease and famine? You had no idea if your family was involved in this horrific trade, but you knew that somewhere down below is where the answer lay.

Levi and Furlan were very good friends of yours by now, but it was time to stop making their home the end of the line every time you went underground. You needed to regain focus again, and this was a big wakeup call.

Erwin pulled back slightly, his fingers gently brushing tears from your face. His gaze held questions he didn’t voice, but you knew he saw it—this wasn’t just about the women. It was deeper. Older.

Footsteps approached, and panic surged. You couldn’t be seen like this.

You wiped the dampness from your eyes, pulled yourself together, and grabbed Erwin’s arm. “Move.”

The two of you darted away, heading toward the nearest building. You barely had time to register where you were going before you pushed through the doors—and into an opulent ballroom filled with Mitras’s elite.

A gala. One you had completely forgotten was happening tonight… and you had just crashed it.

You straightened immediately, smoothing out your dress, and turned to Erwin, whose uniform was crisp enough to pass for an invited guest. He raised an eyebrow at you.

“Convenient.” He murmured, his voice low with sarcasm.

You let out a quiet breath. “Could have been worse I suppose.”

Chandeliers of cascading crystal bathed the room in golden light, illuminating velvet drapery, opulent floral arrangements, and the sweeping skirts of Mitras' elite. Every inch of the space radiated luxury—but beneath it lurked something else. Something venomous. You were being watched.

Since the moment your foot passed the threshold, the air shifted. A subtle, collective inhale rippled through the guests as they noticed how close you and Erwin were. Their disapproval masked behind the polite chatter and the clinking of champagne glasses.

Whispers ignited like a wildfire the further you two stepped into the room.

"She came with Captain Smith."

"Are they together?"

"Isn’t he afraid?"

"She’s touching him."

You heard every word. Their murmurs, their questions, their barely contained horror. You had lived your whole life pretending you couldn’t hear, pretending you didn’t see their judgment, but tonight, it was impossible to ignore. The way their eyes darted toward you, lingering on your hand resting atop Erwin’s arm—you felt it like a blade against your spine.

You began to pull away instinctively, but before you could, Erwin's grip tightened over yours. Skin to skin. The warmth of his palm against the back of your hand sent a shock through your body, a touch so foreign yet grounding that you barely concealed your gasp.

"Let them see this." Erwin spoke low enough that only you could hear. "They need to know you aren’t a threat. That you don’t have a disease."

The whispers ceased, as if on command. The room adjusted in an instant, and suddenly, the very people who had just recoiled at your presence plastered on dazzling smiles.

"Ah! We didn't think you'd make it!" One woman exclaimed, stepping forward as though she had always welcomed you. "You look exquisite tonight!"

"What an unexpected surprise!" Another voice chimed in, but intentionally kept distance.

Your smile was automatic, perfected through years of practice. "I apologize for the late arrival. I was simply fortunate enough to be escorted by the Survey Corps’ finest tonight." You tilted your head toward Erwin slightly, keeping up the illusion.

When you met his gaze, though, the practiced facade nearly cracked. He was still watching you—not the mask you wore, but what lay beneath it. He wasn’t fooled by the pleasantries, wasn’t swept up in the grandeur of the moment. He saw you, and what he saw wasn’t the poised noblewoman standing before him.

He saw a woman trapped in a gilded cage, screaming to be let out.

You turned back to the socialites, engaging in meaningless conversations about the décor, the music, their dresses. None of them held a candle to yours, of course. Even if you wore a simple black dress, you’d outshine them all. .

You and Erwin eventually found a quiet corner near the far end of the ballroom, partially obscured by heavy gold curtains. He had been silent for too long, and when you finally turned to him, he was staring at you with an intensity that nearly stole the breath from your lungs.

"Are you okay?" You asked, voice barely above a whisper.

Erwin’s gaze didn’t waver. "Is it like this every day?"

You gave a small, hollow laugh. "No, there aren’t galas every day."

"That’s not what I meant."

You knew exactly what he meant. You glanced around the ballroom, at the people who still snuck glances at you even as they pretended not to. Their smiles were thinly veiled grimaces; their conversations were forced and hollow. This was your existence. Always being watched, judged, feared.

"It’s not uncommon.” You admitted finally.

He inhaled slowly, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "Even as a Captain of the scouts, I’ve never felt anything like this. It’s suffocating."

You looked down, your fingers brushing against the cool rim of a champagne glass on the table. "I didn’t mean to drag you into this. I just needed a moment to catch my breath."

"No," Erwin interrupted, his voice firm. "That’s not what I meant at all."

You met his eyes again.

"This is a lot to bear every single day on your own.” He continued, voice low but filled with conviction. "I’ve seen hundreds of people die. Comrades and friends. I’ve seen unspeakable things… but I have never felt anything like the situation you’re in now."

You swallowed thickly. You couldn’t cry. Not here. Not with all these people watching. "I’m more worried about the women being trafficked.” You spoke-, deflecting, retreating into the mission.

"I have to free you from this cage." Erwin spoke as if he hadn’t even heard your previous words.

Your breath hitched. Your eyes locked onto his, and you knew he meant it. He wasn’t just saying it. He had already made it up his mind.

You shook your head. "We have to find the head of the operation. That’s more important. I can worry about me after I worry about them. I have to get answers."

Erwin exhaled, his frustration evident, but he didn’t argue. He just looked at you with something deeper than sympathy, something bordering on desperation—not for himself, but for you. For the girl who had never been free, for the woman who didn’t even have the words to explain why her own suffering was an afterthought compared to the suffering of others.

The weight of the past, the future, and the mission ahead pressed heavily on you both—but for now, you played your role.

The air in the ballroom was thick with whispered speculation. You could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on you, some curious, others disdainful, all judging. But none of it mattered—not now. Not when the fate of those women was still unknown. You turned your head, staring at the ornate patterns on the wall, your vision blurring as your eyes began to sting.

Erwin stood beside you, his presence unwavering. He saw it—the way your shoulders stiffened, the way your jaw clenched, the way you blinked too quickly to keep the tears from falling. He didn’t understand, not fully, but he knew this wasn’t just about the trafficking. 

You exhaled shakily. "I have to find out where the women are being taken.” You spoke, voice barely above a whisper.

Before tear could fall, Erwin’s thumb brushed against your cheek, catching it before it had a chance to betray you. His touch was swift, subtle, so natural that to an outsider, it looked like nothing more than a small, affectionate gesture.

You felt it, the warmth of his skin. The deliberate tenderness. Your breath caught, and you knew others had seen it too. The whispers in the ballroom grew louder, circulating like vultures over fresh prey.

"Did you see that?"

"He touched her face."

"Are they together? No, impossible."

"Is he not scared for his life?"

Then, cutting through the chatter like a blade, came a voice you knew all too well. "Well, well. Look at this."

Your stomach dropped. Cassius.

He strode toward you with his usual smugness, a woman on his arm. Just before he reached you, he smoothly repositioned her, shifting her to his left—closer to Erwin, further from you. It was a minor gesture, subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice, but you did, and so did Erwin.

Cassius’ smirk widened as he eyed you. "I see you’re trying to fit in again." His gaze flicked to your hair, straightened to perfection. "Doesn’t suit you." He let out an exaggerated sigh, then gestured to your dress. "And this? Quite plain compared to your usual extravagance. I almost didn’t recognize you."

A few nearby patrons snickered from his intentionally loud comments, their amusement masked behind delicate fans and half-filled champagne flutes. They were taking joy in him humiliating you. After all, you can’t fear a joke.

You lifted your chin, refusing to react.. but Erwin? He was watching Cassius with an expression far too cold to ignore.

Cassius leaned in slightly, grinning. "Anyway, my lady here just wanted to shake the hand of the woman who made her dress."

The woman at his side smiled politely and she reached out her hand, but was quickly stopped.

Cassius chuckled. "Careful, sweetheart. Put your glove on first. Don’t wanna risk it."

That was it. Erwin shifted forward, his presence suddenly towering, his broad shoulders squared. His voice when he spoke was calm, but beneath it was something lethal.

"That’s enough."

Cassius turned his head, looking Erwin up and down as though truly seeing him for the first time.

"You call yourself a man as you cut down your sister so viciously? I see no man standing before me, only a weak, spineless child grasping for power in places he doesn’t belong."

The laughter in the room died instantly. The elite were watching…

Erwin continued, unwavering. "It’s pathetic, really, how you parade yourself around, picking on those you deem weaker than you. But here’s the truth, Cassius Greville. You would never make it outside of Mitras. You wouldn’t last a day. You wouldn’t even make it as a gatherer. You’d be dead before sunrise."

Cassius' face darkened. "Do you know who I am?"

"Are you serious?” You frowned, "Get away from us before we make a scene."

Cassius scoffed. "We?" He turned back to Erwin, a malicious glint in his eyes. "She thinks you’re hers now. How adorable." His smirk returned, crueler this time. "Let me tell you something, Captain Smith. She’s not worth your time. You may think she’s different, that she’s someone you can save, but she’s not. She’s a parasite, latching onto the first person who gives her an ounce of attention. And you? You’re just another fool falling for it. She plays the tragic noblewoman so well, doesn’t she? As if she’s not already set to inherit the entire Greville estate."

Your fists clenched. "So that’s what this is about? The goddamn estate, Cassius?! I don’t want it! I want nothing to do with the Greville estate!"

"You’re lying!" Cassius snapped. “You haven’t visited father in months, yet all he can talk about is you. How you will get everything. How he’s leaving nothing to me or Tinsley. That the Greville estate is your right alone. What did you do? Threaten him? Manipulate? Blackmail?”

This was news to you. Sure you figured your father might leave you most of the estate, but the entire thing? It was strange- especially with you abruptly having not visited him in nearly half a year.

"Father never should have had a favorite.” Your voice rose. “Never should have stated it or acted on it. That was wrong of him! But maybe he doesn’t trust you with the estate because of your greed. You never saw him as a father—just means to an end."

He laughed bitterly. "I visit that man every single day… and yet you get the entire estate. All of it down to the last coin."

"I don’t want to be in Mitras my entire life, Cassius!" You were shouting now. "I would give up every last coin that I am set to inherit just to see Ehrmich! To see Stohess! To see Trost! I would give my right arm to see Shiganshina! I’m in a cage, and I would trade it all just to borrow the keys!"

The entire ballroom went silent. Not a whisper. Not a breath.

Cassius shook his head. "You’re selfish. Given the greatest hand in life, and you want more."

"What’s going on here?" Tinsley’s voice cut through the silence. She stormed toward the group, eyes darting between all of you. "You’re making a spectacle."

You turned to her, face burning. "I’m making a spectacle?!"

"Yes, you are." Cassius sneered. "No one wants to look at you and your disease anymore. Stop trying to fit in. The elite are here. You’re twisting everyone’s stomach and staining our family name."

The world stills. You and your brother exchanged harsh words before, but nothing like this.

It was quiet, and then—a loud, resounding smack. Tinsley slapped Cassius with all her strength.

A collective gasp echoed in the ballroom. Even you were shocked. Cassius’ head snapped to the side, stunned, cheek reddening from the impact.

Tinsley’s hand trembled as she pointed a shaking finger at him. "You have something really evil inside of you to ever say that."

The air in the ballroom was thick with tension, suffocating and heavy, yet no one moved to cut through it. Cassius stood there, breathing heavily, his face red with rage, his hands shaking with something beyond anger. Beyond hatred. Something primal. Something broken.

Then, his lips twisted into something cruel. "You're pitiful. You know that? You're disgusting."

Tinsley gasped audibly, stepping toward him, her hands curled into trembling fists. "Cassius, stop! Just stop! How dare you? This is your sister!"

Cassius ignored her completely, his eyes locked onto yours like a blade pressed against your skin. "No one is afraid of you.” He continued, his voice shaking. "They’re disgusted by you. You hear me? You think you're some caged bird waiting for freedom? No, you're a rotting carcass. You’re going to die here in Mitras. You’ll never see the outside, never breathe the air beyond these walls. You will decay here, alone and unloved, because no one wants you around."

Tinsley sobbed, shaking her head. "Stop it! Stop saying that!"

The guests were frozen in place, watching with wide eyes. Even the whispers had died out, leaving nothing but Cassius' venomous voice lashing through the ballroom. Seemed the Greville’s didn’t have it together as much as they presented.

"This whole room is playing along because they have to, not because they respect you. You're nothing. You're a joke. The only reason they don't throw you out is because they have to tolerate you for father’s sake. But behind closed doors? When you're not looking? They're laughing. Every last one of them."

From the corner of your eye, you saw Erwin’s jaw clench hard, his knuckles whitening at his sides. His usually unshakable composure was unraveling. You could see the fire in his eyes, the silent fury in the way his shoulders tenseed, the way his breath slowed like a man preparing for battle.

Strangely, the fire inside you had already burned out.

You looked up at him, placing a delicate hand on his arm. "Don’t.” You whispered. "Let him say it. I'd rather he say it directly than pretend."

Cassius’ expression twisted further, now livid that his words weren’t destroying you as intended. He was breaking apart, coming undone in front of the entire gala, and he couldn’t stop himself.

Tears lined his eyes now, but he was blind to them. "I was Father’s right hand! I sacrificed everything to be in his good graces! I did everything he asked, everything he wanted, every fucking thing I could think of to make him love me! Meanwhile, all you did was EXIST! He never raised his voice at you! He never lifted his hand to you! He never punished you, never even looked at you with disappointment! Meanwhile, I had to claw my way into his approval, and it was never enough! It was NEVER enough! You didn’t even try to get him to love you, but he did! More than me and Tinsley tenfold! Why?!"

Silence. No one dared to speak. No one dared to move.

His chest heaved as he wiped his face angrily, ashamed of his own tears but too consumed by fury to stop. "You get escorts. You get special treatment. You get everything you ever wanted, all because you were born with some horrid disease?! It’s unfair!"

You exhaled slowly, your expression... content.

A calm washed over you as you approached him, your steps deliberate, graceful. There was no more anger. No more sadness. Only the cold, unwavering truth.

You almost smiled. "You are so pathetic."

Cassius flinched almost as if you had struck him.

"You’re stupid to think that you could ever measure up to someone like me. You’re not strong enough to walk even a day in my shoes." The words were gentle, spoken like a lullaby. It was like you pitied him. Hell, maybe you did.

You stepped even closer, voice dropping just for him. "I would trade the scrutiny for Father’s affection in a heartbeat. You want it, Cassius? Let’s trade." You tilted your head, eyes dark and merciless. "You take one man’s obsession, and with it, the harsh glares. The women clutching their children. The pulling away. The broken eye contact. The whispers. The rumors. The twisted faces. The gasps. The disgust. The fake smiles. The surface conversations. The lack of touch. The denial of bonds…”

You took one final step forward, close enough now that he couldn’t escape the weight of your presence. “The complete isolation… You take that."

Cassius' lips parted, but no sound came out. His tears fell now, rolling down his cheeks against his will. He was frozen, trapped in the words you had shackled him with.

For the first time in your life, the room wasn’t whispering. It wasn’t turning away. It wasn’t pretending. For the first time in your life, they saw you. They heard you.

You turned, bowing your head ever so slightly in politeness. "If you’ll excuse me."

The only sound left in the ballroom was the sharp click of your heels against the marble floor. Erwin followed silently, the weight of what had just happened hanging in the air like a storm cloud ready to burst. No one stopped you. No one breathed.

You barely made it through the exit before you heard frantic footsteps racing behind you.

Tinsley crashed into you, arms wrapping around you so tightly you could barely inhale.

"I didn’t know!" She sobbed into your shoulder. "I didn’t know!"

Her body shook, her grip on you desperate and trembling. She was crying harder than you had ever seen, her fingers clenching the back of your dress as if afraid you would disappear.

Her cries were raw, unfiltered, the kind of grief that only surfaced when a truth had shattered everything she once believed. She had seen you every day. Stood beside you, and yet, she had never seen this side of you.

"I didn’t know." She whimpered again, broken, lost. "I should have known."

“Oh Tinsley…” You shook your head. “You knew.”

“What?” Her tear stained eyes looked up at you.

"You heard them talk, and you let them. You saw them sneer, and you joined in." You took a step back. "You want to make it right? Leave me be. There are more pressing issues than public family squabbles."

"Please don’t leave me." She sobbed, falling to her knees.

You looked down at her, and you felt bad, sure, but not bad enough to stay. After all, your MP escorts needed you back before sundown, and it was cutting close. 

Perhaps it was because she was your supposed twin, and you had some genuine deep rooted bond… or maybe it was because you were far more kind than you should be, but you’d at least leave her with a crumb of something.

“Tinsley I know you only did it to fit in. You couldn’t survive public scrutiny for going against the grain. It’d weigh too heavy on you. I understand that.” You kept your eyes on her. “If you wanna make things better then accept your part and move on, but don’t act like it never happened. That hurts worse.”

With those words, you’d leave beside Captain Smith. You had no idea what that public confrontation would do to your reputation, but it certainly couldn’t lower more than what it was at now. It was time to stop caring about such things. As you said before. There were more pressing issues.

Northeast Riverbank : 6:17pm Mitras

The district was quieter now, the sun sinking lower behind the rooftops, casting long shadows over Mitras. The exhaustion from the chase, the pain of the gala, the weight of old wounds reopened—it all pressed heavily on your chest.

You and Erwin walked side by side, neither of you saying anything at first. There was too much to process, too much unsaid, lingering between you like the last remnants of a dying fire.

Finally, you broke the silence. "I'm sorry."

Erwin stopped walking. You turned to face him, meeting his sharp blue eyes. "You finally had a few hours to spare and I wasted them dragging you into affairs that had nothing to do with you."

His expression didn’t shift, but you saw something flicker in his gaze. You looked away, shaking your head. "I wish this visit had gone differently. I really do."

Erwin exhaled through his nose, then, to your surprise… "Do you ever think of yourself?"

You blinked. "What?"

His expression hardened as he took a step closer. "You don't ever think of yourself. Even now, you’re apologizing to me, but you’re the one hurting."

You opened your mouth, but he shook his head. "I don’t want your apologies. You don’t owe them to me. You don’t owe them to anyone."

The words settled deep in your chest, rattling something loose. You didn’t know what to say to that, so you said nothing. You just started walking again, and he fell into step beside you.

After a moment, you sighed, your voice softer now. "Still, I just wish there was time to talk about mundane things. The weather. Crops. Anything that isn’t work."

He glanced at you, a bit of guilt setting in. "Then I should apologize. I never should have spoken to you so grimly."

You shook your head. "That’s not the problem. I don’t mind the business talk. I just wish we had more time for leisurely chats."

Erwin was silent for a moment before spoke again. The cogs in his mind turning, "Then we’ll write."

You looked up at him in surprise.

"I know the address of your shop. From now on when I’m not in Mitras, I’ll write you."

Something in your chest tightened, but in a different way this time. You nodded slowly. "I’d like that."

He nodded too, as if it was already decided. "And when I can, I’ll search for information regarding the women. I promise you, every single person involved in this operation will face justice."

You swallowed, taking a deep breath. "I know."

He studied you again, eyes tracing over your face, searching for something deeper. "But I need you to promise me something too."

You tensed. "What?"

"Do not go to the Underground." Your lips parted slightly, but he continued before you could argue. "I know you think answers lie below, but it’s too dangerous. Even with your MP escorts, the survivability is too low. You could be taken, killed, or worse. Let me investigate this. Please."

His voice was steady, firm, but not demanding. It was a plea, and for a moment, you considered giving him what he wanted.

"Okay.” You spoke softly with a nod.

You said okay, but it was a lie. You knew that before the sun had fully set on this day, you’d be halfway down the ladder leading into the Underground. You kept that knowledge to yourself, though.

The two of you reached the edge of the riverbank, the water reflecting the dimming sky in ripples of gold and deep blue. The wind was cooler here, brushing over your skin like a ghost of a touch. You stopped to watch the current, and Erwin stopped beside you, standing close enough that you could feel his warmth against the evening chill.

"I plan to make good on what I said earlier." The captain continued, "I will get you out of this cage."

You stared at the water, not answering. He didn’t understand. He had no idea who your father was. He didn’t know that Matthias Greville had a lot of power, even amongst the powerful. If he wanted you to stay put, that was law, and those beneath him would see to it that his word was carried out.

Still, you nodded before looking at the man beside you. "Thank you. For everything. Your kindness. Your understanding."

His gaze softened, and before he could speak, you added, "When you write to me…” You inhaled deeply, memorizing the scent of the river, the way the fading light made his eyes look like some impossible shade of blue. "Tell me about Trost. Tell me about Shiganshina. Tell me what it’s like beyond the walls. Write it all down for me, so I can have a glimpse of the world beyond Mitras. Something that doesn’t come from an anonymous book author."

Erwin held your gaze, something heavy passing behind his eyes. "I will."

The promise settled between you like something sacred. Something unspoken yet understood. The wind carried your hair slightly, strands brushing against your cheek. Before you could react, Erwin reached out, his fingers tucking the strands behind your ear, his knuckles grazing the side of your face.

It was the smallest thing, but it was something.

You weren’t sure how long the two of you stood there, watching the river, standing close enough that your head now rested against his arm. Just barely, but it did. The moment stretched, soft and infinite, until the sound of approaching footsteps shattered the silence.

Your MP escorts had arrived. Right on time. 

Erwin exhaled slowly, then looked down at you with quiet certainty. "Everything's going to be alright."

You nodded, but it felt empty. You weren’t sure if you believed him, but the reassurance was something to hold onto, something to steady yourself with as the night drew to a close.

"Despite what you might think," He continued, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "...it was nice to see you again."

You huffed out a soft breath, one that was almost a laugh. "It was nice to see you too. Very nice, actually."

His smirk lingered for a second longer before he turned to leave. He didn’t make much headway as you reached out, your fingers catching onto the fabric of his jacket.

He stopped immediately, glancing back over his shoulder. The moment his eyes met yours, his expression shifted. You hadn’t even realized your vision had blurred, hadn’t noticed the tears threatening to spill until you saw the recognition in his gaze. The weight of the day had finally settled onto you, pressing against your ribs, stealing the breath from your lungs. Once he left, you would be alone on the surface again. Even more than usual.

Erwin turned fully and, without hesitation, pulled you into his arms. The warmth of him, the solid strength, unraveled the last bit of control you had. A sob broke past your lips as you gripped onto him, holding him tightly. "I'm going to miss you."

His hold on you tightened. "I’ll be back as soon as I can."

You believed him. Maybe you shouldn’t have, but you did.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The world around you felt distant, the quiet hum of the river, the muffled sounds of the city—all of it faded into nothing. It was just the two of you, clinging to a fleeting moment before it could slip through your fingers.

Slowly, reluctantly, you let go. His hands slowly withdrew from you, but still remained on you. Just as they began to pull away completely, his fingers slipped into yours. Then, with deliberate slowness, he lifted your hand to his lips.

The kiss was soft, reverent, lingering just long enough to set your heart pounding in your chest. It was a silent declaration, a moment of defiance against everything this city had ever told you.

Erwin Smith was not afraid to touch you. He did not fear this disease. He did not believe in it. 

It was only a kiss on the hand, but it might have the most romantic thing you had ever felt in your life.

Erwin pulled back, his blue eyes steady as they searched yours for something close to being spoken. Without another word, he turned and walked away.

You watched him go, still frozen in place, your hand tingling from where his lips had been.

One of the MPs beside you offered a light smile. "You ready, my lady?"

You swallowed, exhaling as you nodded. "Yes... Let’s head in.”

[b311zzz]

michelle!

HIII!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY , i know i already told you that thooo! but it’s now officially your birthday in my time zone sooo :) i’m gonna give you as many compliments as i can under this time crunch i have because i wanna do this before 12AM and it’s 11:35PM!!

1. your green eyes are literally SO SO beautiful and go so well with your piercings on your face.

2. your piercings are super cool! i think silver is definitely your color, and all the ones you have on your face suit you so so well.

3. you’re so loving towards me

4. you’re forgiving

5. you can literally pull off every hair style there is, which is CRAZY.

6. your lips are the perfect size for your face, and i love how emphasized your cupid bow is. (cupid bow’s fits the theme, which you will see later on!!!)

7. i love all the nicknames you call me (dear, sweetheart, ect.)

8. i enjoy the games you play with me on roblox, i have a lot of fun with them.

9. i love to match with you on tumblr, roblox, ect! we always look so cute :)

10. you listen so well to my yapping and keep up with my fast talking, i appreciate that. i’ve always been told i talk too fast or talk too much, i love that you adore it. thank you.

11. your patience with me is so kind.

12. your nerdy interests are cute :)

13. i love how like aesthetically pleasing you are to the eyes. you are very well organized, it’s pretty

14. you push me to become better, thank you.

15. you have good morals.

16. you are very hard working, specially with school. i’m so proud of you for your dedications.

17. your facial expressions

18. your pictures that you take of me, even tho i look chopped most of the time. but sometimes they’re cute :)

19. you give so many compliments

20. you notice my efforts for others

21. you appreciate the things i do, and don’t let it go unnoticed

22. your memory is so good.

23. you don’t forget the things that i tell you i want, or like.

24. you literally would buy me anything i want.. but i wont let you. i still think its cute tho!

25. you’re affectionate

26. you put up with my need for you every five seconds

27. you put up with my attitude that i always have

28. you listen to me, and don’t disregard my feelings.

29. you’re literally perfect

30. you’re so awesome sauce

31. your rings are so pretty on you!

32. i love your glasses on you, which you need to start wearing.

33. you match energies

34. you’re very reasonable for everything you say and do

35. you actually think before doing something 99.99 percent of the time

36. you’re selfless

37. you have self respect

38. you’re very sympathetic, which i appreciate because im hella dramatic

39. you baby me ALLLL the time, which i love

40. you were literally made for me, i bet you, our hands will fit perfectly into each other’s when we hold hands. not too big or too small for each other.

41. you repost about me, which is very sweet

42. you’re so gorgeous.

43. did i mention that you’re gorgeous???

44. you don’t judge me even tho i’m lowkey a weird loser that is very awkward!

45. your smile. gosh i love it so much ☹️

46. your teeth, they remind me of a bunny! but in the cutest way ever

47. you stopped being a poser about alice in the wonderland… good job.

48. you always pick the right colors to wear, they never look bad on you. ever.

49. i love those little bandanas on you or whatever they are. that adventure time one was really cute!

50. light blue looks pretty on you :)

51. burgundy looks so stunning on you

52. you remind me of the color purple because you stand out, but you’re still you. like you’re this kept to yourself kind of thing?? idk how to explain it, but that color reminds me of you

53. you’re well grounded

54. you’re very emotionally intelligent

55. you’re observant

56. you’re intelligent overall :)

57. your clothes always fit you perfectly

58. you have the most awesome style ever.

59. you’re so beautiful, inside and out.

60. you’re open minded.

61. you have good opinions that are very valid

62. you don’t follow the crowd

63. you are very understanding

64. your tiny beauty marks are adorable

65. your eyebrows express what you’re thinking, it’s cute !

66. your drawings are very dainty and cute.

67. your handwriting is pretty neat! :)

68. you’re clean

69. you are gentle

70. you are cautious

71. you’re aware of others feelings

72. tender hearted

73. you understand my very weird typing sometimes

74. you let me sleep and make me have a good schedule

75. you’re caring

76. you love me more than anyone could’ve ever loved anything, and that is mutual :)

77. you’re just so awesome.

78. you’re extremely lovable

79. youre easy to talk to

80 .you’re the best person i’ve ever met.

will you be my valentine?

[saintmeghanmarkle]

Despite feeling Markle fatigue I came across a channel I haven't seen before. It covers Markle's "possible" legal responses to an apparently upcoming South Park episode about her pregnancy/twerking by u/Positive-Vibes-2-All

Despite feeling Markle fatigue, I came across a channel I haven't seen before. It covers Markle's "possible" legal responses to an apparently upcoming South Park episode about her pregnancy/twerking This goes into some depth about legal issues Markle allegedly wants to pursue in response to alleged upcoming South Park episode. I just stumbled on the channel called Glamour Report and it caught my interest despite feeling Markle fatigue so I thought I'd share it. Even though its content is interesting the purpose of this is not so much to discuss the content but make sinners aware of this channel.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ5EmA5e9PU post link: https://ift.tt/YVRoCfn author: Positive-Vibes-2-All submitted: June 12, 2025 at 11:35PM via SaintMeghanMarkle on Reddit disclaimer: all views + opinions expressed by the author of this post, as well as any comments and reblogs, are solely the author's own; they do not necessarily reflect the views of the administrator of this Tumblr blog. For entertainment only.

[justinsentertainmentcorner]

Peter White at Deadline:

CBS is halving its late-night output after canceling After Midnight, hosted by Taylor Tomlinson. The network canceled the show, which airs at 12:30am, after two seasons. Tomlinson, a rising star in the stand-up world, said that she wanted to return to her “first passion” of touring. As a result, CBS has decided to move out of programming the 12:30am slot, which was previously filled by The Late Late Show. This marks a major blow to late-night in general, which has seen the number of late-night shows airing across broadcast, cable and streaming, fall over the last few years. [...] During its run, Tomlinson did tweak elements of the show to make it feel more like a late-night show than a gameshow with a monologue, making a rare dive into politics ahead of the Presidential election last year. The show, which shoots in LA, was also forced to pause production during the wildfires that engulfed the city earlier this year. CBS has had a relatively long history of late-night at 12:30am. The Late Late Show launched in January 1995 with Tom Synder as host, followed by Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson. But the introduction of James Corden, a relatively unknown Brit at the time, in 2015 gave the show and the slot a boost, particularly in the digital age with viral segments such as Carpool Karaoke and Crosswalk The Musical going viral on YouTube. Corden stepped down to much fanfare in April 2023 after nearly 1,200 episodes. [...] It’s a blow for the wider late-night community for a number of reasons. Firstly, it highlights the difficulty of keeping a late-night show going on a broadcast network in the current environment. This comes as the likes of Oscar host Conan O’Brien, Full Frontal’s Samantha Bee, Hell of a Week’s Charlamagne Tha God and Desus & Mero have all exited the genre, while long-serving host Jimmy Kimmel, who always seems to be one contract away from ending his ABC show, said last year that he doesn’t know if “there will be any late-night television shows on network TV in ten years”. Last year, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon trimmed its production schedule to air four nights a week rather than five, joining the majority of other shows, while its sister show Late Night with Seth Meyers had to get rid of its live band as a result of budget cuts.

With CBS cancelling After Midnight (@fter Midnight) as a result of host Taylor Tomlinson focusing on stand-up, the network will NOT commission a 12:35AM ET/11:35PM CT replacement, ceding the time back to local stations.

This is part of a trend of late-night talk shows being on the decline.

[heartz4matt]

ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 PINS AND NEEDLES ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁

“i feel nothing for you, nothing for you.”

what happens when you and chris break up, and he just looses himself?

warnings: mentions of alcohol and sex.

he knew it. he knew you were gonna break up with him, but it didn’t soothe the aching pain that spread across his chest when he looked into your eyes. the eyes that used to be so full of love and admiration, but now empty as a black hole.

“why?” the word popped out of his mouth. he didn’t understand what the problem was. was it him? did something happen to you? “you keep going out on parties and we haven’t even had sex with each other since summer, it’s january! you’re always out with some random bitch and you do weed and you drink all the time!” chris’ eyes widen. he’d never realised. he was too focused on himself to get to read your feelings. it broke him.

2 months later

you’ve been getting better. going out with fitness, started working out, your skin is healthy and you’ve finally started getting tattoos. but chris… he’s not so well.

he’s been partying more, hooking up with random girls, drinking, doing drugs. he has tired everything, but you’ve never left his mind. you might have just been the best thing that ever happened to chris. your first date, the way your eyes would light up when you saw him, the way you’d giggle like a little schoolgirl at his jokes, the way you were always thinking about doing stuff together. you even discussed getting tattoos. but some things just have to end.

it’s all gone now.

authors note: i don’t really like this, but whatever. i just wanted to say that im not motivated at all and none of the stuff i write is proofread… its currently 11:35pm and i need to sleep.

— blue

[slenbee]

can i hear some about your ocs? 👀

-vibrates excitedly-

Hello!! Yes!! I'm on mobile browser so this might take a while LOL.

Its 11:35pm est as I start so let's go oooooo.

-My oldest and first oc was a character I made in the 8th grade of middleschool (out of 12 in USA schools). As corny as she was, her name was Angel and she was... a vampire. Yes, very Buffy inspired lol. Your typical blonde haired blue eyed kick ass oc who was also a vampire and demon hunter. I wrote her into a devil may cry 3 fanfic on paper that was 15 pages long. I still have this paper in a plastic tote behind my bed. :') I still rp her with my best friend of 18 years who I met online, Jimmy, but only in name and appearance sense.

She is like a self insert for any Fandom rp as a pokemon trainer, digimon tamer, monster hunter, demon slayer, you get the idea.

-My second oc is ever made and still have a soft spot for is Izekiel. I also made him in the early 2000s, 2008 to be exact! He's a being from the realm of shadows where all creatures start out as like tiny wisps with no sentience or control that consume their own kind to grow stronger and evolve. He eventually grew and developed sentience over thousands of years, able to take and hold a solid form, and even cross into the mortal plane via shadow.

He also sorta looks like a homestuck troll... and that WAS NOT intententional. I've never even read homestuck. xD.

Heres some pictures via his rprepository page:

I've had a lot of other ocs I've made and gotten rid of between 2008 and now I've forgotten about, so it's hard to remember who came next....

-I rp'd my own version of loki both mcu versions and aus, from like... 2016>2022. A lot of rps or fics I've done are on my Ao3!

-I made my own vlad/dracula as well! Visually based off of the dracula from Dracula II: Ascension (one of my favorite movies) with my own backstory.

ill talk about Slendy another time, I don't really rp them lol.

-I have Null (they/them) who I made last year, who is a forest spirit who absorbed the remains of a fallen adventurer and took in their sentience and thus took over the skeletal remains. Roots and vines keeping bones together while their essence inhabitants it. They wear a shaggy cloak and use a walking stick. They also have the demeanor and mannerisms of an elderly grandparent, moving through the mortal realm peddling tea and exotic berries or fruits. In their forest realm they can use magic to return to (think dnd and moving across long distaces with trees) they have a small cottage and some gardens.

They also house honey bees in their rib cage sometimes and other displaced insects or small animals lol.

-I've got Nux (he/him), my 4 foot tall doxie treasure hunter who I based off of my dog Tony. :3 He's got a deep southern voice and is very kind and courteous, especially around women. He wears a treasure hunters hat often and will tip it like a cow boy hat essentially. He's very much a short king (in a good way) with a heart of gold, and is my comfort character because I love my dog so much. ♥

I've got other minor ones I dont rp much as well which can be found here:

Thank you for the ask anon!

Disclaimer below before people come into my asks to start shit.

Yes, there -are- a couple Ai references on some of the newer characters on my character list. But they are just that. -References- for private and personal use. I do not claim them as my own or to have 'made' them. They are reference images until I can get the money to commission artwork from real artists as I -have- done on some characters already like Heroine.

I know and am aware of the environmental impact. How some big ones scraped peoples art. But again, please remember, this was for personal and private use. Me sharing this information with everyone in an ask about my oc blorbos now isn't a reason for anyone to suddenly come throw hate at me for turning my irl dog into the furry equivilent of a 4 foot treasure hunter.

If i used someone else's furry art as a reference, I'd get hate.

If I use ai as a reference, I'd get hate.

Its a lose lose either way, at least from how I see it.

Just.. please don't hate. It's now 12:25am and I'm tired lol.

[nakimochiku]

counting kisses

word count:1k

Pairing: songxuexiao

7:45AM

Xingchen listens to his favourite sex education podcast on a low volume while he fixes breakfast, feeling across the jar lids in the fridge until he finds the one for blueberry jam. The toaster is taking too long to pop up Xue Yang’s blueberry bagels. The coffee maker percolates. He listens to the shower, the rush of water on tile, the occasional splash. 

Zichen exits the washroom in a cloud of steam, bare feet padding across the floor. Xingchen tips his face up. Zichen brushed a kiss across his cheek. He smells of citrus and cedar, skin damp and warm. “Morning,” he murmurs, sliding a hand across Xingchen’s hip. 

“Morning.” Xingchen says happily back, and with a pleased sound, Zichen continues on to the bedroom to get dressed. 

1

8:10AM

A Qing’s lunch waits for her on the kitchen counter. “I can’t find my—“

“Did you check under the couch?” Xingchen asks, since he distinctly remembers finding her favourite scrunchie there.

“Why would it—“ footsteps towards the living room. The sofa creaks as she leans on it. “Oh. Thank you gege!”

She rushes up, grabs her travel mug from his hand, kisses his cheek. “Gonna be at soccer today. Bye gege love you!” And she hurtles out the door. 

2

11:27 AM

“Fuck!” Xue Yang darts out of the bedroom. He grabs at the bagel Xingchen left for him, soggy and cold, with a clatter, storms to the door to shove his boots on. Xingchen waits in the office door way. 

“I told you to get up three times,” he teases. 

“Fuck off,” Xue Yang grumbles, no heat. Finished with his shoes, he skips up a step, mindful not to go beyond the entry hall, and grabs at Xingchen’s hand to pull him closer. 

“What are you wearing?” Xingchen asks. On the step above him, Xue Yang can tuck comfortably under his chin. 

“Those jeans you like. And Zichen’s shirt.” Xue Yang slips his hands into Xingchen’s back pockets, and leans up so he can crush a searing kiss against his lips. His mouth is sticky with blueberry jam. 

“You’re gonna be late.” Xingchen reminds, a little breathless, tempted to chase the taste of sugar and blueberries into Xue Yang’s mouth. He licks his lips. 

“You’re a fucking tease.” Xue Yang mumbles. He pecks him on the lips again, and dashes out of the apartment. 

4

5:15PM

Zichen’s return home brings the scent of fried chicken, salt and grease and fat. “I brought dinner,” he calls. Xingchen meets him at the door, taking the bags so Zichen can head straight to the washroom for his evening shower. 

He sets the take out in the counter, and moves to the bathroom to lean against the door jam. The room is already steamy. Xingchen flicks on the vent. “How was your day?”

“Stressful.” Zichen calls over the shower spray, groaning gratefully under its heat. “There's only so many times I can explain the same thing before I feel like I'll explode.”

Xingchen places Zichen’s towel over the towel warmer (Xue Yang got it for Zichen for new years. He claims he was trying to bully Zichen for the amount of showers he took. They all know thats not true.) “didn't feel like cooking?”

“A Yang was complaining about junk food so…” he trails off awkwardly. The shower shuts off. Xingchen smiles. The shower curtain rattles as it's pulled back. The bathroom is small, with two fully grown men standing chest to chest. 

“Can I help you destress, maybe?” Xingchen smirks. 

Zichn makes a soft wanting noise, pressing him against the bathroom sink until Xingchen hops onto it. “Yeah,” he breathes, lips already brushing. They kiss, tongues tangling, sweetly exploring each others mouths. Zichen’s hair drips onto Xingchen’s face like tears. The mirror is cold against his back. He wants to let Zichen all the way inside him. They pause, take breaths, kisses pressed to a sharp chin or the corner of an eye, before they are kissing again, hungry for each other. 

They don’t part until A Qing comes home.

15+

10:35PM

The printer is making the clunky wheezy distresssed noises it makes when it is sick of working. Xingchen whole heartedly understands. He almost doesn't hear the front door close gently, or the office door whisper open. 

“You’re late.” Xingchen murmurs, spinning in his chair and getting a lap full of Xue Yang for his troubles. He smell like coffee, chemically sweet and artificial, sweat and skin. Its digusting. Its also kind of nice. 

“Bitch fucking Jessica was up her own fucking ass about closing tonight,” he grumbles from his place against Xingchen’s shoulder. The printer whines moodily. A thump, Xue Yang knocking the side with his foot. The printer sputters and resumes. 

“Anything I can do to make you feel better, Yang’er,” Xingchen pouts out his lower lip. 

“Yeah,” Xue Yang shifts until he’s straddling Xingchen’s lap. His fingers curl in Xingchen’s hair, tilting his face up, the tip of his nose trailing along Xingchen’s throat, up to the hinge of his jaw, a drag of teeth and lips, hot skin and hot breath. “Can kiss it all better, right?” Xingchen can feel Xue Yang’s smirk. 

Instead of answering, he catches Xue Yang’s mouth with his own, trading kisses, broken only by the sharp nip of Xue Yang’s sharp canine, sinking into plump flesh, or scraping across his tongue, as thrilling as electricity. 

They keep kissing until Zichen pushes the office door open. “You gonna eat dinner or should I put it away?”

Xue Yang laughs like a crow. “Having dessert first.”

“You’re so damn cheesy.” Zichen huffs, while Xingchen giggles helplessly into the hollow of Xue Yang’s throat.

30+

11:59PM

Xingchen tallies up the day’s kisses while he listens to Zichen brushing his teeth. Xue Yang clings to his side, sweaty and breathing heavily. It gusts against Xingchen’s neck, ticklish. 

Its a pretty good count, by his estimation. The sink shuts off. The bathroom door swings half closed, leaving a crevice from the night light. The mattress dips as Zichen climbs in beside him. 

He leans down, minty and cool, to kiss him. “Good night,” he murmurs. 

“Night,” xue yang mumbles. He kisses Zichen first, then Xingchen, settling back into a coccoon of blankets. 

Xingchen adds two more kisses to his tally, and goes to sleep. 

[molloyism]

GOOOD MORNIN but its 11:35pm and iw anted to send yall an ask

😭

[martyrbat]

girl help its 11:35pm and the inside of my house is still 78 degrees :(

[allnews-95]

Techmeme: Amazon plans to hold Prime Day 2025 from July 8 until July 11 lasting four days instead of the usual two and open for Prime members (Cameron Faulkner/The Verge)

Cameron Faulkner / The Verge: Amazon plans to hold Prime Day 2025 from July 8 until July 11, lasting four days instead of the usual two and open for Prime members  —  Prime members will have even longer than usual to score some of the year's best tech deals. … Amazon has announced the dates when its annual Prime … June 16, 2025 at 11:35PM