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penkura · 1 month

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last forever [3/13]

Summary: Zoro only offered to marry you to keep you out of an arranged marriage with a man much older than you. You agreed with the caveat of ending it via annulment once you received word from your parents regarding the original engagement, despite your growing feelings for your close friend.

Pairing: Zoro x Fem!reader, mentioned Sanami later (like epilogue later so chill)

Warnings: Marriage of Convenience, Fake Marriage, referenced sex (waaaaaay later on), mutual pining, Zoro is bad at feelings but what's new there, eventual romance I promise, mention of past attempted assault (I'll warn in that chapter), creepy older dude later on

Note: At time of posting, this is the most recent chapter I have finished. Chapter four will be worked on and hopefully posted tomorrow (4/29), then I will update every Monday, hopefully.

[Ch. 1] ● [Ch. 2]

Your stress is through the roof, watching Zoro fight against Dracule Mihawk. You're wringing your hands hearing Luffy tell Johnny and Yosaku not to interfere, and it makes you want to jump over and help. You knew this was his plan as soon as name left Johnny's mouth before you all arrived at Baratie, you hadn't gotten the chance to tell him he should wait, and seeing his swords break, the large attack from Mihawk that left him bloodied and Luffy screaming his name now makes you wish you could go back and do that.

"Sis, we need your sewing skills!!"

Johnny and Yosaku brought Zoro onto a small ship manned by Usopp, one you'd probably be taking to go after Nami and bring her and the Merry back.

You're about to jump in and go to them, before remembering the one thing keeping you from doing so.

Damn it, I can't swim!

"You have to bring him over here! You guys know I can't swim!"

"We can't get close enough," Usopp yells and looks between you and Zoro, "He's bleeding really bad!"

Biting your lip, you barely notice Luffy wrapping his arms around you three times before he says your name.

"You're gonna fly!!"

"Wait wha–"

Luffy lifts you up and stretches his arms all the way over, making sure you've touched down on the boat before he lets go, arms snapping back as he tells you to help Zoro. You start getting your supplies ready, your heart pounding in your ears and you barely notice Zoro awake, lifting up Wado Ichimonji and making a promise to Luffy with heavy breaths and tears you've never seen before.

Actually, you've never seen Zoro cry before this day.

"Until I become…the world's greatest swordsman, I swear…I'll never lose again! Got that, King of the Pirates?!"

Hearing Luffy's agreement makes you smile as you stare at Zoro, quickly remembering you have to start stitching him up or he'll bleed to death in this tiny boat. Usopp starts you all in the direction Nami took the Going Merry, while Johnny and Yosaku watch you with tear filled eyes as you stitch up the gash from Mihawk down Zoro's chest, he's nearly fast asleep by the time you finish and cut the thread.

A very quiet word of thanks leaves his mouth before he's asleep, you simply respond telling him not to mention it, rinsing your hands in the sea water. Johnny gives you praise for being able to stitch up such a large wound, Usopp saying you were one of the best he'd ever seen for a makeshift doctor. You hear them, but don't respond, watching Zoro sleep instead. Despite his loss to Mihawk he looks as if he's resting peacefully, and that makes you happy to think about for the time being.

You're quiet as you place a hand on his face, stroking his cheek slightly while telling the others that he'll be alright, before removing your hand from his face.

You'd love to tell him how amazed you are and that you have feelings for him, but now's not the time. Maybe another day, when you aren't chasing down your friend who's stolen your ship and is going off to who knows where, and maybe when Zoro isn't unconscious from nearly bleeding out after taking on a fight he couldn't win (but oh how badly you wanted him to win it).

Right now, you have to focus on Nami.

+!+

How you all have now liberated three towns from Pirates or the threat of Pirates, you aren't sure. Your crew isn't anything like the Pirates your parents had tried to teach you to fear as a child. Luffy was far too kind and really only wanted to be King of the Pirates, but helping Nami came first.

Freeing her home from Arlong and his Fishman Pirates was the main priority of the day, and you were glad to lend a hand. Nami had become your best friend in no time, you had to help her. Even when you were told (ordered really) to stay back by Zoro, you made sure you were ready to help if needed.

And you tried. Tried to pull Zoro away after he'd beaten Hachi and was on the verge of collapse from a fever and his wounds from Mihawk, but he tried to shove you away and tell you he was fine despite the dizzied look he had. Arlong ripping his stitches out caused you to try again, trying to help him, but you were stopped by Johnny and Yosaku pulling you back, telling you not to bother because you'd just die.

Even seeing Luffy swap places with Zoro terrified you that he was going to be even more badly injured, but you were still held back by your old friends through the end of Luffy's fight against Arlong, finally freeing Nami and her hometown.

Your biggest concern afterwards was Zoro, but when you saw him later that day with a drink in hand you knew he was fine. Most of your time at the party was spent with Nami and her sister Nojiko, listening to Usopp tell his stories to the kids, and sharing Sanji's food with Luffy. Every now and then you'd look for and find Zoro, a few times smiling brightly at him when you caught his eye, which made him look away from you immediately.

Sanji, still brand new to the crew, noticed the looks you and Zoro shared that night. You were strange, your relationship with him, whatever it was, was strange to him.

Even stranger, he notices you leave Nami and Nojiko at one point, hurrying over to Zoro and latching onto his arm, making him lean in to hear whatever you had to say. He rolls his eyes while you smile, but doesn't shake you off, letting you move his arm around your shoulders while he has another drink.

You're weird, both of you. The rest of the crew isn't phased at all by the two of you being so buddy-buddy, but Sanji wonders what you two have going on. Are you together? How long have you known each other? Surely you only met when you each joined Luffy, right?

When Zoro leaves you to go look for Luffy, food, or another drink, whatever it is, you seem content to be left alone, until Sanji sees your shoulders drop and you look almost like you're going to cry. Maybe his eyes were playing tricks on him, he's not sure.

But if Zoro said or did something to upset you, Sanji was going to make sure the swordsman paid for it.

+!+

The majority of your crew doesn't know of your struggles with nightmares. Normally they take the form of your parents, the man they were going to force you to marry, and being trapped in a loveless life in your home village where most treated their children like property to be sold. Your only solace there being your older brother who was protective over you. Being the one to help you run away, making you swear to never come back and to take his sword to protect yourself after he'd spent the last few years teaching you how to use it.

You were good at keeping those demons to yourself, to not worry anyone. The nightmares had been less lately anyway, you felt safe with everyone around. The six of you on your way to Loguetown, you and Nami snatching up the office area as your room, both turning in late in the night after long talks about numerous things.

Your bad dreams, however, took a new form that night. This time, the dream takes you back to Baratie, back to Zoro's fight against Mihawk, and instead of him waking long enough for his promise to Luffy, you're sitting beside him while he bleeds from the wound and you're unable to move. You can't bring yourself to start stitching him up, and before anything else happens, you've woken up.

While it wasn't as bad as the dreams about your parents, it was enough to shock you awake and into a seated position on your bed. Nami is still fast asleep in her own bed, apparently not having noticed or heard your heavy breathing from the nightmare. You don't know why your nightmares took this turn, you'd much rather deal with seeing your parents in your dreams than seeing your closest friend and ally dying in front of you, even though he was just down the hall and alive.

It's several minutes of tossing and turning before you decide to get up and sneak off to the boys' bunks, turning back to your habit you'd been determined to stop as more crewmates joined, but you can't help it.

The past nightmares have been enough to make you slip into bed with Zoro before, he never fought you over it and let you stay, let you continue when it was just the two of you, but with more friends you worried they'd all get the wrong idea.

And maybe they will, but if Zoro doesn't mind and it helps you sleep, they shouldn't complain or tease you. Hopefully.

Usopp and Luffy are both spread out on the floor, making you have to tiptoe around them to get to Zoro's hammock, not even registering that Sanji's is empty.

You're quiet while you slip in and under the blanket, wrapping your arms around Zoro and making yourself comfortable. You figured he was asleep when you walked in, but his hand moves to grab one of your own, thumb stroking the back of your hand while he waits to hear if you say anything.

You don't, Zoro doesn't mind, he knows you won't tell him the contents of your nightmares anymore, not after the first one. If you're unable to sleep, he's glad to let you join him and keep you safe. He promised he would do so, helping keep your demons away so you could rest.

Unfortunately, your peaceful sleep is interrupted early in the morning by Sanji shouting at Zoro to get off you, like he'd done something wrong when you were the one to climb into his hammock.

"What do you think you're doing to [Y/N]-chan, you moss head?! Get your hands off her!"

A pillow lands on your face, likely aimed for Zoro, but it misses him due to the fact his face is buried in your shoulder while one arm is around you. Normally your face would be red at this, but with Sanji still nearly screeching for Zoro to "unhand" you, all you can think about is crawling in a hole and dying.

Zoro gets fed up and eventually lets you go, taking the pillow that disturbed you both and throwing it back at Sanji with twice the force.

"Shut up already!! You're going to wake the whole damn East blue!"

"I will as soon as you stop violating sweet [Y/N]!"

Yeah you really want to just up and die right now.

"Who's violating her?!"

"You are, you savage!"

"How do I violate my own wife when she's the one that crawled into my bed?!"

Everything goes quiet, you don't want to know what look is on Sanji's face at the moment, but you're grateful for Nami coming in and telling everyone to shut up, even though she's a moment too late. Luffy and Usopp were awake and just watching the scene unfold, until Zoro's statement which makes Usopp's eyes go wide and Luffy laughs. He just knew you two wouldn't be able to keep this secret.

You're so embarrassed that you pull the blanket up over your now definitely bright red face, wishing Zoro and Sanji didn't feel the need to egg each other on and instigate all these petty fights.

When you finally decide to look and see what's going on, Luffy's still laughing, Nami is confused, Zoro's still got a glare set on Sanji, while your chef and Usopp are both looking at the two of you wide eyed, disbelief on their faces before there's one outburst from Sanji.

"Your WHAT?!"

+!+

It feels like an interrogation. You're in the kitchen still in your pajamas with Usopp and Sanji both questioning you and Zoro about your little marriage, Nami and Luffy enjoying breakfast to your side.

Zoro's completely unbothered by the whole thing, answering Sanji's questions with an annoyed look, while you answer Usopp's inquiries with your face still red from the way everyone was woken up that morning.

Eventually, they come to realize you two are only married to prevent the arranged one your parents set up, making Sanji sigh in relief and Usopp is slightly concerned but seems to understand.

“So, one more time,” you just can’t look at Usopp while he relays your situation once again, “You and Zoro got married to prevent you being forced into an arranged marriage, but you’re going to annul?”

You nod, taking glances at Zoro, who continues to glare at Sanji for waking you both too early. All of this was too much first thing in the morning, and you both had decided to keep this little marriage a secret from any new recruits, wanting only Luffy and Nami to know because you’d both slipped up with calling each other husband and wife without thinking about it in front of them.

"And you're just waiting for your parents to say something?"

You nod again at Sanji's question. "It's weird, I know but…I just can't go back there. My older brother told me never to go back, or I'd definitely be forced into that marriage."

"Your parents suck." Luffy nodded, still eating his breakfast when you look over at him with a smile. "But we'll keep you safe! We'll fight anyone that tries to take you from us!"

"No one's forcing you back home," Zoro doesn't look at you, instead moving to leave and start his training for the day despite not having breakfast yet, "I'll make sure of that."

There's something in the way he says it, as you thank everyone, that makes Sanji lean back in his seat and watch Zoro leave. Even with you both stating you were not in love and were going to annul the marriage as soon as you heard from your parents, Sanji swears there's something weird about the way Zoro treats you.

It might just be friendship, but it feels like something more that neither of you are saying. You absolutely could be hiding real feelings for each other, he knows that, the way you two speak to each other and work together seems to say so, but until either of you say anything, Sanji isn't willing to believe this is anything more than a sham marriage.

There's something else, he's noticed in his short time with you all, in the way you look at Zoro, the way you speak to him as well. Zoro's a tough guy, but you speak so gently and kindly to him, it's almost like you really are his wife and want to stay that way. Maybe it's just your dynamic since you two have known each other much longer than the other Straw Hats, but Sanji isn't convinced. You and Usopp break him out of his train of thought by asking for breakfast, which he proceeds to provide you both with a grin, deciding he'll have to ask you another time if you have feelings for the moss head swordsman. If your heart's already taken, he'll gladly leave you be, despite his rivalry with Zoro.

#zoro x reader #roranoa zoro x reader #one piece x reader #reader insert #last forever #fem!reader

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espresseo-cafe · 7 months

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life is still beautiful | johnny | ch.1

genre: cappucino, romance, angst, university!au, dad!au, drama, slice of life

pairing: collegestudent!johnny x fem!reader

bean count: 4k

a/n: i’m so excited to be sharing this with you! it has been in the works since 2020 on and off and omg i can finally post this fanfic. this whole series has mentions of characters from different groups other than nct- red velvet, dreamcatcher, seventeen, sf9, etc to avoid confusion with people of the same name! note: this is only a work of fiction, it doesn’t reflect the artists’ personalities in any way.

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growing up, the continuous tingling feeling whenever you see your parents arguing at the end of your hallway always broke your heart. the raised voices, objects getting thrown around, and the banging of slammed doors against the doorframe deafened your ears. you remembered you had to knock on every single apartment on the floor; same, above, and below- to apologise the nuisance your parents caused. some with good hearts would understand out of pity for you, others would provoke to kick your family out of the building. so far, you’ve made it to several years without any notice from the landlord.

with that background, there weren’t any doubts that it affected the way you perceive everything in life. silence overpowered the joyous you like a large coat, it has been that way. the younger you wouldn’t understand the clash of your parents. the younger you wouldn’t know the problems they had. most importantly though, the younger you wouldn’t receive any love or support from them at all.

it was like you never existed.

as you hit the eighteenth mark, you’ve made the bold but practical decision to move out. the toxicity they emitted were too much for you to handle. with every penny or dime you’ve been saving everyday since you were twelve and some extra cash from various part time jobs since you were sixteen, you had your small carry on luggage packed and left first thing in the morning one summer. a dilemma kind of held you back whether to leave a note for your mom and dad, only deciding not to and tell them not to find you.

if there was anything you were blessed with even if you were put in a dire situation of a broken home, you had to pat yourself at the back for never failing your grades. just average and sometimes in the honorable mention’s list. thanks to that, you’ve secured a place at a university far from your family home.

and of course, choosing a location far off was more than intentional.

the first few months were a challenge, the surroundings took you sometime to familiarise. adjustment was never an issue though, running away from home was worth the change. as you expected, your parents didn’t bother to look for their only daughter. scoffing at the past, you realised it had almost been three years since you left.

making friends was easy too, to your surprise. known as the loner and depressed type in high school, you tried to change yourself a bit and managed to befriend a new crowd of people. of course, you were discerning on people who are worth to befriend, not the ones who’d waste your time. one of them being kim yoohyeon, who’s now your best friend and roommate.

“y/n, i’m going out to the store, want anything?” she asked while putting on a cardigan.

you hummed and rolled your eyes playfully, “hm, two packs of ramyeon and chips. you’re paying alright?” she threw a crumpled ball of tissue at you, gasping at the very direct response. “what? it’s two in the morning and i’m helping you pull an all-nighter for your fashion thesis due in two months and a half. i deserve a treat. be thankful i don’t have class tomorrow and that my part-time’s in the afternoon.”

“okay fine.” she dramatically slouched her shoulders down, “be back in a jiffy bub!”

as the door closed, you sighed and stretched your almost numbed body. yoohyeon’s project was half done, just needed a little more tweaking and you could say hello to a convenience store feast.

yoohyeon was the first person you met at orientation, she seemed to extract innocence at first glance. though as you got to know her, she was a meme in real life who possessed extreme talent in singing. you and her clicked, she had problems in her home but they were immediately managed. so she was all smiles from ear to ear. it was something you were envious of; to have a healthy relationship with parents, however, it wasn’t working with you at all.

sometimes you wondered how it felt like, to have someone love you like family. your aunts or uncles would message you to check on you, and whenever they brought your parents up, you shoved down the topic back to its grave. it’s dead conversation anyway. the latest update you heard from them was two years ago. they still lived in the same damned roof where they argued a lot, you wondered why they were still stuck to each other like glue. the only difference was that your dad worked the night shift while your mom on the mornings. so they probably never see each other eye to eye.

when they did though, all hell broke loose.

you were brushed off your thoughts when yoohyeon opened the door, “okay, here’s your food, time to pig out!”

“finally, i’m starving.” you had the hot water boiling before she arrived, immediately putting the ramyeon in the pot.

“so,” she started, opening a bag of potato chips.

“when are you planning to date? it’s been theee years since uni started and i’ve never seen you on dates before.”

you pressed your lips into a thin line, “not right now.”

“why not? you’re pretty, you can cook; you’re even taking an early childhood education course, specifically in special education.” she plopped one into her mouth and chewed shamelessly, “i bet you’re good with kids too.”

“so apparently that makes me an ideal girl?”

“an ideal girl worth to have!” she exclaimed, later reaching for your unlocked phone. “guess what, download this app and go have some fun.”

“if that’s tinder you’re planning on brainwashing me with, i’m not interested.” you joked, mixing the sauce and toppings with the now cooked noodles.

“you never know, it might work.” she singsonged.

you sighed, yoohyeon has been pushing you to date because she felt like you were like a hermit, always stuck in your own shell and would only go out if needed to. not that you were interested, you just wanted to get school done and make a stable living. love will come anyway.

she clicked on the app store and downloaded a trendy app named ‘love click’. “it’s an app solely made for university students within the state. kinda like tinder but you play anonymous with a made up nickname, no one will know how you look like.”

you raised a brow. “that’s dangerous than tinder, y’know?”

“this is different, they can detect fake accounts and do a facial recognition. anyway, once you put your actual photo and real age, it will automatically pair you with others similiar with yours; interests, and hobbies. then it will change your face to a random avatar if ever you do a video call.” she tapped away. “that’s how i met hwang minhyun.”

“eh, i still think it’s risky. besides, you just got lucky. you scored a hottie.” you slurped on the noodles. “i could never.”

“just try, you could always quit and they’ll never find you. and who knows? you might even receive the whole package.”

you sighed, “okay fine. i’ll do it just once, for you alright?” you finished the rest and threw the excess soup away. “i’m not doing any after that.”

“cool! all your details are in here already. let me know if someone messages you.” she gave you a playful wink before working on her project once again.

—

johnny stretched his limbs after a quick power nap, he haven’t had enough rest since he was on the clock 24/7. he turned to his side to check the time, sighing a relief when it was only 3pm. as if it was waiting for him to be awake, a text message from his mom appeared on the screen.

[ mom] : “don’t forget to eat, my dear john. you’ve got two mouths to feed ❤️”

johnny smiled at his mom’s reminder, he was relieved that the messages were reduced to a low, knowing how protective she was.

a loud thud on the floor made johnny stand on his feet and rush to the door next to his. his worried demeanor soon changed to a soft one when he saw a little smile beamed at him from the ground.

“youngmin-ah, what’re you doing on the floor? did you hurt yourself?”

the child just giggled, softening johnny’s heart every single he did so.

he remembered the night when the almost two year old came into his life. it was a rough beginning, but he managed himself and was proud how he actually did while still in school.

his friends were in full support of this unexpected scenario and would take turns in looking after the child while he worked the night shifts at a café. like any other people, his friends were in doubt at his decision of bringing him to lectures.

johnny again proved them wrong.

what surprised them wasn’t how the baby managed to be quiet in all of the classes, but how johnny effortlessly handled him if ever a fuss was made. kun recalled that in one of their exams in biology major, johnny had the baby cradled in one arm as the other wrote the quiz. the professor wanted to hold the baby boy while johnny did the exam, but young man refused to, saying that he could handle it. he wouldn’t want the baby crying in a stranger’s hold while everyone was so stressed for the exams. adding that the baby’s wails would be a distraction.

he became viral at the university page when a photo of him feeding youngmin a bottle of milk, that certain scenario made girls want him as a husband. sometimes they would stop by to say hello to him and the child.

“dada.” johnny smiled at title, the little toddler fiddling the bottle in his hand while his feet stretched up.

“seems like you’re alright.” he poked his nose, earning a giggle from the two year old. “i still have to check any injuries. say youngmin, your birthday’s coming up soon. what would you like?”

youngmin hummed, as if he understood the question clearly.

“well?”

“mama.”

johnny was caught off guard that he tickled the little toddler as he smiled. “buddy, you already have a mama though.” his phone dinged, indicating an incoming text message. “speaking of her, she just texted me.”

[ kim minji ]: sorry babe, couldn’t make it tonight for dinner. i got singing rehearsals.

[ johnny ]: it’s cool. how about tomorrow?

[ kim minji ]: i’ll see first, pretty busy.

he put his phone back into his pocket, sighing at the same excuse his girlfriend gave. he didn’t want to overthink but it had been like this for a while, he wondered if she had fallen out of love. shaking his head, he shrugged off the thought to the back of his mind.

youngmin turned his full body to the side before standing and climbed onto johnny’s kneeled figure, the bottle still in between his baby teeth. “mama, where?”

“she’s not coming home tonight. maybe some other time.” he ruffled youngmin’s soft hair, eyes closing due to exhaustion. but then the little toddler smiled and patted his cheek and johnny wrapped his arms around the little frame. “come on, let’s get you dinner, we’re having your favourite!”

“lasagna!” youngmin put arms up, and johnny could melt anytime.

“hey you said it perfectly this time! well done my so-“ he paused as his phone dinged, a snapchat notification from taeyong appeared on the screen. making the toddler tilt his head to why the young man stopped mid-sentence. “let’s go to wash your hands alright?”

while youngmin nodded then hopped away towards the bathroom, swiping to unlock his phone, a snap video that his said friend sent made his eyebrows meet in an ugly mood.

[ taeyongss ]: bro is that jiu? your mj?

it was his girlfriend giving a lap dance to someone he couldn’t seem to recognise due to the flashing lights, she was enjoying it and the shocking thing was, she wasn’t drunk at all.

kim minji, his girlfriend since senior high, had a few names labeled on her. one of them was jiu (pronounced as ji-yoo) a nickname everyone called her in school, being one of the main solos for the choir.

some of the juniors called her a pink princess because of her obsession with the said colour. owning almost everything in it.

and mj was a form of endearment that only johnny used. his expression changed from a smile to a frown, throwing his phone on the bed that it bounced off and landed on the ground; earning his phone a crack on the screen.

“dada?” youngmin peeked through the bedroom door. now it was him to hear the thudding sound. “happen?”

johnny jumped a little seeing the child standing by the door with a towel in his hands. “my phone fell. come on, let’s eat.”

lasagna was a favourite dish youngmin adored eversince he brought him to an italian restaurant. meatballs were a favourite too, but something about lasagna topped it. as youngmin was busy making his hands dirty, johnny called his mom at this hour, she was probably home by now.

“ah my love johnny! i’m glad you called, what is it?” her voice still bright and lively.

“um, i was wondering if i could drop youngmin off tonight?” he played with the fork. “taeyong messaged me and i think i need to have a drink and hang out for a bit.”

his mom’s soft laughter brought relief to his ears, “oh sure my dear, your dad and i could need some company. it’s been quiet around here since you’ve grown.”

johnny smiled at the reply, “great, we’ll be there in ten.”

“see you later.” she singsonged.

after dropping youngmin off, he made his way to the bar where his girlfriend was. everyone who met johnny knew that he could be reckless when someone crossed over the line, who knows what scene he’d make tonight?

“johnny.” taeyong called out after seeing him enter the bar, johnny walking towards the bar where his friend was stationed at. “please don’t make a scene. my boss let you off the hook the last time you broke loose.”

johnny’s eyes scanned the area, looking for mj before looking at back at taeyong. “don’t worry. i won’t. this johnny won’t do anything.”

“better keep your word. she’s by the corner over there.” taeyong pointed with his head, “she’s been here for the past three months. good thing i’m the only one from campus who has seen her. if anyone else did she’d lose her solo spot at the choir. so called ‘angel’, huh? no offense.”

“none taken, but thanks bro. see you later at the dorms.” johnny said, then he walked through partygoers, the blasting music was deafening so much he hated it.

“i know right? he’s such a sweetheart.” mj said to her friend as she patted the guy’s shoulder who she danced with earlier. “i’d love to-“

“mj.” johnny’s cold voice rung in her ears, sending shivers to her spine. what is he doing here? “i’m guessing rehearsals ended early or it never existed.”

“babe i-“

“ey johnny suh!” the guy seated next to her greeted him drunkenly, the more he looked closer in the dimmed light, his blood boiled. “haven’t seen you since you had a baby! minji has been great to me recently.”

it was his high school rival, takuya terada.

“we’ll catch up soon won’t we?” johnny said sarcastically. takuya wouldn’t know anyway, his vision probably already blurry to even comprehend a straight conversation. he looked at minji, who averted her gaze towards him as she rolled her eyes. “we need to talk, outside.”

he took her by the wrist and he didn’t care if he was hurting her. she hurt him first; for a while now actually. he just had to put up a front before he vent out when they exited the bar.

“what the hell, minji.” he threw his grip away, minji holding her wrist and tsk-ed at the attitude. “is that why you’ve been missing out lately? you were cheating on me with takuya?”

“missing out? johnny you’ve been missing out too!” she raised her voice, “i don’t know if you have noticed but it’s been straining on the both of us recently!”

“so your solution was to hang out with another guy when you could’ve voiced out to me about your feelings? mj, we’ve talked about this!” he wiped his face frustatingly. “i don’t think-“

“i don’t love you anymore, john.” she said blankly, her face didn’t emit any pain she felt, it was like she wanted it out there. “that’s why i’ve been ‘missing out’.”

“you don’t.. love me anymore?” johnny stood in shock, his voice shaking a little.

“i fell out of love. i’m sorry.. i’ve been planning to tell you but i couldn’t.” she hugged her arms. “i didn’t want to hurt you.”

“my gut feeling told me there was something up. i was hurt just thinking about it. i don’t know but somehow i knew it all along that you were out of it. i didn’t bring it up because i held onto hope and believed my guts were lying that you cheated on me.” he said, his hands rested on his hip. “turns out i was right.”

“i’m sorry.”

“save it. i’m not hurt at all. maybe i just had to come here to confirm if it were true. you can live with that guilt that you’ve broken me already before you even said anything. i’ll raise youngmin myself. we’re done.”

johnny walked away while the cold wind sliced through his cheeks. usually in a breakup, one would break down. him and minji dated since high school, and there were on and off arguments here and there. they would always make up through talking, but to be told that she was cheating on him by another person sure sucked. he’d rather find it out himself and vent out right then and there.

guess this timing was actually better. though he told minji he was broken, he was actually so much more than that. he expected to at least shed a tear, he didn’t, for youngmin’s sake. even though he felt like an elephant was lifted off his shoulders, his heart was anchored deep below.

he felt so heavy with betrayal that his heart ached so much in a way he didn’t expect.

he wanted to break down so bad.

the door swung open of his family home and youngmin screeched a high pitched tone loud enough to startle the old man beside him, who was reading a newspaper. “oh john’s back.”

“dada.” the little one ran towards him, hugging his long legs for a second before johnny picked him up. “back!”

johnny’s mood changed like a shooting star whenever youngmin’s in sight. “hey little buddy! i’m back, i had to meet a friend earlier.” he kissed his cheek, “were you good to granny bear and papa bear?”

“he was an angel, john!” his mom gave her son a quick peck on the cheek. “who knew you could raise him very well? plus singlehandly!”

“he got it from me, my dear.” his dad took the chance to say, “are your studies going well though?”

“still a dean’s lister, dad.” johnny’s ears tinted a light shade of pink.

“that, he got it from me.” his mom winked at his dad, who scoffed at the remark. “where’s minji? you haven’t brought her here for a while.” the look on johnny’s face was too readable that his mom knew in an instant.

“we broke up. she had another guy behind my back.”

the sudden snickers from his parents left him in question, were they laughing? “great ‘cause we didn’t really like her for you!”

“really?.. wait, what?” he asked in disbelief, “anyway, i broke it off and i kinda knew she was out of it already.”

“took you a while to realize it, john.” his father just sighed, “are you going to get a new one?”

“what? no.” johnny chuckled awkwardly, “anyway we’ll take our leave now.” johnny shook youngmin a little before his parents bid them a goodbye. he walked towards his car and buckled him up. “ready to go, buddy?”

“ready.” he wiped his eyes, sleep covering him very soon. “music please.”

“which one?” johnny asked as he set the rear mirror to get a good look at him, knowing well what youngmin was going to say.

“coldplay!” they said simultaneously.

“now that, you got it from me.” he laughed heartily while they made their way back to his shared apartment with taeyong, jungwoo, and kun.

the clinks of the apartment keys had the boys look up from their game on playstation. jungwoo sighing frustratedly when kun defeated him thrice in a row. “seriously? you’re cheating, kun hyung!”

kun stretched, “clearly not. you’re just a bad player.”

“could one of you dumbasses get the kimchi from the table?” taeyong shouted from the kitchen, only to be greeted with youngmin having the wanted side dish in his tiny hands. “see, youngmin just got here and he did a better job than you two!”

“it’s loud in here, damn.” johnny took his shoes off while youngmin had his phone in his hands.

kun sat on one of the couches, eating the kimchi fried rice taeyong just made. “so you met up with minji, how did the dinner go?”

taeyong nudged the younger boy, and jungwoo looked confused. johnny couldn’t blame the two, they didn’t know what actually happened. “these two lovebirds called it quits tonight.”

“what!?”

“yup.” johnny popped his lips, “takuya terada”

kun’s eyes widened, “like.. takuya from high school?”

“they suit each other anyway, the biggest flirts of ____ high.” jungwoo chewed on a kimbap. “no offense.”

“none taken, i feel relieved anyway.” he sat down spotting taeyong busy typing on his phone. “you still looking for girls on love click?”

“well yeah, someone should at least find me attractive.” he replied.

jungwoo snickered before choking on his food, “as if anyone would see your face through a filter system on the app. just what is the university thinking?”

“ha, wait until they see this handsome thing for real.” he turned to johnny, “bro you should try looking for new love, you’re in need of it right now, you know?” taeyong locked his phone to continue eating the almost midnight dinner.

“please, i’m still freshly ‘heartbroken’, don’t tempt me.” johnny rolled his eyes.

“mama.” youngmin shook the huge phone, a selfie of johnny and minji flashed the screen.

“not mama anymore.” he told him, then youngmin clicked on another app.

“mama.” he showed them the love click app; the color scheme of red and pink caught his attention. and johnny scrunched his brows, the other three smirking at each other.

“seems like he wants a new mama.” kun teased, earning a death glare from johnny. “what? that whole daddy look of yours is attractive to almost every girl in campus. just wife someone up already!”

shaking his head, he couldn’t believe the encouragement from his friend. “too soon my bros.” johnny chuckled, “maybe i’ll give it try after a few weeks or so.”

johnny sat by the bed while youngmin slept with his sausage pillow. now that he thought about it, the little boy hadn’t seen minji in months. it was obvious that he’d look for her. but what he didn’t get was that he showed love click; a dating app he didn’t remember installing.

“mama.” he recalled youngmin say.

he dimmed the lights and sat beside youngmin, patting his bottom gently as he drifted away into slumber, he too was getting sand in his eyes. he pressed his lips into a thin line, halfheartedly created an account just in case he really needed it.

“this is stupid.”

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

taglist: @titanmaknae29 @joepomonerof @lovesuhng @studyingthemind @cheyehc

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creative-frequency · 7 months

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More Astarion brainrot, cause why not? One day I'll start posting the whole thing. Maybe.

“Speaking of magic,” Astarion begins and you can sense what’s coming. “I heard you prepared quite the polymorphic spectacle today.”

You roll your eyes.

“I’m so sad I missed it,” he teases.

“Sure I can turn you into a sheep–” a yawn cuts your sentence, “–tomorrow.”

It was not the first Wild Magic catastrophe on your journeys and likely would not be the last either. Only this time the whole party of four – Lae’zel, Shadowheart, Gale and yourself – were within the danger zone.

“I’d say the first watch after a day of exploring is a fitting punishment,” Astarion muses.

“Hells, I’m so tired already,” you grumble, rubbing your eyes. The campfire flames are so bright they almost hurt to look at.

“Sorry, darling. I can’t stay, I have my own needs to attend to,” Astarion says and spins on his heels, ready to leave you alone to tend to the camp.

“If I let you drink from me, will you take the watch?” you slip.

Astarion stops in the middle of his spin. He turns back to meet your serious look, unable to believe his pointy ears. “What an interesting offer.”

“Isn’t that what you’ve wanted to do ever since I stumbled upon your secret?” you ask, feeling nervous and already regretting your boldness.

Astarion can’t exactly deny your words, but he still takes his wins wherever he can.

“What would dear Wyll say if he knew you were even suggesting such debauchery, hmm?” Astarion teases you, but you can see his eyes flash with anticipation and the sudden tension in his posture.

Oh, how he has been waiting to hear those words from your lips.

He could have bitten anyone since he realised that Cazador’s old orders, which prohibited him from drinking blood without his Master’s explicit permission, no longer bound him. But the wait made this moment just so much sweeter.

You scoot over to leave room on the fallen tree trunk for Astarion to sit down. “Wyll doesn’t really have a say in this, does he?” you reply.

“Of course, dear. What happens in camp, stays in camp.”

Contradictions and Other Counter-Measures Ch. 1

#astarion x reader #astarion x you #astarion fanfic #astarion #baldur's gate 3 fanfiction #bg3 fanfiction #excerpt #contradictions and other counter measures

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icequeenbae · 3 months

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Boy Next Door (m) Ch.3 | BBH

Pairing: Baekhyun x Reader

Neighbor AU, slow burn, hurt/comfort, fluff, smut

Warnings: Baek being the neighbor we’re all dreaming of, harassment (nothing graphic), a bit of body image/ insecurity, MC sucks at relationships, explicit content, unprotected sex

Word Count: ~18.5k (total), 5.3k (pt.3)

Summary: Your neighbor Baekhyun has been a pleasant acquaintance since you moved into your current apartment almost a year ago. Could he also be… a perfect match?

Chapter Masterlist [ongoing]: Pt. 1 > Pt. 2 > Pt. 3 > Pt. 4 (fin)

Author’s note: Hiiii sweethearts!! I learned yesterday that my blog has earned 10k likes from you, so I decided that there was no better way to say thanks than to post part 3 of this story hehe Hope you like this little token of appreciation! 💕 And prepare thyselves, this is gonna be pretty intense 🔥🔥🔥

Tags: @bbh-net @k-vanity @ksmutsociety @lavnderluv @cupreoussyzygy @byunbaek-hyun-04

PART 3

‘I hate my life, Yu…’

‘Wow, haven’t heard that one before,’ your friend responded sarcastically.

‘I’m serious this time!’ You shrieked.

‘Stop yelling in my ear,’ she grumbled, shifting on the bed. ‘Your life sucks just ‘cause you’re too sensitive.’

You whined loudly, which couldn’t prevent her from continuing her lecture for the nth time.

‘I get that you were caught off guard. But who’s that chick to make such disgusting comments? I’m sure you looked hot as hell in his shirt, and she was jealous of you.’

‘Thanks, but you have no idea what she looked like…’

‘She probably isn’t even that pretty; you just thought she was in the spur of a moment. You get confused easily.’

‘No, I don’t! I can’t say her face is the prettiest I’ve seen, but she was dressed in expensive clothes, her hair seemed perfect, and she was skinny.’

‘Who cares? Is that why you’re not eating tteokbokki for the first time in your life??’

‘I’m not hungry,’ you groaned.

‘You’re always hungry! I’ve never seen you turn down street food! Can you at least eat the egg?’

‘Eat it yourself.’

Yuki gasped.

‘Are you sure you’re not terminally ill? Shall I call an ambulance?’ She asked and then shifted in place. ‘Or better yet… shall I call him?’

‘What? No!’ You almost pounced on your friend out of fear.

She was kidding, but you knew what she was capable of.

‘Y/N… It’s been a week. You can’t be avoiding him forever.’

‘I can. And I will.’

‘Come on! Why would you? It’s obvious from their convo that she isn’t his girlfriend, more like an annoying ex. If even that. Maybe she’s a stalker… So why are you retreating to your shell again?’

‘Because! What if she is his ex? I don’t think we’re exactly similar in any way, and if she is his type, then…’

‘Then what? Didn’t he mercilessly kick her out? So what exactly does she have on you?’

You sighed, turning away. It wasn’t that you were ugly or had low self-esteem. But people had their… preferences and beauty standards. And you imagined that guys like Baekhyun usually went for girls like her. Not the girls next door. It wasn’t as much about beauty as…

She just seemed more exciting. And you were anything but.

‘Just talk to him. Pretty sure the abundance of missed calls means that he wants to clear up the misunderstanding.’

‘Do you have soju?’

‘I’m not pouring you alcohol when you’ve been starving yourself for days! Besides, you have work tomorrow, don’t you?’

‘I thought I was the boring one,’ you grumbled, pouting at your friend.

Although you didn’t have a drop of anything, the next day at work was just as agonizing as the entire week prior. You were usually pretty happy about Fridays (with the whole weekend ahead), but you were in a sour mood this time. Going home meant getting anxious about running into your neighbor, and you hadn’t come up with what to tell him yet. So, the sooner the end of your working hours approached, the more uneasy you felt.

Baekhyun hadn’t tried calling or texting you today, and this was hardly a relief. Did he give up on you and your weird tantrums? Most likely. But then again, maybe it was for the best. This way, you wouldn’t have a chance to live in the world you’d imagined. At times, especially right before you went to sleep, you’d think back to the events of that day. And inevitably, the memories of the two of you making out on his couch would pop up in your head. Then the intruder barges in and looks down on you. Humiliating you with her comments in front of Baekhyun. Goosebumps marathoned across your body every time you recalled that. Especially your own pathetic reaction. Why didn’t you tell her off? Why did you suddenly feel so insecure?

Your desire to avoid going home was so strong that you ended up drinking with some of your colleagues at a bar. Secretly, you’d also hoped that alcohol would erase the unpleasant memories. And at least for a bit, you’d stop beating yourself up forever thinking you and Baekhyun could work. You were hurt many times when your exes left for someone, but the incident in his apartment was different. It was like a quick sneak peek into this situation, and you didn’t like how it made you feel. And it shouldn’t have affected you this way. You and Baekhyun weren’t even a thing.

But Yuki was definitely right about denying you access to alcohol. Too bad you were an adult with all the means to get as much of it as you desired.

‘Why is this button dancing around? It’s not supposed to move,’ you slurred out, unable to call the elevator. ‘Jinwoo-yah, it’s not working.’

‘Let me press it for you, Y/N-ssi.’

Your colleague leaned in, still holding you close to his side to prevent you from collapsing to the floor, and pressed the button. His ‘heroic’ action made you giggle.

‘Jinwoo-ya-ah, you’re the bestest!’

He snickered at your expressiveness and helped you inside the elevator.

‘Which floor?’

‘Thirteen.’ You giggled throughout the ride up, although you didn’t know what was funny about that number.

‘You’re in pretty bad shape, sunbae.’ He sighed, catching you when you almost tripped, walking out. ‘What’s your passcode?’

‘No-no-no!’ You shook your index finger in front of his nose. ‘I don’t tell all the pretty boys my passcode!’

Jinwoo looked at you helplessly, probably grasping that you were unable to actually press it in yourself.

And he was right. After about five minutes of you trying and failing, he suggested again.

‘Just tell me, and I’ll do it.’

‘Okay. It’s 3-2- no, 1-… 2-1-6… Wait. Was it?’ You were confused by your own thoughts now.

‘Y/N?’

You turned your head towards the voice.

‘Baekhyunie!’ You jumped on the spot and almost dropped yourself on the tile if not for your helpful colleague’s hands on your waist. ‘Do you remember my passcode? Jinwoo doesn’t know it…’

Baekhyun didn’t respond, scanning you and the man beside you.

‘What happened?’ He addressed the guy, earning a pout from you.

‘Our team was out, and she had too much soju on an empty stomach,’ he explained. ‘Tomorrow morning’s gonna be bad, so she should lie down ASAP. Do you know her passcode by any chance?’

‘No.’ Baekhyun answered. ‘But I’ll deal with her. You can go, thanks.’

Jinwoo was reluctant to let go of you.

‘Uh- wait. She’s really drunk. I don’t think I can just leave her-’

‘She’s been alone with me many times. Don’t worry about it.’ Baekhyun pierced your poor colleague with his eyes, gripping your waist.

‘Are you taking me home, oppa-yah? Can we make out on your couch again?’ You murmured, leaning into him.

‘Aish. You’re shameless.’ He chuckled, turning to Jinwoo, who was still by your side.

He was less sure that he needed to be there now.

‘I’ll… Uh- I’ll just go then. Take care!’ He blurted, nodding at Baekhyun before walking away.

‘Bye, Jin-jinwoo!’ You waved at him happily.

‘Come on in,’ Baekhyun shooed you into his apartment. ‘How did you even get this drunk…’

He crouched in front of you, helping you out of your shoes.

‘…and with a bunch of male colleagues, I’m sure. He can’t just leave you with me? Pfft!’ He kept grumbling as he almost carried you into the kitchen.

After making you drink some water, he brought you to the next destination – his bedroom.

‘Can you stand here while I change the sheets?’

‘No-ho!’ Your knees instantly grew weak, and you’d fall if not for Baekhyun’s hold.

‘Wow, your condition is worse than I thought. Let’s sit you down then.’

‘No! Don’t change them!’

He looked at you in bafflement.

‘You don’t want me to change the sheets?’

You closed your eyes, head too heavy to shake to indicate your answer.

‘I want… Baekhyunie’s sheets.’ You shoved him away, stumbling over nothing and falling onto his bed face first.

‘Y/N-ah…’ He sounded like he was about to scold you.

‘No. Baekhyunie’s sheets smell nice.’

‘The clean ones smell even nicer.’ He tried.

‘No. They don’t smell like oppa.’ You quipped, burying your nose in his pillow.

‘You like how oppa smells?’ He asked, lifting his eyebrows.

‘Yes. Comfy.’

‘Comfy?’

‘Yes. I like him. But he likes other type.’ You muttered in an injured tone.

‘Other type?’ He asked, sitting down on the bed next to you.

You ignored him at first, but he poked at your shoulder to get you to elaborate.

‘Mean skinny girls.’ You mumbled begrudgingly. ‘Not Y/N.’

‘You’re drunk. You should sleep,’ Baekhyun sighed, giving up on you.

He pulled the duvet from underneath your body to cover you with it. While he was busy tucking you in, you started sobbing.

‘Y/N? What is it, does anything hurt?’ He asked, voice growing alarmed from your sudden change of tune.

‘Why doesn’t oppa like me, though?’ You sniffled, hugging his pillow. ‘I know I’m not fun, but I like him so much…’

‘That’s just not true.’ He replied, stroking your hair gently. ‘Calm down. Sleep it off, and then we’ll talk, okay? Get comfortable, and I’ll take the couch.’

But you continued wetting his pillow with your drunken tears even more devotedly.

‘Are you gonna leave me alone? Is it because I’m not- You really don’t-’

‘Oh, Y/N…’

Baekhyun allowed you to tug him closer, basically lying down next to you. At once, you latched onto him, trading his pillow for his body without hesitation.

‘Don’t go,’ you bleated, holding onto him, head on his chest.

He sighed, arms slowly reciprocating your sudden embrace.

‘I’m not going anywhere, Y/N-ie. Oppa’s staying with you.’ He sounded reassuring, but you weren’t entirely convinced.

‘What if she comes again?’

‘No one will come.’

‘What if she does!’ You pressed.

‘Then I’ll tell her to go away. Because I like my Y/N-ie best,’ Baekhyun responded, and you could’ve only been more surprised if you were sober.

‘Me?’

‘Yes, you. Now, go to sleep, or I’ll relocate to the couch.’

‘No!’ With how sleepy you’d become, you were protesting to the latter rather than the former.

‘Shall I count to three?’

‘I’m asleep,’ you whispered, before adding in a tiny mischievous voice. ‘Oppa-yah.’

‘Tsk. Silly.’ He hummed softly, hugging you tighter.

It was warm and secure in Baekhyun’s arms. Comfy. You’d never dozed off so quickly and so peacefully.

***

The next morning was rough. No, it was brutal.

Took you several hours to simply wake up. On the first go, you couldn’t bring yourself to even open your eyes. It was still early, and your head hurt so much… Yelping like a puppy, you sank deeper into the sheets, breathing in more of the calming scent. Somehow, it lulled you right back to sleep.

The second time around though, you did fully wake. Although not for long: only long enough to notice a cup of water and a single pill that Baekhyun had already left for you on top of the nightstand. Taking a few gulps to wash it down, you dropped back and blacked out again.

By the third time you opened your eyes, the sun was so high in the sky that you could tell even though the curtains were closed. Your head was heavy, and your mouth tasted awful, but the headache was gone. Taking your time, you looked around the room, recalling how you got into, what you realized was, Baekhyun’s bed.

You sat up cautiously, rubbing your eyes to wake fully before noticing that your fingers were turning black.

‘Ah damn, my makeup!’ You cursed, nearly falling off the edge of the bed.

It was decided on the spot that you needed to move your bones to the bathroom before Baekhyun saw you in your hungover glory.

‘You just had to end up at his house,’ you gritted at yourself, walking to the bathroom door shakily.

Locking yourself in, you evaluated your appearance in the mirror.

‘Jesus Christ. My face is enormous!’

You almost cried. Did you have to look this awful? Surely, Baekhyun took notice of your extreme swelling and panda-inspired ruined mascara and left the bed as soon as possible.

‘Don’t go.’ Yesterday’s events were gradually coming back to you, brick by brick.

Did you beg him to stay in bed with you? He must have found you laughable. How could you even look him in the eye ever again?

You washed up as thoroughly as possible. As if any amount of face rubbing could decrease its puffiness to a bearable extent. Well, at least you got the remnants of your makeup off.

Unwilling to risk running into Baekhyun like this, you decided to be an audacious guest and use the shower, too. After all, you were sure you wouldn’t leave the apartment unnoticed. This way, you’d at least postpone the inevitable.

However, your oblivion only lasted long enough for you to finish up. Because as soon as you opened the door, you were met with the person you wanted to avoid at all costs.

‘God!’ You were startled and caught off guard.

‘It’s just me,’ Baekhyun shrugged, trying to ease the tension with a joke.

‘I- I’m sorry. For the inconvenience…s. I’ll be out of your hair in a second.’

You hurried to gather your things, but his hand prevented you from taking another step.

‘Why are you always fussing around?’ He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Unsure how to answer, you stayed silent. Baekhyun chuckled, thinking something to himself. Before you could ask what it was, he cleared his throat.

‘Let’s have breakfast. I made ramyeon; it’s great for hangovers.’

‘Uh- but-’

‘Do you have somewhere to be?’ He asked with an eye smile.

He was definitely amused. Probably because of your reprehensible performance yesterday.

‘Come on, you need to replenish your energy. Do you feel nauseous or dizzy?’

You muttered ‘no’ shyly, and he nodded.

‘Good. Let’s go then.’

While being dragged into the kitchen, you could only swear at yourself in your mind for your life choices.

‘I boiled a couple of eggs for you too. Do you want kimchi?’

You shook your head, frankly quite blown away by his forethought. He gave you a full bowl of noodles, placing the pot in the middle of the table.

‘Dig in.’

‘Thank you.’ Grabbing your chopsticks, you followed his suggestion.

Surprisingly, the ramyeon was spicy.

Slurping the noodles quickly, you realized how hungry you actually were. The bowl became empty in just a couple minutes.

‘Wow, I guess making four servings was the right choice,’ Baekhyun mused, removing the lid. ‘Have more.’

In the back of your mind, you still wondered why he made spicy ramyeon for you when he couldn’t eat spicy food that well himself.

Your second bowl went slower than the first, so you noticed how he observed you.

‘What?’ You asked, chewing on the egg.

‘Nothing,’ he smiled. ‘You’re eating well.’

You lowered your chopsticks, thinking about what he’d said. It was your first big and unhealthy meal this week, now that you were thinking of it. And maybe it was a good idea to slow down.

‘Why did you stop?’ Baekhyun asked, looking concerned.

Forcing out a small smile, you turned to him.

‘You’re right, I should cut down on it anyways.’

‘That’s not what I said,’ Baekhyun frowned, putting his chopsticks down. ‘But now I’ve come to think of it, that colleague of yours said something yesterday, too. That you drank on an empty stomach. Why?’

‘No reason,’ you mumbled, suddenly interested in the color of the broth.

He took his time inspecting your face, and you tried to ignore it.

‘Don’t tell me… Is it because of what she said?’

You dropped a chopstick you were still holding into your bowl with a loud clank, almost jumping out of your skin. How did he come to that conclusion? Were you that easy to figure out? Maybe you said something yesterday… What could that be?

‘I can literally read your thoughts on your face,’ Baekhyun sighed. ‘You really are silly, Y/N-ah…’

You pouted, saying nothing to this. Because you didn’t know what to say and also because you weren’t sure what he meant.

‘Hm. No one asked me, but… I like a girl with a healthy appetite,’ he said, tilting his head slightly to the side while his eyes kept watching you closely.

Meeting his gaze, you swallowed. The spicy ramyeon was making you sweat.

‘Makes me think she has a healthy appetite for everything. You know?’

Turning crimson, you bit down on your lower lip.

‘Now, you decide whose opinion resonates with you,’ Baekhyun added lightheartedly, returning to his meal as if nothing happened. ‘Wah, should’ve added cheese to it…’

Reluctantly, you picked up your chopsticks.

‘Can’t let it get soggy,’ you said unintelligibly.

Baekhyun gurgled out a laugh before slurping more of his noodles.

The day went by unfathomably fast since you had only finished your ‘breakfast’ in the late afternoon. Your neighbor’s hospitality made you feel at home (as usual), and you were already used to hanging out in his apartment for hours. And although you were too embarrassed to even think of looking Baekhyun in the eye, it had all cleared up somehow. He even managed to seduce you into staying for a few hours longer.

Most of that time you spent chilling on the couch, reducing his lemon ice-cream stock while he played video games. Which you enjoyed watching, actually. Despite having no clue about how to play them or what the goal was, you liked to be around when he played. He always seemed so focused and relaxed at the same time. You could tell that he was good at it, and he always made sure to win whenever you were watching.

However, by the time he was done, you noticed it was pretty late already.

‘Damn, I’m overstaying my welcome by far. You’re a perfect host,’ you chuckled sheepishly, scrambling off the couch to head to his bedroom to change back into your clothes and go home.

‘You can stay as long as you like. I don’t mind,’ Baekhyun murmured, following in your steps.

‘I can’t stay in your apartment forever, can I?’ You mused, turning to face him.

‘Can’t you?’ He deadpanned, approaching you steadily.

You searched his face in puzzlement, and he didn’t stop moving closer until there was less than half an arm’s length between your bodies.

‘What if you do?’ He asked softly, backing you into the wardrobe door. ‘You wanted oppa to stay with you yesterday. Aren’t you going to return the favor?’

He was referring to your drunken ravings, you were sure. Your cheeks heated up, and you swallowed to soothe your dry throat. Baekhyun was so close, and you had to hold yourself back to keep your hands off of him, his messy hair, broad shoulders, and loose sweats.

‘I wonder if you only said that because you were inebriated… Or…’ He trailed off, leaning on the door behind you.

‘Stop…’ You whispered, unable to withstand his slow seduction.

Baekhyun paused, a breath away from your face, and straightened up slightly, allowing more space between you.

‘… beating around the bush.’ You finished, firmer this time, and looked up at him.

There was no need to ask him to do anything. He pressed his lips to yours with zero hesitation, and you were ready to welcome his initiative. Sliding your palms up his arms, you squeezed and hugged his shoulders, using them for balance. Baekhyun’s hands pulled you closer until your body was flat against his, and you could feel the heat of his skin on yours through the fabric of your (actually, his) shirt.

He groaned into the kiss as you slipped one hand under his clothes to trace your fingers from his lower back. The muscles flexed under your touch, and you felt more pressure against your chest. He pushed you into his body firmly, and you couldn’t think of anything but how much you wanted this to be skin-to-skin contact.

Baekhyun, as if reading your mind, backed away just to allow you to roll his shirt up and get it off. Your eyes examined his bare waist greedily, memorizing each line and each mole. He interrupted you by occupying your mouth again, and you let him do as he pleased, trailing your palms down his chest. Happy to investigate, you allowed your fingers to wander around everywhere, exploring his beautiful body.

As your hands reached his lower abdomen, however, you were interrupted by the loud ringing of his phone in his pants pocket.

‘Damn it.’ He cursed under his breath, almost pissed off by the unnecessary pause. ‘Hold that thought.’

He looked at the screen and sighed, seeing that the number was unknown.

‘Yes, hello?’ He responded, voice mildly annoyed.

Someone spoke on the other end, and he frowned.

‘Who is this?’

Baekhyun fell silent for a couple seconds and then rolled his eyes.

‘How did you get my number?’

The caller’s voice was faint, but it seemed familiar… Was it that woman again?

Suddenly, you were straining your ears to hear what she was saying.

‘…couldn’t enter, and I brought dinner for us!’

She did what?!

You looked at Baekhyun, who stepped away and turned his back to you.

‘I’m not sure why you thought it was a good idea. But I did blacklist you in my apartment complex because you enjoy invading my privacy.’

At least your neighbor didn’t want her here; that was a relief. What bothered you was that he was still on the phone with her. In his bedroom, half-naked, and with you on hold. In your mind, this wasn’t at all an ideal scenario.

And tonight, you were in the mood to make it known.

So, you crawled into bed and took his shirt off, crumpling it into a ball of fabric and throwing it at his back. Baekhyun turned around, finding the item on the floor and staring at it momentarily. His eyes darted up to discover that you were in his bed, almost fully naked, with just the blanket held up to your chest covering you. His tense expression promptly changed into one of playful anticipation.

‘Um- I’m busy right now. Please go home and don’t bother me again. Bye.’

He said the last word with his knee on the bed, and you snatched his phone out of his hand as soon as he ended the call. Picking up exactly where you’d left off, you resumed kissing, only to be interrupted by the buzz of his phone on the pillow again. You growled in irritation.

‘Let me block her.’ Baekhyun said, kissing your neck while reaching for the device.

But you grabbed it first.

‘Are you desperate, or is your hearing impaired? Stop calling him.’

Ending it before she could say anything, you quickly blocked the number, switched the sound off, and got rid of his phone. Turning back, you noticed Baekhyun’s unyielding gaze.

‘What?’ You barked.

‘Nothing,’ he shook his head, seemingly holding back a smile. ‘I’m just surprised.’

‘By?’

‘How vicious you are when you’re jealous. In a sexy kind of way.’

You huffed, reasoning with him like a five-year-old would.

‘I’m not jealous! She can’t set foot in the area, and I freaking live next door.’

‘Right.’

His teasing tone made you even more determined, so you pushed him down to lie on his back, and got on top.

‘What do I need to be jealous of? I got you right here.’

‘Oh yeah, you got me good.’

Spurred on further, you narrowed your eyes at your mildly infuriating neighbor before finding his pants and ripping them off of him. Just to realize that he wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

Meanwhile, Baekhyun wasn’t at all fazed by your brazen actions. In fact, he was noticeably aroused by them, which you could tell from the way he watched you with half-lidded eyes.

‘Now what?’ He asked, still lying down comfortably and enjoying the show. ‘Gonna ride me raw?’

‘Yes.’ You shot out without thinking, earning an eyebrow raise from him, and settled on his thighs. ‘Gonna keep mocking me?’

‘Yes.’ He mirrored, long fingers traveling up your thighs to get a good hold of your hips and push you down slightly.

The friction between your bodies made him hiss, the thin and slightly damp fabric of your panties grazing over his bare cock.

‘Shit, Y/N.’

It was finally your turn to be smug.

‘I thought you didn’t swear in front of ladies?’

He let out a short laugh, letting you know he was onto you.

‘I actually swear a lot,’ he admitted, smirking at you as he continued. ‘When I’m angry, when I’m surprised… When I really wanna fuck Y/N.’

You dragged your hips over his in retaliation, causing him to grunt. His hands made your movements more confident and consistent, and you could feel the glide of his skin with your core as you moved back and forth. It was pleasant, but you knew it would be much better without that last layer between you.

While you were thinking it through, Baekhyun’s eyes were glued to your body. One of his hands reached for your breast to squeeze lightly, testing your sensitivity, and you put your palm on top of it to ensure he wouldn’t retract.

‘You’re so… soft,’ he stated, chest flailing. ‘Does it hurt?’

‘No. My breasts aren’t overly sensitive to that type of touch. Ow!’ You instantly reacted when he pinched you.

‘Your nipples seem sensitive to me,’ he hummed, tugging you close enough to kiss your exposed nub quickly. ‘What type of touch, though… Maybe this?’

A quick lick made you whine, startled by the explosion of warmth in your lower belly. However, Baekhyun quickly caught on to your reactions, so he opted to suck your perky nipple into his mouth to fondle it gently. You shivered, fingers diving into his hair and pulling at the roots.

‘Mm, Baekhyun-n-’ He ignored your cry, tongue still swirling around the tiny area while his eyes studied your face. ‘God- damn you.’

He released it slowly, licking his sufficiently wet lips afterward.

‘Shall I move on to the other one?’ He inquired with a ghost of a smile on his face, noting how quickly he was making you disintegrate with simple petting.

‘Wait!’ You pressed on his chest to have him lie back.

The further delay seemed impossible. Reaching down, you quickly moved your panties out of the way and pressed the tip of his fully hard cock to your leaking entrance. Your fingers were instantly slick with your own arousal, and Baekhyun could only groan as he slipped inside you effortlessly. His hips jerked voluntarily, and you yelped at the intense yet welcomed sensation.

‘Sorry… Couldn’t help it.’ Your lover’s hand patted your thigh apologetically, and you shook your head.

‘Just- give me a second,’ you muttered, clenching down on him. ‘It’s been a while…’

He stroked your thigh up and down for a bit, probably reining his desires in. You could feel the twitch of his length in a tight lock of your walls.

Seeing something in your eyes, Baekhyun moved to sit up with you still in his lap. You met him halfway, finding his lips already waiting for yours. The kiss was deep and slow, accompanied by the caress of his hands on your back and waist. You were so consumed by it that you didn’t even notice when your hips started rocking.

But your hunger grew exponentially, and just minutes later the leisured pace couldn’t keep you satisfied anymore.

‘Baekhyun,’ you whined, too overwhelmed and loved-up in your chase after pleasure.

Holding on to his firm shoulders, you threw your head back. He continued pressing kisses into the damp skin of your chest, kneading your ass with one of his hands simultaneously. The position wasn’t the most convenient, but the affection you received was worth every strain on your muscles.

‘Baekhyun, please…’ You sobbed the anticipation building and slipping out of grasp again.

Somehow, he understood what your plea implied. It was time for him to take charge, and you were ready to give him the opportunity to do so.

And it seemed like he was only waiting for the opening.

Your partner was quick to fling you onto the bed. Before you knew it, your panties were on the floor, and he was between your legs, spreading them wider. His first thrust made you whimper with its steadiness and intensity, and so did the second and the third.

‘I got you, baby.’ His voice seemed lower, void of teasing now and laced with fondness and passion.

‘Mmh-’ You arched your back, thighs quivering in pleasure around his middle.

‘Fuck,’ he swore, enduring your tightness and going hard to bring you to your release as fast as possible. ‘Fuck, Y/N-ie…’

‘B-Baekhyun…’ You hiccupped while he reached the spots inside you that made your eyes roll backward. ‘I’m close…’

Your hand slipped down his sweaty back, and the pounding became so precise that you felt tears prick your eyes.

‘Mm-baby, you need to come,’ Baekhyun growled into your ear, breathing heavily. ‘You’re too fucking tight.’

Shrieking as if in pain, you clawed at his shoulder to keep him in place, still teetering on the edge of your release.

‘Ah- yes, yes,’ You cried out as he gave you his all, bottoming out each time, sweat running down his face. ‘Baekhyun!’

His hold on you became rigid while you writhed through your high. He slowed down and kept jerking his hips forward to allow you to milk every drop of your pleasure until you couldn’t take it anymore. Both of your breathing was loud and labored, and it took you some time to be fully reinstated in reality. Slowly, the sensory feedback deciphered, and you noticed how sweaty you were. It was also still slick and swollen between your legs. In fact, you seemed to all be covered in bodily fluids, but that couldn’t detract from your level of satisfaction.

‘Wow,’ you heard Baekhyun say from beside you. ‘I really risked it all for this. Hey, was it worth it?’

You blinked at him several times, brain too slow to catch his meaning.

‘Your orgasm,’ he added, snorting at your absentmindedness. ‘I barely managed to pull out on time.’

Smiling weakly at his statement, you licked your dry lips.

‘I’m glad you have so much more willpower than me…’ You flinched as he wiped his cum off your lower belly before pulling the covers over you.

‘What willpower? I’ve never had so little.’ Baekhyun hummed, moving closer to you and invading your pillow. ‘I don’t have sex without condoms. And I generally last longer, but you almost made me bust a nut before you.’

‘Oh damn, I feel special,’ you chuckled, loving how his fingers caressed your face while brushing your hair back.

‘You are, Y/N-ie,’ he murmured, leaning in and kissing you. ‘I assume round two is for later?’

‘Later??’

‘I’ll give you till morning,’ he suggested playfully.

‘I need to shower first. And rest.’

‘Why do all that when you can just come again?’

‘Stop talking like that, or I will marry you.’ You fired at him, squirming under the influence of his affectionate touching.

‘Great thinking. Then I won’t have to pull out.’

You gasped, causing him to laugh.

‘It’s alright. We’re only a bit too young to become parents. But you know, my hyung was younger than me when he became a father. That was by accident, though.’ He paused for a second. ‘Come to think of it, I’m not a big expert on pulling out, so who knows how it’s gonna-’

‘Baekhyun?’

‘Hm?’

‘Shut up.’

Masterlist

A/N: Okay, here goes!! Just another installment left to finish this mini-series, how are we feeling?? Hehe As usual, big thanks for your messages and comments, I appreciate all of the feedback from you my darlings💜💜💜

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chunkypossum · 2 months

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Poly+ ACOTAR Week Master List

I knew I wanted to participate in @polyacotarweek this year but I even surprised myself at how much I wrote. Starting tomorrow here is what I have planned to post this week!

Day 1: Beginnings || Embers in the Wind

Nesta X Cassian X Eris Part 1/4 || 4k words READ ON AO3

Cassian and Nesta are happier than they have ever been, or so they thought. When their mating bond snapped, it wasn’t only euphoric it was healing. Both Cassian and Nesta had so many years of trauma to overcome to finally learn to love each other properly. So, what happens when they get thrown a third mating bond that they never expected? What happens when their new mate can’t handle the pressure of the bond? What happens when it's someone they thought they were supposed to hate?

Day 2: Comfort || Embers in the Wind

Nesta X Cassian X Eris Part 2/4 || 4k words READ ON AO3

Day 3: Secrets || Embers in the Wind

Nesta X Cassian X Eris Part 3/4 || 6k words READ ON AO3

Day 4: Adventure || Embers in the Wind

Nesta X Cassian X Eris Part 4/4 || 7k words READ ON AO3

Day 5: Favorite Tropes || A Dance Named Starlight - AU

Cassian X Nesta X Eris X Azriel 7k words READ ON AO3

Fake wedding dates + a little bit of jealousy, plenty could go wrong, but what about all the things that could go right? Nesta and Cassian are on a break but she can't show up to her sister's wedding alone. Who better to accompany her than the ostentatious brother of the groom, Eris Vanserra? Thankfully, he is also newly single and ready to make a pointed appearance with Nesta on his arm. Dressed to impress and ready to wow everyone on the dance floor, this pair thought they were ready for anything. What they didn't account for was just how tangled their heartstrings would become.

Day 7: Free Day || Lighthouse in the Woods

Azriel X Eris X OC Prologue + Ch 1/4 || 9k words READ ON AO3

The New High Lord of Autumn isn't fairing too well with his new reign. Luckily his allies in the Night Court are willing to send him aid. The Spymaster is just too good at his job however, and the High Lord isn't quite sure how to let him go when his problems become manageable again. When a budding friendship turns into something more, they're going to have to decide how they define what a family is and where to call home.

If anyone would like to be tagged, please just ask! <3

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livyjh · 1 day

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Come Sail Away ch.2

Bff’s dad!Joel Miller x Plus size!Fem!Reader

Series rating: EXPLICIT 18+

Chapter 2 rating: PG-13

Word count: 2.6k

Summary: Your spring break has been saved by your roommate and best friend, Sarah Miller. She’s invited you to come on vacation with her and her dad, a man you’ve never met. But you didn’t think twice before accepting her invitation. When you finally meet her dad, Joel, you have an instant crush on him. You thought it was one sided… he proves you wrong.

Chapter warnings: being silly, little touches, sensual eye contact, the male gaze, drinking alcohol, being drunk, mentions of body parts, Sarah being a bad friend for a few hours, embarrassing yourself, flirting, rejection, throwing up, walking around without shoes.

A/N: I’m just gonna post every chapter after I finish it. So it may be inconsistent but I wanna give y’all more story!! I’m so excited for you to read this chapter. Trust me, you’ll wanna read the next one too.

Series Masterlist

Joel Miller Masterlist

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

You, Sarah, and Joel got a drink at the bar on the main deck before going down a couple decks to your rooms that were right across from each other.

Joel had an outside room with a small balcony, you and Sarah were going to share an inside room.

You all toured the small rooms together, hanging out in Joel’s stateroom until the captain called for everyone to go to their assigned lifeboat areas for emergency preparedness procedures.

It was boring and you and Sarah were making little remarks and jokes during most of it but you got all the important information.

After that, everyone was free to move about the ship.

“Let’s go to the upper decks to watch while we sail out of the port.” You suggest with a smile.

“Great idea. And more drinks.” Sarah giggles.

“You two are gonna be a handful aren’t you?” Joel laughs.

“We’re adults that can handle themselves, dad. Don’t worry.” Sarah patted his back and you three went to the elevators to go up a few decks.

Once you got to the right floor, you went to the outdoor bar and restaurant where there was a great view off the front of the ship.

You each got a frozen piña colada before sitting in some of the beach chairs around the pool.

“We’ve gotta lounge out here tomorrow. Get some sun.” You turn to Sarah with a smile.

“Oh, one hundred percent.” She laughs and nods.

Sarah is sat between you and Joel, the sun shining as it got lower in the sky.

“What should we do first, ladies? Dinner?” Joel sits up a little to look at you both.

“Oh my god, yes.” You nod.

“I’m starving.” Sarah puts a hand on her stomach.

“Me too.” You and Joel say in unison, making you blush while he huffs a small laugh.

You three get up and go up one deck to the buffet, filling your plates with delicious food before finding a table to sit at.

You eat and then do a little more exploring with Sarah, Joel got tired after dinner and went back to his room. You’ll miss the smell of his cologne.

You and Sarah find out that there’s not only a karaoke bar on the ship, but a casino, 5 restaurants, and an adults only pool area with 4 large hot tubs.

This was going to be the best vacation ever.

***

The next morning you girls met Joel for breakfast at the buffet and talked about what to do that day.

“There’s a music trivia contest at 1 at the lounge on the top deck. I really want to go to that.” Sarah smiled.

“Let’s do it.” Joel nods. “You in?” He looks at you.

“Of course.” You smile and take a peak at Joel’s collarbones peaking out of his cute button up shirt.

“Good.” Sarah sighs happily. “Oh, and pool time, right, Y/n?”

“Yes please. I’m dying for some vitamin D.” You groan.

“I bet you are.” Sarah snorts a laugh and it makes your face warm, you notice Joel trying to keep staring down at his plate like he didn’t hear anything.

You finish breakfast and then tour the gift shop, play slots for a little while at the casino, and then head up to the rooftop lounge.

You could really feel the ship moving up there, it was making you a little dizzy. Sitting down at a table helped.

“Welcome to trivia!! Today’s category is music from the eighties!” A short man with a microphone at the front of the room caught everyone’s attention.

“This is gonna be a blast. We’ve got this.” Joel held up both his hands to high five you and Sarah.

You each slapped one of his hands and a woman brought a paper and pen to your table.

The paper had a space for a team name and then 10 blank lines for naming songs. You three had a short conversation before deciding on the team name: The Texas Rangers.

“You’ll be getting audio clues today! We’ll play a short clip of the song and you write down your guess.” The host smiled to everyone. “Whichever team has the most correct answers will win on-board credit of $50 per person.”

“Song number 1.” He looked at the woman who had passed out the papers. She was now standing at an entertainment system with a computer. She clicked a button and music began.

Upbeat synth played over the speakers and you all instantly knew what it was.

Sarah began writing, ‘Take On Me’. The music stopped after a few seconds.

“Alright, that was an easy one.” The host began. “The second song will be a little harder.”

A heavily mixed electric guitar comes on with a rocking intro. You recognize it but for the life of you, you can’t remember what the song is.

“Wait, dad, what is it?” Sarah looks at Joel with a slight panic in her eyes.

“Never Let Me Down Again.” Joel points at the paper as he whispers to Sarah.

“Yes! Thank you. I could not remember what it was.” You roll your eyes at yourself.

“All good, honey.” Joel nods at you.

The song clip stops and the announcer continues. “Here’s number 3.”

“Jitterbug. Jitterbug. Jitterbug.” Then it cuts off.

“Easy.” You and Sarah say at the same time and she writes down ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’.

“I’m glad you were raised with good music too, Y/n.” Joel nudges you with his elbow.

It sends shivers down your spine and you almost can’t hide it. You laugh to disguise your body movements.

“Y- yeah. Yeah my parents love eighties music. I mean, I do too.” You shrug and tuck your hair behind your ear, a nervous tick you had.

The host kept going through all the songs. There were a couple tough ones in there. One of them Joel didn’t even recognize.

The female host walked around to collect papers to be tallied.

A few minutes later, the announcer got on the mic. “Alright. Our winning team is… The Texas Rangers!”

You clapped and Sarah let out an excited squeal, Joel smiling wide.

“Nine out of ten correct. Impressive.” The announcer nodded to your table. “Everyone else, better luck next time! We’ll see you again tomorrow for another round.”

The short man walked over after turning off the microphone and putting it away. “Good job, folks. May I see your room keys so I can credit that $50 to each of your accounts?”

You all got your room keys out and handed them to the man. He took out a phone with scanner attached, scanning each of your room keys. He pressed a few buttons and then handed the keys back.

“You’re all set!”

“Thanks.” Joel nods.

“This was fun.” Sarah adds.

“We should come back again.” You smile.

“Definitely… now, let’s go get drunk in our bikinis; poolside.” Sarah waggled her eyebrows. She turned to look at Joel. “Dad, you wanna come hang out at the pool with us?”

“I’ll catch up in a bit. You girls go ahead.” He smiles and wraps an arm around Sarah, kissing the top of her head.

“Have fun.” He smiled and winked at you, something he probably didn’t realize had any affect on you. Luckily you were about to go change into clothing that was meant to be wet.

“Thanks, Mr. Miller.” You smile and bat your eyelashes a little.

“Call me Joel, sweetie.” He put a hand on your shoulder. “No need to be so formal.”

Your body was radiating warmth throughout your shoulder where Joel was touching it. “Y- yeah. Sorry. Joel.”

He lifts his hand off your shoulder and gets up. “Don’t worry about it. See you two later.”

He walks away and leaves you in a whirlwind of feelings while he and Sarah are totally oblivious.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Sarah stands and pushes in her chair.

“I’m so ready to be drunk right now.” You laugh.

“Me too, bestie.” Sarah giggles.

***

You and Sarah are sitting poolside working on your third or fourth drinks when Joel appears on the other side of the deck.

Sarah spots him and flags him over. “Dad! Over here!” She points to the open lounge chair on the other side of you, it being the only open one nearby.

You were in your sexy two piece bikini, something you felt more confident in with every drink.

Joel walks over and greets you both. “Hey, glad y’all are still here. I fell asleep for a bit when I got back to the room. The waves are soothing.” He laughs.

He looks so fucking hot with sunglasses on. They’ve got a reflective blue tint on the outside and you can’t tell for sure but you think he keeps looking at you as he’s speaking.

He sets his towel and book down on the little table between your chair and his before he sits and leans back. He turns to you. “How’s the pool?”

“We haven’t gone in yet.” You answer softly.

Joel gulps and nods, turning away from you. “You two put sunscreen on?”

You nod at him and he leans forward to look at his daughter. “Sarah? Sunscreen?”

“Yes dad…” she sighs. “We should probably reapply though. There’s no cloud cover.”

You nod in agreement and get up. You grab your can of spray sunscreen and start with your arms. You spray it on and then rub it into your skin, next was your stomach and chest.

You’re too tipsy to realize but when you spray your legs, you’re bent over, ass up, right in front of Joel.

When you stand up and turn back around to face your chair, you notice Joel’s towel is now covering his lap and his eyes are on you, no sunglasses.

Oh.

Sarah was turned away this whole time and boy, did you give Joel quite the accidental show.

You lick your lips and let out a soft breath, staring at Joel’s face, his eyes busy running up and down your figure.

You both snapped out of it when Sarah’s flip flops scraped the pavement as she turned around. “Y/n, will you get my shoulders?”

Your brain is going a million miles an hour and you can’t form words right now. So a nod would have to do.

She thanks you and turns around. You spray her shoulders and rub it into her skin, stealing one more glance at Joel.

He gave you a small smile, one that was very shy compared to how he’d been looking at you a minute ago.

You and Sarah sat back down and you felt like you’d completely sobered up from that short moment.

“I need another drink.” You hum, holding your empty glass as you stand.

“Can you get me another piña colada, por favor?” Sarah hands you her empty glass.

“Of course.” You smile and head to the bar.

You get yourself a shot of vodka, taking it at the bar before bringing back a piña colada for you and Sarah each.

Joel eventually leaves for dinner, saying a quick goodbye.

Around 8pm, this cute guy comes over and sits in the now empty chair next to Sarah.

“Hey.” He smiles at her.

“Hey.” She grins back.

“I saw you from across the pool… you’re really pretty.” The man bites his lip.

Sarah laughs nervously. “Thank you… you’re very forward.”

“You like that?” He asks.

“I mean, yeah.” She nods.

“Well, then how about you and I go get dinner?” He leans over to look at you. “If it’s okay with your friend.”

Ugh. He really put you on the spot. You didn’t want Sarah to leave your side but you were also pretty drunk and wanted to get out of your bathing suit.

“Yes. She will meet you back here in half an hour. We’re not wearing real clothes.” You laugh.

“Thank you.” He smiles and then winks at Sarah. “See you soon.”

He leaves and Sarah looks at you with excitement and guilt. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. But you deserve a vacation fling after all of your hard work at school this year.” You smile.

“Let’s go get changed.” She nodded.

***

Sarah tells you she may want to bring him back to the room for a bit later. You tell her you’ll stay out finding stuff to do till midnight.

After you’re both changed out of swimsuits, Sarah leaves for the pool again.

You leave the room not long after her to go explore the ship some more.

You end up getting a few more drinks throughout the night while participating in karaoke at the same place that the trivia was at earlier.

You give Sarah an extra half hour past midnight and then stumble back to the room. You knock lightly and wait a minute but don’t hear anything. You use your key card to unlock the door but when you turn the handle and push, you find that the deadbolt is locked too.

“Sarah?” You say through the door while knocking.

After a few minutes, you realize you’re too drunk and tired to keep doing this.

You turn around and knock on the new door in front of you.

When the door swings open, you find exactly who you’re looking for.

“Joel.” You smile.

“Hey, what’s going on?” He asks, rubbing his eyes.

“Oh shit… did- did I wake you up?” You slur.

“Not really.” He shakes his head. “Are you okay?” He looks you over.

“Yeah I’m just drunk… and I wanna go to sleep but your daughter brought a guest back to the room and I can’t get in.” You sigh.

“Come in, sweetheart.” Joel stands back and holds the door open.

You look at the space between him and the wall and you know you’re gonna rub against him as you pass by but you’re tipsy and you want it so you go ahead, faced away from him.

Your ass rubs against him as you pass by and head into the room. He closes the door and you go straight out onto the balcony for fresh, warm, night air.

“Oh my godddddd!” You nearly shout. “This feels soooo good.” You laugh.

“Y/n, be careful.” Joel follows you outside and helps you back in.

“Come on, let’s get you to bed.” His hand cups your elbow as he leads you.

Your breathing picks up and you snort. “I bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?” You mumble.

“What?” He asks, now a little flustered.

“Nothing.” You sigh and kick off your shoes before crawling into the single king bed in his room.

“I think the couch turns into a bed.” He says, mainly to himself, as he pulls the blankets over you.

“Nooo, it’s fine. It’s fine. Don’t-“ you hiccup, “don’t wanna make you sleep on a fuckin- a fuckin couch bed.” You say, eyes half closed.

“Come cuddle up, Mr. Miller.” You smile.

He stares at you, cheeks turning pink. “This is inappropriate. You’re my daughter’s best friend.” He shakes his head.

There it is again. Another wildly sobering moment.

You sit up, chest and face heating up. You are so embarrassed. You swear he was like, sexually checking you out earlier… and now… oh god, you’re gonna puke.

You run to the bathroom and throw up until you can’t anymore, rinsing your mouth out before opening the bathroom door. Joel is standing right there.

“Are you okay?” He asks, eyes sad.

“Yes. I’m fine.” You quickly move past him and leave the room, walking out without your shoes.

He calls after you once but doesn’t chase you as tears start to run down your cheeks.

You end up going to the top deck lounge to fall asleep in a booth.

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

Joel Miller taglist: @evyiione @chyannealaniz @cesspitoflove @supersingle @jrosie25 @blackfemalenerd @bongsrconfusing @milly-louise @farintonorth @brittmb115 @ashleyfilm @steverogers123

Join the tag list here.

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whohasthecards · 4 months

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Diners and Late Nights (CH 1)

Ch 1/Ch 2 (Work and Distractions)

Hangman slipped out of the crowded bar, leaving the chorus of celebrating aviators behind him, and started walking towards the Boardwalk. It was quiet, no tourists this time of the year, so barely anyone was milling around. Shops closed, light from dying lamp posts, the beach dark.

He got far enough that the bar was a blip in the distance. He reckoned by the time he got back, most of his classma- former classmates would have gone home to wherever. The bar doors closed for the night.

He leaned his forearms at the railing, hearing the waves crash on the beach, but only see glimpses of the water due to the moon’s reflection. He sighed as he pulled out a new pack of cigarettes, unwrapping them and pulling one out.

He brought one between his teeth and lit it with a lighter, his other hand blocking the wind. He took a slow deep drag, held it in, breath again, 5 seconds, and out. He watched the smoke dissipate in the air, before he brought the cig to his lips again.

He won Top Gun.

After all those weeks of intense training. All these past few years in the Navy. All the years he spent studying, working, and training his ass off. He got the trophy. He should have been elated. He was, he swear he was, but all he felt was, nothing.

When his name was called he felt elated, as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders, relief. He smiled, laughed with Javy as he hooked an arm around his shoulder. Shook hands. Gave a grin and sarcastic remarks to his cohort.

It died down.

Not the noise. Never the bright lives of the people around him, smiling, laughing, celebrating. From the classrooms, hangar, to the bar. All of them were celebrating, and he was smiling too, but it felt forced. Everything around him felt out of focus, as if he wasn’t fully there. Going through the motions of getting inside his truck and driving to the bar. Ordering a beer, but letting it get cold and stale.

He won.

He felt relieved.

Then nothing.

He looked up, the sky was devoid of any stars, the moon was bright though.

He pulled out his phone, and opened the messaging app.

He scrolled down and pressed on his Dad’s contact.

Stilted conversations. Unsolicited advice or criticisms. One word answers. Last message was sent 6 weeks ago.

He closed the chat.

Javy was probably back at the barracks sleeping. He had an early flight tomorrow.

Hell, he was pretty sure everyone else had an upcoming flight.

He took another drag of a cigarette.

He hoped that winning Top Gun would mean they could expedite his deployment. Better to have something to do, right?

He closed his eyes and leaned forward, groaning as he ran a hand through his hair with his other hand.

“A penny for your thoughts, Lieutenant Seresin?” a voice asked and Jake turned around

It took him a second to realise who it was, he’d never seen Admiral Simpson in regular clothing.

“Sir,” he said, straightening up, stubbing his cigarette on the railing.

“At ease, Lieutenant,” Cyclone drawled, walking to lean on the railing beside him. “I’m not in uniform, and we’re off the clock. No need for formalities right now.”

Jake hesitantly nodded, throwing the cigarette bud away in a trashcan nearby.

“Didn’t think of you as a smoker,” Cyclone started casually.

“Not usually one, first time in months,” Seresin said, shrugging.

“A celebration for winning Top Gun?”

“Nah, ‘just needed to clear my head.”

“Hmm, I get that, you’ll be needing a lot of those times when you go up the ranks in the Navy, try not to rely on that thing too much.”

Jake felt a flash of irritation, “I don’t smoke a lot. Anyways,” Seresin said before giving the older man a smirk, “You think I’ll go up the ranks, Admiral? That seems like a compliment.”

Cyclone simply grunted in response. “That attitude will both help and curse you up the ranks.”

Seresin simply shrugged, “I know.”

“You know, I got your deployment request,” Cyclone started, making Jake stiffen.

“Yeah?” Jake said, trying to play it casually. He wished he didn’t snub out his cigarette, but he wasn’t rude enough to smoke in front of someone who wasn’t smoking.

“Pretty early timeline, don’t you think?”

“Got nothin’ better to do,” Jake said, shrugging. “Top Gun’s over, time to move-on to the next thing, right, sir?”

Cyclone gave him a look that made Jake hunch his shoulders before straightening up, “What?” He said glaring.

“I probably should have expected it, but I did not think you were a workaholic, Lieutenant.” Simpson said coolly.

Seresin shrugged, “I like to keep busy, sir, what else would I do?”

“Hmmm, you like breakfast Lieutenant.”

Jake looked at the admiral with a raised brow, “... Yes-?”

“Do you have anything you have to do tonight?”

“No-”

“Perfect, meet me in this diner, my treat, I need to properly congratulate this year’s Top Gun winner anyways.” Simpson said.

“You gave me my trophy and shook my hand already, though-?”

“Defying orders, Lieutenant?”

“I thought we were off the clock!”

-----

Seresin stood in front of the brightly lit diner. Before stepping inside. Noticing the classic red seats, 80s decorations, and bright neon lights. A little ring from a bell on the door.

“Be there in a sec!” A voice shouted from the back where the kitchen presumably was.

“Seresin,” Cyclone called out from the counter. “Almost thought you weren’t coming.”

He almost didn’t.

“It was a walk to my truck,” Jake answered instead, sitting down next to the man, opening the menu in front of him.

“Order whatever you want, I already ordered,” Cyclone said, sipping from his mug.

“Coffee this late at night, sir?”

“No, hot chocolate, they make theirs themselves, it’s very good.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Jake said, nodding. “How’d you know this place, anyways?”

“You stay around these parts long enough, you start to know where the best 24hr dining option is. Been going here for years. Tastes better at night.”

Jake couldn’t argue with that.

An older lady came out from the back, “What can I get for you, honey?”

“Just the platter, ma’am, bacon and scrambled eggs,” Jake said, smiling. “And a hot chocolate too, please.”

“Aww aren’t you a polite young man,” she said, making Jake flush and duck his head. Barely anyone in the Navy would call him polite. “Beau, bring him around more often.” She said before going back to the kitchen.

“So you can get along with people,” Cyclone mused.

“I know how to get people to like me, I just choose not to, not worth the effort, most of the time,” Jake said, reaching forward for the case of toothpicks, shaking one out to his hand and bringing it to his mouth.

“So, you usually bring your subordinates to diners?”

“No,” Cyclone said simply. “Just the ones that look like they need a warm meal in them.”

“You’re the airboss, maybe you should do something about the slop in the cafeteria.”

Cyclone snorted, “I tried like many before me, and it remains one of my greatest failures,” Cyclone said drily. “Plus, it wouldn’t be the Navy without shitty food, would it?”

“I suppose not, sir.”

#fanfic #top gun maverick #top gun #top gun fandom #jake hangman seresin #jake seresin #beau cyclone simpson #dadclone #parental cyclone #I have this thing posted on ao3 as an actual fic fic #ill be posting more chapters soon #hopefully #we'll see

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sweetestofchaos · 9 months

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Blackthorn Ch 13 | M.YG

My Gift To You Part 1 - As the the engagement announcement approaches, Prince Yoongi give the Princess a gift.

a/n: As always thanks to @sailoryooons for making the banner. Shout out to @theharrowing for being my lovely beta this chapter! Character asks and the taglist for Blackthorn are always open! Minors do NOT interact with my work, please and thank you. Also, this is cross posted on ao3, under the same username sweetestofchaos.

Taglist: @thickemadame

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Madam Theda Vonner, one of the most sought after etiquette tutors was…vicious. She wasted no time during her lessons and scolded the Princess for wearing ‘inappropriate attire’. She berated the Princess on proper etiquette of respecting one's heritage and culture. If she continued to wear the garb of her nation, the Princess wouldn’t be respected by the people of the Min Empire and she would bring dishonor to all who lived within the castle walls. Madam Theda then went on to inform the Princess that she had two weeks and only two weeks to turn her into a proper Princess. She felt that Princess Kenna was only a Princess in name and had no real claim to the title. She was a woman born of noble blood that had no inkling to the meaning of what a true Princess was.

There was no time to hold the Princess’ hand as Madam Theda mapped out everything that needed to change. Lady Zarrin’s teachings were laughable and she regarded the title of Princess as nothing more than a fancy name. Theda would fix that, it was her job to do so. She allowed for the Princess to wear her attire for the first lesson, she refused to waste more time and had Cookie removed from the room. The tiny cub was a distraction and she already had her hands full with lessons that should have already been taught. By the end of the lesson, Madam Thea was convinced that the Princess had been taught nothing at all.

The homework for the Princess seemed endless but the Princess kept her head held high and thanked Madam Thea for the lesson. Before Thea could leave, the Princess spoke up and informed the new tutor that she refused to wear the garb of the Min empire. She was from Escistan and she would bring her culture to the empire. It was a part of her, in the very blood that ran through her veins, she refused to abandon her nation's culture and beliefs. Madam Thea had laughed, a sound so condescending that it made the Princess’ eyes flash silver.

“While you are under my tutelage, you will abide by my rules, Princess. I expect you to be in the proper attire tomorrow with no distractions around.” Madam Theda bowed to the Princess and San bit the inside of his cheek. He knew how to bow towards a royal and the half-hearted movements from Madam Theda were a blatant disrespect. Princess Keena bowed her head in silence and San watched as the older woman left the room. Once the door was closed, San glanced over at the Princess and he was shocked to see the silver of her eyes glowing.

“Princess?” San called out to her softly, “Would you like to take a break?”

The Princess’ eyes closed and she inhaled deeply. The silence stretched on and when her eyes opened they were once again that all too familiar brown that warmed anyone with just a look.

“Have Hyejin bring in a pot of rose bud tea with those strawberry rose petal cookies.”

San bowed low and stepped out of the room for a short moment. When the door opened, Chan stepped inside with Cookie in his arms. The tiny cub yelped and wiggled around until he was placed on the floor. He ran to the Princess and climbed into her lap. His green fur stood out against the chartreuse, red orange, and chili pepper kitenge skirt. Cookie nipped at the Princess’ fingers as she tickled his soft underbelly and she smiled.

“You are far from a distraction my sweet cub.”

The solid orange buba that the Princess wore hung off the shoulders with small gold buttons down the back. Chartreuse embroidered flowers were on the ends of the full length sleeves, and as the Princess continued to play with Cookie, the tiny cub swatted at them. Chan watched as the Princess’ shoulders relaxed and the tension that locked her jaw eased into a softer smile. Chan knew something had happened from the way Madam Theda and San both exited the room with frowns on their faces. Seeing that the Princess was unharmed physically, Chan worried that her heart might have been the target.

“Princess?”

“Yes, Chan?”

“Would you like to have your tea outside? I saw Namjoon poking around the lupine.”

Princess Keena shifted Cookie in her arms and stood up, “I haven’t looked at the lupine in a while…”

Chan moved from the doorway and allowed for the Princess to leave first with Cookie cradled in her arms as he followed behind. As he passed Byulyi in the hall, he informed the maid that the Princess would take her tea outside. Byulyi nodded and watched as the Princess left the butterfly house with Chan behind her.

In the garden, Namjoon plucked and pulled weeds from the soil as well as rearranged a few stones. His robes were simple since he had a lot of tasks to finish by the end of the day. A tan cross stitch blouse was tucked into a pair of loose fitted black trousers that had dirt on the knees. Sweat darkened the fabric of the shirt and stuck to his back as he worked endlessly and Seokjin sat behind him on a bench with a book in his hands as he read out loud.

Seokjin was dressed nicely, as expected of the next royal advisor. The white cross collared shirt had a thick red neckline and dropped into a blue and white vertical striped skirt with a bold red sash tied around his waist. Seokjin wore a sheer white open cross collared jacket over top that had red and silver plantain lily flowers stitched along the wide sleeves that covered his knuckles.

Namjoon had a few rock cress and daffodils loosely potted that he had planned to add to the flowerbed in front of him. Footsteps crunched against the stone and Namjoon looked over his shoulder as Seokjin stopped reading. Princess Keena was in the distance with her head held high; she wore a red orange gele with her edges smoothed flat and pecking out. Thick gold hooped earrings caught in the sunlight and reflected against her sun-blessed skin. Namjoon and Seokjin stood and bowed low before a soft cry caught their attention.

As Namjoon straightened up, he saw the tiger cub in the Princess’ arms and his face split into a large grin as the Princess walked closer.

“He is looking very well, Princess.” Namjoon reached out and scratched under the cub’s chin, only to laugh as the cub trapped his finger between its tiny paws. Seokjin smiled as he watched Namjoon interact with the cub and sat back on the bench.

“Cookie.”

“Parden?” Namjoon stared at the Princess, frozen in place as she smiled at him.

“His name,” she easily passed the cub to Namjoon and Namjoon buried his nose into the soft fur. “He picked Cookie.”

Namjoon swallowed thickly, and he bit his lip as his heart skipped a beat. “Cookie…I think that’s a wonderful name.”

The Princess grinned and Chan helped her sit on a bench that was across from the garden that Namjoon had been working on beside Seokjin. Princess Keena giggled as Seokjin winked at her and they watched as Namjoon kneeled on the ground. He carefully set Cookie beside him and went back to his work.

“How are your lessons? His Highness tells me you have a temporary etiquette tutor.” Seokjin questioned as he picked up the book beside him.

Chan melted away into the background as Seokjin coaxed the Princess into discussing her first lesson with the new tutor. Princess Keena watched silently as Namjoon created a pile of weeds beside him and Cookie jumped head first into it.

“I fear that we may not see eye to eye. She is archaic, or rather more traditional if I were to be polite.”

Seokjin chuckled at the Princess’ words and nodded his head, “Who has filled the tutoring position?”

“Madam Theda Vonner-”

“That old bat?”

“Namjoon!” Seokjin’s tone was scolding but his eyes glittered in laughter.

“Forgive him, Princess.” Seokjin rolled his eyes as he turned his body towards her. “She comes from a proud family, old money that dates back to the third dynasty.”

“One's lineage does not give the right away to be callous nor rude.”

Namjoon snorted from his place on the ground and shook his head, “Callous is far too kind, Princess.”

Seokjin sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair that was falling into his face before he tucked it behind his ears. “What issues are you having with Madam Theda? Maybe it is something that I can assist with?”

Before the Princess could answer Seokjin’s question, Hyejin and San showed up with tea and treats. San set a small plate on the ground in front of Cookie, and Namjoon watched as the tiny cub started to munch the small bites of food. Seokjin poured a cup of tea for the Princess and called for Namjoon to take a small break to enjoy the tea with them.

“She dislikes the Escistan garb and said I would bring shame to the Min Empire if I continued to wear them.”

“Nonsense!” Seokjin set his cup of tea down and grabbed the Princess’ free hand. “You are the Princess of Escistan and bride to the First Prince of the Min Empire; as such you are free to do as you please, Princess.”

Seokjin squeezed the Princess’ hand and shook his head, “Disregard her words, Princess. I think it is wonderful to see you so at ease here with us. Your garb is beautiful and I am always in awe when I see you around the palace grounds. Please,” Seokjin patted the Princess hand and smiled, “don’t change for us. If anything, allow the Min Empire to change for you.”

The Princess exhaled deeply and she looked down at their joined hands. Seokjin’s white robe started to blur as the Princess’ eyes burned. Her waterline flooded and she quickly blinked away her tears with a watery laugh as she sniffled. The smile that Seokjin offered was soft, and Namjoon sighed with a shake of his head.

“There’s going to be a light shower, you should head back inside.” Namjoon glanced at the sky as the bright blue had darkened.

“M-My apologies.”

“There is nothing to apologize for, Princess.” Seokjin released his hold on her hand and stood to his full height. He offered his hand as Namjoon scooped Cookie up and stood as well. As the Princess was helped to her feet, the first few drops of rain started to fall and San appeared by her side with a red and yellow parasol. He held it up for the Princess and Namjoon handed over Cookie, so the little cub could stay dry.

“Enjoy your lessons, Princess,” Namjoon bowed and Seokjin followed suit before they watched the Princess disappear around the corner.

Seokjin frowned and Namjoon sighed, “Should we inform Yoongi?”

“I think the Princess is more than capable of handling this herself,” Seokjin pointed out and Namjoon agreed. “Do you want help carrying everything inside?”

“You get inside before that book is ruined. I have a cart nearby.”

“...So, Jungkook really fused with the tiger’s spirit?”

Namjoon nodded his head and dusted his hands off on his trousers. “Cookie…he really picked that, huh?”

“Who else?”

Later in the night, Prince Yoongi sat in the grass in front of the Gildows lake. The lemming ducks were gone for the night, tucked away in their mother’s warmth as they slumbered. As the Prince stared up at the endless sky, he turned his gaze to the moon. The silvery-white of the large orb made the Prince smile to himself. He was reminded of the banquet held in the Princess’ honor. The time they spent alone, gazing up at the night sky, much like he did now. The stars twinkled a silent poem as a cool breeze caressed the Prince’s ears with a soothing song. Fallen petals danced above the lake in the moon’s reflection and the Prince inhaled deeply as he closed his eyes.

The soft crunch of the grass underfoot cut through nature’s serenade, and the sweet tang of tangerines flooded the Prince’s mind. His body relaxed farther and when the Prince opened his eyes, the flutter of ivory and lilac blinded him. Beside him, the Princess lowered herself onto a thick blanket and folded her leg to the side. The ivory nightgown she wore was pretty and tempted the Prince with its innocence. The dress hung off her shoulders, hugged her breasts and flared downward until it covered her feet.

Thin ribbons of lilac silk were threaded into the cotton dress at the bottom and pulled into tiny bows with rosewater colored beading stitched into the shape of lovely peonies. A lilac robe, silk of some kind, was worn over the nightgown with matching rosewater peony beading over the shoulders and down the sides. Large cutouts of peonies went down the length of the sleeves, stitched over with ivory lace.

Wordlessly, the Prince shifted his body and stretched out, his head now rested in the Princess’ lap as he stared up at her. Loose braids that were not tucked away in a ponytail hung over her shoulders and hid their faces from the prying eyes of Hoseok and Aga in the distance. Princess Keena cupped the Prince’s cheek in her hand as she leaned over him and he batted at the pewter crystals that were woven into her hair.

“What are you doing out at this hour, my gem?”

The Princess smiled and smoothed her thumb over the apple of the Prince’s cheek. “I couldn’t sleep.” The Prince’s lips turned into a frown at her words and she smiled, “It is nothing to worry over, Pallas.”

The Prince snorted and tugged at her braids lightly, “And yet, here I worry.” He stared into her warm eyes and licked his lips. “Tell me what troubles you, Princess?”

A soft smile rested on her lips, but it didn’t reach her eyes and the Prince raised an eyebrow. The Princess leaned down farther and closed her eyes as she rested her forehead against the Prince’s.

“You won’t answer me?”

“Would you send me away if I chose not to?”

The Prince stared at the Princess’ face silently and quickly rolled them forward. The Princess chirped in surprise and giggled now that she was sprawled out on the grass with her head in the Prince’s lap. Prince Yoongi bent his knees as he lifted the Princess and leaned down. Their lips touched with the grace of a butterfly and warmth of the sun. It was a silent answer to her question, one that was loud and clear between the two. The pressure of the kiss increased, the heat in the pit of their stomachs spread and sunk lower, and lower. The Prince growled deep in his chest and nipped at the plush lips before him.

He soothed the lingering pain with the teasing touch of his tongue as he kissed more and more. Honey, sweet and addicting. Sage, sharp and grounding. As they pulled away the scent of flowers lingered in the air, soft and fleeting. The night’s silent melody was no more, replaced by thundering hearts and panted breaths. Slowly, as the Prince pulled away, a gossamer strand of saliva hung between their lips and he chuckled. He swiped his thumb over the Princess’ lower lip and broke the wet connection before he pecked her lips once more.

“Have I not shown that my days are yours? I will give you many more without question. I am only but a shout away if you ever need me, Princess. Ask and I will answer, always.”

“Thank you, my Prince.”

Carefully, the young royals stood to their feet, and the Prince laced his fingers with the Princess, “Let us retire to our chambers. I have a gift for you.”

Together, arm in arm, the young royal walked along the stone and sand paths that led into the palace. Servants that worked late all bowed low and whispered about the couple as they passed. Hoseok and Aga glared at them all; it was improper for servants to whisper so freely when they should have all held their tongues. The Prince led the Princess into his chambers and she sat on the settee while he disappeared into his sleeping chamber.

Aga and Hoseok stood by the entrance of the Prince’s chambers and watched as the Prince emerged with a small box in his hands. He kneeled before the Princess and Hoseok’s eyes widened while Aga’s lips pulled upwards in the corners.

Prince Yoongi placed the box in the Princess’ lap and kissed the knuckles of her hands before he spoke. “Duttu sends her regards and thanks you for showing such trust in her skills.” He stayed kneeled before the Princess, his hands pressed softly against the top of her knees and Princess Keena bit her bottom lip.

Slowly, she opened the plain chestnut box and inside sat a black leather collar. A beautiful gold name plate with Cookie’s name carved into the center of Ginkgo leaves that were embossed into the leather. The collar was simple and elegant, perfect for the rambunctious cub that would wear it later.

The Princess’ fingers brushed over Cookie’s name and she smiled, as her free hand rested over the Prince’s. “I know Cookie will love it. Thank you, my Prince.”

A shy but proud smile pulled at the Prince’s lips and he gave the Princess’ knees a light squeeze. “Byenvini.”

The Princess’ eyes widened as the Prince spoke a simple Escistan phrase and he looked so shy that the Princess laughed.

“Did I say it correctly?” The Prince asked, worried that he had mispronounced the word of thanks and Princess Keena shook her head.

"Ou fè byen."

He smiled at the Princess’ words and leaned forward to capture her lips. The kiss was soothing, a pleasant weight settled in both the young royals' hearts as they pulled away.

"Ou fè byen," Prince Yoongi whispered and the Princess giggled. "You do well."

The days seemingly bled into each other as Princess Keena continued with her lessons. Madam Theda was not pleased to see the Princess in the Escistain garb but she made no comments on the matter. Madam Theda’s lessons were exhausting; the Princess felt like she had fallen behind during the day and had started to spend her nights with etiquette books and scrolls in front of her. She had Byulyi, Wheein, and Hyejin, and even her guards help her during breaks between lessons.

The Prince had noticed that he only had the Princess’ attention during their time together at lunch and their last meal of the night was split between himself and his parents. Empress Min asked about the Princess’ lessons and was pleased to hear that the Princess had no complaints. Things were moving along and the Prince was pleased to know that the Princess was preoccupied.

As the day of the night market grew closer and closer, the Prince had a lot to prepare for and he did so when Hoseok wasn’t around. San and Kai were helpful and acted on the Prince’s behalf while Minho carried out his own orders from the Prince. Things had become hectic within the palace as everyone prepared for the engagement announcement. With only eight days left, everyone had felt the pressure.

“Again!” Madam Theda smacked a bamboo cane against her palm as she stared at the fallen stack of books on the floor.

Mingi stood against the wall, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles were white. His jaw was locked and tense as he bit his tongue. Chan and San had told him how blatantly disrespectful Madam Theda had been to the Princess and asked him to stand in during one of the lessons. Mingi had thought that the younger guards had over reacted since the Princess had not spoken up, but now he understood. Mingi felt sick, his stomach churned, and his heart beated quickly in his chest as he watched the Princess pick up the fallen book. She straightened them out and walked across the room with them in her hands before she turned to face the entrance of the room.

Wheein took the books and carefully placed them on top of the Princess’ head with a frown on her face. As the Princess straightened her back, Wheein removed her hands and stepped back. The books didn’t move and the Princess took a step forward, then another followed by another. She kept her eyes forward and looked straight ahead as she walked. The books started to wobble and Madam Theda narrowed her eyes. Mingi watched with bated breath as the books tipped to one side and slipped off the Princess’ head.

Madam Theda clicked her tongue and Mingi stepped forwards, “That is enough. Move on to the next-”

“Silence!” Madam Theda swung her cane and smacked Mingi in his thigh. He clenched his jaw in pain but stood strong as his thigh plused. He knew there would be a nice sized welt.

“Mingi!” The Princess rushed to his side and he waved her off.

“A royal does not shout nor show care for those of lower rank. A mere guard does not speak out of turn.” Madam Theda voiced with a frown set on her face.

Princess Keena’s eyes slowly shifted from brown to silver and she smoothed down the skirt of her emerald green iro before she touched the large braided buns that sat on her head. She had opted out of wearing heavy hair accessories and focused on her outfit to show Madam Theda just how wonderful the Escistan grab truly was. She wore a celadon blouse that had a keyhole in the center with gold beading on the lantern sleeves in a swirled pattern. A golden getzner pele was tied over her skirt and pulled the whole outfit together.

The Princess folded her hands in front of herself and looked Madam Theda in her eyes, “You are dismissed for today, Madam Theda.”

“Parden?”

“You are dismissed!” The Princess raised her voice, but she didn’t yell nor did she return the glare that the older woman sent her way. “For you act of violence against one of my attendants, your pay will be docked by half-”

“You-”

“You should be thankful that this is all I will take away for your transgression.” The threat was loud and clear as the Princess stared at the older woman. “Have a good day, Madam Theda. Now, if you’ll excuse us-” Princess Keena bowed her head and gathered the skirt of her emerald green iro. Wheein hurried past Madam Theda and opened the door before she stepped to the side and waited for the Princess to leave first. Mingi stepped out of the room and Wheein bowed before she followed after them.

Outside of the room, Princess Keena took short inhales of air and remained silent until she stepped out of the butterfly house. She turned to Mingi and frowned, “Wheein, take Mingi to the doctor.” She held her hand up as Mingi opened his mouth. “I understand that it is not a life threatening wound, but pain is pain. Get treated and return to your post after a break. I will remain here in the garden.”

Mingi sighed but bowed his head and whistled loudly. A few moments later, Wonho appeared and took over guarding the Princess. She said nothing as she walked around the garden’s outside and the silver melted into brown once more. Wonho kept his distance and when he noticed Kwangseon with his wife, Ellarian at his side, Wonho informed the Princess.

“Let’s not keep them waiting.”

The smile returned to the Princess’ face and Wonho followed behind her as they stepped back into the butterfly house. As they entered the house, Hyunjin jumped at the sight of the Princess and quickly bowed. His robes were covered in paint and there was a smudge of white paint on his forehead which made the Princess giggle. Hyunjin was the artist that Namjoon had commissioned in place of Jungkook and he was a shy young man. Dark purple hair that he kept out of his face with a headband was always tied in a low ponytail. He had striking indigo eyes with a tiny beauty mark under the left one that was endearing to everyone who noticed it.

“Are you taking a break, Hyunjin?”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness…u-um, I have completed m-most of the-”

“Hyunjin, breath,” the Princess smiled as she placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Enjoy your break. I am looking forward to seeing your finished work.” Princess Keena bowed her head and continued into the house with Wonho right behind her.

As the Princess settled back into the lesson room, she smoothed down her skirt and glanced out the window. Chan walked by with Cookie tucked underneath his arm, his new collar shinned against his fur. The cub had become somewhat of a menace since he came to the palace and it made the Princess smile. Cookie was a playful and curious cub, he always got into something but at the end of the day when the Princess was settling down for the night, he would curl up in her lap and drift off to sleep. She wondered what the cub had managed to get into for Chan to have been the one to grab him.

The door to the room slid open and Ellarian grinned at the sight of the Princess’ smiling face.

“Oh, I see we have a new partner today. Hello, Wonho!” Kwangseon looked thrilled as he greeted the guard and Wonho bowed his head as his ears turned a bright red.

“How were your lessons today, Princess?” Ellarian asked as she helped her husband set up the different instruments for the day's lesson.

“It is another day complete in the eyes of the Empire.”

Ellarian laughed and nodded her head in agreement. She understood the Princess’ words. Lessons were lessons and they would not all be fun to learn.

“Shall we continue with the Buchaaechum dance?” Kwangseon offered as he sat behind his haegeum and cracked his knuckles.

“That is a wise decision. Princess, what do you recall from our lesson yesterday?”

The rest of the time during the Princess' lessons went by easily enough. Madam Theda spoke no more of the Princess’ Escistan garb and taught her everything that Lady Zarrin had not touched on. The lessons were hard but no longer had Madam Theda tried to push the Princess past her limits. Madam Theda’s attitude towards the Princess was still strict but there was an air of respect that had not been there before. The Princess considered it a small victory while her guards felt their hearts swell with pride. The Princess would be a great Empress once it was her time to step into the role.

Four days before the engagement announcement, Empress Min had called for the Princess and they sat in her chambers with tea and treats between them. Empress Min wore a beautiful iris colored seuran chima with a pale olive dangui on top. Her hair was braided and tucked into elegant loops that resembled two butterfly orchids decorated with four tteoljams and pinned with a golden eastern dragon that had ruby’s for its eyes. As she sipped at her tea, Empress Min smiled at the cub that sat beside the Princess. Gingko spirits were rare and she had never seen one in person before, Cookie was as cute as he was beautiful.

“Are you excited for the announcement, my dear? It is right around the corner.”

Princess Keena swallowed the bite of sponge cake in her mouth and licked her lips in thought. Was she excited for the citizens of the Min Empire to know who she was and what her role in their society would be?

“I will admit that I do hold some reservations about the announcement but I understand that it must be done.”

Empress Min understood the Princess’ worries; she remembered how she felt when she was first engaged to the Emperor.

“Is there anything I can do within my power to make the announcement less taxing on you, my dear Keena?”

“You and His Majesty have been kind enough to grant me such wonderful freedom within the palace. I have everything at my disposal and there is little that I wish for…” Princess Keena stroked the top of Cookie’s head and scratched behind his ears. “The worry lies within my own heart. I fear that I will not be the Empress that this empire deserves.”

“I disagree with you Princess.” Empress Min’s words were firm as she stared right at the Princess. “You have shown an unbelievable amount of wonderful qualities that will make you a true Empress of this nation.” Empress Min set her tea cup on the table and nodded her head to the attendant closest to the door.

“I have called for the best dressmaker in our empire. She will make your dress for the announcement, as well as the one for your wedding.”

Princess Keena turned her attention to the door and an older woman with blueish-white hair that was pulled into a neat updo bun stepped into the threshold. The bun showed that she had deep blue cat ears that sat proudly on top of her head and the Princess was in awe.

“Crown Princess Keena, this is Menzo. She has served members of the royal court for the last two generations while her family has served since the Taebong era.”

Menzo looked kind with pale peach feline eyes that were framed by crow’s lines and tear troughs on her cognac-toned skin. They were slanted towards a sharp and slender nose that was over a set of demure lips bordered by deep frown lines. She wore a simple taupe kurta that had black beading on the hem of her sleeves with matching palazzo pants that hung loosely around her legs. A sage green dupatta with black and taupe beading stitched throughout in a flower pattern rested over Menzo’s shoulders, and she bowed low. Her tail was blueish-white with a deep blue tip and swayed lazily behind her once she stood upright and offered the Princess a warm smile.

“It is an honor, Your Highness.”

Cookie mewled from the Princess’ side and Menzo grinned, her canines sharper than a humans.

“Hello, little one.” She bowed her head and Princess Keena knew that she would enjoy her time with the nekojin.

The Princess stood with Cookie in her arms and Empress Min held out her hands, “Give him here. Menzo will need your full attention.”

Cookie sat beside Empress Min while the nekojin tailor took the Princess’ measurements and held up different fabrics against her body. Menzo asked different questions and made notes in a small booklet that she pulled from the satchel that rested on her hip. The Princess was grateful that Menzo seemed to really listen and take her wants into account. If she was to stand before the citizens of the Min Empire, she wanted to show a combined front. The Escistan Kingdom intermingled and woven tightly together with the Min Empire. That is all the Princess wanted to show with the Prince by her side.

Alone in her chambers, Princess Keena laid in bed, wide awake. Her mind raced as she thought about the upcoming announcement. It was two days away and she feared that something would go wrong. A soothing breeze crept in from the lattice cut windows and the soft blue curtains that hung from the bedpost swayed gently. An earthy scent wrapped in warm spice rode the breeze and lingered just outside of the window. The Princess sat upright, the covers held close to her chest as her eyes sparkled in the cool moonlight that caught her gaze. A shadow danced along the wall and soon the Prince dropped down from the ceiling.

He wore a white kimono that was dyed a deep grey at the bottom with large white spider lilies that wrapped around the bottom. A grey and black obi was tied around his waist and a black jaori was worn over top. His blonde hair was pulled away from his face in a loose bun on the back of his neck and he was free from jewelry.

“You are asking for a repeat of last time, my Prince.” The Princess’ voice was nothing more than a scolding whisper as she frowned.

A fanged smile slid onto the Prince’s face and he held out his hand as he stood at the foot of the Princess’ bed. He wiggled his fingers and his eyes flashed a tempting gold before he licked his lips. “Come, I have a surprise for you, my gem.”

Still in bed, the Princess eyed his outstretched hand and tried to fight the smile that pulled at her lips. “Aga would kill you if he knew you were here.”

“He has to catch me first.”

The covers were released from the Princess’ hold and the Prince’s eyes narrowed as he took in the bare skin of her shoulders. There was nothing to the nightgown, the Prince thought to himself. Thin straps held the dress to her body while satin and delicate alabaster lace clung to the Princess’ chest. As she crawled towards the foot of the bed, the strap on her left shoulder fell and the Prince bit his lower lip.

The Princess was tempting, so very, very tempting. Her braids were down, the front pulled back into a low ponytail while the rest hung freely at her back. A few slipped over her shoulders and the Prince inhaled deeply. As she placed her hand in his, the Prince pulled her close, chest to chest and wrapped an arm around her waist as he exhaled. He released her hand and cupped her cheek before he growled softly, almost like a purr.

“How easily you tempt my patience without much thought.”

Their noses brushed against each other’s as the Prince closed the distance and he inhaled the tangy scent of citrus and honey.

“Cover yourself for my sanity…” As his lips pressed against the Princess’, his fingers dug into her waist and the Princess moaned softly. “Ashii-” Prince Yoongi pulled away and rested his forehead against the Princess’ collarbone on her left side as he inhaled deeply. “Such a pretty sound…” His lips ghosted over the exposed skin and the Princess shivered. Her nimble fingers found the bun that rested against the nape of his neck and she pulled his hair free. A waterfall of blonde covered the back of his haori and the Princess sighed.

“There is a r-robe by the-” The Princess’ breath hitched as the Prince’s tongue licked at the skin where her shoulder and neck joined. “My P-Prince…” Her fingers tangled in his hair and she pulled lightly to which the Prince nipped at her flesh.

“Just a taste, my gem?”

She could feel her willpower crumbling with each swipe of the Prince’s tongue. The warmth in her stomach grew and started to inch lower and lower. Blood rushed behind her ears and she yanked on the Prince’s hair harder. His head jerked back and he licked his split slick lips as he flashed that dazzling gummy smile with a solid ring of gold around his dark irises.

“My surprise?” The Princess’ question was whispered and the Prince’s upper right lip quirked as he smirked and pulled away from the Princess once she released his hair.

Carefully, the Princess sat on the bed and before her feet could touch the floor, the Prince was on his knees before her with slippers in his hands. Heat kissed her cheeks and warmed her neck as he slipped the cream colored slippers onto her bare feet and kissed her ankles. As he stood up, he removed his haori and placed it over the Princess’ shoulders. Sage and ginger seeped into her skin as the fabric of the outer jacket rubbed against her neck. It was comforting and settled the wild heart in her chest as she grabbed hold of the Prince’s hand once more.

Prince Yoongi led the Princess through her room until they reached the sitting area where three settees were placed around a large table in different shades of blue, with white and gold accent pillows. Cookie was sound asleep in his playpen, curled around a wooden toy that Namjoon had carved by hand to help with his teething. There was a box on the oak table, about two feet long in width and height. As they sat beside each other, Prince Yoongi grabbed the box and placed it on the Princess’ lap.

“You spoil me, my Prince.”

The Prince rolled his eyes at the Princess’ words and silently encouraged her to open the gift. Carefully, she untied the gold ribbon and slowly lifted the lid of the box. In the box a sand colored jeogori with thick beige cuffing sat on top of a beige pleated chima. It was a very simple and plain hanbok to which the Princess raised an eyebrow. The Prince chuckled as he saw the silent questions in the Princess' eyes and he kept quiet.

Also in the box was a pair of cream and sand colored hwahye shoes. A norigae was hidden between the shoes and it was beautiful in its simplicity. A cognac floral design in the shape of a rose acted as the base with a polished star garnet at the center that had a pearl butterfly on it, followed by the fluffy cognac tassel wrapped in gold thread that finished it.

“I have another gift.”

The Princess looked at the Prince beside her and clicked her tongue, “What are you planning, my Prince?”

Prince Yoongi grinned something devilish as he reached inside of his kimono and pulled out a cream silk ribbon with gold larch and lupine flowers embroidered at the ends.

“Am I not allowed to gift my soon-to-be wife a night of wonders?”

As the Prince placed the daenggi in the box, he leaned forward and captured the Princess’ lips in a soft kiss. He shifted closer and the box fell to the floor, ignored as he pulled the Princess into his lap and pushed his haori onto the floor. Her hands tangled in his hair as she settled herself in his lap, her knees bent on either side of his thighs.

He squeezed her hips and groaned as the Princess nipped at his lower lip. As the kissing went on, it became heavier and needier. Soft nips became pinched lips between teeth that were soothed by wet tongues. Hands that squeezed became hands that slid from place to place in search of more skin.

The heat between the young royals was thick, and when the Princess felt a firmness underneath her, she gasped into the kiss. The Prince was aroused, he strained underneath his kimono and he wished to pull more sweet sounds from her swollen lips. He trailed a path of wet kisses from her mouth to her shoulder and lower.

As her head lolled backwards, the wet trail became slick and smooth as the Prince licked at the skin from her shoulder to the tops of her breasts. A sudden flora aroma made him growl and buck his hips upwards to which the Princess moaned. Her legs tensed around his thighs and she fisted the collar of his kimono tightly.

“Oh?” The Prince made a show as he lifted his nose in the air and inhaled deeply. His irises now had a thicker golden ring around them. “What a lovely scent,” he purred as he licked his lips. The tip of his tongue was now forked but still pink and he hummed in delight as the Princess whined.

“Y-Yoongi.” His name was a stuttered whisper, a plea for something more than wet kisses.

“I know, my gem…I know.”

The Prince trailed his lips softly up the length of the Princess’ neck, along her jaw and pressed a sweet, slow kiss to her lips. They fused together, tongues tasted the other’s mouth and the Princess bit down on his tongue lightly. Prince Yoongi chuckled and sucked the Princess’ lower lip into his mouth before he bit down roughly and pulled away. The sweet heady scent of liquid honey flooded the Prince’s sinuses and his body shuttered.

“Just a taste, my gem. Wouldn’t want Aga to kill me, hmm?”

Wordlessly, he maneuvered their bodies and held onto the back of the Princess’ thighs before he stood up and strode into her bedchambers. He placed one knee on the bed and climbed on before he crawled forward to place the Princess in the center. As he pulled away, her nightgown was askew, shoulder straps draped low on her arms, the bottom bunched high on her thighs, hardly covered the mound between her legs and the Prince licked his lips. As he sat back on his bent legs, he drew random shapes on the Princess’ knee and upper thigh with his blunt nails. His eyes drank in every shiver, every goosebump, and every fluttering breath that left the Princess’ lips.

She was divine, bathed in the cool, silver milky glow of the moon that filtered in from the window. An offering, all on her own. Laid out before the Prince’s eyes, for him only. To touch and he did as he cupped the Princess’ cheek in one hand. To taste and he did, the moment his lips pressed upon hers, their tongues swirled and teased. To have over and over and over again.

Prince Yoongi kept his touches soft yet firm as he moved his kisses lower and lower down the Princess’ body. He kissed the soft skin of her chest, over the covered pebbled nipples and skimmed his nose down her stomach. He paused and nuzzled his nose into the fabric that covered her womb. The Princess shivered and she ran a hand down her torso until her fingers twined in the Prince’s blond locks.

“Why are you down there?”

The question made the Prince smirk, how innocent his wife-to-be was. His hands slid down to her thighs and massaged the thick muscles and skin. He nosed at the apex of her mound and kissed the warm skin as her nightgown shifted once more.

“I want to worship you. Give thanks to the ancient dragons who came before and offer them my-” the Prince placed a kiss to where the Princess’ thigh and hip joined, “silent praise…if you would grant me such an honor?”

The Princess couldn’t understand the words. It was all unfamiliar to her but the heat and wetness between her thighs, that was enough for her as she nodded her head. Prince Yoongi left open mouth kisses on her inner thighs before he settled himself on his stomach and wrapped one arm around the Princess’ waist to hold her down. He inched closer and closer to the leaking warmth that called to him. The sweet scent of honey, so much stronger there than anywhere else on the Princess’ body. She had dark curls of hair, trimmed neatly and kept low. It made his mouth water as the clear essence of her arousal coated her skin.

He leaned in and swiped his forked tongue from her perineum to her clit. The Princess’ thighs snapped closed around his head, his cheeks squished together as she gasped.

The Prince moaned at the taste, “Mmmmm, my gem. So good for me.”

Again he licked at her opening and the Princess’ eyes squeezed closed. It was different, not unpleasant, but different. As the Prince continued to lick, he changed his rhythm and motions. His tongue technique switched from fast to slow, shallow to deep, long to short…it pulled sounds from the Princess that she had never made before. Prince Yoongi pinched at her hip as he spoke from between her legs, “Shhhh. Bite the pillow to muffle your pretty sounds…I can’t have Aga or anyone else seeing you like this.”

The Princess nodded her head, unable to speak as tears collected in the corner of her eyes. Blindly, she reached for a pillow and dragged it over her mouth. As the Prince wrapped his plush lips around her clit and sucked hard, she screamed into the pillow. He swallowed down every ounce of liquid that touched his tongue, slurped up everything that the Princess offered. Her muffled cries were the sweetest sound that he had ever heard and with her thighs squeezed tightly around his head, the Prince had reached the gates of those before him.

He had never come untouched but he felt close enough with how hard he was; it was painful but his pain only added to his pleasure as the Princess whined and thrashed above him. The hand in his hair pushed him away and pulled him closer, it was the constant sting at the base of his scalp that pushed him to dive his tongue deep into the Princess’ warmth and the cry that spilled from her lips was beautiful. Her wall clenched around him, he felt the skin of his cheek grind against his teeth and more wetness flooded his mouth.

Endless tremors raked over the Princess’ body and Prince Yoongi groaned as he wiggled free from the headlock. He shifted upwards on the bed, now on his knees and released himself from the damp fabric of his kimono. His hand wrapped around himself and he threw his head back as the Princess’ fluttering eyes watched him. He growled, deep in his chest as he covered her thigh and stomach in his cum. Honey and sage mixed together in the air and as the Prince’s skin flushed with a red hue, he collapsed beside the Princess with his chest heaving. Together they caught their breaths and as the Princess tried to move, Prince Yoongi hissed.

“Stay.” It was rough, the single word coated in an unfiltered need to mark what was his. Silently, the Prince raised his arms and set his hand on the Princess’ stomach. She made a sound of disgust as the warmth of his cum had faded into cool ropes of his very being. The Prince leaned upward and nosed at the Princess’ jaw as he rubbed his cum into her skin. He licked and nipped at her jaw until he focused on the scent gland at her throat and licked at the sensitive spot. Princess Keena shivered, her body felt like it was underwater, flouting through an endless stream with the Prince’s hands slowly guiding her along.

“Hide the gift from your maids and wait for my call on the night of our announcement.” The Prince’s voice was gravely as he spoke in the Princess’ ear. His lips wet as he kissed her lobe and temple. “Will you wait for me, my gem?”

Princess Keena turned her head and cupped his face in her hands, “Always.”

The day of the announcement, the air was humid and buzzed with voices as the townspeople closest to the palace gathered in the arena towards the west gate. Throughout the Min empire, messengers rode since the day before with news of the Crown Prince’s engagement. Today the news would be shared with the townspeople and everyone who lived within the palace walls was on high alert. The arena wasn’t used often. It was a place for public executions and court sponsored entertainment for the townspeople. It was rare for everyone to be gathered in one place, but the townspeople woke up two days ago to handwritten notices from the Emperor that everyone was encouraged to join them in the area for a wonderful announcement.

Seokjin and Namjoon are dressed in the finest of robes; whites, creams and silver made up most of the court’s attire as they entered the arena. Slowly the crowd started to settle as more and more officials filed into their seats. Streamers hung from the rafters, paper lanterns in the shape of dragons and flowers were strung on sturdy twine rope that connected from section to section. A small band of musicians played in the middle of the arena, all dressed in matching yellow and white hanboks while another group danced around in colorful bedlahs and butterfly hanfus. The female dancers all had their hair down in long flowing waves with beaded and jeweled headpieces on display as they lept in the air and twirled on their bare feet.

Thick white smoke wafted in the air and carried the scent of takoyaki, dango, corn and other tasty treats from small venders that set up shop early that morning by the gate. Guards were dressed in their dress attire for the announcement. A green brocade button-down jacket that stopped just below their knees, with white trousers and a thick black leather belt fastened around their waist made up the base of the outfit for the royal guard. Depending on the rank of the guard, there was a white lotus flower stitched onto the inner sleeve of their jacket. Hoseok’s attire was the same but his colors were indigo and black.

Aga and the other guards that watched over the Princess wore a different uniform that combined the two nations’ styles. A indigo, white, and black dashiki was tucked into a pair of black hakamas. A white open cross collar outer jacket with a black hamerkop bird on the back was worn over top with matching indigo headbands that completed the outfit. As more guards filed into the area, the dancers cleared the arena grounds and sat off to the side while the band switched to a slower song.

Everyone in the arena rose to their feet and bowed low as Emperor and Empress Min appeared at the top of the arena. They wore matching black hanfus with a golden nightingale pattern. A large golden five-toed dragon was on the Emperor’s back surrounded by nightingales, while the Empress had a golden five-toed dragon on each of her shoulders and bottom of her sleeves.

They were a sight to see, elegant and powerful as they greeted their subjects with stern faces. Four intricately carved outdoor thrones were arranged at the front of the arena, where the royals were seated above everyone on a fenced riser. As they were seated, the rest of those in attendance sat, and once again the dancers took to the center of the arena. A jester performed, followed by two singers, before Emperor Chungho signaled the eunuch behind him to move forward with the day's events. As the older man stepped forward a hush fell over the arena and he pulled a rolled scroll from the inner pocket of his robes.

Princess Keena stood outside her room with her guards surrounding her. Byulyi, Wheein and Hyejin stayed behind her and walked with their heads bowed as they made their way to the Prince’s chambers. Aga led the way as Mingi and Chan flanked his sides. Today was a big day and no one took any chances of the Princess or Prince being harmed.

As they reached the Prince’s chambers, Hoseok grinned at the sight of the Princess. She was stunning in her attire and he knew that the Prince would feel the same way. Hoseok opened the door and stepped inside quickly to inform Prince Yoongi that the Princess was ready. Prince Yoongi stood from his seat behind his desk and swallowed thickly. His hair was pulled from his face and piled high on top of his hair in his signature topknot with a golden donggot; a dragon with ruby eyes and rose quartz petunias clutched in its mouth was carved at the end. Three small golden hoops clung to each of the Prince’s ears while a single earring hung from his left lobe, five rose quartz teardrops set in gold.

The day before the announcement, Menzo approached the Prince with new garments that would complement the Princess’ attire. She expressed the urgency of the Prince wearing the clothing and he did not understand why until today, once his attendants started to dress him. He wore an orchid color cross collared blouse that was tucked into a matching qun - skirt - that had a carafe and violet square patterned design along the hem. An orchid agbada was worn over top with the same matching square patterned design from the qun down the sides and around the hemming. His manggeon was replaced with a violet headband that had a gold hamerkop bird on the ends.

It wasn’t much different from what he wore in terms of style, but the colors were bright and eye-catching. As he inhaled through his nose, the Prince held his head high and followed Hoseok out the doors of his chamber. His eyes found the Princess immediately and his eyes flashed gold before a black plume of smoke huffed from his nose. They wore matching colors and it stirred a deep desire in Agust as he crawled in the Prince’s gut.

“You look…like a Queen.”

A rose quartz colored gele was on her head, folded and twisted into a crown in its own right. Pink diamonds and pearls were scattered over it with meori-kkoji pins on it as well. An orchid cross collared ru was tucked into an ankara patterned iro in carafe and violet. A rose quartz pele was wrapped around her waist and an orchid outer robe was worn over everything with a golden four-toed dragon on the back. The Princess smiled as heat attacked her face, and she offered the Prince her hand.

“Shall we, my Prince?”

“In a moment, Princess.”

Prince Yoongi held out his hand and Hoseok placed something in his palm. He walked to the Princess and took her outstretched hand in his own before he kissed her knuckles. She still wore his rings on her right hand and he grinned since her left hand was bare. Silently he raised his hand and slipped a gold ring onto the Princess’ ring finger. Her eyes widened and Prince Yoongi winked as he released her hand. She looked at the ring in awe, it was a plain gold band that split into tiny branches that held an emerald cut smoky quartz gem the size of a lima bean.

“Shall we, my gem?”

#yoongi fic #yoongi smut #yoongi angst #bts fantasy au #yoongi x oc #yoongi soulmate au #emperor yoongi #blackthorn ch 13 #dragon yoongi #bts ambw

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mostmagical · 6 months

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Hii @sincerely-kiwi! I'm your Secret Santa for the Ashville discord server Secret Santa exchange!! This got just a little away from me, so I'll be posting part 2 tomorrow :)

Words: 7.2k (Ch. 2/2) Summary:

After yet another late night akuma interrupts her sleepover, Ladybug and her partner are forced to find cover to recharge where an unexpected observation from Chat Noir leads to some equally unexpected revelations for Marinette (and maybe a few scars).

Read Chapter 1 either on Ao3 or below the cut!

The beeping in her ears was insistent as Ladybug touched down on the nearest rooftop from the battle location, Chat Noir sharp on her heels. A clothesline split the rooftop patio in half, long white linens blowing in the slight breeze, and she quickly dashed to the other side.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she couldn’t see her partner anymore from behind the makeshift cover. “Looks like this will do,” she said brightly. “No peeking!”

“You know I would never do such a thing!” Her partner’s voice carried an air of mock-affront, Ladybug only marginally holding back her giggle in response. “I’m a purr-fect gentleman.”

Regardless, her transformation dropped, Tikki spiralling into her hands. She smiled down at the kwami, rummaging around in her purse with one hand for one of the treats she had set aside. She couldn’t help the way her eyes drifted down as she tried to locate something in the tiny bag—especially not when she spotted something she had never seen before.

On the other side of the sheet, Marinette could see two socked feet, connected to two pale legs. The sheet stopped at the top of the calf, so she couldn’t see anything other than that. Just two gray ankle socks. So simple and so un-Chat Noir-like she almost laughed in surprise. With him, she always thought of bright colors and patterns. A goofy guy like Chat Noir should be wearing goofy socks, in her honest opinion. The positioning of the sheet meant she could only imagine what else he might be wearing, and as much as she knew she shouldn’t, Marinette’s mind loved to imagine.

He must have been wearing some sort of short pants, considering she could see his bare skin. What kind of shorts would Chat Noir wear? Was he an athlete? Considering the sort of stunts she had seen him do on the daily, she wouldn’t be surprised if he was some sort of rugby player, or soccer— No, not soccer, she remembered with a smirk. So maybe rugby fit him best.

Part of her wondered if he had been getting ready for bed. Maybe he was in pajamas like her and Alya had been. The socks with no shoes certainly told her that he had been inside somewhere. What kind of thing might Chat Noir wear to bed? Did he wear goofy prints and sets with cats all over them? Or… less? No. Her face flushing red, Marinette quickly moved on to another line of thinking.

She wondered what Chat Noir wore on a day-to-day basis. Was he casual? More formal? What kind of colors did he like to wear?

Her mind drifted to the only other time she had seen him without a miraculous transformation, when he had run around in that banana suit. Now, that was an outfit befitting Chat Noir. She covered her mouth with one hand as a giggle threatened to break free at the memory.

“Do my eyes deceive me, or is that a tail I see, m’Lady?”

Startled from her thoughts by the sudden voice, Marinette jumped straight up, breath catching in her throat with a gasp. As she came down, her feet seemed to trip over one another, and she fell backwards with half a shriek on her lips. Her body came crashing down into a collection of terracotta pots, the loud sound of shattering functioning as a backdrop as one broke directly under her elbow.

Marinette clamped her teeth together, bracing herself against the stinging pain in her arm.

Of course. Of course, she had completely forgotten she was wearing the outfit in the first place, and of course with her luck, the one person who couldn’t have possibly seen her in it actually saw her in it. Alya was going to have a field day when she heard about this. Her mind flashed back to their earlier conversation just before the akuma struck.

“What?” Marinette asked, turning to stare at Alya, having felt her friend’s eyes burning into the back of her head.

Alya snorted from across the room, shifting to hold the tray of cookies she held on her hip. “What are you wearing?” she asked.

Marinette looked down at herself, not seeing anything wrong with the black fabric covering her body. “My pajamas,” she answered simply. “I wanted to try making a onesie and I think it turned out pretty okay.” She shrugged, before remembering herself. “Oh! I made you one, too!” She quickly scrambled to her feet, rushing over to the far side of her desk where the pile of orange fabric was waiting for her. “Ta-da!”

The onesie unfurled between them as she dramatically presented it to Alya, orange tail lightly brushing against Marinette’s slippers as it fell.

“I’m also making some for Nino and Adrien, and probably Chat if I can figure out a good excuse for where it came from,” she continued to rapidly explain. “It’s a little silly, but I think they’d make great gifts!”

Alya stared at the presented outfit, eyebrows slowly raising. “M, that’s really cute! Thank you!” she said, stepping forward to finally place the tray down. “I do have to ask though, why Rena Rouge?”

“Why not Rena Rouge?” Marinette asked, winking. “She’s your favorite, right?”

“Sure, we can say that,” Alya laughed, “but you’re wearing Chat Noir.”

Marinette blinked, again looking down at her outfit. The golden bell she had fitted to the zipper pull glittered up at her. “Yeah, and?”

“Is he your favorite superhero?” Alya asked, a teasing grin on her face. Marinette did not enjoy the lilt of her tone.

Her face colored pink. “What?” she scoffed. “I don’t have favorites.”

Alya once again raised her eyebrows, staring Marinette down over the frames of her glasses. “Mmhmm,” she hummed. “You better hope he doesn’t see you in that, then.”

Marinette laughed. “Yeah, right! Like there’d be any chance of Chat seeing me in this.”

“With your luck?” Alya teased. “I think you better watch what you say.”

“Hey!” Marinette whined, folding the Rena Rouge onesie again and placing it on her desk. “That’s not—”

As if on cue, both their phones began ringing with an akuma alert.

“You were saying?” Alya laughed.

“Ha-ha, very funny.” Marinette rolled her eyes. “But I’ll be transformed the whole time anyway.” She walked towards her window as she called for her transformation.

Alya just wiggled her fingers in a wave. “Say hi to your favorite superhero for me!”

“Ladybug?” Chat Noir frantically called from the other side of the sheet, breaking her from her thoughts. “What was that?” An arm-shaped silhouette pressed against the middle-most sheet, the outline of a boy becoming clearer, before it seemed to think better and disappeared. “Sorry! I didn’t see anything but the tail and I just couldn’t help myself!”

Marinette almost laughed, but the prominent throb of her arm had her screwing her mouth shut once again.

“Are you okay?” he called again when she didn’t respond, his voice strained with worry. “What happened?”

“Nothing, nothing,” she replied. “I just fell, that's all.”

“I thought so,” he sighed. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m—” She cut herself off as she looked down at her arm. Her sleeve was torn, but that was an easy fix. An ugly red gash ran from the inside of her elbow to about halfway down her forearm, trickles of blood staining her skin. She hissed out through her teeth. “I’m fine,” she lied. Without thinking, she tried to brush some of the soil dusted over it away, but only served to hit the edges of the wound, causing her to hiss again.

“If you’re fine, what was that hiss?”

Panicked, Marinette squeaked, “Nothing!”

“No way.” She could hear a worried frown in his voice. “That sounded like an ‘I’m bleeding’ hiss. One of my friends makes that hiss all the time.”

“It was absolutely not an ‘I’m bleeding’ hiss.”

“So are you bleeding?”

Her voice came out small. “No.”

“My Lady.” His voice came out disbelieving.

“I’m not bleeding.”

“Yes, she is.”

Marinette gasped as she suddenly noticed Plagg beside her, looking down at her bloody injury. “Hey!”

Plagg looked up at her with a satisfied smirk before flying back over the clothesline divider.

Before she could make any complaints about privacy, Marinette heard her partner’s voice, quieter than she was used to. It had an air of something— was it feebleness? —to it that she never would have expected from him. “Ladybug, will you please let me see it?” he asked, pleading. “Please?”

Marinette blinked, stunned, and without even realizing what she was doing, she was standing up and walking back towards the sheet. It was only when she arrived back at her original position that she noticed there was a little issue with that plan. “Wait,” she said, “how am I supposed to show you? I’m not– My transformation will cover it up.”

“Don’t transform. Just stick your arm between the sheets here.”

Her breath caught in her throat. “No, I might…” Her voice went quieter as she finally admitted it. “I might stain them.”

“If you do, I’ll buy them a replacement.”

“What?”

“Here.”

Marinette’s eyes went wide as the sheets suddenly parted for her, a small gap about the size of her arm appearing.

“Just stick your arm through here. I won’t look anywhere else.”

Hesitantly, she complied, pushing her arm through the gap slowly. She cringed when she heard Chat’s gasp.

“It’s not that bad,” she defended.

“Not that bad?” She tried to ignore the sudden shock she felt when fingers wrapped around her wrist. Bare fingers. “Look at all this blood,” he continued. “Are you woozy? Does it hurt?”

“No.” There was a gentle prod to the inside of her elbow, right above where the cut began. Marinette hissed again.

“Yes,” Chat said, answering his own question. “I need to patch this up.” There were more prods along the gash, forcing a whimper out of Marinette’s mouth against her wishes. “Sorry, my Lady,” came his gentle voice, “I’m just trying to see how deep it is.”

She worried her bottom lip, trying to ignore the pain and the feeling of warm fingertips on her skin. “Does– Does it look deep?” she asked.

“It might be best for you to see a doctor in case you need stitch—”

“No! No stitches,” she refused. She didn’t even know how she would begin to explain this one to her parents.

“Okay, no stitches,” he relented, to her relief, “but we do need to stop this bleeding and cover it up. I’m worried you might get an infection.” His hand started to gently brush against her skin, sending the hairs on the back of her neck standing up straight. “What did you fall on? There’s dirt all over your arm.”

Marinette swallowed against the lump in her throat, looking over her shoulder at the destruction she left behind. “Uh, someone’s garden, it looks like,” she answered. “A few terracotta pots.”

Chat hummed in such a way that she could imagine his cat ears pressing flat against his head. “Is there a watering can or anything?”

“Uh, I mean…” She scanned over the shattered pots and scattered soil, spotting a squirt bottle just a bit away on a small gardening cart. “Yes, I see a squirt bottle. Why?”

“I need to clean this.”

“What?” she squeaked, turning back towards the sheet and his voice. “No– You don’t– I can just go home.”

“Absolutely not,” he replied, firm enough to surprise her. “I don’t want this to get any deeper than it already is, so it’s best I take care of this now.”

“This is silly,” Marinette whined. She tried to pull away, but his grip was strong around her wrist. Struggling only made the pain flare up again. “You really don’t have to.”

“Tikki,” Chat Noir called instead, ignoring her pleas. “Are you there?”

“Yes, I’m here!” Tikki replied, floating into Marinette’s point of view.

“Hide! Don’t let her leave!”

Marinette gasped in her betrayal as Tikki giggled. “You got it, Chat Noir!”

“Wait, you can’t do that.” She glared at Tikki who simply waved and dashed away out of sight. “You can’t turn my own kwami against me.”

“Too bad,” he laughed. “Now, about that spray bottle. Plagg, would you mind?”

Marinette watched in disbelief as Chat Noir’s kwami reappeared from over the sheet and flew towards the squirt bottle. “So, no one’s on my side?”

Chat chuckled again from the other side, his fingers now drawing small circles on the inside of her wrist that she would never admit felt very nice. “Just trying to keep the hero of Paris safe from harm. How are you supposed to throw a yoyo if you end up needing a cast? What if it needs amputation?”

She groaned, her free arm crossing over her chest in protest. Her injured arm was held captive on the other side, and she couldn’t decide if she wanted to break free or not. Chat Noir’s soft hand gently squeezed her elbow as he folded her torn sleeve over it. She swallowed. Maybe this was fine.

Plagg flew back over their makeshift divider, squirt bottle grasped between his tiny paws, and disappeared again from Marinette’s sight.

She heard a slight sloshing, as if Chat Noir had shaken the bottle.

“Okay, it looks clean,” he sighed. “It’ll have to do. I’m just going to spray a little water on your arm to clean off this dirt, okay?”

Marinette nodded, before realizing that he couldn’t see her. “Okay,” she agreed.

The water wasn’t cold, but it still surprised her when it hit her skin. A gentle hand— feather-light, as if afraid to touch her— brushed at her skin for a moment before more water was sprayed over her arm.

Chat Noir made a disappointed sound. “I really wish I had some rubbing alcohol…” he murmured. His voice was louder as he dictated an instruction to her, “When you get home, wash this again with warm water and then clean the edges with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. If you have any antibiotic ointments, even better. That’ll stave off any bacteria from making a home here.”

She bit her lip, trying to commit his words to her memory. “Okay.”

“And then cover it with a clean bandage, okay? Don’t just reuse the old one.”

“You sound like you know what you’re talking about,” she commented.

Chat hummed approvingly. “I have a first aid certification.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, Chat Noir, RN, at your service.”

Her mind conjured an image of Chat Noir, cat ears and all, in a white doctor’s coat, and she couldn’t help the snort that blew through her nose as a result. She paused as she recalled his earlier statement. “Wait, you’re going to bandage it?”

“I have to,” he said assuredly. “If I leave it open, it might just keep bleeding, or it’ll get infected.”

“Oh…” She furrowed her brows. “But where are you going to get a bandage?”

Chat Noir went quiet for a moment. It felt like he had finished cleaning the wound, and his hand still holding the underside of her forearm tapped a pattern on her skin with one finger.

“I got it,” he finally said. “One second. Stay still.”

The warmth of his hand left her, and she was surprised to realize she missed that anchor. Without it, she was reminded of the ache of the gash on her arm. She tucked her free hand under her armpit to try and support her own weight, chewing her lip.

There was a quiet rustling noise on the other side, followed by the very familiar sound of tearing fabric.

Marinette jolted, reacting immediately. “Chat, you better not be ripping up someone else’s laundry!” she growled. “I don’t care if you promise to replace it!”

“I’m not,” he replied. “This is my shirt.”

“What.”

“Yeah, it’s kinda old and I have plenty more at ho–”

“You took off your shirt?” Marinette interrupted. “Like… the one off your back?”

“I mean, yes, it’s the only one I had.”

Don’t picture shirtless Chat Noir, don’t picture shirtless Chat Noir, don’t picture—

She wished she could bury her face in her hands.

“Ladybug?”

With a flaming face, she realized she had been silent for far too long. “I– uh, you thank– Thank you,” she winced, hearing herself stutter— Ladybug wasn’t supposed to stutter—, “you didn’t have to do that.”

“No problem,” he said, as if it really didn’t matter to him that he had actually ripped the shirt off his back just to clean up her bloody mess. “I’m going to touch you again, okay?”

Marinette made a short grunt of acknowledgement, bracing herself for the feeling of his warm hands on her skin again. It came with the feeling of soft cotton fabric pressing against her, the dull ache growing sharper as he pressed against her wound.

“Is that okay?” he asked.

She chose to be honest. “It– It hurts a little, but I’m okay.”

“Good.” He sounded relieved. “It looks like the bleeding is slowing down.”

Considering all she felt was ache and wet, she decided she would take his word for it. They fell into what Marinette thought was a comfortable silence— him dabbing at her skin, and her standing still and allowing him to care for her. She tried to imagine it was just a regular trip to the nurse’s office.

In the dark. On a rooftop. In the middle of the night.

Totally normal.

After a few moments, the dabbing ceased, and instead she felt a dry cloth begin to be applied to her skin, gently wrapping around her arm.

Soon enough, Chat Noir broke the silence. “I’m really sorry, again, by the way,” he said, regret mixed with sincerity tinting the edges of his tone. “I know you said not to look and I promise I wasn’t, but I just happened to glance down and thought I saw a tail and what else could I do? Not mention it?”

Marinette steadfastly ignored the way her cheeks heated up. She couldn’t exactly get mad at him when she had been doing the same thing, after all. “It’s not your fault that I fell, you know,” she told him instead.

“It kinda feels like it is.”

“It’s not.”

Chat Noir once again fell silent on the other side of the sheet, quietly continuing his work.

Marinette tried to focus on anything other than the feeling of his fingers pressing against her skin or the melancholy hanging over them, but it was too heavy. She swallowed the lump in her throat hard enough to hurt, a dry, aching feeling pulling at her insides.

She knew what she had to do. “It is a tail,” she admitted.

Chat’s hands stopped moving. A pause fell between them. After a moment passed, he asked, “Why are you wearing a tail?”

She chewed her lip, almost regretting her decision to come clean, but she pushed through the nerves. “It’s part of my Chat Noir onesie.”

“Your what?”

He had genuine shock in his voice, clearly having heard what she said. With a laugh on the edge of her lips, Marinette tapped the bell on her zipper, letting its quiet chime answer his question for her.

“A bell?” The grip on her wrist tightened for a second before it went lax again, as if he had realized what he had done. “Oh man, I want to look so bad. Why did you do this to me?”

She laughed then, wishing she could see his face. “Just wanted you to ‘B positive,’ I guess.”

He gasped, and she could just imagine his little cat ears perking up on his head. “Oh, milady, I’m O positive you always know just what to say to make me feel better,” he laughed.

Marinette grinned, proud her little distraction worked so well. “Hey, why did the cat go to vet school?”

“Hmm… To take care of his lady?”

“No! To become a purr-fessional!”

He laughed again, loud and full. “God, I love you.”

Her breath caught in her throat at how casually he said it. She had heard him say it a thousand times, but it never failed to make her heart beat a little faster. A strangled noise made its way out of her mouth before she could stop it.

“Ah, I’m sorry,” he said. “That just slipped out. I know you don’t really want to hear me say that anymore. I meant ‘love you’ like a friend.”

“R-right…”

She didn’t want to hear that. That is what she had told him before.

Right?

There was a slight tug at the bend of her arm. “Well, you’re all set now,” Chat declared. “Miraculous Ladybug.”

She snorted. “Don’t you mean ‘Mister Bug’?”

“One of us is more miraculous than the other,” he replied. Before she could argue against him, he continued, “You even have your spots outside of the costume.”

“What do you mean?” Feeling his hands release her, she pulled her hand back through the gap. Her arm was now wrapped in white fabric, a black stripe running twice around her forearm, and a neat knot tied at her elbow. She smiled, impressed at how seamless it looked.

“Inside your wrist,” he answered, drawing her eyes to the spot. “You have two freckles. Looks just like Adalia bipunctata.”

“A-what?”

“Two-spot ladybird. It’s a ladybug.”

“Oh.” She giggled. “I have more than that,” she admitted. “In the summer, I get freckles all up and down my arms from the sun. These two just like to hang out year-round.”

“Really?” he gasped. “So you really are a real-life ladybug?”

“Maybe I am,” she teased. “Do you actually like scratches behind the ear?”

“You want to give it a try now?”

She scoffed. “You wish, kitty,” she laughed. “Tikki, you can come out now! I’m all patched up!”

A couple transformations later, Ladybug was back in her suit. She clenched and unclenched the hand on her injured arm a few times, testing the feeling. Her skin stung a bit at the pull, but otherwise it felt fine.

The hanging sheet in front of her shifted, and Chat Noir’s black pointed ears poked through the gap. He had a grin on his face. “Feel okay?” he asked.

Ladybug smiled. “Good as new.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” he replied, stepping fully onto her side of the clothesline. “Well, then I guess I’ll see you next time, milady. Have a good night.”

“Wait,” Ladybug said, watching as his face turned questioning. She stepped closer, throwing her arms around his neck before she could talk herself out of it. “Thank you for taking care of me, Chaton.”

He was stiff at first, but soon melted into the embrace, wrapping his arms around her middle. “That’s what I’m here for, Buginette,” he muttered into her shoulder. “I’m sorry, again–”

“No, nope.” She pulled back, placing her hands on either side of his face to force him to look at her. His eyes were wide. “If you ever blame yourself for my clumsiness again, I won’t bring chouquettes for patrol anymore.”

“Whoa!” he gasped, eyebrows raising. “Threat perceived.”

“Good.” She patted his cheek gently before stepping out of his arms once more. “Good night, Chat Noir.”

“Night, Ladybug.”

With a flick of her wrist, she left him standing on the rooftop, heading back home and to her and Alya’s abandoned sleepover.

When Alya saw the wrapping on Marinette’s arm and her torn sleeve, she was understandably concerned.

“What happened to you?” she asked, rushing to her feet.

Marinette grinned, holding her hands up in a placating fashion. “Just a normal little slip,” she explained. “I’ll be right back, though,” she said, heading towards the trap door in her bedroom floor. “I promised Chat Noir I’d clean and change the bandage when I got home.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’ll explain when I get back!”

Marinette quickly made her way to the bathroom, pulling open the medicine cabinet where she knew her mother kept the first aid kit. She soon located the rubbing alcohol and a few skin-colored bandages to replace Chat’s shirt. Carefully, she undid his work, wincing when she got a look at the gash again. Luckily, it wasn’t bleeding anymore, but that didn’t stop it from looking scary. She set aside the torn fabric on the corner of the sink and got to work cleaning the wound.

Once she was finished, she carefully returned all the supplies to the kit and threw away her used cotton balls. She reached for the shirt as well, but paused when her eye caught on a gray tab sticking straight up.

The label was still intact on the collar of Chat Noir’s shirt.

She only faltered for a second before curiosity got the better of her. Her thumb brushed over the seam, turning it over until she could clearly see a stylized ‘G’ that she recognized all too well.

Eyes widening, Marinette wondered what kind of wardrobe Chat Noir had at home to tear up a designer Gabriel shirt without a second thought.

#ml fanfic #ladynoir #ashville secret santa 2023 #ashville secret santa #miraculous ladybug #ml #miraculous #my writing

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moss-covered-thoughts · 2 months

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Hey moss balls!!

So to my absolute HORROR, I never posted the announcement for chapter 8!! Of course most of you have already read it, but still, for consistency's sake, here we go.

BatPham fic - No Questions Asked

Ch 8 is up and comes with some gnarly angst and fighting. Update was a couple months ago (woops). Chapter 8 was my favorite to post, by far the chapter I was most proud of so far, which is why I'm shocked I never posted this!

But alas! Chapter 9 is finally written~ :3 I'll be posting tomorrow. So in the meantime, enjoy eight chapters of angst

Chapter 8 snippet:

Batman was not one to be fazed by gore or death, but seeing the figure move despite the obvious death-shot was unnerving. The woman recording screamed horribly, shrieking and crying but nonetheless, continuing to hold the phone shakily, as the Unknown leaned back while he held both hands up to its face, feeling the wound while keeling over in obvious pain, based on the shuddering movements. Several more blasts were being shot towards them now, but were all stopped by the barrier, shielding both the Unknown and the crowd alike. Each spot they hit glowed brighter before fading to the normal, translucent green.

Batman paused the video to zoom into the figure’s face. The video quality had quickly deteriorated again, he noted with frustration—he would have to go back and see if any cleaning could be done to the file. But zooming in, Batman noted the insides of the gunshot(?) wound were that same green-glow color, and seemed to be totally lacking any distinct form—no bones or muscle he would expect to see. It almost looked like a swirling pool of—liquid, like—like Lazarus pits. Batman felt himself grow cold at the comparison, as the color drained from his face. He quickly resumed the video, zooming back out to full view.

The green liquid-substance (it looked thicker than water) was dripping from the kid’s face. Bruce felt his stomach twist watching the Unknown try to catch handfuls of the green substance, holding his hands cupped like one would when drinking from a faucet, but missing as most of it dribbled down his arms or fell onto the ground. Transfixed, Bruce watched as the remaining goop (semi-solid substance, green, radiating glow, he marked in his notes quickly), slowly started to reform, shifting unerringly back into place to re-form the boy’s face—eyes first, green irises, blown wide—until the nose was back and eventually the mouth too. He gasped loudly as soon as he could, it seemed.

#dpxdc #dpxdc fic #batpham #ao3 fanfic #ao3 link #danny phantom #dpxdc crossover #my writing #moss thoughts

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plasticfangtastic · 9 months

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American Royalty ch. 5

A Homelander X F! Reader and Dadlander fic.

A/N: prev. chapters available in my pin post, if ya like to be added to my taglist feel free to drop a comment with a request. I wanted to post this tomorrow but yeah am a liar with ADHD UwU.

Tags: mild gore, angsts, lots of angst, slow burn, fluff, oc characther, child neglect, dadlander, romance... i guess i should also say unhealthy/toxic relationship.

Chapter five

Thick lines.

Ryan and Helena were exhausted, most of the obstacle course had been partially destroyed, the walls damaged quite severely, and the ceiling was dented, Homelander had learned two things: 1) Ryan holds back too much– too afraid to harm, too afraid to break things, too afraid of his own powers as if they would come right-back around and harm him, and 2) Helena’s forcefield could take a beating, it had taken Ryan quite a bit of rage for it to start cracking, the girl continued to taunt hi, calling him inept, throwing insults without care before it cracked down.

She had learned her limits, making notes for future reference.

So here he was putting pressure on her arm, as she bled profusely.

Ryan was crying blaming himself, while Homelander took her to the labs. The girl didn’t cry much, seemingly just angry, only wincing as her father squeezed her arm with curses in her lips.

You had run out of the kitchen, guards refusing you entry to the labs, while you demanded entry Homelander had emerged and ordered them to step aside, throwing daggers at them as he took your hand.

You cried as you saw the bandages on her arm, you cried harder when she wrapped her arms around you, bawling and shaking underneath them.

Homelander calmly explained that she ended up with twenty stitches and some blood transfusion, but she was fine, no bone had been touched and her body was healing slowly.

You barely listened.

When was the last time you saw her cry? She was a quiet baby, a perfect baby, by the time she could talk, crying seemed redundant when she could simply spell it out for you.

“What did you do!?” You picked your child, retreating from him– I fucking qu–

“It was my fault…” Ryan said drying his sobs– I’m sorry.”

“It was an accident. The kids got a little heated during training… I should’ve stepped in earlier.”

Homelander took Ryan under his arm.

You stared at the kid, then back at your own.

“Helena did you–” You stroke her back– Sorry that my daughter antagonized you… It won’t happen again.”

Your voice was quiet, unable to look at either child.

“Let’s go get your stuff. My apologies, Homelander but I won’t be able to continue my work today. She won’t be a cause of future concern…” You wanted to quit and leave this tower forever.

He lets you go, no doctor tried stopping you either, but you wouldn’t let your daughter stay at Vought, a nurse informed you to come back to change the bandages in two days but you rather take her to an actual hospital.

You looked at him knowing he was going to come around.

Coffee already on the stove and biscuits on the table already waiting for him.

“How is she?” He was genuine.

“She says it's too itchy… but her arm is alright.” you scratch at your head.

“You look tired.”

“I haven’t slept for almost a decade… that’s just my face now.”

“You didn’t quit.” He sat beside you on the big round-table, turning pale as you saw him sit on his cape, his eyes reddened as he tried to look calm– are you quitting?”

“I dunno. Helena can be pretty abrasive. I’m sorry your son fell for it, she doesn’t mean it… she just thinks that people are going to be cruel, so she’s cruel first.”

“Why?” He presses taking a quick glance at the livingroom and the misplaced toys.

“Try being in a classroom full of teenagers and be the smartest one in the whole room, they just see a smug midget who thinks she’s better than anybody else– they’re mean… kids in general are mean… but she eventually just scares them enough… there were other kids she’d hurt, nothing too severe.”

You stayed in silence not knowing if you should ask him to leave or not. If you should let him be privy of those events.

“She knows.”

“You!”

“She either figured it out or used her powers to find out.” He rested his elbow on the table stroking his tired eyes– I didn’t tell her but she would’ve noticed there was something going on.”

You yawned, taking a couple sips of coffee as he copied you. The silence unbearable and your eyes heavy and aching, gawking at him made you think of her.

“Your eyes and lips are identical.” That was an unusual smile on your face– when she was born that was the first thing I noticed, the second was that mop of hair on her head… she had so much hair and it was so long, but those were your eyes… sadly, you know I always thought your nose was your best feature but she got mine.”

You stood up asking him to follow you to the living room with a finger, taking a seat on the same sofa you refused to throw away.

“Tell me about her… Becca never had the chance… I cleaned that house and found pictures and trinkets, but without the stories I can only speculate. I don’t know his first words, the first time he walked, his first time riding a bike… I don’t know anything. She never wanted to tell me.” He leaned closer, his hand close to yours but never touching– Ryan is sorry, he was quite shaken.”

“Her first word was ‘morning’.” You spoke wanting to indulge, wanting to seem better for some reason.

You told him stories, there had been a time when you fantasized sharing all these moments with him, when you were younger and stupider. When you two began to get too serious, when he had called you baby, darling and honey with genuine affection, when you watched him sleep and caressed his hair awake. You’d dreamed of drinking wine while your kids slept by his side at one point and in this forced intimacy you could be as deluded as he was just in case he was holding something nefarious over your head.

You let him know about her silly things, about her first love… the chemistry set you bought her when she was five. About how she lived in their local library and everybody knew her by name, about how some of the kids expected her to become Brooklyn’s finest, about her hatred of pistachio and strong emotions about bird keeping.

You never expected to talk to him like this after everything, but today has been a rollercoaster and you simply hadn't been in you to fight, not now when your daughter knew, you were doing this to yourself so you couldn’t fight it, you gave him morsels and crumbs because you had no one to talk about this things.

“Is Ryan alright?” You asked leaning away from him, the night was so dark and only the kitchen in the back lit the house– it must’ve been so scary.”

“He was pretty shaken. Took me a lot to get him to stop crying…”

“Helena won’t hold any grudges… I think… I got an idea… has Ryan ever been to Coney Island? Maybe we can take the kids to the boardwalk, have hotdogs and hit the aquarium, Helena will not misbehave in there.” You put your empty cup on the coffee table– they can make up.”

He gave you a tired smile, knowing he had to head home soon but wanting to talk some more.

“Are you angry at her?” He asks weakly.

“She would’ve hurt Ryan. I figured out she was forcing him to attack when you said things got a little heated, that’s how she dealt with bullies in the past.” you looked him straight in the eyes– I am upset.”

He found a way to touch your hand, giving it a light squeeze.

“Don’t be… I think Ryan would like the aquarium, he’s never been.” He seemed ashamed of that statement.

“Remember when we used to sneak out to Central Park?” You said suddenly with a chirp in your voice.

“Those were long nights.” He dares give you a flirty look.

“No… those handful of times where we went during daytime… ditch the suit… more witnesses, more likely to behave.”

You tried ignoring those sharp fangs, he was so good looking still and it had been so fucking long since you got laid, being forced to remember him, to interact with him, to let him touch you… some people like to be used… Helena had said it best, and in this nice house he bought you, and the nice stuff he got you all around you, you remember what he was trying to get out of you, and that was to play a role.

At the doctor’s office, Helena cried a lot when the doctor took her stitches out, it had taken a day to heal but she was left with a gnarly scar.

“Phantasma” You sit next to her while she eats some ice cream, she really did not like getting the stitches out, the visit had reduced her to an actual little girl, even after her words were incoherent, skipping words as she cried all the way out to the ice cream shop, Helena’s skin was hard not like her fathers but it was near impossible to penetrate it with a needle, forced to proceed without real anesthesia– sounds better than ‘Ghost Girl’, no?”

She looked up.

“Sounds cool. Why?” she sniffed hard.

“Your father did ask about it…”

“Huh?”

“Honey. He told me you figured it out. How?”

She licked her ice cream cone, as you tucked her under your arm. Scooting her closer on the park bench.

“I used Elmo to break into his apartment. I turned us both invisible and I went up there.” You pulled on her ear– ouch!”

“Helena!”

“He’s been following us for weeks!” you let her go– I was curious as to what he was doing… I was suspicious of his intentions, found the paperwork in his office and played stupid for a couple days.” She handed you her slobbered cover ice cream– Is not appropriate for a grown man to be following little girls.”

“You shouldn’t use Elmo like that!”

“You aren’t mad I broke into his house?” She looked perplexed.

“Nah… I could have given you the passcode it's the first thing they gave me when I started work. Don’t involve the kid!” You took a bite– Jesus Helena! You being invisible is hard enough… I don’t want you ending up like Translucent! Guy was so mentally ill.”

“You knew translucent?” her ear perked up.

“He would walk around naked in the bathrooms– I’ll explain to you when you’re older, honey.” you handed the ice cream back, your lips tight under your teeth– I knew your father for three years… So I got to meet some of The Seven. Either way leave the kid alone and for all intents and purposes you never told me about the stalking…”

“You got something in mind?”

“We’re going to play his game. You’re his daughter… so that tower should be yours, no?”

“There’s my older brother to worry about, too.”

“He’s just a little boy, riding thru life with only nepotism as his anchor” You stroke her hair pushing her bangs away from her beautiful eyes– but he’s not you.” You leaned into her ear– you are my daughter.”

Her smile was sickly sweet.

Here you were waiting for him at the entrance of the boardwalk, when you felt a light touch on your shoulder.

He looked uncomfortable and maybe too dressed up for the occasion, you took the lapel of his suit jacket. It was the nicest fabric you’ve touched in your entire life, surprised to see his hair not as gel-up and his eyes hiding behind versace sunnies.

“Did you raid Kendall Roy’s closet? I swear I saw this jacket in season 3.”

“Is a good show.” he laughs looking painfully stiff, his eyes moving rapidly behind his lenses– and yes.”

“Wait, is this actually from the show?”

“I just said yes.”

Your mouth dropped slightly, but you did like the feel of the jacket.

“You’re more Shiv.”

“Not Logan I hope?”

You snorted in horror, your daughter pretended to be confused by his appearance trying not to look at Ryan, who looked like a deer in front of a hummer.

“Are you doing okay, little guy?” You asked, making sure to lift his hat playfully– Ever had a Nathan’s glizzy? Is an institution.”

The kid looked so shy.

“No, I never had one…” He was one bad word away from sobbing.

“Is okay. My arm is all good again” Helena's adult size hoodie had a big enough collar for her to pull down and reveal nothing but a scar– I am not mad at you. It was an accident… Besides, you can’t be a supe if you’re afraid of getting boo-boos.”

Ryan seemed more shaken than anything, but before he could do his best sad little orphan boy impression, Helena took his hand and dragged him forward, telling him that he needed to try Nathan’s before doing anything, rambling about how good they are, and that she couldn’t wait to see the Aquarium.

Both you and Homelander stood a few steps behind as your daughter gave the kid no time to rest.

“She’s always been this pushy?” He whispered into your ear.

“She just found out that’s her brother… She's a tad excited.”

“You had the talk? Without me!?” He looked upset, staring at his kids with a bit of bitterness.

“I was ambushed. I swear to god you need to figure out a weakness with her damn bubble.”

“What's the limit before she runs out of oxygen?” he asks.

“1 minute and 46 seconds is her personal best.” you whispered back.

“What did you tell Helena was happening today?” He wrapped his arm around your waist pulling you close.

“That it was a play-date, to try to mend the situation… after all she instigated it.” You leaned against him tugging on his jacket with a cheeky smile– not whatever you were thinking this was… now… get your hand off my ass, John.”

“I told you. I have a story to sell. Both kids are in the same school, now they can start being friends and she knows I’m her dad. Let’s just skip to the good part.”

“You want to pretend we are dating?” If your teeth could separate and let you talk with ease, you would bite his nose off before finishing your next sentence– Did you run that past your team? Sure I wouldn’t rank higher than Maeve or Starlight in the fake girlfriend department… I think even Taylor would rank better… she did make a great single out of you.”

He cringed at that comment.

“You’ll do great in the fake mother department– The team has concocted something extra juicy, a real page turner. Way above Hallmark channel christmas movies, we are talking award circuit instead.”

You both did that fake little laugh that sounded more like a growl as your kids turned around after spotting the white, green and yellow hot dog restaurant.

As Helena headed to the line, with Ryan in tow. You played your role, Helena would have what she deserves– if he wanted to force you and her into his life, you were going to wrap those chains so tight around his neck, he would forget he ever lived without it.

Your mouth met his for a brief moment, startling him enough that his hand left your hips, he was left stuck in place as you went after the kids.

The breeze tousled his hair, as you looked back at him with a saddened smile.

“I haven’t forgiven you… but I want to give you a second chance… I want to put all those things behind us… if you are going to be here for her– for us.” You whispered from afar out of your kids reach as Helena took your wallet, knowing full well he was listening attentively– I’ve missed you. Even if I don’t want to admit it.”

The seagulls squealed as he took his place beside you, wrapping his arm again around your waist just to kiss you yet again.

The moment Helena saw a fish tank it was game over. All her ‘Wednesday’ facade had melted as she became an over excited amateur marine biologist, giving his eldest no time of rest as she explained as many animals she could to the child, he had learned an awful lot about corals and kelp as they moved from exhibit to exhibit, admittedly Ryan was having fun, hanging out with other kids as school had been a bit difficult, his socialization skills were poor from years of isolation and homeschooling but this was nice.

Homelander could only see a kodak moment ruined by the myriad of The Deep billboards staring at him.

It was a bizarre game of stealth kisses happening behind the kids, he was starving for you, a desire he had put down in the cellar and today he found again, excited to play this game with you.

Wanting to feel your comfort, happy that you took his offer, now he only had to tell Ryan.

As you left for the bathroom he was left alone with the two kids, Ryan fixated on some animals and his mind elsewhere when Helena pulled at his sleeve.

“You look like you want to rip your skin off.”

“I don’t usually wear clothes like this?” he says politely– what about you? Why are you wearing that giant hoodie again? Don’t you own other stuff?”

It was big enough for an adult, her sleeves had been rolled up quite a bit and its length still touched her knees making her appear shorter than she already was, this had been the fifth time he had seen her in this fit, she wore black hoodies most of the times on top of her normal clothes– cheap thrifted clothes and hand-me downs somethign that irked the man; But this ridiculous hoodie seemed to be a favorite. The newest and nicest thing she owned was a pair of A-T Force 1, it pissed him off to watch her wear those shoes– why worship that fat slob when her father was the fucking Homelander! he thought.

“Is really nice… found it in an old box mother had with her while we were living in one of her cousin’s garage.” She stretched her arm urging the man to have a feel of the soft cotton fabric– She didn’t wanna throw it away ‘cuz she could sell it but I ended up wearing it a lot. I like it.”

The fabric was worn down but it was evidently of good quality, he spun the little girl around as he looked at the size tag, only to see the name of the brand… Brunello, his eyes widened as he noted that this hoodie easily cost over 1000 dollars, but as the girl glared at him a light sob escaped his lips as his eyes tingled– this had been his sweater.

Of the few items of clothes he had owned over the years, he knew this was his.

In those secret dates in central park and escapes to Paris and Seoul, where he was forced to hide who he was just so you two could hold hands without causing a scene, he had bought this, you liked it enough to steal it from him from time to time.

Homelander had become John Gillman for you, he had never needed a secret identity before he met you, not even mulling on the idea for long. He only had to be the Homelander, but he had become a mild-mannered executive named Mr. John Gillman, to be with you– forcing himself to wear strange clothes and mingle with lowborn folks, just to hold your hands and kiss you.

This stupid hoodie that he had ordered an intern to buy only to arrive a size too big, that had gone missing years prior, now stood here wrapping his daughter.

“How did you find out about me?” He asks with shaky lips.

“After you showed up at Lucci’s… thought it was weird that you showed up at my house not long before… I suspected you knew my mom, and after she told me that she worked at Vought. Well, I looked at her resume and did some math. I only really began to suspect it after you broke into my house” She raised her chin– you left the window open by two inches, not enough to matter but enough for me to notice as I always leave them close all the way… you left my hairbrush in the sink’s and not the trolley. Why would you touch my hairbrush? Wonder what you could get out of it…”

The little shit turned around to spot her brother still admiring the clover reef while they waited for you.

“I was taking a gamble when I called you a ‘deadbeat’, dad.”

Homelander's heart skipped a beat when her mouth uttered the word, unsure if she was mocking him or otherwise, from her it was hard to tell.

“You don’t want him to know about me, right?” Her voice was quiet, a knot buried itself in her throat.

“What? No!” He said in a panic, getting on one knee to see her eye-to-eye– Helena… I … I want us to be a family, Ryan will understand but I have to wait… he’s not like you or me… he’s… sweet.”

She looked away squishing her little fist, hiding her beautiful kyanite stones behind those long bangs, his hand lifted her hair, trying to peek further into those beautiful skies, feeling the creamy skin under his palm, her warmth as her cheeks turn a new shade of pink.

“You’re my daughter… my blood… I am sorry… I was… I was an asshole for what I did, but I just want to be there for you now… so If I can… you can call me ‘Dad’ if you like.”

His voice quivering as he spoke, she was frail, he could feel it under his touch, how easy it would be for him to hurt her.

Little girls were to be handled with much more care, dainty things they were, she was a peony blooming in his hands, so he had to be soft and strong for her. she rested her cheek against his hand, his so warm and soft, surprised at the way he looked at her-- there was a twinkle of desperation behind his gaze.

She rested until her eyes didn’t sting anymore.

As you left the bathroom, you spotted the curious scene, biting at your lips as your guilt finally catched up to you, you didn’t need it, you would not allow yourself to be harmed but as you saw your daughter play her role, you knew… she would be lost inside the character… She was a lonely child, deprived of you and without him ever in the picture... she had a weakness.

You let them mingle from afar as they walked around towards some river exhibition, while Ryan made his way towards the duo, their hands intertwined as he turned calling for his boy.

For a moment you saw a glimpse of the life you always wanted… Revenge was a nasty game… could you really play it? You wondered as you fixed your clothes.

Before you could say anything, your sight followed a faceless passerby.

A service dog in tow.

The passerby had simply bumped into Helena, the dog had been just close enough, you didn't worry immediately, she had gotten used to dogs and you were certain she had been good and taken her allergy meds.

You were sure.

Helena turned but it was too late.

With a single sneeze the gates had opened.

The walls rumbled, as the pale blue wave of sharp wavering light exploded out of her body.

Everybody swallowed a shared gasp, as the glass began to crack.

taglist: hope y'all like the chapter @fromforeigntofamiliarity @immyowndefender @demodemo909

#Homelander #Homelander x reader #Homelander x you #the boys oc #american royalty #personal #my fic tag #the boys fanfiction #homelander fanfic #homelander x F! Reader #I have so much energy right now and am riding the high.#barely proofread so sorry for any spellign errors

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kasienda · 4 days

Text

Celebrity Status - Ch 9: One Last Kiss

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |

Read on Ao3

I was going to post this one tomorrow for the @ladrienjune Day 2 - prompt, Gorgeous, but honestly that one is a little bit of a stretch. And I read caterinawrite's Ladrien June story (go read it! It's starting off so cute!!), and she felt empowered to write for prompts that aren't today. AND I just wanted there to more stuff out today on Day 1!! Because IT'S LADRIEN JUNE!!! And I'm excited!!

This chapter lines up nicely with Day 18 - Secret Relationship and Day 29 - Make Out. Like really well.

Chapter 9: One Last Kiss

Ladybug touched down softly on Adrien’s bedroom floor. He didn’t notice immediately, his attention on his computer screen.

She let herself just watch him for a moment. Locks of his hair fell out of place and into his eyes, just a less than perfect enough to be endearing. He was reading something and his expression was natural, resting, and just so relaxed. She rarely ever saw him like this.

She smiled fondly, and made herself knock on the window behind her.

He whirled towards her, his face lighting up like sunshine first creeping over the horizon in the morning.

Something in her chest twisted - something both warm and sad at once.

She loved him a little more each day. She didn’t want to end this thing that they had.

She had already lost Alya. Why did she give everything up?

And so she didn’t stop him when his arms circled around her waist, when his lips found hers.

He clearly meant for the kiss to be chaste - a sweet greeting to his quasi girlfriend. It was Ladybug who deepened it.

If she was only going to get one more kiss, she needed it to be out of this world. She needed to feel it in her toes. She wanted him to always remember it.

Because kissing him one last time wasn’t risking anything they hadn’t already risked. Especially since no one could see them. They were in his room inside a mansion that had a three meter wall around it. As long as she didn’t keep visiting him regularly he should be safe.

And so she lost herself in the dance of their tongues, the warmth of his breath, the safety of being held in his arms.

But it couldn’t last forever.

When she pulled back, his eyes remained closed, his face was glowing in pure delight. He rested his forehead against hers.

“Wow, what did I do to earn such a kiss?”

Her chest tightened in agony.

He must have seen something in her expression because his smile dissolved, and his hands tightened on her waist.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“We can’t do this,” she said, tears building in her eyes.

“What? Why not?” he asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.

“If anyone ever found out, Hawkmoth would never let you be.”

“No one has to find out,” he insisted.

“I shouldn’t be visiting you regularly like this at all. It’s too dangerous.”

He shook his head. “I’m fine. It’s worth the risk. You are worth the risk.”

She pulled out of his hold. “No! I’m not! Don’t you understand?! He could use you against me, and it would work! I would hand over everything for you.”

He looked thunderstruck. “What?” he whispered.

“I love you,” she confessed. “I have for a long time. Longer than you realize. I wouldn’t be strong enough. We have to stop this.”

He stepped closer to her, smiling softly in that way that turned her insides to jelly. His hands cradled either side of her face.

“Yeah…” he breathed a centimeter from her face. “We should stop.”

His lips were on hers once again.

They didn’t stop.

…

Ladybug didn’t visit again for three days. Adrien worried that she wouldn’t come back.

He really really wanted her to come back, but he wasn’t sure he deserved for her to come back. Had he pressured her the last time? She had tried to break up with him, albeit for stupid reasons, and he had just kept kissing her.

And that didn’t include the fact that he was essentially lying to her. She had already said no to Chat Noir, and yes, she was the one that insisted they still keep their identities secret.

He still felt like he was lying about who he was.

But he had loved her since the day they met for her determination and bravery, for her ability to stand up against a literal supervillain. And over the last few weeks, he’d gotten to see a softer side of her where she could share her fears, where she could let herself be silly. And he loved her more.

Maybe it was selfish, but he wanted to keep this. He understood that she was scared for him, but he could protect himself.

If only he could explain that to her.

When they met for patrol, he probably would have broken down and told her everything except she was so agitated he could barely keep up with her and at the end of it she was off before they could talk.

Now, he wanted her to come back not for him, but because he was worried about her. She was clearly upset or hurting about something. Maybe she still hadn’t been able to make up with her friend, or maybe the internet was saying something stupid again.

He just wanted her to be okay, and he thought he could help her get there if she wasn’t already.

But he couldn’t do that if she wasn’t here.

She showed up in his room an hour later.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked when she landed an hour later in his room.

She huffed. “It’s not like I’m allowed to be anything else.”

He stepped closer. “What can I do?” he offered, careful not to initiate any contact. She should be the one to decide what she wanted from him.

“Kiss me,” she begged.

He was only too happy to oblige.

“I can’t come again,” she told him later that night.

He wanted to argue. Instead he only nodded. “I understand.”

She came back again two nights later, sweeping him up in her arms and kissing him senseless immediately. He found himself hoisted up, and his legs immediately wrapped around her waist for support.

Her lips attacked his own, and he met her strike for strike. She trailed down his jaw and his neck, and then into his ear sending shivers down his spine.

He returned the favor, wanting to make her feel as good as she made him. To distract her clearly from whatever it was that was bothering her even if she couldn’t explain.

Maybe especially when she couldn’t explain because what else could he do?

“That really has to be the last time,” she gasped between kisses.

“Of course,” he agreed readily.

They both knew it wouldn’t be.

…

The akuma caught him completely off guard. He had been in fencing practice when the akuma broke through the wall, demanding his heart.

She wasn’t just collecting hearts. She wanted Adrien Agreste specifically, which meant he had no way to transform.

He took off running instead. He made it out of the school into the open, only to trip over a crack. It only cost him two seconds, but the akuma was faster.

He managed to kick her away. It turned out to be enough because a second later Ladybug swooped down and scooped him up and away before the akuma recovered.

He relaxed against her tiny frame, trusting she could carry him to safety as she had done more times than she knew.

“What’d you do this time?” she asked with a teasing lilt.

“I don’t know!” he insisted. “Just an ordinary rabid fangirl I guess.”

She nodded sagely. “Ah, you committed the crime of being too pretty.”

He sighed. “Anyway! I vote we don’t wait for Chat Noir,” he said. “This one is insanely fast. You can use me as bait.”

She hesitated, and he mentally prepared himself for her argument. But instead she called for her lucky charm, took in the scene around them, her brows furrowing in that adorable way they always did when’s he was concentrating.

Then she nodded. “Yeah, okay. Here’s the plan.”

Her plan worked perfectly. Once the akuma was purified, she turned to him with an offered fist.

“Not bad for a pretty boy.”

He stepped past her offered fist, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“What? No fist bump?” she asked, grinning.

“Doesn’t the princess always kiss the hero who saves them?” he countered, leaning down, hovering a few centimeters over her lips.

Her blue eyes sparkled. “You’re the princess in this story?”

“Absolutely!” he grinned cheekily. “Over protective father, locked away in a tower, magic hair.”

She laughed. “It fits too well!”

“It’s good to see you laugh,” he told her, with a soft smile. “I haven’t seen you laugh as much of late.”

She eyed him, caressed either side of his face in her hands and closed the distance between them.

Her lips swallowed his own in feelings that were becoming far too familiar but never enough.

“Stay safe, princess,” she whispered. And then she was gone.

And he stood alone on an outdoor terrace, wondering how to get down. No one witnessed his lovesick sigh or the grin on his face.

Or so he thought.

…

See you again on Day 6: Social Media ^_^

#ladrienjune2024 #miraculous ladybug #fanfiction #ladrien #adrien agreste #marinette dupain cheng #ladrien with marichat tropes #romance #speed write #only write the fun parts #kisses #lots of kisses in this one #the last should be in quotations for the chapter title #celebrity status #my own content

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cissyenthusiast010155 · 11 months

Note

Cards on the table pt. 3? :')

Absolutely! Thanks for requesting it 🥰 Got some inspiration from one of @your-dungeon ‘s posts about spicy time over the phone… 🤭 Hope you Enjoy!

Cards on the Table Ch 3: We Can Make Long Distance Work ~Professor Alex Blake xFem Professor!Reader

Link to Ch 1 & Ch 2

Mommy… Master List

Requests & Prompt-List

Warnings: NSFW, 18+!!, smut, fuck buddies, phone sex, masturbation, fingering, neediness, etc.

Enjoy (;

Since Friday night, you had immediately noticed a change in Alex’s gate as well as her overall manner. That night had been fucking amazing for you both.

And the two of you met up as much as you could. But it proved difficult with Alex’s job at the university as well as her work with the FBI.

One evening, you were lounging on your couch when you got a phone call… It was Alex. She had been gone for nearly a week on one of her cases, and you were most definitely looking forward to your reunion. You answered.

“Hey Alex!” You chirped, excited that your fuck buddy was coming home tomorrow.

Alex sighed on the other side of the phone.

“What’s up?”

“I’m sorry, Y/N, but I will be gone for a few more days…” she sighed, exhaustion apparent in her tone.

“Oh. That’s alright, it’s not like I won’t be here when you get back.” You tried to lighten the mood with your playfulness.

But Alex wasn’t in the mood.

“How was you day…?” You gently asked.

Another long sigh came from the phone.

“Long. Hard. Busy. I only just now got back to my hotel room, and I’m so tired that I simply collapsed on the bed…” she huffed.

“Hey, at least you have a room to yourself this time, right?”

No response. Then you heard a faint noise.

“Alex?”

“M’mmmm… Right sorry, yea! I have a room to myself…” Alex said.

“I’m sorry your day was so long… I wish you were here with me so I could take care of you…”

Now you got a gasp in response.

“Alex, are you okay?”

Her response was something that sounded an awful like a muffled whimper. Suddenly, it clicked.

“Oh my god…” you chuckled.

“M’mmmm…?” Alex hummed, but it sounded a bit too much like a moan.

“Are you touching yourself?” You giggled, “To my voice?”

The thought made you snake your own hand down your pants and had your fingers circling your clit.

Suddenly, all sounds stopped.

“Aww Baby, don’t be shy now.” You breathily husked, “Let me hear just how much you need me… how desperate you’re getting for my voice…”

Now the sounds were back again. Whimpering… light moans…

“Oh God, Y/N, don’t stop…!” Alex groaned.

“Fuck that’s it… Are you curling your skilled fingers inside yourself, wishing they were my own…?” You lustfully moaned, dipping two of your own fingers into your aching cunt.

“Yes yes GOD yes!!” Alex moaned, “Need you so bad, baby…”

“You have my voice…” You husk, “God, I can imagine you sprawled out on the hotel bed, speedily finger fucking your aching pussy and kneeding those delicious tits of yours…”

A guttural moan left Alex’s throat.

“The thought is making me so wet… Fuck…” you groaned.

“Are you… are you touching yourself…?” Alex let out in gasps, reaching her climax rather quickly now with your help.

“Yessss…” you hissed.

A guttural groan left Alex’s lips, as she came all over her fingers and the bed.

“I’m stuffing my cunt full with my fingers, imagining they are yours, pounding into me relentlessly…FUCK Alex!!” you cried out, cumming all over your own fingers as well.

The next few seconds were filled with labored breathing from both of you.

“We need to meet when I get back.” Alex panted, breaking the silence.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.” You panted.

~~~

Alex Blake nee. Miller Masterlist

#cards on the table series #agent alex blake #alex blake x you #alex blake #alex blake nee miller smut #agent alex blake smut #alex blake smut #agent alex blake née miller #alex blake nee miller xreader #alex blake nee miller #alex blake x reader

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ghostofthemost141 · 5 months

Text

Serene

Chapter 7

Gif credit to @simonghostrileys

Ch.1. Ch.2. Ch.3. Ch.4. Ch.5. Ch.6.

Pairing: Johnny 'Soap' MacTavish xF!Reader

Word Count: 2,981

About: You were on vacation to the beach and you think you're about to die when you're caught in a riptide until an unlikely hero, your now boyfriend, comes to your rescue. Precisely a Scottish man that bores a tail. And now, the secret is out. Kind of.

!Warnings!: Some Spicy Stuff for y'all to feast on but nothing explicit

Italics means Third Person POV

Notes: First post into the new year! I hope everyone had a good transition into the new year. Enjoy!

Taglist: @darling006

Johnny immediately pulled away from you and held you close to him as you both saw who approached y’all.

“I see how it is.” Your professor muttered, staring at both Johnny and you.

Johnny held you close as he could feel your heart race increase and your anxiety peek up. He knew immediately that this was your professor. The professor who has been giving you problems and harassing you.

“Go away, wanker.” Johnny growled, holding you close to him.

Graves just laughed, amused by what was going on.

“You skip my class to go and see your little boy toy, Dove?”

“Stop, go away.” I said, trying to make him leave.

I knew he wasn’t intimidated by me, but I hope he got the message at least.

“You heard her. Get the fuck away.” Johnny growled, using his muscles as a shield for me.

“I was just wondering as to why one of my students was out today.” Graves tried to innocently say, but I knew his inner intention.

You just wanted your professor to go away and leave you and Johnny alone. Meanwhile, Johnny was ready to plummet him into next year and to make sure to do some permanent damage. He was ready to protect you and be your savior when you wanted him to. And even though you didn’t verbally say it, he knew you were wanting to be protected at this very moment.

“Well, I hope to see you in class tomorrow then, Dov-”

“Leave. Now.”

Your professor finally took the hint, smirked at both of y’all and walked away. Johnny kept his eyes on him until he was totally out of sight.

“Lass, are you alrigh’?” Johnny asked me.

“Y-Yeah. I just..” I paused, not really understanding what just happened.

“I will not let him hurt ya, I promise.” Johnny reassured me, rubbing my arm in reassurance.

“I know. I just wish he would leave me alone.” I say.

“Your uncle and I got ‘ou. I promise.” Johnny swore, making me look up at him.

You looked up into Johnny’s bright blue eyes. You knew he meant it just by looking into his eyes. They were full of promise and reassurance. You knew you could count on Johnny.

“Okay.”

“Let’s get the hell out of here. See if your uncle needs some help.” Johnny suggested.

“Yeah, I agree.” I said.

Johnny helped you to your feet and suddenly grabbed you, lifted you up, and carried you to your car.

“Johnny!” I yelled out jokingly, as he held me upright and then switched to were he was holding me bridal style.

I wrapped my hands around his neck to keep myself upright.

“Don’t want me princess gettin’ dirt in her shoes.” Johnny said, beaming a smile at me.

You felt your heart start racing, just feeling all of Johnny’s love for you in this one little action. Eventually both you and Johnny made it back to your car and he still insisted on driving for you. During the drive back to your home, Johnny jammed out to whatever music was on your preferred station. You were kind of surprised he liked this type of music, or he was just doing it to humor you, but both of you jammed out to the music on the station up until Johnny parked in your driveway.

“Oh my aunt is home.” I say, seeing her car in the driveway as well.

“Is she nice?” Johnny asked.

“Yes, very much so. She isn’t as protective as Ale, but she is getting there.” I half joke.

“Good to know.” Johnny said as he got out of the car.

You waited for Johnny to walk around and open the door for you. You were about to step down when Johnny, quick as a flash, picked you up and held you bridal style once again.

“It’s my house, Johnny.”

“Don’t care. I want your aunt and uncle to see how much I love ya.” Johnny said, smooching your cheek.

Johnny shut the car door with his broad shoulder and carried you inside.

“We’re home!” I announce as Johnny walks in, while still holding me.

From the kitchen, both Ale and Remi whipped around to see who it was, both of them immediately painting a smile on their faces.

“Welcome back, kiddos.” Ale said as Johnny finally let me down on my feet, but ever so gently.

“Hey Dove!” Remi greeted me, her eyes immediately going wide upon seeing Johnny.

“Is this the guy?” She whispered, Ale’s eyes going comically wide upon hearing that.

“¿Qué diablos quiere decir con eso?[What the hell does she mean by that?]” Ale asked, half joking.

“Leave her alone, Ale. She just told me she was meeting up with a guy she met. That’s all.” Remi wacked Ale with a hand towel as she said that.

It made both of us laugh, with me secretly hoping that would be Johnny and I one day.

“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am. I’m Johnny.” Johnny approached Remi, sticking his hand out in greeting.

“I’m Remi, Ale’s girlfriend. Nice to meet ya.” Remi shook Johnny’s hand.

“Feelin’s mutual, ma’am.” Johnny said.

“Your man’s got some manners, Dove.” Remi commented.

“Only the best.” I joke as Johnny wrapped his arm around me.

“Do y’all need some help?” Johnny offered both Ale and Remi.

“We are good, hermano, but thank you.” Ale thanked him, “show him around Dove. Make yourself at home, Johnny.”

“Thank you, sir.” Johnny thanked him.

“Well,” I said, realizing I never formally showed him around,, “let me show you around.”

“And you know this room.” I said as we both entered my room, with Johnny quietly shutting the door behind him.

“Nice, nice.” Johnny joked as if he was seeing my room for the first time.

I sat down on my bed as Johnny intensely stared at all of the knick knacks that were in my room as well as all of the posters I had of my favorite bands.

“This one of your favorite bands?” Johnny asked, seeing the third poster of the same band.

“Oh yeah, they are. Have you ever heard of them?” I ask.

“No, I haven’t but I will give them a listen for you.”

Johnny smiled big at you as he said that. You couldn’t help but smile back.

“I have some records there if you wanna pick something out to play.” I suggest.

“Your parents won’t mind?”

I shook my head in response. Johnny then bent down to go through my record collection that was in my bookshelf. He eventually picked one that just so happened to be my favorite album from my favorite band.

“Good pick.” I say as he slid the record into the turntable, carefully picking up the pick and letting it fall onto the record, the oh so nostalgic static starting to play.

Once the music started, Johnny started tapping his foot to the beat, eventually starting to break down dance. The dancing was awful but it put a big smile on your face, as well as giggling.

“You look silly.” I joke.

“Oh do I now?”

Johnny then started even more terrible breakdown dancing, jumping up and down, doing the wobble, a terrible version of the worm, and much much more which made you laugh so hard that your stomach hurt. You had no idea as to why Johnny was being so silly to the point of making you die of laughter, but you were enjoying it. Johnny loved to see you smile, and even more so see you laugh, even if he was making a fool out of himself. Out of nowhere, Johnny locked eye contact with you and jumped on top of you, pinning you to the bed with him on top.

“Johnny! Ah!” I cry out, feeling his entire body weight on top of me.

“Oi, am I too heavy for ya?” Johnny remarked.

“No, I just didn’t expect you to do that.” I said, perfectly content in the position we were in right now.

Johnny looked down at you, his same old, but beautiful blue eyes looking down at you into yours. You felt your heart start racing, realizing the very intimate position you both were in. The same warm feeling you kept getting from Johnny returned and it rapidly spread throughout your body, making you flustered. Johnny leaned in and placed his lips onto yours, deepening the kiss quickly. His tongue grazed over your lips, sending chills down your spine. You wanted it to go even further but there was one problem with that.

“Johnny, my uncle and aunt.” I said, pulling away from the kiss.

Johnny smirked at you as he turned to gaze at the record that was still playing on the turntable.

“They won’t ‘ear a dang thing, Dove.” Johnny remarked, “but if you wanna wait then I will wait.”

“No.” I say, making Johnny look at me with some shock.

“No as in?”

“I want to go further with you, Johnny. I wish my uncle and aunt weren’t here for that very reason.” I confessed.

You could tell Johnny liked that response by the smile-smirk he had plastered on your face. Johnny didn’t say anything as he leaned down once again, planting a deep kiss onto your lips. You felt Johnny push his tongue through your lips, wanting access to your mouth.

“Johnny.” You moan as Johnny manages to push his tongue through your lips.

Johnny ran his tongue throughout your mouth, causing you to run your fingers into his mohawk. Your fingerprints began to memorize how his hairline was, where his hawk was at and how long it was, how his buzz cut on the sides felt, you memorized it all as you both continued to makeout for the first time ever. You felt Johnny attempt to suck on your tongue, making you gasp out of surprisement. It was definitely a weird feeling but it felt so good. You felt Johnny start to run his hands all over your body. Down your hips, over your stomach, your thighs, chest, everywhere as if he was doing the same thing you were doing with his mohawk. The tension got hotter and heavier. You felt Johnny run his hands back over your chest, pulling his lips away from you but still leaning in close to you.

“Is this okay, lass?” Johnny asked me.

You knew what he was asking, and you honestly felt so honored that he was. Flashbacks were trying to cloud your mind of Craig and what he had done to you, but you pushed them away for this was Johnny here with you, not Craig.

“Yes.”

You granted your consent to him. Johnny leaned back down to kiss you again as he started passionately massaging your chest. It sends vibrant, warm chills down your spine, feeling his big, but soft hands massaging your plumps of flesh. Despite being in the sea for most of his life, you could tell he has gentle hands. It was then that you felt his hands run under your shirt, feeling his skin on your bare stomach. It made you have a knee jerk reaction.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Johnny immediately apologized to me.

“No, no it’s not you, Johnny. I promise.” I reassured him.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Just not..used to this.” I told him.

“I’m sorry, Dove. I don’t eva want you to feel those bad things ever again with meh.” Johnny reassured me, caressing my face softly.

“I know.”

“We go at your pace, lass. I’ll wait forever if you want me to.” Johnny half joked which made you smile.

You knew he was only joking to lighten your mood up but you knew he sincerely meant it despite being in a joking matter. Despite how you were feeling, you did not want him to stop.

“Am I pretty to you, Johnny?”

“The prettiest gal in the whole universe.”

“Are you sure?” I question.

Johnny then leaned down and peppered your face with kisses as well all over your exposed skin, your arms, hands, fingers, legs, and stomach. It was all done chastely, with no hidden meaning other than he just wants to show his love for you.

“Maybe we can get a hotel later?” I suggested.

Johnny gave me a toothy smile as I said that.

“Maybe~”

Johnny’s voice dropped an octave as he said that, making chills go down your spine. You were completely smitten with him and wanted so much more with him that-

*KNOCKKNOCK*

Quick as a flash, Johnny jumped off of you and made himself position near your records as if he was going through them still.

“Yes?” I call out.

“You two, dinner is ready.” Uncle Ale’s voice came from the other side.

“Okay coming!” I call out.

Without even opening the door, your uncle turned and walked away from the door, heading back to the kitchen.

“I’m surprised he didn’t open the door.” Johnny comments.

“I am too. Maybe he trusts me now.”

“He better.” Johnny retorted as he got back up, pecking your lips.

“Let’s head down there.”

“Okay.” Johnny gleamed a smile at me as he said that.

Johnny sat too close to you, trying to avoid even spilling the tiniest of water onto himself. You figured your uncle and aunt would have some pop or even wine to offer but tonight, on the drink menu, was plain water which wasn’t good. You tried to reassure him by rubbing his thigh from under the table, but you could feel his entire nervous system skyrocketing. But he sure as hell wasn’t showing it.

“So are you from Scotland, Johnny?” Ale asked Johnny.

“Yes, sir. Born and raised there.” Johnny answered, snacking on the plate of dinner they made.

Johnny could barely eat, seeing as his nerves were skyrocketing due to the possible water contamination. Just one drop, one tiny meansly drop, would ruin everything.

“When do you move to America?” Remi asked him.

“Years ago. When I was a wee little lad, but me parents had such thick accents that it stuck with me.” Johnny lied.

I could tell Johnny wished that was real, and it showed in his softened gaze but Ale and Remi didn’t notice.

“What was-”

Remi was interrupted by her hand bumping her glass of water. The glass shot forward, and hit the table harshly, causing the glass to shatter. It all happened so quickly that Johnny didn’t have any time to move away from the water. Two droplets splashed onto him, one on his hand and one on his forehead. As fast as the water splashed onto him, was as fast as Johnny collapsed onto the ground, immediately hiding himself underneath the table.

“Hermano are you-”

“Ale wait!!”

You tried to stop your uncle from looking but it was too late. Your uncle laid eyes on an unconscious Johnny, who bored a big tail where his legs used to be. Ale mumbled in shock, which then caused your aunt to look and she too mumbled in shock.

“Estrella.” Ale started, making my heart race.

I looked up at my uncle, afraid of what he was going to say or do. Instead, his eyes were full of concern. Same with Remi. They both were concerned, but not in the way that I thought it would be.

“Should we..put him in the bathtub?” Remi asked.

“I..don’t know. I never..” I mumbled, feeling myself get anxious from worry.

I could tell Johnny knocked himself out when his head hit the chair as he was going down so God knows how long it would be till he woke up. I bent down to see if there was any bleeding and luckily there wasn’t.

“I’ll go start the water.” Remi announced as she scurried to the bathroom.

I could feel tears of guilt and shame start to build up in my eyes.

“I’m sorry Ale I didn’t..” I broke down into sobs, feeling guilty for not only keeping this from them, but also hurting Johnny in the process.

“Hey, hey easy, Dove.” Ale reassured me as he came and hugged me tightly.

I hugged him back, crying into his chest.

“Frankly, I don’t know how this is humanly possible but we will get through it okay? I am sure he is okay. You can trust your tío and tía. Okay? We won’t tell anyone.” Ale promised me.

You knew your uncle meant that promise. You were just scared on what was going to happen next.

“Tub is full.” Remi announced as she came back into appearance.

“Bueno.” Ale mumbled as I let go, ready to help them with Johnny.

Ale grabbed his upper area, while you and Remi grabbed his lower area as well as his big tail. The three of you carefully carried Johnny to the bathroom and gently sat him into the tub, the water slightly splashing from his body hitting the water. Johnny looked peacefully sleeping in the water, his tail resting on the ring rim of the tub. You bent down and rubbed his forehead as if to let him know I was still right here.

“He’ll be okay, estrella.” Ale reassured me.

“I hope.” I said.

Ale was going to say something when the doorbell rang, indicating someone was there.

“I’ll get that.” Ale announced, leaving the bathroom.

Remi then bent down onto her knees and sat next to me, examining Johnny.

“He has a beautiful tail, Dove.”

I chuckled.

“Yes he does. It was the first thing I noticed about him.” I say, not taking my eyes off of him.

“How did y’all meet?” She asked.

“He saved me from drowning when Gem, Pixie and I were on vacation.” I answer.

“That’s awesome, Dove.”

“What the fuck are you doing here, cabrón?” Ale’s voice bellowed from the living room.

Shit..

TO BE CONTINUED…

#cod #callofduty #call of duty #cod modern warfare #ghostofthemost141 #cod x reader #modern warfare x reader #johnny soap mactavish #simon ghost riley #alejandro vargas #soap x reader #johnny soap mactavish x reader #johnny soap mctavish x reader #johnny soap mctavish x you #serene fic

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