#might wanna turn off those alarm clocks....

[coffeeghoulie]

a prompt request, pls: i'm always a sucker for "i didn't know where else to go"

i'm picturing newly summoned phantom having nightmares and showing up at swiss' door

i love swiss and bug so much, and I am also a sucker for that prompt in particular.

prompt from this list

anyways, enjoy!

Hotel nights are a rare treat during tour, especially one that feels like it's been going on forever like this one. Swiss doesn't know what city the band's in, not after a long Ritual, set up and tear down stretching on longer than he can imagine, before he and his pack pile on to the vans to the hotel.

Once he gets the door to his room shut behind him, he barely has the wherewithal to shower, smudging what grease paint he didn't wipe off at the venue down his chin. He throws on a pair of somewhat clean sweats, and passes out the moment his head hits the too firm pillow. He doesn't even turn off the lamp.

Swiss, even when he's not bone deep exhausted, is a deep sleeper. He can sleep through even Aether's snores, and he's slept through more alarms than he can count. It doesn't matter where he is, once he's out, he's out.

Which is strange when he wakes up to a quiet knock on his door.

He startles, glamour fading in and out as he tries to remember where he is. He manages to pull himself together, scrubbing at his eyes as he gets up with a grunt, padding to the door. The digital clock on the nightstand reads 3:21, and Swiss groans at the lost sleep. He leans down, peers through the peephole on the door, startling when he realizes it's one of his newest packmates.

Swiss flicks the deadbolt open, and yanks on the handle. Phantom startles, arms wrapped around themself. Their glamour is flickering, and Swiss grabs them by the shoulder and pulls them into his room, shutting the door behind them.

"Bug, you have to be sure you've got your glamour up where humans might be able to see you," Swiss begins, grumbling as they turn to face them. He stops in his tracks as he really takes in Phantom's expression, mismatched eyes wide and glassy, their face flushed and head hung, the sour scent of shame clinging to them.

"'M sorry, I didn't know where else to go," they whisper, voice hoarse.

"Bug," Swiss breathes, tone softening exponentially. "Buggy, what's wrong? Are you hurt?"

They keen, tail padding against the shitty carpet anxiously. "Not hurt," they whisper. "Pit dream."

"Oh." Swiss takes a deep breath, opening his arms. "I know you're still not super keen on touch, Ant, but I've got you."

Phantom nods, swallowing hard. Their eyes dart around for a moment before they steel themself, diving into Swiss's chest. He keeps his balance thankfully, but the breath rushes out of him with an oof. Phantom's frame trembles in his arms, and Swiss carefully runs his palm up and down the quintessence ghoul's spine, trying to soothe.

"I've got you, bug," he whispers, burying his nose in the messy dark hair just above their ear. It flicks, and Swiss presses an impulsive kiss to their temple. Phantom keens again, their voice wet, and Swiss just holds them tighter.

They start to pull back, and Swiss lets go the moment they start to pull against his grip. Phantom stares up at him with wide eyes, brows furrowed in confusion. "Do you wanna know what I was dreaming or?" They trail off, picking at loose skin around their claw.

Swiss hums, shakes his head. "You don't have to tell me anything you don't want to, bug," he says, his arms still open in invitation. "You're still very new, but we all had bad dreams after we were summoned Up Top. I mean, we didn't all dream of the same things, but those were the worst dreams I'd ever had."

"They were really bad," Phantom whines, trailing off into a yawn, baring their sharp fangs. Swiss chuckles and yawns too.

"Do you want to try to go back to sleep here, bug?" Swiss asks, backing up against the bed and sitting down. He stretches, groaning when something in his shoulder pops. "We've got a long day in the morning." He glances at the clock. "Well, a long day in a couple of hours."

Phantom nods, hesitantly moving to sit beside Swiss. There's half an inch of space between their thighs, before Phantom shrugs and plasters themself to Swiss's side.

He chuckles, carefully wrapping an arm around their waist as he lays the two of them down. Phantom chuffs softly, blushing as the noise escapes them before hiding their face in the crook of Swiss's neck.

"It's alright, buggy," Swiss whispers, chuffing back as he grabs the duvet from the foot of the bed. "I've got you. Won't let anything get you."

Phantom clings tighter, and Swiss settles a large hand on the back of their head, holding them gently close. He waits in the lamplight until their breathing settles, puffing rhythmically against his throat, before he reaches over and turns out the light.

[tiredcatboysinc]

Bacon and Eggs 2.0

Look who's alive, it's me.

Yeah, Scott Pilgrim hyperfixation is going strong right now and that's all I wanna write for at this current moment. I did find an old fic that I wrote for Engi and felt like rewriting so here it is :3

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Summary: Your brow raises, and your head tilts before you make your way out of your room to find the source of the smell. A soft smile comes to your face as you enter the kitchen to find Dell, otherwise known as Engineer, making breakfast

Reader: No pronouns used

Notes: Could be read as platonic or romantic, Pure fluff

Words: 803

AO3 link

You groan as the sound of your alarm clock enters your ears, and the small sliver of light coming from the crack in your curtains illuminates your dim room. A grumble comes from the depths of your throat as you pull yourself from you begrudgingly pull yourself from your warm and cozy bed, tossing your legs over the edge of the bed to stand and rub the sleep from your eyes. Finally, you turn the blaring noise of your alarm clock off and stand beside your bed for a few moments. You stretch, pop your neck, back, arms, all the normal things you do to buy you some time before having to meet your teammates down stairs. Shooting a glance at the clock you realize that most of your teammates might not even be up right now, or they might just be lazing around their room since you all had the day off today. You mentally curse yourself for sitting your alarm so early on your day off before a pleasant smell fills your nose.

Your brow raises, and your head tilts before you make your way out of your room to find the source of the smell. A soft smile comes to your face as you enter the kitchen to find Dell, otherwise known as Engineer, making breakfast. You sneakily make your way over to Dell, peaking your head over his shoulder with a large smile as you examine the bacon and eggs he was making. Dell shoots a gentle look back at you as he noticed you had entered the kitchen while you were still standing in the doorway. “Morin’ darling, how’d you sleep?” You hum, and shrug before you rest your chin on Engineers’ shoulder. He chuckles warmly. “I slept okay, kinda a little pissed I forgot we had the day off and woke up at 7:30 in the morning…” You grumble as pout with furrowed brows. Dell laughs softly, a laugh that would fill anyone with a warm fuzzy feeling, he nods. “Well, now if ya didn’t wake up early you wouldn’t get any of these eggs now would ya?” He asks in his warm southern accent.

You look away a bit stubbornly, still a little upset but overall knowing Dell was right. If you had woken up any later there probably wouldn’t have been any of his cooking left, so it’s probably good you woke up this early… You let out a huff, and he chuckles. “See? You know I’m right, sugarcube.” He teases lightly. You retort, in all of your maturity, with “Mi mi mi.” sticking the tip of your tongue out at him as he laughs. “Come on now, darlin’. Don’t go doin’ all that.” You roll your eyes and lean your head on his cheek as you watch him move the eggs and bacon from the warm burner to a plate. He cracks two more eggs in the pan as he sits it back down, along with putting three more pieces of bacon in the pan. You stand and watch him for a while, both of you standing in a comfortable silence.

Dell was one of those people that you could probably just sit in silence with for hours and it never feel awkward, he was just nice to be around. You liked being around him, even if it was just little things like watching him make breakfast for the team. You shift your arms from where they were once hanging at your side to wrap around Engineers’ torso loosely, your eyes closing as you take in all the scents and noises of the base this early in the morning. You could hear Soldier outside yelling at Sniper for something, probably something American. If you listened closely you could hear the soft hum of Spys’ record player a few rooms over, he always liked to play older French romance music. Of course there was the smell of the bacon and eggs, but if you paid attention you could smell Demos’ bozo’s from the fridge and the night prior. You could also smell a hint of the strong cologne that Scout used that always trailed behind him wherever he went.

The base had a variety of smells and noises, it’s what made the base… The base! It made you feel safe in a way, knowing all the smells and sounds. You smiled thinking about this. Engineer tapped you gently on your wrist, knocking you from your thought process. You open your eyes “Hm?” you hum softly. “Can you go get everyone while I finish up here, sugar?” Dell asks as he smiles back at you. You nod, pulling away from Dell to start looking for everyone. 

You knew just about where everyone liked to hang out in the morning, so this shouldn’t be too hard.

[oddballwriter]

Maybe a fluff oneshot where the reader can’t sleep, and it turns out Evan can’t sleep either, so when they end up running into each other in the kitchen, he suggests they sit on the couch and watch a horror movie? ^^

꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦ Warnings: None that I know of

Author’s Snip: This was cute and nice to write. Notes: I hope you guys don't mind if there's errors in this, I wrote this while waiting for my professor to get to class since they were late.

I’ll shut up now. Enjoy! And don’t be afraid to request. ꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒦꒷꒦꒷꒷꒦

This wasn't too much of a rare occurrence. Sometimes you just had those nights where you couldn't find the ability to sleep even though you didn't have any try of stress or worry that would keep you up. You ended up tossing and turning in bed for what turned out to be a long while. The light of the alarm clock read that it was fifteen minutes past eleven in the night. Not all that late, you know. But you felt like with the time you got into bed that you should be out of commission to the world till morning.

You decide that maybe what you need is a snack to get over this situation. You take the initiative to get out of bed and pad dawn to the kitchen using the hallway lights that you still had on for Evan's sake since he went out with the group and might have had enough festivities to make his ability to navigate his way around the house when he got back.

But once you rounded the corner that lead to the kitchen, you saw Evan there already, making you let out a flinch and a quick and quiet "Oh god" under your breath. It was enough to get Evan's attention and have him spin around to look at you.

"Oh jeez, y/n." he responded, "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you. Did I wake you up?" Evan asked as he gave you a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Hey. No, you didn't. I didn't even hear you come home." you answer while returning the gesture. "What are you doing up then? It looks like you were in bed." he questions. "Can you not sleep?" he asked, and you gave him a nod. Evan lets out a hum of understanding. "I don't think I'm going to be able to do that either." he confesses.

"You wanna watch something? Like a movie." Evan offers while he pulls away from you to look at you. You think on it for a moment before looking at him. "If you want to." you respond, "I don't have anything to really do in the morning anyways so I'm down if you're down.".

"Alright. I'll put something on while you get some snacks and stuff." Evan says while he pulls away and walks off to the living room.

[prettyboybyers]

Word count: 1,241

Summary: Mike gets Will a surprise for his Birthday.

March 22nd, 1994

Will woke up to the sound of his alarm clock. He quickly turned off the alarm, he didn't want to wake Mike up. Will rolled over to face his husband. As you might know, gay marriage was illegal in 1994. They had a private "wedding" only 2 years ago. Friends and family came and Will's brother's friend, Argyle married them….it was hard to keep a straight face through that. Mike had changed his last name to Byers. Michael Byers. Will can't help but smile every time he hears it. Will kisses Mike's cheek softly and sneaks out of bed. He walks to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. 

After his shower, Will walked back into his room, expecting to see his husband sleeping peacefully, but he was gone. He got a chill up his spine 'he's probably downstairs, he's fine' he arrives in the living room. Nobody. He starts to pick at his nails as he speed walks towards the kitchen. "Mike!?" He stepped into the kitchen and saw his husband cooking breakfast. He lets out a sigh of relief. "Good Morning babe." Mike walked over and kissed him. "Are you cooking breakfast?" Mike smiled and looked back at him. "It is your birthday after all." Will smiled. "So what are you wanting to do for your birthday?" The taller man asked. "I wanna visit my mom and Jonathan...and spend time with you." Mike smiled. Will continued. "My mom, Jonathan, El, Hop and I were going to get lunch. Do you wanna come?"  "I'm getting you a surprise while you are gone so i can't." Will frowned. "Hey, it's okay. We'll have plenty of time tonight to spend time together." Mike winked and Will scrunched up his face. "Weirdo." Will laughed. Mike loaded 2 plates with pancakes. "Bone apple tea!" He said as he held one plate in each hand and set them on the table. Will giggles. "I think you mean Bon appetit?" "That's what I said!" "No it's not!" They just looked at each other for a second and then burst out into laughter. "Lets eat dumbass." Mike gasps and dramatically puts his hand over his heart and Will just giggles. They sit down and start eating. "This is really good, thank you Mike." Will smiles. "You are very welcome sir William!" They just smile at each other, then finish their breakfast while they have small talk.

Mike was in the car. Will had left for lunch about 15 minutes ago and Mike was in a rush to get the surprise before he came home. Mike pulled into his destination and hopped out of the car. As he walked in he looked around. There were little kids and their parents, adults and couples there. He smiled and walked up to the counter. "What can I do for you- Mike!" Mike's friend Leo from school worked there. "Hey, how are you doing?" Mike asked. "I'm doing good! What about you and Will?" "We're good, it's actually birthday and I'm here to get him his gift." Leo smiled and looked around. "Aww he's gonna love it. Maybe I should buy Daniel one. Surprisingly, he loves pets." They both laugh. "That is surprising." "So what are you looking for?" Leo asks. "I don't know…" Leo smiled. "Wanna go look at them? People say that you will know when you find the right one." Mike Nodded and Leo led him to a room full of puppies. Will loves puppies. He hasn't had a dog since Chester and he is always talking about how he misses having a puppy. So here Mike is, getting him one. 

Leo led him cage to cage so he could meet the puppies, one dog caught his eye. It was a briard mixed with a terrier. She was beautiful. She looked a lot like Chester. Though, the dog kept glaring at Mike and it was kind of scaring him but Leo assured that she was trained and a very good dog.  "Does she have a name?" Mike asks, looking at Leo. Leo shakes his head. "She's all yours to name." Mike smiles. He's gonna let Will name her. 

He bought the dog and headed to the store to buy supplies for the puppy. He had the puppy in one of those dog carrier bags because he felt bad leaving the puppy in the car. He got food, doggy bowls, a bed, toys and a box. The box is for Will to open. He's going to put all the dog stuff in the box and then let the dog out of her crate so Will can see her. After he paid, he drove home. 

Will wasn't home yet. 'Perfect'. He walked inside and  took out the box and started to put all the supplies in it. The puppy walked by him and just growled and walked away. "What the hell." He wrapped the box in wrapping paper and set it in the middle of the floor. He stood there admiring his work as heard a car pull into the driveway and he hurried to hide the dog.

Will had just got home and he was very excited to hang out with his husband. Him and his family had a lot of fun but now he's looking forward to having alone time with Mike. He walked through the front door and saw his husband standing in front of a box laying on the floor. "Welcome home babe." Will smiled. "Hi. What's in the box…?" Will asked, confused. "Why don't you come and see." Will crouched down in front of the box and Mike. At that moment the dog, who was hidden in her crate behind the counter growled. Will looked up at Mike. "Did you just...growl at me?" "I- uh i growled in anticipation! Grrr i can't wait for you to see your present! Now hurry and open it silly!" Will gave him a weird look then smiled. "Okayyy" he took off the wrapping paper and opened the box. Mike smirked as he saw the confused expression on Will's face. Will looked up to him. "We don't have a dog. Why did you get us dog stuff hun?" Mike smiled down at Will. "Stay here." Will looked confused as Mike walked to the kitchen. Mike unlocked the crate and the puppy booked it to the living room. "NO WAIT-" the puppy jumped on Will and started to lick his face. "Oh my god!" Will said while giggling. He was laying on his back. Mike just stood there staring at his husband. His laugh was music to his ears. Suddenly Will stood up and wrapped his arms around Mike's shoulders, burying his head in Mike's shoulder." I love you. Thank you." Mike smiled and hugged back tight. "I love you too." Will lifted his head from Mike's Shoulder and kissed him. They kissed till the puppy barked, startling both of them. Mike rolled his eyes. "Someones jealous." Will crouched down in front of the puppy. "What's her name?" Mike crouched next to him and the dog growled at him and got closer to Will. "She doesn't have a name. You get to name her." Mike smiled at him. Will looked at her for a while then smiled. "Lexi." "I like that name. It suits her." Will hugged Lexi. "I love her so much. Thank you Mike"  Mike smiled wider. "Anything for you, sir William."

@little-nobody

[alienaiver]

oh, for the little writing game how about sakusa wasn't sure if it was a wonderful sign or a sign of disaster but he knew... 

also, sorry in advance if the prompt is not very useful haha (๑^-^;๑) i'm sending you lots of love, nohr ♡ you are a fantastic writer!!

ELLE !!!! this one RAN from me i swear i have no idea how it got so long...... it was so fun!!!!!! i hope you enjoy it! im not sure if its exactly what you envisioned but i hope it works all the same and makes you smile !! i love a little lovesick-but-very-awkward sakusa so much.... have a whole fic in my mind for him about being Like That with msby supporting him in woo'ing you //sobs hes SO GOOD had to give this a read more bcos it got long and dont wanna attack anyone with the length LKJFESKFJS <33333

send me a sentence + character and ill write a short scenario where the sentence's included!

Sakusa’s late. It’s a long list of annoying circumstances that makes him late for the last practice of the season – one that he’s been dreading because not much has gone his way and ending it on a negative note grates him. He’s in need of a new phone currently and while that may seem unrelated, it’s unfortunately not. His alarm clock – that Miya talks shit about because who uses alarm clocks in 2022? – laid it’s life last winter and he hasn’t been able to find one that’s the same.

Which is important, because the sound of the clock is what matters and his old one was right.

So he’s been using his phone the past year and it hasn’t been much of a problem for the first part until the battery mysteriously started being unreliable. First, he cursed the charger and bought two or three new ones before he had to finally admit it had nothing to do with those – but that his six-year-old Huawei was about to say goodbye.

Which is still impressive because back then he picked the phone based on the price and didn’t expect it to last as long as it has. He was a broke student at the time and while he isn’t one now, the phone market has become so over-saturated and frankly overwhelming. Every time he goes online to check out which phone to purchase there’s a long list of perks that makes him decide on one – and then he stumbles upon a Reddit post that tells of the longest lists of downsides he’s ever seen.

And it’s like this with every phone he finds. Which pisses him off and he’s been putting off getting a new one precisely for that reason. Komori’s talked about just getting the first and best one since they’ll all have drawbacks but it seems like too a significant choice to just leave up to random chance – what if one of the exact downsides are what he needs the most?

But his alarms didn’t go off – and last night he came in late because Bokuto, Hinata and Miya insisted on watching movies and eating together. If they mention how late he stayed, he’ll probably tell them he felt it rude to leave. If he wasn’t so grumpy from waking up on the wrong side of bed, he’d have told them he had fun. Genuine fun.

He opens the doors to the arena they train in and go straight to the changing rooms. He’s trying to turn on his phone as he walks, knowing the way by heart. Considering that others might walk on his exact route wasn’t on his mind today, so the impact he feels at walking straight into you and dropping his phone makes him yelp out loud. He inhales sharply to try and mask his embarrassment from making the sound of loud. He narrows his eyes as he watches you, keeping himself as neutral as possible.

Of all days, he meets you today.

Sakusa’s not sure if it’s a wonderful sign or a sign of disaster but he knew… today would be the day he asks you out. After all, he won’t have a reason to come here for a while as off-season begins.

There’s a small café in the sports arena that mostly sells sports drinks and quick foods for the athletes who come here. You work there and every day you sell him all the sports drinks for the entire team. He volunteers to pick them up every time so he can have a chance to talk with you but fails miserably every time. It always becomes a stuttering string of words as he pays for the drinks and bows at you before he awkwardly tries to balance them all in his arms.

Once, you even helped him carry them. He blushed the entire way and said not a single word to you.

You apologize and bend down to pick up his phone. The screen is shattered to pieces – no luck turning that on now, he thinks. You start to apologize profusely as you realize what’s happened and he yells, “it’s okay, it was”- he clears his throat to control his volume- “broken anyway!”

You nod but still let out a final apology, “I have to get a new one too, it’s just so annoying to find one between all the brands…” you scratch at your scalp with frustration. Sakusa’s eyes lights up – a common subject!

“Do you want to buy new ones together?”

Fuck. That’s too direct. You laugh and your smile takes his breath away, “…sure? It might be nice to discuss it with someone besides the seller trying to make a buck!” you nod, “you’re Sakusa, right?”

You introduce yourself properly for the first time and it’s not until Miya comes and yell for him to hurry or coach’s gonna kill you that he’s able to leave your side.

“Come by the café in your break and I can give you my contact information!” you promise him as you watch him walk away. Sakusa steals not one but two glances back at you before the door to the changing rooms closes behind him. He’s never been happier about a broken phone in his life.

[maxthefryingpan12]

A/N: Here’s my first smut from Wattpad. It might not be the best but it’s the first one I’ve ever written. Without further ado.

Damn Wings.//Bakugo x Fem! Pro hero! Reader

Warnings: smut, unprotected sex, feminine pet names, slight angst(like very, very light.), cream pie, fem receiving oral

New to this so let me know if I missed something.

Requested: No. but requests are open if you wanna see this with a different character or something completely different.

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

My quirk is called werewolf. Basically I can have any ability or physical feature of an animal. When I don't have my quirk activated I have wolf like features and my strength and speed are amplified. That's just my main quirk. I have others, but I don't feel like explaining them.

I'm a new hero, I climbed the ranks like it's nothing. Last week I surpassed both of my adoptive dads. But due to a accident back in UA I could no longer deactivate my wings. Ever since the accident I've just gotten used to them.

Not even Katsuki, Izuku, or even Shoto are climbing the ranks as fast as I am. It might be because I remind people of hawks. But that is an inaccurate comparison because we are pretty much complete opposites, and my wings are about 5 times as big.

One day as I was on patrol with pro heroes Red Riot and Ground Zero, Kirishima and Katsuki, we saw that the governments of the world were implementing a soulmate system into our world. Apparently everyone was supposed to get a pair of wings that only them and their soulmate could see, and the bigger the wings, the more trauma the person has. This theory was originally tested on people with wings and proven right. The more trauma the quirk wielder has, the bigger their wings are. But according to the soulmate thing, how big your wings are is how much trauma you actually have. Although it is proven that trauma makes wings bigger, they don't let on to exactly how much. The news ended with them saying that tomorrow morning everyone in Japan will wake up with wings.

We spent the rest of our patrol talking about the changes. The pros and cons, what we think our wings would look like, who we hope our soulmates are. I said I honestly don't care who my soulmate is, as long as they're my soulmate I'm fine with it. Which is true, but I really hope it is one person. Katsuki Bakugo.

I realized I had fallen for him back in our first year of high school. Ever since then I've been hiding my feelings, hoping and praying, to any god out there, that he'd end up with me eventually. Ever since we've graduated he's been in and out of relationships, gone through girls like toilet paper, and one night stands were very common to catch him coming from. I hate it when he gloats about a new girlfriend, or breaking another girl's heart, or the last girl he slept with. I hated it so much I always excused myself to go to the bathroom, work out in the gym Fat Gum had in his agency, or go on a different route than them just to go and find a poor villain to take my anger out on. It hurt so much he chose those girls over me. But I faked not being hurt like a pro. It came naturally at this point due to how much I held in and hid.

After we clocked out for the night we waved goodbye and went home. That night I was extremely tired so I went to bed early and as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out.

I woke up in my king-sized bed. I groaned and stretched, I felt every part of my body tensed up and stretched out against the large fluffy mattress. My alarm is blaring in my ears. I relaxed completely and then sat up. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and skooched over to the side of the bed and turned off my alarm. I look at it, 6:00 A.M. I have the day off. I get up, my wings feel heavier than normal, I walk over to my closet and pick out an outfit for the day. I take out a Ground Zero shirt, ripped black jeans, ankle socks, Deku high tops, and a Red Riot hoodie. I then grabbed a regular black chocker, a necklace with a handmade explosion charm, some rings, fishnet gloves, and some belt chains.

I went into the master bathroom and set my clothes on the toilet seat and turned to the shower. I reached for the the knobs and turned the water to what I thought was a good temperature. I used my quirk to turn my wings into armadillo plates so I could get my Ground Zero hoodie off with ease. Once I got my hoodie off I deactivated my quirk and the unusual weight in my shoulders was back. I looked in the mirror and my wings were three times the size they were yesterday. They also had f/c patterns all over them.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?" I screamed. I put my Ground zero hoodie back on and turned the shower off. I ran out of my room right when Izuku and Shoto came inside. "Do my wings look different?" I yelled from the landing of the lavish staircase.

"No, why?" Izuku said, confused as to what was happening.

"Am I going crazy then?" I asked, knowing full well that I looked like a lunatic right now.

"No, it's the whole soulmate wing thing they announced yesterday." Shoto shot down the idea that I was crazy.

I remembered then, about the main topic of conversation yesterday on patrol. "Oh. I'm an idiot. I'm gonna go take a shower."

"Ok, have a nice shower! We'll be on the living room couch!" Izuku informed me.

I took a shower and got dressed. When I walked into the living room Izuku and Shoto were cuddling on the couch watching the news.

"So y'all gonna break up when you find your soulmates or what? I asked them.

"No need. We already found our soulmates, long before the soulmate thing happened. We're each other's soulmate." Izuku replied.

"Oh, okay. That's actually really lucky." I remark. "Let's watch the news." My heart leaped with excitement when there was breaking news about a villain attack and Ground Zero and Red Riot were the ones taking care of it. When the screen showed footage of the ongoing battle my heart skipped a beat. There they were. Black and orange wings that mimicked the back of their owners mask. They were a normal size of wings. I hadn't even begun to process the fact that I could see them, I just took in what they looked like. Once I had memorized every little detail about them, it sunk in, I COULD SEE THEM! I jumped up in joy and squealed like a little kid.

"What?" Izuku asked.

"I can see Katsuki's wings!" I'm pretty sure I squealed right after saying it.

"The odds." Izuku watched me dance around in victory at getting who I had hoped I would as a soulmate. Maybe there is a god.

"Should I go see him on lunch break? Or wait to tell him tomorrow?" I was trying to think about what I would do to tell him.

"I vote the lunch break option." Izuku chimed in.

"Me too." Shoto helped.

"Okay. Lunch break it is." I decided finally.

We went into the kitchen and grabbed some breakfast. After I ate I decided to make some katsudon for Katsuki. After I finished making the katsudon I just waited for the time to leave for the agency. I am not taking any chances of him seeing me before I get to the agency. The minutes tick by and when it's time I get up and heat up the katsudon. I wrapped the katsudon up in a Ground Zero themed cloth.

I walked out the front door and took flight. I held the food close to my chest as I flew towards the Fat Gum agency. My goggles kept the wind from bothering my eyes as I flew. I landed right when Katsuki goes on lunch break. I took off my goggles and walked through the door, shoving them in my pocket.

There he was. Standing in the middle of the agency talking to his redheaded best friend. I felt the confidence I had start to drain and I had second thoughts. My heart began to race, my whole body tensed up. 'What if he wants one of those girls more than me? What if he just got a new quirk? What if he doesn't like me?' My mind was going a mile a minute thinking every terrible thing would happen. I shook the thoughts away, took a few deep breaths, and continued on. With every step my heart beat faster, my body shook more violently and uncontrollable the closer I got to him. Eijiro spotted me and waved me over. Katsuki looked over and his eyes widened. He walked towards me and I slowly but surely lost my nerve. He came close enough for me to hand him the food I made and I held it out to him and bowed my head, I felt tears sting my eyes. Katsuki took the food from me and I lowered my arms and stuffed my hands in my pockets. Then something unexpected happened, he pulled me into his chest. My eyes widened and my hands moved from my pockets to around his abdomen. My grip around him tightened and my wings enclosed around him. He kissed the top of my head and lead me over to a table where he had me sit down  and he sat down right next me. He took the katsudon and unwrapped it. He smiled a soft, gentle smile and looked at me.

"Katsudon, my favorite. Thank you." He took out the chop sticks I packed and tore into the meal. "You gonna grab something to eat or just watch me eat my food?"

I really didn't want to be away from him right now, but I was hungry so I got up and grabbed from the buffet of food then sat back down next to Katsuki, but out of habit and not knowing what his stance was I sat as far as I could from him without sitting on the other side of the table.

"Oh please. I don't bite, too hard." He said rolling his eyes and giving me a smirk, I blushed at his words. "And plus sweetheart, you don't have to pretend there isn't anything more than friendship anymore. Sit as close as you want, on my lap for all I care. I just don't want to be far from you anymore. We don't have the be constantly hanging on each other, I just want you close." He looks longingly at me, putting his arm on the back of my chair, right under the arch of my wings over the top of the chair. I scooched closer to him and feel comfort in the closeness. I eat my food and Katsuki eats his. When we finish eating Katsuki said he was actually covering for another hero until he got in and the hero walked in right when we finished eating. We wave goodbye to Fat Gum and went home.

About half an hour after I got home my doorbell was rung. Confused, I walked over to the door figuring it was just Izuku or Shoto that had forgotten something and came back to get it.

"What'd you forget this time-" I started but stopped realizing that the person standing there was none other than Katsuki Bakugo. I was speechless. HE was at MY house, not some other girl's house, MY house. His wings were puffed up and his hands were stuffed in his pockets. "Oh hey Katsu, what's up?" I asked the ash blonde.

"Can I come in? We need to talk about our relationship. Please." He looked at me with hungry eyes.

"Sure, come on in." I opened the door more to let him in. After he was inside I shut the door. "What would you like to say?" I turned to him.

"Y/N, I want you, only you. Those other girls were just placeholders, things I tried to fill the hole in my heart with. But every time I saw you, they didn't matter. When I gloated sometimes your smile would falter for an instant, just one, and then it'd be back. It hurt knowing that I was the reason it faltered. I don't ever wanna be the reason it falters again. I wanna be the reason it appears. I don't want them, I want you. I want to wake up to you every morning. I want to kiss your lips. I want to hold you at night, do everything with you. I want to get married, start a family, retire, with YOU. They are nothing compared to you." He holds my face in his calloused hands. "You are my EVERYTHING Y/N, my whole WORLD. I was so happy when I saw your wings because I was hoping you were my soulmate. You are the only person I think about constantly. I wake up every morning and go to work to see YOU, protect YOU, impress YOU. I don't want anyone but you." He looked at me with sincerity and regret.

"Katsuki. You don't know how much I've longed to hear you say those words." I put my hands on his chest. I hadn't even realized that tears were spilling from my eyes until Katsuki wiped them from my cheeks.

"Don't cry sweetheart. I didn't mean to upset you." He speaks softly, rubbing my cheeks with his thumbs. His eyes search mine for any sign that I want him to stop as he leans in. But I just lean in in response. When our lips meet I'm surprised at how soft his lips are. My lids flutter shut and I sigh into the kiss. He nips at my bottom lip asking for entrance. I give in to his request, letting his tongue slip past my lips and explore my mouth. He fought for dominance and immediately got it. I slipped my arms around his neck and pushed myself closer to him. His hands slid down my neck and back and rested on my waist. He pulled me into him as the kiss started to get less wholesome and more heated. He gripped my hips, I tangled my fingers in his hair and gripped his black tank top. He started growling and the sensation and sound made me moan into his mouth. When we finally pulled away for air a string of saliva connected our mouths still. My eyes fluttered open and Katsuki's where lidded, hungry for more.

"Maybe we should continue this where we'll be more comfortable. Or, more precisely, I will be more comfortable. It's been a long time since my first, and there hasn't been anytime in between it and now." I suggested.

Katsuki smiled, no, smirked. "Sure thing princess. Been dying to know what your room looked like on the inside." He picked me up by my thighs and I wrapped them around his waist, and fuck was he hard. He trapped me in another heated kiss before gripping my ass and walking up the large staircase. I grind my hips against his the whole way to my bedroom door. When we got to my bedroom door his firm grasp on my ass only stops on one cheek to open the door. Once we step inside he shuts the door behind us and walks over to the side of the bed. He lays me down and feels all over my body.

"I wanna know all your secrets baby. How you moan, how much you can take, your kinks, what you can do, how flexible you are, where every scar that litters your body is, baby I wanna fucking know it all." He growled in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. I let out a shaky breath and shiver due to the dirty words that poured out of his mouth. His hands found their way from my hips to my wings and he gently stroked the feathers. I let out whine after whine due to how good it felt. My fingers grabbed a fistful of his hair and that just boosted his ego. He leaned into my ear again still stroking my soft feathers.

"That feel good princess?" He said lowly in my ear. "You look warm. Let's get this disgusting hoodie off you." He pulled his hands away from my wings and I wined. He placed his hands on the sides of my ribs and pulled me up. I turned my wings into armadillo plates so that he could pull off my Red Riot hoodie and discard it. Once the hoodie was off he noticed my Deku high tops. He quickly untied them and chucked them across the room. I deactivated my quirk to let my wings lay out on the bed.

"You look so good wearing my merch babe. Especially when you hand make it." He reached for the charm softly brushing my skin to grab it. The touch sent tingles down my spine. He reached behind my neck and took my neck jewelry off. His fingers brushed my skin again and again, sending shivers down my spine each time. He set the jewelry on the nightstand and looked back at me.

"Take those rings off baby girl. Don't want you to get hurt." He commanded in a deep, sexy tone. I obeyed, taking my rings off and giving them to him so he could put them with the other jewelry.

"Gloves too." He commanded, I obeyed. Once both of my gloves were in his hands he put them on the nightstand. He then pulled off his tank top that barely hid anything to the eyes but it was still mesmerizing to see his rippling abs and the scars that littered his body. It was now my turn to explore his body and feel it. But I felt his abdomen in its raw, uncovered form. His rock hard, scarred abs were hard to pull my hands away from. But I still wanted to know what the rest felt like so I glided my hands gently against his toned body. His skin was so soft. Eventually I looked at him and took my shirt off. I ended up accidentally ripping the shirt in the back because of my haste to show him more of me.

"Damn babe. Want me that bad?" He teased as I threw the shirt on the ground.

He has seen me with this much skin showing many times due to my hero outfit. But this is different. ALL of his attention is on me. His hands trace my scars and his hands run up and down my sides. When his hands leave my sides and reach behind me my face heats up.

"I need you to say you are okay with this before I continue. The last thing I wanna do is hurt you Y/N." His hands stayed on the zipper of my bra.

"Katsuki it's okay. I want this." I confirm.

His hands make quick work of my bra, discarding it and pushing me back down on the bed. His eyes are glued to my chest as he fondles my left mound, twirling my nipple around with his thumb until it was a stiff bud. He then grabs both boobs. The motion making me let out a quiet moan.

"Damn babe, your tits fit perfectly in my hands." His calloused hands fondled my breasts causing me to whine and move my hips. His smile widened and he leaned down, removing one of his and setting on my hips. He latches unto my bud and twirls it around with his tongue and sucks on it as he continues to fondle my other breast. The amount of pleasure he sent all throughout my body caused moan after moan to spill out of my mouth. My arms moved to around his neck once again and my fingers found their way back into his spiky, soft, ash blonde hair. His free hand pulled my hands from his body and pinned them to the mattress above me. He released my mounds causing a very deeply disappointed whine.

"Don't worry baby. There is way more where that came from." He said as his hand dipped into the waistband of my pants. He undid what was hold my pants up and slid them down my legs. Once my pants were off he placed two fingers against my heat that was still clothed.

"Damn baby, you're already soaking wet. All this is for me? And I get it for the rest of my life? Fuck, you're spoiling me." His hand moved up to the waistband of my panties. "Let's get these off you shall we?" He painfully slowly pulled them off my body. He smiled at my bare, throbbing cunt. "Fuck, I need a taste baby." He got on his knees and put my thighs over his shoulders. "The last time I was in between your thighs we were sparring and you used your signature move. Fuck, I jerked off to how soft your thighs were for weeks." His breath on my heat and dirty words made me get even wetter and squirmed around. "You like it when I breath on this wet cunt baby? When I'm between your thighs about to service you? Spewing filth from my mouth? Well guess what, I'm growing impatient. So you're gonna let me tongue fuck you until you cum. Understood brat?"

I vigorously nodded my head and said, "Y-yes sir." With that he dived into my soaking wet cunt. He licked one long stripe in between my folds and then went feral. His hands gripped my thighs tightly and he growled like an animal. The vibration of his voice caused me to moan even more than I was. Both of my hands found their way into his hair, holding his face closer to my needy cunt. I grind on his face for more pleasure and he pulls me closer to his face, going even more feral. My head was getting fuzzy as I neared my climax. I was constantly moaning and once I was on the edge I moaned out his name.

"Katsuki, I'm—I'm gonna—fucking—cum!" I said in between moans. His response was tongue fucking me harder and faster, pushing me off the edge and into the pit of pleasure. My body convulsed and tensed as I released in Katsuki's mouth. He kept lapping up my juices until I came down from my high.

"You're such a good girl for daddy. And your body is so soft. I think I know why you were called the teddybear of class 1-A." He kicked off his shoes and took off his pants, then pressed his still sheathed cock up against my heat. "Fuck." He groaned lowly. "Tell me what you want baby."

"I want you inside me. I need you inside me. Please don't keep me waiting, please. I need you to stretch me out with your cock and pound into me. I need you to fuck me stupid, and claim me over and over. Please just stuff my pussy with your cum until you're done using my body. I don't care just fuck me." He was pleased with my response as he took off his boxers to reveal his long, thick erection.

"You want this?" He teased slapping it against my entrance. I nodded vigorously. "Words princess."

"Y-yes. I want it." I stutter out.

"Such a good girl, how could I refuse when you look like that. Deep breath baby. Daddy's home." He pushed the tip past my folds and made grabby hands for him to stoop down. He did and I wrapped my arms around him, my claws digging into his back causing him to push more of himself in me. It was painful due to his size and length but once he was fully in me he let me take a few moments to adjust, peppering my face with kisses until I gave him the okay to start moving. He started moving in and out slowly until I told him to go faster. The process continued until all the pain was gone and I had him barreling into me. I soon reached another climax and came all over his cock. I climaxed three more times before he finally climaxed.

I was spent and tired by that time and he was still raring to go. "Katsuki, I'm tired, and we have work in the morning. I'm not used to going all night and still having energy in the morning." I explained.

His smile and eyes softened and he once again peppered my face with light kisses. "Sure thing teddybear. We can go to sleep." He pulled out of me and moved us both to the head of my bed. He laid my head on his chest and held me close, stroking my hair and telling me how good I was. And for the first time ever, I fell asleep feeling safe, and protected, happy even.

[portaltothevoid]

Foolin’ (20//20) eddie munson x ofc

Summary: Eddie and Kat make their relationship known to all of Hawkins High. He continues her birthday celebration that night at The Hideout.

Word count: 6.6k

Warnings: brief mention of some kinks, some ass slapping, the tiniest bit of voyeurism, lil kiss here, lil kiss there, and fluff, ooo is this fluffy

Taglist: @munchabunch @madaboutmunson @riffcrusader @michele131

A/N: Well my fabulous readers, this is a wrap on Foolin’! Keep an eye out for playlists to appear on my masterlist post! I just wanna thank anyone and everyone who checked out even just one chapter, who left one note, or reblogged this story, and especially those who’ve left comments. It’s relit a creative fire in me that I wasn’t sure where I was gonna find again. My fantastic four in my taglist: your love of Kat and this story kept me going and made me so eager to keep writing. Oh? Wait? You’re really thinking this the end of Kat and Eddie’s story? My dear readers, this is only the first part! I’m not stopping here! We have a Christmas special coming up and....everything from season four! The Kat Ramsay Chronicles are far from over. The best is yet to come.....

The jarring sound of the alarm clock Kat forgot to turn off jolted her awake. She flailed her arms as she was startled, hitting something next to her, which caused her to jump even more.

“Ow..?” Eddie groaned. “You gonna shut that off?”

Once Kat finally woke up enough to remember everything that happened, she reached over and turned off the alarm. “Sorry I slapped you,” Kat giggled.

“No, it’s fine. Love being roughed up first thing in the morning.” They both looked at each other before bursting out laughing. Eddie rolled over wrapping his arm around Kat’s waist as he snuggled his face into her neck. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.

“Ugh, we should get up and go to school.” Kat sighed reluctantly. 

“Noooo,” Eddie’s voice was muffled into her shoulder.

“Yes!” She said as she tried to peel him off her. “Do you wanna repeat your senior year for a third time? Get up.” Slithering out of bed successfully, she grabbed the blankets and threw them half off the bed, which made Eddie let out a yelp as the cold morning air hit his skin.

“But it’s just one day!” He protested.

“And so was yesterday, which you also missed!” She was rifling through her closet, trying to find a shirt.

“Okay, so… it’s just two days!”

Pausing, Kat turned around to glare at him, before going back to what she was doing. “Ah! Found it. Here.” She threw a shirt at him. “It’s big on me. Might fit you. Don’t make me force you out of this house. We’re going.” Grabbing her own outfit, she left the room to change in the bathroom. 

“You’re lucky this is an Iron Maiden shirt!” Eddie called to her. 

“You’re lucky I just have good taste in music.” She said, handing him her toothbrush, which Eddie just looked at. “Go on, take it.”

“But that’s…” 

Kat rolled her eyes. “I think after last night, you can use my toothbrush. I’ll meet you downstairs.” She said, shoving it at his chest. Eddie smirked at her as she left the room.

“Yeah, okay, good point.” He mumbled to himself.

When Eddie finally went downstairs, Kat had her backpack on and was eating a poptart. She slid a plate with two of them on it over to him. “Well, aren’t you sweet?” He said as he helped himself.

“Sweet as pie.” Kat batted her eyelashes at him.

“Don’t I know it. Got a taste last night.” He smirked at her. 

“Alright, alright, hurry up, we gotta go.” She shoved his keys at him, pushing him towards the door. 

“You really are persistent, you know that?”

“Mhmm.” She murmured as she eyed Sherri across the street watching them like a hawk. “Well, I can’t take you back to LA with me after graduation, if you, ya know, don’t graduate.” Eddie stopped short, causing Kat to bump into him. He spun around to face her. “I mean, totally, like, only if you want to…” 

“You want me…to go back to LA…with you?” He asked slowly, making sure he heard her right.

“Duh? Seriously, Eddie? Someone with your talent will rot away if you stay in a place like this.” She said as she emphatically gestured around her, turning in one full circle. “And, I for one, will not stand to see your talent wasted.” She poked his chest to put emphasis on each of her words.

“We really are a packaged deal now, huh?” He responded as he held her chin in place as he kissed her.

“Yup.” She smiled dreamily, staring up at him for a few seconds. “A packaged deal that needs to graduate. Move it, Munson.” As she rounded the van to get into the passenger seat, she locked eyes with her neighbor. “Good morning, Sherri! Be sure to tell all your gossiping friends what you just saw! You have a nice day now!” Eddie gave her a confused look. “She’s the bitch that complained about your van to my aunt. Oh, you know what? Next spring I should kill all her flowers. Make her front lawn look ugly as shit.” She mused out loud. Eddie shook his head and laughed as the van’s engine roared to life.

Before they were even off Kat’s street, she went into her backpack and pulled out a cassette. She switched whatever was in there already, popping the one she had brought, which of course, was Dokken’s newest. She just looked at Eddie, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “You’ll learn to love them, I promise.”

“I never said I didn’t! They’re good. Metallica is just more my speed. And I will have you know, I know all the words to ‘In My Dreams.’” He nodded matter of factly.

“Oh yeah?” Kat gave him a challenging stare as she leaned over to fast forward the tape to track three. 

Immediately Eddie began singing right along. He smirked at Kat in between verses. “What was that? Did you dare doubt me, Ramsay?” He threw his head back in a small fit of maniacal laughter before dropping the theatrics to start singing again. His antics earned him one of Kat’s signature eyerolls, only they were now usually followed by a small chuckle. 

Midway through their morning drive, Eddie turned down the radio. “Hey, so you’re gonna come to the Hideout tonight, right?” He asked almost hesitantly.

“Of course, it’s Tuesday. Why wouldn’t I?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“Just wanted to make sure.” He shrugged.

“Hm, I’ll only go if you go to school the next day.” That made him just slowly turn his head to stare blankly at her. “Don’t give me that look! How many times am I gonna say this today?” Kat laughed. “You need to graduate. This year.”

Eddie put one hand over his heart and leaned his head in Kat’s direction. “Aw, I’m feelin’ the love, Mom. I’ll make sure I go to school tomorrow.” He returned his attention to the road, his face slightly pursed at the thought of school.

“I’m just lookin’ out for you! And ew! Do not call me ‘mom.’” She scoffed in disgust. “I’m not into that shit.”

Eddie let out a short chortle and batted his eyelashes at Kat. “Well, just so you know, I’m into it if you call me ‘daddy,’ sweetheart.” 

“Oh my god.” Kat said as she playfully backhanded Eddie’s shoulder.

“Aw, now she’s blushing. Look at that.” 

“Eddie!” Kat yelped as she hit him again, a little harder than before. While he just laughed it off, she added, “Just shut the hell up and drive, would you?” She turned away from him to look out the window with a small smile that never left her face.

Eventually the duo made their way into school with Eddie’s arm around Kat’s shoulders and hers around his waist. Their display earned them quite a few head turns, eyerolls, and looks of repulsion. Ignoring it all, they stayed in their own little world. 

As per their usual ritual, Eddie was leaning on one arm against the locker next to Kat’s. She was laughing at Eddie for something he said when Robin came charging up to both of them. “Munson! What the hell is wrong with you!” She said harshly as she put both of her hands on his shoulders, shoving him backwards.

“Ow?” He grunted. “What is with everyone doing that to me today?” He said as he regained his balance, shaking his head.

“Hey, Kat.” Robin turned to smile at her, before she directed her attention back to Eddie with her face pulled into a grimace.

Kat laughed at the spectacle and with a smirk on her face, said, “Oh, come on, you’re loving being roughed up. Admit it. Hi, Robin.”

“Not. Helping.” Eddie said sideways through gritted teeth at Kat. That just caused her to laugh more.

“How could you forget Kat’s birthday? You know you really have some nerve showing up here today. Empty handed at that! You should have seen her. If it wasn’t for Dustin–”

“Okay, okay, Buckley, hold up. Uh, Kat, a little help here?” Eddie tried to interrupt Robin’s rant.

“No, no. I think Robin should continue.” She encouraged with a smug look as she was enjoying this a little too much.

“–then the poor girl would have been all alone and it was all your fault! And! It was your turn to drive Dustin home yesterday, you know. But, you’re over here making…googly eyes at her all the time and then you’re just MIA? Who does that! Who does that!” Robin was waving her hands as she talked and then slammed them down by her sides, her hands forming fists. To punctuate it. She then blew her bangs out of her face all the while staring Eddie down. Kat was stifling giggles as Eddie kept looking between the two girls. His expression somehow pleading to Kat to help him and slightly scared of Robin. “Wa-wait. Kat, you’re way too amused by this. I had this whole speech planned out in my head, in case I said something too insensitive that I shouldn’t. But you– you’re…Both of you…Kat doesn’t look mad. And…and you look– you’re not groveling. I’m missing something here. Oh god, was I too late for my rant? Here I go again! Get your shit together, Buckley!” At this point, Kat was in stitches. Eddie still looked hopelessly confused.

“Robin, Robin,” she began as she put her hand on her shoulder. “I appreciate you defending me. Really. But we’re good. He redeemed himself in the final hour.”

“What?” Robin looked at them both dumbfounded.

“I tried to tell you..” Eddie shrugged timidly. Kat shut her locker and took her place right next to Eddie so they were both facing Robin.

“It’s all good. We’re good.” Kat leaned her head on Eddie’s shoulder. He brought his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to him, and kissed the top of her head. Kat did a jazz hands motion and quietly went, “Ta daaa!”

“Oh…Oh! So you’re… you guys are finally a thing now?”

“Wait, what does she mean ‘finally’?” Eddie asked.

“Come on. Anyone with eyeballs could see the chemistry going on here.” Robin moved her hand around in a circle in front of the two of them. 

Kat giggled into Eddie’s shoulder as the first warning bell sounded. She put her hand on his chest as she stepped on her tiptoes to kiss him before they parted ways. “I’ll see you later. Robin, you’re the best.” She said, giving her friend a squeeze on the arm as Kat walked away towards her first class.

“It's gross how adorable you two actually are together.” Robin quickly shook her head. “You’re lucky, Munson. I was ready to have it out for you.” 

As she started to walk away, Eddie stopped her. “Buckley, wait. Uh, so, I am planning this thing for Kat at the Hideout tonight. I think she’d be happy if, you know, you were there. I don’t know, maybe bring Harrington along. I’m making all of Hellfire go.”

“Ah, so, now you’re planning the party.”

“Hey. Sometimes business gets in the way of pleasure, okay? Just, uh, think about it.”

“Well, I’m only going for her.”

“That’s the only reason I’d ask you. Something tells me metal just isn’t your scene. 7:00 tonight. Our guest of honor is getting there at 7:30!” Eddie called out to her as he turned the hallway going off towards his class.

“The things I do for my friends…” She mumbled to herself.

Yet again, Kat and Eddie were the talk of the school with the rumors confirmed and all. Lunch was surely going to be fun. As Kat was leaving chemistry, she heard a small voice calling her name. “Kat! Hey! Wait up!”

“Hey, Chrissy, what’s up?” Kat smiled.

“So, um, are you and Eddie, like, officially a thing now?”

“You heard it here first. It’s officially official.”

“See, I knew you’d warm up to Hawkins eventually.”

“Hang on, Chrissy. No one ever said anything about warming up to this town.”

“You know what I mean!” Chrissy giggled. “I’m just happy for you, that’s all. You seem really happy.” Kat could see Chrissy smiling, but there was a sadness behind her eyes. Despite being a part of the school’s “it couple,” she could hear the longing in Chrissy’s voice. Kat could sense she didn’t want to be a part of high school royalty as much as she just wanted to be happy. Before Kat could even utter a reply, Jason came up alongside Chrissy.

“Now, tell me, my girl isn’t talking to some freak.” Kat rolled her eyes so hard she thought they might have made their way back to California.

“Jason! Stop it. I was just… uh–”

“She was just double checking what our chemistry homework was,” interrupted Kat, saving Chrissy from having to explain their conversation to Jason. “Don’t worry, I’m not converting your precious girl into a freak. Even though, if I may add, we do have much more fun. I still will never understand what a sweet girl such as her sees in a wastoid like you. Hm, not every mystery is meant to be solved…But, uh, yeah, read chapter five and answer the questions. That’s the homework.” Jason started to breathe heavily through his nose as he clenched his jaws at Kat’s words.

“Ramsay you little–” He started before Chrissy put her hand on his arm.

“Jason, don’t do this. Just leave her alone. Come on.” Chrissy tightened her grip on his arm, pulling him forward as she quickened her pace. She tried to avoid bumping into Kat as they went past her, but still grazed her shoulder. When they were far enough away, she quickly turned around to mouth “Sorry!” to Kat. She held up her hands and mouthed “All good.” back to her.

This little event made Kat the last one to arrive at the Hellfire table. Concurrently, while that was happening, Eddie took advantage of Kat’s late arrival.

“Gentlemen, I require all of you to be in attendance at the Hideout tonight. It is mandatory.”

“Aw, do I gotta?” Gareth sarcastically groaned.

“I can’t make it, I have a gig.” Jeff added to the sarcasm.

Eddie rolled his eyes. “I do not need your sarcasm. I was mainly talking to them.” He pointed his thumb at the freshman sitting at the table.

“It is a special occasion. We are celebrating Kat’s birthday. So. You all had better be there.”

“Oh so now you’re deciding to–” Dustin started.

“I went through this with Buckley already, I’m not doing it again. Henderson, we have made amends. I’ve redeemed myself. Kat and I are more than good. We’re great, actually. So. Figure out a way to get there. 7:30 tonight. Ask Harrington or something to bring you two. Maybe you can convince Buckley to go. And. Just so we’re clear. The setlist tonight has been in the works for a while, so don’t think I didn’t–” Eddie was cut off mid-sentence as Kat walked up to the table and tousled Eddie’s hair. “Babe! Not the hair! Come on, that’s the money maker.”

Kat laughed as she took her seat next to him. “Babe. You see that Dustin? That’s a pet name. Not…” Kat waved her hand in circles at him, like Robin did to them earlier. “...Not…whatever it is you got going on.” Mike bursted out laughing before he started humming “Never Ending Story.” Kat just looked at him funny.

“Alright, come on guys. We can all have our things…” Dustin pleaded.

“Anyway, what’s been in the works for a while?” Kat asked, repeating what little she heard when she joined the group.

“Our current campaign I’ve been working on. It’s almost ready.” She just nodded, completely oblivious to Eddie’s white lie.

“So uh, guys? Why is everyone looking at us and then whispering?” Mike leaned in to ask the table in almost a whisper.

Kat dramatically threw her head back and rolled her eyes. “Oh Christ, can these people just find something else to talk about?”

“Hawkins’ newest celebrity couple. Right here.” Eddie said, pointing between him and Kat.

“Gross…” Dustin said, shaking his head.

“Like you’re one to talk about gross Dustin,” Kat scoffed.

“There is a difference–”

Dustin was cut off by Jason kicking Eddie’s chair as he walked by. “Oh look, if it isn’t Mr. and Mrs. Freak.”

Kat immediately slapped her hand on her heart and hunched over. “Jason! You wound me with your pathetic, uncreative insults!” She quickly turned off the dramatics to give him a look of utter annoyance.

“You lookin’ to start somethin’, Queen of the Freaks?”

“Oh, see, now that one I like! I’m not, but clearly you are. Boys, clear the runway. Trays to the edge.” She commanded as she pushed her seat back and stepped up onto the table, careful not to step in anyone’s lunch this time. “Good afternoon, everyone! It seems that we– Eddie, care to join me up here?” She asked holding her hand out to provide Eddie with leverage as he then also got up on the table. “–are the talk of the town. Still! Since,” Kat cupped her hands over her mouth, “clearly the jocks care so much about our relationship!” Eddie stayed at his end of the table, but he could tell Kat was planning something. Kat marched forward. “We have all lunch period! We will be holding a Q&A to answer all your burning questions! Because as much as you all talk shit about us ‘freaks,’” Kat brought her hands up to form air quotes energetically, putting emphasis on the word, “you all just can’t seem to get enough of us!” Kat spun around on her heel. Her hands went up like she was a puppet as she trotted back down the table, stopping just a couple steps before Eddie so he was easily within her reach. “Hopefully though, this will answer your most burning question.” Eddie knew exactly what she was about to do. An absolutely shit-eating grin blossomed on his face. In her dramatic fashion, she twirled around, facing him again. She nodded at him as her way of asking if he was ready. He gave her one nod, which was all she needed. Planting her hands on his shoulder, she hoisted herself up and wrapped her legs around his waist. While he seamlessly wrapped his hands around her thighs, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply – in front of the whole cafeteria.

There were some audible gasps and many eyes were averted from the show. The Hellfire club panicked, looking to each other for what they should do. Dustin scrunched his face at the display of affection. Taking the lead, Jeff started a slow clap and the rest of their table followed suit until it was just the sound of five people’s applause. Kat broke away from Eddie, grinning widely at him. She hopped off of him and no sooner had she turned to face her wide audience, she felt a slap right on her ass. Whipping around, she gave Eddie a look and whispered, “Now, now…” Before she again faced the crowded room. “And there you have it, folks. Again, we are available for the remainder of the period if you have any further questions.” Eddie hopped off the table, holding his hand out for Kat. “Okay, show’s over.” She said just before she grabbed his hand and hopped down.

Once they were both seated, Eddie looked at Kat adoringly and said, “You’re fucking amazing, you know that?” 

“So amazing and yet you still forgot my birthday…” Kat said teasingly.

Eddie groaned and put his head down in his arms on the table. “I’m never gonna live this down, am I?”

“Not for a while, babe. Not for a while.” She said as she ruffled his hair again. He shot up and squinted his eyes at her, before smiling and sighing.

—-------

“Alright… this is weird,” Kat said aloud to herself as she pulled into a spot at The Hideout. There were a few more cars than usual, which she found suspicious. She shrugged it off, thinking that maybe for once a few more drunks were posting up shop here tonight. As she got out of her Mustang, the cold November air stung her legs causing her to shiver. At least half of the front of her legs were exposed due to the massive rips her high waisted black jeans had. The fishnets underneath did nothing for warmth, but Kat thought it looked hot as hell. She locked her car and tugged at Eddie’s battle vest, which he left at her house that morning, in a sad attempt to shield the cold from her on the small distance to the entrance. She completed tonight’s ensemble with her shirt from Metallica’s Ride the Lightning tour. For jewelry, she had on her anatomical rib cage ring, along with a vampire bat ring, a black onyx coffin ring that sat conveniently on her ring finger, and a choker that resembled a barbed wire chain. Her hair was teased to the gods of all pantheons and she gave herself the smokiest of smokey eyes. 

Halfway to the entrance she saw someone scurry inside quickly and heard muffled voices. As she went to grab the door handle, she heard a hush fall over everyone inside. She hesitated with her hand around the doorknob, finally realizing what she was walking into. “Oh god, here we go…” She muttered as she swung the door open, walking inside.

“SURPRISE!!!” Everyone yelled at her. Crowded in front of the stage was Dustin, Mike, Lucas Steve, and Robin. All of Corroded Coffin are already on stage getting ready for their set.

“I just, uh, want it on the record here that I did in fact plan a party for the amazing, the talented… the utmost caring… Kat Ramsay!” Eddie said into the microphone, earning an eye roll from about half of those in attendance.

“Nice save, man!” One of the bar flies yelled.

Eddie pointed at him. “Thank you, Tony! He gets it. The man gets it. Happy Birthday, m’lady. Hey– that’s where my vest went!” 

Kat erupted into the biggest smile as her Doc Martens scuttled across the floor over to her friends. “Aw, look at that! I doubled Coffin’s usual crowd! I expect a cut from tonight, ya know.”

“Yeah we’re here for you, Kat, not them. I don’t even know how I’m gonna get through this, but anything for you!” Robin said as she hugged Kat. 

“You’ll warm up to it! Give it a chance, Robin!”

“I can’t, it’s too loud. And makes me all nervous. I mean maybe I’ll try…Kat, you are the only one who could even make me consider this!”

Kat laughed as she gave everyone else a hug. “Hey, thanks for coming, Steve.”

“I mean, who else was gonna drive these ragamuffins here?”

“Hey!” Robin said as she slapped him upside the head. “Dingus. I’ll remember that.”

“Ugh, I meant the kids. Not you!” Steve said, throwing his hands in the air walking away in a huff.

“Yeah. Exactly what I thought!” Robin said as she followed Steve, casting a knowing nod back to Kat. 

Eddie had finally jumped off the stage and made his way over to Kat, wanting to give her time to greet all her beloved party guests. At some point she had been turned around, so her back was to the stage. Distracted by Dustin’s excitement to see Corroded Coffin for the first time, Kat let out a small yelp when Eddie grabbed her from behind, lifting her off the floor as he pulled her to him. She turned to him when he let her feet touch the ground again, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Hope this makes up for yesterday. A little bit? Maybe? I was planning this whole time, I swear.” He whispered to her. 

She nodded enthusiastically. “I love that you got Robin and Steve here.” Kat could feel Eddie’s smile widen.

“Anything for you. You know that, right?” He said as he gently pushed her back in order to see her face.

“Don’t worry, I know.” She said right before she gave him a light kiss.

Eddie tutted. “Such a tease tonight.”

Kat raised one of her eyebrows. “How so?”

“Well, first, you’re in my vest, which while it doesn’t look as good as it does on yours truly,” he said before he leaned in, “a new kink has been unlocked,” he gruffly whispered in her ear. Not completely sure if it was his tone, what he said, or both, but Kat snapped back immediately, her eyes almost bugging out of her head. “You need to–” she started, but was interrupted by Eddie pulling her close to him again. “Then, you’ve put a patch of a skeleton making devil horns in quite the interesting place…” He trailed off. The heat of his breath lingering on Kat’s neck.

She pushed him away, just enough so she could look him directly in the eye. “You need to chill! Right now! And– and if you don’t… If you don’t, Mommy is not going to be happy when she gets home.” She looked up at him sternly, pointing a finger at him. He could only just blink at her. He was half enamored by what she said and half trying to rewire his brain back to normal after it just short circuited. Kat broke their embrace, keeping her face stern. “Don’t you have a show to start? Get to it!” She said as she walked around him and slapped him hard on the ass, making him yelp.

Gareth, only hearing the last part, played a “ba dum tss” on his drums. “Thanks Gareth!” Kat yelled. Eddie spun around not knowing which of them to call out. 

“Yes. No. I mean– I–” Eddie stammered. “Oh, you’re so gonna get it later for that one.”

Kat gave him a devilish smile and responded with a simple, “Good.” She then trotted over to the rest of where the group mingled. 

Eddie couldn’t help but shake his head and take a deep breath in. “Jesus H. Christ…” he muttered before returning to the stage to check the sound of his guitar one more time. 

Upon hearing the sound, Kat winced. “Uh, what’s wrong with you? Don’t you go to, like, a million gigs?” Steve asked.

“Yeah and I know what it’s supposed to sound like. And trust me, it’s not that!” 

She marched over to where the sad excuse of the front of house sound mixer was. “Yeah, hi. Birthday girl here. You mind if I take a peak at that?” She asked, her voice sweet as honey, as she shuffled her way into the booth, not taking no for an answer. 

The old guy there just stood up, immediately admitting defeat. “Sure,” he scoffed, “knock yourself out. Don’t know what a girl like you would know about sound anyway. Kids these days think they know everything…” He mumbled.

“Excuse you. I’ll have you know I worked front of house at both the Troubadour and Whiskey A Go Go in LA, where I’m from, thank you very much. So rest assured I mean it when I say your sound is garbage.” She glared at the man who only just grunted in response and made his way over to the bar. “Hm. That’s what I thought. Okay, let’s try this…” Kat murmured to herself as she began to adjust the levels of this and that. “Alright, Eddie, try it now!” She yelled over everyone. Eddie played a few riffs from a Corroded Coffin original and his jaw dropped. Everyone’s head snapped towards the stage. Kat sat back smugly. “Haven’t lost my touch!” She said as hopped off the stool to head towards the bar. 

“Whatever you want, it’s on the house. This place hasn’t sounded this good in years. Jimmy, you’re fired,” the bartender said in awe as soon as Kat was within earshot. The original sound guy just rolled his eyes. 

Kat went right up next to him and said “I’ll have a shot of Jameson,” to the bartender, before she turned and directed her attention at Jimmy. “Don’t know what an old man like you, out here in the middle of nowhere, knows about sound, but sounds pretty good out there, no?” She reached over and downed her shot in one go, not even flinching, while Jimmy stared at her slack-jawed. “I’ll have another.”

The bartender shook his head. “You messed with the wrong girl tonight!”

After Kat had her second shot, she said, “And a Jameson and coke for the road, please, my good sir!” Once she had her drink in hand, she turned to Jimmy, and patted him on the shoulder. “Pleasure to meet ya, Jimbo. Don’t touch the soundboard, ‘kay?” With a final pat, she joined the rest of her party.

“Well, now that we actually sound like a real band,” Eddie began into the microphone. 

“You wish, Munson!” Robin yelled. Eddie just flipped her off in response. 

“Pleasure to have you here, Buckley. Before we start off Kat’s Birthday Bash with a Corroded Coffin– That’s us in case you didn’t know. I’m looking at you, Harrington. With a Corroded Coffin original…” Eddie started playing the intro to the song.

“Why does he think I don’t know? I know their name.” Steve said defensively.

“Sure, Steve. It’s okay.” Dustin said, patting Steve on the back.

“They played the middle school talent show. It was– oh forget it.”

“Would you all do me the honor and join me in a song you all should know…” Eddie led the room in serenading Kat with Happy Birthday. Usually, she hated this part of anyone’s birthday, but today, she was eating up the attention. “Well, now that that’s out of the way… Here’s ‘Imprisoned Heart!’”

With the band jumping right into their own song, Kat was bopping along and singing. Robin was wincing. Steve just looked confused as always, probably trying to figure out how they were actually halfway decent. Dustin and his friends were head banging. Kat looked over and pulled them more towards the center of the dance floor and began to teach them how to properly mosh. Of course, their set started out normal, but midway through, Eddie revealed one of the last few tricks he had up his sleeve.

“Alright so, this is a new cover song for us,” Eddie addressed the audience as he moved aside some of his curls that had stuck to his face. “These fools didn’t want to play it at first, but! I, being the master of persuasion, convinced them otherwise.” Kat quickly went back to the table to finish off her Jameson and Coke.

“We were threatened!” Gareth yelled from behind his drum set. Eddie turned around with his mic still in hand.

“I would never do such a thing. Unless you count sabotaging our next campaign so they all die within the first fifteen minutes of it. Then yes, yes I did that. And I still stand by that. Anyway, this next one is for the birthday girl. Happy Birthday, sweetheart.”

A silence fell over the Hideout only to be broken by Gareth’s counting off the beat and Eddie’s intake of breath before they started singing,

“In my dreams--it's still the same

Your love is strong, it still remains

In my dreams--you're still by me

Just the way it used to be.” 

Now it was Kat’s turn to be slack-jawed. That little shit! That’s why he knew all the words! Kat thought to herself. When the guitar and drums kicked in, Kat felt like she had to pick her jaw up off the beer stained emerald green carpet. Once she snapped out of her mini trance, she rushed back to the stage. She sat herself down, putting her head in her hands, and stared dreamily up at Eddie. He shook his head, smiling as he was singing. When the first verse started, she sang along, raising her hands in the air, and swaying. Jumping up when the chorus kicked in, she began dancing. 

When Eddie stepped away from the mic and played the guitar solo, Kat’s eyes widened and she froze in her place. She never got tired of seeing Eddie center stage, getting absolutely lost in whatever song he was playing. Him playing her newest favorite song? Forget it. She was awestruck. When the beat kicked back in, Eddie encouraged everyone to clap along to the beat. When he sang the final chorus, he motioned for Kat to get on stage. She hesitated at first, not wanting to steal the spotlight from him. When the music stopped briefly, and they kept singing “In my dreams…,” Kat made a run for it. She grabbed the mic from Eddie, who had never looked happier in all his life. She belted out the outro, “It’s still the same, You’re still by me, Just the way it used to be, What can I say? You’re still by me, And in my dreams you’ll always be, In my dreams you’ll always be, Your love is strong, It’s still the same.” She ended with a larger than life vocal riff that had everyone chanting her name. Eddie was bowing at her feet. 

“Shit, thanks, guys. Hey, now you can say you’ve played to six drunks! Woo! Corroded Coffin’s moving up in the world!” Kat laughed into the mic, which Eddie motioned for her to give back as he playfully rolled his eyes. Once she did, she turned to leave the stage, but Eddie put the pick in his mouth and grabbed her by the wrist, pulling her towards him. Taking the pick back in his hand, he kissed her and whispered, “Happy Birthday.” Kat felt her knees go weak, if only for the briefest of moments. 

Into the mic, Eddie tutted. “The birthday girl isn’t getting away that easy. We also might have prepared something else for you…” He presented her the mic, which she took.

“This better be good…” She warned.

“You’ll know it.” Eddie said, looking to Gareth to begin counting them in. Corroded Coffin’s lead guitarist began a riff that mimicked the infamous synth line that started Take On Me. Taking the mic away from her mouth, she gave Eddie a disbelieving look. “Are you kidding me?!” She exclaimed before immediately taking center stage. “Robin, you know this! I better see you singing! I wanna see everyone singing with me! And yes, I’m talkin’ to you too, JimBob!” 

Whether she was working behind the scenes or center stage, Kat was a performer through and through. Music was her raison d’etre. Right there, at the Hideout that night, surrounded by her newest and dearest friends, she had never felt more alive.

After completing Hawkins first metal cover of “Take On Me,” Kat ran over to Eddie, tackling him with a hug as tight as she could manage with a guitar between them. “This is the best fucking birthday of my life.” She said so only he could hear.

“Wait til later to say that, Princess.” He whispered back to her. Knowing he was under the guise of her giant mane of hair, he gave ear the slightest of nibbles. She dug her black painted nails into his arm. Her eyes rivaled the size of the cheap stage lights above them. He just winked at her.

Kat spent the rest of the set on stage. It wasn’t until the last song that Eddie revealed his final trick. “I’m sorry to say, Hawkins, but we have reached our final song of the night.” Everyone booed, even Robin. “I know, I know. But we’re here every Tuesday! Come back! You never know when our newest member will join us.” Eddie paused to wink at Kat, just before he took off his guitar. “This right here,” he said as he held out his baby to the audience, “is my most prized possession in my life. No one, and I mean no one has ever been allowed to touch her. Except one night, someone went right for her and before I could even utter one word, I knew I found the exception to my rule. Our last song, my gracious audience, will be led by none other than the woman of the hour.” Eddie handed Kat his guitar and pick as everyone cheered her on. He put the mic in its stand. “Ladies and gents, I present to you a cover of ‘Rainbow in the Dark.’” He bowed to Kat as he hopped off the stage to join the youngest members of Hellfire in the small moshpit. 

“You ready?” Gareth called out.

“Let’s fucking do this.” Kat said. 

Robin and Steve were left in awe at how masterfully she was able to play. Eddie loved nothing more than just watching her up there playing with a full band behind her. He knew she was a star just as much as she knew he was one too. The rest of the gang looked up to Kat like she was their new hero. 

Once the song was done, everyone bombarded the stage to engulf Kat in the biggest group hug of her life. Of course, it wasn’t without Eddie quipping at everyone to watch out for his guitar, which he hurried over to take her from Kat. Everyone said their goodbyes, as Steve reminded the freshman it was in fact still a school night. Really, he was just more concerned about getting them home before their parents became agitated. Kat gave everyone a final hug and thanked everyone profusely for celebrating with her. 

When the van was all packed up and Corroded Coffin was ready to head home, Kat was staying right by Eddie’s side. “Hey gimme your keys, I’m gonna have Gareth drive my van to yours, and then we can drive him to his. I’ll drive your car so it’s at your place, sound good?” She nodded, still basking in the utter happiness she felt from everything that happened today. “Alright, come on.” He grabbed her hand as they walked over to her car. Gareth was already starting up the van.

Just before Eddie went to open the door for her, she stopped him. “Eddie?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for… for everything.”

He couldn’t help but pull her in for a hug. “Always.”

“No. I mean it. You… This… This was quite possibly the most fun I’ve ever had. And just… Eddie, you are the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t know if that’s too soon say, but I’ve… Never in all my measly nineteen years have I had anyone in my life like you in any way.” Kat was known for her tight hugs at this point, but she was holding onto him like her life and his were depending on it.

Gently, he broke the hug so he could look at her. “So, can you finally say moving to Hawkins was one of the best things to ever happen to you?”

“Only because I found you.” Eddie felt like his heart was just going to fly right out of his chest right then and there. Never had he admired and cared for another person so much in his life. There was just something about Kat. They brought out the best in each other.

“Hm, well, if you could change one thing, would you change anything?” He asked her, trying to savor this moment for just a little while longer.

Kat pulled him in, by the collar of his shirt, for a passionate kiss. After, she looked him right in the eyes with a smile on her face said, “I wouldn’t change a goddamn thing.”

[slickshoesareyoucrazy]

Seen Part III

Mary Sue woke early Sunday morning to her cell phone ringing; not the landline. She’d stayed up into the wee hours of the morning talking landline to landline with Joe Saturday after their magical reunion Friday. She jumped to answer the ringing despite her meager three hours of sleep, hoping it was Joe. It wasn’t. Joe wouldn’t cost her minutes when the odds were she was home. He’d always try home first. It was Steven. She expected to never hear from him again, and was disappointed he’d failed to meet those expectations. She briefly considered letting it go to voicemail, but was afraid he’d just keep calling if she did that, so she picked up. He didn’t let her say, “Hello.”

“OK, Ems. You made your point. I can’t believe you haven’t called at all since Friday.”

“Why’d you call the cell number?”

“No idea where you’d be.”

“At 7:30 on Sunday morning? I’ve barely slept. You’re burning minutes for me here.”

He ignored her concern with the potential increase in her monthly bill and continued, “I can’t believe you walked out on me over five bucks for bums.”

“I can. I wish I’d done it sooner. Way sooner. And did it ever occur to you that you abandoned me Friday night over a five dollar donation? You just...left me downtown alone because I did something pretty minor you disagreed with. What if something had happened to me?”

“That’s why I’m calling now.”

“I can feel the love, Steven. I thought it was clear enough Friday, but since I guess it’s not, it’s over. Don’t call me again. We’re not going out together anymore. Over.”

“What?!”

“Pretty sure ya heard me and again...tick tock on the minutes here. I’m hanging up...”

“Don’t! Please! I...I...”

“You what?”

“I’m...s-sorry? I...please don’t do this, Ems. What am I gonna say to Rodney and Clint and Mom and Dad and…?”

“Say whatever. They all don’t care about me at all anyway. Who cares? Goodbye.” She huffed and tossed and turned for a few minutes, unable to settle, and stared at the cradled cordless instead of her cell. “Don’t,” she said out loud to herself. She rolled away from the temptation but it still called to her. “He’s sleeping,” she said again, to her empty apartment. “I’m sure he’s sleeping. It’s intrusive and inconsiderate to call now,” she argued with herself as she scooted closer to the nightstand and grabbed the receiver. She looked at the alarm clock and excused herself somewhat. “It’s almost eight,” she conceded, dialing.

“Hmm? ‘Searly onna off day,” Joe’s groggy sleep-voice mumbled as a general answer on the third ring. She felt disgusted with herself that she’d woken him for essentially no reason besides she was awake and thinking about him.

“I’m sorry, Joey. I...”

“Rice Chex?! You alright?!” he asked, exponentially more alert. Worried.

“I’m...fine. I just...woke up early and...now I can’t go back to sleep and it was really dumb and selfish to call you but...I did. And now you’re...”

“I’m glad you called.”

“You are? But I woke you up. I mean...”

“Was thinking about you.”

“You were sleeping.”

“That doesn’t normally stop me from thinking about you. Seriously though? Was gonna call you...y’know a little later than this...and see if you wanted to do Sunday dinner at Nanna D’s. With me. Today.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. Is that...am I cutting too many corners here? Like...I’m counting the four years. To me, this isn’t day three. It’s day like...2500...”

“No, me too. I’m...cut the corners. Should I bring something?”

“Just you and an appetite for actual Italian food.”

“Well...done. This is...ok? Does your family even...like me still?”

“Uh...yes.”

“Did you tell them…? What did you tell them? Am I crashing Nanna D’s Sunday dinner?!”

“I talked to Mom yesterday before I called you and I said I might be bringing a date today. I didn’t tell her it’s you. I wanna surprise everybody.”

“What did she think about you bringing a date today when you mentioned it? Also...might?! You might be bringing a date? The hell, Joey?!” she laughed.

“I didn’t know if you’d wanna come, so I didn’t wanna give my mom anything without a ‘might.’ She was horrified about me bringing somebody, by the way. I’m sure all my aunts and cousins and Nanna D are melting down about it chopping tomatoes for Sunday gravy right now.”

“I thought you said...”

“They love you. They’ve always loved you. Mom was upset because...I...I haven’t brought anybody to Nanna D’s for dinner in four years.”

Mary Sue’s breath caught in her throat, supremely touched by what he’d said. She wanted to eloquently profess love for him back, but the only words she could form were, “Oh, Joey.”

“I can’t really...y’know...wine and dine you like you’ve probably been for...whatever, but I can take you with me to Nanna D’s. Food’s better. And free. And you’ll make Nanna’s...year. And Mom and Dad’s. And probably John’s. And...definitely mine. You’ll make my life.”

“Mine too. I kinda miss Nanna D.” Joe’s Nanna’s house was one of the few places Mary Sue had ever gone that felt like home. Home the way Paul Simon sang about it; the way instant coffee and long distance calling company commercials and Norman Rockwell paintings portrayed ‘home.’ Nanna D’s house was warm and welcoming and soothing like hot soup on a cold day. It always smelled like basil and oregano and fresh lemons and Nanna D hugged the same way Joe did. She probably taught Joe how to hug. She remembered one of her first dates with Steven when she’d arrived back here, so close to her past but still so far away, stressed out about really finishing a doctorate program; really getting on a tenure track to become a literature professor in college; really making something of herself. He’d taken her to see some movie where police officers pulled up in front of a downtown rowhouse with bright green outdoor carpeting up the five front stairs and covering the small square concrete block porch at the top, separating the steps from the entry door. A wave of comfort washed over her and she remembered the charge of happiness and connection. ‘That’s just like Nanna D’s house,’ she cheerfully noted to herself maybe a second before Steven began laughing. “What a trashy place. That’s not real. Nobody really puts astroturf on the front porch,” he snarked. Another time she should have just ended things with him. ‘Nanna D has astroturf on the front porch. That’s my home. That’s my family. That’s my Nanna,’ she thought in quiet rage, but of course she never said anything. Because in a way, Steven wasn’t wrong. The point of the movie scene was to show that it was a trashy place. Some run down, older, working class hovel in Detroit or Chicago or New York City...some harsh and believable ‘inner city-bad neighborhood’ setting for the privileged class to consume another violent crime drama. But it wasn’t a bad neighborhood to Mary Sue; it was Nanna D’s house; it was where she ate spaghetti and meatballs on Sundays with Her Joe and got all those hugs and heard all those loud, bawdy laughs from his big, loving family who loved her too.

“All the Disibios miss you. They’re gonna...my mom might cry. Be ready.” He yawned loudly.

“I should go and let you sleep...”

“You should call me when you think of me. Every single time. I’ll be happy every single time because you’re thinking about me. I don’t care if you’re panicked or proud or you don’t even have a reason. Whatever it is, I’ll be happy. Happy to help. Happy to listen. Happy to share what you wanna tell me. Happy to just hear your voice. I’m awake. I won’t go back to real sleep now, even if you let me go and I close my eyes in bed again. I’ll just think about you until it turns back into dreaming.”

“That’s...something to say,” she said breathlessly.

“I held it all in last time. That got me nowhere with nothing. I’m saying it now.”

“I’m gonna say it now too.”

“I’ll come get you at about four...”

“I’ll come get you. It’s silly for you to drive here and then drive all the way back to...”

“You’re not coming here to my place.”

“You’re serious about that? So it’s small and older. Who cares? I don’t buy ‘bad neighborhood.’ My neighborhood is probably full of drugs and sex offenders too. It’s right off a college campus and sometimes you can hear the stupid parties from Greek Life houses. You’re not ashamed of where you live now after all the shit we’ve already been through with…?”

“No. And now I don’t want you at your place alone either, honestly. I know you...I don’t want you coming here. Especially not without me with you. I’m happy to come pick you up.” It seemed like a small difference; Joe’s insistence on keeping her safe; taking care of her; looking out for her, but it wasn’t small.

“Okay. I’ll...I’ll cook for you maybe. Soon. Tuesday? Monday I assume will be...exhausting for us both at work since...”

“I’ll be there Tuesday. And at four. Don’t know why you’re up, but you need more sleep for Nanna D’s. It’s gonna be a lot. Think you could take a nap now before four if…?”

“Can you?”

“I’m kinda eager to.”

“I’m so sorry I woke you up. I knew it was...”

“I’m not sorry you woke me up. Will just make getting back to that dream more vivid.”

“I see,” she coyly replied. “Yeah, I can probably take a nap.”

“Sweet dreams, My Rice Chex.”

***

“Look who I found playing music on the street at night with my punk friends, Mom...” Joe tormented his mother, moving aside to display Mary Sue upon arrival at his grandmother’s house.

“Omigod, Joey! Is that our girl?!” his mother squealed. “Ma, it’s our Mary Sue! Look at her! Johnny, look at her!” she called to Joe’s grandmother and his father in separate parts of the house.

“I see her, dollbaby,” Joe’s dad replied with a satiated grin to his wife, who, predictably, had begun to cry. She hugged Mary Sue and then stood back at arm’s length and put her straightened fingers out to cradle Mary Sue’s chin.

“Look at you,” she said.

“It’s...it’s so good to see you,” Mary Sue sniffed, softly crying and wiping rogue tears from her cheeks before they touched Joe’s mother’s hands.

“Don’t you cry, sweetheart. Omigod. Joey, you evil little shit. How do you not tell your mother you’re bringing Mary Sue to dinner? Ma is gonna...”

Nanna D shuffled out of the kitchen with a dishtowel on her shoulder. She looked Mary Sue over with a Mona Lisa smile. “This is heaven for my Joey, I know,” she murmured into Mary Sue’s ear, engulfing her in one of those Nanna D hugs. “How is it for you, love?”

“Better than that, Mrs. Disibio.”

“Why would you call me Mrs. Disibio?”

“I didn’t want to be presumptuous.”

“The words.” Nanna D’s smile grew and she patted Mary Sue’s face. “You’re not being that big old word, love. Are you in town to see your family?”

“She’s living by the college, Nanna. Graduate school. Is here now. She’s gonna be a professor. Of books. In like a year or so. Now the studyin’ is really her writing a big...I mean, book, almost, right? About books?” Joe explained to his grandmother, but really his whole family, beaming with pride and turning to Mary Sue for authentication.

“Yeah, that’s about it, Nanna,” she sighed.

“You shouldn’t miss anymore Sundays, then,” Nanna D gently commanded, with the clear implication that she considered the previous four years of absences as Mary Sue being unfortunately and unavoidably busy.

“I won’t miss anymore if Joey wants me to be here.”

“He definitely does,” Joe said.

They spent the evening with the Disibio family, Mary Sue soaking up the timeless feeling of home and Joe having his patience and loyalty validated, looking at her snapping right into the void in his heart perfectly. All the people he loved the most were in the same room while they ate big plates of carbonara and ravioli with Nanna D’s slow cooked red sauce, just like they had been five years in the past, when Joe felt like his life was the best. Only it was more now; better now. Now Mary Sue wasn’t obliging him, and she didn’t feel trapped, and she was on her own way. She just steered so his family was a frequent stop; so he was part of the journey; maybe he was even the destination. After eating, Mary Sue went into the kitchen with the Disibios to clean up and then out to what Nanna D called ‘the family room’ to sit next to Joe. He couldn’t stop looking at her with wide, dancing eyes; couldn’t help reaching out to comb through the ends of her hair or hold her hand, or stretch an arm around her, or rest his palm on her knee. She tired a bit, from so much social connection after years of stagnation, and a big carbohydrate loaded meal, and rested her cheek on his shoulder. That’s when Joe’s mother started digging in her purse.

“Aw, Jesus, Mom. No. Not the camera,” Joe begged.

“We don’t have any photos of you with Mary Sue. We didn’t have a camera and then...and you look just like when...except you need to get rid of the scruff on your face but…” Joe’s mother didn’t want to say her entire thought process and motivation out loud, but Joe could figure her out. She wanted a photo in case it was the last time. She didn’t even have a photo from the last ‘last time,’ and she didn’t want that to happen again. It was an insurance policy. Instead she continued to Mary Sue, “Joey and John got me this fancy camera last Mother’s Day and now they both lose their shit whenever I try and use it. It’s so nice, Mary. It shows you the pictures on this screen right after you take ‘em. And if somebody sneezed or blinked or somethin’, you can just delete it and take it over. A do-over. Ya didn’t useta get those with takin’ pictures. Lemme get one-a you with Joey there. Your pretty face. See if you can get ‘im to shave that beard...”

***

“Sure you don’t wanna go out?” Joe asked as he shrugged off his jacket inside Mary Sue’s apartment door upon his Tuesday night arrival.

“I’m actually pretty sick of going out.”

“Shit, you used to wanna go out as much as you could.”

“That was Old Mary Sue. Now I’ve been out. It’s all...not worth it. I’m excited to hang out with you here. Make dinner and just...have you here. I’d so rather be on the roof of your truck, pirating a live baseball game, than anything I’ve done out in the past four years.”

“I loved doing that with you. And Nanna D’s dinners. And working at the chili parlor. And just hanging out in Jen’s mom’s basement. Doing...nothing. But I thought you hated it.”

“I thought I did too, but I really loved it. That last guy? We always went out with some of his friends and they all told all these glory days stories about concerts and beach trips on spring breaks and ski trips on winter ones and shit. And they’d razz me until I eventually just stopped talking altogether because all my stories were sitting in someone’s car in a parking lot or sitting in someone’s basement or having dinner at someone’s house. Like connection didn’t count to them unless it was out in public for other people to see, spending money. But it dawned on me that they weren’t connecting doing any of that shit. It was stuff to buy and do with their time to feign or avoid connecting. They do stuff so they can say they did it to someone else. It’s like they don’t actually experience anything. They just go places to collect ticket stubs and take pictures to prove they were there. I miss just...being with you. Seeing you. I love talking on the phone with you and all, but now I just...wanna see you all the time.”

“I wish I could say that could be arranged, but I gotta work, and so do...you? I assume you’re working. Right? You gotta be to live here and not back with your folks, commuting. And you made quiche for dinner...”

“I get my grad school candidate/assistant professor’s stipend. That’s what pays for all the luxury you see,” she kidded. “And I don’t think I could move home. Like I don’t think Mom and Dad would...this was the goal of their life. For me to not live with them anymore. Right? Also, quiche is just scrambled eggs with cheese and chopped up leftovers baked in a grocery store frozen pie shell. All those country clubs and snooty restaurants with dress codes and shit are actually kinda cheaping out. Telling you. Rich people are cheap unless they think they’re impressing somebody by spending.”

Joe felt a little ache for her, talking about her parents not wanting her living back home. They’d never been as close as his family, and Mary Sue often tried to shield him from the darker parts of her life at home, but he knew enough to know there were dark parts. She liked to say how much her family loved her, but he was fairly certain she was saying it to convince herself it was real. They only showed up for her when she did something to fulfill some big expectation they had of her. Her family was the origin story of why she was always working so hard to prove herself; worthy, deserving, good, better, more. The only pleasure Joe ever saw her get from connection with her own family was when she did something they could point at and use to prove they were worthy, deserving, good, better, more, because they had to be if she did that thing; they made her, after all. He answered everything she’d said except that part, because he didn’t have an answer. “You joke, but you have an actual thermostat. I have steam heat and a window A/C unit. And maybe the ingredients are common, but I am damn near certain I’d fuck up a quiche. It kind of is luxury. And they’re paying you to go to school?!” he laughed, hoping for playful banter instead of heavy thoughts about her family.

“If you go to school long enough and are pretty good at it, they start paying you to go.”

“I’ve heard something like that about community college. Go long enough they make you the teacher. But...” He was relieved for the wisecracks, and took a seat at her tiny dining table and dug into his dinner as soon as she sat down too.

“Oh, it works that way with all college, actually. Just with a traditional university, you either have to develop an anxiety disorder trying to keep a scholarship, or shoulder like a hundred grand of debt for...most if not all of the rest of your life in order to get paid enough to live in this apartment.”

“So My Smarty Rice Chex won’t have the debt cloud because of the scholarship. And when the thesis is finally finished, then you’re a what?”

“Hopefully I get an associate professorship in American literature.”

“Associate Professorship. Professor Rice.”

“Doctor Rice. Just not that kind of doctor.”

“I’m prouda you. You really...did it.”

“Almost.”

“No, it’s gonna happen. Why would you...you sure you wanna...with me?”

“Joey. Of course I’m sure. I...um...are you...not sure about this?”

“I’m still kinda scared I’m not enough. I don’t have plans to become...anything more or better...than me.”

“Good. I like My Joe as is.”

“Before...”

“I was really really wrong before. I’m different now. I know what more and better is. I know if you want more and better, it’s not somewhere else. You can’t go out and find it. You make it at home.”

“That’s...something to say.” He wiped his hands and mouth on his napkin and smiled across the table at her.

“Told My Joe I was saying it now.”

“And you are.” She stood to clear dishes and clean up and he hovered around her to help, but she refused him.

“Just go...I dunno. I’ll clean up. And then I’ll come out and… You wanna...stay tonight?”

“That’s...wow, Rice Chex, you’re really saying it now,” he nervously chuckled from her sofa.

“You...don’t wanna…?” she stuttered with obvious disappointment and embarrassment.

“Oh, no. That’s not...I like...incredibly a lot want to. It’s just...I gotta go to work in the morning and you probably do too, and if I start...if we...uh...I can see me making some unwise decisions about tomorrow if I stay here tonight.”

“OK. Not tonight. I get it. I guess.”

“I honestly can’t even believe you asked,” he snickered.

“Well, fortune rewards the bold.”

“Is that what it does? What book’s that out of?”

“It’s an old Latin translation that’s been quoted all over the place for centuries. It’s probably in a few books. It means...”

“I know what it means. It means Mary Sue Rice ditches rides to tip street trumpet players and then asks them to spend the night with her.”

“And then she gets to talk to the trumpet player every day and see him a lot and has a little prospect off on the horizon in the distance that he’ll stay all night. Someday. Hopefully soon. Maybe someday he’ll even...just...never leave. Ever.”

“That’s bold alright.”

“Those are some impressive rewards.” He smirked at her, his ego inflated.

“Maybe someday, he will just never leave.”

“Maybe someday, he’ll get a house with me that has a carport or a garage to park Ol’ Cherry in and he’ll play La Vie En Rose on that trumpet at two o’clock some Saturday afternoon. And no one will care. Except her. She’ll care. She loves that song. She loves hearing him play it.”

“That sounds like a nice someday. Sounds like he’s getting the rewards for her being bold.”

“So? Maybe she thinks he deserves a lot more rewards than he gets. Maybe someday in that house, he’ll teach their kid to play La Vie En Rose on the trumpet at two o’clock some Saturday afternoon...”

“Alright on that one? No.”

“No?” The smarting letdown showed on her face until he diagrammed his reasoning.

“If I got lucky enough to have a someday that gives me ‘our kid?’ Our kid gets real music lessons. I’ll work two, three jobs if our kid wants to play music. So they can have real lessons. Learn how to read music. Sit right. Alla that.”

“Just because you didn’t get the formal education doesn’t make you...less...Joey. Believe me, I know without a doubt that formal education doesn’t make anybody more or better. That’s probably the most important thing I learned in college.”

“Formal education gets you options. If our kid wants to make a life outta music, formal education gives them that option. I’m not mad I didn’t get it. It wasn’t something my family...but...our kid will have that option. Our kid won’t have to drive a forklift. Or wait tables at the chili parlor. They can. But they can also be a college book professor or first chair at the Cincinnati Symphony playing...something. Or maybe they’ll play the trumpet in the Great Funk Revival of 2025 or something. You aren’t the only one who learned important stuff while you were in college.”

She’d finished in the kitchen, putting things away and wiping up mess, and joined him. She briefly thought of sitting on his lap but suddenly got shy. “You know...if there’s a someday where we get ‘our kid?’ I’m...I mean, part of that someday is that I’m a tenured literature professor. And that means...you wouldn’t have to work two or three jobs. You might not even have to work one.”

“What did I ever do to deserve that kinda someday?”

“You’re My Joe.” He shook his head and closed his eyes and threaded his fingers into her hair to kiss her. They reclined, him over her, a tangle of limbs and racing heartbeats. “If you’re not gonna stay, can I see you again tomorrow?” she daringly panted.

“You really…?”

“Yeah.”

“I’ll come over after work. I’ll bring over...”

“You. I’ll figure out food. Just bring over you. Your face. Your voice. Your hands. You.”

“I can do that.” He smiled, gratified and eased.

“And Thursday.” They adjusted to a more wholesome version of enmeshed with one another and she crinkled his tshirt in her fists, under his unbuttoned flannel shirt.

“Thursday I gotta bring something. Fried chicken from Guster’s? Burgers?”

“I don’t think I’ve had Guster’s fried chicken in...”

“Four years? Yeah, that’s Thursday then. Before you say Friday, I can’t. Will’s trying to collect some money to buy an engagement ring for his girl, so we’ve been...I promised like five Friday nights and two Saturday’s in the next six weeks. I can’t just...”

“Of course you can’t skip that. You can’t skip it for you. You have to play. I’ll be alright.”

“It’s not like we won’t see each other again. Right?”

“Right.”

***

“That smells so goooood,” Mary Sue moaned opening the door to Joe with hot fried chicken and biscuits.

“None of the college guys brought you Guster’s? None of them? Amateurs.” They each took seats and hungrily grabbed the food from the paper bag, devouring it with their eyes and noses before getting it into their mouths.

“They were amateurs,” she said as daintily as possible with a mouthful of chicken thigh. “But even if they would have known the ground they could gain with Guster’s fried chicken, they wouldn’t have brought it here. None of them have even been inside the apartment.”

“What?!” Joe nearly choked on his mashed potatoes.

“The only men who’ve been inside the apartment are my dad and Andy. I guess you can count Andy as a man now that he’s eighteen.”

“Didn’t you say you went out with whatsisface for like two years? He never came to your apartment? Ever? How’s that even possible?”

“I drove to his place and then we’d go out. He still lived at home with his parents. In a goddam mansion. Like, they would never call it a mansion, and his parents complained about the neighborhood and the upkeep on the house and shit, but like...it was a mansion, Joey. Six bedrooms, four baths, four car garage for three people. They had this...you know that cobalt blue blown glass chandelier over the information desk at the art museum?”

“Yeah...” Joe had been to the Cincinnati Art Museum about a hundred times; every time with Mary Sue. It was free with donation. Mary Sue put dollar bills in the box when she had them and counted found change when she didn’t. He loved the museum because it was one of her favorite places to be. Somewhere they could go and talk and be together and look at beautiful things people throughout history created without being expected to buy something with money they didn’t have.

“His house has a chandelier that big in the foyer. First of all they have a foyer and they call it a foyer without even thinking it’s strange they’re using the word foyer. But past that, they have this huge fucking crystal chandelier hanging in it. So the first time I go in there, I said, ‘Wow,’ out loud, because like...wow. Right? And Steven starts in on how much of a pain in the ass it is and they have to hire this specialty company to clean it twice a year. The cleaning bill was five thousand dollars. Just the cleaning bill. For the chandelier. Which they paid two of in a year. So that’s ten thousand dollars...”

“If I added up the vehicles of all my immediate family members, I think it’d still be less than ten grand.”

“Exactly. So I’m gonna invite that guy to my apartment? He shit on my car. He shit on my clothes...”

“Your clothes?! How…? You look...well you look like you don’t belong with a schmuck like me; that’s for sure...”

“You’re not a schmuck. He is though. He shit on taking me to the art museum. Both because it’s technically free and also because only nerds who are trying to hard to impress people actually go to museums. Liking and appreciating anything at all seemed to be a reason to make fun of me.”

“Your folks ever meet that guy?”

“No way! My place is nicer than their place!”

“But your parents...”

“’Whatever it takes to fit in there, Mary Sue. Make something of yourself...’”

“So they’re fine that you’re dating some dumb fucker who left you downtown without a ride as long as it means maybe someday you can live in a house that has a chandelier that costs more than my Nanna’s entire house? That’s...like...it’s pissing me off, Rice Chex.”

“I get it, obviously. It pisses me off too, but it’s...it’s not worth you getting...who cares? About...any of them? They don’t care about me. They think sending me into that world and making me feel shitty for ever coming back home is somehow the best thing they could have done for me. You’re here. You’d never leave me downtown. You’re...proud of me.”

“Of course I am. I think they’re all idiots for making you feel like...you feel. You don’t have anything to prove to me, Rice Chex. You never have, you know? I already knew in tenth grade you were better than all the rest of these shitheads.”

“I just wanna be good enough for you.”

“You passed that up a long time ago. You started out too good for me. That scares the shit outta me all the time I’m with you now.”

“You’re better than all the rest of those shitheads. I wasn’t smart enough to know that in tenth grade, but I know it now.” She licked the grease from her fingers and crumpled up a couple of napkins, turning abashedly away from him.

“Oh no, I brought dinner this time, I’m cleaning it up. It’s not even any work,” he said, crunching chicken bones and trash into the emptied bag and tossing it into her kitchen wastebasket. She remained at the dining table, her knees curled to her chest in the chair, closing herself in with folded arms, and staring again at the center of the table. “Hey,” he said, lifting her chin to look him in the eyes after he washed his hands at the kitchen sink. “I’ve never felt anything but lucky that you were ever a part of my life. You’ve done nothing but make my life better. With or without college. Whatever you drove. Wherever you lived. Even when we weren’t even… You’re My Rice Chex. And if somebody...anybody else thinks you need to...well, they’re just fucking wrong.”

“I really wish you were staying tonight.”

“I do too. I got a long day tomorrow though. Work then...y’know...”

“Yeah, I know. La Vie En Rose.”

***

Mary Sue flipped through endless basic cable channels, wholly dissatisfied with the offerings. She didn’t wish she was out; she wished Joe was in with her. Then it would cease to matter what was on television; even if it was all garbage, they’d have fun watching it together. Or not watching it together. She used to judge people she knew for moving in with partners too quickly. What if it didn’t work out? How can you trust them? Is the break in expenses really worth the potential future damage? But she wanted to ask Joe to live with her now, after what substantially amounted to a week together to anyone on the outside of what she was in. She didn’t care about what was on the outside anymore. She felt as though she’d spent her whole life on the outside, except with Joe. And the four years outside with him were more than enough for a lifetime. She wanted back in. She wanted in forever. She wanted to be inside, with Joe, forever. But right now, she accepted that he was out.

She closed her eyes and imagined him setting up on Main and 9th to play; his long legs and heavy boots sprawled wide, his shoulders touching the top of the flimsy chair back, slunk to the edge of the seat to camouflage his height, his feet stationed around the money. She saw those nimble hands holding the trumpet to those strong, soft lips to play. She sighed. She’d seen him play outside once, and for most of her observation she didn’t even know it was him, and she’d already tattooed the imagery of him into her head to study in fantasy. She loved his hands; she loved his lips; she loved those long legs; his shoulders; his everything. She returned to his fingers and lips. He really had such gorgeous lips; slender, powerful fingers. She wanted them on her now, but he was playing music now, so she reanimated the past. She rewound the goodbye kisses she’d received since the previous Friday night and then rewound further to when they’d gone further when they were younger. Joe was the only man Mary Sue ever wanted to touch her. She’d allowed others to, but they were always fumbling and hurried, and either coarse and stingy or too faint and fearful and delicate. Joe was her first and her best, which she knew was rare when it came to lovemaking, especially when first wasn’t also ‘only.’ But that was Joe. First and best and rare. Anyone could see the kind of lover he was if they paid attention to how he handled any instrument he played. Careful and relaxed and strong and gentle, but the best part of Joe was his instincts, fed by a keen ear. He listened. He saw. He paid attention. And without needing to read the notes and timing, he could expertly play all the songs she wanted to hear. She thought of their first time together and how careful he’d been without being faint and fearful and delicate. She thought of every time they were together. She lost herself for probably a few hours, in a nebulous liminal space between being awake and asleep, dreaming of Joe and his lips and his fingers and his legs and shoulders and voice, and the way he touched her and held her, and her thoughts were so lively and real, she could almost feel him there with her when he wasn’t.

She lunged for her phone. It startled her. She’d been fairly zoned out and nearly asleep on the couch with the television on. “Can I see you? I know it's late, but can I see you...tonight?”

“Where are you?” she chirped, full of butterflies that it was Joe. She began pacing in front of the couch, too wired from her reverie and hearing Joe’s voice to hold still any longer.

She started for her bedroom to find suitable attire for a date when she heard an abrupt knock on her door. She eyeballed the peephole. It was Joe on his cell phone. He looked great. More than great. Better than great. She looked terrible. She was watching Seinfeld reruns on cable in faded pink sweats and bunny slippers. She opened the door anyway. They simultaneously hung up their phones.

“Hi.”

“Hi. Been missing you. Come in, I guess. Even though I look like this now.”

“You look lovely,” he said, walking purposefully too close to her, making sure he touched her. “La Vie En Rose.”

“You're a liar.” She closed the door and started back to the living room.

“It's never mattered what you're wearing. You're still the best thing in the room to look at. Did you really miss me?” he said, facing her. He brushed her messy hair away from her face.

“Yes, I did,” she replied, pressing her hand over his on her cheek. She placed her other hand gingerly to the side of his face. “You shaved your beard,” she gratuitously stated. She skated over his newly smooth skin with her fingertips. He looked more familiar, like Her Joe, but somehow also brand new without the beard. He smelled good. She liked the way he smelled even straight from a day of warehouse work, because he was Her Joe, but this was a clean good. A freshly showered and shaved good.

“Better to see me with, my dear. Are you seeing anyone right now?” he needlessly asked.

“Just you.”

“I didn’t mean extremely literally...”

“I know. There’s just you. You’re the only...I haven’t had much luck seeing people.”

“I can't really understand that, actually. I don't understand why you're home on a Friday night. Home alone, anyway. You were out last weekend...”

“Well, it was stupid of me to be out last weekend. Stupid people. Stupid place...”

“I’m glad you were. You made it not a stupid place. If you’re there, it can’t be stupid. I missed you too, Rice Chex. Honestly thought I’d never see you again.”

“Here I am. You’re seeing a lot of me now. And I'm not home alone anymore. You're here, keeping me from falling asleep on the couch with my bunny slippers and my old sitcoms.”

“The bunny slippers are making it kinda hard to control myself.”

“You showing up here is making it hard to control myself. Was...was...thinking about you. A lot. Before you called.”

“Were ya now? I was thinking about you a lot while I was playing tonight. I wasn’t thinking about the bunny slippers though. Those are...man. I’d have probably made some sour notes or maybe even forgotten where I was if I knew about those,” he kidded. “What were you thinking about me?”

“How much I love your lips.” He blushed, and a rascally, open mouthed smirk painted his face. He quite deliberately ran his tongue across his lips. “And you’re...you look like...never seen you look like this before.” He was wearing what seemed to be a tailored three piece suit, still no tie, though. And classic wingtips, shined to a high gloss. And a thick leather strap over one shoulder.

“You like it?”

“I mean...yes. It’s probably...similar to your bunny slippers problem.”

“I can clean up. Wanted to show you I can look like I belong...with you. Wherever you go.”

“Did you wear...this...to play with...you wore this out to play on the street?”

“No. I wore this to come see My Rice Chex.”

“What's that for?” She nodded suspiciously toward the instrument case slung over his shoulder. She felt her face flush and her body hum. Just being that close to Joe was arousing, but he’d purposefully come for her. With the guitar. The extravagant, wasteful, impractical...romantic...guitar.

“You're gonna suck all the romance out of this, huh?” he playfully asked as he took the guitar out.

“Watch how loud you strum that thing. I live an apartment just like you, you know. We’re not out on the corner of Main and 9th right now.” She attempted a stern scolding but it came out in a nervous, thrilled chime. “Tell me, do you think it'd be alright,” he began singing, quietly, just as she asked. “If I could just crash here tonight? You can see I'm in no shape for driving, and anyway, I've got no place to go. And you know, it might not be that bad. You were the best I ever had. If I hadn't blown the whole thing years ago, I might not be alone...” He could tell she wanted to say something, so filled with unusual optimism, he just played and stopped singing.

“You’re here. You’re here and I can’t believe you’re singing to me and...”

He started singing again, “The past is gone, but something might be found to take it's place, Hey Jealousy!”

“Joey, please,” she said over his quiet guitar playing.“Stop.” She stretched her fingers over his guitar strings, making the notes go flat.

“I thought about this every day since last Friday night. Every time I hear this song, I think about you. Practically since fucking 1992 when it came out, even though you didn’t even kiss me until 1995. I really miss you.”

“This is the most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me. I mean, except for last Friday. Which was you too. I’m the one who ruined everything...selfish and short-sighted and...fucking...” She shook her head at herself because she was unable to come up with the right Future Literature Professor synonym for ‘uppity asshole.’

“We'll make it work this time.” He carefully placed the guitar back in its case and reached out for her hand with confidence.

“It's late. And I messed up so bad then. And you're so...way too good for me now...”

“What?! Uneducated hometown boyfriend here. You’re about to become a university literature professor and you got real furniture and glass glasses and shit in your apartment...”

“From IKEA...”

“Still. You DO have more. And better. Like...that was...correct...and...Rice Chex I think you got everything backwards here. But that’s fine. Be backwards. We can still make it work. It'll be different now that you're almost out of school and you’re...here. You’re choosing...me. On purpose. I won't have anything to be jealous about.”

“You weren’t jealous.”

“I was. You were right. I was jealous and scared I’d lose you, so I just went and made sure it happened. Like a fool.”

“Well, you were right too, though. You were right first, actually. I was ashamed. Of my family, where I came from, of the school I went to, my situation...of myself...like...why do you always have to be RIGHT?” she asked after a long, cumbersome lull. He smiled and rested his forehead against hers.

“To piss you off.”

“Well you are SO good at it. Still!” He cracked a bigger smile.

“Rice Chex, let me ask you something...”

“OK. Go ahead.”

“If I woulda sang 'La Vie En Rose' instead....”

“Oh, I’d have gone right to bed with you,” she teased.

“You hurt me,” he replied with humor and sarcasm in his voice, but sincerity in his heart. He closed his eyes in a deliberate blink and flinched a little, like he was really taking a hit, but kept smiling.

“Hey?” She elbowed him softly in the ribs.

“Yes, Miss Rice?” He returned her familiar with counterfeit formality.

“You can crash here tonight.”

“You gonna go to bed with me anyway?” he chuckled.

“Yeah. Unless that was just...exaggerated musical romance.”

“I definitely meant it. You’re not ashamed to tell people you’re with a warehouse worker-slash-street performer? That he’s your high school flame? From your working class neighborhood? Roping you into an ordinary life that might end up right back where you started?”

“Of course not. I’m not ever gonna be ashamed again of what makes me happy. Of what I love.”

“You love me?”

“Always have.”

“I love you too, Rice Chex. Always have. But what about me could make you happy?”

“You see me.”

[the-fiction-witch]

Penguin 🐧 P1

MOVIE MAZE RUNNER AU COUPLE NEWT X READER RATING CUTE + FUNNY

I sighed as I woke up hearing my alarm blaring aggressively at me. I groaned and turned over slamming my hand on the buzzer to shut it up. I rubbed my eyes and groaned trying to bring myself to wake up. I sat up and groaned "I hate my life" I groaned 

"I hate your life too dude, I had your life of have already killed myself" I heard davi say at my door frame 

"Shut up davi" I told him as I climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom. I had myself a very hot shower scrubbing up and down my body contemplating every excuse I could come up with in my mind to go back to bed but none of which made sense. 

I finished up and brushed my teeth going into my bedroom and starting to get dressed for the day slipping on a pair of fluffy penguin socks, my full brown shoes, my black pants, and white button down grabbing my black tie and starting to tie it in my mirror almost mindlessly from doing it everyday for so long. "today…. Today will… ugh. Today will be-"

"Trying those self affirming statements your therapist recommended?" I heard from my doorway

"Shut up davi!" I yelled back at him glaring at him as he stood in my doorway until he walked away and I sighed "today… uhhh will not be shit. I hope."

I grabbed my bag and went to the kitchen grabbing my lunch from the fridge that I packed last night getting a fresh apple to shove in my bag from the bowl on the counter 

"Have fun at work" davi said settling into the sofa in his robe 

"Are you going to apply for a job today?"

"Nah."

"You got any interviews today?"

"Nope."

"Any coming up?"

"I had that mail room job at right arm"

"Okay so when is that exactly?"

"Tomorrow, not going through"

"Why not?"

"Because I don't wanna become a hollow shell of a human being by giving myself willingly to the corporations" he says "I am the next great artist of our time I can't be confined to a cubicle selling my soul to the man."

"Why not? Then you can buy your own groceries" I sighed noticing my bread loaf was half eaten and I had yet to have a single slice so I grabbed one quick for my morning toast and jam 

"Why do you care about my interview?"

"Just wanna know when I might… be getting some of the rent you owe me"

"I'll get it to you man I got three more commission inquiry emails yesterday"

"Okay" I sighed I finished my toast and grabbed my jacket heading out locking the apartment behind me. 

I went over to the lift pressing the button but no sound, no lights nothing.

Great the lifts not working again. 

So I took the stairs down all nine floors! And noticed as soon as I got into the lobby that it's raining and I leant davi my umbrella three weeks ago and haven't seen it since so I sighed and turned my jacket collar up as I hurried thought the dark rainy streets my shoes soaked as I stepped thought puddles having to dance around the many other people will umbrellas a of which pushed skinny me into the utter without much of a second thought. I tried the whole way down the road to wave down a taxi but none stopped for me. I knew I was already off schedule as I headed down into the station and instantly noticed the line as only one turnstile is working grinding everything to a standstill once I got thought and onto the platform I started tapping my foot nervously watching the clock ticking over the damn train was late again. When it eventually arrived ten minutes off schedule I climbed in even if there was little space even for me I grabbed a handle and found myself squeezed between the wall and about seventeen other men all attempting to stand on the thirty centimeter square I had proclaimed as my own. Having to battle them like stags bumping atlers for my small square of space. Personal space wasn't even an optional with people breathing down my neck, some guys elbow on in my back, someone's else hand dangerously close to my butt! And a man so close I could read the small print on his newspaper. Once I got to my stop I happily jumped off and headed back up to the street having to hurry though the rain again before atlast ducking into the wckd lobby. I went over to the lift and pressed the button luckily it lit up and rang the little bell and only a few seconds later the doors opened so I wondered in letting them shut behind me as I clicked my floor fixed my jacket a little trying to resist the urge to turn around and go home already. The lift stopped and the door opened and instantly I smiled.

She stood there in her little red heels, black stockings, little black pencil skirt and red button down blouse, her usual locket around her neck, her hair and make up as perfect as always, a few files in her hands as she rushed in pressing for another floor and smiled a little and fixed some hair behind her ear 

"Good morning newt" she smiled

"Good morning y/n." I smiled back a little nervous fixing my hair and rubbing my neck unable to stop looking at her making her blush a little

"I like your penguins" she smiled

"Hum? Ohh yeah there cosy socks good for then it's rainy"

"I can imagine so" she nods

"Do uhhhh you like penguins?"

"Very much there very cute" she smiled "you poor things hasn't maintenance fixed the climate up there yet?"

"Nope" I sighed 

"I'll get someone up there end of business I promise" she smiled as the door opened "see you newt" she waves as she headed out onto her floor 

"Yeah ugh bye" I waves back as the doors shut "fuck. Do you like penguins? Seriously? Am I six!" I groaned at myself "stupid! Stupid!" I complained before we got to my floor so I got out and headed thought the office to my cubicle turning my pc on and hanging my coat in the chair 

"Morning newt"

"Morning min" I answered back as he shared my cube 

"Your late"

"I know. Train was bugged" I answered getting sorted with my paperwork and such 

"You see y/n in your way up?"

"How can you tell?"

"Awww has he got the sweet little honeyglow in his cheeks?" Thomas asked as he pocked his head over the cube 

"Shut up both of you."

"But did you?" Min asks as he plaid with his fidget cube thing

"I did. She said she will have a word with maintenance get the climate controls working up here again"

"She's a sweetie" Thomas smiles

"I know" I sighed getting up my work for the day to make myself look busy of anyone walks past even if the work could be done in five minutes and I had eight hours to do it in 

"You love her so much" thomas laughed

"I do."

"And what magical thing did you say to her today?" Thomas laughed

".... I said, do you like penguins?"

"Well that's certainly a pick up line I've not heard before" minho sighed 

"Do you think it could work?"

"Well I've said many a time it's not what you say, anything can be a pick up line so long as you say it with confidence." He says "but… do you like penguins. I mean. Not even I can work with that man. Kinda sounds like you wanna baby bird her"

"Uuuuuhhhh. I don't know what that is and I don't think I wanna know" I answered

"I'm googling it" Thomas said jumping down to use his computer

"No Thomas don't!" Minho warned him 

"Uughhh! That's disgusting!" He complained

"What is it?" I asked 

"You don't wanna know" minho said 

"Thomas tell me."

"She sucks your dick. Then you cum in her mouth and then you make out before she swallows it so you basically swallow your own cum!"

"That's what baby birding is!"

"That or when you jerk off in her face and she begs for it so she looks like a little bird begging for food"

".... You are a very sick little man minho"

"I've never done it! I just know it don't you two watch porn!" He argues

"No I have a girlfriend!" Thomas argues 

"Why would it even be considered me wanting to do that to y/n?"

"Penguins do the same as birds don't they, throw up fish for there young" he shrugs 

"No. I do not what to do that to anyone." I said returning to my work

"Morning isaac" I heard a familiar voice speak up so I turned faking a smile 

"Morning janson"

"Your late" he says as he leant on the cubicle wall with his coffee

"Train delay"

"This happens alot isaac maybe get an earlier train" he suggested

"Yes sir"

"You send me over those finance reports?"

"Yes sir. On Tuesday"

"I'll check my inbox…. Do your socks have penguins on them?"

"Yes sir. To keep my feet warm in the cold"

"I don't wanna see them again" he says before he headed off 

"Bloody Ratman" I rolled my eyes fiddling with my pen

"Go on then newt get your little penguins to work or he'll be back again" minho laughs 

"Yeah yeah" I sighed returning my attention to my computer purposely going slow when I saw I had an email in my inbox so I opened it up likely spam but I smiled 

'hey newt x I saw this and thought of you how cold is it up there?

X y/n"

Along with a little cartoon of a chilly penguin 

I smiled widely unable to stop blushing quickly responding getting into our chatting emails as we did everyday.

[multifandomlover01]

Pancake Art

Skip and Alex (x reader) (platonic pretty much)

Art/baking

I think the reader is pretty gender neutral here

And there’s no real romance

So I kinda cheated bc you fry pancakes, you don’t really bake them, but I don’t care, I do what I want, ok?

Word count: 721

Disclaimer: I don’t own BoB or the character portrayals of the real people or the real people. I only own my writing.

Author’s Note: I don’t know if I liked how this one turned out, it’s shorter than my first one and I don’t think there’s enough interaction with the Bois like…it doesn’t feel like there’s enough here, it feels empty

Tag list that no one on it asked for, but let me know if you want to be on or off of it: @cody-helix02 @georgelust @immrsgeorge-luz

Your alarm clock went off and woke you up at 6:30. You were momentarily confused about why you had set it for so early until you remembered that two of your neighbors (each from either side of you) were coming over today to make and eat breakfast with you, something the three of you tried to do at least once a month.

You got up and got ready before they arrived. You were in the kitchen making sure you had everything you might need when you heard a knock at the door. You excitedly ran to the door to open it. The three of you embraced before you welcomed them into your home.

The three of you entered your kitchen and you offered to get them drinks if they wanted them. Alex requested a water while Skip requested orange juice. While you were getting them those drinks, you discussed what you wanted to do for breakfast.

“I was thinking pancakes. I know we’ve been doing more elaborate stuff the past few months, so I thought it’d be nice to go back to basics.” Skip suggested.

“That sounds great!”

“But, I was also thinking that we could still have some fun with it.”

“Oh?”

“You know those videos of…like people doing art or whatever with pancake batter? Like cats and different shapes.”

“Oh yeah! Those look so cool! I’ve always wanted to try that!”

“What better opportunity to!” Alex pointed out.

“I just hope we don’t screw it up.”

“Hey, the most important thing about us doing this has always been having fun. Do you remember the soufflés?”

You shuddered. Oh the poor chocolate soufflés.

“I don’t want to remember the soufflés. But I get your point. What I do remember from that disaster is you two trying to salvage it, but it just kept getting worse and worse.”

“See! Worst case scenario is it’ll be another amazing memory just like the soufflés!”

“Yeah…just like the soufflés.”

You gave Alex and Skip their drinks and began getting the materials read for pancakes. You got food dye, some shapes that you weren’t sure would work, as well as some squeeze bottles that took you forever to locate.

When you got back from gathering your materials, Skip and Alex were looking up designs online that might be fun to try out. Skip found some really complex ones totally not for beginners that you had to shoot down.

“Why don’t we just try something simple, like a heart. I have some red food dye. That should be easy enough to shape and do.”

“Well if you wanna go the boring route, sure.” Skip grumbled.

“I want to try it out and see how it goes, ok? This seems like it’ll have a high chance of success even though I’ve never done this before.”

We made the pancake batter in a container and poured some of it into one of the bottles, making a slight mess, but that was all part of the fun. You put the food dye in the bottle and mixed it around until you got a nice color.

Alex had already put the skillet on the stove, turned it on and melted the butter. So you were good to go. You aimed and squeezed the bottle, making a heart outline before you quickly filled it in. Skip flipped the cake after a few seconds so it could cook on the other side. The side he flipped to looked alright, seeing as the batter had solidified fast enough and there was indeed a heart shaped pancake, not an undefined blob.

You all cheered in celebration as Skip put the pancake on a plate after it had cooked enough on the other side.

Skip put some more batter into one of the bother bottles and put blue food dye into it. He put a base of regular batter down into a circle shape, put two blue circles on it and then grabbed the red bottle and drew a smile. Alex flipped it over and the smily face was clear.

You made a few more heart pancakes. Skip made a few more smiley face pancakes. And Alex had colored the last of the batter yellow and made a blue, pink, and yellow rainbow with the different batters.

You were all immensely proud of your art. Not only did they look cute, they tasted great.

[starshaped-raindrops]

*Daichi wished you didn’t have to get up and go to work on such a special day, so he was determined to do everything he could to make things easier and more relaxed for you. He wakes up and turns off your alarm, wanting you to get at least a few extra minutes of sleep.*

Don’t wake up momma, just yet. *He pats Molten on the head while going into the kitchen to feed the dog and his kitty sister. He starts the coffee maker and then gets to work making some homemade muffins, hoping you’d be in the mood for a small treat for breakfast.*

*He checks the time after the muffins are done and then heads to the bedroom, sitting on the side of your shared bed and kissing your cheek and then forehead.* Honey, time to wake up. *He brushes his knuckles over you face and pushes your hair behind your ear. When your eyes blink open, his lips pull into a big smile.* Good morning, bunny. Happy Birthday.

*He waits patiently for you to wake up fully, soothing any worry you might have about sleeping in.* You’ll be just fine, love. I’ll drive you to work myself after a muffin and some coffee.

*As you get ready, he goes back to the kitchen to take the cooled muffins out of the pan and prepare a mug of coffee just how you like it.* I know you have to go into work today, Jade, but I promise we’ll have a nice dinner when you get home tonight. I have some other surprises prepared for you too!

*He makes sure to lavish you in kisses and affection before taking you to work, doing everything he can think of to keep that smile he loves so much on your face.* I hope you have the best day possible, darling. I love you so much. Happy Birthday.

-Daichi♥

*The smell of something sweet and baked tickled my nose and I stir a little, slightly waking up. I’m half eager to know what’s that yummy smell but also wanting to have a couple more minutes of sleep before having to go into work. I chose the latter, settling more into bed to catch those few minutes. The kisses felt dreamlike for a moment until I hear the voice of my husband calling me awake and making my heart bloom in getting his affection first thing in the morning. I sigh in content and lean into his touch as he brushes my face, only pouting when he pulls away; mumbling to him not to go. Still a bit sleepy, I open my eyes and my lips grow into a smile as he smiles too* “Daichi, good morning to you to-oh!”

*I notice the sunlight streaming in and panic has my heart drop about being late to work. A little part of me (maybe a little devilish side) tells me since I’m late, I should just stay home. But I sigh in relief when Daichi assures me and promises to drive me to work, along with breakfast which makes me tilt my head a little, remembering that yummy baked smell* “Muffin and coffee? Did you bake me something, honey?”

*Adoration and excitement fills me but I wash up and get dress, thinking about how I’m gonna spend the morning with him even if it’s for the drive. It brightens my mood from earlier the night before but also because I just wanna spend as much time as I can on my birthday with him. I get a little sad thinking about being away at work for most of the day for my own birthday but I know once that’s done, I’ll be in Daichi’s arms for the rest of the day. I perk up when he comes back with his little surprise* “Honey! Oh these look so yummy! Thank you!” *I lean in to kiss him* “I know… Sucks that I gotta work today but I’m yours once I’m clocked out and outta that building. You’re making it hard to just go in, honestly. But I’ll be good and do my best” *I promise by wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him properly by slotting my lips over his and pouring all my love for him*

*I happily have my breakfast in the car as he takes me to work, sharing my breakfast with him and stealing kisses during stop lights. I don’t care if it was too early for other people to be all lovey dovey; it was my birthday and I was gonna steal as much kisses as I could before parting from my husband for a few hours. Even in the parking lot, I stole a few more kisses* “I will do my best. Don’t miss me too much?” *I joke with a giggle* “I love you too, honey. I’ll see you in just a few moments. Thank you for starting my birthday off with so much love. You’re my whole heart, Daichi Sawamura”

(thank you much for this lovely birthday surprise anon-chan! this really made my morning and gosh does it make my heart flutter. thank you thank you!)

[twstedbeauty]

*flops onto silver*

your turn to be the pillow. now gimme snuggles my sleepy prince~

...Well, you caught him at a good time!

((Character sprites provided by the amazing @ alchemivich!))

[hornime]

home workout | bokuto koutarou x gn!reader

“i’d let you do- do anything. anything you wan’ to me. i’m yours. all- all,” his voice raised a few octaves as the inside of your thighs brushed past his cockhead, “yours. all yours.”

warnings: 18+, sub!bokuto, jealous!reader (i mean who wouldn’t be when bokuto, your goddamn boyfriend, is perceived by other people the fuck), also lowkey possessive!reader, lotsa licking and sucking, nipple play, some praise (from reader) and some begging, brief mention of dacryphilia, kinda soft at the end

w/c: 1.5k sheesh

a/n: bokuto brainrot has me in literal tears. him being completely clueless to people flirting w him cus he doesn’t recognize romance from anyone but you has me so soft. i luv this man w my whole heart !!!!! ALSO THANKS FOR ALL THE LOVE ON THE BAKUGO FIC I JUST ABOUT SHIT MY PANTS WOOWWOWO

you weren’t an idiot. you knew that your boyfriend was attractive in literally every aspect of the word. he was sweet, patient, and kind, and what he lacked in academic smarts was made up tenfold in his emotional maturity and ability to read people. big and beefy, bokuto was all yours and all you wanted to stay trapped within his arms forever. unfortunately, to maintain the figure you adored so much and stay in shape for the volleyball season, he had to leave the four walls of your shared bedroom far more than you liked, having a daily obligation to spend a few hours at the gym.

once again, you weren’t an idiot. the few times that your work schedule and his training schedule aligned, you’d been able to work out together. and despite your knowledge of just how good-looking bokuto was and the fact that other people could perceive him (much to your chagrin) you were shocked at just how much people shamelessly flirted with him. 

cute girls with matching leggings and sports bras practically clung to his biceps, gushing about how strong he was and how he could probably pick them up with just one hand. their incessant giggling, mesmerizing hair twirling, and teasing touches pissed you off to no end, and you’d tug your boyfriend away before their breasts got too close to him for your liking.

something else you noticed was that, no matter how blatantly obvious the girls seemed to be, the guys were somehow worse, flirting through terms you couldn’t even understand. they compared deadlift weights, bicep curls, hip thrusts; you gritted your teeth thinking about whether they’d ever compared cock sizes in the locker room—you wouldn’t put it past those thirsty gym rats. sneaky bastards.

and bokuto, of course, was oblivious to it all. how could you blame him—he was so used to being adored! you knew that, to him, all of their praises paled in comparison to yours, but you couldn’t help but feel jealous. he was all yours—should be all yours—and you hated sharing him with the world.

you woke up saturday morning with a ringing in your ears, hand smacking the nightstand trying to turn off that god-awful alarm noise, bleary eyes barely able to focus on the text notification from your boyfriend.

[5:33 AM] kou: gm babe!!!! i didnt wanna wake u up cus u looked so peaceful! im heading to the gym rn. text me when ur up! love uu

[5:34 AM] kou: should be home around 9!! gym bud wants to show me something so i might be a little late for breakfast.

just to reiterate, you weren’t an idiot. for all the annoying flirting you noticed when you were with bokuto, there was no doubt in your mind that there must be a lot more when he was at the gym alone, which, unluckily for you, was most of the time since he was a freakin’ pro athlete and all.

you couldn’t prevent the pool of envy from swirling in your gut. gym bud? are you serious? who could that be? the girl with the arm tat or the dude with the dreads? no, maybe its that yoga instructor with the ass—

you shook your head, clearing your brain. you’d be here for hours if you went through everyone at that stupid gym that had ever shown interest in bokuto. the clock read 9:53 AM and the green flame in your body only burned brighter. just as you were about to call him and ask where he was, the front door slammed open.

“babe! i’m home!”

you silently put your phone down, teeth still clenching in jealousy. for some reason, hearing his voice only exacerbated the tension in your shoulders. you needed him. now.

“babe?” his voice creeped closer as he tread through the hallway towards the room. “you up?”

you peeked your head out of the doorframe, cheery voice masking your devilish intentions, “kou!"

his eyes brightened as he made eye contact with you and flashed his trademark smile. “hey! what’s u-” he took in the mischievous glint in your eyes “-p?”

you grabbed his burly forearm, yanking him behind you and walking towards him, forcing him to stumble and fall back on the bed. “wait! i’m all gross and sweaty,” he said, “gym showers were broke-”

“i don’t care. take off your shirt.”

“wow, someone’s eager. missed me that much?”

“watch it,” you glared. “i’m not in the mood, kou.”

he gulped at the dominance radiating from your voice, scrambling to take off the t-shirt that stretched between his pecs perfectly. with the fabric off and throw haphazardly to the side, he looked to you expectantly, the epitome of innocence.

your eyes wandered over his sculpted chest, the remnants of a soft sheen of sweat from his workout making it shine in the sunlight pouring through the blinds. your heart stuttered in your chest—he looked like an angel. coupled with the way with his bottom lip was tucked under his front teeth and the wide, anticipating look in his eyes, fuck. you almost smiled how blessed you felt in that moment, to see him in such a raw, alluring position, before a jarring thought caused your lips to twitch back into a frown.

everyone else can see him, too.

your eyes hardened. maybe they can see him all big and strong, you thought, but they’ll never get to see him like this: submissive.

and so fucking sensitive.

within an instant, your lips were latched on the soft spot above his collarbone, causing him to whimper in pleasure. you continued to travel along his throat, slowly working your way to the other side of his neck and crossing back to nibble at his adam’s apple.

you unexpectedly pulled away, drawing a short whine from him, before repositioning yourself so that you were straddling his outstretched legs. slowly, starting from the hem of his shorts, you dragged your tongue between the ridges of his abs, moving up towards his pecs, tasting the saltiness of his sweat and feeling the muscles tense underneath.

“fuck,” he groaned. as your lips puckered around one of his peaked nipples, he uncontrollably jerked his hips up, inadvertently rubbing his sensitive cock between your legs. overwhelmed by the sensation, he moaned. “fuck.”

“you taste good,” you muttered, grazing your teeth over his other nipple. “just wanna taste you all the time. you’d let me, right?”

thoughts muddled by just how good everything felt, he nodded mindlessly. “i’d let you do- do anything. anything you wan’ to me. i’m yours. all- all,” his voice raised a few octaves as the inside of your thighs brushed past his cockhead, “yours. all yours.”

you paused. raising your head from his chest, you made eye contact with him, so intense he almost closed his eyes to shield himself from the blaze burning in your dilated pupils. “why’d you stop,” he begged, “i want more. feels so good and i wan’ mor-”

“say it again,” you demanded. “tell me that you’re mine.”

his eyes, glossed over and prickled with tears precariously close to falling, squeezed tightly as he spoke, unable to control the growing volume of his voice. “’m all yours. always. all yo- yours.” he gasped as you resumed your movements, pinching the sensitive skin around his v-line while fervently leaving sloppy kisses on his chest. 

“good boy.”

he keened at your praise. another light touch to his cock combined with the passage of your mouth had him trembling, and his breath hitched as he cried out in warning, tears now flowing freely over his flushed cheeks. “m’ gonna cum, ‘m gonna, gonna cum.”

“yeah?” you whispered, lips brushing against his strained abs. “go ahead then.”

“fuck!” he whined, blabbering as you sat back and watched in awe of the beauty before you, a big strong man like him reduced to nothing more than a moaning mess. “fuck, fuck—you always make me feel so, s-so go-od, fuck i love you.”

with soaked shorts and an exhausted sigh, he dropped his head back onto the plush comforter of the bed. you flattened your palms on his quivering body, reeling from the aftershocks of his orgasm. he panted, running his fingers through your hair before nudging your face to look at him, staring at you with an expression of pure bliss and adoration. he studied you for a bit before declaring with a soft smile, “you’re the best. so fuckin’ happy that i’m yours.”

driven by affection, he sat up and reached his arms around your waist, snuggling his chin over your shoulder and mashing your chests, yours clothed and his naked, together. “kou wait!” you shrieked. “you’re all sweaty again! it’s gross!”

he chuckled. as if you hadn’t been spoiling him by licking it up just a few minutes ago. “you’re right. i‘m probably sweating more now than i was after my workout.”

at that, your ears perked up. “well maybe you should do home workouts more often then,” you teased.

“you’re right,” he repeated with a grin, “maybe i should.” if it meant more mornings like these, he’d forego the gym in a heartbeat. 

that night, he canceled his gym membership. after all, he reasoned, it’s offseason anyway.

© property of hornime 2021. do not plagiarize any of my writing and do not repost/copy my writing onto any other sites.

[dienamights]

A Reverberate Lullaby | K.Bakugou

✎ The echoing howls stalk you, a ghost hunched on your shoulders, wailing like a child calling for rescue, who cries with no tears. Chanting for a hero that is willing to pick up the pieces of its soul and being, yet it is only left to wither. For the ghost has lost faith that such others exist and can only be cured by finding them, for you are the ghost of your world and love is the only true exorcist.

✎ Protagonists: Katsuki Bakugou x Fem!Reader.

✎ Word count: 4.1K

✎ Category: hurt/comfort, Implied Mature Content MDNI, Prohero!au, Established relationship!au

✎ Caution(!): Implied Mature Content MDNI, mention of depressive state, toxic family, toxic coping mechanism, mention of reader’s weight gain and thoughts about self worth. Please keep in mind while every person’s reaction to depression is different, don’t belittle anyone’s battle when you don’t understand it.

✎ Author’s notes: Hello! Hope everyone’s taking care! Still on hiatus BUT I’m here to post my contribution to the Mental Health Awareness collab by @doinmybesthere​ ! This has been in the works for a while because I kept scarping ideas for triggering me lmao. This piece is very personal to me and I’m glad I am able to share my experience with you all, I hope that it might help anyone out there in reaching out and asking for help because I know how difficult and scary it might be! Please check out everyone’s contribution that they worked so hard for! kisses kisses take care!

OOH ALSO! Thank you so much for 900 followers aaaaaah! You’re all so amazing and if anyone has suggestions for an event to hold in June lemme know! I’ll also think of some ideas

» Masterlist | Requests | Taglist

The morning sun barely rises and peaks through your blinds, sunshine starting to kiss at your cheeks as you squint at the light, the room welcoming the warmth that is being brought into it after the evening’s chill that made you curl tighter in on yourself, clasping whatever heat you could muster than to turn around and find it in the heating pad of a body that lays next to you. 

An alarm only just rings before quickly being shut off, followed by the creaking of the bed when the person behind you shifts, shifts again, another time, before getting up and stalking to the bathroom, after letting an elongated sigh when they sit at the edge of the bed, not acknowledging your presence accompanying theirs. The door clicking closed before the trickling of water fills the quiet room.

Your clock reads 5 am when you squint at it, and you blink at the time before you go on with your routine, setting up breakfast while your boyfriend gets ready to go to work. 

Oddly enough, you don’t really quite remember when you started working on the food, all that you could see in front of you is nothing but a scene that looks like it’s out of a broken TV - there’s just so much static. The voices are distorted, as if they’re coming from a defective radio.

“Listen, this ain’t about me, this is about you and how you-”

“What about me? Huh? That you see me as nothing but a burden? No, you can say it-”

“You wanna hear me fuckin’ say it then fine! This is about you sitting on yer ass all day obsessing over her while she wouldn’ give you the time of day y/n. When will you fuckin’ realize that?”

The scene blurs and sways, and you feel your mind run at a speed you didn’t know it could muster, and you’re unable to keep up with it. The knife in your hand shakes vigorously and barely misses your fingers when you bring it down to cut the vegetables.

The sound of the bedroom door shutting closed alerts you, straightening your back when you hear the drop of your boyfriend’s gauntlet by his chair at the dining table. Katsuki approaches you with careful steps, his still ungloved hand circles your waist before pressing his lips to your temple, a gruff greeting of a whisper laced in between.

“G’morning.”

The familiar scent of caramel mixed in with his aftershave welcomes you, wraps around you and cradles you, promising everlasting safety and happiness. Yet, your heart wrenching sobs and muffled crash of your laptop against your floor that rings in your ears tell a different story, shrieking at you, roaring about your failures, mocking your entire existence.

“Made gohan, should be ready in a minute.” you mumble back, posture stiff at the close proximity of Katsuki and you feel the curl of his lips in displeasure pressing into your temple from both not reciprocating his greeting and your choice of meal for the morning. “You don’ eat gohan,” 

“s’why I’m making it.” The quick retreat from your figure is like a slap to your face, and you barely stop yourself from reaching out and forcing his arms back around you. Because it's the bite in his voice that halts your movement. 

“You’re still going?” you finally turn to take a look at him, the garnets in his eyes shifting, bleeding from hurt, betrayal, confusion, you really weren’t sure. And by God you had no energy left to try and figure out. “Yes I’m still going Katsuki, they’re my-”

“Yer really listenin’ to the bullshit spillin’ outta ya? This isn’t about em being your family y/n, we’ve been through with it already.” the space between you two feels like endless miles, pieces of the broken bridge you both worked so hard to build the only evidence of it ever being there, the rest crumbling into the valley in between your bodies.

“No, you’ve been through with it, I just wanna make things right, m-maybe I can fix it”

“It ain’t yours to fix y/n, when will you realize that?”

“No!” there you go again, sobbing pathetically. “W-why can’t I have a family, huh? Why- why can’t I, fuck, have a family that just loves and supports me a-and just doesn’t- ” your voice croaks, not failing to notice how Katsuki stepped away from the wreck in front of him. Probably having had enough of you, had enough of how troubling and bothersome you are, probably wondering how he got roped with all your shit and got dragged into your mess of a life.

His hands feel like scolding fire when they’re placed on your shoulders, halting their shaking as you cry into the palm of your hand to muffle the sobs, a habit Katsuki has been working so hard on to help you overcome, saddened to see you try and hide your vulnerability from him.

“Because they never made an effort, so why should you?” The tugging at your heart burns, the swallowed sobs feel like needles prickling at your lungs, making breathing feel like an impossible chore. You can’t help but feel restrained whenever you’re presented with the truth, especially unfiltered and unsugarcoated like right now, you know he’s right, you’ve known he was right a long time ago, but admitting it out loud just felt borderline impossible. 

So you do what you do best, push him away, all the strength you can muster barely budges his figure, the meal forgotten on the counter as you run and lock the bedroom door on yourself.

Your footsteps feel heavy, dreading the topics and scenes you’re bound to relive. The grip on the strap of your shoulder bag tightening as you push the glass door open. A sigh escapes past your lips again as you enter the restaurant, half-heartedly smiling at the hostess before making your way inside to look for them.

It’s always the same scenery, the kind that always makes you want to run away to the other direction instead of being dragged down into whatever hell this is. And you pause to question yourself, again, why you actually agreed to put yourself out there.

There they are, seated in the four person table, with two empty seats, one for yourself and the other for the sibling your mother always hoped to have instead of you.

Your mother’s pursed lip could be seen from where you stand at the entrance, the clicking of her tapping foot sounding as bad as grinding metals in your ear, you hate it, despise it

It’s the same clicking you learned to memorize, to anticipate, to fear, when she passed by your room, the clicking that made you smother your face in your pillows and swallow your sobs, because the sound of you crying brought her more distress and annoyance than concern for her daughter.

With another tug at the hem of the shirt you’re wearing, you approach the table, hugging your father when he stands up and nodding to your mom when she eyes your figure.

“Good morning mother. It’s good to see you.”

“What’s wrong with your hair?”

Here we go, you breathe out before tugging at a strand of hair, spitting out your words “nothing’s wrong with it.”

“Then why does it look awful like that?”

There are times like these where you are left to question your reasoning for accepting whatever invitation you received from your parents to have brunch with them after all those months, a moment of weakness deceiving you into believing it was better than to spend it in your empty apartment, with the silence that ate away at your sanity every second. The only evidence of life in it other than yours was the recently cleaned dishes and the note thanking you for the meal, the promise of cuddles and movies tonight making you gain just a little more patience, barely.

You refrain from answering, your response is to lower your head, drag the dining chair before plopping on it, a dreary sigh escaping your lips as you scoot your chair closer to the table. Your mother never changes, it’s been a while since you were able to move out of her home, and while your father tries to tell you that these brunches are a way to reconnect with them, you yourself know that it’s merely a chance for your mother to nitpick at everything you ever did or are doing since you left.

“How have you been y/n.” your father smiles at you, both of you ignoring the sound of your mother kissing her teeth when her attempted jab at you is ignored. “Uh, I uh I’ve been good, I just wrapped up with my exams and so far things have been-” 

“How is your hero boyfriend?” 

For a second, you contemplate whether to ignore her question and keep conversing with your dad, dreading the questions that are to be pushed your way regarding Katsuki, of which will be used as bragging material for when she meets whatever group of friends she associates herself with, but you know better than to ignore her with the way she gets when she isn’t fed with attention. 

“He’s uh, good.”

“Why isn’t he here today? What, too good to meet us?” your mother nags, and for the love of God, would that fucking clicking ever stop?

“No, he’s doing his job of, you know, being a hero.”

“Is he now? Well, what about you, hm?” She cocks her head as her nails tap the table. ”Did you think your father and I wouldn’t figure out you got fired?”

“How-” the gritting of your teeth is deafening at this point, your jaw clenching so tightly as you and your mother stare each other down. “Your dad pulled some strings, it isn’t that hard. So tell me, you like leeching off of him after you were done with us?”

“This isn’t, I just- I was- I, I had a lot of university work piling up a-and I couldn’t make time for my shifts and I just, it was just so hard for me to get out of bed these days and I.” why are you doing this? Why are you explaining yourself to people that don’t deserve it? Why are you feeding off of their acceptance, knowing damn well you never got it, and that thing was never gonna change. 

“Oh, I don’t wanna hear about you not getting out of bed, you’re here now aren’t you? This is all in your head y/n. You need to stop talking nonsense, what’re people gonna say about you, about me, when they hear you?” 

It feels just like yesterday, your figure standing and facing your full length mirror, your reflection eyeing you with identical vacant eyes. Fingers running through your bed head, a wince escaping you at the movement. Bringing your hand up and catching a glimpse of a slight swollen purple bruise along your wrist and the dried blood on your knuckles, the skin stretching upon rotating your wrist and causing notable pain.

Alas, that pain paled in comparison to when your mom barged into your room, blaming you for the way you were acting and belittling your reasoning. Beckoning your father over to replace your broken vanity and for your house maid to disinfect the space, the place sparkling clean and void of any evidence of what had transpired the day prior. 

The shattered glass was picked up and thrown out, the splatters of blood were wiped clean, and whenever you brought up, what your mom refers to as ‘the temper tantrum’, you’re ignored by both your parents as they continued about their day, fearing the shame it would bring upon their name if the event was to catch others’ attention. 

“Good morning! I’ll be your server for the day. What can I get you?” the foreign voice sounds more comforting than your own mother’s, and you almost laugh at the irony of it, but you only return her smile and take a look at the menu. Lighting up a smidge at the name of one of the dishes, while your parents place their order.

“Can I please get the soufflé pancake?” you look up to catch the horrified look on your mother’s face, followed by her clicking her tongue and shaking her head as if your choice of food was shameful. 

“Certainly-”

“Uh, no she won’t be having that. Get her the Honzen Ryori,” your mother eyed your figure -whatever was visible to her from across the table- before turning to face the server again “maybe cut down on the rice, God knows she doesn’t need the extra calories.” and waves her off, disregarding your protests and tapping her nail against the table top, her annoying method in demanding your silence, which you subconsciously react to, snapping your mouth shut when the sound reaches your ears.

“What was that for? You know I like having sweet breakfasts,” was fuming even close to what you are feeling? Probably not. “Yes I can clearly see that, you’ve let yourself go as well. Do you think that boyfriend of yours will stick around when you start putting on even more weight?”

At a loss for words, you turn to your father, who has been quiet this whole time, for any sense of support when it comes to his wife. But the way he presses his lips together tells you all you need to know, how just because he isn’t bad as her, doesn’t make him that great of a parent. That standing by while you have been bullied your entire childhood and well into your adulthood is just as bad as being the cause of it. 

“God forbid he realizes how much of a train wreck you really are and throws you on the side of the street, because you know damn well we won’t be here to pick you up.”

It began as a whispering in the air. The day had been beautiful -well, as beautiful as it can be with the kind of day you’re having- and the sky was like a dome of plasma-blue. The clouds had looked like airy anvils drifting under the gleaming disc of sun. People quickened their pace as the clouds began to gather in the sky. The postcard-perfect sky started changing. The beautiful cocktail-blue shade merged in with the flaming orange and mesmerizing purple as the sun sunk deep into the horizon, before beginning to darken into gravel-grey. Large pillows of cloud start to form, blocking out the old-gold color of the sun.

The first splatter of rain hits you when you’re halfway across the street, dismissing the need to take shelter under the roof of the buildings like some passersby are doing, hoping to see out the shower. Droplets of moisture begin to drip onto your head, sprinkling onto you like a gardener’s hose. It was well after your meal with your parents, and you had spent the last few hours walking aimlessly through the streets, making sure to avoid those covered by your boyfriend during his patrol. Hoping, praying, that something will clear your head, will help your poor jumbled mess of a mind forget about this entire nightmare of a day.

Should’ve listened to him 

The rainfall intensifies, the drops drumming against the hood of the cars that you pass by, there is so much rain that the sound blurs into one long, whirring noise, reminding you of the blades of the fan that you stuck your finger in, that one time when you were left alone in your house when you were only five years of age. Eventually, they fade into a musical chime as you push your drenched hair away from your face and feel the vibration from your phone as it rings the ninth, maybe tenth time. 

He told me so. 

Tall apartment complex building; you couldn’t see its end from where you stand. You shiver as you approach it, the doorman - bless his heart - running and placing his umbrella to futilely shield you from the rain, and you just laugh and tell him that you’re already drenched and just waiting to go back home.

God forbid he realizes how much of train wreck I am

Not wanting to dampen the people at the elevator and make them uncomfortable, you take the stairs up to your shared apartment, you usually don't mind the exercise but with how heavy you feel after the rain and day spent up on your sore feet, all you think about is locking yourself in your room and discover what kind of new façade could you try and fool Katsuki with when he reaches home.

Just how I trick him into thinking I’m not with him to leech off of him

Eventually and with a struggle, you make it to the door, dreading the sight you might come to face, almost hoping for a black hole to emerge and swallow you whole.

What would people say about me? Do people think I’m crazy?

With a forced exhale out of your lungs, you fetch the key from your bag to unlock the door, but it’s wrenched open before you have a chance to insert your key.

“Where the hell have you been?” 

Your eyes meet the beautiful rubies of Katsuki, and despite his anger that always overcompensates his worry, you smile and throw yourself on him. The shivering ceasing when he wraps his warm arms around you and that loving caramel scent engulfs you, in spite of how your hair is drenching his shirt and how you sniff against his neck.

“You need a shower, you’re shivering.”

“Take one with me?” you look up at him through your lashes, and he blinks at your uncharacterized boldness but agrees nonetheless, helping you out of your clothes and turning on the hot water before stepping in with you.

It is a struggle to help you clean up when all you do is grab at him, whether they’re your hands on his shoulders to lower him to kiss you, wrapping your arms around him and pressing your breasts against him, or palming his hardening cock as the poor man tries to shampoo your hair.

“Would ya knock it off? I’m tryna help you here shitty woman” you frown and squint your eyes when the shampoo gets close to them. “I wanna have sex.” 

“Yea I can fuckin tell, just lemme-” you bring his arms down and press his palms to your boobs, letting go of his wrist when he starts squeezing at them. “Do you not want to?” he gulps, his dick twitching at the feeling of your soft mounds in his hands, your nipples covered up by the suds from the shampoo, as your finger traces the underside of his cock. “Yeah, I uh, fuck, I do, just- you need to wash up so you don’t get sick, alright?”

“Do you not think I’m pretty anymore?” you pout childishly, tears threatening to escape your eyes, and they burn as you close them when he washes the product out of your hair, a deep frown on his lips when you open your eyes back again. “The fuck you on about? That rain really fucked with ya?”

“Are you gonna get rid of me when you realize how much of a mess I am?” you whisper, your voice muffled under the sound of the shower above you, and you keep quiet as he helps you scrub your body, but your boyfriend is observant, he isn’t fucking dense.

“What do you want, right now?” he lowers himself to your level when he’s done, his hands stroking your cheeks as he eyes the way the water droplets cling to your lashes, but still not missing the red rimming around your eyes.

“I just wanna for- I uh, I wanna have sex.” you mumble, a plea hidden underneath your words, a plea to help you forget, to help you bury this day behind you and pretend it never happened.

What you don’t expect is the way that Katsuki pulls your naked wet body out of the bathroom and drops you on the bed, feeling your bodies dampening the bed as he hovers over you, no words are spoken between you as he kisses and nips at your skin. Marking it up and down as he all but worships your body, strands of his hair tangle between your fingers when you run your hands through it, arching your back at the feeling of his tongue tasting your slick.

He doesn’t let up until you cry out, and not in pleasure, your sobs far beyond those he loves to hear when he’s denying you an orgasm. No, they’re sobs that wreck your whole body, kicking away at his shoulders as you curl in on yourself and wail into the sheets. Sitting on his haunches on the floor, Katsuki’s eye soften at your figure, the way your shoulders are shaking and how -yet again- you’re trying to muffle your cries with the sheets this time, pressing your face against the mattress in an attempt to lower your noise, as your mother would call it.

“Hey, look at me” you feel his lips grazing your ear as he kisses it, pressing his lips against your temple, fingers unwrapping your fist against the sheet and digging into your hands and pressing kisses against the nail marks in the palm of your hands. “There she is, there’s my girl.” you hear when you lift your head from the bed, sight blurry from your shed tears but still easy to distinguish Katsuki even between billions of people.

You sniff when he kisses at your lids, groan when he chuckles and calls you ‘snot the naught’ when you wipe your nose with the back of your hand, beaming when he hears you let out one weak chuckle at the way he teases you. Still pressing his lips against any surface of skin he can reach.

“You don’t have to talk about it you know, to me at least” he mumbles to you when you’re both dressed in your sleepwear and are cuddling on the dry side of the bed, opting to change the sheet the next day. “Maybe, maybe we can get someone who can help you, you know.” you press your face deeper between his neck and shoulder, shuddering when his warm palms rub your back from under your shirt. 

“I can make some calls, get in contact with someone.” you lift your head. “But I can’t afford-” he tuts and frowns at you “None of that.” 

“Remember what I said when we agreed to move in?” you do, you just love the sound of his voice when he says it, feels like he’s making all these promises all over again. “Tell me.”

“Told ya I’d be whoever you want me to be, whoever you need me to be. I’ll be yer mom, even better than that bitch, I’ll support and love you unconditionally.” you sniff and tighten your hold against him as he presses his lips against your cheek. 

“I’d be better than yer pussy dad, you can rely on me any time and I’ll live up to all your expectations. And callin me daddy is always a plus” he tangles his legs with your own when you wiggle away from him, laughing and giving you no chance of escape, not that you are even thinking of it. 

“I’d even be yer genius fuckin nanny that taught you to tell yer mom to go fuck herself when you were four,” your suppressed giggles lights him up and he can’t help but chuckle as well. “I’ll be anything and everything you’ll ever need, baby. I’ll be your goddamn hero.”

The sun comes out again, casting slanted beams of light across the buildings. Steam rises slowly from the greenery. It rises up eerily and drifts mist-like towards the molten-gold sun, right before it escapes into the abyss. The image is so vivid that it stays with you for as long as you remember. Because on this exact day, the shrieking that follows you everywhere you go, haunting you and mocking you, suddenly is nowhere to be found. And all you can hear is the comforting sound of Katsuki as he hums you a lullaby to sleep.

aaaah I hope you like it!

[indianamoonshine]

Girl Talk | Din Djarin x Reader | Oneshot

Summary: What does a gal do when she’s just been railed by the most notorious bounty hunter in The Galaxy? Call her best friend of course.

A/N: Just something to tide you over until the next installment of Strawberry! I have anxiety and I need to busy my hands without thinking too much! This takes place after season 2!

There’s a crackling on the other end of the receiver. The telegraph service majorly bites out here on Besiana, which has been dubbed “the trench of The Galaxy”. Getting connected to Gabriele at all is a miracle in itself, though not without exploiting a few (somewhat) illegal hacks by yours truly.

Hells, not even this shitty phoning service can put you in a sour mood.

When Gabriele’s voice sounds at the other end, it gives the air that he’s just awoken from a heavy sleep or he’s suffering a hangover. Probably both. “Now what the hell are you doing all the way out in butt-fucking-nowh…” he starts.

You’re quick to cut him off. “Take a guess.”

Gabriele groans and there’s a rummaging in the background. Something sounds as though it falls off a surface - his alarm clock, probably. He must be in the inner rim somewhere.

“Miss girl, I don’t have time to play these games with you. My head is pounding. Now tell me why you’re in the catacombs of The Galaxy’s ass and…”

Behind you, a body shuffles from outside the refresher door. Your heart thuds rambunctiously in your chest as you carefully peer through a crack of the opening. Din Djarin - The Galaxy’s most notorious Mandalorian- is taking a seat with his rifle in hand. You watch as he begins to disassemble it with great technical precision. Something about watching him take apart his weapon causes your stomach to flutter.

And your knees to weaken.

“I just had sex,” you tell him in a whisper.

Gabriele is silent on the other end for a moment and then lets out a sigh of great disappointment. “Congratulations. I’m going back to bed. Goodnight.”

“The best sex of my life.”

There’s another pause. “Oh?” His interest has piqued, voice more alert at the prospect of juicy gossip. After all, what were best friends for?

You let this linger in the air for a minute, just to marinate his curiosity, and then peek at Din again. He’s taking a rag and wiping the barrel of the rifle; if it weren’t for the helmet upon his head, you’d swear he was concentrating with furrowed and ascetic brow.

“Do you remember that Mandalorian who made a giant fuss a couple of years ago?” you inquire lowly, eyes unable to leave the steadiness of Din’s deft hands.

Those hands. You have to stop yourself from moaning at the recent memories. You swear you can still feel the ghostly sear they left in their wake. The naked skin upon your hips tingles at the sheer recollection, the slick still upon your thighs all-too prevalent.

“You’re lying,” is what Gabriele gasps, absolutely scandalized. You imagine him shooting up in bed and covering his mouth in awe. He was always so dramatic but you couldn’t blame him if he did. This was the exact reaction you were hoping for.

Din grabs another piece of his rifle and starts up again. You have to tear yourself away from looking at him and instead surmise yourself in the mirror. It isn’t very big in any sense of the word but it’ll do. You take a look at your face (blushed and bright) and then your eyes (dazed and dick-drunk). Hells, this man has ruined you.

“I know you have questions,” you reply, tapping at your cheeks. They feel softer somehow.

Gabriele squeaks a bit under his breath. “Did he take off his helmet?”

You shake your head, though he can’t see it. “No. And I think it awoken something in me.”

He tsks. “Damn. I wanna know what he looks like. Okay…”

“I know he’s a brunette,” you say slyly.

Gabriele shrieks at the other end and you have to angle the receiver away with a laugh. “Is it big?”

You recall the tactical consideration- albeit brief - it took to get his dick in your mouth. You did it though, ‘ole girl. You tap yourself on the shoulder with a proud grin.

“Oh, it is. It’s…it’s very nice.”

You find yourself looking out the door again. Din’s moved onto another gun - he’s already put together the last. You grow weary at the sight of his gloved hands alone, but when your eyes trail downwards you find yourself swallowing something thick in your throat. Which in turn, of course, reminds you of the tanginess still lingering upon your tongue.

“Gabriele,” you say seriously, voice so low you can barely hear yourself. “I came eight times.”

“Shut up. You did not.” Gabriele sounds more than just excited - now he sounds jealous. You can’t help but giggle.

You raise a hand to your chest in a show of honesty. “I mean it. Eight times. He went down on me for an hour.”

“I thought you said he didn’t take off his helmet?” Gabriele asks suspiciously.

You chuckle lowly. “Oh, that’s where it gets really good.”

Gabriele - one of the biggest sluts in The goddamned Galaxy - was no stranger to sex. So when you tell him that you were blindfolded during this portion of an absolute wild ride, you’re shocked to find him screeching once more.

You’re about to continue - to confide in him about the brutal rhythm of the ordeal - until a knock startles you. You press the receiver against your chest, still flushed and naked from the previous romp.

Din calls your name from the other side of the door. “Are you alright?”

You freeze, contemplating on everything you could say to this most bland of questions. “I’ll be out in a moment!” you decide, scolding yourself for being so timid. You were at the end of his dick a half-hour ago.

Din mumbles something and then departs. After he’s within a safe distance, you quickly raise the receiver and say, “I have to go. But I’ll tell you everything later.”

Gabriele gawks, “Was that him?”

You roll your eyes. “Yes. Now I really have to go.”

“Oh my gods, okay. Fine.”

You smile, clutching at the durasteel of the phone. “Promise. Love you.”

Your best friend sighs theatrically. “Love you too. Be safe, okay? I don’t even know who I’d call to go after him if something happened to you. No one would be stupid enough.”

The idea of Din doing anything to put you in harm’s way is inconceivable. You’ve only known him for a short amount of time - a couple of weeks at most - but you already trust him with your life.

“I’d die a happy woman,” you joke.

A short while later, you exit the refresher with sopping, clean hair and any traces of sex scrubbed away from between your legs. Din’s allowed you to wear one of his night shirts (an honor in itself) because your clothes had been soiled.

Din is placing his rifle upon its rack when you sneak by for the kitchen. You pour yourself a cup of Java - black, unfortunately, because of Din’s lack of sweet tooth. The liquid is steaming hot so you blow on it before bringing it to your lips.

“Do you want one?” you ask him, taking a sip. It burns. “Oof.”

Din turns, armor somehow so dexterous in its bulk. “No, thank you. But…”

In a surprising move, Din reaches for your hips and pulls you flush against him, ignoring the mug altogether. You shriek, worried it might spill, and set it upon the countertop, but he pays little to no mind.

“You took awhile,” he mumbles, hands grasping at the flesh of your hips. They’ve already been treated so roughly today, and now you were sure there’d be bruising. Good.

You chew at your bottom lip, desperate to know what his eyes might look like. You imagine he has dark eyes - like the color of the sky at nightfall. Maybe they became brighter in the light of the suns. Maybe they crinkled when he laughed - if he were capable of that, anyway. You’ve yet to hear such music.

“I didn’t realize you were waiting for me,” you confess, avoiding the steel gaze of his faceplate.

Din hums under his breath and taps your chin, lifting it just barely so that you can meet his stare. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

You shrug, fluttering your lashes in a vain attempt to remain mysterious.

Din reaches for something behind you and reveals a scrap of fabric. “How about we try for nine?” The modulator of his helmet crackles a bit, causing his voice to sound more severe than what he may have liked.

But it does something to you.

You nod sweetly, a tiny grin threatening to sneak its way upon your face, before he takes you within his arms and lifts you upon the counter.

A shrieking, but playful, giggle bursts from your lips. “Din!” you chide, but tie the fabric around your eyes all the same.

The hiss of his helmet sounds, notifying you that he’s revealing himself to the elements now. You can hear his natural breath and feel the way it fans against your collarbones before he kisses you fiercely.

“Let me give you something to really talk about.”

[totiredtowrite]

Shell Of A Man

Warnings - Talks of d3ath, cursing, mentions of drinking, somewhat body horror like descriptions, might have to do a part 2, you're dead at the beginning I'm not a mortician so idk what a work day would look like but I tried lol

Note: The lack of Matsukawa x male reader content should be considered a hate crime. I'm gonna make a part 2 sometime before you ask

there r no fuggin timeskip mattsun gifs or art or anything that fits here, wanna cry

Working at a funeral home was actually...kind of boring.

Being a mortician wasn't the most exciting job in the world by any means. At first it was kind of vexing, all the dead bodies, but eventually Matsukawa just got used to it.

He's usually left alone to prep bodies for funerals anyways. Every once in a while someone'll come in with details about the funeral or the corpse itself, but for the most part it was just him and the dead.

Maybe that's why horror movies don't faze him much anymore. Having been there and seen it, not much could really surprise him.

Still though, life is filled with little surprises.

🂠🃑🃁🂱🂡

Mornings suck. The birds chirping peacefully, the gentle golden sunlight spilling through the blinds...he hates it.

It's not like Matsukawa was angry at life, or that he hated peace, but every morning was starting to feel like groundhog day. Wake up, almost smash the alarm clock, drink one cup of black coffee for breakfast, throw on a suit, and get on his way.

He doesn't prep bodies every day, thank god. Half the time it's working with the dead and the other half was paperwork. Occasionally he directed a funeral, but other than that he knew what to expect.

Pulling into the driveway, he let his head fall against the steering wheel for a second. He really wanted to stay in bed today, just lounging around until the discomfort of hunger or needing to use the restroom outweighed the pleasure of lying in bed. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, something keeping him up.

Still though, he had things to do.

Today he'd considered himself unlucky. He was tired, he'd worked all weekend, he had to go prep a dead body, and-

Wait, wasn't it sunny just a second ago? Where did all those clouds come from? And so fast too. It looked like it would start pouring any second.

"Weird," he muttered under his breath. He could've sworn that the sun was shining only a couple minutes ago. He stood there for a second, just watching the clouds roll in. Something was definitely off today. The empty halls of the funeral home seemed more empty than usual. Issei had only seen one person since he'd arrived.

Shaking his head, he turned away from the window. There isn't a point to wondering about the weather anyways, he had a job to do.

The preparation room felt oddly cold today. He dropped his leather bag on the desk in the far corner of the room. Before he went to get his gear on, he moved to the center of the room where the embalming table was set.

He lifted the sheet up, just to get a look at what he was working with. "Young," he murmured. The body on the table couldn't be any older than him. "Shame," he sighed.

He never really liked prepping younger bodies. Children, teenagers. Even people around his age, in their twenties. Especially male ones, like yours. He'd always see himself in the body, it made him uncomfortable. On a lighter note, your closed eyes and soft smile at least made you seem at peace.

With a shudder, he dropped the sheet and turned to put a mask on, slipping on a white overcoat and grabbing gloves. Maybe he should just start with your throat. Get his least favourite part out of the way.

Finding the cotton, he opened your mouth with a small grimace. He thought the whole process was slightly gross no matter how much he did it. "Sorry 'bout this." He said, tentatively stuffing the cotton down your throat. "It's probably uncomfortable, huh?"

Matsukawa knows that his habit of talking to the dead bodies is probably weird, (and not good for his mental health), but it's not like he had other people to talk to. Plus, he found that it helped him to focus.

With a hum, he reached down to loop a thread through the eye of a needle, getting ready to sew your mouth shut. Just as the needle penetrated your upper lip, Matsukawa stopped. Your eyes were closed a moment ago, right? He narrowed his own, black irises regarding your body with suspicion.

Today's been weird. First the weather, now this? Maybe he was finally going crazy. Spending more time in the company of the dead instead of actual people is finally taking a toll on him, isn't it?

He just reached over and closed your eyes, continuing with what he was doing. No point in thinking about it.

He continued to sew your lips shut, cursing as he reched the end of the thread. How is it that he didn't have enough? He measured it out. In any case, more thread was needed. With the creak of a chair, he turned around to get more.

The rustle of a sheet behind him made him pause. Any previous thoughts racing through his head stopped too. Silence. The only noises were Matsukawa's own shallow breaths and the rain outside. He shut his eyes tight, taking a deep breath and setting the thread down.

He was just imagining things. What, was he seriously scared of the corpse? What dies stays dead.

...Right?

Issei shook his head, slapping himself. What kind of sleep deprived madness was he on? Rolling his eyes, he picked up the needle and turned around swiftly.

That was a mistake.

You were sat straight up, mouth three quarters of the way sewn shut and eyes wide. He sucked in a breath. "What the actual fuck," he said with an exhale. He fell out of the chair, stumbling back to lean against the counter behind him. He felt his muscle flex as he held onto the counter top, body frozen in fear.

A muffled noise left you, your (e/c) eyes looking...lifeless. No spark, no semblance of a living being, just morbid curiosity. You moved slightly, the sheet falling to the ground. You looked like you hadn't stood in forever, legs shaking as you tried to steel yourself on the table.

"This isn't real," you heard his rushed whispers, "This isn't real, this can't be real."

You shifted your head to look at him, the sounds of bones cracking ever so slightly. When your eyes met, you seemed to stare straight into him. The chilling silence felt like it was chewing holes through his brain.

Suddenly, without warning, you started coughing. The noise was horrible, strangled, painful through the cotton. Matsukawa lurched farther back into the counter, (if that was possible), grasping at the nearest tool. Was it possible you weren't dead? No, no you didn't look alive. Your eyes looked dead, skin a sickly alter shade of what used to be.

He held the dressing forceps that he'd grabbed out in front of him. You didn't seem to take the hint though, staggering forward anyways. "Stay back," his voice sounded stronger than he thought it would be.

You stopped. His eyes widened slightly. He actually didn't think that would work. Another strangled noise left your throat, and you gestured wildly at the stitches holding your mouth shut. The corner of your mouth opened in an attempt to say something, tears welling up in your eyes.

"Wait are you-are you in pain?" Issei slowly pushed off of the counter, walking towards you slowly. You nodded frantically, dropping to your knees and staring up at him. You looked more...fearful and confused than malicious. Shakily, Issei knelt down with the forceps. You leaned forward, allowing him to catch your face in one of his hands.

"This shit isn't real," he said under his breath, "I must be going insane."

The last thread was cut, pressure on your lips freed. As soon as you were able to open your mouth, you doubled over coughing, cotton falling from your mouth. Matsukawa watched with wide eyes. Never in his life would he think he'd be watching a corpse cough up cotton on his floor, especially not a corpse that he'd just been prepping for a funeral.

Right, the funeral.

His eyes went wide. What the hell was he supposed to do? Tell the family that their son, their brother, wasn't dead after all? No, they wouldn't buy that. You looked a little more alive than you had a second ago, but the odd discolouration and dead eyes didn't change. There was no doubt about it, your heart wasn't beating.

Letting you gather your bearings, he stood up to swiftly get the file on his desk. His white overcoat has since been unbuttoned, mask pulled down underneath his chin. "So, (y/n)," he read your name off of the paper, prompting you to look up. "What-"

"Thank you."

He paused at your interruption, looking up from his file to where you were still knelt on the floor. "Sorry?"

"Thank you, for bringing me back," you staggered up, steps faltering slightly as you hobbled over to him. Matsukawa froze when he felt your face rest in the crook of his neck.

No but seriously, what the fuck was going on? How does he even react to this? The man he was embalming, the dead man, just sat up straight. Sat up straight, coughed up the cotton in his throat, and is now leaning against him? He wasn't sure if he should scream, if he should run, call someone, anything!

"Tired," you murmured into his neck.

"My god," he whispered.

Smuggling a corpse, sorry, former corpse into his car was not how he wanted to spend a Monday. He had a job to do, he couldn't just skip out today. Then again, his job did just get up and walk off the table.

Maybe a day off wouldn't hurt.