#man i cannot put this in words without sounding stupid
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Thoughts about M. Bison and Echo in my head but in the most incomprehensible way I can’t put to words with any justice, send help please
Uhhhhhh something something “despite everything its still you” send post
#my art#street fighter#oc: echo#sf6 is going to make me go crazy#at risk of sounding cringe and lame i am a sucker for characters who’s love transcends needing memories#echo’s already devoted his life to bison the change is irrelevant#you’re as beautiful as the day i lost you type beat#man i cannot put this in words without sounding stupid#oc x canon#echo really said i’ll follow you to hell and back if you asked me to#i think about them every day all the time#trying to get a little more out there with talking about my ocs (scared stupid)
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have a little Jason drabble inspired by me going to my work bestie’s bachelorette party tonight. yes, yes I did imagine all this while getting ready and what about it? also consider this a part of my jason gets the girl series.
Jason Todd is a worrier. You knew that the very first night you met him when he automatically assumed that you, a woman living alone and wearing fuzzy pajamas, would be a danger to him. You know that now by his incessant questions that he’s been pelting at you for the past hour.
“You’ll keep in contact with me, right?” he asks from the other side of the shower curtain.
“Of course, Jay,” you reply as you twist like a contortionist while shaving your legs.
“I know it’s a bachelorette party, but please don’t drink so much that you don’t know what’s goin’ on around you, baby,” he says, voice raised so you can hear him over your hair dryer.
“I know, Jay. I’ve not forgotten where we live!” you shout back as reassuringly as you can.
“You sure I can’t convince ya to stay here with me?” he asks, only half joking, as you flip through the hangers in your shared closet looking for what to wear.
“You’re making a very convincing argument,” you concede as he kisses down your neck. “But no. Alas, I cannot be a shitty friend.”
“Fine. But at least wear somethin’ that goes with the jacket I got you,” he grumbles.
You laugh under your breath. This man. He’s such a worry wart. But you get it. Jason goes out every night into the belly of the beast, sees the worst of the worst. He knows what happens to vulnerable young women in this city, and you can’t blame him for his overprotective nature. So if wearing the tan leather jacket, a smaller replica of the one he wears as Red Hood, that has a tracker sewn into the interior is what he needs to ease his anxious mind, you’ll do it without complaint.
“It’s a gorgeous jacket, Jaybear. It goes with everything,” you say as you scratch soothingly at his scalp.
“You know where you’ll be tonight?” he asks from the foot of your bed, watching you as you put on your makeup.
“Uh huh. We’re not going to any bars or clubs or anything like that. Maid of honor just rented a penthouse in the Diamond District. We’ll probably spend the night eating pizza and drinking cocktails,” you answer as you try not to stab yourself in the eye with your mascara wand.
Jason makes a little grunt of agreement. You idly think that he sounds just like his dad, but you also don’t say that because you’re not a complete idiot. Also because you once told Jason he looked like Bruce and how miraculous that was since he was adopted, and he spent the next three days mumbling 'don't look anythin’ like the old man’ every time he glanced in a mirror.
You glance behind you in the vanity mirror to see the love of your life. His expression tugs your heartstrings. He looks so…melancholy. Emotions are storming in his sea green eyes and all you want is to ease his worries. You lay down your makeup brush and pad over to him, settling down in his lap. His hands come up automatically to rest on your hips, thumbs stroking over the softness.
“What’s wrong, angel?” you whisper, smoothing out the creases between his furrowed eyebrows with the tips of your fingers.
“I don’t—” he stops abruptly, tries to find the words he needs. “I’m not tryin’ to be overbearing. Don’t wanna be one of those guys that tells their girl what to do.”
He takes a breath and you stay silent. He has to get this out and you’ll wait as long as it takes.
“I just…worry. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I can’t lose you. I can’t,” and his voice breaks like stained glass. “I wouldn’t survive it. I know this is fuckin’ stupid. Me actin’ like this over a bachelorette party but I just…I can’t stop thinkin’ about all the things that could happen.”
Oh. Oh, your sweet, loving, heaven sent boyfriend. You know his past haunts him, that this city haunts him. You wish you could take all his worries away and wrap him in a nice warm blanket. You’d tuck him away from the world, keep him safe and happy and cared for all his days if you could.
“Jason, look at me,” you tilt his head up with your fingers under his jaw. “I promise you I will do everything in my power to be as safe as possible. I won’t drink irresponsibly. I’ll make sure to text you if anything, and I mean anything, starts to get weird. It won’t, but if it did you would be on speed dial. And trust me, angel, I have no intentions of staying the night.”
You don’t. Good friend or not, you can’t sleep well if you’re not wrapped in the strong arms of the man beneath you.
“So I expect you to be waiting on that tricked out bike of yours to pick me up,” you beam at him, run your hand through his hair because you know it makes him melt into your touch.
“I’ll be waitin’ for you,” he says, a solemn promise that extends far beyond tonight.
“Good. Now that being said, I will be bringing home all the dick decorations because I wanna plant them in your brother’s apartment. Just to fuck with him,” you giggle.
Jason lights up for the first time tonight. His green eyes gleam with mischief and adoration.
“Oh, you are my fuckin’ soulmate, baby. I’ll help you break in.”
#jason todd x reader#jason todd x you#red hood x reader#red hood x you#remy writes 🖋️#jason gets the girl universe#I FUCKIN LOVE HIM YOUR HONOR#ugh. wish this was real. wish I had jason todd picking me up tonight.#alas a girl can only dream
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Mutually Assured Destruction
Chaewon x Male Reader
Tags: Angst, Smut
9k words
The world is, simply put, against you.
You love Chaewon.
But you can't tell her. Not yet.
New York. Day twenty-one. The hotel hallway stretches before you, each step toward her room heavier than the last.
Your tie feels too tight, your collar suffocating—the uniform of an executive becoming the noose of a condemned man.
Three weeks of silence. Three weeks of seeing her across rooms, of catching her scent in empty elevators, of watching her perform while pretending she was nothing more than a company asset.
Three weeks of dying slowly.
You knock. The sound echoes in the empty corridor. One heartbeat. Two. The door opens.
Chaewon stands there, barefoot, in simple shorts and an oversized t-shirt. No makeup. No stage presence. Just her.
The most beautiful thing you've ever seen.
‘You came,’ she whispers, like she still can't believe it.
You step inside, the door closing behind you with a soft click. The sound of the outside world being shut away.
For a moment, neither of you moves. Three feet of carpet between you might as well be an ocean.
Then she breaks, a dam of tears giving way after holding back too long. She crosses the distance, collides with you, arms wrapping around your waist, face buried in your chest.
‘I haven't seen you for 3 weeks,’ she mumbles against your jacket, her voice cracking, fighting tears that are already falling.
You want to speak, but your throat closes. Her name forms in your mind—a prayer, a plea.
Chaewon.
Her fingers clutch at your jacket, desperate, like you might disappear if she loosens her grip.
‘I am so unhappy,’ she whispers, the words muffled against the fabric.
Your hand moves of its own accord, finding the back of her head, cradling it gently. Her hair is soft between your fingers, just as you'd dreamed during those endless nights alone.
Chaewon!
‘I am so stupid,’ she continues, her whole body trembling. ‘Dear, I cannot live without you. You know this.’
She pulls back just enough to look up at you, her face tear-streaked, eyes red-rimmed and vulnerable. She's so close now, her cheek just an inch from yours, her breath warm against your skin.
You dare not look directly at her—afraid that if you do, all your carefully constructed walls will crumble.
Instead, your gaze falls to her shoulder, exposed where the sweater has slipped. Her skin is like milk, almost translucent in the soft hotel light, with that hint of pink beneath that makes her seem both fragile and impossibly alive.
Oh, you want her so badly.
The weight of the past bears down on you. When you were younger, life felt limitless—an odyssey of possibility stretching endlessly before you.
But youth is a loan that must be repaid. Each choice carries consequences. Each victory seemingly increasing the magnitude of future defeat.
How strange to realize you can barely remember the person you were before all this. Before her.
It's as if you've been playing a role for so long—the ambitious executive, the company man—that you've forgotten who you really are.
Her hands move to your face, fingertips gentle against your jaw, tilting your gaze to meet hers.
‘Look at me,’ she whispers. ‘Please.’
You do, and it undoes you. The nakedness of her emotion. The love written so plainly across her features.
‘I love you,’ she says, the words hanging in the air between you. ‘I've always loved you.’
Everything in you wants to say it back. To cross that final line.
To throw away everything—your career, your reputation, your carefully constructed life—just to hold her without fear.
But you can't. Not because you don't love her, but because loving her means protecting her. And right now, loving her means waiting.
‘Not yet,’ you whisper, the words catching in your throat as you brush away a tear from her cheek with your thumb. ‘Not yet.’
The pain in her eyes is unbearable. But there's understanding there too, buried beneath the hurt.
She leans forward, resting her forehead against your chest.
‘How much longer?’ she asks, her voice small.
You have no answer. Only the weight of what stands between you—the company, the threats, the world that has decided your love is forbidden.
Your mouth feels clamped shut, your vocal cords frozen, your eyes burning with tears you refuse to shed.
In the end, you say nothing more.
You hold her for one more moment, committing to memory the weight of her in your arms, the scent of her hair, the warmth of her body against yours.
Then you let go. Turn away. Walk to the door.
And leave.
—
Chaewon's Diary - May 15, 2025
I cannot remember feeling this way before. The emotions are too new, too raw to categorize.
Rejection should feel bitter. Should taste like failure. Instead, it tasted like promise.
I stood before him, heart exposed, only to hear those two impossible words: ‘Not yet.’
Not never. Not no. Not goodbye.
Not yet.
I should have been humiliated. Should have been angry. Instead, when he brushed the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs, I felt known. Truly seen, perhaps for the first time.
When he uttered
‘Not yet’
I felt warm. Happy.
How am I so happy for rejection?
I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch, memorizing the feeling of his hands on my face, his breath mingling with mine.
Before him, I had never felt the touch of someone who could see past my surface, past the idol, past the carefully crafted image.
I want him.
I know with absolute certainty: No other man will touch my heart for as long as I live.
I will wait, forever and longer.
Not yet.
—
3 Weeks Ago - April 25, 2025
You were staring at a spreadsheet when Chaewon walked in without knocking.
'Hey,' she said.
You kept typing. 'Hey.'
She stood there for a second too long before sitting down across from you. Put her coffee on your desk. The ice shifted.
'So.'
'So,' you echoed, still not looking up.
'You eat yet?'
'What?'
'Food. Have you had any?'
You glanced at your watch. It was almost 8. 'No.'
'Me neither,' she said. 'We should fix that.'
You finally looked at her. She was wearing the same clothes from the morning meeting, but her makeup had that slightly smudged quality of someone who'd been awake too long.
'I've got to finish this,' you said.
'No you don't.'
'I do, actually.'
She sighed. 'Will the company collapse if you don't do it right this second?'
'That's not the point.'
'That's exactly the point.' She tapped your desk with her fingernail. 'Come on. Food. A real restaurant. Thirty minutes.'
'I'm not hungry.'
'Liar.'
You almost smiled. 'I have work.'
'Work will still be there.' She didn't blink. 'Food might not.'
'That makes no sense.'
'I know. Just come anyway.'
You looked at your laptop, then back at her. She had that expression, the one that said she wouldn't leave until she got her way.
'Thirty minutes.'
She grinned. 'Look at you, making healthy choices.'
'Don't push it.'
The elevator ride was quiet. Not uncomfortable, just quiet. You both watched the numbers change.
'Where are we going?' you asked.
'Place down the street.'
'What kind of place?'
'The kind with food.' She glanced at you. 'You allergic to anything?'
'No.'
'Good.' She seemed satisfied with that.
Outside, the air felt different. Heavier. Like it might rain again.
'So is this like, a work thing, or...' you trailed off.
'Or what?'
'I don't know. You asked me to dinner.'
'Yeah.'
'So I'm just trying to understand what this is.'
She almost laughed. 'It's food. That's all. Don't overthink it.'
'I'm not overthinking.'
'You overthink everything. It's your whole deal.'
'That's not fair.'
'Probably not—but hey, fair character assessment is a luxury these days.' she giggled.
You huffed under your breath.
You walked together, not quite in step. The city moved around you—people leaving work, heading home, living lives that had nothing to do with quarterly reports or dance practices.
The restaurant was small. Unassuming. No sign outside, just a door between two other businesses.
'Here?' you asked.
'Yeah. Problem?'
'No. Just not what I expected.'
'What did you expect?'
You shrugged. 'Something with a line outside. Trending on Instagram.'
'Wow.' She held the door for you. 'You really don't know me at all.'
Inside was dimly lit. Maybe fifteen tables. Half of them occupied. No one looked up when you entered.
You followed her to a table near the back. Sat down across from her. The menus were just single sheets of paper.
'I come here a lot,' she said. 'After practice sometimes. When I don't want to go back to the dorm.'
'They don't recognize you?'
'They do. They just don't care.' She looked at the menu even though she probably had it memorized. 'That's why I like it.'
The waiter came over. Older guy, maybe fifty. Nodded at Chaewon like he'd seen her yesterday.
'The usual?' he asked her.
'Yeah. Thanks.'
He looked at you.
'Uh,' you fumbled with the menu. 'What's good?'
'Steak,' Chaewon said. 'You like steak, right? You seem like a steak guy.'
'Sure.'
'Medium rare?'
'Medium.'
She rolled her eyes. 'Of course.'
The waiter left. You fidgeted with your napkin.
'You really come here a lot?' you asked.
'Couple times a month.'
'Alone?'
'Usually.'
'Why?'
She looked at you like she was deciding whether to give you a real answer or not. 'Because no one bothers me. Because the food's good. Because sometimes I need to remember I'm still just a person.'
'And your members don't come?'
'They have their own places.' She took a sip of water. 'We don't actually do everything together, you know.'
'Right.'
'You sound surprised.'
'Not surprised. Just...' you couldn't find the right word.
'It's fine. People always think we're this perfect unit. Always together, always in sync.' She traced a pattern on the tablecloth with her finger. 'It's not like that.'
'What's it like?'
'It's like any job. You work with people. You care about them. But you still need your own space sometimes.'
'That makes sense.'
'Does it? You seem like the type who'd live at the office if they'd let you.'
You almost denied it, then didn't. 'Fair point.'
The food came faster than you expected. Her pasta. Your steak. Simple stuff, but it smelled good.
'This isn't exactly what I pictured when you said dinner,' you admitted.
'What did you picture?'
'I don't know. Something more...'
'Fancy?'
'Maybe.'
She shrugged. 'I sit in enough fancy restaurants for work. This is better.'
You took a bite of steak. It was actually good. Really good.
'Not bad,' you said.
'High praise.'
'It is, from me.'
'I know.' She twirled pasta around her fork. 'So, can I ask you something?'
'You just did.'
'Ha ha.' She didn't look amused. 'Seriously though.'
'Go ahead.'
'Do you actually like what you do? Your job?'
You considered bullshitting, then didn't. 'Sometimes.'
'Which parts?'
'The quiet ones. When I'm working on something complicated and it's just me and the problem.' You cut another piece of steak. 'You?'
'Performing. Being on stage. The three minutes where nothing else matters.' She didn't hesitate. 'Everything else is just... stuff I do so I can have those moments.'
'That's a lot of stuff for three minutes.'
'Yeah.' She looked down at her food, prodding with a dash of frustration. 'Yeah, it is.'
You ate in silence for a minute. Not awkward, just... thinking silence.
'Can I ask you something now?' you said.
'Sure.'
'Why'd you ask me to dinner? Really?'
She poked at her pasta. 'I don't know. You looked like you needed it.'
'That's it?'
'Does there have to be more?'
'Usually is.'
She sighed. 'Look, I've sat through enough meetings with you to know you skip lunch most days. And I saw your car in the parking garage at midnight last week when I was leaving the practice room. And then today, you looked...' she gestured vaguely at your face.
'I looked what?'
'Empty-tired, not the usual tiredness you wear on your face. You know?'
You weren't sure what to say to that.
'Anyway,' she continued. 'It's just dinner. It's not that deep.'
'Right.'
'Right,' she echoed.
The silence that followed should have been uncomfortable. But it wasn't, really. Just quiet.
'It's good,' you finally said, gesturing to your plate. 'The food.'
'Told you.'
'You did.'
She smiled, just slightly. 'I'm right about a lot of things.'
'I'll reserve judgment on that.'
'Smart.' She took a sip of water. 'So... was this weird? Me asking you to dinner?'
You thought about it. 'A little.'
'Sorry.'
'Don't be. Weird isn't bad.'
She nodded. 'No, it's not.'
The rest of the meal was easier. You talked about nothing important. Work, a little. Music she was listening to. A book you'd been meaning to read but hadn't found time for. Normal stuff that normal people probably talked about all the time.
When the check came, you reached for it.
'I got it,' she said.
'You invited me.'
'Exactly.'
'That's not how it works.'
'Says who?' She grabbed the check before you could. 'Too slow, Mr. Executive.'
Outside, the air felt damp. Like it had rained while you were eating, or was about to.
'Which way you headed?' she asked.
You pointed vaguely east.
'I'm that way too. For a few blocks, anyway.'
You walked together. Not too close. Just two people who happened to be going the same direction.
'Thanks,' you said after a minute.
'For what?'
'Dinner.'
'Was it terrible?'
'No.'
'High praise,' she said again.
'I mean it. It was... nice.'
'Wow. Nice. I'm flattered.'
'Shut up.'
She laughed. Not her public laugh, the perfect one from interviews. A real one, slightly too loud.
'You know what?' she said.
'What?'
'You're not as scary as they say.'
'Who says I'm scary?'
'Everyone.' She kicked a small stone on the sidewalk. 'The whole office. The interns call you The Terminator.'
'They do not.'
'They absolutely do.' She grinned. 'But I'll keep your secret.'
'What secret?'
'That you're actually just a regular person who works too much.'
'I don't work too much.'
'Sureeee.' She stopped walking. 'This is me.'
You looked up at her building. Nice but not flashy. 'This is you.'
'Yeah.' She rocked back on her heels slightly. 'So.'
'So.'
'Thanks for coming.'
'Thanks for asking.'
She looked like she might say something else, then didn't. Just nodded. 'See you tomorrow.'
'See you tomorrow.'
She turned, walked toward her door. You should have left then. Just turned and walked away.
Instead, you watched her go. Watched as she paused at the entrance, like maybe she was going to look back.
She didn't.
And that was fine. Better, probably.
You turned and walked home, feeling something you couldn't quite name. Not happiness, exactly. But maybe something close to it. Something adjacent.
Like maybe for the first time in a long time, you'd been a person instead of a position. And maybe that was enough.
—
Chaewon's Diary - April 25, 2025
It's stupid to write this down. Dangerous, probably.
I love him.
I tried not to. Made lists of reasons why I shouldn't. His position. My career. The company. The members. The fans.
The lists didn't help.
I tried imagining my life without him in it. Moving companies. Going solo. Leaving the country. None of it worked because he'd still exist somewhere. I'd still know he was out there.
It's not that I need him. I was fine before him. I'll be fine after, I guess.
But I don't want to be.
I love the way he focuses when he reads reports. How he thinks no one notices when he's tired. How he pretends not to care about things but always remembers details about everyone.
I love how he never says more than he needs to. How he leaves room for silence.
I love that he came to dinner with me. That he let himself be normal for one night.
If he doesn't love me back, that's okay.
But I think sometimes… maybe he could.
—
Morning hit you like a truck.
Your phone was buzzing. Had been buzzing. You fumbled for it, eyes still closed.
Missed call. Another. Another. Another.
You squinted at the screen.
9 missed calls from your manager. 4 from some board member. 8 from numbers you didn't recognize.
The time was 7:12 AM.
More buzzing. Texts now. Emails.
You sat up, suddenly very awake.
First text: a link. You clicked it.
"COMPANY CEO AND IDOL MEMBER CAUGHT ON SECRET DATE"
There was a photo. You and Chaewon at the restaurant. Her laughing. You almost smiling. It looked... not innocent.
More links.
"SOURCE CONFIRMS: CEO AND KIM CHAEWON 'MORE THAN PROFESSIONAL'"
"INSIDER: 'THEY'VE BEEN HIDING IT FOR MONTHS'"
You felt sick. Scrolled back through your notifications, mind racing.
Then you saw it. Late-night texts from Chaewon.
1:12 AM
don't freak out when you wake up
someone took pictures at the restaurant
it's already online i'm sorry
1:14 AM
my manager is losing it
company PR called an emergency meeting
they're saying we can't talk to each other
1:27 AM
they want me to say it was just a work dinner
that we barely know each other
is that what you want me to say?
1:41 AM
i can't sleep this is so stupid
we didn't do anything wrong
1:55 AM
maybe we did though
maybe i did
1:56 AM
i've never told you this
never thought i would need to
1:58 AM
i love you
i think i have for a long time
i just never saw the point in saying it
it seemed impossible
2:01 AM
i'm sorry you didn't need this
not now not with everything else
2:03 AM
forget i said anything blame the dinner on me
i'll fix this
Your phone started ringing again. Board chairman.
You let it ring.
Read the texts again. And again.
The world was imploding around you, your career possibly in flames, and all you could think about was that last message.
i love you
Your thumb hovered over the screen. What could you possibly say now? What was left to say when everything had already changed?
The phone kept ringing.
—
The boardroom was too bright. Fluorescent lights reflecting off the polished table where twelve men in identical suits sat judging you.
You'd always seen success as a game with simple rules. Work harder. Think faster. Never look back. That's how you climbed here—by treating everything as disposable.
Turns out you were wrong.
You weren't disposable. Chaewon wasn't disposable. Whatever had grown between you wasn't disposable.
But they were treating it like it was.
‘The optics are unacceptable,’ said the Vice Chairman, his voice clinical. ‘A senior executive and an idol? The media is already spinning narratives.’
You watched his mouth move but barely heard the words. Your phone weighed heavy in your pocket. Her message burned into your mind.
i love you i always have
‘Are you listening?’ Someone was addressing you directly now.
‘Yes,’ you lied.
The Chairman leaned forward. ‘We've spent a decade building this company's reputation. We won't let one indiscretion destroy it.’
Indiscretion. As if dinner between two people was a crime.
‘We've developed a containment strategy,’ said the PR director, sliding folders across the table. You didn't open yours. ‘First, no contact with Kim Chaewon. None. Effective immediately.’
Your jaw tightened.
‘Second, you'll accompany Le Sserafim to America. Three weeks of promotional activities. You'll be positioned as overseeing the company's international expansion. Professional distance will be maintained at all times.’
You looked around the table. Not a single sympathetic face.
‘What happens to Chaewon?’ you asked, your voice steadier than you felt.
‘She'll be fine,’ said the Chairman dismissively. ‘As long as this situation is managed correctly.’
‘And if it isn't?’
The question hung in the air. Someone cleared their throat.
‘Then her position in the group becomes untenable,’ said the A&R director finally. ‘The other members shouldn't suffer for her... complications.’
Complications. That's what they called her now. Not their star performer. Not the artist who'd brought in millions. A complication.
‘So that's the deal,’ you said flatly. ‘I go to America. Stay away from her. Keep my job.’
‘Precisely.’
‘And if I refuse?’
The Chairman's smile didn't reach his eyes. ‘Then you both lose everything.’
Simple as that. A business decision.
Your mind flashed to Chaewon. How she looked at dinner. How easily she laughed. The way she really saw you when no one else bothered to look.
For two years, she'd been the one constant. The one person who grew on you.
‘Do we have an understanding?’ the Chairman pressed.
Someone was speaking. You realized it was you.
‘I understand perfectly.’
Everything felt unreal. As if you were a mirage of yourself, observing yourself in the most dire situation.
‘Good. Your flight leaves tomorrow night. The PR team has prepared statements for both of you. Stick to the script.’
They moved on. Budget projections. Q3 forecasts. As if they hadn't just hollowed you out completely.
You sat there, a model of composure. Inside, something was breaking, tearing along a fault line you hadn't known existed until Chaewon walked into your office and asked you to dinner.
The meeting ended. Men in suits filed out, crisis averted.
You remained seated, staring at your reflection in the polished table.
Tomorrow you'd fly to America. You'd watch Chaewon from across rooms, pretend she was nothing to you. You'd do it because the alternative would destroy her.
Your phone buzzed once. A text.
It wasn't from her. It couldn't be. They'd already gotten to her.
You checked anyway.
From your assistant: ‘Car is waiting whenever you're ready, sir.’
You stood up. Straightened your tie. Gathered the folder you never opened.
They thought they'd won. Thought they'd contained the problem.
They didn't understand.
They'd taken everything from you except the one thing that mattered—the knowledge that somewhere in this building was a woman who loved you. Had always loved you.
And for the first time, you were certain you loved her too.
—
You left the boardroom, a hollow shell of yourself.
America. No Chaewon. For three weeks.
They called it mercy. You called it execution.
The flight to Los Angeles stretched endlessly, your thoughts circling like vultures. You didn't sleep. Couldn't. The empty seat beside you an accusation.
Your phone vibrated as the plane touched down.
11:42 PM
landed safe?
Chaewon.
You stared at her message until the screen dimmed, then went black. Your thumb hovered over the keyboard.
They couldn't monitor texts, could they? Were they watching?
You couldn't risk it. Couldn't risk her.
No response.
The California sun felt wrong on your skin. Too bright, too insistent. Your hotel suite overlooked the Pacific. Endless blue that reminded you of nothing but distance.
Day Three.
8:17 AM
meetings are boring without you to glare at everyone
8:19 AM
the new intern asked where you went
8:22 AM
i told her you were saving the american branch from themselves
You almost smiled. Almost.
No response.
The American executives treated you like royalty. A king in exile. Their offices were too bright, their coffee too bitter, their laughter too loud. You moved through meetings like a ghost, present but never there.
Day Five.
3:04 AM
can't sleep
3:05 AM
is it the time difference or is it just
3:11 AM
never mind
What would you say if you could? That you lay awake too, staring at hotel ceilings, replaying her confession like a film you couldn't pause?
No response.
You worked eighteen-hour days. Not because the work required it, but because your empty room was unbearable. The silence that you once called home—incomplete.
Day Seven.
1:47 PM
there's a rumor you're never coming back
1:48 PM
tell me that's not true
1:52 PM
please
The last word felt like a knife between your ribs. Please. As if you had a choice. As if any of this was within your control.
No response.
The days blurred. You functioned on autopilot, your mind perpetually seventeen hours ahead, in Seoul, where she was.
Day Nine.
5:31 PM
they announced the showcase dates
5:32 PM
we're coming to LA next week
5:33 PM
will you be there?
Le Sserafim. Coming to Los Angeles. Of course. The universe's cruelest joke—to bring her so close, yet keep her untouchable.
No response.
You attended dinners. Networking events. Smiled when appropriate. Spoke when necessary. No one noticed how your eyes constantly swept rooms, searching for threats that weren't there.
Day Twelve.
10:17 AM
we leave tomorrow
10:18 AM
i know you can't answer
10:25 AM
but please, if you can
10:26 AM
be there
They must have warnings in place. Her messages carried the weight of someone being careful—someone who knew the stakes.
No response.
Le Sserafim arrived with the usual fanfare. Cameras flashing. Fans screaming. You watched from the periphery as she emerged from the airport terminal, perfect smile in place, waving to the crowd.
She didn't look for you. Knew better than that.
But you saw the tension in her shoulders. The way her smile didn't quite reach her eyes; not quite the smile she had when she swiped up some of your steak.
Day Fourteen.
No messages.
You checked your phone obsessively. Refreshed the screen until the battery drained to critical. Nothing.
The silence was worse than any words could have been.
The showcase venue was packed—a sea of lightsticks and expectant faces. You stood in the shadows of the VIP section, surrounded by American executives who had no idea you were breaking apart inside.
Le Sserafim performed flawlessly. Of course they did. Chaewon shone like a star brought to earth—her voice clear, her movements precise, her smile blinding.
Not once did her eyes search the crowd. Not once did she falter.
Professional to her core.
You left before the final song. Couldn't bear another moment of proximity without contact.
In your hotel room, you drank two fingers of whiskey and watched the city lights blur through the window.
Your phone remained silent.
Day Sixteen.
You were leaving a restaurant when you saw her.
Across the street, surrounded by managers and security. The group heading into a high-end boutique.
Your driver opened your car door, but you stood frozen, watching as she disappeared inside the shop.
She didn't see you.
When you returned to your hotel, you found a message.
7:03 PM
i saw you today
7:04 PM
you looked tired
You stared at the screen, heart hammering against your ribs.
No response.
Day Nineteen.
The final showcase. The final night in Los Angeles. Tomorrow, Le Sserafim would fly to New York. You would follow a day later.
You sat in the back row, hidden in shadow. Watched her perform for the last time on American soil.
She was transcendent.
Afterward, you slipped backstage under the pretense of congratulating the team. Your company's biggest assets. Your professional obligation.
She stood with the other members, accepting praise from American executives. Smiling. Nodding. Perfect.
Your eyes met across the room.
One second. Two.
Then she looked away, her expression never changing.
But you saw it—the slight tremble of her hand at her side.
Back in your hotel room, your phone lit up.
8:30 PM
i miss you
8:31 PM
i know i shouldn't say that
8:31 PM
i know i shouldn't even text you
8:32 PM
but i can't do this anymore
8:32 PM
please say something
Your chest tightened. Three weeks of silence, and now this—her desperation breaking through, risking everything.
You stared at the screen, knowing what you should do. Delete. Ignore. Follow the rules that kept her safe.
Instead, your fingers moved.
8:35 PM
The coffee in LA is terrible.
A pause. You could almost see her confusion.
8:36 PM
what?
8:37 PM
that's what you have to say?
You smiled faintly. Even the way you message her—capitalized first letters—is unique from hers.
8:38 PM
I hear New York's is better
Might try it when I get there
8:40 PM
when will you be in new york?
8:41 PM
Tomorrow.
8:41 PM
Early flight.
You weren't supposed to be on tomorrow's flight. You were meant to follow a day later. Keep the distance. Maintain the separation they'd enforced.
8:42 PM
you changed your flight?
8:43 PM
Figured I should see the Empire State Building.
8:43 PM
Heard the view is worth the risk.
Your heart pounded. The careful wording. The hidden meaning. Saying everything without saying anything that could truly incriminate either of you.
8:45 PM
there's a small coffee shop
8:45 PM
by the hotel
8:46 PM
i was planning to go there
8:46 PM
after tomorrow's rehearsal
8:47 PM
around 4
A plan. Hidden in casual conversation.
8:48 PM
Sounds like a good place for coffee.
8:49 PM
it is
8:49 PM
they say it's quiet
8:50 PM
not many people know about it
8:51 PM
I like quiet.
The conversation was innocent enough on the surface. Anyone reading would see nothing but meaningless chatter about coffee.
But between the lines: a plan. A meeting. A rebellion.
8:53 PM
i have to go
8:53 PM
sakura is calling
8:54 PM
don't forget to try the coffee
8:54 PM
it's been too long since you had a good cup
You stared at those last words. The double meaning clear.
8:55 PM
I won't forget.
You deleted the conversation. She would do the same.
But the promise remained.
Tomorrow. New York. 4 PM.
Day Twenty-one would break the rules. Day Twenty-one would change everything.
—
You got to the airport before the others. Boarded the flight before the others. Got the first class treatment that the board thinks you like.
The whole seat had a door. You closed it just in case you saw Chaewon. In case you lost it.
Despite it all, you knew she was there, the wisp of her soft perfume serenaded you even through thick mahogany wood panels—through the opulence of first class.
You kept your eyes fixed on your laptop screen. Work emails you couldn't focus on. Words blurring together as your mind fixed on one thought:
Tomorrow. 4 PM. Her hotel.
The ‘coffee shop’ wasn't a coffee shop at all. You both knew that. A code thin enough that anyone monitoring would see through it, yet plausible enough to maintain deniability.
The flight attendant asked if you wanted champagne. You declined. Asked for water instead. Needed a clear head.
Five hours trapped in a metal tube, knowing she was just rows behind you. Five hours of pretending the center of your universe wasn't within reach.
Your phone buzzed. A text from the Chairman.
‘Landing at JFK ahead of Le Sserafim. Good optics. Keep distance in New York. Almost done.’
Almost done. The words echoed.
Twenty days down. One more to go.
Tomorrow, at 4 PM, you would break every rule they had set. You would go to her hotel. You would see her—really see her—for the first time in three weeks.
And then what?
You had no plan beyond that moment. No strategy for what came after. The executive who planned everything had no contingency for this. A hollow cadaver. Waning the flames that could be easily put if you just resisted.
If only.
The plane took off, carrying you toward New York. Toward her. Toward whatever came next.
You closed your eyes, but sleep wouldn't come. All you could think about was her text:
i miss you
Three small words that had unraveled three weeks of carefully maintained distance.
Three small words that weren't the three words you couldn't stop thinking about since that night:
i love you
—
After you left her hotel room, after you hugged her, after you saw her face up close—dangerously close to kissing her—everything collapsed once more. The dregs of your hope were gone once again: You wanted only her. Only her.
You walked past the hallway, trying not to look suspicious under the camera—which, to be frank, was impossible.
And pressed the keycard onto the door, as suspiciously as possible, and entered. With your back to the closed door, you pulled out your phone and messaged her.
4:07 PM
Let’s meet again
4:08 PM
where?
4:08 PM
On the rooftop
4:09 PM
i miss you
4:10 PM
You just saw me.
4:10 PM
i know
4:11 PM
Hang in there.
Chaewon.
4:11 PM
i like it when you say my name.
4:12 PM
Chaewon, this can end your career.
4:12 PM
i dont care.
i want you.
only you.
You slid down the door and sat. With your phone still in hand.
You’re about to risk everything. Was it love that meant protecting her forever? Was it love that meant you couldn’t still yourself for a month or a year, wait, and wait, until she’s finally free?
Damn it all.
—
Chaewon’s Diary—Part 2 of May 15, 2025
He wants to meet me. On the rooftop.
Why?
Is he gonna kiss me? Is he gonna reject me once more?
Was it even a rejection in the first place? He promised. He promised. Oh god, my head hurts, I can’t think of anything.
All I can think of is him. My executive.
—
As the sun turns orange in its preparation for slumber, you make your way to the rooftop of the hotel. The elevator chimes, almost too loud, and you enter with a towel on-hand. There’s moments where the shiver runs through your entire body—not out of being scared, but of the possibility of seeing Chaewon again.
The elevator reaches the top floor. And in your hopes of not seeing anyone there, you were vindicated. No one. Nobody. Just a heated pool with the bougiest accommodations possible.
Thank the heavens, you thought.
Now it’s time to patiently wait, to not gnaw through your teeth like it’s cardboard in anticipation (which is easier said than done).
Regardless, you waited, sitting on one of the chairs, overlooking the sunset. The breeze was chilly, but nothing that you couldn’t endure.
So you waited.
But just for a moment, you closed your eyes.
—
‘Silly.’
Your eyes opened.
There she was. Chaewon. In all her glory
In the 2 hours you haven’t seen her, when the sun gained its slightly orange tint, she’s progressed into something like a goddess. Brown bob-cut, a perfect face…. Perfection incarnate.
‘You fell asleep.’
‘Oh.’ That’s about all you could get out; too busy staring at her.
‘I missed you.’
‘It’s been 2 hours.’
‘I know.’
‘You’re about to risk everything.
‘I know.’
‘Your career. Your… everything.’
‘You are my everything.’ She replies—climbing on top of you. Crystalline tears formed around the rims of her eyes.
‘Chaewon. Please.’
‘There’s nothing quite like this… hm?’ She says, amused at how doomed everything seemed to be.
‘Fighting against inevitability.’ You continue. Pressing your thumbs against her cheekbones once again, where tears flow once again.
‘I’m so selfish.’
‘Don’t say that. Don’t say that… I am too.’
‘I thought if I avoided you. Long enough. Maybe, just maybe, we would’ve had a better chance. Look at me now, on you, risking everything.’
She softly collapsed on your chest, huffing her tears. And you spread your palm along her soft hair, this perfect hair.
‘You are so beautiful. Chaewon.’
‘I love you.’
Perhaps this is where it all topples. The final wall, once a 100-story skyscraper, reduced to mere ruins.
And you kiss her; grab the nape of her neck and press yourself closer to the kiss. Her lips. Her soft moans. Little squeals.
Fuck.
You press yourself against the hotness of her mouth. Her velvety mouth crossed along your own. An apprehensive rush to it—oxymoron be damned—you wanted everything Chaewon—while not crossing any lines.
Despite it all, Chaewon’s soft hands ventured forth to your arms, grasped them tight and placed them right along her thin waist.
She wants it.
She wants you.
And that just about does it.
You release just for a bit. Look at her half-lidded eyes, seemingly, under pure bliss.
‘If we continue…’ You say, each syllable harder than the previous. The fact that you’re here, kissing Chaewon, feeling her body, just as you dreamed, just as you wished for all time—makes it harder to think of all the consequences.
The impending doom—so to speak.
‘You idiot.’ She replies.
‘What?’
‘I’ve risked everything and more to be here with you right now. And you think I’ll flake out now? Of all times—now?’
You laugh, so close to her mouth; you stare at her, and she’s attempting eyebrow-knitted frustration that’s more cute than anything else.
‘You’re so cute.’
‘Oh shut up.’
‘You’re everything to me.’
‘...So are you.’
Her eyes glisten something transcendent and she moves to kiss you again. That velvety soft mouth, of mint, of something fruity.
Pure bliss.
‘I want you.’ She squeaks out, between the kisses.
‘You have me.’ You reply, accidentally bumping teeth. Soft laughter ensues.
She’s so soft against your palms—the small of her back, the tightness of her waist, the bump of her bra-strap. Inbetween it all, moaning something sweet into your mouth. She releases just for a second, catching a glimpse of you; her lips are all kiss-bitten and swollen, soft and supple; ‘We’re two walking cadavers, you know.’
‘Lust and learning Chaewon. That’s all there is to it.’
Instead of a quick and bratty reply—
‘That’s true.’
Her lips land on yours once again. Flight and apprehensive, her thin arms wrap around you like you’re something to lose: tight enough that you know she’s there.
Her meek body is warm against you—just a shroud of clothing between your hand and her milky skin. You needed her. Wanted her more. An indulgence that satiation could barely meet.
So you flip her over; on this thin pool chair, a little bougie, Chaewon was splayed across.
And god.
It was all worth it. Your executive position on standstill—bound for execution. Your impending exile. All of it.
White t-shirt, thin shorts, and just a smidgen of make-up—lip-stick all smudged along her plump lips.
Being away for just a second was tantamount to hell: You dived in. Her body felt so docile and meek under you—squirming along your hot touch. Surround your thick arms around her thin waist, let her back bend in response, feel her stomach press upon you as you kiss her into the pool chair—little soft squeals the guiding light to it all.
Her hands ventured low to bunch up her t-shirt, and you helped her; really, you wanted to press on her soft naked abdomen, venture up to her naked sternum, feeling the soft naked swell of her—
Her t-shirt slipped off quickly, and there laid her gorgeous torso.
You pressed kisses along her collarbone; just enough pressure to leave a mark there for days.
Just in case, you say, don’t forget me, just for a day or two.
You press softer kisses along the softer flesh below her collarbone, feeling her skin, really conceptualizing that she’s there. Really fucking there. And you laugh, under your breath; as if Chaewon knew exactly what you were thinking, her palm lands right on your cheek—softly grazing.
‘I’m here.’
‘Right. Right.’
Gain composure. This goddess awaits you.
So you venture forth. Along her neck muscle, the soft tendon that trembles under your kiss, the loose skin that gets her squirming under you, muscles tensing. Just below her jaw, you suck on her skin, tight, really tight, until you’re sure that there’s a welting hickey right there.
You observe how the red blooms, slowly gaining almost a purple hue. Nothing could cover that.
‘You’re really asking to be caught.’ She says, almost satisfied you left a mark on her.
‘Are you gonna cover it?’
‘Why would I cover what you give me?’ Her expression is pure seduction. Aphrodite incarnate.
Again, your world exploded.
You kiss her rougher this time. Muss up her hair. Venture beneath her waist. Pull at her firm thighs. Hands venture along the sides of her, your cold fingertips get her softly squirming beneath your touch—shimmers of gooseflesh rising along the delicate curves of her side, right under your fingertips.
The bronze sun shimmers off her torso as something like a masterpiece—faint shadows articulated along her perfect body—different orange, yellow hues bouncing off and enhancing the swells and curves and everything she had.
You pull her waist softly to get it bent again, venturing underneath, feeling her spine; venturing along her spine, the soft swell of it all—she’s here, she wants you, all 2 years of it condensed into this moment.
The bra-strap hits you like a reminder that her bosom was hidden beneath, the gentle swells and curves all a devious hint at what lay under.
So you clip it.
She shivers at the realization. The clip was off. And your hands automatically moved to take it off completely.
Her arms softly push together her torso: Displaying the treasure that laid before you.
Beautiful bronze peaks.
God.
God!
‘Ready the funeral wreaths for me. Chaewon.’
She scoffs. Then a soft laugh choked her up.
Your two hands softly teased the sides of her breasts; the way it surrendered to the slightest force; you ventured across her swell, feeling the desperate softness of her naked breasts. All while kissing her desperately. Your hands felt up and down, side-to-side, until she squirmed for relief: That’s when your fingers brushed over her perfect nipples.
And you had to look.
The way she shivered. God. Biting the side of her index finger. Moaning. Soft. Squealing even as you watched her carefully. The way her tongue traced a wet line along her lips—goading you, Aphrodite.
Your kiss ventured down, the soft tendon of her neck, the firm sternum.
Then finally—her breasts.
You kiss the soft skin.
Circling it.
The part that needed relief.
Teasing her. Even if the perpetuity of a multi-billion dollar company finding a way to bury you was crushing, her presence relieved it all.
Latched on.
‘Ahhh~’
‘Music to my ears.’
‘Oh shut up.’
‘Gladly.’
You dug in. Breaths became rigidly quick. Your other hand massaged the other breast. The nipple between your teeth got the most beautiful notes out of her.
By the time you stopped, her entire body shook.
‘Did you just cum?’
Her weak arm fell softly on your chest—apparently—a punch.
‘No.’
A sick grin grew on you, and you wrapped your arms around her; kissing her jawline.
‘You really did cum.’
Before you could do anything, her two hands squished your cheeks together.
‘Take responsibility.’
Trapped between her two small hands, you laugh. ‘I know. I know.’ A soft kiss on her sweat-slick forehead.
Your smirk lingers as you press another kiss against her temple. ‘You’ve got some nerve, you know that?’
Chaewon shifts slightly, resting her chin on your shoulder. ‘Nerve?’ she echoes, voice still breathless.
‘You climbed on top of me, seduced me, came just from me playing with your tits…’ Your hands wander, sliding down the dip of her back, feeling the heat of her skin. ‘And now you’re telling me to take responsibility?’
She hums, fingers tracing light, absentminded shapes on your chest. ‘Mmm. That’s right.’
You chuckle against her perfumed hair—sweet, fruity. ‘And what exactly does ‘taking responsibility’ mean to you?’
Her lips barely brush your ear as she murmurs, ‘It means you don’t stop until I can’t think straight.’
Your breath catches.
And then, you’re moving.
With a swift motion, you flip her onto her back, her body bouncing slightly against the lounge chair. She gasps, eyes wide for only a second before a slow, knowing grin spreads across her lips.
‘Too much?’ you tease, pinning her wrists above her head with one hand.
Chaewon shakes her head, cheeks flushed, wrists tightening. ‘Not even close.’
You take a moment to admire her like this—laid out beneath you, messy hair spread out over the cushion, lips still kiss-bitten and swollen. Her chest rises and falls with anticipation, and her legs shift restlessly against yours, already needing more.
‘I love this look on you,’ you murmur, tracing your free hand down her side. ‘All desperate and needy.’
Feigning offense, ‘I am not needy.’
‘Oh?’ Your fingers dance along the waistband of her shorts, teasing, not quite moving further. ‘Then what do you call this?’
She squirms. Just slightly. Just enough.
‘I call it,’ she whispers, tugging at her trapped wrists, ‘a challenge.’
Oh.
A thrill rushes through you.
Your grip on her wrists tightens slightly, your knee nudging between her legs, pressing against the wet heat of her core. She gasps, back arching, but you don’t move—just let her feel the pressure, let her know exactly what she’s asking for.
‘Careful, baby,’ you murmur, leaning down, lips hovering just above hers. ‘You might not like what happens when I take that challenge.’
Chaewon’s grin is pure defiance, pure want.
‘Try me.’
And so you do.
Your hand finally slips beneath the waistband of her shorts, fingers sliding between her soaked folds, feeling the way she clenches around nothing, already so ready for you.
‘You’re soaked,’ you murmur against her neck, voice full of something dark and satisfied. ‘You’ve been like this since I was playing with your tits, huh?’
She whines, trying to twist her wrists free, but you don’t let her go.
‘You’re not getting out of this,’ you tease, slipping one finger inside her, the velvety pink folds, feeling her tense, then relax, then tighten again as you curl it just right, just fucking right, just until she curls her back to you. ‘You wanted me to take responsibility?’ You slip another finger into her, the tight wetness of her, stretching her slowly. ‘Then take it.’
Her breath stutters. And she moans.
Your thumb circles her clit, slow but firm, coaxing out soft, trembling moans that get swallowed by the night air.
And then, just when she starts getting lost in it—just when her hips start rolling, when she’s clenching desperately around your fingers—you stop.
Your hand is stuck on her wrists, and the other—fucking her senseless.
Her whine is immediate. ‘No, no, don’t—’
You smirk against her throat. ‘Not so fun when I’m the one teasing, huh?’
‘You’re evil.’
‘I’m making sure you really feel it.’ You drag your fingers out completely, holding them up just enough for her to see the way they glisten in the dim light. ‘And you do feel it, don’t you, baby?’
Chaewon glares at you, still breathless, still burning up, but there’s something playful in the way she juts her chin out.
‘Fine,’ she murmurs. ‘If you’re gonna tease…’
Then, before you can react, she hooks her legs around your waist and grinds up against you, rubbing herself against your cock through your pants—needy, desperate, shameless.
Your breath leaves you in a sharp hiss.
‘Shit.’
She grins. ‘What was that?’
You grip her hips, forcing them to still. ‘You really wanna play that game?’
She tilts her head. ‘You gonna stop me?’
No. No, you’re not.
You’re gonna fuck her senseless.
Your grip tightens around her hips, firm enough that she stops moving—but not before you grind back, pressing yourself against the slick heat between her thighs, making her gasp.
‘Chaewon,’ you murmur, voice rough, a warning. ‘You’re playing a dangerous game.’
She exhales shakily, eyes locked onto yours, her body taut beneath you.
‘You sure you’re ready for the consequences?’ You add.
Instead of answering, she licks her lips and tugs at her trapped wrists again. ��Dear, I forgot about consequences a long time ago.’
You smirk, it’s true. You’re about to fuck her on this pool chair. Open to 360 degrees of vision, just the slightest glimpse and they’d see you fucking Chaewon. The fact that you’d lose your position the moment they saw you within 5 feet of Chaewon, let alone fucking her.
Fight against fate with absurdity.
You shift, focusing on the moment, leaning down so your lips barely ghost over hers. ‘I like you like this,’ you admit, your voice low, teasing. ‘All spread out, squirming, desperate—’
She whimpers when you roll your hips into her again, the friction delicious, just enough to drive her crazy without giving her what she really wants.
‘You’re so mean,’ she breathes, but her body betrays her, arching up, trying to chase more.
You chuckle, finally freeing her wrists—only for her to grab the collar of your shirt and yank you down into a kiss.
It’s messy, all tongue and heat, her fingers tangling in your hair as she pulls you closer, like she’s trying to mold herself to you completely. You groan into her mouth, one hand gripping her thigh, the other slipping beneath her shorts again, fingers finding their place against her soaked entrance.
She’s so fucking wet.
You tease her with your fingertips, barely dipping inside, a soft squelch, just enough to make her whimper into the kiss.
‘God, you need it, huh?’ you murmur against her lips.
She nods frantically, her hands clawing at your shoulders. ‘Please.’
Your breath catches at how wrecked she already sounds. ‘Please what?’
Her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t hesitate. ‘Please fuck me.’
You curse under your breath.
Then you sit up, hands moving with quick precision—grabbing the waistband of her shorts and yanking them down her legs, tossing them aside without care.
And finally, she’s bare beneath you.
You take a moment, just looking at her. The way she’s sprawled out, chest rising and falling rapidly, legs slightly parted, glistening with need.
‘You’re perfect.’
Chaewon bites her lip, her gaze flicking down—to where you’re already painfully hard, straining against your pants. She reaches forward, fingers trembling slightly as they brush over you, tracing the outline of your cock.
You let out a sharp breath.
‘You’re still dressed,’ she murmurs. ‘Not fair.’
She’s right.
So you fix it.
You shed your clothes as quickly as possible, the fabric falling to the floor, forgotten. When you look at her again, she’s staring at you—all of you—her lips slightly parted, eyes dark.
Then, slowly, her fingers curl around your cock, stroking once, twice, making your whole body tense.
‘Fuck.’
She grins. ‘That was cute.’
You glare at her, grip tightening on her hips. ‘You wanna see cute? Keep talking.’
She laughs, breathy, and guides you between her legs.
Your tip brushes against her entrance, and her laughter dies into a shaky inhale.
You barely push in, just an inch, feeling how tight, how hot she is, and you both groan at the same time.
Chaewon’s nails dig into your shoulders. ‘More,’ she gasps.
You give her more.
You sink into her inch by inch, stretching her, filling her completely, watching the way her pink lips part as she takes all of you.
She feels unreal.
You curse, head falling to her shoulder, breathing heavily against her skin. ‘You’re so—fuck—you feel so good.’
She’s trembling, her arms wrapping around your back, holding you as close as possible. ‘Move. Please—move.’ she pleads, desperately whispering hot breath into your ear, as you bury yourself into her petite shoulder.
And so you do.
Your hips pull back, then roll forward again, slow, wet, a stretched squelch, setting a slow, deliberate pace—making sure she feels everything. Every inch, every pulse, every deep thrust that has her gasping your name like a prayer.
She’s already falling apart beneath you, legs wrapped around your waist, nails raking down your back.
‘Faster. Oh please, faster.’ she breathes.
You obey.
Your hips snap against hers, faster, deeper, her moans turning into desperate little cries with every thrust.
‘You’re taking me so well,’ you murmur, kissing the shell of her ear, your fingers tangling with hers as you pin her hands above her head again. ‘Like you were made for this.’
She nods frantically, barely able to form words, barely able to do anything but cling to you and feel.
Her lips quiver. ‘I was made for you.’
She finally unravels, clenching around you so tightly, her whole body trembling, a gushing pressure around your cock, her musical chant of bliss filling your ears—you follow right after, burying yourself as deep as possible, spilling into her your entire seed, painting her cervix white, losing yourself completely.
For a long moment, there’s nothing but heavy breathing, tangled limbs, the aftermath of everything you’ve held back for so long.
Then, finally, Chaewon exhales, pressing a lazy kiss to your jaw.
‘You’re definitely taking responsibility,’ she whispers.
You chuckle, pressing your forehead against hers.
There’s something nonsensical about it all. You’d rather not think about it. Your lover. The woman of your dreams underneath you, who took your seed, who keeps kissing the shell of your ear like it’s the most interesting thing in the world.
But it keeps coming back.
The fact that no one caught you on the rooftop is a miracle.
The fact that maybe tomorrow or the day after is the day you get caught is… reality.
You want to fight everything that distends you from your dream, your everything: Chaewon.
But it’s frail. You can see it in her eyes too. Even as you rest your sweat-slick forehead against hers, blowing soft hairs out of her forehead—you can see tears coast on her red-rimmed eyes.
She loves you.
The near chance that you may be separated tears at you, hacks at your soul.
Your heart has wings for her.
Chaewon.
Your queen.
Aphrodite incarnate.
The only one.
TO BE CONTINUED(?)
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Lotus Eater
aespa’s Yoo Jimin/Karina, Jo Yuri x Male Reader
1.4k words
Inspired by FINNEAS' Lotus Eater


“A few things before we start,” Yuri says groggily.
The dim light from the living area casts into the room. It’s nighttime, and the three souls in this room are drunk.
“This doesn’t mean”–Jimin lets out a loud burp, stopping Yuri in her tracks. She turns to her–“would you be fucking quiet for a second, Jimin?”
Jimin lets out a childish giggle, unable to control herself under the influence of alcohol.
“God, as I said”–Yuri adjusts her crumpled shirt a little, it doesn’t help much, really–“this doesn’t mean anything, alright?”
You profusely nod. Kissing any of the two in the hallways isn’t an appropriate thing to do, anyway. So, just hi-s and hello-s in the classes, that’s all. Hell, you’d even trade an arm to get a chance with any of these women.
“Just waving to each other and smile, and that’s enou–”
“I wanna kiss you so bad, baby,” Jimin says with another stupid chuckle, before pulling you into a deep kiss. Her breath smells like alcohol, so is yours—cannot complain. Her tongue invades your mouth aggressively, and you have to do your best to keep quiet—the room next to you might wake up if you scream.
“Bloody hell,” says Yuri. Poor, poor Yuri, always has to put up with her friend’s naïve antics, and it gets worse under intoxication. Waking up in other men’s (or women’s) rooms isn’t a far-fetched concept for Jimin. At least once a week, she finds herself away from this room in the morning.
You sign an OK for Yuri, just hi-s and hello-s, no kissing, no strings attached. You’re too drunk and too busy having your mouth locked with Jimin.
On the edge of your vision, Yuri takes off her blouse in a quick motion, revealing her pert breasts covered in a white lace bra, and you have to stop the kiss immediately, making Jimin groan in frustration, as you gawk at the sight of Yuri.
“Fucking whore,” she says, clearly unimpressed with your behavior.
“Yuri! Don’t scold him!” Jimin says with a pout while you chuckle at the banter.
“I mean, I get to fuck, Yuri. Call me names, I don’t care,” you answer Yuri with a smirk. It’s like you’d care about this, anyways.
Yuri can’t help but laugh. “Alright, you slut, let’s just get it done.”
She then pulls you into another deep kiss. Unlike Jimin (who is now lying still on the bed, watching you two), hints of cherries remain on Yuri’s lips. Automatically, your hands go onto her covered firmness, and she lets out a moan into your mouth. You can feel her shallow breaths.
“F–Feels so good, baby,” Yuri says muffledly.
“No feelings involved–mm–remember?”
“Baby means shit–mmm–you man-whore,” she deflects.
“Thanks, babe.”
You can hear Yuri giggling into your mouth, as her hands start to reach the strap of her bra behind her back. It falls off so easily, as you’re trying your best to not pull back from this kiss and stare at her tits.
“Guys, ugh”–Jimin then gets up, before taking off her oversized t-shirt, revealing the chest that her bra is doing its best to hold–“I wanna join!”
Yuri pulls off from the kiss, and you whimper in frustration. You try to kiss her again, but she raises her hand up to stop you. “Wait for Jimin, baby.”
“Ugh, fine.”
You take off your shirt, waiting for Yuri to unclasp Jimin’s top garment. Your upper body becomes bare in front of the two drunk women, and you hear a clicking sound.
There it is, Jimin’s breasts, all for you to see. She bites her nails shyly, as if this is her first time doing this. She’s gorgeous, but so is Yuri. You’re lost in the body of these two women. Your length is throbbing in your pants, so you quickly take them off. Your cock springs free from the fabric cage, as Yuri and Jimin both gawk at the sight.
“Looks good, baby,” Jimin says with a chuckle. Her hand is snaking under her sweatpants. You can see the circular movement under them.
“C–Can I suck it?” Yuri asks, intimidated by the length.
“Uh, sure.”
Without another word, Yuri dives onto your cock eagerly, creating a suction with her mouth. Again, you’re doing your best to not let out a moan that would wake up the neighbors. On the other side, Jimin is rubbing her clit, whimpering at the sight. Her breaths come out in shallow pants.
“Y–Yuri, fuck.”
Yuri only chuckles on your cock. With each bob of her head, she takes in your length longer and longer. You moan rapidly as the sensation grows on your cock. She knows how to make you moan. She’s so damn good at this.
“Babe, please fuck my cunt, please,” Jimin says from your right, as she hastily take off her pants, revealing her glistened cunt under the dim light.
“I–I only have my fing–”
“Please, I beg you,” Jimin pleads, so eager to have you stuffing her cunt with your digits.
Yuri gets off your cock. “Just fucking do it, babe, relieve her.” Before she goes down with her mouth again.
“O–Okay.” You then, slowly, insert your trembling fingers into her wet cunt. Her tightness grips you like a vice. She moans. Her breasts heave up and down with her shaky breaths. Jimin’s hands fight for purchase on the bed sheets.
“Fuck!” Jimin screams. Yuri quickly brings her hand to close her mouth, not wanting to wake the neighbors up. Her mouth is still adeptly giving you the suction you need.
You dive into her deep, before flicking your fingers up onto the upper wall of her cunt. Jimin wails.
“Gonna cum, gonna cum, fuck, I’ve never cum this fast in my li–”
Jimin cums, hard. Her cunt sprays gushes clear liquid onto the bed sheets. They’re going to have to wash them tomorrow. Her whole body shakes and writhes, and she screams in ecstasy.
She then collapses onto the bed, chest heaving, panting. Yuri pulls off your cock, watching her friend lying happily on the bed, eyes fluttering.
“That’s quite–something,” says Yuri. “Use that whore mouth of yours, make me cum.”
You nod sheepishly, before laying down on your side, just beside the panting Jimin. Yuri’s facing your throbbing length, while you’re facing her wet cunt. She’s fucking aroused as you are.
“Ready?” Yuri asks.
Without a word, your tongue dives onto her cunt, tasting that sweet nectar you’ve been craving. Yuri is caught off guard with a whimper, struggling to contain her resolve for a blink of an eye. Still, she finds the rhythm, before diving onto your cock in the same fashion, eager to drink that divine syrup of yours.
You eat her cunt like there’s no tomorrow, lapping up the juices off the slit. Wet sounds of the oral misdeeds fill the room. You can hear Jimin moaning from behind again. She’s going for round two. She pulls your hand onto her tired hole, and you reply with a plunge into her slit. A moan leaks out of her mouth.
You can feel Yuri’s thighs clench. She’s close. You keep lapping up her juice profusely. Her breaths become more shallow. On the other side, Jimin is also going to cum. Her breathing and Yuri’s are in sync.
Your fingers’ movements become more erratic. You’re close too. That feeling is building up in your loins. You’re going to cum into Jo Yuri’s mouth, with your tongue on her puffy cunt, and your fingers inside Yoo Jimin.
“Y–Yuri, I–I’m gonna cum.”
Yuri signs a thumbs up to you, giving you the permission to cum in her mouth. Your breathing syncs with Jimin’s and Yuri’s. You’re all going to cum together. Fuck, this is a fucking heaven.
And your dam breaks. Jimin gushes liquid onto your dirty hands, wailing in ecstasy. Her body shakes and trembles. Your whole frame jerks into Yuri’s mouth, unloading spurts of cum down her throat. And Yuri cums with you, spraying clear nectar into your man-whore mouth. You three revel in the high. Nothing can come close to this.
“Shit,” Yuri says, breathing still out of rhythm.
“Yeah, shit,” you reply. And you hear Jimin burps again, bringing out laughs from all of you.
“Are we doing this again?” you have to ask.
“Fuck, yes, definitely,” Jimin replies.
“Well, maybe,” Yuri adds.
—
#karina#karina smut#aespa#aespa smut#jo yuri#jo yuri smut#izone#izone smut#kpop fanfic#kpop smut#Spotify
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Eyes of the Gods V
series masterlist - part IV
Pairing: Caracalla x fem!Reader x Geta
Summary: The Emperors are not subtle with their interest in you and others have begun to notice
Warnings: 18+, minors dni, eventual dub-con, power imbalances, mentions of previous domestic abuse, controlling behaviour, forced proximity, obsessive behaviour, unhealthy realtionships, unedited
Word Count: 3.5k
Sleep would not come. You tossed and turned for several hours before giving in and re-lighting the candle. Holding your fingers in the warmth of the flame, you began to contemplate your life.
The candlelight flickered and made you feel like the walls were closing in. In some aspects they already had. The walls had closed in without you even knowing it, so distracted by your own wariness. Now you were here, alone, and in reach of the emperors who had put you here.
How had you been so blind? Your own lack of self worth had made you stupid, disbelieving that the Emperors could have such interest in you. You had floated through those first two days, thinking that at any moment they would drop you, bored, like a forgotten toy. To your knowledge that was what usually happened! You had even see it; limping concubines and abandoned slaves. Instead, whatever was between the three of you had grown and mutated into something you had no hope in understanding.
The Emperors had power, yes, there was no denying it. Yet part of you felt as though you were giving them more. Specifically over you. They had not said you could not leave your rooms. So why stay when sleep insisted on evading you?
Your father had had that kind of hold on you and your mother. The situations were not perfectly similar but you were loathe to think you had allowed another man to control you like that. The thoughts made you feel irrational, made you feel like doing something dangerous.
The flame licked at your finger tips and you hissed, pulling them back to your chest. You knew this palace well. Better than the Emperors, even. You knew all the secret spots, all the ways to sneak around without being spotted. Perhaps it was time to put that knowledge to good use. A tiny rebellion of sorts.
Your mind was made up. If you thought on it too long you would lose all courage. Slipping into your sandals, you tried not to think too hard about what you were doing.
"I am going for a walk in the gardens," you said to yourself, "as I am entitled to do. I have not been told I cannot do otherwise."
The look Geta had given you flashed across your eyes and you squeezed them shut, dismissing him.
Reaching under your mattress, you gave your carved wolf a squeeze and then let go. You mumbled a quick prayed to Fortuna and then slowly opened your door, scanning the corridors before poking out your head.
There was no-one you could see. That did not mean that no-one was actually there; you were too close to the Emperor's chambers for their to be no Praetorians.
Part of you knew you were taking a risk. If you were so confident that you were allowed to leave your room then why did you feel the need to evade the Praetorians?
You scrubbed your sweaty palms down your sleepwear. The plain white wrap would make you a glaring target but your other options were no better. It did not matter; you needed fresh air. Needed to take it without the weight of eyes upon you. The illusion of freedom was better than nothing.
You slipped from your room like a breath in the wind. As expected, the first hallway you came to was lined with Praetorians. You wasted no time in slipping by them, dipping into a stairwell and tip-toeing down.
All you could hear was the pounding of your own heart. The sound made you dizzy and you allowed yourself to stop for a moment, steadying yourself. Trembling, you stumbled down the rest of the stairs under you reached a landing. There were yet more guards but they were looking for people sneaking in, rather than out. Waiting until their backs were turned, you made a mad dash for freedom.
The rest of the way was mercifully quiet. Slowing down, you appreciated the silence. Yours were the one footsteps you could hear. It was funny; that night, when you had first met Caracalla, you had been terrified of these empty halls. Now they curved around you, protective, and you brushed a hand against them in familiarity.
Cool air blasted you when you finally stepped foot outside. You laughed and it was immediately lost to the wind. You were not as weak as you thought. You would do whatever you could to hold onto this feeling of dependence.
The air was biting and made your eyes water. Staying out here for long was not an option. Goosebumps emerged along your arms and thighs as the wind pushed itself under your clothes.
When the gusts softened, you wandered further out. You allowed yourself slow appraisals of all the flowers, most of which you did not recognise. You had had no interest in gardening before but they suddenly felt like the most beautiful thing in the world.
Your past and present slipped from you like water. In this moment, it was only you. You could pretend that you had all the choices in the world.
And you did have choices. It was the consequences that scared you. You wished you could peer into the future and see all the possible answers, all the solutions, and make your mind based on those. But you were no seer; the future was barred from your questioning eyes. You would simply have to wait and go the long way around to see what the future held.
An abrupt sound startled you and you whipped around, eyes searching. At first you thought the garden was empty and you relaxed, releasing your death-grip on your elbows.
A flash of red made your head swim and you stood still, mouth parting. No, you almost moaned, no, no, no.
Gravel crunched underfoot as Geta appeared, rounding a flower bed and jerking to a stop. His cheeks were red despite being dressed warmer than you. His mouth parted at the sight of you and you swallowed hard.
Fortuna, you languished, you have forsaken me.
It took you a moment to realise it was not bad luck or coincidence that Geta had stumbled across you. It was difficult to see them through the myriad of plants but several Praetorians had accompanied Geta to the gardens. It seemed that you had not been quite as subtle as you had thought.
Geta started towards you and you squeaked, not daring to back away. It took only several paces before he reached you, grasping your elbows and yanking you to his chest.
"You," he gaped," what were you thinking?"
He gave you a hard shake to force the answer out of you. He was out of breath, almost gasping, and you were stunned into silence.
"Come," he barked, yanking you back the way he came.
You lurched after him, gravel grazing the tips of your toes. Thought escape you and all you could do was lock your eyes on the back of Geta's robe. The pattern was exquisite and you wondered what it would feel like beneath your fingers.
You expected him to let you go once you were back inside but he did not. He continued to pull you along, barking orders at Praetorians, all the way back to your rooms. Your face crumpled at the sight of it but you did not protest as he wrenched you inside and shut the door, sealing both him and you in.
He swiped a hand over his face, shaking. "Do you have any idea how fortunate you are that it was not Caracalla who stumbled upon your ridiculous little escape plan?"
"I -"
"You are well aware that he has some sort of dependency on you," Geta continued, pacing back and forth, "yet you would abandon him at the first chance you had?"
"No, no," you shook your head, "I wanted only to see the gardens!"
Geta stopped, eying you with disbelief. He looked on edge. He almost reminded you of Caracalla in one of his episodes. The more you learned, the more you realised how similar they were.
"The gardens?" he spat. "In the middle of the night? In the cold?"
You brushed your fingers down your arms, embarrassed. "Yes."
Geta shook his head, eyes flickering all over you. His eyes narrowed as he finally seemed to register what you were wearing. "And in those clothes?"
Nothing you said was going to make him calm down. You let your eyes settle on the floor and thinned your lips.
"You could have asked," he finally said, shoulders sagging inward.
"Asked?"
"To see the gardens," he threw his hands into the air. "I would have had someone accompany you. You could not comprehend the trouble you have caused tonight."
"What right do I have to ask for anything?" you said, shocked. "I am a servant, barely more than a slave."
Geta studied you in that way you had become almost used to. His mouth worked, opening and closing several times before settling into a fine line.
"Yes," he agreed, "and you will obey your emperors. You are not to leave your room till morning and we will have someone fetch you when we are ready. Goodnight."
He turned to your bed and yanked up the sheet, throwing it upon you before exiting from the room. He slammed the door shut and you stood in stunned silence, frozen until you heard the deathly sound of a lock sliding shut.
"No," you murmured at first, then quickly got louder. "No, don't!"
Your emotions spilled out of you all at once. Throwing yourself against the door you began to pound upon it. Geta was still outside; you could see his shadow lingering beneath the door.
"Please," you begged, "I am sorry, Emperor, please."
The shadow disappeared as though it had never been there. Choking on your own tears, you rested your forehead against the wood, fists aching. You let out one long, primal scream and then fell back, yanking the covers over your head and angrily wiping your tears away with the back of your hand.
You fell asleep like that, hands clenching the covers and cursing whatever Gods had pushed this fate upon you.
True to his word, Geta did send someone the next morning. A Praetorian soldier opened the door and peered in, cringing at your rumpled form on the bed.
"I am Consus," he said reluctantly. "The Emperors have sent me to retrieve you."
You scowled at the innocent man, dragging your body from the sheets. Your head was pounding and there were multiple spots on your hands where the skin had cracked and bled from your pounding on the door.
You were still in your bed clothes. Dirt stained the bottom and there were smears of blood dotted all over it.
"I need to get ready," you grumbled.
"That. . .will not be necessary," the guard said. "You will be relieved of your usual duties today but you must accompany me to the emperors."
Usual duties, you thought, whatever those were. But you were in no mood to argue so you stomped into your sandals and trailed after Consus. Whatever fight you had left had been squeezed out of you late last night. Now there was only the stinging of your hands and aching of your head.
It took less than two minutes to reach Geta's quarters. You had been foolish to think he would not learn of your brief dash for freedom.
Consus held open the door and announced your presence to the room. No-one had ever done that before. You had not been important enough.
You held your head up as much as you could and entered the room. Caracalla was the first to see you. It was almost comical the way his grin dropped from his face.
He stood up so fast that Dondus squeaked and leapt from his shoulder. He stormed over to you and cupped your hands in his, turning them over again and again as though he could not believe what he was seeing.
"What is this?" he was horrified. As though he had not caused worse injuries and found amusement in them.
"Brother," he snapped, "look. Someone has - someone has -"
Geta finally looked up. Despite being the last to see you, he was also stunned by your appearance. He swallowed harshly and stood straighter.
"She had a rough night, brother," he attempted to soothe Caracalla. "The healer is on the way."
His eyes told you not to say anything. You would not. There was no telling how Caracalla would react if he learned the truth of your escapade last night. Even though you had not truly tried to escape, it only mattered that Geta thought you had.
Caracalla yanked a hand through his hair. "Brother -"
"Enough," Geta raised his voice. "She is hurting. Let her sit."
The words seemed to do something to Caracalla and he steered you to a plush sofa, pulling you down so that you were half on his lap. You had no will to try to move and only sagged, letting Caracalla's hands wander over you.
It was strange how his jerky movements almost soothed you. Perhaps you were only glad for the company, having spent majority of last night confined to your quarters.
"Where does it hurt?" he whispered, eyes fixated on the darkened blood on your clothing.
"My head," you admitted, "and my hands."
Caracalla dusted careful fingers over your temples before turning his attention to your hands. He brought them to his face and kissed your palms. Your eyes welled from the soft touches. He murmured sweet nothings, brows furrowed as he took in your injuries. The smaller they were, the more they hurt. You sucked in a breath when his tongue darted out and swiped over a cut.
Consus appeared in the door once more, this time announcing the healer. The gentleman walked in, holding a leather bag that clinked with ointments and creams.
"Leave them and get out," Caracalla demanded, becoming louder when the man stalled. "Out!"
You would have felt pity for the man on any other day. He shrugged the bag from his shoulder and left it on a table, backing out of the room with his hands held up.
To your surprise it was Geta who retrieved the bag, handing it carefully to his brother. He eyed you in the way he often did and you held his gaze. Something like guilt flickered over his face but it was gone before you could analyse it.
Caracalla busied himself with the contents of the bag. He held up an expensive looking jar of cream and set it aside before picking up something much more recognisable - a small bottle of alcohol.
He popped the cork off. "This will sting."
You gasped and tried to yank your hands away but Caracalla held them steady as he dribbled small amounts of the liquid onto your palms. He used his own clothing to wipe away the traces of blood as if was nothing.
The cream was better. He dabbed it onto your cuts, glancing up at your face to gauge your reaction. You tried not to dwell to much on the fact that an Emperor of Rome was treating your superficial wounds.
"Better?" he asked.
"Better," you nodded. "Thank you, Emperor."
He looked over his shoulder and then back at you before leaning in to whisper, "You can address me as Caracalla."
A lump lodged itself in your throat. How many times had Caracalla been treated for his own injuries that he knew how to treat you for yours?
"What truly happened last night?" he asked you, careful to make sure Geta could not hear.
"Emperor Geta locked me in my room," you answered honestly.
Caracalla thought about it for a moment. "It is better that way," he decided. "It keeps you safe. Don't you want to be safe for us?"
Of course. Caracalla was no different to his brother though you could not pretend to understand their emotions or motivations.
Geta was watching the pair of you. He looked down when you noticed, pretending to be ensconced in his paperwork. Ignoring you just as he did last night when he left you screaming in your room.
You spent the whole day laying about in Geta's chambers. Caracalla doted on you, feeding you bits of food and checking on your wounds.
The more he touched you the harder it was to pull away. His touches got firmer, bolder; the back of your neck, your arms, even your thighs when you shifted. His eyelids grew heavier and heavier until it was impossible to ignore the blatant way he was panting over you.
And it was not as though you were immune to his caresses.
After a few hours of torture, Geta turned his attention back to you.
"There is a gathering tonight," he said, "you will get ready."
"And what am I to do at this gathering?" you boldly asked.
Geta pulled you from the plush cushions by your wrist. He leaned in close. "You are going because I cannot trust you enough to leave you alone. Do not complain; it is unbecoming of a young lady such as yourself."
His mocking tone sent a spike of anger through you. You deigned not to respond. Such blatant disrespect was stupid but you were still unfathomably angry that he had locked you away. You wanted to say that he had no right but, as Emperor, he did. Geta and Caracalla could do anything they wished and you were constantly reminded of it.
Geta pointed you to some clothes hanging up on a privacy screen. He dragged Caracalla away so you could change in peace - an apology of sorts? You yanked on the clothing and tried to let your temper cool. It would do you no good to have an attitude in the presence of others.
Once more you were back in the entertainment hall. Geta had you stationed by a wall, offering cups to anyone who wanted one. It was obvious you had been placed there only because it kept you firmly in his sight.
After an hour you found yourself feeling calmer, taking purpose in your small task. The familiarity made you at ease and you were able to put the Emperors to the back of your mind.
They were surrounded by concubines and tittering senators. A woman was perched on the cushions behind Geta, rubbing a hand on his shoulder and occasionally allowing it to dip beneath his clothing. Geta met your eyes across the room and leaned back, allowing her further contact.
The concubines were having a difficult time with Caracalla. He would relax into their forward touches and then suddenly jerk forward, shoving them away and screaming obscenities. You had never seen him quite so wild at a gathering; it was known that Caracalla enjoyed parties and was most approachable during them.
The concubines did not know what to do with themselves. Breaking point was reached when one dared to slip his hand beneath Caracalla's tunic. Immediately Caracalla was upon the man, hands flying in every which direction and beating him to a near pulp.
How was this the same man who had so softly attended to you earlier? Your anger seeped away and was replaced by familiar fear. What would it take for him to turn on you like that?
Praetorians approached and dragged the concubine away. The party continued as though nothing at happened. These people cared not for the lives of those below them.
Caracalla's eyes darted about the room. Searching for you, no doubt. You recoiled into the wall and shrank in on yourself, desperate to go unnoticed.
Someone did spot you, but it was not Caracalla. The master of gladiators gave you a predators smile and sauntered over, plucking a cup from the tray you were holding.
Something about Macrinus unnerved you. His smile was open enough but you did not trust the man. That had never mattered before when you were a simple servant in the kitchen but now. . .
"It is you," he smiled teasingly, bumping you with his elbow.
You recoiled at the unwanted touch. "I'm sorry?"
"You," he repeated, " who has enamoured the emperors and now takes up so much of their time."
Something cold slithered into your stomach. You did not like Macrinus - did not like that this man knew so much about you.
"I. . .do not know what you are speaking of," the lie caught in your throat but you pushed it out anyway.
Macrinus laughed, loud and cold. "I think you do."
At that moment Caracalla appeared, wrapping his hand around your elbow and exposing the lie you had told.
"I want to leave," he grumbled, "come now."
He uttered a tense greeting to Macrinus and dragged you from the room. You went willingly, thankful for any distance between yourself and the master of gladiators and his sharp smile.
Caracalla was rougher than usual as he tugged you along. This time to his chambers. He kept looking over your shoulder and muttering to himself, yanking you closer and closer until you were almost tripping over each other. You were not overly alarmed; you had faith that you would be able to pacify him.
Your mind was preoccupied with your brief meeting with Macrinus. The emperors made you uneasy but it was nothing to do with the sickening feel Macrinus evoked in you.
Authors Note - This might be my favourite chapter yet idkkkk - please let me know what you think! Please like, comment, reblog if you enjoyed and don’t be afraid to send asks because they are my favourite thing
taglist - @only4thefics @doodle-with-rhy @lover-rep-fanfic @claraisme23 @sashaphantomhive @multifandombtch @t6gse370
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#emperor caracalla x reader#emperor geta x reader#fred hechinger#emperor caracalla#joseph quinn#emperor geta#eyes of the gods#gladiator 2#gladiator ii#banners by enchanthings
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I saw someone talk about how they broke out of the “antizionist” echo chamber so here’s my story about it!
Cracks started when the college encampments did. Even that deep in I still felt very uncomfortable with, yk, hoards of Ivy League students (and professors!!) chasing Jews out of schools. Even that deep in my brain still recognized Heh, What The Fuck (surprise, propaganda does not deprive a person of moral integrity or responsibility!). I ended up logging off tumblr and the other online spaces I was in. One could call it a detox. Touching grass. Best decision of my life. When I came back, I found @/rootsmetals on Instagram. She is amazing. For people you don’t know her: she talks about Jewish history and current events and boy does she bring receipts. After her, I started looking at a ton of other Jewish influencers (that feels like a weird title but idk what else to call it), and MAN I am so happy I did. Moral clarity and consistency is amazing. Now I’m going into anthropology, and I really want to study in Israel- beautiful place and people, and god DAMN is Jewish history impressive.
Trying to use the arguments/methods that worked on me- I also hope I can do that to teach gentiles actual Israeli history cuz there is a DIRE shortage of facts about Israel in… basically everyone. For example: people have a hard time grasping the idea that calling Jews Nazis is antisemitic, so here’s the explanation I’ve found works the best; Nazism without Jew-hatred is not Nazism. There are plenty of other words for what is left over, but NOT Nazism. Holocaust education has been horrifyingly whitewashed to make it as little about Jews as possible and to make people feel less guilty, and now we’re in a society that Holocaust survivors say is way too similar to the 1930s. Jews cannot be Nazis because Nazis are inherently violent antisemites.
mainstream leftism needs to get tf over itself. Surprise, the world is not black and white. They try so hard to fight the Middle East into their fucking Democrat/republican oppressed/oppressor bullshit. Sometimes they remind me of Christian Nationalists with how much they want to be persecuted. Pushing American politics is a) fucking stupid and b) how is it NOT racist?? Like, you’re willfully ignoring the Actual Lives of Actual Middle Eastern people so that you can talk about them how you talk about fucking Long Island, cuz you can’t handle learning anything new. And you’re saying you’re antiracist. Also, I think Westernizing/Americanzing also relates to all the genocide claims. Americans (+ Westerners) have not been in an actual war in ages. Especially not one on their own soil, where people want to destroy them. There is not memory or experience of that in American/Western consciousness, which has left a dire misunderstanding as to how war works. War is horrible. It’s bloody and cruel and heartbreaking, because it’s war. You can be sad for suffering that’s happening in war without lying about history or the law. All that does is make you sound like an idiot and make your “cause” sound less and less legitimate. (Especially when the found of your “cause” was besties with Hitler!!)
I try to be civil to the ones who aren’t horrible and put cracks in their mindset, but… Jesus Christ. Most of them are stupid on purpose. I have never met people so willfully ignorant. See: the apartheid claims. All their examples are about people who… aren’t in Israel?? That’s like saying Mexico is an apartheid to Americans. They’re DIFFERENT COUNTRIES???
Also: their actions have consequences. Besides the GIGANTIC rise in antisemitic hate crimes (which really should be the prime example, but the world’s decided they don’t care too many times)… most of the shit they’re saying HURTS the people they’re “trying” to defend. “Jews aren’t indigenous cuz they were in wherever” so indigeneity stops when you get murdered and kicked out of your land? Is that what you’re saying? When’s the cut off, two massacres or three massacres? They sound like “oh well the Cherokee have been here for millennia but MY family has been here for four whole generations, after my great-grandpa killed a bunch of them”. They claim they’re “anticolonial anti-imperialists” and then help what is arguably the most successful colonial empire (I mean hello, the audacity and confidence you have to have to call yourself indigenous to a place named for the people you’re killing when the place you ARE from is still named after you??? Arabia anyone??). And they’re not only hurting Jewish rights, but the rights of all the other indigenous peoples of MENA- Amazigh, Druze, Samaritans, etc. They just use whatever words they want. “Genocide” isn’t a fun trivia word, it’s a fucking LEGAL WORD. ALSO they like to say “every accusation is a confession” and it’s just… that’s projecting bro. There’s so many examples, but I think the best is: “Jewish independence is a racist genocidal movement” and they say that cuz their’s IS. They do know that they’re supporting a genocide that the “Palestinian cause” has been trying to do for decades, they will just only admit it when they’re trying to frame Jews for it.
ALSO ALSO… the fucking racism of low expectations. “What did you expect them to do?” about Oct 7. Idk, maybe NOT mass rape people??? I’ve literally heard people say that it’s “their tradition”…. WHAT? How is it not racist as fuck to sum up someone’s “culture” as murder-rape-violence? If I keep going I won’t stop but… listen to the podcast Jew Wanna Talk’s episode Queers for Palestine: Beyond Chickens for KFC. They explain it better than I can.
I got way off-topic and this got kind of convoluted but… yeah. People need to take responsibility for themselves even if it’s uncomfortable. Suck it up. Also, learn the literal basics of antisemitism before you call the 1 Jewish country “pedophilia heaven-murder town where they eat all the Good Babies”, cuz you sound like a Nazi. Or Roman. Or Soviet. Or Medieval. Or [insert other antisemite here].
and shout out to josh_a on Instagram, he’s a legend. And Dara Horn.
Sending love from Canada ❤️ Am Yisrael Chai 💛💛
every single bit of this!!! go off!!
👏👏👏
be proud of yourself!!! it’s hard to break out of these patterns and cycles and you did it!!
i did anthro/archaeology and jewish studies ahhh i’m excited you want to do anthro and study in israel!! 💙💙
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𝕯𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒𝖊𝖗 𝖔𝖋 𝖄𝖔𝖚
𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐞𝐧 𝐱 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫!𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫
𝐑𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃
"Can we have a twin of Aegon be the rider of Balerion? I know Balerion dies and cannot fly even with Viserys, but I want him to be a supported for the Blacks because...yeah! Also give him a sword of fire like Dondarrion has too! I know incest is weird to write, but Helaena needs someone to appreciate her!! Not a lot of detail, but pop off with this one! "
Not very knowledgeable on HOTD, but I tried!
The doors to the council room pushed open with an eerie creak paired with the sounds of heavy footfalls of a grieving father and husband. Dressed in his black armor with red accents and his sword, Hellfire, strapped to his waist unnerved the council. The presence of [Name] Targaryen hushed his grieving twin brother instantly.
Aegon quieted down his anger upon witnessing the emotion flowing off of [Name], his lilac glare pointed at the floor in deep thought as he walked up the steps. This emotion [Name] conveyed hadn’t been new to Aegon, it reminded him of the time [Name] demanded their father to give Helaena’s hand to himself.
Their father, Viserys, laughed in his face…the old man hadn’t laughed in awhile like that and it unnerved the twin boys. But Viserys’ laugh turned into a cough and he cleared his throat out saying, “Your brother is getting married to Lady Jeyne, [Name]. Helaena is all yours and will be soon.”
[Name] has always wanted Helaena, their odd sister and claimed that, ‘Nobody is willing to understand her, but I am. She should be with me.’ That madness subsided with Viserys’ joyful laugh and reassuring words. This time was different. Their father wasn’t here as king or here to calm him down with hopeful words. No, it was just him. Aegon, the drunken twin…the weak king.
He watched his twin walk up to the table and stopped at the foot of it. [Name] leaned over it and set his palms on the smooth surface. Clearing his throat and looking straight ahead, at no one in particular this time, he asked every council member,
“Why were our wives and children unguarded at the dead of night?”
His calm words didn’t quite match the fire in his eyes, but the sudden echoed roar of Balerion outside of King’s Landing stirred the council fully awake. Alicent looked around the table and waited for someone to answer her son’s question. She couldn’t put the dangerous eyes of her son on herself...or Cole.
But fear seeped into the very essence of her wretched soul. Helaena walked in on a terrible deed between the queen dowager and the lord commander. Alicent knew that [Name], his gentle words would convince Helaena to tell him every detail of this night. Helaena never held secrets away from her older brother, she always confided with him in everything.
The rest of the men didn’t speak either and Tyland kept his mouth shut. The outburst he received from Aegon was unmatched to [Name]’s, the rider of The Black Dread. He wouldn’t be stupid enough to speak against the dragon rider that had a god of light guarding him.
“A little bit ago, I was with your brother, Aemond,” Otto spoke freely, casting a smooth glance over at Criston Cole, “but before that, Cole and your brother were conversing together. I sent Cole away to his watch to have a word with Aemond.”
[Name] dragged his eyes over from his grandfather to Cole and asked, “Did you go back to your post, Lord Commander? Answer this question correctly, I fear that Balerion didn’t have his full for today.”
Tension was high in the room and Balerion never seized his loud roaring that sounded closer with each minute. Cole shuffled in his spot next to Aegon who looked up at him with suspicion. The rest of the council looked at the Lord Commander wondering why [Name] fixated his lilac eyes so hard on Cole.
“I was abed, my prince.” Cole said without looking [Name] in the eyes.
“And where were your men? Why weren’t there any guards patrolling the floor my family slept on?” The rising tone, the boiling anger in his throat made his voice raspy. His open palms closed into tight fists as he continued to ask, “Why is it that the moment you send the Watch to sleep, our sons were left at the cruel hands of murderers!”
His left hand slammed against the table making glasses clink in their place.
“Your white cloak,” [Name]’s voice knocked down in volume, not seizing up for anyone to speak between his breaths, “is stained with the blood of Jaehaerys and Rhaegar. I will figure out a punishment befitting you once I clear my head.”
Alicent swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to reason with her usual kind son, “[Name], this doesn’t-”
“You will speak once spoken to, mother,” His eyes slowly moved over to her fear stricken ones and she knew why she was getting his hostility. His biting words covering her in flames eating away at her guilt, “Helaena told me what happened tonight. Everything I need to know. For being such a godly woman and criticizing every move the Blacks make, I’m disappointed in the actions you took tonight.”
He straightened out his back and addressed everyone at the table, “Tonight will teach everyone here a lesson.
“The Night’s Watch will stay at their post, guarding the royal family to their very last breath. They will have patrol times and stick to it. If their Lord Commander comes up to them with a release, the Night’s Watch will turn into stone and keep their post. Their job is to guard the royal family, protect the castle. I will not have another incident like this one. I will not have my wife witness such a heinous act of child murder.
“As for the rest of us, before we return to bed, we make sure there is a knight in or around our presence. I want you to fall asleep to the sounds of clinking armor knowing that there is a knight outside your door or on your floor patrolling. I want us to sleep peacefully and…”
“Rhaegar���he was faster than I was,” Helaena’s tears slid down her cheeks, “he was braver than I was. I didn’t see this, I-I couldn’t stop him. Our little boy ran in to save Jaehaerys and he wasn’t scared. He held the dagger you gave him on his nameday and scarred one of them. Then while he was choking at that man’s hands, he said his last words, “My father will burn you in the blackest hells, ratcatcher. He will.””
[Name] paused hearing Helaena’s voice in his head, he couldn't cry right now. Rhaegar was only seven years old and the boy fought back to save his family. His little boy had run in to save his family's lives because no one else was there, not even himself.
“-and not worry about ratcatchers.”
His stance faltered and he fell back into the chair at his side. His gloved hand wiped at his face to shake away the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes. Helaena kept speaking to him, her words haunting him,
“Jeyne grabbed her remaining daughter out of her bed and Daenerys held tightly onto my dress while I snuck Viserys out of his crib. The two of us ran away from that horrible sound with our children, leaving poor Jaehaerys and Rhaegar behind. Jeyne kept crying as we ran for our lives, kept asking where the knights were. Where were they?”
“I don’t know,” [Name] felt like she was asking him, ‘where were you?’ and he wanted to say out flying Balerion in the night. But she knew he flew Balerion out in the night because he had the need to patrol around that time. And no one would see him or Balerion when the beast itself blends in the darkest sky.
“Helaena, is there anything else you would like to tell me?” He asked before he would storm into the council room and demand for answers.
His wife looked over at Daenerys cuddled up in her father’s arms with tear tracks stained on her young face. Helaena didn’t know if she could tell him about their mother’s…activity with the Lord Commander. But she didn’t need to because Daenerys mumbled something in his chest.
[Name] stirred and moved his daughter to look her in the eyes, “Say that again, Dany. I didn’t quite catch that.”
Daenerys looked into his eyes and said, “Grandmother…she was with the Lord Commander.”
Helaena watched the confusion morph her husband’s face and he nodded his head, “Well yes, Ser Criston Cole is in charge of watching over your grandmother.”
Daenerys shook her head and clarified as best as a child could do, “He wasn’t guarding her, father. He was in her bed.” [Name]’s blood ran cold. The reason why Jaehaerys and Rhaegar died was because Cole didn’t want the Night’s Watch to-
“Helaena is this true?” He looked over at his sister-wife and she nodded her head with her eyes on the floor. His heart dropped to his stomach at this revelation. His skin crawled with the act of deceit. His mother called the Lord Commander to her chambers, thus allowing the release of the Night’s Watch on the royal family.
“Rhaegar looked like you, father, fighting back that man” Daenerys sniffled and wiped her eyes with her small hands, “he wounded the ratcatcher. His eye is scarred, sort of like uncle Aemond. I think…I think Rhaegar knew his end, but he wounded his attacker so you could find him.”
“Of course he did,” [Name] whispered and hugged his daughter to his chest, pressing her face into the crook of his neck where she cried some more. Of course Rhaegar did that, he never went down without a fight. He was taught to protect his family, to harm those that pose a threat to them. But [Name] never taught his first born to think for himself. Think about a life Rhaegar could live for. Instead his son sacrificed himself to buy time for Helaena and Jeyne.
“I’m sorry, my girls,” [Name] choked out, his tears finally cascading down his face, “I wasn’t there for you. I could have stopped it, I could have saved you from those bastards. Dany, your brother could have still been alive if I had-”
Daenerys moved her head and tilted her chin up, her gaze piercing his soul, “I know it’s not your fault, father. You were flying out with Balerion like you always do every night. Rhaegar knew what he had to do, I don’t blame you for his bravery.”
Bravery. Not death. Daenerys saw her older brother as a brave child that passed away with honor. Not as a little boy with a dagger, weak to a full grown man. He looked over at his wife and she nodded her head in approval. Helaena could never blame [Name], she knew if he were present, he would have slaughtered the ratcatchers.
“Helaena, Daenerys,” [Name] looked at his daughter then back to his wife. With gritted teeth, he said, “Cole will face consequences for releasing the Night’s Watch and I will find the ratcatcher that killed Rhaegar. This I promise to you.”
“What about…mother?” Helaena cautiously asked her husband. She saw the turmoil in his eyes and he handed Daenerys over to her arms. Then he stood up and brought his sad gaze over to Viserys sleeping in his crib.
“Mother will feel guilty all her life for this moment,” [Name] began walking away and said, “I hope it drives her mad.”
“Brother, tell them that this idea is madness! We cannot allow our sons to be dragged across this city for show!” Aegon’s voice filled with hurt brought [Name] out of his misery and he looked at the table.
“What idea?” He sat up in his chair and Otto looked over at [Name] carefully wording his sentence out.
“We will honor Prince Jaehaerys and Rhaegar by showing the cruelty of Rhaenyra’s actions to the people. This will-”
[Name] shook his head and looked at Otto, asking, “Wait, Rhaenyra did this? She was the one that ordered our sons to die?”
Alicent looked down at the table and folded her hands together, “We don’t know for sure, but-”
“That’s a serious accusation that will not be taken lightly. Did she or did she not order that Prince Jaehaerys should die?” [Name] demanded, his hand itching to spill some blood. His anger was getting the best of him, eating away at his best traits.
Everyone remained quiet at the table until Aegon shot up from his seat, raging with fury. [Name] didn’t notice that Cole had left the room. “Of course she fucking did! She’s a cunning little bitch! I want her to answer for the crimes she committed against us!”
[Name] couldn't believe it. Rhaenyra would never cause the same pain she felt when she lost Lucerys to Aemond on Helaena. But he wanted answers, “I will fly to Dragonstone tomorrow morning and demand for answers.” He stood up from his seat and stopped short in his path. “I’m not going to start a war, not yet. I will confront my sister and ask her about this crime.”
“She’ll lie to your face!” Aegon shouted, spit flying viciously out of his mouth.
[Name] looked over his shoulder and scrutinized him, “People cannot lie easily with Balerion in sight. You pissed your pants when he didn’t choose you, so imagine what others will do.”
He walked a bit more and one of the guards opened the door for him. Then he set his hand on the door, he kept his eyes forward and addressed his grandfather, “A Hightower shouldn’t speak on Targaryen traditions. My son is going to be honored only by his family and burned by Balerion. His bravery isn’t a spectacle for King’s Landing and I won’t have strangers mourning him. His body has been defiled enough along with Jaehaerys. I don’t see why we have to show them our pain, sympathizing with us isn’t enough reason for them to peek into our lives. Anyone who touches Rhaegar’s body…will die.”
……
After his talk with the council, [Name] found himself in his bed with his two girls and baby boy. Viserys had been busy climbing on Helaena with cute babbles while Dany cuddled up against [Name]’s bare chest. “I am going to Dragonstone to ask our sister if she had anything to do with this. I’m leaving early in the morning, I would like everyone to join me.”
“You’re going to visit Aunt Rhaenyra, father?” Daenerys sat up with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. “That means we can fly on Balerion together.” [Name] nodded his head and brushed her long hair behind her ears.
“But what if she thinks it's a sign of war?” Helaena asked.
[Name] cleared his throat and said, “They’re scared of Vhagar as it is, I don’t think they want to fight Balerion as well. I can win that fight easily against her motherly dragon. Rhaenys would be my worry for Balerion. But that’s beside the point, I’m there looking for answers, not a fight.”
Helaena looked down at Viserys and the two year old smiled at her. “I’m afraid to fly with him.”
[Name] sat up and cleared his throat, “I can have Viserys’ strapped to my back while-”
“I meant Rhaegar,” Helaena murmured and looked away from her family. Meanwhile [Name] sighed and knew his plan for having Rhaegar honored by the Blacks instead of the Greens was going to have a bad effect on his wife. But he couldn’t do it. Jaehaerys would be shown around to the people, but not Rhaegar. Not his boy.
“I can fly with all three of them, Helaena. Balerion is big enough to carry all of us and it’ll be no big deal for him.” [Name] reasoned, hoping his wife would look at him.
“I can ride with Mother,” Dany offered with a sweet smile, “if she wants me too.”
Helaena looked back at her daughter and returned the smile, “Yes, of course little one. Are we also taking their dragons with us?” She looked at [Name] for clarification. She knew what his big plan was and this would cement the fact.
“Yes, that is the idea of it,” He whispered back, afraid she would reject it. Moving out of King’s Landing to Dragonstone is a risk he was willing to take to keep his family alive. He wished he only did it sooner.
“Okay, I trust you.” She leaned forward and pressed a shy kiss on his cheek. This action had Daenerys giggle with a blush on her face. [Name] bristled at the action himself and awed at the expression on his daughter’s face. Though they experienced a terrible night, his girls were able to show a bit of comfort and happiness.
He held back his tears and longed for Rhaegar to return. Longed for his family to be complete again. Helaena saw the tears in his eyes nonetheless and she placed her hand onto his face, “We should rest, we have an early journey ahead of us.” She released his face and picked up Viserys, putting the babe into his own bed with his young dragon laying at the top left corner.
While she settled the boy, [Name] slid out of bed and pulled out the logs from the fireplace leaving it only a kindle now. The room darkened exponentially and he made his way back to the bed at the same time Helaena did. Dany pushed her father over to the middle so she could share him with her mother. With Helaena on his right, she cuddled up against his chest, her head laying on his shoulder. Daenerys on his left hugged his arm tightly and the little girl went fast asleep with light snores.
The fire crackled a few times before dying out completely, letting the full moon being the only source of light in the room. [Name] stayed awake thinking about tonight. He thought about looking for the ratcatcher when his girls fell asleep. He already had Rhaegar wrapped and prepared for the flight to Dragonstone. Perhaps he wanted to torture his mother a little bit longer before he left too.
His eyes felt heavy with sleep, shouldn’t be long until his eyes shut for the night. Then he heard a few clicking noises of baby dragons. He lied still and saw two silhouettes climbing up his legs. Then the two baby dragons made their way to Dany, they made small noises until they settled right next to her body. One curled up next to her stomach and the other laid on his arm where Dany held on tightly.
“My love,” [Name] whispered and turned his head slowly at Helaena. His wife stirred then blinked her eyes a couple of times. “You have to look at Dany, Helaena.” He whispered again, hoping not to scare the two hatchlings near his daughter.
Helaena noticed his stiff body and she cautiously moved herself upward, peering down at the scene her husband was fawning over. “Moonlight and Nightmare…Rhaegar’s dragon is sleeping with her too?”
[Name] shook his head with a teary grin, “Even in death, our boy is watching over his twin. I don’t know what to say right now besides that. I…There’s so many words I want to say, Helaena. I know you said it’s not my fault, but if I just stayed-”
Helaena put her hand on his chest then moved it upward to wipe the tears from his eyes. “It’s not your fault, [Name]. Please stop blaming yourself. You are a great father, you raised a strong boy who protected his family. You raised a strong girl who speaks with praise, not blame. And I know how Viserys is going to grow up too.”
“You…you had a dream again?” [Name] asked and relished her warm touch.
“I’m a dreamer of you, my love,” She smiled with glee, “and yes, it was beautiful. Our family finds peace in the North, not sure how, but we do. And our family never stops growing. Dreamfyre and Balerion grow accustomed to the cold and have clutches to support our growing family. All is well with the Targaryens that move up North, my light in the darkness. Now please, let us rest, we need not worry about our future anymore.”
She pressed a light kiss on his lips and his head fell back onto the pillow. He closed his eyes and followed her order. Yes, she had a vision and she loved every second of it. She couldn’t wait to move up North. To have her husband create a grand alliance with Cregan Stark, the Wolf and the Dragon. This alliance will bring an end to this war between the Greens and the Blacks.
After the war ends, she would be surrounded by five children and even more grandchildren. And the amount of dragons flying in the North would scare any Southerner that threatens the North.
Yes, this vision was beautiful. After all, any vision involving [Name] always has been.
#x reader#x male reader#hotd#hotd spoilers#hotd season 2#helaena targaryen#helaena the dreamer#helaena targaryen x male reader#helaena x reader#helaena x male reader
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i keep imagining maces pov of when qui-gon gets decked and its so funny to me. this poor man just wants to know where his kid his friends padawan is but unfortunately he only has his his stupid friend whos panicking rn, a troll, and a very concussed soldier (who recognizes him??) who is having the most eventful and stressful days of his life to get any information from. and also theres a dead sith there. rip mace windu shout-out to him for not strangling qui-gon immediately after cody and co leave
...okay, yeah, i'm running with this.
because- mace has valiantly put off punching qui-gon. he has resisted every temptation. violence is so rarely a useful tool. he has not punched qui-gon. he will not punch qui-gon.
he is a jedi.
even when qui-gon returns to the temple self-righteous and indignant and without the child under his care-
he is a jedi.
even when they get the call, and he looks at qui-gon, who looks back at him, hopeful and eager and certain that he will be the one to go, to return, to repent, and mace thinks you do not deserve this and sends him anyway-
he is a jedi.
even when the shuttle returns, dropping out of orbit and straight through mace's stomach when he makes it to the dock just in time to see the healers vanish around the corner, qui-gon standing empty-handed on the landing, staring after them, blood on his tunics and under his fingernails-
he is a jedi.
even when vokara looks them both in the eyes and says infection and trauma and intubate, even when qui-gon asks can i see him? and there's no hint of a we, even during those three awful days of fever where mace finds himself hovering outside the halls with ever more minor errands, feeling obi-wan fade and flicker in the force and occasionally hearing the screams of please and no-! and names he does not know-
even then.
he is a jedi.
three days after obi-wan is pulled from the bacta tank:
another errand. theoretically. for the life of him mace cannot remember what he came here to deliver. but then the door to obi-wan's room opens, and vokara steps out, still speaking, her voice warm, some recounting of one of qui-gon's many misadventures that landed him in her care, and then she turns and sees him and before the door shuts behind her-
"master mace?"
the voice is thin and thready and mace closes his eyes.
"all right?" he whispers to vokara.
she raises an eyebrow. "he's asking for you."
(mace will find out later that this is the first time since his return that obi-wan has dared to asked for anything.)
he steps up to the threshold.
"obi-wan," he says. "may i come in?"
at the nod, mace steps forward and lets the door slide shut behind him. he settles into the chair left faithfully at the side of the bed.
obi-wan looks- unwell.
this is not, perhaps, the most novel observation. but it is one thing to know where and how he'd spent his last year. it is another matter entirely to see the proof of it, even beyond the cavernous wound he'd come home with-
in his size and stature, much smaller than that of a healthy child of his age. in the thinness of his face, the look of hunted hunger. in the scarring on the knuckles of his hands, clenching spasmodically in the layered blankets.
in the way he watches mace.
"obi-wan," mace repeats, and with the sound of his name comes an easing of the weight on his shoulders, each syllable fading into a sigh of relief, and he hadn't known what to say even as he'd stepped into the room- there is so much that needs saying, so many words he cannot find-
he smiles, instead, and rests his hands on his knees. "i have missed you very much."
when obi-wan reaches for him, mace is ready.
he ends up settled on the edge of the bed, one hand around obi-wan's shoulder as the boy curls into his side. he tugs gently at the tangled knot of pain still clouding obi-wan's thoughts, feeding the threads into the force, and feels him relax, bit by bit.
he's not asleep. his grip on mace's robe is too tight. his breathing too fast.
'how are you feeling?" mace asks quietly.
"okay."
the response is immediate, easy, and entirely untruthful.
"do you- need to go?"
mace catches qui-gon's approach. feels him pause.
feels him retreat.
"no," he says. "not at all."
he is a jedi.
there is so much to grieve, in the next few weeks. so much. obi-wan swings between different types of silence- sullen, frightened, exhausted, dissociating. tattered and bleeding in the force. he kicks and punches and bites and sometimes does not leave his room for days on end. he scratches at his skin until he bleeds, picks at his meals with a dull disengagement, sleeps sporadically, if at all-
it is very difficult, sometimes, to not be angry at qui-gon.
but the first time he visits their apartment, obi-wan recoils hard and fast at the first leak of such sentiments from behind his shielding, and mace decides that they have had their full of violence.
he is a jedi.
and besides-
qui-gon talks to him. talks to others, too, who talk between themselves, for no one is willing to let them handle this alone. mace sits and listens and sees the bruises bloom on qui-gon's arms and legs from small hands beating back imagined enemies, and knows anger is not what's needed here.
it persists, yes, but it does not rule.
he is a jedi.
and then-
and then.
(the force is full of screaming.)
the temple lets them through and the gardens are burning and there is a corpse on the floor and obi-wan is-
gone, qui-gon says.
i don't know where. he's gone.
and for a moment mace can hardly breathe under the weight of the fear and the fury and the you have a habit of losing him, don't you?, and he catches the thought and breathes it out, recognizing its roots, its unfairness, drawing his focus to the sith, listening with one ear to qui-gon's recounting even as he presses a hand to the rift, searching for some leeway and finding none, feeling the pressure build behind his eyes, swiping impatiently at the blood drying under his nose-
then something hums.
the soldiers are immensely professional. clear-cut and firm and shielded in the force, understandably reticent with information. but the most disconcerting thing by far...
they look to him.
all of them.
there's a familiarity there.
he's safe with us, the commander says, and looks at him.
safe-with-us, echos the force. safe-with-lightning-safe-with-fighting-safe-with-dying-safe-with-surviving-safe-with-us.
what else can he do but accept it?
he is a jedi.
and then qui-gon-
qui-gon-
well.
he is a jedi.
so he crouches next to him, rests a hand on his shoulder, and when qui-gon turns a shell-shocked gaze on him, says quietly- "come on. let me see."
he is a jedi.
he does not punch qui-gon.
but he is not entirely immune to schadenfreude.
#TOOK THIS AND RAN WITH IT LOL WHOOPS#shoutout to mace INDEED#he is the quintessential jedi#but i think he deserves to indulge in a little bit of schadenfreude#as a treat#thanks anon for giving me an excuse to write this!#this was FUN#shoulder the sky#inbox
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Veneer x Famale Reader. First experience of smoking weed
TW drug use
!!all characters are adults!!
tags: fluff and nothing more
“Are you sure Velvet won’t find us here?” - Veneer asks with a slight nervous laugh, his eyes running along the corridor while you lead him by the hand to the door to the entrance to the dressing room. You have recently become the twins' new assistant after Crimp was ordered to find a replacement for herself. Anyway, this washcloth did the job. Having not tiny sizes, and the same appearance as the singers themselves, you were able to find a common language with the two of them. In any case, for the most part, to Veneer. Velvet's arrogant tone and permissive nature still sends slight shivers down your spine. Be that as it may, now you are taking one of your “bosses” to the dressing room, all in order to smoke one joint for two. Who would have thought that Veneer could suddenly become interested in the fact that sometimes you relax after work in the company of well-rolled paper, marijuana. The singer, of course, is nervous, this is his first time in such matters, he certainly cannot say that Velvet did not do this, but he definitely did not.
"Um haha, you know we could find a better place than the dressing room..." -The pop diva says a little incredulously, he cracks a wry smile when you turn around to look him in the face.
"Don't worry, it's evening, Vel has no reason to appear here at such a late time, she's probably busy with her routine affairs, and besides, for some reason you decided to put windows in the dressing room..so we found a use for it."
Your voice sounds cheerful and relaxed, finally you both enter the room, locking it with a key from the inside.
"You know, I'm still not completely su.." - Before he can finish him sentence, you roll your eyes, take out of your pocket an iron box with neatly folded joints, and taking one out, set it on fire.
"After you, princess" -You answer with a slight teasing note in your voice, handing Venir the already lit joint.
the guy just rolls his eyes at your stupid impudence, a slight, slightly stupid grin plays on his lips, as if he has finally adopted your relaxed mood. Bringing the roll of marijuana to his lips, he takes a puff for no more than 2 seconds, leaving a green lipstick mark on the paper. Immediately after inhaling, Veneer coughs a little, putting his hand to his throat and making a face in disgust.
“S-smoke, it went straight into my throat, it’s just disgusting, and it hurts too!”
Veneer looks unhappy, he frowns and feels a lot of saliva accumulating in his mouth. Looking at this, you can't help but laugh at him, although you try.
“Well, of course you didn’t like it, actually, you don’t have to cough when smoking,” you say ironically, shaking your head and taking the joint from his hands. Taking a puff of 5 seconds, which seemed like an eternity for the guy, you hold the smoke in your lungs, and then release it back.
"See? There's nothing complicated"
Veneer looks surprised, to be honest he has never seen you smoke before, you pass the joint into his hands again for a second try. This time, taking a puff in less than 2 seconds, the green-haired handsome man was able to hold out without coughing, exhaling smoke, reproachfully saying, “Still, this is disgusting.”
After about half an hour of such shenanigans, you and your trusty drinking buddy were well stoned, a stupid stoned expression on both of your faces. “okay, I take my words back, this...isn’t as bad as I said the first time, lol, but still, you won’t lure me here again without weed” - There was clearly something...sarcasm in Veneer’s words? Yes, most likely. Sitting on a chair side by side, your shoulders touching his, you had already finished smoking an unfortunate joint 10 minutes ago, not even noticing that all this time you had been sitting in silence, breathing the smoke you made, intertwining your hands together, lying on his hip, in in a gentle manner.
The cheek on which you were lying, leaning on his bony shoulder, was already well numb, but either from the high you don’t care about it, or maybe you don’t want to waste this moment? Lazily turning his gaze to the pop star’s face before saying anything, he notices this and abruptly leaves a light kiss on your forehead, leaving a barely noticeable trace of the almost erased green lipstick.
"Still, I think you can lure me here again, even without the weed.."
___________________________________
this is my first post of this kind, and I hope you like it. I'm not a native eng speaker, so I apologize in advance if any mistakes were made😞
#trolls veneer#veneer x reader#velvet trolls#trolls 3#velvet and veneer#character x reader#trolls band together#veneer trolls#fanfic#trolls 1#trolls 2
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The Number You have Called Cannot Be Reached - part 8
Part 1 | Masterlist
Ship: Dead on Main (Danny/Jason) Warnings: angst/depression and canon typical violence So I promised this like months ago, and then got overwhelmed by having to manage the taglist resulting in me not updating this fic despite actually having written the next part. So that said this is the last time I'm tagging people, please subscribe to the masterlist - I'm gonna link it both here at the top and at the bottom. Anyways enjoy the next part:
Jason could handle this. He had handled this for years. The Pits were a known enemy. It shouldn’t effect him to this degree. But he could handle this. He could go about his day without putting heads in duffel bags, that had got to count as a win. The fact that he was avoiding his family, was just a precaution. Jason had everything under control.
Not like when he’d fled the Cave after assaulting Bruce in his stupid sweater.
That had not been his proudest moment. But the thing that really got to him was how he didn’t remember doing it. He didn’t even remember going to the Cave. When he tried to think it was all a green haze. The last moment of real clarity was opening Ghost’s bag and seeing nothing but dry protein bars. Knowing in his gut this was all he ate and that he stood with his food, and no way to give it back to him.
When he had fled the Cave, he’d gone home shaking like a leaf, and sunk to the floor trying to get his head back on straight. He didn’t know how long he sat there with his back against the door, just trying to breathe and search his memory. Eventually, though he didn’t know after how long, he found his phone and looked up the news. It had been a great relief to find that Red Hood had not been sighted, so he likely hadn’t been out on a murder spree he couldn’t remember.
But now it was days later. There had been no more green hazes. Things were under control.
Maybe he hit a bit harder, and a bit longer, when he went out. But it was the normal amount? Wasn’t it? Definitely not much more than normal, if it was more. That he was sure of… like 80% sure of. Jason rubbed the front of his helmet in lieu of his brow - It didn’t really help. What had Bruce even said that set him off? He barely remembered, something that felt demeaning, but the words escaped him no matter how many times he turned them over in his head. Normally he wouldn’t question himself that like, of course Bruce would have said something demeaning, he always did. He didn’t trust Jason, never would again. There would always be suspicion and doubt. But now…
Jason’s hand clenched into fists. Now having been without the Pits’ influence, having seen Bruce trying to reach out to him, as awkward and resigned as it had been, he wasn’t so sure.
He wasn’t sure he could trust himself.
Maybe this was all Bruce’s plan? Another of his famous gambits - this one to fold Jason back under his control, with the pretense of love and family. Because surely he had been right all along and Jason needed to be watched, couldn’t be trusted on his own.
Jason ripped the helmet off his head, only barely stopped himself from throwing it. He gasped and breathed in deep, like a man drowning. He was the one in control, he reminded himself firmly. Not the pits. Not Bruce.
There was sound in his comms and he hastily pulled the helmet back on. Ghost had been sighted. He had to go. If he could just talk with Ghost, figure out what this was.
Ghost ran away. Immediately, as if he could sense Jason.
It was okay, Jason could handle this.
Oo o oO
Barbara tapped the space bar absently without actually pressing it. Keeping half an eye on her leftmost monitor which showed the program she used for the surveillance in Gotham, no persons of interest were pinging tonight so far, no alarms had tripped for about an hour. She had time to ponder the conundrum that was their reoccurring thief.
If the thief was building something the other night was proof the loss of the spectral calibrator, hadn’t put a stop to the progress. The thief never ran in the same direction so they still didn’t even have that to go by to narrow down where he stayed, when he wasn’t giving them the run around.
The odd reaction to Jason hadn’t made a reappearance. In fact the moment Jason joined them the thief disappeared immediately: density shifting into the ground. Jason was not happy about it to say the least.After the backpack full of barely edible off-brand protein bars had been delivered to the cave by Jason, Barbara would agree with Jason that whatever situation the thief was in, it was worrying if this was all that he ate. She still held by her assessment that the photographic evidence was of too low quality early in their run-ins because of the strange electromagnetic interference he gave off to actually judge if he’d lost weight - but he did look very gaunt now.
She leaned back in her chair. A cup of coffee was warm between her hands, she breathed in the familiar scent as she considered the known facts.
Name assumed to be Danny Fenton, potentially legally Daniel Fenton, though they’d been unable to find a match to his physical appearance and rough age in their databases. He hadn’t actually spoken to any of them, it was a very real possibility he was a foreigner, but they’d checked and he wasn’t wanted by any foreign intelligence services.
The phone was baffling.
It was a brick, and it looked like something from the early 00s, from around the time when handheld phones really started to be something everyone had.
Tim had asked for Barbara’s help after he hadn’t been able to recover the erased text messages for some days. Tim had filled her in on his discovery that while all the numbers coded into the phone led to a “the number you have called cannot be reached” message when called from the phone - some of the numbers were actually active when looked up; the Jazz one led to a pizza place and the Dad number led to an elderly woman with Chinese heritage who had no relation to anyone named Danny or Fenton. The rest of the numbers weren’t currently in use.
It was odd however that despite those two numbers being in use, they still got the cannot be reached message. Tim had suggested the program which made the phone able to piggyback on the mobile network without a sim was faulty, but it had been easy enough for Barbara to disprove by calling a local number which connected with no problem. Tim was brilliant but sometimes he got too caught up in his complicated theories that he forgot the simple things.
Her recovery program for the text messages had just finished running (this was her third attempt). She took a sip of coffee, leaned forward and promptly nearly spat it out when she saw the result. It went down the wrong pipe when she tried to recover and she coughed and sputtered. Carefully she put her cup on her desk before she spilled it.
Finally her airways were clear and she rubbed the bridge of her nose. Somehow this was Dick’s fault.
She had recovered the messages. They were there - time stamps and all. The last message received was over a decade ago in 2009 and wasn’t that ominous? But that was a side note to be pondered later, because the contents of the messages, oh this was malicious.
Somehow, before deletion every single message had been changed to “Ghost”.
Not just a single ghost, no, entire messages teasing at their original length, but just changed into ghost ghost ghost ghost ghost. A whole litany of ghosts.
And it was definitely Dick’s fault.
Next
So that was it, hopefully I will be able to get back in the swing of things now. Commentary and tags are a great motivator and I read them all. As stated this is last time I tag people, so in the future you can subscribe to the masterlist or on Ao3 where the edited and hopefully better version eventually goes up.
Tag list of doom part 1:
@thewondersoflebanon | @gin2212 | @busterkeel | @apointlessbox | @spoopyspoony | @charlietheepic7 | @proper-idiocy | @serasvictoria02 | @zgirlly | @emeraldcorpral | @mushroom-jack | @v-inari | @8-29pm | @quirky-gardener | @vehan-tikkun-olam-and-stuff | @mars-the-witch | @elthepickle | @thegatorsgoose | @impulsiveasshole |
@tired-yet-awaken | @luagi-the-bestest | @britcision | @autumnwulf | @little-pondhead | @asphyxia778 | @sarina-elais | @may-rbi | @onlyhereforthechaos | @somuchyikes | @yjfk | @rosiea184 | @screamingtofillthevoid | @ailithnight | @writer-extraodinaire | @samgirl98 | @hanahaki-disease | @riverdancingwerewolves |
#Jason is catnip to Danny#Missed Connections#dead on main#these next three parts are going to be following a theme#as Jason gets steadily more unhinged#sorry dear#it's necessary#dp x dc
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In Vitro, part 14
previous parts here @winterspiderpurrs 💗💗
The doorbell rings and Peter looks up from the book he is reading. The omega huffs a bit at having to get up. It’s getting harder and harder, and these last few days, he has been so tired that even his bones ache.
“Lemme get up, yeah?” He whispers to the twins, and the kicking halts for a bit.
But, the sound of the door opening and closing makes Peter stop. At first, he is a bit nervous of someone entering without permission, but the voice is familiar.
“Peter?”
“In here!”
Bucky appears in the living room and Peter gives him a smile. He still tries to get up, but the Alpha hurries to him and waves at him to stay seated.
“What’s up? Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Peter asks.
“I-I left. Got someone to cover for me. I-I had to come right away.”
The omega tries to read Bucky’s face. Flushed, a bit out of breath, eyes flickering.
“What’s-what’s going on, Bucky? You’re scaring me…”
“I… This is not going to be easy to hear, but… You have to hear it. I’ve, I’ve had my suspicions, but- God… I mean, it’s up to you what you do, but… I don’t think Tony is being honest with you.”
“Tell me.”
“Okay…”
And so, Bucky tells. How his workday started out normally. Leaky drainage pipes at the hospital where Stephen works at. Bucky and two of his coworkers were sent to do the job. And when they were nearly done, Bucky was at the top of the ladder and had seen Tony come up to the hospital entrance. He was about to yell a greeting to the man, but then he saw Stephen coming from inside.
And they kissed. Deeply, hands finding each other. Familiar, domestic.
That cheating fucker. Bucky had wanted to toss some of his tools at the men, and then a few punches to finish it, but he held back. Soon enough, the two of them went inside the hospital. And Bucky jumped right into his car and drove as fast as he could to see Peter.
“I’m-so so sorry, Peter. I hate having to tell you this, and especially now.” Bucky says, gesturing at Peter’s belly. “But… I can’t hide this from you either. Tony can’t get away with it.”
Peter has no words to say. None will form on his tongue and his throat closes up. His face twists in anger, sadness and betrayal. All of it boils over into thick tears and Peter puts his face in his hands as he starts sobbing.
———
“How could I be so stupid? Just a close friend?! Bullshit! God, he’s been here the whole time! I’ve been sharing my Alpha with another!” Peter shouts, pacing the living room.
Even if walking is hurting his whole body, he cannot sit still. His veins are on fire with anger, making him tremble all over.
Bucky is fetching him a glass of water to try and calm him. As if a pregnant omega who just found out about their cheating Alpha can be calmed down…
“Peter, I know this is awful. It’s the worst. But, please, come sit down. You must be in pain.”
“No, no. I-I’ve been so stupid!” Peter cries, his hands tugging at his hair. “Am I gonna raise twins alone? Fuck! Fuck! AH!”
The cries turn into a scream, a different scream, and Bucky jumps up from the sofa to hold Peter by his shoulders. The omega clutches at his belly, and then… the sound of water dripping.
“I-I think my water broke…” Peter says, his voice small and trembling.
Bucky’s eyes widen in horror.
It’s a month early.
#baby purrs#omegaverse au#starker#ironstrange#tony stark x peter parker#tony stark/peter parker#tony stark x stephen strange#tony stark/stephen strange#peter parker#tony stark#stephen strange
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⌗⌗ IN A TRANCE !
where a strange guy decides to interrupt your mid-lecture nap..??
1.5k words. sendo shuto x gn.reader, reader is kind of mean& sendo is sendo. uni/collage au.

You lean back onto the plush of the chair, getting ready for yet another lecture. Honestly, you’d rather spend your 8 a.m. doing literally anything else. You curse your past self for thinking this was a good idea. your spot is perfect in a sense, right next to a colon. Not too far on behind, but perfectly hidden. Letting your body go limp, you get ready for a nap that your neck will hate you for later.
A few minutes of comfort pass, then you feel something, more like someone, weight to your left. You can feel the slight heat radiating from their skin; their arm is on your armrest.
However, starting a fight over an armrest seems stupid, at least for now, to you, and you decide to focus on your well deserved rest instead.
And for about 5 minutes, you do exactly that, drifting in the blissful arms of sleep, but whoever is next to you cannot sit still, whether it be bouncing a leg or shifting in their seat for the 10th time.
You can't enjoy one thing in peace, can you? With an audible sigh, you hope they hear it and feel bad. You open your eyes to meet your intruder.
"Oh, hello, good seeing you here." In front of you is a man, one you don’t really recognize; surely you would remember the salmon hair color, but the expectant look in his matching-colored eyes puts you in doubt. The tone of his voice, which he probably thinks is charming, just sounds rehearsed.
“You were the one who sat next to me.” You don't exactly mean to deadpan, yet you do. He winces at your words.
"Yeah, right, right, right...” He quiets down for a moment and then immediately shots right back up, “Sendo shuto, nice to meet you.”
You look down at the hand directed towards you, then back at the pink eyes. A moment later, you hesitantly shake back "name.”
His hand is warm—not the sweaty type of warmth you’d have expected from such a man, but a rather soft warmth that radiates from his gentle hold on your hand. The male doesn’t even squeeze back, just softly holding your hand in his. Even through the obvious tenderness of his touch, you can feel his strength. The tense muscles make it hard not to.
Sendo is reluctant to pull back, very much obviously. A moment or two passes before he quickly shuffles away.
A sorry and chuckle is all that gets out of him as his fingers drum on his thighs. His gaze that was fixated on you not long ago now seems to look anywhere but you.
This is the first time you get a proper look at him, without the sleep or annoyance clouding your vision. His bangs are asymmetrically cut, with the left side being longer while the right has an undercut. His eyelashes are long, with plump, soft lips. Perhaps not handsome in a traditional sense, but the man sure is pretty.
Only after you come to your conclusion do you realize that you've been examining him for a while now, and he too is aware of it, albeit either too polite or embarrassed to remain glancing between you and the ground.
With a soft huff, you turn your attention back at the professor. Now that you’re awake, you might as well do what you're supposed to and learn.
Sendo next to you also seems to be listening to the lecture, miming your sitting position, although it is almost comically tense.
“So...” and there he starts again. “You come here often?”
“My lecture? Yes, pretty often, I guess.” You snicker. You first took it as a joke, but looking at his face, you're not too sure, he looks like he’s in a mix of emotions, none very positive, as he stammers over his words.
“Yeah, um, I know that. I was just joking, yeah, joking...” Despite his convincing words, even he doesn’t seem to be sure of what he’s saying.
“On that note,” you start, sparing him some grace and changing the subject. “I should be asking you that, I have never seen you here before.”
You were just messing around, but his reaction catches your attention: unbelievably guilty.
Now that you think of it...
The participant size of this lecture is nowhere small, but you’re pretty sure you’d have at least noticed such a guy before. You're not that blind to your surroundings, even if you sleep through most of the lecture.
"Well, I-" he starts. You’re not sure how this is possible, but he’s talking even faster now. “I just enrolled.”
God, he is a bad liar.
“The term is about to end,” you say with a smile, the playful kind, to him. “Come on, you can do better than that; what are you actually here for?”
Sendo takes a few moments to answer, “I do go here though,” just not this lecture. He doesn’t have to say it, though that much is obvious.
Even though seeing him like this is mildly entertaining in the least, you decide to drop it. Mostly because the guy in front of you keeps giving weird looks to both of you.
Some time goes by, with you too busy taking notes to care for Sendo. The time you shift your attention back to him again, he is staring at you like he's in some kind of trance.
Soft pink in his cheeks compliments the lips that are slightly parted in deep concentration, formed in to a dazed smile.
Eyes, deep hazelnut that seems to be alive, swirling and tousling around in an intensity you haven’t seen in a human before.
Adoration... no. devotion.
Taking all of you in, it’s almost too intense. For the first time during your small talk, you're the one who can't catch his eye. It's too much. Even for you. Even if he's the weird guy who decided to bother you mid-nap by sitting next to you,.
Shuffling away, you try to focus on the professor once again. What was she saying again? Something about the upcoming finals...
"I'm on the football team, y'know." He speaks up again. "Second striker. Pretty cool, right?" His expression tells you you're supposed to be impressed, but you're not sure if you are.
Probably in response to the blank expression on your face, he babbles on, "It's basically like a striker, but more important, we are the ones carrying the game, actually." For the next minute or so, he rambles on about how important he is to the team, about his teammates, and about football in general.
You don't particularly care about the sport, but it is kind of cute to see him so passionate about something.
"I'd like to see you play sometime." You don't know why you said that, you're not particularly into football or anything, but you mean it. Perhaps it's just to see the way his face lights up at that, which he does; his whole demeanor opens up at the words—the brightest smile you've seen on a man. You do not know him, but somehow you're sure this is the look he has on when he wins a game.
"Great! We have one next Friday; I'll tell the guys at the front so you can sit in the front." Even Sendo seems to realize he's getting ahead of himself, his voice lowering down until it's just barely above a whisper. "Benches...only if you'd like to..." He looks up at you. He is a fairly tall man, yet right now he looks like he's six feet underground—he probably wants to be, looking up at you.
"Do you want to?"
You could say no. Something inside you wants to say so—not that you'd mean it, just to see how he'd crumble down. But you keep from it. Perhaps during these very awkward forty-something minutes of your life, you've developed a soft spot for this man. You just can't bring yourself to say no.
Plus, a small part of you says you should go and see him play. Get to know him better.
"Sure" You smile, this time not a smirk or teasing like the ones you've had in the earlier part of your conversation. A genuine one matching the one he had previously. "Guess I'll see you there, huh?"
Sendo looks like he can combust right there and now. He doesn't; instead, he takes a moment to process. "Yeah...See me..." It's as if he has to convince himself that, yes, this is, in fact, real. And as it clicks, he springs from his seat, giving you a shaky wave and stumbling his way out of the lecture.
His grand departure leaves many people (including your professor) staring behind him and then towards you, forcing you to hide behind the column once again, away from the eyes on you.
But for some reason, you can't bring yourself to care. And for some reason, you have a smile tugging at your lips.
#;; typing#sendo shuto#sendo shuto x reader#blue lock x reader#blue lock x you#blue lock x gender neutral reader#not going to do the whole long tags stuff sorry#tag list coming when I wake up
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Could do gambit x f reader basically f reader is a normal person working and is saved one day by gambit in a fight and offers to take her home and basically gets to know her and take her out on a date’s <33
prenotes: Gambit beloved <33 !!! The silly little Cajun man, he has my heart… I loved writing this sm, super cute, might make a part two if anyone would like to see that!!!
Thank you so much for the request, anon<3
pairing: Remy LeBeau/Gambit + female reader
warnings: none, yet again!
genre: fluff, that’s all to be seen here
notes: so please ignore the jokes I make in here if anyone doesn’t like them, I had to make them as a retail worker and the usual daily struggles of retail. but if anyone laughs, I’m glad! (please respect your retail workers, they don’t get paid enough or appreciated enough)
word count: 900+
Sir, this is a Walmart…
Work. Mediocre, stressful, annoying. At least, that’s a normal day on the job. Another day at some high end grocery store that cannot be named here, just dealing with the same customers to expect every day. The entitled old people, the crass young people that shouldn't be without adult supervision, crying babies that the mother literally is not even a foot away from and doesn’t care about, and so much more stupidity.
“You young kids and not respecting their elders. I swear, it’s like I always talk to the same person no matter where I go unless it’s a machine!” Like now, where an older woman is harassing me.
I force a civil smile onto my face, knowing everything is both on video and on audio, and that anything against store policy could get me fired. “I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am. Unfortunately, I can’t bend the rules for anyone. If I change the price for you, I’d have to change the price for everyone in the store- which can’t happen, of course.” I try to explain to the woman– which is stupid, because when do entitled people ever listen to reason? She starts shouting, which is to be expected, and of course a supervisor comes over, trying to gauge what’s happening, and now she’s screaming at them too. The supervisor gives me a glance and I just put my hands up defensively and turn and walk away– because I don’t get paid anywhere near enough to deal with this crap.
I fall into the breakroom’s couch with a long sigh, making one of my coworkers giggle. “Gosh (y/n), tell us all how you really feel girl.” I groan, but let out a small laugh, finding humor in my coworker’s words. “Was it Sharon again? Or Beth?”
I sat up as I respond, “Neither, it was Martha.” My coworker grimaces at the name, before she sighs.
“Yikes. I’m sorry girl, she’s a pain.” I snicker, nodding in agreement. “But have you seen that new looker that’s been coming in recently?” That sparks my attention, and I sit fully toward her, attentively. “No? Okay, so there’s this guy that’s been coming in, right? And he’s got weird eyes and a southern accent, and he flirts with everyone.” I nod along as she speaks, humming afterward in thought.
“No, I haven’t seen or met him yet. He sounds interesting?” She nods in agreement, but we’re interrupted as our supervisor comes in, rolling his eyes.
“Martha.” Is all he says, making both of us giggle. “You’re good to go back on the floor, (y/n).” I nod and hop up, making my way back out onto the sales floor.
Of course, my luck willing, there’s some weird looking people (hey, we’re not trying to judge here, but just imagine this the same kinda way as describing your neighborhood crackhead) getting into a fight on the sales floor. I stand there, awkwardly, because I’m not trying to get into the middle of all of that.
As I go to shuffle on by, because I don’t get paid enough to care, some kind of metal comes flying at me. My survival instincts aren’t survivaling because I just stare at my impending doom for a moment, accepting my fate and all, until a card with a purple looking hue just flies in front of me and blows up the metal??????
Whilst pondering my existence and how I didn’t just die, I get grabbed and my snatcher???? savior???? just kind of runs, cursing in some other language – french? Once again accepting my fate, I don’t exactly struggle or anything because this is all on camera and surely someone will clock me out for this or just give me extended pay time for dealing with this crap.
The person finally stops and sets me down in the back of the parking lot, and I find that it’s my coworker’s deemed ‘new looker’. “Ya’ alri’, cher?” I slowly nod, probably looking like a big eyed fish or a barn owl or something. He chuckles, offering a hand, “The name’s Remy LeBeau, ya’ welcome fa’ the save. How’s ‘bout yous make it up ta’ me by lettin’ me walk ya’ on home? Ya’ off the clock?” Again, I just nod stupidly – my coworkers can clock me out, it should be fine. Fortunately, I use public transportation anyway, so it all works out.
Of course, everyone’s staring at the man next to me. Not so much for his “good looks,” but moreso for his odd appearing eyes – red on black. The entire subway is…rather quiet for once. It’s a nice change, a welcome change. He’s the one that breaks the silence as we get off of the subway, “Ya’ from ‘round these parts?” He sort of leans over me, smirking but still being quite respectful. He’s probably fishing for something in common, given his thick southern accent.
“No, I’m from the next state over.” He slowly nods, humming and keeping the conversation going similarly until we arrive at my front door. “So, I be seein’ ya’ again? Here, le’mme give ya’ my fone number.” He quickly comes up with a way to scribble down his digits, handing the paper to me. “An’ maybe we can go on a nice little date or somethin’ soon, cher?”
A goofy smile comes onto my face at this words, a bit shocked that all it took was a bit of small took to charade this man, but I nod in agreement nonetheless. “I’d appreciate if it involved me not being in immediate danger next time?” He chuckles and nods.
“See ya’ then, darlin’.”
#gambit x reader#remy x reader#remy lebeau x reader#xmen x reader#xmen#xmen x you#gambit x you#remy lebeau x you#i love xmen#teehee
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The thing about the Omelas story is that I don’t hate it, actually.
Don’t get me wrong. Usually, when I think about it, it drives me up a wall. I also—on the subject of responses to it—didn’t really like The Ones Who Stay And Fight. (Most of my reasons are said, better, in this article. Not the part about the tone, but that it shot for ambiguity and ended up in “somehow, the clearly magical power of child suffering made more sense than intolerance being a memetic virus that can only be solved through police murder.”) I’m fond of responding to trolley problems by asking who’s tying people to trolleys, and then insisting that it is morally relevant that someone tied those people to the tracks, because you wouldn’t be deciding who lives and who dies if someone hadn’t made the deliberate choice to put those people in mortal peril for no pressing reason.
(I like to think I’d save the five people. I think a lot of us would most likely panic and do something entirely unhelpful, and in practice, I have no idea if I’m one of them, because no one has ever tied anybody to a trolley track in front of me. It just hasn’t come up. But the ideal would be to save the five people. That’s not my answer in the organ-harvesting version, though, because it’s bad for everyone to live in a place where a surgeon can decide to kill you for your organs, no matter how many people doing it just this once would save.)
But I don’t dislike the story that Omelas came from. I don’t even dislike trolley problems, unless people are trying to insist that the context doesn’t matter. (The context always matters.) The problem is that everyone treats Omelas as a trolley problem. “Here’s a utopia where one innocent person has to suffer horribly. Is it worth it, to keep so many other people from suffering? Would you stay and be complicit, or would you walk out to go anywhere else?” The child is the central feature of Omelas, the only thing that matters. The child is nonnegotiable. You can’t rescue them, you can only walk away.
But the narrator did give us the chance to believe, before adding the child in.
Omelas is described to us as half place and half thought experiment, by a narrator that adds things as they go, a narrator that says this at close to the opening:
As they did without monarchy and slavery, so they also got on without the stock exchange, the advertisement, the secret police, and the bomb. Yet I repeat that these were not simple folk, not dulcet shepherds, noble savages, bland utopians. They were not less complex than us. The trouble is that we have a bad habit, encouraged by pedants and sophisticates, of considering happiness as something rather stupid. Only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. This is the treason of the artist: a refusal to admit the banality of evil and the terrible boredom of pain. If you can't lick 'em, join 'em. If it hurts, repeat it. But to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else. We have almost lost hold; we can no longer describe a happy man, nor make any celebration of joy.
And goes on, in the narrative, to consider the reader’s opinion, to ask what they’ll believe.
I wish I could convince you. Omelas sounds in my words like a city in a fairy tale, long ago and far away, once upon a time. Perhaps it would be best if you imagined it as your own fancy bids, assuming it will rise to the occasion, for certainly I cannot suit you all. For instance, how about technology? I think that there would be no cars or helicopters in and above the streets; this follows from the fact that the people of Omelas are happy people. Happiness is based on a just discrimination of what is necessary, what is neither necessary nor destructive, and what is destructive. In the middle category, however – that of the unnecessary but undestructive, that of comfort, luxury, exuberance, etc. – they could perfectly well have central heating, subway trains, washing machines, and all kinds of marvelous devices not yet invented here, floating light-sources, fuelless power, a cure for the common cold. Or they could have none of that: it doesn't matter. As you like it.
[…]
But even granted trains, I fear that Omelas so far strikes some of you as goody-goody. Smiles, bells, parades, horses, bleh. If so, please add an orgy. If an orgy would help, don't hesitate. […] Surely the beautiful nudes can just wander about, offering themselves like divine souffles to the hunger of the needy and the rapture of the flesh. Let them join the processions. Let tambourines be struck above the copulations, and the glory of desire be proclaimed upon the gongs, and (a not unimportant point) let the offspring of these delightful rituals be beloved and looked after by all. One thing I know there is none of in Omelas is guilt. But what else should there be?
Omelas is a story being told to a listener, a utopia being described; the reader is an implied participant in a conversation, the narrator reacting to what they said where the page couldn’t hear. And so, after all of that, the narrator says:
Do you believe? Do you accept the festival, the city, the joy? No? Then let me describe one more thing.
And the narrator goes on to describe the child, the terrible price, the self-justifications that people employ. Because the listener doesn’t accept the festival, the city, the joy—only pain is intellectual, only evil interesting. So the narrator engages in “the treason of the artist” (if you can't lick 'em, join 'em) and regales us with the child’s sorry state.
[…] They know that they, like the child, are not free. They know compassion. It is the existence of the child, and their knowledge of its existence, that makes possible the nobility of their architecture, the poignancy of their music, the profundity of their science. It is because of the child that they are so gentle with children. They know that if the wretched one were not there snivelling in the dark, the other one, the flute-player, could make no joyful music as the young riders line up in their beauty for the race in the sunlight of the first morning of summer.
Now do you believe in them? Are they not more credible?
I don’t think we’re being asked, as readers, to consider whether it’s worth it, though it’s certainly something we can consider if we want. But the narrative seems quite clear that it isn’t: to praise despair is to condemn delight, to embrace violence is to lose hold of everything else. A description of Omelas, of why Omelas should be believed in, but how could that be anything but a condemnation of a city powered by a forsaken child?
And, of course, everyone wants to ask—why don’t we free the child, why don’t we comfort the child, why don’t we change things and take the risk of making everything worse? Why is the best thing we can do to walk away?
Because we needed the utopia to have suffering in it, to believe it. Because it couldn’t be real until there was a cost, a price, something cruel and unfair to balance out the scales. Something had to be wrong with Omelas, as the narrator spun it up before us. Yes, perhaps we could save the child, perhaps we could ruin everything, perhaps we could be heroes—wouldn’t that be nice? Wouldn’t that be the story we want, here, where someone is suffering and only we (who are of course more compassionate than everyone else) can fix it? That would make it a real utopia, if we could kick down the doors and fix everything ourselves.
But it would have been better to believe that Omelas could exist without someone suffering for it, when we were asked.
#'the suffering exists because we insist it has to happen' remains very relevant to the workings of our society.#io's rambling
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it’s the little things 🤍
Hi guys!! This is considered part 10B!
I’m hoping to get some questions answered within this chapter and the next and throw in a couple surprises hehe
Thank you all very dearly for your continued support after my hiatus. Love you all so so so much! :)
this is so short and i’m so sorry
Without further ado:
Warnings: Cussing, Mentions of violence, some sexual mentions but no smut
Taglist: @gaymistakeboi @batw3nch @thedevillovesflowers @almightywdm @ghostslittlegf @sketchyfandomgirl @under-the-dirt @clear-your-mind-and-dream @darkangel4121 @vreselia @llemessii @stargaliz @rockcollector3000 @nottrosaxx @azu21 @kaoyamamegami @vicktorfan @ghost-is-my-bbg @1234ilikecowsthanyoumore @salsasvault @itr-00
“Sure, why not?” You lazily wave your hand as you move aside to let her in. There’s nothing she can say to make your situation any worse anyways. You don’t sleep, you don’t eat and you’re in a constant state of disrepair. Anything that comes out of her mouth couldn’t possibly hurt you when you’re so numb.
She stands awkwardly fiddling with her fingers, nervous. “I just wanted to talk to you, but first, are you okay?”
“I’m here.” You shrug. “What did you wanna talk about?” You slink onto your bed, putting your elbows on your knees.
Tia takes in a big breath before letting it out all in one gust. “I know what you saw, and I know what you must be thinking. If I was in your shoes, I’d probably so furious I’d cut the man’s balls off.” She chuckles softly, “But making you wait this long for an explanation, let alone leaving you without one in the first place is simply cruel on my part and I cannot apologize enough.”
You don’t say anything, whatever explanation she’s trying to offer you, you don’t want it. Nothing can let what happened between her and Price be a write off.
“When I was hired, I kept in contact with John most of the time, and so when a problem arose, I had kind of a lapse of judgement. He was the only person I could think of that would help me.” You raise an eyebrow at this.
“Are you really trying to justify your affair with Price just because of a momentary lapse of judgement?” Your voice, albeit it quiet was cold with venom. “You’re kidding me right? If this is all you’re here for then you’re more than welcome to leave.” You go to stand but her hands shoot out in front of her.”
“Affair?! No! Wait! Just- please let me finish.” When you don’t respond, she takes it as permission. “Did John ever tell you how he found me?”
“No. I guess he never did.” The realization hits you like a brick. “Why?”
“He got me as a recommendation from Commander Frederick in Infantry. I’m his full time nanny in the summers. Therefore, I knew the 141 and who John and you were.” Your eyes widened as you sat up a bit straighter. “So when the job came up, I figured it was a good chance to ask John for some help. Boy, help.” She separated the last two words, as if she was almost ashamed.
“Boy help?” You quizzed her.
“Yeah, there’s a guy on this squad that I’ve always admired and I thought John would be able to help me with figuring out how to talk to him. I just never actually told him who the guy was. I figured he’d never let one of his men be distracted by a relationship.” She smiled a bit.
“So I saw you two almost kiss because he was ‘helping’ you learn how to talk to a guy?” You sounded almost sarcastic when you said it.
“It sounds stupid but you were 19 once, so maybe you’ll understand. I’ve never been in a relationship, never kissed anyone, let alone slept with anyone. The most I’ve got is holding hands with a boy on the playground in grade school. I needed all the advice I could get. I didn’t wanna look like a novice if I ever got a chance with this guy.”
“Who is this guy?” Forget everything else she said, you needed to know if the name she’d say was really someone on this team.
“I don’t know him really, I’ve just seen him about. I hear people call him Johnny?” You can’t help but let out a snort as she says his name.
“Mohawk? Staulky and tall? Scottish accent?” You giggled through the words, which was also the brightest you’ve felt in weeks.
“Yes!! You know him?!” Hope lights in her eyes.
“I do, but I’m sorry to say he’s not open to relationships anytime soon. He got burned by someone a while back and he’s still dealing with it.” Leaving out the part where he’s currently a baby, everything else you said was entirely true. You also left out the part where you were that someone.
“Oh, well that’s okay. At least I have an answer. Can you ever forgive me? I know I kinda blew up your entire thing with John.” She fiddles with her fingers again.
“I can forgive but I don’t know if I can forget. I’ve been to hell and back in the matter of 2 months and the one person I had left walked away from me.” You sigh and that crushing weight comes back again.
“Hey, don’t do that.” She squats down in front of you. “If there’s anything I know about John, it’s that you were the only thing he ever talked about. I know more about you than you would think. He loved you with his entire being. He didn’t walk away because he wanted to, it was because he thought he had to.” She smiles and grabs your hands. “I know my opinion means nothing, but I would talk to him. Just let him explain it to you.” You nod as she stands up.
“I’m really glad I got to talk this out though, it’s a weight lifted from my shoulders. I have to go catch a bus back home though, I hope things get better for you.” She smiles softly before heading out the door to your room.
What just happened? Price wasn’t having an affair? Tia wasn’t trying to seduce him?
You picked up your bag and didn’t even care about how you were dressed. Laswell had the boys, and you had a mission.
You were gonna get John back.
The car ride to his base was quiet, the first time in months your head has truly been calm. The radio was off and the sounds of the traffic around you was the only sound that reached your ears.
Your senses only came back to you when you pulled up to the gate and flashed your ID. You remembered the building Laswell told you John was staying in.
Pulling up, you froze. Both hands were still on the steering wheel, the AC still blowing cold air as it hit you. You’d been on auto pilot for so long, it was almost as if your body brought you here without your consent or control.
Reorientating yourself, you took in your surroundings and filled your lungs with air, taking the moment to regain your control. Then, you shut the car door, walked into the building and found John’s room.
You said a silent prayer that Laswell told you the right one as you knocked. Footsteps sounded on the other side after a minute, and when the door finally opened, there he was.
“Y/N?” You felt tears building behind your eyes, but you pushed them back as you stared at the man you loved. The man that you had so little trust in, that you’d assumed he had an affair with a 19 year old. John, the man who had shown you so much undying love in recent months, was right within your reach. “Are you okay?”
“We need to talk.”
“Come on in.”
————
After hours spent explaining what happened to you after he left the mission site, your talk with Tia and where you’ve been mentally, tears were streaming down your face. It felt good to finally let it all out to John, to clear the air after so much miscommunication.
“Why didn’t you talk to me sooner?” He reached over to grab your hand, giving it a squeeze. “I would’ve explained everything. I’m so sorry you’ve been going through this alone. I should’ve come to you instead of running away from the problem.”
You took a deep breath, steadying your voice. “I didn’t know at the time. My brain never let me think of that as a solution. I was grappling from Snyder did, what I saw with you and Tia, Soap being in the hospital-“ A shuddering breath left you as you continued. “I was so in over my head that my judgement was fogged. I felt so alone. Simon was the only one who halfway understood what I was going through.” You laughed softly, “If you count grunting and sleeping on my chest as understanding.” You shook your head as tears fell harder.
John closed his eyes as he sighed. “I’m stuck here for a few more months until I can request a transfer back. How about you let me take one of them. I can take Gaz, split the load? I talked to Laswell about it, it was her idea.”
Your eyes shot up to him. “Really? You’d do that?”
“Are you serious? We’ve been in this together from the start. I’ve left you drowning for months, it’s about time I start helping again. With limited room here, I can only help so much though.” Looking around, you cringed at how truly small the room was. It made you thankful for your suite back at the compound.
“I can have Laswell bring Gaz tomorrow morning. I have some paperwork that needs to be filed. Laswell wants me to sign a few things and give a full written report on the deployment start to finish.” John nodded.
“That’s fine, I’ll call her later this afternoon. Are you going to be okay driving back? I can follow you there?”
“It’s okay. I could use the alone time actually.” You smiled to reassure him.
He squeezed your hand again to return the sentiment. “Don’t ever be afraid to call. I know it’ll take some time for us to return to what we had, but I’m hoping we can start with baby steps.” You tried to hide your smile at that.
“No pun intended?” You laughed as he shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.
“I’m happy to see you smile.” John brought you in for a hug. “I’m serious though Y/N. I want you to ask for my help if you need it.”
“I will John. Thank you.” You backed up a little, looking at him. “I’m willing to take small steps towards healing us.”
“We’ll do it together. I’ve got to go do firewatch. I wish you could stay longer.” John ran his hand down your arm. “Please get back safely.”
“I will. I’ll let Laswell know you’ll be calling her about Gaz.” With that, you both bid your goodbyes.
Driving back to the compound was quieter than the drive to John. Something in you felt off, like something was wrong.
Your internal instincts were churning in your gut, but you couldn’t put your finger on it, so you brushed it off as left over adrenaline from working up the nerve to talk to John.
Arriving back at the compound, Laswell was nowhere to be found. All that was left of her was a note taped to your door saying ‘Left to run Gaz to Price early. The other two are down for a nap. They’ve only been alone 10 minutes by the time you arrive back.’
You go to open the door, but hear a crash like someone knocked over furniture. You reach for your concealed weapon in your boot, ready to kill whoever is in there with Soap and Simon. Quietly and slowly, you opened the door, getting into the mindset that you need to clear this room.
Looking around, you see Simon asleep in the playpen, which meant whoever this asshole was had Soap. “Whoever you are, you better come out and surrender that baby back or you’ll be dead on sight.” You called out into the room with authority.
“Y/N? Is that you?” You almost dropped your gun at the sound.
“Come out with your hands up!” Your voice was shaky as it came out. You kept telling yourself your mind was playing tricks on you.
“Please tell me what’s happening?” Your gun fell out of your hands and onto your mattress, luckily somehow not going off.
“You’re not real.” You shook your head, running to grab Simon and get the hell out of there.
“Out of everything going on, I’m- Y/N…what happened to you?” You felt like you were gonna be sick. “You look like you’ve been through hell.” The figure stepped closer, and as a hand came to rest on your face, you finally let their name slip out of your mouth.
“Johnny?”
#captain price x reader#modern warefare 2 x reader#simon ghost riley#soap mactavish smut#soap mactavish x reader
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18. Along jaw, crocodile/buggy
(CW: Torture)
Crocodile can feel the oppressive heat before the guards even open the door, yet still he walks forward with his head held high as the seastone cuffs try to drag him low. They had already stripped him, so as the steam hits, heavy and hot, there’s not a single scrap of clothing to shield him.
“Tell me Sir Crocodile,” one of the guard’s begins as he walks him towards a massive cauldron. The thing is set into the floor, the lip slightly lower than the cobblestone and the water close to bubbling out. “Are you a religious man?”
Despite knowing exactly what’s about to happen, Crocodile keeps his voice steady.
“No.”
He expects some sort of stupid quip back. Something to try and crack his resolve. A taunt about this so-called baptism. Instead, there is nothing but silence as the water rushes up to meet him.
Agony.
The second Crocodile hits the water it’s nothing but agony. His skin scalds. Nerves screaming. Blood boiling out of his veins. At first he had thought it had been an idiotic oversight that they had allowed him to keep his hook. But now as the metal grows hot in the water, the heat flows through it and presses against his stump in a burn he cannot escape.
Surfacing, Crocodile keeps his face impassive even as every inch of his skin is alight in unending pain. He’s not going to give these bastards the satisfaction of hearing him scream.
He will not scream.
He will not scream.
He will not-
Crocodile blinks awake. There’s nothing dramatic about it. No shooting up in bed. No stuttered breaths. Not even the remnants of a scream. Just him lying in bed and staring at the ceiling as the memories of the nightmare echo away in his head. If not for the heat radiating off him and the sweat pooling on the sheets, no one would ever even know that anything plagued the former warlord’s sleep.
“You okay?”
He drags his gaze away from the ceiling towards Buggy. Sat up in bed, hair hanging loosely around him, the other man looks at Crocodile not with pity or judgment, but with just the remnants of sleep in his eyes. It’s appreciated in ways Crocodile could not and would not say.
Nodding, Crocodile doesn’t move. “Did I wake you?”
“Don’t think so.” Buggy yawns. “Just too damn hot in here to sleep. Mind if I open the window?”
Again, Crocodile nods and Buggy is quick to chop off his hands and send them flying.
Honestly, how could something as simple as a summer night be capable of leaving him like this? It’s pathetic Having nightmares as if he was some child. Impel Down was years ago. Yet here it is, haunting him.
A slight breeze blows the curtains as the window gets propped open, and only a moment or two passes before Buggy’s hands rush back to him. However, where usually he is quick to stick himself to Crocodile’s side like a persistent leech, now he keeps a foot of distance between them on the bed. The idea that Buggy may have lied about Crocodile waking him up flits through his head, but he’ll wait till morning to examine that.
“I’m not going to fucking break,” Crocodile says, extending his left arm to give Buggy space to slot himself in. “Get over here.”
Without another word Buggy shuffles over, wrapping one arm over Crocodile’s chest with the other tucked up between the two of them. And perhaps it's a testament to how hot Crocodile is, or maybe it's something he’s too tired to even put a name to, but Buggy’s touch is nice and cool against his skin. Every point of contact is like a salve, and he finds himself unable to stop the deep sigh that shudders out of his mouth.
Again, Buggy goes to pull back.
“Don’t.” Crocodile means the word to come out more demanding, but there’s a rawness to it that he hates, that makes it sound more like pleading. Either way, the clown slowly brings himself back in, breath ghosting against Crocodile’s skin. The first kiss is barely a brush of lips underneath his ear. The next lands lower, and the next lower even still as Buggy trails down his jaw. Each press is a relief against his fevered skin and Crocodile finds himself letting his eyes close as he gets lost in it. They’re not placating, but they’re not heated and needy like Buggy is expecting this to go anywhere. It is touch for the sake of touch. Nothing more.
He’s not sure how many kisses are placed along his jawline before he speaks again, the words barely thought before they pass his lips. “They baptize you at Impel Down?”
Buggy places a kiss just so that his nose brushes against Crocodile’s ear. As he speaks, he doesn’t remove his mouth, instead whispering the word into Crocodile’s skin. “Yeah . . ..”
For a man usually so chatty, Buggy doesn’t ask the question back and Crocodile silently thanks him for it. In fact, they don’t say another word for the rest of the night. Instead they just lie there, Buggy lazily trailing kisses up and down his jaw while Crocodile holds him close against his chest, cool in each other’s embrace.
#One piece#sir crocodile#buggy the clown#crocbug#writing#cw torture#impel down#found out that croc is one of a handful that didnt react to getting thrown into a boiling cauldron of water at impel down#and its been in my head ever since#this was also supposed to be way shorter but whoops it got away from me#thank you for sending the prompt!#cw burns#its also very telling for me to get a kiss prompt and go- oh well there's got to be angst and nightmares
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