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joelalorian · 2 months

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Fall Into Me

dbf!Joel x f!reader

The first TLOU fic I ever read was a dbf!Joel story and it left an indelible mark on my soul. Unfortunately, I never bookmarked it so I have no idea which one it was. It's only natural that I had to try my hand at one at some point. So, here we are.

Summary: Joel is hanging on by a thread as a single father to a tenacious 10-year-old Sarah. Feeling like he's drowning, like the world is about to spit him out, he needs some help before he breaks in half. At your dad's insistence, you show up in his life and change everything.

Story is inspired by the song Fall Into Me by Forest Blakk. Chapter titles will be lyrics from the song.

Word Count: 4.1k

Series Warnings: Mature to start, but will ultimately be Explicit, under 18 take a hike. No outbreak AU. There will be angst, drama, fluff, humor, romance, smut... basically, the works. Age gap of about 9 years (Reader 24/25, Joel 33/34). No use of y/n. Reader has a nickname from her dad, which will be explained at some point.

Dividers by the wonderful @saradika-graphics

Series Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Chapter One: The Day That I Met You

If you asked him over a decade ago where he’d be now, Joel Miller would not have placed himself as a single father to a tenacious pre-teen desperately trying to keep things afloat. He spent too many hours in the week working to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. He would be lost without the help of his brother and the few friends he had. He had no social life to speak of and could not for the life of him remember the last time he went on an actual date.

No, back then, Joel thought he’d be living the good life in ten years’ time – traveling, going out with the boys, maybe have a girlfriend or wife. Basically, just getting to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. Don’t get him wrong, though. He was still living a good life; it just was a different sort of good than what he hoped for back in the day.

He loved his daughter with every fiber of his being. Sarah was the best damn thing that ever happened to him, his entire world, and he wouldn’t change the past ten years for anything. He bent over backwards doing whatever it took to make his little girl feel cared for, happy, and loved. He just wished there was a little energy left for something for himself at the end of the day.

Joel Miller was drained. Mentally, physically, and emotionally.

He awoke with a groan as the bright sunlight broke through the gap in his curtains. It was Saturday – his birthday – and he hoped to sleep in, at least a little. Between the brightness of the morning and the stifled sounds of clanging pans and voices carrying up the stairs from his kitchen, sleeping in was not happening.

He hauled himself out of bed with a groan worthy of a man twenty years his senior and stretched out his limbs to ease the achiness in his bare back and chest from too much manual labor. Throwing on a pair of well-worn sleep pants and a faded tee shirt, Joel slipped from his bedroom and down the stairs. He moved rather quietly for a man of his size, stealing a moment to lean against the entryway into the kitchen and watch as Sarah and Tommy worked together making breakfast.

The counters were a mess of spilled pancake mix, eggshells, and… was that coffee dripping over the edge and onto the floor? It was a toss-up on who made the bigger mess, his ten-year-old daughter, or his grown ass brother. Still, Joel could not stop the smile spreading across his face as he watched them laughing and teasing each other. That, right there, was the reason he worked so hard, why the loneliness was worth it.

When Tommy flipped the stovetop off, Sarah turned to find her dad smiling goofily at them. “Happy Birthday, Dad!” she exclaimed, launching herself at his chest. Her lanky arms wrapped around his neck as he lifted her off the ground in a big bear hug.

“Thanks, baby girl,” Joel replied, pressing his lips to her forehead in a quick kiss before he settled her feet on the ground.

“We made you breakfast!” Sarah declared, gesturing toward the disaster zone formerly known as his kitchen.

“I see that,” he chuckled, voice still slightly rough with sleep.

Tommy turned with a smirk, hands grasping two plates filled with bacon, eggs, and pancakes. “Take a seat, brother. Let us take care of you on your birthday.” Placing the food on the small dining table, Tommy roughly patted his brother’s shoulders. “Don’t worry ‘bout the mess, I’m on cleanup duty after we eat.”

“We expectin’ company? That’s a helluva lot of food,” Joel grumbled. He needed coffee, stat.

“Yeah, JB is comin’ over to see ya before heading to the airport. His daughter finished grad school over the summer and is moving back home.” Tommy set more food and a full mug of dark roast coffee in front of his brother. The scent alone made Joel perk up a little.

The Millers hadn’t met you yet, having only become friends with your dad through work after you’d already left for college on the east coast. Your dad had a good decade on Joel, but he and the Miller brothers got on like a forest fire from what he told you. With visits home always short and rushed, busy catching up with family and your own friends, there was never time for your dad to introduce you all. Now you were coming home for good and would have plentiful opportunities for spending time with your dad and his friends.

“Speak of the devil,” Tommy muttered as the doorbell rang. Sarah bounded to the door to greet your dad with a hug. In many ways, the girl reminded him of you when you were young, and it always brought a smile to his face.

“There he is! The man of the hour. Happy Birthday, buddy!” Your dad, John, or JB as the Millers called him, ruffled Joel’s already mussed hair, leaving a few locks standing straight up in further disarray. Pulling a 12-pack of beer from behind his back, your dad set it on the table in front of Joel, topped with a little red bow. “I gotcha a lil’ something to celebrate.”

“Good man,” Joel replied with a chuckle. “Have a seat and help me eat all this. Tommy just told me your lil’ girl is coming home, finally.”

Your dad’s face lit up even more at the mention of you coming home. “She’s not so little anymore, but I sure am glad she’s moving back here. Said she had enough of the east coast, but I think she just missed her ol’ man.” After wolfing down some food, he added, “Think we could host a small barbecue here this coming weekend to celebrate? Your backyard is way nicer than mine and you got the pool and all.”

“Not to mention that fancy ass grill,” Tommy chimed in.

Swallowing a long sip of his morning go juice, Joel nodded. “Of course. Invite whoever you want. I’m looking forward to finally meeting your daughter.”

“Me too!” Sarah added. She heard a lot about you from your dad and hoped you were as cool in person as he made you out to be.

Joel’s mind started spinning upon hearing his daughter’s excitement. With her school hours being so different from his typical work hours, he was spending a small fortune on after school care for Sarah. She was still too young for him to leave home alone, especially on those days where he’s stuck late at a job. He was barely scraping by as it was and couldn’t really afford the cost of after school programs. Perhaps…

“JB, ya think your daughter would mind watching Sarah during the week while she’s home. Drop off and pick up from school and keeping her company ‘til I get home from work? I could pay her – it wouldn’t be much, but better than nothin’, I imagine.” He watched Sarah’s eyes light up at the suggestion and knew it was a good choice.

“I’m sure she’d love to. She wasn’t planning on finding a real job until after the holidays, so I know she’ll be free during the day,” your dad replied. “I’ll talk to her about it on the ride back from the airport and let you know.”

Three suitcases and a carry-on bag. That’s all you had left from six and a half years of pursuing higher education in North Carolina. You sold or gave away anything that did not fit into your luggage or hold sentimental value of your time away. Now, you were moving back home to save some money before you had to start chipping away at the mountain of student loan debt you accrued.

You loved learning, always have, but you were relieved to be done with school. Equipped with a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences and a master’s in education, you felt like a real adult ready to take the world of middle school by storm… well, starting after the new year, maybe. For now, you needed several months of limited to no responsibility to recoup your mental and physical energy. That last couple years of school really burned you out. Not to mention the last-minute rejection of a teaching position you thought was in the bag…

Anyway, you were better off leaving North Carolina behind and returning to Austin. You missed your dad something fierce and his particular brand of caring for you was exactly what your weary soul needed. It was you and him against the world, just like when you were a kid.

You flight was smooth and uneventful, yet you were relieved to deboard the plane. Something about being stuck in a tin can at the mercy of someone else’s ability to keep the thing from plummeting to the ground really aggravated your anxiety. Flying was something you would never enjoy; it was merely a means to an end when you wanted to travel long distances.

The journey to baggage claim was a slog with the crowd of passengers all heading to the same place. You were wondering how you’d wrangle three large suitcases by yourself when you caught sight of your dad. His broad smile took over his face when he spotted you, rushing over to sweep you up in a big bear hug.

“Hey Spud, how was the flight?” he asked as you waited for the baggage carousel to begin moving. “Looks like it was a full plane.”

“It was, but the flight was good. I’m really glad to be home.”

“Me, too, kid.”

You settled into a comfortable silence, watching various pieces of luggage pass by on the carousel. Your bags were scattered, and you had to wait several cycles to get all of them. Your dad lugged the final suitcase over the carousel with a grunt. “Jesus, what you got in this one? Bricks? A body?”

“That one has my gaming system and half a closet full of clothes,” you replied with a laugh.

Before long, everything was loaded into your dad’s truck, and you were heading back towards town. The radio hummed at a low volume as you both chatted about everything and nothing all at once.

“Hey, so I know you said you weren’t looking for full-time work until after the new year, but I have a proposition for you.” Your dad’s eyes stayed focused on the road, and you merely quirked a brow waiting for him to continue. “My buddy Joel – you know the one I told you about? Well, his daughter is ten and he needs some help with the school run and after school care. Our work hours aren’t exactly the same as elementary school, you know?”

You nodded, remembering all the times your dad spoke to you about Joel, as well as his daughter and brother. Despite never meeting them, you felt like you already knew their whole life story. “So, he’s looking for a nanny or something? I could do that. It would keep me from getting lazy while I navigate getting my Texas teaching certificate.”

Your dad grinned, one hand patting your leg. “I was hoping you’d say that. Joel will pay you, of course, but just… don’t expect much. It ain’t easy for him being a single dad trying to keep everything afloat.”

Again, you nodded, a soft smile creasing your lips. You knew all too well how challenging it could be for single parents, having grown up with just you and your dad. Much like what your dad told you about Joel’s experience with the mother of his child, your mom split when you were barely a toddler. Things weren’t always sunshine and roses, but your dad sure did his best to make sure you had a great life. Honestly, you wouldn’t trade it for the world, that life with your dad. You had a feeling it was much the same for Joel and his daughter.

“I’m happy to help, even if he doesn’t pay me. I’m sure his daughter will enjoy having a female influence in her life if nothing else. What’s her name again? Sarah?”

Your dad’s eyes twinkled with pride. “Yup, that’s it. I’m proud of the woman you’ve become, Spud.”

A mist of tears prickled your eyes as you mumbled out a “Thanks, dad.” After a beat, you added, “Must you keep up with that nickname?”

“Of course. You’ll always be my little Spud,” he laughed as you rolled your eyes. “Oh, by the way, we’re going to the Millers on Saturday for your welcome home party.”

“What’s all this?” Joel questioned as Tommy and Sarah placed a heavy, wrapped package on the table before him along with a few smaller presents. The remains of a birthday cake sat nearby, having been delightfully devoured by the Millers while celebrating Joel’s birthday.

“Just a little somethin’ from me and Sarah,” Tommy replied, a boyish grin alighting his handsome features.

Joel gazed between them with curiosity. Not big on celebrating his own aging, he rarely got big gifts. “You wanna help me open this, nugget?” Sarah’s eyes lit up, small hands reaching to tear the wrapping paper into shreds. It only took a few moments for the contents to be revealed, leaving Joel confused at the modern contraption sitting in front of him. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

“You play video games on it, dumbass.” Tommy harumphed as he began a diatribe on the features of the gaming system – he had one just like it at his place and it provided hours of entertainment when he didn’t feel like going out. “I figured it would be a good hobby for you since you never want to join me in going out.”

“Huh,” Joel grunted in return, brows furrowed as he read the instructions on how to setup up the machine. His attention was diverted by Sarah shoving the smaller parcels into his lap.

“Here, dad! These go with it.” Together, they tore into the wrapping paper to find several video games, a few of which were family friendly. The final gift was a spare controller for the gaming system so he and Sarah could play together.

Despite still being unsure that the gift was a good fit for him, Joel was grateful to Tommy for the effort. “This is too much, man. You shouldn’t spend this kind of money on me, Tommy.”

His brother waved him off. “I found a great deal and you never get anything for yourself, brother. You deserve something to indulge in. Believe me, you’ll have fun with this.”

The rest of the evening was spent with Tommy setting up the system and showing the father-daughter duo how to play some of the games he picked out. The living room filled with lots of laughter and teasing, and Joel found himself really getting into the fun of the video games.

After tucking Sarah into bed, Tommy showed Joel a game that was too violent for the little girl but entertaining for the men. The game was set in Washington DC which had been ravaged by a brutal pandemic and the main character was part of a group of agents fighting off nefarious gangs trying to take over the city. Joel caught onto the gameplay quickly and the two men found themselves building the loadout for Joel’s character, taking out bad guys, and chatting well into the night.

At two in the morning, the pair looked at each other with bleary, red-rimmed eyes and finally called it a night. Joel directed Tommy to crash in the spare room as he shuffled off to bed upstairs.

It didn’t take you long to get settled into your dad’s house. It wasn’t the home you grew up in and you only visited a few times after he bought it. After years living away on your own, you thought it would be an adjustment being under his roof again, but it wasn’t. He understood the need for personal space and never hovered unless you were hurt or sick. He gave you the downstairs bedroom – it was the largest in the house, with an ensuite bath and huge walk-in closet.

“Dad, no! Why in the world is this not your room?” you questioned when he placed your bags on the brand-new, king size bed he had delivered the week prior.

“Hell no, Spud. What do I need all this space for? I like the upstairs rooms better – the light is all wrong in this one anyway.”

You looked around, holding in a giggle. The room faced south, giving you just the right amount of natural light all day. That’s what your dad didn’t like. He preferred to live like a bat in a cave with blackout curtains and limited lighting.

“Alright, well, I love it. The natural light is perfect for me. I can actually put some plants on the windowsills. Thank you!” You kissed his cheek as he left you to get settled.

You spent the week rearranging the bedroom how you wanted it, setting up your gaming system, and putting all your clothes into the walk-in closet. Your dad hadn’t done much with the room other than furnish it, so you made a few trips to the store to get a bathroom set, floor lamps, and wall décor to make the room your own.

Before you knew it, Saturday morning dawned bright and warm. The day of your welcome home gathering arrived, and you would finally get to meet the Millers. An excited energy had you moving about your space in a flurry, tidying up and getting ready early. You’d seen some photos of the Millers that your dad sent you – Sarah was adorable with her dark, springy curls, and Joel… Joel was handsome, in a broody, overworked kind of way, with dark, riotous curls and big, warm chocolate eyes. Kind eyes, you called them.

“Hey Spud, you ready?” your dad called from the kitchen as you put the finishing touches on your hair. It was pinned up, leaving the smooth skin of your neck bare. The sundress you picked hugged your curves in just the right way, falling just at your knees in a flow of lightweight material. In early October, Austin was still hot, and you hoped the Millers’ yard was shaded.

“Bring a swimsuit! They have a pool!” he yelled as you grabbed the last of your things. Turning back to your closet, you grabbed a dark green one-piece suitable for family-friendly swimming and tucked it into your bag.

“I’m ready!”

Your dad smiled at the sight of you. “Let’s go then. We’re heading over early so you can officially meet the Millers and we’ll help them setup before everyone else arrives.”

“Sounds good. Who all’s coming anyway?” Your eyes widened as your dad rattled off a list of people he invited, including his work buddies and some of his and Joel’s neighbors. He would have invited some of your old friends from high school, but you all lost touch over the years. The party was turning out bigger than you thought. Your heart swelled with how happy your dad was to have you home for good.

The Millers lived in the same neighborhood, only a few blocks away, so close you could have walked if not for the scorching sun. The drive took only a few minutes before your dad pulled into the driveway of a two-story home similar to your dad’s, with simple landscaping and two wooden rocking chairs on the wide porch. Lovely and quaint, the house made you more curious about the people who lived there.

“Dayum! Get a load a JB’s daughter, Joel,” Tommy called from the living room, leaning over the couch to look out the front window. “She’s smokin’ hot!”

“Dammit, Tommy. Stop spying on ‘em,” Joel growled, sneaking a peek over his brother’s shoulder to do a little hypocritical spying of his own. Breath caught in his throat at the sight of you and he couldn’t break his gaze away, even as JB led you toward the front door.

“What was that about spyin’, brother?” Tommy teased, practically dragging Joel away from the window as a knock sounded against the door. “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.”

Tommy opened the heavy wooden door revealing the pair of you standing there, matching bright eyes and wide grins greeting him. “Well, hello there, beautiful. I’m Tommy.” Reaching a hand toward you, Tommy completely ignored JB, who just scowled at him.

“Nice to meet you, Tommy,” you replied, offering him your hand and name in return. Joel’s scowl matched your dad’s expression as Tommy held your hand for several beats too long.

“Back off, Tommy,” your dad grunted, swatting at the younger Miller brother. “This here is Tommy’s brother, Joel. The one who actually owns this house and the better Miller, if you ask me.”

“Ain’t no one askin’ you, old man,” Tommy’s smart mouth shot back at your dad.

Joel ignored both men, eyes like dark pools as he gazed at you, awed at how small and delicate your hand felt in his. “Howdy, darlin’,” his voice rumbled from his chest. “Come on in. There’s someone else lookin’ forward to meeting you.”

Leading the way through the kitchen into the backyard, Joel felt the heat of your gaze burning his back. Were you checking him out? There was no way. You were beautiful and likely in your early twenties. He felt ancient, though he was only in his early thirties, the hard labor of construction work having taken its toll on him.

“Hi Dad!” a young, sweet voice called from a small swing set where a precious little girl entertained herself. “Who’s this?”

Joel introduced you to his daughter, leaving the two of you to get acquainted as your dad called him away.

“You were away at college?” Sarah questioned, motioning for you to take a seat on the swing next to hers.

“I was,” you replied. “But I’m back for good now.”

“That’s good. What grade did you get to? I’m in fourth grade.”

You thought about it a moment. “I guess it would be 18th grade. But you stop counting grade numbers after 12th and start using different words to describe what year you’re in during college.”

Sarah listened raptly while you explained the different terms, what you studied in school, and what kind of job you were hoping to get.

“You want to be a teacher?” she asked, awed.

“I do! I want to teach middle grade science.”

“I love science! Maybe you could be my teacher when I get to sixth grade!”

Joel returned with your dad and Tommy in tow to find you and Sarah having a blast. The little girl sat in your lap as you kicked your feet out, swinging as high as you could, singing some camp song you remembered from your youth.

“See? Told ya she’d love to spend time with Sarah,” your dad said to Joel. He couldn’t tear his gaze away, staring at the two of you with a glazed look in his dark eyes.

Shaking himself off, Joel turned to your dad. “Guess I better work out some details with her.” He stepped over to the swing set, taking a seat on the empty swing and hoping to the heavens above that it held his weight. He struggled internally on how to start the conversation and was just about to blurt something out when his amazing daughter saved the day.

“Dad! She wants to be a teacher! A science teacher! Isn’t that cool? Did you ask her about watching me yet? I think she’d love to.” Sarah rambled on excitedly, amusing you and Joel. Turning to you before Joel could chime in, Sarah turned to you with baby cow eyes, adding, “You would love to, right?”

How could you ever resist that look? No one could. Both you and Joel were powerless as you nodded, and the offer became official. Cell numbers were exchanged and before you knew it, you had a job starting Monday.

Hours later, slightly drunk on spiked fruit punch and buzzing with energy, you thanked Joel for hosting the barbecue and giving you a job. You kissed his stubbled cheek, forcing thoughts of how attractive he was as far down as they could go. You could not develop a crush on your boss. “I’ll see you Monday morning, bright and early!” you declared before following your dad through the front door.

TBC

#joel miller #joel miller x reader #joel x female reader #the last of us #tlou #dbf!joel #Fall Into Me #pedro pascal #eventual smut #eventual romance

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word-wytch · 5 months

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Don't Stand So Close To Me — Chapter 16

Eddie x Teacher!Reader

Chapter 16/? 9k. Series Masterlist

✏︎ Frustrated by inconclusive endings, Eddie takes a seat behind the wheel.

✏︎ Series Summary: Forced to move back home to Hawkins after your fiancé cheats on you, you begin to fall in love again with an audacious 20 year old metalhead, only there’s one problem — he’s still in high school and you’re his English teacher.

While you struggle starting over in a place you never thought you would return, Eddie struggles feeling stuck in a place he can’t manage to leave — until you offer to help him. Of all the lessons learned, the most important are the ones you teach each other.

✏︎ Series CW: forbidden romance, slow burn, true love, smut (18+ mdni), internal conflict, student-teacher relationship, 10 year age gap, mutual pining, sexual tension, emotions, drama, angst, character development, happy ending :)

✏︎ Chapter CW: general angst, paternal angst, drug mention

Thursday, December 12th 1985

Before the first morning bell, Eddie gave Judy at reception his best impression of Wayne over the phone. He wasn’t totally lying, he was in fact, quite sick. Sick of all the taunting looks from meathead jocks. Sick of the way Ms. O’Donnell cleared her throat every five minutes. Sick of waking up so goddamn early. Sick of wasting his time. So after hanging up the phone, he stuffed a few essentials in his backpack and made for the door.

Like clockwork, Wayne always came home at around 8:10 AM, and though it would be far from the first time he’d skipped school, Eddie would rather not have to explain himself. Besides, he could use a change of scenery. There was no denying winter anymore, the ice he scraped off his windshield made sure to remind him. On a typical hooky day he would drive down to Lover’s Lake and toss open the rear doors, catch a breeze, light a joint, sit back and take in the ripples on the water and the rustling leaves. But that had all frozen over, so unless he intended to burn through his whole tank of gas, he would need to get creative.

That was how he found himself at Benny’s at 7:58 on a Thursday morning, setting up camp in a booth at the back of the restaurant. He ordered his usual — bacon, scrambled eggs, and a stack of pancakes in addition to white toast. Tossing his fourth emptied sugar packet beside the leaning tower of creamers, he sat back in the sticky, padded seat and took his first deep breath all morning.

The diner was bustling lowly, a handful of regulars perched on silver, spinning stools at the bar. From the frosted window leeching cool air beside him, he watched the funeral procession of headlights down Washington under a mournful sky. Just another day for the upright citizens of Hawkins, Indiana. From his cozy booth, Eddie sipped the top off his very full mug and smiled to himself.

Sprawling his belongings around the piping hot plates, he popped on his headphones, cracked open his monster manual, and got to work. The first hour flew by like his pencil across the graph paper. Between the bacon bits that had leapt from hand to page, a formidable lineup of foes was taking shape. Bottom line; the boys were in for a world of hurt tomorrow. He did his best to resign the grease to the flimsy napkins, but by the time he was finished, syrup tacked the gargoyle and gorgon pages together.

“Anything else I can grab for ya besides the check?” Sheri—according to her name tag—asked with a tired lean as she reached to clear his plates.

Eddie glanced down sheepishly at his freshly topped off mug. “I uh, think I might be staying for lunch.”

Sheri forced a hot pink smile, catching the fork with her decorated finger when it threatened to slide off the plate. “Y’ want me to get a room set up for you too?” she joked with a wink of her spidery lashes. “Just teasin’ sweetie. You just flag me down when you’re ready.”

Switching out his tapes, Eddie shut the cassette player and stared out the window as the men at the bar tossed their napkins and fished out their wallets. Snow was falling in lazy clumps, clinging to his windshield. Somewhere behind the overcast clouds, the sun was rising steadily. It was dismal, a fitting backdrop for the opening track of Black Sabbath’s Heaven and Hell. Of all the seasons, winter belonged to metal. Like it was made for cruising down a quiet, snow-covered street in the middle of nowhere. Made for drowning out Bing Crosby crooning from the speaker in the corner above him. Tinsel glittered on the small tree perched on a cloud of fake snow beside the cash register. Ornaments on swags swayed to the thump of footsteps passing. Eddie sighed and stared into the changing street lights.

Glancing at his watch he figured you were probably wrapping up the film with second period, knitting your brow and drawing your pen across the papers you were grading. He wondered what you’d think when the bell rang for fourth and you found his seat empty. Would you think he was upset with you? There was a small part of him that hoped so, and another part that hoped you would understand. After all, he was giving you the space you asked for, was he not?

Like a siren, your story—tucked between his notebook and the magazines he’d exhausted twice cover to cover—called to him. Cracking open the plastic spine, he dove headfirst into the typewritten pages.

For the whole narrow path into Rower’s End, Cybelle had sat in the front of the caravan, breathing the briny air unhindered by a barrier. Lazarus admired the brilliant fullness of her smile as she watched the seagulls soar overhead, under the clouds she had only ever seen from above. The sunlight had graced them then, beaming down in golden rays, glinting on the distant waves as they approached the sleepy seaside town.

Eddie could feel the corners of his mouth tug as Lazarus regaled Cybelle with a story of a time when he’d accidentally taken a crab home with him after spending a day at the beach, followed by an explanation of what a crab was. Cybelle seemed delighted with the prospect of seeing one, even more-so when he told her how he’d discovered the little hitchhiker when it pinched his rear in bed that night. Eddie noticed the way Cybelle leaned closer whenever Lazarus told stories, the way her hand came to shield her bare face with a giggle when he mentioned his rear. The way her delicate, copper fingers lingered over the soft skin of his forearm when she checked beneath his bandage. The wound was healing nicely — no sign of infection and not a thorn in sight. She warned that it might scar, but Lazarus did not appear concerned—rather the opposite actually—as if a strange part of him was pleased with the idea of having something to remember her by.

As they dipped over the final hill toward Rower’s End, Lazarus told her another story. A dream, rather, of a little cottage in Shantiglade with a full sized bed, and a garden, and a goose egg omelette big enough for two. A dream that would likely never come to pass. Cybelle seemed equally enchanted by it. Sitting back against the boxy, wooden seat of the caravan, she breathed in the salty air and imagined how good it would feel to do so every day. To experience the feeling of sand between her toes, of the ocean at her ankles, of propping her elbow against their shared kitchen table and gracing Lazarus with a naked smile before trying whatever an omelette was. It was good like this too — bumping along under a clear blue sky as Turnip plodded down the scarcely trodded path, watching the wind caress the wild grass and Lazarus’ even wilder curls, hearing his tales and his laughter.

Around the time he would be slumping into his desk in the back of your classroom, the bell dinged over the door of the restaurant. Eddie cranked the volume on his headset to drown out the chatter of a family of four clambering into the booth in front of him. The little boy had brought a pair of plastic drumsticks with him, beating a rhythm on the steel-rimmed table much to the annoyance of his little sister, who was clutching her book the way Eddie was yours. Dipping his few remaining fries into the smear of ketchup, he wondered why they weren’t in school on a Thursday afternoon. As he focused back on the type-written letters, he figured he should be the last to judge.

Eddie felt for Lazarus, he really did. The way he looked at Cybelle as she emerged from the cave, cradling the ghostfern like a pale, translucent child. The scene was as beautiful as it was somber — waves lapping at the rocky shoreline as the setting sun cast its deep orange hues on both of them. The rocks—slick with algae—had Cybelle stumbling, but Lazarus was quick to offer his arm. She accepted without hesitance, clutching the plant like a bouquet as her deep earthen fingers braced the pale angles of his. He lead her down the cascading stone as if it were a chapel aisle, slow and steady until they reached the flat edge of the water. There—in the golden remains of the day—seagulls dipped and soared over the glittering ocean, clasped hands swayed in the lapping wind, and for a moment, they had everything they came for.

After what seemed like both a small eternity and an aching second, it was Cybelle who broke away, tracing the ridges of his fingers as hers fell, stating out loud what both of them knew — that night was coming soon.

The journey back to Torgaard proved easier than the journey out, at least in terms of natural foes. No fenfinks or villainous vines, but the sky seemed to hang much lower. Dark, stormy clouds loomed overhead, casting its pale grey light over the moss curtains outside of Fenwood, over the verdant forests that shuddered in the gusting wind. There was a tension, a dread looming on the horizon that grew with each passing day. Even Eddie could sense it — the way Cybelle stared out into the swath of shifting green like she was attempting to soak up enough for the rest of her life. The way that Lazarus’ jokes were swallowed the creaking of the caravan. How nights that were once spent laughing over a roaring fire were now spent silently watching its crackling embers.

One day—just a few outside of Torgaard—the sky came crashing down. It sobbed in sheets, heavy enough to soak through Cybelle’s coat, to find the tear in her tent and make a lake of it. Lazarus ushered her inside the wagon, offered her a shirt that fit like a dress, offered to sleep on the floor. Assessing the size of the bed, and then the hard, narrow walking path, it was Cybelle who insisted they share it. She was small enough, or at least that was what she rationalized out loud. Lazarus did not argue. Her logic—unlike her tent—was water-tight. And so she climbed in between the soft linen sheets, tucked herself under the weight of the down blanket, and rested her damp, weary head on a pillow that smelled just like him.

Eddie glanced sheepishly around the restaurant, shielding the binder with his arm as Lazarus climbed in beside her. He hinged on each type-written word, lingering over the ones that stirred a fuzzy feeling. Written with careful attention to the way Lazarus’ chest rose and fell, how stiff their bodies were in hyper-awareness of the nearness to each other. How solid his shoulder felt under Cybelle’s cheek when the corner of pillow no longer sufficed. Slowly, they relaxed into the feeling. Not enough to sleep, but enough for Lazarus to free the arm that she was crushing. Enough to wrap it around her shoulder, to relish in the feeling of her cold nose in the warm crook of his neck.

It was good like this. Better when her fingers draped across the landscape of his pecks, felt his chest rise and fall like waves. Best when they awoke in the morning to the sun steaming in through the small, stained glass window above them. When their giggles shook the wagon. When their eyes met, closer than they’d ever been before. There, in the dim cocoon far outside the turning world, the smile that she had hidden for so long finally grew brave enough to capture his. And by the time they reached the towering stone walls of Torgaard, there was nothing more to hide from one another.

Eddie flipped the page to find only a black, plastic pocket. He rubbed it with his fingers to make sure it wasn’t sticking to another. When it failed to separate, he sat back and fumed. That was it. There was no more. No ending, no closure.

Sheri leaned against the top of the booth seat opposite him, hand on her hip, shifting between her dirty white sneakers with a tired sigh. “Listen sweetie, I’ve got ten minutes left of my shift. You’re welcome to stay as long as you want, but I’ve gotta cash you out before I leave.”

Eddie glanced at his watch, almost 2:00. “Yeah—yeah, no problem. Sorry for the trouble.”

“’S no trouble, just the way it goes around here. Hope you enjoyed your stay,” she said with a wink as she dropped the check.

After six hours and two meals, Eddie had gotten his fill of watching the world turn through an old, frosted window. His head was spinning enough on its own. With a frustrated huff he peeled his graph paper and manual away from the sticky table before shoving them into his backpack. Slugging it over his shoulder, he grabbed the grease-stained check and made his way to the register. That was when he noticed it — the lonely, half-eaten omelette on the bar.

“Alright that’ll be ten seventy-five,” chimed Sheri.

Tinsel glittered on the tree. Red, metallic bulbs swayed in the echo of his footsteps. Judy Garland caroled on about a merry little Christmas and he wondered if your characters would ever enjoy anything over their shared kitchen table or if that dream would be abandoned for their duties as well.

“Sir?”

Snapping out of his trance, he fished for his wallet and palmed her a twenty. “Keep the change,” he muttered before turning toward the door with a hoist of his backpack.

Her jaw hung open. “Oh my word, are you serious?” she called to his back, but the bell above the door was the only answer she received.

______

Main Street Vinyls was a ghost town on a Thursday afternoon, and Eddie preferred it that way. Aside from Jerry at the counter, it was just him and his noisy thoughts, accompanied by the slow plod of his own heavy boots as they weeped against the carpet. At least in this store he could escape the onslaught of Christmas tunes. Jerry—old hippie that he was—at least had some sense. Sometimes even sense enough to play some halfway decent rock music, but today Eddie would settle for Neil Young over the jingle bell garbage blasting through every speaker in Hawkins.

Glancing down the rows of plastic cassette spines, Eddie perused the M section as he kicked himself for giving away almost ten dollars. There was an album by a new band he’d only read about in magazines called Megadeth. Turning the tape over in his hands, he examined the cover. Everything about it spoke to him — the skull with its mouth chained shut surrounded by knives and candles, the title — Killing Is My Business. Flipping it over to the back, the phrase continued in haunted red letters …and Business Is Good!

The change he gave away in a fit of blind stupidity would have easily afforded it and left him with some to spare. With a bitter sigh, he shoved the tape back in its slot, knowing for a fact that the cash register at Benny’s had eaten the last bill he had in his wallet. Padding slowly down the aisle, he began his calculations.

He had a few regular deals lined up this weekend but would need to dig into his “savings” in the bottom of an old tobacco tin and pay Rick a visit before any of that happened. He might make eighty bucks if he was lucky. Maybe eighty more over the course of the week between the deals at school. Nobody wanted to spend too much time outside this time of year, so the park bench location was always iffy depending on how bad it was. He would resort to other classic meetup spots, like under the bleachers or the back of his van.

If he networked enough he might have some left over after helping Wayne with the bills. Scanning past the Tina Turner and T-Rex tapes, he wondered how much Wayne suspected about his little business. Surely he had to have some suspicion. Gig money, odd jobs, and oil changes for neighbors couldn’t possibly afford the kind of gear he had, or the ink in his skin, or the cash he contributed monthly. Wayne was sharp, and though he was no saint himself, he shuddered to think what he would say if he discovered his nephew was straying down the same path his brother took.

Peering back over his shoulder, he eyed the Megadeth tapes again—only three in stock—lined up like gifts wrapped in cellophane. They were such tiny things. Small enough to hide beneath his palm, to slide into the pocket of his coat with room to spare. Glancing up at the angled surveillance mirror in the corner of the store, he saw Jerry at the counter, humming obliviously as he stuck price tags on a fresh shipment of tapes. Over the tall shelf that separated them, he expected to meet his own eyes, but instead saw another man. A man he hadn’t seen in quite a while.

Eddie remembered finding a G chord for the first time; how big the fretboard felt in his small hand, how awkwardly his fingers had to stretch, how a larger set of hands had helped him find it. He earned a broad smile when the chord rang out, one he would search for again and again with every strum.

Sometimes in the late evenings as he crept past Wayne with a lunchbox full of drugs while he was watching reruns of Bonanza on the couch, Eddie would tell himself that at least he wasn’t stealing cars, or drinking himself half to death, or rotting behind county bars. At least he was still in school, something Warren Munson couldn’t say even at sixteen. At least Eddie could say he was trying.

With a bitter shake of his head, he continued down the aisle, leaving the tapes behind for the record bins that lined the walls. Mindlessly he walked his fingers over the cardboard spines, glazing past titles he’d seen a dozen times. Nothing new. Nothing different. Few things ever were in Hawkins. Every day he’d wake up and slog himself to a different type of prison, sit in a classroom for eight hours and actively feel his brain rotting. He would crumple up his failed tests and shove them in his backpack, endure the stares from kids whose parents cared enough to give them a ride to school, day after day. And every day he would come home and see the twinge of pride on Wayne’s face for the fact that he’d gone at all.

There were a few perks to sticking around, like running his club, and saving lost sheep, and seeing his friends everyday. Like having a swath of potential customers all in one place. It was safe and familiar, like a cage. His little business might be dangerous and criminal but at least it could afford him one thing he valued even more than ink or gear — freedom. Time, for another thing. Flexibility. It sure as hell beat making three dollars an hour flipping burgers or having to answer to some corporate boot-licker telling him what to do. Eddie huffed sharply, wondering what you would think if you knew. You, with your tightly buttoned blouses and endless patience. You, the very last person he wanted to disappoint.

The last look he’d seen on you destroyed him when he thought about it; the pain in your eyes and bitter line your pretty lips became. You were just about the only reason he had left to show up to class anymore, and now that was getting in the way of the one thing that actually had potential in his eyes. Way more potential than a stupid piece of paper that says, congratulations, you’re a real member of society and not a complete disappointment.

You had asked him a question back when you’d first made the arrangement to help him, one that rattled around in his brain ever since. Why did he want to graduate? If his memory served him, he’d given a relatively bullshit answer: to prove all the assholes in this god-forsaken purgatory wrong. It still held a fair amount of truth, but when he glanced up at the surveillance mirror again and saw himself this time, the real answer was abundantly clear. But was proving a point worth the risk of losing you?

The smell of cardboard and cellophane kissed his face as air puffed between each record falling forward. Each a different picture, some repeats of the same. Rock gods wielding wicked weapons, bathed in holy stage lights somewhere in New York or Los Angeles probably. Somewhere important. Sometimes at the Hideout he would close his eyes and imagine he was on one of those stages, but when he would open them as the last note rung out, it was always the same — just Bill and Drunk Sam, maybe a couple of bikers perched at the bar with their backs to him. Empty stools and sticky tables. A weak applause.

Eddie stepped back from the record bin with a heavy sigh and glanced at his watch. He’d killed about thirty minutes in this store, which meant he had at least twenty more before he could return home without triggering Wayne’s suspicious questions. The walls were starting to close in around him — posters like windows into a world far out of reach. Every million dollar strum reverberating through the speakers like a mocking reminder. With a half-hearted wave to Jerry stocking shelves, he left the store. Empty handed.

The drive down Randolph was always dismal, especially in the bleak winter light. Storefronts with yellowing signs that hadn’t changed in twenty years selling mattresses and televisions. A gas station with a rusted awning, dusted with snow. Architecturally speaking, the church was about the most interesting building, but only because it was brick and made up of more than just four flimsy walls. Even that was being generous though. The most exciting thing to happen to Hawkins since the housing development over by Factory Lane thirty years ago was the shopping mall that opened this past summer. Thrilling.

No matter where he drove within a fifty mile radius, it was all the same — a tomb where dreams went to die.

Gripping the steering wheel, he watched the car in front of him make grooves in the dirty slush, hypnotized by the spray off the sides of the tires. It wasn’t until he saw the high school approaching in his peripherals that he even looked up. It always felt good to be on the other side, especially when he wasn’t supposed to be. He could almost see you in there; brushing the chalk off your hands, shifting between your tired feet as you glanced at the clock, gazing out the window with a longing he’d seen in his own reflection — caught sometimes at night in his drivers seat window as he cruised the highway, dreaming of where it could take him.

As the squat fortress faded in his rearview mirror, he pictured you five years from now. Ten. Twenty. Wasting away in front of that chalkboard. Rattling on about stories written by dead people while your own collected dust inside a closet. While your talent withered like the dead, crumpled leaves under the snow; buried and forgotten.

With a hard right onto Prospect, he set out on the final stretch towards home. Sometimes he liked to imagine what might happen if he just kept going, just drove into the sunset and only stopped for gas. He had a vague idea from the movies and the maps that swayed in the wake of Ms. O’Donnell’s lumbering footsteps. Sometimes in the height of his boredom he would lose himself in them, imagine he was at a diner in the desert on his way to a gig with an actual sound system. Because somewhere out there—beyond the flat horizon—there were mountains, and canyons, and cities where names couldn’t follow.

______

“How does it end?” Eddie asked you on Friday between the fourth and fifth period bells. You glanced up from the stack of papers on your desk, cocking your head with narrowing eyes. “Your story,” he clarified.

“Oh.” Blinking, you sat back to ponder. “You know, I don’t think I ever fully decided. Cybelle is in a difficult position. The whole reason she set out on this adventure was to save her brother. I imagine she would want to fulfill her quest, but if she returned to Myrne, it may be difficult to leave again. Plus, she may receive some sort of punishment for leaving in the first place. I had written the laws to be quite strict, if I recall. And then if she chose not to return, her mother would lose two children. No matter what, she loses.”

Eddie furrowed his brow, shifting between his boots with a pained sigh. “I would hardly call a life with Lazarus losing. She seems happy with him.”

“Right, well, of course that would be ideal, but…” you tsked, “it’s complicated, and honestly that’s partially why I abandoned it. I really wrote myself into a corner. Well, that and student teaching started to eat up my time. Then it was finals, and moving, and then after that I met…” you trailed off with a bitter shake of your head. “Anyway, I guess life got in the way. It has a way of doing that, I’ve noticed.”

Eddie looked at you, really looked. You, in your cable knit sweater with pen on your hand and sandbags under your eyes, casting them down over your work with the same amount of hope he’d seen from players rolling threes with even fewer hit points to spare. He racked his brain for something he could offer—a dramatic death speech or a new character sheet—but you weren’t playing and he wasn’t prepared. Any words of comfort forming on the tip of his tongue were swallowed by the ringing bell, and he exited your classroom feeling the same as when he entered; unsatisfied.

______

It was starting to close in around you — the colored lights and ornaments, the mall Santas and fake green swags draping from shop windows. It was the first Christmas you’d truly spent in Hawkins since you graduated college, outside of day trips for visits. Surprisingly little had changed, the main thing being the fact that there even was a mall for Santa to post up in. Duplication must have been one of his many powers because he was still at Sears too, at least he was on Saturday when you dragged yourself out of the oppressive quiet of your apartment and into the bustling chaos.

You had no idea what to get your relatives for Christmas. You never really did, but this year it seemed insurmountable. This year you had no one to bounce ideas off of, and the constant mental chatter left little to no room for inspiration. As you scanned the shelves of cookware and appliquéd dish towels with snow men and reindeers, nothing really seemed to jump out at you.

What did jump out at you—or rather, jumped out at his sister—was a little boy across the aisle hiding in a circular rack of women’s bath robes. Pressing apart the terrycloth like curtains, he would retreat into his makeshift cave to the complete oblivion of his mother, who seemed more preoccupied with the price tags on a set of lingerie than with the whereabouts of her children.

A fantasy tugged at the corners of your mind, more sinfully indulgent than the one you had in class last week involving your desk and Eddie’s tongue. This time the set was the same as the scene before you, only the little boy had a mess of dark curls and Eddie was diving in after him. Not to scold him, but to play. You could almost see those fraying knee holes widening from contact with the carpet. Almost hear the giggles and the shushes and the click of his rings against the metal pole in the center of the rack for balance. You could almost turn around and see them popping out at you, feel the laughter ripple up through your very full belly and into the corners of your eyes as you feigned surprise to both of their delight. You could almost feel the glares from the other shoppers, the regular people eager to get on with their Saturday in peace, same as any other. It wouldn’t matter though, not in your little world.

The real mother in the real world did eventually turn around, grabbing the boy by the wrist and demanding he stay by the cart. Turning a dish towel over in your palms, you lowered your eyes to the machine-embroidered stitching of a corn cob pipe and a button nose as the fantasy disintegrated. You left the store shortly after, your cart just as empty as when you’d arrived.

On Monday it was hard to look him in the eyes. It was easier to meet Diane’s. At least this week you could hold a conversation without crumbling like Ms. Click’s half-eaten fruitcake up for grabs in the teachers lounge. But the coffee was bitter on your tongue, like a lie you were telling yourself.

In accordance with your wishes, there had been no rap of knuckles on your door frame after school, no screeching of chair legs dragged across the tile, only the dull thud of folders sliding into your bag, the surprising click of a magnet under the flap.

On Wednesday you left behind footprints in the parking lot before it had even half cleared, only to be swallowed by the emptiness of your apartment. You filled the space with what you could manage — an early dinner, and an early bedtime. Sleep seemed to be the only thing that quelled the battering ram thoughts, the scales tipping back and forth so much it made you queasy. You would lie there and dream of swirling smoke and plush lips, of arthritic fingers punching numbers on an office phone as you sat and accepted your fate. You would toss and turn, back and forth until your sheets became a tangle, and when you faced the mirror Thursday morning you barely recognized the person staring back.

When the final bell rang on Friday, the hallways cleared out like someone had yelled fire. A mass exodus of students and staff, flowing into the parking lot like a tidal wave outside your classroom window. You watched them as snow fell in clumps, as bright colored backpacks disappeared into the back of sedans, as cars peeled out like a parade into the street.

Assessing the paper mountain range framing your desk, you made an educated guess at how you would be spending your two week break. In hindsight, it might have helped to make the due date for the senior creative writing project last Friday instead, but deep down you knew you would have hardly made a dent by now.

When Ms. Click popped her head in to wish you a merry Christmas on her way down the hall, she seemed surprised to find your hand still moving across paper, not swaddled in mittens like hers. You brushed it off with something casual, the type of thing any regular person would say before the holidays. That it was too much to take home. That getting work finished now would leave more time with your family. You omitted the more personal details like how empty your apartment felt and the small, naked tree your mother brought over last weekend. This seemed to placate her, and with a cheery wave she left you in the silence of your classroom with only the ruffling of paper for company.

It was eery how quiet it was, but it afforded you a small hill of graded papers in the last hour, double what you would typically accomplish in front of the television. Thumbing through what remained of that stack, you counted each staple. Five, six, seven… you stopped when a certain name jumped out in MLA format.

Eddie Munson American Literature — 4th Period 20 December 1985

No title.

Papers fluttered to the desk as they fell from your hands, leaving only his. You held it gingerly between your fingers, as if it was alive. As if it could feel you, or rather, you could feel him through every type-written letter, through the thumb-sized grease stain in the top righthand corner. You could almost hear him too, shifting into a deep, dramatic narration.

Mount Myrne loomed on the horizon like a dark omen. Towering over the bustling docks of Torgaard, it disappeared beneath the ominous clouds with a formidable presence. Merchants scattered about, hauling their wares in heavy crates and barrels onto the many zeppelins.

This was where Lazarus first met Cybelle. In his mind’s eye he could almost see her stumbling about in her clean silk boots and glimmering gold coat. But her appearance today told a different tale. Her boots were caked with mud, her coat was splattered with muck and tattered by claws, her mask hung crooked on her face. Those large eyes that once glimmered with hope and wonder now stared off into the distance with oppressive sadness at the looming mountain.

This was where he was supposed to leave her. This was what they had agreed upon many moons ago. Cybelle just stood there, shifting back and forth between her tired feet as she dug her thumbs under the straps of her heavy knapsack that now held the rare and precious ghostfern. She finally had what she came for. Any moment now she would be moving those muddy boots toward the docks and use what little coin she had to barter a one-way trip back home.

That was the plan anyway..

Cybelle was frozen though. Fearfully, woefully, bitterly, she gazed upon her gold gleaming home in the sky with a sadness that was only dwarfed by Lazarus looking down at her. He looked at her beautiful face like it was the last time he was ever going to get the chance to. He memorized it in his mind as he shuffled his own dirty boots against the cobblestone. He didn’t have eyes for anything else. Not the zeppelins, nor the merchants, nor the mountain. Only her. After a moment that felt like an eon, Cybelle took a step forward.

“Wait.” said Lazarus. Cybelle turned around with surprise but also a hint of relief. “You don’t have to do this.”

Cybelle looked up at him with a mournful frown. “Of course I do, my brother will die if I stay here.”

Lazarus shook his head bitterly. “No, he will die if the ghostfern stays here.” he said.

Cybelle sighed as she looked out across the docks, “But how is it going to get there if I do not deliver it? No one is allowed within the city walls if they are not from Myrne.”

Lazarus furrowed his brow as he watched the merchants at work, hauling their wares aboard the large, formidable aircrafts. Suddenly he had an idea. “There are docks in Myrne, correct? And Myrnish merchants who take goods into the city?”

The gears were starting to turn in Cybelle’s head. “Yes, there are.”

“Well then, can we send the plant with like, a note or something? Some instructions and directions for the merchant to take where it needs to go?”

Cybelle thought for a moment. “I do know a few of the merchants by name. Arturo and I grew up together. He was my neighbor for a long time. He would know where it needs to go, and my mother would know what to do with it.” The brightness in Cybelle’s eyes dimmed suddenly as she had another thought. “But… I would never seen them again. My family.”

“Never say never, Cybelle.” Lazarus said. “Do you know that for a fact?”

Cybelle frowned heavily, “The laws in Myrne are very strict.”

“What if in the letter you told your family to meet you on the docks some other time? Perhaps in another moon or two once your brother has recovered?” Lazarus offered.

Cybelle sighed bitterly, “Only merchants are allowed on the docks. It is strictly prohibited. I was only able to come here because I snuck inside a crate. It was a miracle that they didn’t notice me.”

Lazarus kicked a stray pebble and huffed. There was a long pause before he spoke again. “I cannot tell you what to do, Cybelle. Only you can make that choice. But what I can do, really the only thing I can do, is tell you how I feel.”

All of a sudden there was a knot in his stomach. Because if he was going to say anything he knew that this would be his last chance..

“All my life I’ve dreamed about that cottage by the sea with the garden, and the bed, and the omlet. When I saw that pendant you were wearing I knew that it would be my only shot at ever getting what I wanted. Magic tricks are….. not exactly lucrative. And actually, if I’m going to be totally honest here, I figure you should know the truth about me. The whole truth.” Lazarus sighed, swallowing the bile creeping up his throat at the mention of the truth. He was going to be honest though. Maybe for once in his whole life. “This is difficult for me to say, but I owe it to you if nothing else. I’m a thief, Cybelle.”

Lazarus winced at his own words and Cybelle’s fallen expression, but he bravely continued..

“I confess that for a moment when I first saw you I thought about stealing that pendant, but once I heard your story and saw so much of my own I simply couldn’t. There is a goodness in you that I admire, how selfless and pure your cause is. Over the course of the last few moons I have had the privilege of spending with you, I have come to discover how beautiful the woman beneath the mask truly is. How kind, and curious, and patient you are. I have been all over this land. Traveled far and wide, through forests and over mountains. I have swam in lakes and oceans and gazed out over countless valleys. But never has the world looked quite so hopeful than when I saw it through your eyes. It made me believe that if you could see the beauty there, if you could see the goodness in me, then perhaps I can as well.”

It was startling — the tear that leapt over your lash line. Violently enough to hit the page, to blur the Os in goodness.

“If you choose to stay I promise you that I will never steal another coin or pocket watch. It may leave me poor for the rest of my days but if they’re spent with you, then I would be the richest man of all. It is all that I can offer you. My honesty, and a promise that I will show you more beaches, more mountains, more of the world than you could ever imagine. And since I intend to keep my promise, here is my honesty: I love you. Regardless of what you decide.”

With a trembling hand, you turned the page only to discover there was nothing on the back. Sitting back in your seat with a ragged sigh, you stared out into your empty classroom. Your nose stung, fluorescents flaring in your tear-blurred vision. Separating the pages with your thumb, you flipped back and read it again. The last paragraph. The last two sentences. Those three type-written words. Over and over, wedging in the cracks of your armor as your sniffles echoed off the tile.

The sun was dipping below the treeline, flooding the near-empty parking lot with a wash of somber pink. The snowfall had ceased, settled into the footprints and tire tracks. Glancing up at the clock and back down at the papers, you tried to imagine lifting another, scanning over sentences and writing in the margins like you hadn’t been completely upended by the one that trembled in your grasp. You couldn’t.

Tears dripped down your cheeks as you donned your coat, as you shuffled overstuffed folders into your satchel and slung its weight over your shoulder. You swiped at them with your scratchy wool sleeve, flicking off the lights and shutting the door.

The soft pink had cooled to twilight blue when your boots met the blanket of snow, leaving tracks in the clean, fresh powder. Your breath trailed behind you in heavy clouds. It was quiet here too, barely a scattering of cars in the parking lot. Not even the wind disturbed the limbs of the orderly saplings between the curb and sidewalk, dusted with a glittering powder.

Your hands found your keys, and the key found the hole, and soon you were sliding into your frigid leather seat, tossing the weight of your satchel on the passenger’s side with a dejected thump. You sat there a moment with only your breath for company before flicking your wrist at the ignition.

Nothing.

Stomping on the break, you lurched forward with conviction this time, as if you could convince it you were serious. All it awarded you was a weak, persistent click. It’s fine, you told yourself through gritted teeth as you lunged again, snapping your wrist with a startling anger, like the seal had been cracked on a two liter pop bottle that had rolled around in the trunk for a week and a half. Still, nothing but a pathetic click. A split second thought crossed your mind—that the ferocity of your stomp might actually damage the car—but the logic was quickly snuffed out by your rage. The hard plastic key bit into your numb fingers. Over and over — stomping, twisting, cursing. Cursing yourself most of all for being stupid enough to let this continue for months. You were paying for it now.

The tears were already waiting, primed behind your eyeballs, hardly dried on your cheeks when you left out the back door. They spilled over again, cooling as they dripped past your lashes, down the slope of your nose. One more time, you begged. Just one more time and I’ll be good, I swear. But the white Chevy Nova sat unmoved, offering only a vacant whine where there should have been a roar. You tossed back in your seat and huffed, chest heaving, filling the cramped space with the furious steam of your breath.

Snowflakes glittered in the floodlights, shining like flares through the blur of your tears. It might have been beautiful on any other evening — one where the engine was warm, and your mind was clear, and your heart didn’t sink like a pit in your chest. It was hard to notice anything outside your bitter sobs, most especially the shadow that appeared in the window beside you. The rap of rings on the glass had you jumping, whipping your head to face the set of eyes you’d been avoiding most of all.

“Need some help?” Eddie offered, bracing his knees in a crouch, eyes brimming with concern.

Your stomach twisted with relief, then embarrassment, then a million other things rolled into one, sick knot. Wiping the evidence from your cheeks with a futile swipe of your sleeve, you cranked down the window with your left hand. You must have looked like an absolute basket case, jerking your arm in tight circles as the barrier lowered with the urgency of a tortoise. When where was enough space for him, Eddie braced against the top of your door and ducked his head inside.

“Hey.” The warm sigh of his greeting kissed your cheek, thawing the sting of the cold.

“Hey,” you mimicked, sounding just about as stable as you felt when it came out. “W-what are you doing here so late?”

“Hellfire,” he stated simply. “You know, I could ask you the same question.”

Despite how true it was, it still felt pathetic when the answer left your lips. “Just… trying not to take so much work home with me.” You said it as casually as you could muster, but your voice betrayed you. Your cheeks were still cooling from the remnants of your tears, framing the heat from your dripping nose.

Eddie suddenly looked very serious, splintering your armor with his softness. “You ok?”

You gestured dejectedly at nothing, offering a hollow laugh. “No.”

Eddie filled the cabin with his sigh, eyes narrowing like he wanted to lunge through the window. Instead he just thumbed at the rubber and tipped his head closer, creaking your chest plate with the weight of his gaze. “You know, I could hear you clear across the parking lot,” he joked softly. “The car—I mean. Mostly. You leave your lights on or something?”

You shook your head. “It’s been doing this for months, ever since it started getting cold. I should have taken it to get checked out, but it usually starts after a couple tries.”

“Sounds like it might be the battery, or maybe the starter. I won’t know unless I try and jump it. I’ll swing around—if—if that’s ok.”

The wind ushered a curl toward his lips, and you clenched your hand to subdue it. “Yeah, it’s ok,” you sighed. “Thank you.”

With a nod, Eddie ducked out of the window and pivoted swiftly on his heels. From your side view mirror, you watched him make tracks in the blue snow with his heavy boots, hands shoved in his pockets as he glanced left and right, the ghost of his breath trailing closely behind. The seat creaked as you sat back and blinked like the cursor on a computer monitor; processing. One glance in your rearview mirror told you how disheveled you looked. Even in the twilight there was no masking the puffiness around your eyes, the mascara bleeding toward your cheeks. You swiped at them again, this time with a napkin from your glove box.

With a yank of the frigid handle, Eddie slid across the plaid and pleather padding into the drivers seat of his van. He froze for a second, glancing in his rearview mirror toward your small white sedan. Butterflies tore through his stomach, churning like a tornado as he flicked the ignition. Out of all his ridiculous fantasies, he hadn’t entertained this one. Not exactly anyway. One where you were the damsel in distress. One where he got to be the hero.

The parking lot was vacant enough to drive across the lines. Ploughing through the naked patches where cars had spent the afternoon, he rumbled up beside you. Your stomach did a summersault when he stepped out, plodding around to the front of your car with jumper cables slung under his arm.

“Can you pop the hood for me?” he asked.

The summersault rippled south through your abdomen. Reaching down under the console, your fingers found the leaver and obeyed. You felt kind of useless, just sitting there while he propped the hood onto the stand, shielding him from vision. Before you could form another thought, your hand was moving on its own, finding the plastic leaver of your door and opening it to the cold evening air.

Eddie gave a shy look from behind his curtain of curls before stepping back with a nod. “Well, good news, there’s no monsters,” he joked.

A smile cracked across your face, so genuine it almost felt foreign. You tucked your hands into your pockets, stepping closer to assess the engine like you knew what you were looking at. Your aura prickled with proximity, like his heat could thaw you even from where you stood. Eddie’s glance was soft and quick before procuring a small flashlight from his inner coat pocket. He held it in his teeth, flipping up the red and black plastic covers on the battery terminals.

“I have hands too, you know,” you said with a smirk.

With a playful side-eye, he clamped the appropriate cables onto the terminals. Removing the silver torch from his mouth, he made room for his retort. “Mmhm, best keep ‘em warm. It’s uh, kinda chilly out.”

You shook your head as a laugh escaped your nostrils in a plume. Sauntering over to his van like a dark knight, Eddie leaned in the door to pop his own hood. Your boots made tentative tracks in the snow, drawn like a magnet as he hoisted the metal. From the light pinched in his teeth you could see the expanse of the massive engine, the shadow of his furrowed brow as he unscrewed plastic knobs. What you saw more than anything though—like a filter laid over the scene—were three type-written letters. The hands that typed them fumbled with the cables, squeezed around the thick, jaw-like clamps. When they bit right where he wanted, they released; tendons flexing, knuckles pinking from the freezing air. Reflexively, he wiped them on the chest of his black hoodie peeking out from his open coat.

It might have just been the cold, but even in the twilight—in the absence of the flashlight he was tucking into his pocket—you could have sworn his cheeks flushed when he caught you staring. “Alright, um, go ahead and start your car. I’ll do the same.”

Following the tether that joined the two vehicles, you did as he told you. Nothing came of it though, just more incessant clicking. Exasperated, you tossed back in your seat before slumping out of the car once more.

“Shit, it must be the starter. Probably cracked, that’s my guess anyway by the sound of it,” Eddie explained as he stepped around to face your engine again. Clicking his flashlight, he peered into the compartment. “See, if you follow the positive terminal line all the way down, that’s where the starter will be. Only problem is it’s tricky to get to without a lift.”

You followed his grease-stained finger down the dirt-dusted tangle of tubes, drawing nearer under the subtle guise of interest in your engine. You stopped just inches from his solid leather frame, close enough to brush him with your elbow. “You seem to know your way around a car.”

He huffed, shaking his head as he muttered. “Wish I didn’t.” But before you could comment, he was shutting the hood. “I’m sorry, but I think we’re gonna have to call a tow truck.”

Your defeated sigh rose toward the clouds as you glanced at the squat school building. The lights were off. Judy’s car was absent from the lot, as were all but a handful, including the two of yours. Glancing at your watch under the floodlights, the big hand tipped past the golden dot where a five should be.

Eddie stepped closer, filling the gap with a heavy exhale before meeting your eyes. “You know I could, um—” he scratched the back of his neck, words evaporating quicker than his breath. What could he do? What could he really do about any of this? For most of his life he’d been a leaf on the wind, scuttling across the pavement toward the gutter, struggling to steer himself away. But you were stranded, and if there was anything he was good for, it was a ride. “I could—I could take you back to your place. If you’re ok with that, I mean. We could—fuck—I mean you could call from there a-and I could—”

There were chinks in your armor, cracking with each bumbling word. You looked at him, really looked. Eddie Munson, with grease-stained hands and eyes that pierced like arrows in their pleading. Straight through to the softest part of you, the place between your ribs that cries I want. And oh, how desperately you wanted. Wanted to soothe his worried lips in yours again, to feel his pounding chest again, to be thawed by his heat again. But you just stood there, frozen.

Shoving his hands into the pockets of his open coat, he shifted on the balls of his feet as he searched for more words in the snow. “Look, I know you said you wanted space, a-and it probably seems like—shit.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, releasing with a sharp sigh. “I just want to help you. Will you just let me help you? Please?”

Your chest plate clattered to the concrete, gauntlets falling in a heap beside your greaves. There was no white flag to wave. No sword to relinquish, or shield to discard. Your surrender was nothing but a soft “okay,” barely heard above the howling wind.

______

A/N: After over a year and 100k words, the smut chapter is finally upon us! Thank you for coming with me on this very long journey and sticking it out. I have no idea how long this next one is going to take me to write, but I can promise you that when it’s finished you will experience every moment in exquisite, delicious, poetic detail.

You might have noticed that I’ve pulled a few small details like character names and places from Flight of Icarus, but I will not be retconning any of Eddie’s backstory.

Also random, tumblr decided to make that one paragraph bold once I changed it to chat font with no ability to unbold it, but that wasn't intended. It kind of worked though so I'm not mad.

Taglist: @mermaidsandcats29 @toxicjayhoo @ooo-protean-ooo @jadequeen88 @wroteclassicaly @kissmyacdc @raccoonboywrites @storiesbyrhi @trashmouth-richie @keeponquinning @munson-blurbs @blueywrites @alottanothing @bebe07011 @idkidknemore @alizztor @godcreatoreli @ethereal27cereal @munsonsgirl71 @mrsjellymunson @emxxblog @siriusmuggle @sidthedollface2 @dollalicia @lma1986 @catherinnn @eddiemunson4life420 @readsalot73 @big-ope-vibes @barbiedragon @ladylilylost @3rriberri @princess-eddie @nightless @eddieswifu @thew0rldsastage @chaoticgood-munson @hanahkatexo @eddiemunsonsbedroom @beep-beep-sherlock @averagemisfit03 @vintagehellfire @haylaansmi @sllooney @lunaladybug734 @callingmrsbarnes @ajkamins

#eddie munson #eddie munson x reader #eddie munson fanfiction #eddie munson older reader #eddie munson smut #eddie munson x you #eddie munson x teacher!reader #stranger things fanfiction #eddie munson angst #don't stand so close to me #dssctm

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coffee-colored-hopeless-romantic · 1 year

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Distracted pt 1

Part 2 ->

Sebastian Michaelis x Fem!Reader

THIS IS SMUT MINORS PLS DO NOT.

CW: “Dear/Darling” terms used, oral f!receiving, 🐶style, multiple climaxes.

You’re the new maid at the Phantomhive manor and we’re going on your third day of training. You being a single woman with not much history of romance you figured being a maid of a high class family would be a breeze. Freedom after hours, beautiful housing, etc. Until you met the head butler, Sebastian and God is he gorgeous. I mean this man is the most attractive human being you’ve ever laid your eyes on and he was basically perfect as what he does. No flaw or hiccup in anything he did, it was almost scary. He couldn’t have been human. Even him looking at you from a time to time throughout the day would send a wave through your body, causing you to feel a little needy. You held out though, not wanting to be distracted on your new job. I guess you understood why that red headed main Mey-Rin was so clumsy especially around Sebastian.

You were going about your daily tasks, the laundry for the house, nobody touched the young lord Ciel’s clothing other than Sebastian himself and honestly you were thankful for that, less work for you to do.

Today was difficult, given you haven’t even touched yourself since before you had started your new line of work, and you had a fairy high drive that you used to keep up with on a nightly basis. But given the new environment and close quarters to your co-workers you held off and damnit was it getting rough. Sebastian had manually shown you a few things to practice for the up and coming ball that were to be held in the manor and he wanted to make sure you knew how to dance properly, it’s unlikely you’d be asked but there was always a chance he needed you prepared.

-flashback to that morning-

Sebastian walked over to you with his soft smile he always had on his face, his perfect pale face. “Ah, y/n just the woman I was looking for. Come. I need you to do something for me.” You didn’t say much as you followed him into an open area in the manor. “Dance with me a moment.” He extended his hand out waiting for you to take it. You weren’t the best dancer but you never had to do it much before. You sheepishly put your hand in his, your face saying everything you were feeling. The anxiety, the unease and the overthinking. Sebastian gave a grin and squeezed your hand slightly. “Don’t be nervous my dear, I’ll teach you everything you need to know.” He pulled you close, chests touching, his hand placed on your slower back, his touch is firm yet soft somehow. He’s warm, comfortingly warm.

Oh gosh, he’s so close to you. He smells nice, clean. Of course he does. He’s perfect. As Sebastian guides you through the basic steps and possible moves one could do in a traditional dance, he grew slightly irritated as you kept looking down at your feet, soon the hand holding your back moved up to your chin and lifted your gaze to his red eyes. “Y/n. It’s rude not to look at your dance partner. It shows that you’re uninterested. Look at me from now on, understand?” He was grinning, he knew he had you wrapped around his finger and it was annoying. How could you just stare at him the whole time, your body wasn’t prepared for that much eye contact. Let’s just say it was incredibly difficult to look at him, unwavering and not fumble with your steps but you somehow managed to get through it.

-end of flashback-

Yeah, that whole ordeal replaying in your head wasn’t helping your needy situation whatsoever. You kept spacing on the simplest thing and fumbling more than usual, it was irritating you so much. Finnian asked several times if you felt alright, he must’ve blabbed to Sebastian because soon enough the tall pale figure walked over to you. His eyes held a look of concern. “Y/n, Finnian told me you weren’t feeling well. Is that true?” He asked, leaning ever so slightly over you, his eyes dancing over your body. “Oh! No Sebastian. I’m fine really, thanks for checking on me-” you were cut off by his hand on your forehead, which caused you to start blushing. His eyebrow quirked up and he sighed. “Ah, you’ve got a slight fever, come now.” He p i c k e d you up bridal style and carried you towards your quarters. It was quiet in there given that everyone else was working around the manor. It was just you two.

You protested a few times on the way until he laid you onto your bed, walking over to your door and locking it.

What..?

Your eyebrows furrowed a bit and you looked up at Sebastian, “i- um. What are you doing, Sebastian?” You ask shyly, your mind going crazy at all the possible reasons, of course focusing on the dirtiest outcomes. He walked back over towards you, sitting next to you on the bed, reaching for the back of your dress.

“One with a fever shouldn’t undress themselves. If Mey-Rin were to do it, I fear she’d rip your uniform. That’d be a hassle for me to repair. If it makes your more comfortable I can do this blindfolded.” You could feel his gloved hands tickle your back, you weren’t wearing an undershirt, this uniform was quite warm when working sometimes. You breathe deep and slow, attempting to calm your nerves and hormones running rampant. “N-no it’s fine I-… I can do it.” You could very well do it yourself, but Sebastian doing it was a fantasy becoming reality. You thought it wouldn’t get much harder until you felt a warm breath on your neck, a low voice in your ear and a hand under your uniform holding firmly onto your waist. “I know what your issue is dear, you’re a bit… pent. I know the scent anywhere.” You turn and face him, bright red across your face. “H-hey!” He was incredibly close, impossibly close without kissing you. “S-Sebasti-“ he put a finger on your lips. “If you try and keep quiet I can help you. If you’d like of course.”

What?

Your eyes grew heavy as you gave into him, how could you not? He closed the distance between you and kissed you deeply, you whining as he did so, feeling such a touch for the first time in so long was bliss, it was dirty, it was sinful but it felt so good. His eyes open, his hands running about your body, feeling every curve, every crevice, remembering your shape and taking note on every special spot that seemed to get you going. One of his hands going up your skirt, onto your thighs, pulling down a stocking and laying you onto your back. Your body’s senses were on high and every touch felt like a fire being sent to your core. This was unlike anything you’ve felt before, it was intense and he was simply touching you. He swiftly pulled up your skirt and placed his thumb on your throbbing clit, making slight movements. You pull away from the kiss with a gasp and pushed the back of your head into the pillow beneath you, biting your lip to fight the moan wanting so desperately to escape. Your climax already beginning to build from this small stimulation. Sebastian placed his lips upon your neck, leaving small bites on your sensitive areas. His fingers moving gracefully over your clothed pussy, he felt how excited you were, the soaked panties were a dead giveaway for anyone but he could smell how aroused you were, which got him excited. Not that his body showed signs of it but internally he was going to devour you. He finally pulled back and pulled your panties down, revealing a wet mess. He didn’t miss a beat starting to eat you out, there was no warning, no teasing. Just his tongue on your hot core. You went to moan but his hand swiftly covered your mouth which drove you mad, he was good. Almost instinctually you moved your head and began to suck on his gloved fingers. He looked up at you and stopped for a moment, hands on either side of you, just looming above you. He pulled his hand out and let his fingertips linger at your lips. “Bite the glove.” He commanded, you did so and he slipped his hand out. “Good girl. I didn’t realize you were so naughty. Maybe you needed this more than I thought.” He threw the glove out of your mouth and resumed position. Fingers in your mouth and tongue back onto you. You wanted nothing more than for him to fuck you silly right then and there. But the things his tongue could somehow manage to do were inhuman, your climax quickly built, it was almost embarrassing. You whined and whimpered as you came, your whole body tensing up as he rode your through your climax, letting it settle before pulling away, a trail of your cum and his saliva connecting you and his mouth. He smirked, almost amused on how quickly that happened. “My my. How sweet you taste.” Oh my God.

As his fingers left your mouth you sat up and reached for his pants. He allowed you to undo his buttons, watching intently as he removed the other glove that remained on his right hand.

As you finally got his dick out, it was hard and ready, you were about to take it in your mouth before he put a hand on your shoulder, pushing you back. “No no, this is about you. I’ll enjoy myself plenty. Just submit.” You bit your lip, glancing back down at his member. “Y-yes sir.” He sure did like obeisance. He got off the bed and gestured tot he edge. “Bend over.” Holy shit what? You blinked and slowly began to move, he sighed. “Quickly now.” He grabbed your hips and brought you in front of him, lifting you with ease, turning you away and pushing you forward onto the bed. It was such a vulnerable position, your skirt covering you until he lifted the fabric and placed it onto your back.

You felt his tip meet your entrance and you whispered “oh fuck..” you heard a giggle, did he hear you?

“Such a filthy little mouth.”

He didn’t warn you, he rammed into you, having you take his entire length immediately, you couldn’t help but moan out as he did so. He soon grabbed a fistful of your pretty hair and put your face to the mattress. “Quiet now, I’m about to begin.” You bit your lip hard as he showed you no mercy. His quick and rough pace were enough to make you see the gates of heaven themselves. Well maybe gates of hell with how this was going. You were burying your face into the mattress moaning into it to muffle whatever you could. His name was your new favorite word, along with a string of words of your full submission. You felt your core begin to heat back up as you felt another orgasm coming quickly. He obviously felt it too as you tighten around his dick, your walls memorizing his shaft and forming to welcome it. It was the first sound you heard from him, a subtle grunt but it was proof of his own pleasure from this.

The room was filled with lewd sounds. The muffled moans, the slaps of your bodies, the absolute mess you were creating, the creaking of your bed frame. All of it being permanently trapped in the walls of your quarters. You’d never walk in here again and not think about this.

“That’s right. Cum for me, darling. Be a good girl and cum.” That was it, you were sent flying over your edge with another intense climax, bigger than the one before. As he slowed down your body twitched at every subtle move, you attempted to regain your breath but you could hardly move your legs. “S-Sebastian… but you didn’t...” You looked over your shoulder at him while he was cleaning up from the utter mess you made on his dick. “Oh dear y/n, I’m not sure you could handle the work it would take for me to cum myself.” He smirked. The way he said it didn’t make it sound condescending or cocky, just matter of fact. You shot up, shakily. Looking at him. “No! I can! I don’t want you to be disappointed or left unattended to!” He lifted your chin up once again, getting absurdly close. “Trust me darling, I’d break you. I don’t want to do that. If I want some more fun, you’ll hear a knock. Now rest.” With that he left you, in your sex filled room, cum soaked sheets and disheveled hair. What a filthy girl you are.

#fanfic #my writing #x reader #x y/n #sebastian michaelis #black butler #kuroshitsuji #black butler smut #mdni #sebastian x reader #Sebastian michaelis x reader #Sebastian Michaelis smut #smut

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danger-bird · 3 months

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Touchstarved Demo Music

Decided to have a productive weekend and search for every song in the ts demo bc I’m a hungry bird and I need my crumbs🐤

Some were easy to find, others required manually going through artists’ discographies that might have the song I was looking for help (in order of appearance)

Sonata to Melancholy – Crypt of Insomnia

Fabric of Night – Crypt of Insomnia

Suspense Drums Trailer – ARCHIMUSIC

Dance Macabre – Crypt of Insomnia

Reverie – MARiAN

Mystery – EightBallAudio

Medieval Harp Ambient – Orchestralis (all 3 versions are used)

Cold Dark Place – Crypt of Insomnia

Shards of Night Light – Crypt of Insomnia

Late Night Ode – Crypt of Insomnia

Rivendell Sunset – Crypt of Insomnia

Love Will Never End – VICTORMUSIC

Tango – Blacksmith

Fadeless Memories – Crypt of Insomnia

Slow Baroque Strings – Orchestralis

Once Upon a Dark Time – Allen Grey

Scorched Earth – Crypt of Insomnia

Ethnic Ritual – Nuclearmetal

Dark Ethnic Suspense – Allen Grey

Persian Beat – MARiAN

Deserted – Crypt of Insomnia

After Dark – Crypt of Insomnia

Beautiful and Tragic – Crypt of Insomnia

The Harp – SilverHoof

The End of the Journey – Crypt of Insomnia

Individual routes:

Ais

Dangerous Middle East – iCENTURY

In The Time of Romance – MusicDog (also in Kuras' and Mhin's individual routes)

Kuras

Pizzicato Comedy – Orchestralis

Sorrowful Storytelling – Crypt of Insomnia

Mhin

Rains Will Come – Andrea Baroni

Vere

Sad Tango Violins – Korolkov

Delusion – Crypt of Insomnia

Bonus:

Gothic Emotional Suspense Riser - Allen Grey (homescreen music; edited)

Horror Atmosphere - Orchestralis (ominous music; when Soulless/threat is nearby)

#touchstarved game #ost #music #kuras #mhin #ais #leander #vere #touchstarved kuras #touchstarved mhin #touchstarved ais #touchstarved vere #touchstarved leander

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captainkirkk · 2 months

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✩ WEEKLY FIC ROUND-UP ✩

All the fics I’ve read and really enjoyed in the past week-ish. Reminder: This list features any and all ratings and themes. Please look at tags and warnings on ao3 before reading.

Merlin

The Walls of Camelot by spqr

"Camelot will fall tomorrow,” Arthur says, on the first day of the eighth month of the siege.

IRIS Log #1548 by deadchannelradio

Disclaimer From Your Friendly Neighborhood Oracle:

The following is a transcript of Patrol Communications Audio written by state of the art transcription technology, IRIS (Interpretation of Recorded Intelligence Software). IRIS was created to provide easily searchable records, automatically, and eliminate the need to transcribe each patrol audio log manually. That being said, IRIS is still experimental, and may not always be entirely accurate. - (01:25) Red Hood: (Mild static) (Out of breath, slurred) You motherfuckers. Put some fuckin-

(01:25) Batman: (Shaking) Red Hood-

(01:25) Red Hood: Shut up. Put some fucking respect. On my name. Start fucking copying me. I just got thrown fucking. Um. 40 feet. Into a fucking uh. What's it. Ditch. I'm still fucking conscious.

(01:25) Batman: Red Hood, do not move, we're en route-

(01:25) Red Hood: What'll I win if I stand up.

(01:25) Batman: (Loud) Do not stand up.

we shall be free; we shall find peace by mediant

Clark has accepted what it means to be Lex's prisoner - the pain of the Green, the experiments, the hands on it. The long years buried in its containment cell, let out only to act as Lex's weapon, as Lex's tool. It had fought back at first, but years have ground it down and away to almost nothing.

Then Lex hands it a baby. And Clark realizes that while it may have hurt humans, and lied about what it is, and it may deserve to be locked away - Kon deserves to be free.

Untamed

The Absolutely True Story of the Yiling Patriarch: A Manifesto in Many Parts by aubreyli (+ podfic)

Wei Wuxian’s hand jolts, spilling a drop of wine onto the tabletop. “Love?” he croaks, then clears his throat and tries again. “Lan Zh— uh, Hanguang-jun, in love?”

“Have you not heard the story?” the other young woman asks, looking pitying. “You must, it is a truly heartrending tale of star-crossed romance and mutual pining — go to any storyhouse in town, everyone has been requesting a reading of this book.”

“There’s a book?” Wei Wuxian says blankly.

-- In which the junior disciples (namely, Lan Jingyi, Ouyang Zizhen, and a reluctant Lan Sizhui) turn to RPF in an attempt to rehabilitate Wei Wuxian's reputation so that he and Hanguang-jun can get together and get married and live happily ever after. It's... surprisingly effective.

Clone Wars

patron saint by spqr (+ podfic)

Funerary practices? Master Ti writes back. I’m not sure what you mean, Master Kenobi. Used biomass is the property of Kamino and thus is recycled into the cloning process.

So that’s how the revolution begins—with dead brothers, but not the way you might expect.

Miraculous Ladybug

drowning (in plain sight) by buggachat

Everybody had expected Monarch's defeat to be a moment of triumph. Nobody had expected Gabriel Agreste, unmasked and mind frayed from continual abuse of the miraculous, crying out to all who would listen and making Paris certain of one thing:

His son, Adrien Agreste, is one of his sentimonsters.

And now he's missing.

Nobody can find him— not even the superheroes, and not even his closest friends. But Marinette, Nino, and Alya aren't ones to give up so easily. They'll find him, no matter what it takes.

(But, geez, would it kill Chat Noir to lend a hand?)

#happy saturday!!#i hope everything is having a better weekend than me #i'm sick :((#my posts #weekly fic round up #fic recs #merlin recs #untamed recs #dc recs #sw recs #ml recs

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taystarotoverload · 10 months

Text

WHO is your Future Spouse?

‼️WARNING‼️: some 18+ & looooottttssss of detail 😮‍💨

☆ this is JUST a general reading so take what resonates leave what doesn’t. we’re going to be diving into 9 different topics about details on who your future spouse is, and some extra little goodies at the end😉

☆ how to PICK A PILE: Breathe in deeply for 3 and out for 5. Meditate on each picture continuing this manual breathing. Ask spirit out loud or in your head “who is my future spouse” and meditate on it. You’ll hear a number or see a number pop into your head, or maybe you’ll feel drawn to a certain pile. whatever works for you go for it! if you’re new to pick a piles this may be difficult at first, but as you read and watch them more and more the process becomes much easier! 😊

☆ DECKS USED:

Tarot:

A.E. Waite Tarot (pile 1) Cat Tarot (pile 2) Wild Unknown (pile 3)

Oracle:

Fairy Wisdom Oracle, Wild Mystic, Romance Angels

☆ lastly thank you thank you to my guides and your guides for offering me and providing me the energy, knowledge, and guidance to do this reading. 🤍

PILE 1

your energy check in:

these are clarifying cards for you and your currently energy, this helps me connect to you further and also makes sure this reading is right for you! <3

the fool - the world - ace of wands - page of swords

so what i’m seeing is you’re 100% a leader. you also love going out, you love the outdoors, you love nature and seeing life for what it’s truly about. i see you’re somebody who doesn’t let the hardships of life run you down and ruin you. i see you’re somebody who is a go getter and isn’t afraid to be adventurous and courageous and step out of their comfort zone. you like being the person you are and you’re not going to let anyone stop you. i’m also seeing that right now you’re in a transition. your life is transforming alot right now, you might be given many job opportunities or travel opportunities and you’re just thinking “wow when did i get so lucky?” lol i’m also seeing that you ?recently? just got out of a really rocky situation or part of your life and this is why your energy is so bright and vibrant. i’m viewing you as the sun pile 1 you seem very extroverted at times. again with the leadership this is what is leading you towards these amazing opportunities. you’re a big helping hand to others and people appreciate you greatly.

oracle: Magic Frog

so even though pile 1 you seem very bright and good energy, you have a bad problem overworking yourself and giving yourself a hard time. i’m seeing that when it comes to your work and the time you spend creating these ideas and being a leader you never seem to put in time for yourself. it’s always “i need to do this i need to do that” spirit is asking you to just chill. that’s a cool way of putting it but relaxing is good for you. especially for right now i’m seeing you just need a nice hot bath, some oils, some wine (if you’re of age😉) and some slow gentle music. don’t be afraid to have fun and have a good time! you don’t have to live in an endless boring cycle where you feel like you’re going nowhere in life, because the universe has so much to offer!

other messages: childlike, green eyes, brown hair, olive skin, pisces, leo, taurus, aquarius, scorpio, white cloth, yellow, sun, golden retriever

Their Energy:

2 of swords - 5 of pentacles - the empress - page of pentacles

so basically this is very much opposite energy here lol. i’m seeing for you pile 1 your future spouse has been through a LOT. they have faced many battles and challenges physically and mentally. in the physical world i’m seeing that they have been perhaps stabbed in the back by people closest to them. or they were manipulated in some way? something to do with friendships here but im seeing that they are someone who has been through a lot. and they’re currently going through their own battles right now but it’s starting to cool down. they may be somebody you’d associate with the rain?? only cause i keep seeing like grey rain clouds and then like the calm after the storm type of thing. your future spouses energy is very introverted which is definitely opposite to yours, because even if you pile 1 are introverted they take the crown lol. they are somebody who doesn’t open up to people quickly and is very very protective of their energy. but do not be mistake because they aren’t weak in any way. they are very strong person. they don’t need your protection or others they know how to protect themselves when needed. they may be a little bit hard headed but it’s not big deal lol… i’m seeing that they are working towards a better future for themselves. they don’t want to stay stuck dwelling on the past but they can’t seem to help it sometimes. they are in dire need of shadow work lol. also off topic but y’all have similar energy in some ways. they’re a very creative person aswell and i was just getting that you could meet them through creative projects.. perhaps through work or some sort of activity. i’m also getting that their energy seems very feminine??? but take what resonated obvi!!

oracle: bubble rider

this is just confirming what i said previously. spirit wants to give your person a helping hand and a push of wisdom. they need to start thinking about themselves in the moment because they’re so worried and fixated on other people that they don’t make time for themselves!!! this is something that they really really need to work on and work through because life is going to throw challenges at them and they’re going to have to learn from it. the picture illustrates a girl looking defeated on a bubble and seems to be curled up towards herself. and this is your future spouse's energy. they need to just open up and be apart of the moment be apart of the world. they need to not be afraid of a little bit of challenge in their life because they will come out stronger.

other messages: feminine, wounded, trauma, fake friends, badass, blonde, curves, aries

your fav things abt your fs:

3 of cups: they are somebody who seems to love close relationships with friends and family. they cherish those close connections. i think when they become comfortable with you they open up a side of them you didn’t know existed. they are honestly a totally different person behind closed doors and it’s something you admire. especially how they treat their family and friends you’re just like ‘where have you been all my life?????’

6 of wands: even though your fs isn’t somebody who is really out there and super extroverted they have these really amazing creative ideas and projects that they bring into light and offer to whatever work they’re putting in. and im seeing that people around them are extremely grateful towards them for it because it offers a lot of things and opportunities for others and also benefits the project. this is something that you admire about them is that they’re just extremely intelligent in what they do.

the lovers: i’m seeing this person has a really good balance between feminine and masculine? like it's honestly pretty attractive to you because you’re like “wow i didn’t know it did that” type of energy haha

10 of cups: they’re very grateful for what people give to them and how they receive things. they aren’t somebody who is stuck up, and is childish in things that they want. i’m seeing that especially when it comes to you they’re very protective towards your emotions and feelings because they cherish you greatly. i see that this relationship will be very new to them or it will be different from what they’ve had in the past.

king of cups: wow okay they’re big on protecting. i'm not seeing overprotective but i’m just seeing that they’re very careful with you. like you’re very precious to them and they just never want to hurt you in any way. very black cat energy if i’m being totally honest haha

their fav things abt you:

knight of swords: so like i said earlier you’re go getters if you want something you’re going to get it and there is no stopping you. i’m seeing that you can be assertive and very blunt and they really like that about you. they really like that you don’t give up easily and can stick up for yourself.

7 of wands: again with the assertiveness. your leadership really shows up when it’s needed and you aren’t afraid of change and making change. you’re somebody who likes to bring facts to the table and defend yourself and what you believe in because to you, that’s what is right. your fs really does admire this about you, and it might influence them a little bit to be as strong and confident as you are. i’m seeing that you might be somebody who is big in being an activist and you really like change. maybe in the work place, your daily life, or just the world. it’s something that you strive to do.

ace of swords: when you are given an opportunity you will take it, but not before you sit and think about it. you aren’t the type to just go into an idea blind, you sit and analyze the outcome to things (this is where overworking could come into the picture) and your future spouse again is influenced by this and intrigued and it’s something they admire about you because in their eyes you’re strong.

ace of cups: you are somebody who is able to express lots of self love and practices self love. this is something you and your future spouse might even do together is practice self love. because again you don’t let the hardships of life run you over and ruin you, you get up and live.

the chariot: you’re probably a very spiritual person and if not spiritual it is something intrigues you. and this goes for any religion but it is something that you defend but also aren’t afraid to express and acknowledge. i think your future spouse could find this to be very educational and often asks you about and it’s something that you’re very willing to sit down and talk about. your interests are always extremely interesting to your fs.

their personality:

2 of wands - page of swords - queen of swords - 5 of cups - 3 of cups - 10 of cups

i’m just getting that this person has alot of love to give. like a lot. they might be really romantic or cheesy at times….?? so they are somebody who can very passionate about their interest and would want to tell you all about it. if they have a creative idea they want to be able to fulfill this desire and treat it in any way. i’m seeing that they’re not so much of a go getter like you, but they aren’t afraid to take action towards the things they want. i am seeing though that they don’t open up well and again are very protective of their energy’s. they aren’t quick to tell you what’s wrong with them and it may have to be something you ‘force’ out of them. sometimes they bottle up their feelings wayyyy too much you have to kind of show them the brighter side of things. i do see that they may struggle with mental health issues and this negatively effects them but it isn’t something that effects the relationship. they don’t let their mental health get in the way of the relationship, which is probably why you will probably have to poke them a little bit to hear what’s the matter lol. I really do feel like their weak spot IS family and friends though. this is probably the biggest influence to what they’ve dealt with in the past and so i’m seeing that close family and friends are deeply cherished and respected. they’re somebody who can have a very cheerful and bright attitude around people they’re closest to. it’s a side that you do really like to see because they’re the type to put on a mask in public ykwim?? they’re very good at hiding that side of them.

how they will make you feel:

5 of pentacles - 8 of wands - the lovers - knight of swords - 3 of pentacles

so what i’m getting is that you may feel very confused at times on how your fs feels. i’m seeing this is because they don’t open up, but since you’re very unaware of it you can feel very left in the dark. i’m seeing they don’t intend to do this and you may ask them “did i do something wrong?” it honestly like breaks their heart lol. this is something that they definitely would need to work on. however they’re easily able to redeem themselves. i’m seeing here that they can be very busy but they’re able to make time for you. when they say something they mean it, so if you guys have a planned date and something comes up they are not rescheduling it. they are doing it that day lol. also i’m seeing that they seem to be more of a listener than a talker and this makes you feel very heard. you may be more of a talker and so you think “oh my god i’m talking their ear off” but they love hearing what you have to say. i’m also seeing that they’re very very protective of you. and this makes you feel very grounded and nurtured. maybe you haven’t felt this way in the past and this person just brings you lots of comfort and joy. they also make you feel confident asfffff. i’m seeing at times you can be very insecure and when you express this to them they’re like “excuse me???” because in their eyes you’re the most perfect human being they’ve ever laid their eyes on. this could also be from them being a romantic they show you how beautiful you are to them… iykwim.

their looks:

the hermit - 10 of swords - the hierophant - 7 of cups - 8 of cups - the tower

so immediately i thought abt their eyes. they might have very sleepy looking eyes or they might look “dead”. their eye color too might be a dark dark brown color. i’m seeing that they could have king eyelashes. their eyes are very prominent. i’m seeing that they could bleach their hair? maybe they have naturally dark hair but they bleach it to be white or blonde. im seeing that their hair could be mid length or could be slightly long. guys could be a bit on the longer side and girls could be a little bit shorter. nothing too short or too long. i’m seeing that they might have very very pale skin… like ghost white. 😭 i’m not seeing dark skin. i am seeing them being fairly short. they’re def shorter than you lol. this person skin is also so??? they for sure have a skincare routine. they have this thing where they have to look good. i’m seeing their style might be a bit edgy but it’s a very unique style. they’re not very alternative or gothic just sort of edgy, but they put together their outfits well. i’m seeing they like to at least look nice wherever they’re going they don’t look ‘musty’ or like they don’t shower. they might be the total opposite of you tbh??? like this is a person people are quick to make assumptions about. and you’re sooooo quick to defend them lol. i’m seeing them as very skinny too. i don’t see them working out so much so they could very skinny and scrawny lol. they’re definitely someone people look at, some people find them to be attractive and some seem to assume a lot about them. but at the end of the day you know them for how they truly are. your fav thing abt them is their eyes tho like it won’t leave my head. tbh they’re kind of intimidating to people.

their love language:

the lovers - wheel of fortune - the empress - 8 of swords - the tower - death

your fs might be a bit of gift giver. they like showering you with gifts. they think about you 24/7 and they want you to know that. i do see acts of service being a big one too. they love helping you, they love being there for you. but pile 1 you are a very independent pile. i’m seeing this might be very annoying to you at times cause you’re like “i got it it’s fine” and your fs is like “no no let me help” this might be something you have to tell them annoys you or makes you feel a bit incompetent BECAUSE you feel like you’re being babied or it comes off as them thinking you can’t do it yourself. which is definitely NOT what their intentions are at all. im seeing words of affirmation being another one too; they love giving you compliments they love making you feel better. they are your shoulder to cry on whenever you need it. they just want to be there for you 24/7 365. they’re so down bad it’s making me sick lol

how they will comfort you:

the hermit - 7 of pentacles - 6 of swords - 8 of wands

i’m seeing that whenever you’re going through something in your life mentally you aren’t the type to seek out help so much. and your future spouse understands this and is very patient with you. also when you’re sick too?? i’m seeing you might be a bit of a crybaby when you’re sick lol and it doesn’t bother your future spouse because all they want to do is protect you. i’m seeing that if you were struggling mentally they wouldn’t bother you with questions but they’d let you know they’re there whenever you need them. they understand more than anyone how it feels, so you can go to them and they will listen. they are honestly an amazing listener. they are really good at giving you guidance and offering you good advice when you need it. i’m seeing they’re the type of person who likes to be very factual and blunt without hurting your feelings, and it’s something that does help you grow and learn especially in the relationship.

First Times:

First Meet: 7 of pentacles - Strength

so the setting is outdoorsy?? i’m seeing something again with work and an activity and i’m seeing that your fs may already work there and this is a transition from your old work to working there. i’m seeing that the energy is very tense with this person. i don’t see you two meeting each other immediately i think it’d be one of those you see then from across the room??? you’d make the first move im seeing lol. i’m also seeing that you immediately find them so incredibly attractive and may ask around about them and to them you don’t catch their eye as much. they could be single when you first meet though but they aren’t really thinking about a relationship.

First Date: 8 of wands - 8 of swords

so i’m ngl i’m getting such awkward energy hahaha i’m seeing that you’re going to feel very excited but also very anxious. this date may be all your idea and so you’re trying your best to woo them lol. i’m seeing also that your person might come off as uninterested at first but believe me they’re just as nervous as you are. i’m seeing they’re trying to impress you as best they can but they’re so awkward lol you’re going to find it very cute. i’m seeing that this date will be very intimate but it will be in a social setting. so i’m seeing that a nice little restaurant. i’m also seeing this could be a thing you guys do at the end of the day?? tbh something you’d see on tv. so a little cliche but also very very romantic. also i’m just seeing so many smiles and love eyes???? y’all are cheesy stop it

First Kiss: Ace of cups - 3 of pentacles

this is so funny to me because both of y’all will initiate the kiss. yk how and please try to understand this, you know how sometimes with first kisses one person initiates the kiss and it’s either a hit or miss. you and your fs will be so down bad that y’all will just feel the energy. like good lord just make out already pls i can’t take this tension. i’m seeing that one of you will start to lean in and the other person is like “hell yea” and they lean in too. like y’all can read each others minds istg y’all are so in tune with each other. your first kiss can be when y’all are alone together?? maybe when yall are having a deep conversation and you guys just bond over something. y’all are so in love at this moment i’m just… wow.

their shadow side:

page of cups - 6 of wands - page of pentacles - 2 of wands - 3 of cups - king of pentacles - knight of pentacles - 9 of swords

i’m seeing that this person can be very selfish. i’m only seeing that this selfish side comes out during conflict. i’m seeing they can be a major know it all about things and can be very “i’m right youre wrong” they can be very childish in the way they think and can be very hard headed. i’m seeing that they have this energy especially when they’re stressed out too, that you really can’t get them to stop thinking like this unless you really humble them. i’m seeing when they’re angry it’s just them acting very childish and very selfish and this can be something that you talk to them about. they’re not necessarily like it towards you but they can definitely be that way towards other people. im seeing they can very childish in what they say if they get into an argument with you, but it’s one of those things where you talk to them like an adult and it snaps them back to reality. they definitely need a reality check from time to time ngl…

Extra Messages!!:

Shaman: keyword: Teacher

trust in divine timing. trust that things are working out towards you and your future spouse. don’t try to rush things, and definitely don’t try to undermine any of spirits work. the universe is working in your favor, so remember to thank the universe everyday. you and your future spouse will be able to heal each others energy and heal that inner child. don’t lose this once in a lifetime connection.

Memory: your past life may be very battled and torn. try to reconcile with your past self and find what parts of you do really need the healing. don’t be afraid of feeling those emotions you buried deep down, they are meant to find you in this lifetime.

Very Soon: You may meet this person very soon or in a matter of a few months. don’t rush this connection. this person will make their way to you when you BOTH are ready. disappointment will only lead you to failure, be grateful for what the universe has to offer you.

what chakra is their weakest: Heart Chakra

what chakra is their strongest: solar plexus chakra

extra key: earth sign, lilac, quartz, past life regression, outside activity, gold, aventurine, yellow jade, yes, african american, you already know them, white, black, foreign, green eyes, 1111, 5555, 9999, street style

your song: let the light in - lana del rey

thank you so so much for allowing me to give you this read and offer guidance on your future spouse! i hope this reading brought you some clarity and opened your eyes about this person. good luck on your journey with love and please like + repost !! <3 feedback is greatly appreciated 🤍

PILE 2

your energy check in:

these are clarifying cards for you and your current energy, this helps me connect to you further and also makes sure this reading is right for you! <3

knight of pentacles - queen of swords - king of cups - the sun

i’m getting that you are a very mature pile. i’m seeing that you’re very intelligent as well. in school you may be honor roll or have been offered many scholarships. i’m seeing that you have a lot of emotional stability. you’re very wise in how you talk to others and people often find themselves coming to you for advice. i’m seeing you may be a bit of a therapist haha i’m also seeing that you could be very wealthy or come from a wealthy family?? or you are just really good with money?? some of you want to be a lawyer…? you’re such a balanced calm energy pile 2 i feel so safe in your presence. you could be very attractive too?? like i see a lot of people have their eyes on you. you’re not afraid of expressing your boundaries to people as well, and i see you’re very careful with who you consider close friends. you have a very positive outlook on life. you’re very good at manifesting too.

oracle: too many dragons

you may have been drawn to pile 1. i see you are a very hardworking pile. you are somebody who is constantly busy constantly doing something. i see that you live off a routine and a schedule, and you’re the type to not be so big with change and getting out of routine. i think this can often scare you and stress you out. don’t be afraid of a little change once in a while. change is good! spirit wants you to be able to express sides of yourself without fear and without embarrassment and disappointment. it’s okay to be a little silly at times, you don’t always need to be serious.

other messages: leo, dark hair, brown hair; freckles, sharp brows, curly hair, tanned skin, dark skin, long fingers, muscles, working out, 1212

their energy:

ace of swords - five of wands - seven of pentacles - the sun

i’m seeing that you and your future spouse are honestly very similar in ways. i’m seeing that’s how you two really bond and connect is because you both have shared interests and can connect on things like that together. i’m seeing your fs can be a little… sassy. they have a little bit of an attitude to them and tend to get into conflict easily. i’m seeing that you might actually really like this about them because you find it cute. it’s just small things they do. they may make sassy remarks that makes you turn your head like “what did you just say?” this person also might be opposite to you when it comes to money. i see they may like a little bit of a shopping spree… and aren’t so good at saving money like you. this is something that you could easily teach them and help them work out. i’m also seeing that your future spouse could be very spiritual. i’m seeing they could be into tarot and astrology and if not that they are big on religion. this could be something you two bond over as well.

oracle: when fairies go bad

i’m seeing that your future spouse is somebody who hides alot of things. this might be a bit of a shock when they mention something that has negatively affected them in the past. they’re somebody who can put up a front and seem like they’re absolutely perfect and then they open up to you and you’re like “i would’ve never expected this” and this is exactly their goal they hate when people try to read them. i’m seeing that they are very protective over themselves and their energy and so theyre not exactly willing to open up completely. this is something they need to work on and control because keeping secrets and hiding things especially from you could cause conflict and issues in the future. even if they have no bad intentions.

other messages: leo, earth sign, green eyes, dark skin, white teeth, vampire fangs???, childlike

your fav things abt your fs:

the fool: your future spouse is able to get up and have fun. it’s never a dull moment with them because they’re just full of so much energy and they’re able to have fun wherever they are. if you have an idea or want to go out with them they are more than willing to do it. i see that they love adventures and love seeing what the world has to offer them. they may be really connected with nature.

temperance: again what i was saying earlier i’m seeing that your person could be very spiritual or very religious in some way. i see they love to talk about their beliefs and offer guidance, and they’re not annoying about it at all. but when you ask them questions about it, they become very passionate and go on little rants and tangents lol. i’m seeing that to you this offers you lots of wisdom and knowledges you in many ways because you see the world differently in their eyes. they may be a pisces?? or have pisces in their chart.

eight of wands: i’m seeing that your person is very extroverted and very social. i’m seeing that they have alot of friends and this is because they’re able to bond with a lot of people and this is how they keep friendships. they’re really good at carrying conversations and even starting them. they aren’t afraid to take the lead in things. you are often wowed by how well they’re able to connect with complete strangers, and this is just like mind blowing to you. i see you may be a bit of an ambivert (some of you) so this person takes the lead in some convos. sometimes you can’t even get a word in! lol

the star: your person is so so so confident and comfortable in their own skin. the card illustrates a cat knocking over a glass full of water, and this to me resembles how they just don’t let stuff get in their way. they don’t let the bad parts of the world negatively affect their way of living. they take this as a way of growth and they take this as a challenge. they love the feeling of adrenaline they get when they do something. but you will admire how this person carries themselves. because they have no care in the world. they put themselves first because they know that the world will never stop for them. this person is just wow their energy is so healing and so balanced. they’re literally the definition of the sun.

the tower: this is just continuing from what i was saying previously. change is possible. to you, you need to follow a routine and if something changes it may feel like the end of the world to you. but to them. they love change. they admire change. change is what keeps them going. they like to live on the wild side a bit, they like to step out of their comfort zone, they’re the type to say yolo (😭) they aren’t afraid to be a little dangerous because they find routines and schedules to be boring. they honestly might have gotten into trouble at school sometimes??? just got that little message there haha

their fav things abt you:

(i wasn’t going to do it but y’all got an extra card lol)

four of cups: your person honestly loves that you have a routine and a schedule you follow. to them it makes you seem very intelligent and mature. they also like the differing aspects of you hating change and them loving it because… they want to spice up your life a bit. you might be very bored in life when you meet this person that you step out of your own comfort zone and let them lead the way. they want to show you the world in a totally different perspective.

six of swords: you’re somebody who isn’t afraid to show your sensitive side and be emotional. since you are very comfortable with yourself and aren’t afraid to open up. this person isn’t so comfortable with showing their vulnerable side because they like to put up a front at times, but you don’t. you don’t people judge you for how you’re feeling because they’re feelings. they really like when they see all these sides of you because it reminds them of how human you are.

ten of pentacles: like i said previously some of you may be very wealthy and some of this could be inherited from your family. and if you aren’t wealthy i am seeing for a lot of you, you’re good with saving money and spending money correctly. im seeing that your fs really loves how well you take care of your money and don’t spend it all in one go (unlike them…😬) i’m seeing that you’re also very humble and not cocky at all. especially with how some of you may be very wealthy or just because you can take care of your money well, they like how you don’t shove it down people’s throats. you’re a very humble person.

ace of wands: i’m seeing you coming home to your spouse and just telling them about your day and all of these ideas and opportunities you were given and you telling them your input that you thought about and at the end of it they’re just jaw dropped. like you’re so intelligent in their eyes because you see the world in such a unique way. they would have never thought of it like that, iykwim.

knight of cups: you’re literally their ideal type. you’re everything they’ve ever wished for and more. i’m seeing that when you come into their life they’re just astounded on how somebody like you actually exists. like in their mind they manifested you cause there’s no way lol. i’m seeing that you’re just somebody they’ve always wanted and so some of you they may be lowkey obsessed cause they don’t want to lose you, but others of you they’re just so madly in love haha

the chariot: i’m seeing that you’re somebody who likes to move fast. you don’t stop for anybody, and this is one of the many things that you and your spouse relate to is you both just keep on moving. this is often because of your routine that life just begins to be one endless cycle so obviously the world moves a lot quicker, but either way you don’t slow down you like that when an idea or opportunity happens you take it.

their personality:

the lovers - queen of swords - king of cups - eight of swords - five of pentacles - four of cups - page of wands

they are big on standing up for themselves and others. they are the type of person who isn’t afraid to say anything, which is why they tend to get into a lot of conflict. i’m seeing that this person tends to be loud and isn’t the type to secretly talk crap abt somebody behind their back. they say it to their face. your spouse is confrontational fs. but they do this for the ones they love. it isn’t attention seeking or trying to be center of attention, it’s them protecting their loved ones from any evil energy’s. they hear one bad thing about you and they’re either trying to find out every little detail abt this person to ruin their life or they’re face to face abt to fight. they’re not intimidating but you really don’t want to get on their bad side lol. they also can have such a soft side to them. besides the extroverted behavior they are capable of relaxing and really listening into others feelings and energy. it might come as a surprise but they have a lot of wisdom of their own to share. they again aren’t big on opening up and tend to hide their feelings from you and others, they hate being perceived as weak. they are very adventurous and very impulsive at times, but they know how to have fun.

how they will make you feel:

knight of pentacles - the hierophant - ten of swords - four of pentacles - the hanged man

i see that you may often be discredited for your work and can feel very unheard and unseen by people around you. i see that your ideas are often extremely important and extremely helpful to your community but it’s seen by jealous eyes. this is why your work is pushed down. your spouse is so supportive in everything you do. i see that they will listen to every.single.idea. you have. i see that they will make you feel very heard and seen, and at some point their opinion is the only one you care about. they will make you feel secure and understood, i’m seeing that they are one to validate your feelings. they don’t ever want to make you feel invalidated and often try to understand every side to an argument. i’m seeing that they are somebody who will definitely make you surrender these dark thoughts and trade them into more hopeful feelings. i’m seeing that they might even offer you shadow work ideas… they will bring you lots of faith and i see this will benefit you greatly.

their looks:

the hermit - the fool - death - five of swords - queen of pentacles - nine of swords

so i’m seeing dark skin and hair. somebody who may have hair that is pretty short. so maybe girls are short guys are a bit long but both prefer their hair shorter. some of you they may like to dye it a dark color. mostly seeing dark brown. i’m seeing they have a very innocent look to them, they look very youthful? they may be younger than you or they just take really good care of their skin and their body. again i was seeing they like to work out and may have some muscles to them. sleeper build?? i don’t see their style being very edgy, unlike pile 1 they’re very into brighter colors. and even then they might like very toned colors. especially colors that compliment their skin and hair. i’m seeing that they may have a bit of an rbf. suuupperrr strong aura people are attracted to this person because of their aura. i’m seeing that they may also look confused all the time (???) like the lights are on but nobody’s home haha. i’m also seeing that they could have a large nose or their nose is very prominent? nice smile. good cheekbones too. i’m seeing that they could be fairly feminine or they are more comfortable in their feminine side. i’m seeing that they’re short asf tho definitely shorter than you. actually some of you might be the same height…. they will never be taller than you that’s for sure. so either same height - shorter. their neck???? something abt their neck you really like i- idk. some of you really like their legs too, they don’t skip leg day. could have a noticeable scar somewhere??? on the face or arms… they look so innocent and cute to people but then they open their mouth and people are wishing they never thought that lol you love your fs though this doesn’t bother you ahsha could also be younger than you. pouty lips too? their chin might be a bit prominent aswell. slim face.

their love language:

the tower - four of wands - queen of cups - 2 of wands - ten of swords

physical touch 110% this person love love loves touching you. hugging you, kissing you, etc they have to have their hands on you 24/7. they try not to be annoying but they can’t help it they’re so down bad for you. i’m ngl i’m seeing ‘that one couple in line at the fair’ iykyk … they love physical touch im seeing them wrapping their arms around you when you’re doing something. some of you they hold onto your waist when out in public, they let people know you’re taken that’s for sure. words of affirmation. this is especially seen when they notice you’re stressed or something is bothering you, they shower you with affirmations to make you feel better. they try to cheer you up by making you laugh… some of you this will not work but i’m seeing that they try anyways haha. theyre very into flirting with you too, i see any chance they get they flirt with you. they like to make you flustered in public. i’m seeing they whisper things into your ear when you’re out and it catches you off guard, they like to see you looking red in the face or shocked because it makes them want to do it more lol.

how they will comfort you:

five of wands - 2 of cups - queen of pentacles - six of cups

again with the words of affirmation, i’m seeing that you can overthink really badly over things and can feel very overwhelmed and your fs will do everything in their power to cheer you up. they love to tell you everything they love about you, everything they cherish about you etc. i’m seeing that literally NEVER want to see you get hurt. in their eyes you’re the most precious thing to them, and if anything were to happen to you they will feel like it’s the end of the world. like you stub your toe or something and suddenly they’re carrying you to bed, making your favorite dinner, etc. like they’re so down bad this is sickening. lol. i’m also seeing that they are very blunt to you about things, they let you know if you’re in the wrong abt something, they might be a tough love type of person. they want to make you feel secure and keep that positive mindset but they also don’t want you to get too in your head about things. i’m seeing that you will feel so much better after you rant to them about something because they’re just so good at correlating their words.

First times:

First Meet: Ace of swords - the high priestess

so i feel like most of pile 2 might meet their fs online. on a dating app or some type of social media. it could be you who finds them first, or them who finds you first idk. but i am seeing that you guys will immediately hit it off. like the energy is very calm and relaxed. this brings me back to saying y’all have shared interests because you definitely do. and you two will probably bond really quickly like “oh you look this too? let’s meet up rn” like LMAO y’all are just both certain this is the right person for you. i see you both will be laughing a lot when you meet and alot of smiles. you might find your fs to be really funny?? like they’re probably a naturally funny person and it’s a plus to you. like green flag for sure.

First Date: judgement - ace of cups

so for your first date i’m seeing somewhere outdoors OR an arcade or somewhere where you can do lots of things. i’m seeing that the energy here is very vibrant and fun. you both will be smiling alot and having a great time and it’s just an overall fun experience. i do see there being major tension between the two of you and i think it’s because you two just know you’re meant for each other. like i wouldn’t be surprised if y’all started dating after your first date because the love is just there. y’all will find out so much about each other because you guys just feel so comfortable in each others energy.

First Kiss: The magician - the emperor

so definitely seeing you initiating the kiss. the emperor card literally screams “do it” like i see you hesitating to kiss them but spirit will be screaming in your ear “do it do it do it” like chanting LMAO. i see that you might catch them off guard when you kiss them, you might have your hand on their cheek/jaw. or they will. i’m seeing that they could have been talking about something or busy and then boom you give them a big ol smooch. i see the energy and feelings are mutual and they will kiss back cause in their heads they’re saying “hell yea” LMAO. like they’ve been waiting ages for you to kiss them, they def weren’t going to make the first move lolz.

their shadow side:

temperance - king of cups - six of cups - the lovers - five of cups - queen of pentacles

i’m seeing your future spouse can honestly be extremely childish and immature. i keep hearing the word ‘mean’. they can say things that make you go “why did you just say that?” cause it could have been disrespectful or just something incredibly hurtful. i’m seeing that they are mostly this way towards themselves tho. you will often see them being extremely ill towards themselves and saying mean things about themselves and you’re like “why are you saying this about yourself?” because on the outside they like to be seen as happy and perfect but behind closed doors they can be insecure. pile 2 some of you do want to have a family and kids, but your fs may have a hard time coming to terms with this. i think they may have some generational trauma and so they’ve grown into this person now and they may be exactly like the person who gave them this trauma. iykwim. they either 1) don’t want to be a parent just because or 2) don’t want to be a parent because they know they’ll be just like the person who raised them. not all of you but some of y’all’s fs may say things in spite of the moment. during arguments they can be extremely childish and immature and say things to hurt your feelings. (this is a really unhealthy thing in a relationship so definitely if this is happening talk to them about it. y’all don’t deserve that type of energy from anyone.)

Extra Messages !!:

The Oldest Fairy: so i’m seeing that you might be afraid of losing this youthful side to you, and you may be afraid of getting older. im seeing that spirit wants you to know that you shouldn’t be afraid of getting older and maturing, your fs will be put into your life so that you don’t lose this childish side to you. they will show you parts of you that you’ve never seen before. don’t be afraid of getting older.

Love: y’all are literally the cutest. i’ve been cheesing this entire reading because you two are inseparable. y’all are meant to be. y’all are perfect for each other. this love is once in a lifetime. this love is infinite. even after death your love for one another will stay known. you guys may have had a past life together because you two are so familiar and so in tune with each others energy it’s insane. you might not have been in many or any relationships pile 2 so this relationship is very new it feels very new and very raw and it will show you the world in such a magical way. y’all are precious stop.

Let Go of Control Issues: allow this situation to unfold naturally. i didn’t put this in the shadow side but they might have some control issues. but you also. i’m getting that you’re really urging and pulling this relationship to happen NOW but spirit says it needs to wait. don’t rush things pile 2 the universe knows that when you receive this love you won’t be disappointed.

what chakra is their weakest: heart chakra

what chakra is their strongest: crown chakra

your song: nervous - Shawn Mendes

extra key: water sign, rose, rose quartz, opal, aventurine, clear quartz, 222, blonde, brunette, dyed hair, air sign, earth sign, few years 1-5, green eyes, twin flame, lives close to that area, from that area, 666, 555, 1212, 3333, 9999, 5555, street style, no, gemini, scorpio

PILE 3

your energy check in:

these are clarifying cards for you and your currently energy, this helps me connect to you further and also makes sure this reading is right for you! <3

eight of wands - mother of swords - the sun - eight of swords

you seem to be a very optimistic pile 3. i’m seeing that you went through intense struggles in your life, you went through soooo much in the past and you’re finally transitioning into this happier and more sustainable way of living. i’m seeing a lot of you are divinely protected. whether you realize it or not you are protected. and not just from the divine but people around you, you have a whole army behind you pile 3. i’m not saying it’s impossible for bad things to happen to you, but it will take a lot of work because the universe is not letting this energy come back into your life. pile 3 you feel so comfortable in your skin. you feel so balanced and you feel finally understood and finally seen. you don’t feel broken, and forgotten about, and misunderstood. people are finally seeing you for who you truly are. you are able to get up in the mornings and actually live life. i do see you still struggle with having to live with the memories of what happened to you in the past. it seems that though you’ve healed or are currently healing you still live with this haunting memory or you just find yourself reliving those moments again. remember that spirit is always with you and you will always have somebody there. you aren’t alone 🤍

oracle: reflections

pile 3 shadow work is so beneficial for you. in this time you are feeling stuck, confused, lost, drained at moments. and this is because there is something within yourself that you need to change. change is your best option. don’t be scared to let go of things that no longer serve you. they’re in the past. they hold you no greater good. they formed you into the person you are today, but that doesn’t mean it needs to stay in your life. sticking with the original plans is a good idea, but don’t be afraid to switch things up. you control this part of your life now, nobody else. let this ego go.

extra messages: dark hair, eyeliner, pigtails, full lips, leo, trauma, mama, gothic, curvy, earth sign, fire sign

their energy:

daughter of pentacles - father of cups - three of pentacles - the devil

okay like. let me go on a rant really quickly. pile 3 y’all are one tough bunch. y’all have been through SHIT. and guess what? so has your future spouse. pile 2 i was talking about how they will bond over personal interests like music, hobbies, etc. pile 3 y’all are sooooo different. i see that it’s one of those things where nobody else understood you except each other. you have grown through hell and back, and so has your future spouse. you will find yourself so amazed that somebody like this has gone through so much, and they’d think the same thing. y’all might meet through group therapy tbh but that might be stretching it. anywho your person is definitely an empath. they feel everyone’s emotions x10. they can read people sooooo well?? they can read people like an open book. i’m seeing they might be very masculine and you might be very feminine. they’re very sensitive and can take things personally lol. bad coping mechanism ngl. i see that they can have a very toxic mindset towards things and be seen as pessimistic, this can be a turn off to you when you meet them. i think you can understand why they feel this way once you get to know them better.

oracle: fairies

i’m seeing your future spouse can have a very unique look to them. their style may be odd to strangers, something about the way they present themselves could be perceived as weird or ‘different’ to people. i’m seeing to you this person is very different from your past. they aren’t so much your type, but i do see that you connect with them in some way. i see maybe their personality is what makes them more attractive to you andddd they are so sweet?? like they’re absolutely precious lolz they could be a hippie tbh… or something similar to it.

extra message: long blonde hair, no sleep, pale skin, water sign, pisces, cancer, capricorn, scorpio, 1212

your fav things about them:

five of cups: this card is normally a very sad card but the energy im getting is that you love how far theyve come. you love that they never gave up and theyre here with you now. i’m seeing that they open up to you about alot of things they struggle with and they tell you when theyre not feeling their best and you appreciate that. you look up to them pile 3.

the hanged man: you like how they like to view every perspective of a situation. i see that theyre somebody who puts time and effort into things, and when things don’t work out people can’t tell them “they didn’t try”. your future spouse loves to put in effort into things and relationships.

four of pentacles: you enjoy how theyre they are. it gives you some hope for the world. you’re really good at working with others, and can be somewhat of a people person. (might even say post people pleaser??) they might be big multitasker, and this is like somewhat amazing to them cause youre like “whatttt…???”

two of cups: they treat you so well. they make you feel so loved and appreciated. you’ve never felt this way about anyone before. they show you what true love actually is. you may have been betrayed in the past by someone who you thought you could trust (who you might have been dating). i see you are very protective of your energy and when they come into your life they show you that the love you had before wasn’t real. you feel very safe with them.

six of pentacles: they like to spoil you tbh. i don’t see them being somebody with alot of money, but they do try to gift you things. i just saw somebody plucking a flower and gifting it to their spouse. them with you tbh. you love how well they treat you (like i said before) they just want to give you the world is all i’m seeing because they hate hate hate seeing you down. they’re soooo protective of you.

their fav things about you:

king of cups: when you meet them you will be very grounded and this will stay. you may already be very grounded but i’m just seeing like… you have so much balance in your life once you meet this person. this person honeslty is the cherry on top. they will love how you’re able to include them into your life, but also be very independent. i see they may struggle with being a tad bit dependent at times, and so they view you as sort of their grounding.

nine of swords: pile 3 do you like to journal or write?? i see some of you that could be a hobby of yours. your future spouse adores this. they will never overstep your boundaries, but if you ever wanted to share a little bit of your knowledge/hobby with them they are zoned in. they LOVE hearing about your special interests.

the world: pile 3 arent y’all some dreamers. i swear y’all live in the clouds. you also are a very grateful in a lot of things. you may have close relationships with family and they enjoy it. they love seeing this nurturing side of you. they love seeing how careful and gentle you can be.

son of pentacles: you’re very wise in the sense of finances and business? some of you might be really good in your work or you are just extremely wise in the way you handle situations. i see you guys can receive lots of luck. you may be very lucky. you future spouse actually really likes this lol. they like how lucky you are cause they believe that you deserve it.

son of swords: pile 3 yall might be a little intimidating…. but your future spouse??? tbh. it turns them on a little bit. like. they love seeing this scary side to you??? they love when you get defensive and protective. they might be very deer in headlights and you're very saber tooth tiger (literally just a random animal i thought of ngl??) they like feeling protected and safe with you, and likes seeing that darker side you have.

their personality:

the sun - six of pentacles - daughter of wands - three of swords - the tower - the lovers

okay so first off i heard they might be a bit of a hoarder… that goes for some. anywho. this person is such a damaged energy. they’ve gone through so much shit in their life. the three of swords makes me think that they were betrayed by close friends?? and this is because your person really loves helping people. they love being there for people. they might do charity work? or they do some type of fundraiser? it brings them bliss, joy, it warms their heart to see people getting the help they need. goodness pile 3 your future spouse is suuuppppeeerrrr sensitive. i literally just seen them in the verge of tears 24/7. like you’re somebody who’s really tough and might hide your emotions well… yea not ur spouse. they are so close to breaking down lolz. they love hugs by the way. i’m seeing they just have so much love to give? they are the type of person to put others happiness before their own, which is probably why they were betrayed in the past. they are def a people pleaser at times, this is something they need to work on. they really just want to be there for everybody, and is just an extreme empath with a lot of big kid emotions. i don’t see you finding this annoying, but i do see them crying over cute animal vids and you’re just looking at them confused haha

how they will make you feel:

the magician - death - the empress - two of pentacles - three of wands - seven of cups

pile 3 let me just say i love y’all’s connection. everything about this relationship has my heart melting. i didn’t do this for the other two piles but i felt the urge to read bottom of the deck energy and when i flipped it over boom the wheel of fortune. pile 3 your connection will feel too good to be true. you’ll feel like you’re in a dream. some of you might lucid dream a lot im seeing. this connection will feel so unreal, so close, so intimate. when i saw the magician card i thought “oh they balance each others energy” book the two of pentacles came out. sooo many clarifications from spirit. when i saw the death card i heard your future spouse literally saying “change is good for you”. you guys are tied together. i was getting twin flame energy but tbh i feel like y’all are lowkey soulmates. y’all are meant to be together in this time and many times after that. you two only understand each other. i see that you guys are so raw and authentic and real. pile 2 their fs keeps secrets from them, not you pile 3. you and your fs lets you see every single side of themselves. y’all aren’t afraid to be human. this connection has lasted lifetimes, you don’t care how angry or how dramatic the other person can be because this love you two have is strong. yk how some people it’s an ick when somebody acts a certain way??? yea you guys literally don’t care. you will love each other just as much as you did yesterday and more. you make each other feel so complete. you make each other feel so balanced. you open up to each other and break down these walls y’all built up all those years ago. you are so real with this person and it makes you feel so emotional because you know that only they could understand you. i love this pile so much stop

their looks:

three of swords - temperance - eight of pentacles - six of swords - ace of wands - the magician

so i’m seeing if they have light skin or pale skin their hair is darker, and if they have darker skin their hair is lighter?? and not even just white or blonde hair like they probably dye it a brighter color. im seeing they have pin straight hair or really loose curls. some have wavy hair but it’s mostly straight hair vibes tbh. i’m seeing that in the winter they may wear brighter colors, but in the fall,spring, and summer they wear darker colors lol??? okay so listen to me on this, but im seeing that they look lowkey dead. like pile 1 i was talking abt how their eyes look like dead/sleepy your person lowkey looks like a zombie. (and no nothing bad to why they look like this, some of them just look like that) but this isnt saying they don’t take care of themselves. they do take care of themselves 100%. im seeing that their nose might be fairly big? their lips might be very small too. some of them have piercing blue eyes. like bright blue. others have honey or hazel. nothing too dark i’m seeing. could be super super skinny. long fingers?? they’re tall too? might be taller than you. people aren’t intimidated by this person at all, i see people think they look very innocent and nice. like they just have this very sweet look to them tbh. i see people can tell this person has gone through stuff too, i see they might be a bit of a target at times and other times people are really careful with them. i see this is definitely odd one out energy, people perceive this person as different.

their love language:

the sun - nine of cups - the moon - father of swords - daughter of cups

acts of service for sure they want to GIVE TO YOUUU. they want to help you out in any way they can. literally will give you foot rubs(??) i’m seeing they will cook for you. so gift giving by be one too. i’m seeing they just want to help you out in any way. definitely loves quality time as well. this is somebody who will find comfort in just complete silence with you. they will hold you while they watch tv or read, and while you’re doing something else. they just want to be in your presence. i see them being a really good listener to your rants too. but it’s balanced cause you listen to them really well too. y’all are so comfortable with each other this is adorable. they also know all of your favorite things??? you might idk like to crochet and this person will find something for you to crochet, or they will buy you a crochet pin or like a magnet that says something abt crochet on it idk LMAO they want to let you know that they do actually care what you have to say to them. they are really good at showing it haha

how they will comfort you:

three of pentacles - six of swords - nine of pentacles - the magician

they want to try and take you out if you’re not feeling good mentally. you may want to stay inside and not do anything and your fs is like “uh no? you’re going to get your butt up and we’re gonna cheer you up” they know keeping you cooped up won’t make you feel better. if you’re sick this person will treat you like a god/goddess. they will make sure you are being fed well, you’re getting the right medicine at the right time, etc. when you’re sick it’s like terrible to them. some of them might be a germaphobe tbh. i’m seeing that they do like to take care of you. you feel like you’re burdening them but remember they love to help people. when you’re feeling under the weather or not good mentally they’re here for you 110%. they also might try and spoil you a little bit to make you feel better. they will literally do whatever you want haha

First Times:

First Meet: four of swords - mother of cups

i saw a museum? somewhere very calm and relaxed and where your emotions can run freely. somewhere where art can be or is expressed. could meet in a garden? or somewhere extremely colorful there is a lot of color. im seeing that you two will be very drawn towards each other but you both will be too nervous to come up and say anything lol. i am seeing you may be introduced to each other by a friend? that might be how you kick off the convo and then boom y’all are obsessed with each other. i think your spouse might offer a date idea near the end of the convo… 👀

First Date: two of wands - the moon

ok ok so im gonna take the moon card literally and say that y’all might stargaze on your first date. but this would be after the actual start of the date. y’all will definitely go somewhere outdoors. y’all might meet around the summer time. a lot of fairs happen in the summer time and im just seeing that happening ngl. y’all will go somewhere where a lot of people are present, but it feels like it’s just the two of you. this date will be soooo nerve wracking to both of you. so many awkward giggles and awkward movements. this is like teenage love, like holding their hand for the first time. you’ll feel very young with this person. i do see y’all not wanting this date to end so you go stargazing… some of you not all. but you both really just want to stay in each others energy for ever.

First Kiss: the chariot - mother of swords

okay i’m not going to lie, i wasn’t going to say it but i felt like you were going to have your first kiss on your first day and these cards kind of clarified that. i do feel like this relationship might move a bit fast for you pile 3 but there is so much passion between you two. like i am seeing you two lowkey having your first kiss really quickly if not on your first date. i’m seeing this doesn’t scare either of you because you both have so much love for each other. it’s honestly extremely intimate, i’m seeing that this kiss will last a long time and you both won’t really stop kissing hahah. i’m not seeing you two getting into a relationship immediately though… some of you yes others of you it will take just some time. but i do see this first kiss happening fairly quickly and neither of you are disappointed. tension tension tension.

their shadow side:

four of swords - ten of wands - son of wands - the star - the magician - eight of swords - daughter of pentacles - the empress

okay so this is somebody who can be very conflicting?? they might confuse you sometimes on how they’re feeling and this can annoy you. this person has alot of blockage in their life. they are stuck right now and will continue to be, in seeing that they have a lot of people against them? they might be somebody who uses their emotions as an excuse sometimes. and this can be really hurtful cause it can be seen as very manipulative. they are somebody who is extremely emotional and extremely in tune with you and nature but they just have this really dark side to them. they are somebody who doesn’t really change alot about themselves. it’s ironic cause they tell you that change is a good thing and that change can help you, but they refuse to change themselves.

Extra Messages!!:

Book Fairy: don’t be afraid to go out and try something new don’t be afraid to try new things and do something different in your life. something that challenges your intellect and makes you really think. change change change. you and your fs will explore these types of changes together. they’re i’ll definitely be the type to show you the world in many different ways.

Joy: you’re able to view the world in a positive way. you are able to go out and have fun. don’t let people places or things stop you from living life. the only person that should matter to you is you. be open to receiving joy and happiness in your life.

Worth Waiting For: divine timing is at work in your love life. this relationship is something that will change your life for only good reasons. i am seeing that this will bring you lots of abundance and clarity and you will feel at home with this person. there is no i’ll energy towards this connection, you two are meant for each other.

what chakra is their weakest: root chakra

what chakra is their strongest: heart chakra

your song: I Hear a Symphony - Cody Fry

Extra Key: 333,444, air/earth/water, marigold, carnelian, dioptase, sunstone, red jasper, aventurine, white, green eyes, grey hair, from that area, 444, 5555, 777, 2222, casual style, street style, NO, fire sign, gemini, in a while 5+

1K notes · View notes

tinietaehyun · 6 months

Text

Pretty Boy !¡

[Fae!Beomgyu x Researcher!Reader] [Mystic Trail Series] [One-shot]

Pairing: Fae!Beomgyu x Researcher!reader

Contains: profanity, suggestive/mature themes, thriller elements, mentions of injury, manipulation, asphyxiation.

Genres: Romance, fluff, fantasy, slight enemies to lovers-esque, dark fantasy.

Links: MYSTIC TRAIL || MASTERLIST

Summary: Stepping up the rocky terrain you grunt clearly unimpressed with how you weren’t alone. “Come on, won’t you tell me your name, pretty please?” Deadpanning, you scoff, “Surely you don’t think I’m that stupid?”

The ethereal man pouts innocently but you knew there was true mischief behind it. His eyes glimmer stepping forward, “What’s in a name? I’ll tell you mine. Consider it an honour to know my name.”

Glaring you mutter, “No thanks, I’ll pass. I’m here to study the elves anyway, not you.” His eyes narrow, “Sorry, what?” His sweet tone changes making you snort.

—————————•••••••••••••————————

“Fucking hell,” you grunt pushing through the thick foliage to a clearing. You were already exhausted and overworked. Theses, paper work, on-site work, preparation, just so much shit was piled onto you, just because you were the least experienced of the entire crew. It made you feel like a lackey. How miserable!

Stressed was an understatement and you hated how incredibly pretentious and obnoxious these scholars and researchers were. It was draining to be around. The utter condescending nature of their speech just because you were younger and less experienced. You scoff to yourself.

“Hey! Are you ignoring me? You marched right through a thorny bush, I told you not go that way. But, no! You decided to follow that little compass and map of yours.” A low toned yet playful voice slices through your whirring mind. Oh yeah. You were almost beginning to forget about his presence for a moment with how deep in thought you were- almost as if your legs were running on auto-pilot mode.

You sigh, “Why are you following me?” He releases a chuckle as his steps behind you accompanied with a mischievous bounce into the leaf litter, “Why not?”

You grunt grumpily and he teases, “Oh my flower, don’t be so pouty. That makes me want to just eat you all up with how endearing you look!”

This fae had been persistent in following you for the last five minutes. You had to be wary and keep your wits about you. After all, the fae were a tricky supernatural folk and incredibly dangerous with their verbal traps, contracts and deals. He tried offering his hand to you after you tripped over a tree root and you knew better than to accept it.

This nuisance suddenly appeared after you had tripped over a tree root stupidly which made you suspect that he had been secretly trailing you. As if your life wasn’t as hectic, miserable and dire as it was already, you now had a pest following you, looking like a puppy without a leash.

Honestly, you were tired of life, the facility you worked with was dismal but the access and resources they had connections to were too good to pass up. Thus, you gritted your teeth and put up with the terrible workplace dynamics and condescending atmosphere. All you wanted (and which you haven’t experienced in a long time), was to relax, wind down, succumb and let your head become empty for awhile. Perhaps even a massage too.

But no, life had other plans and here you were struggling to reach the assigned campsite after one of your superiors told you to stay behind because there wasn’t enough room on the damn truck. Selfish fuckers. So here you were making your way manually through the foliage. Thankfully the campsite wasn’t too far into the forest. Deep Grove forest was still a place you needed to be careful. You have heard numerous researchers going missing or ending up injured or even dead. Of course, your plan was not to set foot into the heart of the forest rather stay on the outskirts.

You notice the terrain change to a more rocky terrain. You peer over your shoulder and you see the fae smile brightly at you, “Still here, human. Why, afraid I was gonna leave you alone?” You groan exasperated; you had to keep your patience resilient. Fae would not take too kindly to being the subject of profanity or rudeness.

Stepping up the rocky terrain you grunt clearly unimpressed with how you weren’t alone. “Come on, won’t you tell me your name, pretty please?” Deadpanning, you scoff, “Surely, you don’t think I’m that stupid?”

Oh yeah, he’d been pestering you for your name. What a dumb move, you have to refrain from laughing. You were a scholar, a researcher, albeit, specialising in elves and griffins, not so much fae. But you damn well know to never give your name to a fae.

Glaring you mutter, “No thanks, I’ll pass. I’m here to study the elves anyway, not you.” His eyes narrow, “Sorry, what?” His sweet tone changes making you snort.

His eyes flicker for a moment before he paints a bright expression back on his face, “The elves? They’re rather boring, no? The Fae are far superior, way more interesting.”

You mutter, “Keep telling yourself that.” He feigns shock, “What? You don’t think so? Oh, pretty flower, I’m so hurt. Why study the elves, when you can study the fae?” He steps closer leaning in behind you so that his mouth is beside your right ear, “Why not study me?” A shiver runs down your spine at his husky voice. His voice was unfortunately very pleasant and not to mention is ever so pretty face.

Fuck how attractive he was! The way his green top slung off one shoulder revealing his collar bone and toned shoulder; was making your knees weak. His sharp nose and his ever so slightly pointy ears decorated with various piercings making him look perfect. Too perfect to be human. The epitome of supernatural beauty; how unfair. His luscious lips that seem to pout at your reluctance towards him made your heart race alongside his piercing gaze that held numerous emotions. Human men seemed to have a lot of catching up to do.

“Hm? Flower, why have you gone all quiet?” He hums and you speed up your pace putting some distance between you and peering down at your map to recollect where you were for a moment. The fae observes you intently all while having a mischievous smirk on his face. “I-“ You cut in, “Shush, I’m focusing.” He scoffs with a laugh, “Rude.”

Ignoring your request, he hums walking up to you and peering over your shoulder. He rests his chin atop your right shoulder making you quiver at his close proximity. Shit! Don’t get distracted! “Mm? My, you humans have mapped out pretty much all of this forest, huh? That’s cute.” Your brows furrow, “Cute?” He chuckles, “You’ve only mapped out the parts you can see. Don’t even get me started on the Elven Realm or the Fae Realm. Good work though.” You pale and you feel as though you’re on the verge of an existential crisis of sorts. Great, that was information you didn’t need to hear.

You continue walking now having recollected your thoughts and he continues to walk beside you. “Hm, I’ll tell you my name, since you’re so reluctant on telling me yours. He stops walking and turns to face you with an outstretched hand, “My name is Beom.” You raise a brow peering at the pretty boy with narrow eyes. You also knew Fae would never give away their names so easily without a reason. You smirk taking his hand shaking it and he takes you off guard as he takes your hand moving it upwards towards his face. He presses a delicate kiss to the back of your hand sending your heart rate into over drive. A shaky breath escapes your lips.

“Hm, why don’t you test out my name on those pretty lips of yours, little flower?” He cooes peering at you still holding your hand. You remove your hand feeling flustered as you compose yourself, “Mm, I wouldn’t say that was your name, no?” He raises a brow feigning innocence, “Oh? Whatever do you mean?” You murmur, “Fae never give away their names easily. Is it a nickname?”

His eyes sparkle and a loud cackle escapes his mouth startling you. He grins running a hand through his brown floppy locks of hair, “Oh my, flower you have quite the knowledge arsenal on you. How enticing that is…” You scoff, “I am a scholar.” He hums, “Oh yes, of course, of course. This makes things so much more fun, I do love a good challenge, you know? But to make this more fun. My name is Beomgyu. Not a lie this time.” You deadpan, “Well, really.” A giggle escapes his lips.

You sigh stepping over a log. Your legs were beginning to ache from the various terrains you were walking on. You were purely exhausted too. “Hey, Beomgyu, I guess I’ll call you that. Listen, I’m genuinely so, so tired. I don’t even know if I have the energy to put up with your verbal tests of intelligence and witty remarks. I do not plan to be Fae food today. Respectfully, I really want to just be left alone. I already have a lot to deal with. I really have to get to my site.”

Beomgyu pouts, “Oh my poor flower, so overworked, fatigued and drained. All you humans are so uptight and demanding; it’s so pitiful to see. Always working, never taking time be entertained, to relax. There’s so many ways to relax you know, all beneficial for the mind and body. We Fae love relaxation and in particular, watching entertainment. It’s important to know when to relax, hm? Perhaps I could help you.”

Well probably because they had nothing better to do (but you weren’t going to risk that by saying your opinion out loud). You grunt, “Right, well. Life would be peachy if I could just drop everything and live in a forest with no sense of knowledge, responsibility or obligations.” His eyes glimmer and twinkle, and you immediately follow it up with, “Not literally.” His shoulders slump as he frowns, “Aw, and here I thought I could make that wish come true.”

“No need, Beomgyu,” you utter. You stop walking for a moment and realise you haven’t checked your map in awhile as you were too busy chattering with Beomgyu. Shit! You mutter, “Fuck.” You had lost where you were on the map. Perhaps you had made a wrong turn or lost track of where you were walking as you were taking! This was that damn Fae’s fault! He probably wanted this to happen in fact. Anger and fury rises up within you as you spot him innocently peering at you with a smile. “What is it? You aren’t lost are you, flower?”

You snap as anger envelops you, “Well, it appears I am, all thanks to you! I told you to leave me alone and yet you kept talking on and on, rambling.” Beomgyu frowns at your outburst and he mumbles, “But I just thought you’d like the company. You don’t even have any human colleagues with you. It’s okay, I can help you get to where you need. You mentioned a camp site earlier when we first met, no?”

His eyes twinkle as if he looks guilty and you almost begin to believe he’s remorseful or that he had good intentions. You snap lowly, “No, no. I appreciate the offer but I can manage myself. You can help me out by leaving me be. As is. I’ll be fine.” His umber eyes darken slightly and he sighs, “You humans are so persistent and lack such awareness.” You grit your teeth trying to contain your wrath, “Beomgyu, I’d appreciate not getting insulted.”

You glare at him clearly enraged by this setback as a whole. He folds his arms and scoffs turning his head, “Well, since this is apparently all my fault, that the little human couldn’t keep track of directions, I’ll be on my merry way then. Have fun on your own, little flower. Don’t wilt on the way to your camp,” he spews with a hurt expression. Like a kid throwing a tantrum, he marches and stomps away through the thick bushes and shrubbery.

With that, you were left to your senses.

A pang of guilt hits your heart. He hadn’t done anything to harm you yet and he even was fine with you not giving your name to him. It genuinely seemed like he wanted to get to know you, or was curious. After all, he was a Fae and you were a human, he was bound to be curious. A frown graces your lips, perhaps were you too harsh on him? Were you too rude even? You knew Fae placed a lot of importance on etiquette and politeness. Clearly you threw that out of the window when you snapped.

Sighing, you peer at your map and try to gather your thoughts about your new off-trail location. After minutes, you begin walking in a direction you think is right. You pass by a log. You move on forward. You pass by another log, and another one. Another log again-no, it’s the same log. A whimper escapes your lips; minutes felt like hours. You now felt disoriented and completely on the brink of utter exhaustion. You could faint if you didn’t stop walking. You needed a moment to settle yourself, drink some water and realise that you were quite literally walking in a loop. How long had you been walking?

How the fuck was this happening? Then again, Deep Grove Forest’s illusory properties were intense- but they were unheard of in the outskirts of the forest. What the fuck was even going on anymore? You sit yourself on the log allowing your aching leg muscles to relax and you grab some water to drink viciously to satiate your thirst. You still had food at least. You’d eat when you felt hungry. You were at a loss. Your mind was running at an insane speed trying to figure a way out of this mess.

Before you know it, you feel a wetness on your cheeks. You were crying. Tears drip down your face pathetically and whimpers and sniffles escape you. How pitiful you looked right now. Were you stuck in some sort of illusory loop? Were you terrible at directions? Why did you let Beomgyu leave you? You feel like you were going insane. It was going to become dark soon and here you were like a sitting duck ready to be devoured yet you were too scared to proceed forward in the fear that you’d be heading deeper into the forest.

You continue to cry feeling all the stress of your work life and this situation amalgamate into an emotional breakdown. Your body trembles as your emotions overwhelm you. Realising, you can’t sit here forever, you begin gathering some wood to try and set alight. You needed a fire if you were going to stay warm and cook anything. Tearfully, you begin collecting firewood.

A sudden crunch; as though a twig snapping alerts you. You freeze in fear. More rustling comes from the various foliage around you making you feel terrified. What supernatural beast was going to devour you? You drop all the firewood beside you keeping a sharp eye out.

“HEY!” A boisterous voice bellows out from your right side and you release a petrified screech stumbling backwards. More tears fall down your face and you peer at the source who guffaws, “Oh sweet flower, did I scare you? I thought you were braver than that.” You glare and proceed to burst into more tears. His eyes widen and he rushes over, “Oh my dear flower, you’re hurt. I’m sorry? It appears you’ve been crying.”

You sniffle feeling genuinely dreadful. Your hands were all scraped up from you stumbling back. You were lost, injured and exhausted. Beomgyu frowns sitting beside you and he helps you up to which you don’t resist back to sitting on the log. He sits beside you peering at your hands and taking them into his. “I’m sorry, human. I didn’t realise you were in…such a pitiful state. I thought you’d have long made it to your camp. You seemed mighty resilient.” You sniffle, “Well, I didn’t okay.”

Beomgyu runs his thumbs over the back of your hands softly and you feel a tingling sensation. His skin shimmers ethereally under the spots of light filtering through the canopy above. “I really am sorry, human.” You frown, “It’s…whatever. It’s fine.” His expression is remorseful.

He murmurs peering around, “You didn’t get very far did you?” You whimper, “I can see that.” Beomgyu chuckles, “It’s okay. This forest is very hard for humans to traverse through at times. Even the outskirts.” You huff.

You get ahold of your emotions and begin to calm down. He continues to hold your hands gently as you settle yourself and grasp your situation. Beomgyu delicately cups your cheek and wipes away your tears and tear-stains. He murmurs soothing words and peers warmly into yours eyes. You feel safe with him, secure. He had an aura of welcoming and kindness. You sigh; you didn’t know. You didn’t know what to believe anymore. You just wanted to be home right now.

“I’m…I’m fine now, Beomgyu,” you shakily murmur as you stand up. He murmurs, “So brave, good job, sweet flower.” You mumble, “Do you have to call me that?” Beomgyu mischievously hums, “Or your nam-“ “No. Never mind, forget I said anything,” you deadpan.

Instead of the usual smug, scoff and grin, his gaze darkens for a moment and he huffs, rolling his eyes, “Of course…” His expression brightens once more and he hums standing beside you as begin to pace around in thought. “What’s your plan? You need to get to your campsite. The sun is about to set,“ he states. You frown; you actually weren’t sure.

Beomgyu speaks tentatively with a concerned expression, “Flower, I really do feel bad for you. I’m up for good tricks and mischief, but this, you need to get to safety. How about you let me help you?” Beomgyu walks in front of you with a sympathetic expression and genuineness in tone. “I want to help you, sweet flower. It does pain me to see you so helpless. I may be a fae but I’m not cruel,” he murmurs frowning and says, “Consider this as me making it up for scaring you earlier. I distracted you in the first place, so let me guide you. So just give me your map and I’ll figure out roughly where we are and take-“

Your mind whirrs. You’re so desperately tempted to lean on him for support. Allow him to guide you. For once you didn’t want to be the person who was relied on, on which all the tension piled up on. You peer at his endearing visage laced with concern. Was it too good to be true? There was one rule you learnt back during your degree.

Never accept the help of the Fae.

You were already in deep enough shit. You shakily murmur, “Beomgyu…I-“ He raises a brow, “What? I can help you, I know this forest like the back of my hand-“ You shake your head, “I really appreciate the offer Beomgyu, but I- I can manage.” He goes quiet gobsmacked by your answer before yelping, “But you need help? You can’t do something like this by yourself; you have no idea. Don’t be so irrational, flower!”

You stand your ground and murmur, “I’ll figure it out-“ He snaps, “How? How then?” You snark, “I-I don’t know, but I will!”

Beomgyu’s gaze darkens as he steps forward, “Don’t be foolish, you know nothing of these woods! You’ll be walking in circles till you die or get killed beforehand. Why are you so stubborn? Just let me help you,” he snarls lowly. You shake your head firmly, “Beomgyu, I already said no! Why do you care so damn much?”

Another step forward. You take another step back. He steps forward once more and you step back.

“Beomgyu,” you warn. Beomgyu’s expression changes completely into something that sends chills down your spine. It’s incredibly malevolent as if he’s on the brink of losing his temper with you. “You’re testing my patience, flower,” he grits out, jaw tightening. You say nothing as your body freezes up in fear.

Beomgyu clicks his tongue in anger before he steps forward, arm outstretched and he wraps his fingers around your neck, in record speed. He shoves you against the nearby tree. Beomgyu’s slender fingers wrap around your neck and begin squeezing, as his face is just a few centimetres from yours comes into your view. He’s incredibly pissed, enraged even.

“How insolent,” his tone husky and deeper than usual. He continues squeezing his fingers, “I was willing to be patient yet you were the most persistent one I’ve seen as of yet. Not falling into any of my traps. Not a single thank you, or please. How infuriating it is!” His dark eyes gleam, “Though I do love a challenge, I am beginning to get frustrated. More so, you seem to keep your wits about you. You’re rightfully cautious, unfortunately for me.” He leans closer squeezing your neck even tighter, “Not to mention, you have a face that I find ever so alluring, so endearing too. Intellect and beauty, what a deadly combination, flower,” he cooes with a manic grin.

Your lips part and you gasp. He hums, “Oh? Finding it hard to breathe. Sorry, I tend to squeeze a little hard when I’m frustrated.” Your cheeks feel warm at his proximity and he hums, “Hm? Or maybe you like it? I remember one researcher I came across, had quite the affinity for my hand on her neck.” Your eyes widen. A sadistic twinkle appears in his eye, “Are you the same?” His thumb caresses the side of your neck, “Shall I squeeze harder, flower?”

Fuck, what was wrong with you? The warmth that shoot through your senses was terrifying.

He cooes, “You were so infuriating. I thought even at your lowest, after manipulating your surroundings, you still refused my help.” His hand slides up your neck to cup your jaw, “Aw,” he chuckles, “You look so adorable, terrified like this. Like a deer that’s just gotten shot with a single arrow.” Your knees shake and Beomgyu notices, a dark smile graces his sinfully tempting lips.

He leans closer as he slots his knee coyly between your legs and slips his other arm behind you to curl around your waist whilst keeping the other securely cupping your jaw. A shiver goes through your body, which doesn’t go unnoticed by Beomgyu. A snarky smirk appears as he whispers lowly into your ear, “Are you afraid? Or are you enjoying this? Hm? Are you so touch-starved, my dear flower, that this has you trembling?”

You whimper, “No- I-“ Beomgyu hums, “Push me away, then, flower.” He cooes, “I’ll even loosen my grip on you, go ahead.” The warmth of his body; the humidity in the air, the way his body is pressed into yours; it was all so much. On the one hand you felt scared but on the other he was so alluring it had you feeling weak to his seductive gaze. The way his fingers traced patterns along your waist through your shirt had your mind melting already.

You hadn’t had this attention in a long time, you hadn’t relaxed in a long time. His ministrations and motions were making you feel like putty in his hands. Something that you were not entirely opposed to. Beomgyu hums, “Why so quiet now, hm?” You peer into his glitteringly haunting eyes. Your gazes lock and he hums, “What a pretty face you have,” he slides his thumb across your bottom lip, tugging it down, “Oh and these lips, these lips that held so much fervour and anger to them,”

He leans ever so closely, “These lips that now quiver at my touch. These lips that don’t fall for my pretty lies and traps.”

Beomgyu cooes with a dark smile as he peers at your lips, “Poor flower, so distraught! Unable to know what to do, and where to go. That pretty little head of yours is working over time, isn’t it?” You attempt to glare at his condescending tone and he merely chuckles, “I can fix that. I can make it all better, flower. You know that right? You can hand over all your worries to me. I’ll take care of them. I’ll take care of you. You deserve to be cherished, my delicate flower.” His words pierce into your soul; your eyes drift to his lips as he talks and your heart races. You feel warm and breathless.

Beomgyu whispers beside your face; his breath fanning your cheek, “What will your colleagues do anyway? They’ll make you make tea, carry their stuff, see you as nothing more than an inexperienced researcher, a burden. But I can see you’re so much more than that. So much more to you. They don’t realise the intelligence behind that face.” A shiver runs down your body at his praise.

“You seem rather comfortable in my arms, you like this don’t you?” He murmurs suddenly dipping his head into the curve of your neck. He brushes the bridge of his nose along the curve of your neck and you whimper. You feel him smirk against your skin and tighten his hold on you. “Mm…I think I have a few ways I can help you to relax. De-stress for awhile…”

You breathlessly murmur, “Beomgyu, this is wrong. I-“ he murmurs leaning forward, “Shush, less talking and more relaxing. Be content, hm? I know you’re worried about your little team and all but for now focus on yourself; aren’t you tired of living for other people?” The question strikes you deeply. His lips brush against your own, “Let me take off the burden if not only for a moment.” Beomgyu peers at you with a glance and hums pleasantly as you make no move to turn your head away. Would giving into temptation be so bad? If not only for a while?

Your eyes peer into his gorgeous ones. His ethereal face awaiting your response. Your body jitters with nervousness and excitement. His intimate hold on you, his seductive gaze, the sly smile on his beautiful lips. Goodness…

You breathlessly murmur, “Kiss me.”

Beomgyu obliges with a devious smirk. You willingly close your eyes as his lips press against yours. They move softly yet passionately against yours; he was good. Very good. He nips at your lower lip sending a jolt of pleasure through you and he hums playfully into the kiss as he deepens it pressing you further against the bark of the tree. His tongue brushes against your lower lip making you groan. He slides his hand back down to your neck. All your thoughts of stress, your current situation, the future, any thoughts at all, fly out of your brain instantly.

His touch was magical; his lips were sorcery. After a minute or so, you both part for air. You shiver and he hums, “Your lips taste as sweet as the honey found in the realm of the fae.” You murmur, “That’s quite the compliment.” He chuckles brushing his nose against yours and leaning his forehead against yours, “Mm, indeed it is. The sound of you breathless, has my mind racing.”

Your cheeks feel warm and you mumble, “I…whatever.” Your head feels fuzzy and you feel genuinely content. Beomgyu suddenly pulls you in against his body, “Flower, my sweet flower, you look so dazed? Were my lips too much for you?” He place a peck on your neck. You shake your head writhing out of his grasp, “No, I- as nice as this is, I’ve got to…focus. I need to get back to the camp.”

Beomgyu sighs, a look of frustration crossing his features. You yelp as he places his hands on your shoulders firmly. “What are you-“ He twists you around so that you’re facing away from him. Before you can say anything, he covers your eyes with his hands. You feel his lips against your ear, “Since you’re still so persistent, allow me to show you the truth of the matter.”

In a few seconds, he pries his hands off your eyes and you stumble forward. Where were you? The environment changed? He pushes you forward lightly through some shrubbery. Your eyes widen seeing bright orange trail tape - the campsite! What the fuck?

You rush forward peering around. Your shoulders slouch seeing the holes of where the tent pegs should have been. You see the old burnt firewood. You spot some litter here and there alongside some tarps and broken crates. Pieces of paper lie torn and destroyed, here and there. The fuck was this?

You scream at him, “Where are they? My team?” Beomgyu simply gives you a chilling smile as he sees you breakdown. “Do you wonder, flower, for how long you were walking in circles before? Seeing the same trees, the same log. You didn’t even feel that hungry did you? Do you even know how much time has passed? How long you’ve spent with me?”

Your knees buckle as you screech, “No, no. Don’t fuck with me, Beomgyu!” You peer around manically, “No, they can’t have left. They wouldn’t leave me behind. He grins, “Oh? Perhaps they went to look for you? Sent out what do you humans call it again?”

Your eyes widen, “…a search party. Surely, why…why..” your brain scrambles to find some sort of logical explanation for this.

Beomgyu walks over and crouches beside you, “Ah, ah, there you go thinking too hard again. Flower dearest, logic and rationality don’t apply here. Don’t you understand? What I want, I’ll get. What you want, you won’t,” he hums sinisterly.

“This place, is my domain. A place I can shape to my will, make you see what I want you to see and remove what I don’t. Alas, it’s the realm of the fae that you had been walking in the entire time; just after I had initially met you of course.”

Your mind whirrs as you piece everything together. He had made you lose track of your trail, your course. That’s most likely when you slipped into the realm of the fae; after you met him! He purposely made you lose direction. Your teammates probably gave up their search, because you weren’t in the human realm. You murmur lowly in horrible realisation, “Time works differently in the fae r-realm..”

Beomgyu places a hand gently atop your head caressing down, “Very good, flower.” No wonder there’s nothing left here! They probably thought you were dead-

Beomgyu grins sliding his slender hand to cup your face, “Poor thing, I know it must be hard right to process everything. But you see, you weren’t falling for anything, like the others of your pitiful kind do. That’s why I like you! I had to pull out all my tricks today.”

Your body trembles and he hums playfully, “Anyway, it’s not often, you get to meet with a Fae. You should be honoured I even chose to waste my time on you, instead of killing you off at your reluctance. I get bored rather quickly.“ His fingers glisten and sparkle as he rubs them together. The sparkles fall with a magical chime being emitted. Fairy dust.

“Beautiful isn’t it, flower?” You say nothing feeling numb inside watching it pour down from his other hand in front of your face. “Oh? Don’t tell me you’re hurt by my little illusory trick? It’s all in good fun.” A tear slips down your cheek. Beomgyu release a sadistic giggle at the sight, “Oh no, oh dear. My poor flower is hurt?” He pulls you into a tight hug caressing the back of your head. He cooes, “I’m sorry. It was the only way.”

You murmur, “You get nothing of me being stranded here.” He hums coldly, “Well, I don’t plan to leave you out in the real world. The Fae realm is so much better.” Your heart races in your ribcage. He continues holding you tightly against him. “As I said, Fae enjoy their entertainment. By that I meant, humans.”

Beomgyu tilts your head upwards to meet his sadistic gaze, “Many of my kind, keep your kind as pets, servants and whatnot.” You icily grit out, “Your other victims?”

He grins, “Oh? Them? You need not concern yourself. They were fun whilst they lasted.” Beomgyu pouts, “As I said, I like a challenge; I don’t like when they start getting too broken, or submissive. It takes all the fun out of it.”

You’re mortified at his words. Your blood runs cold despite his warm arms wrapped around you. He hums placing a delicate kiss to your forehead, “Don’t look so scared, flower! You intrigue me more so than anyone else I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. I assure you, we’ll have so much fun together,” he releases a dark chuckle.

Beomgyu hums condescendingly, “If you’re lucky, maybe one day you’ll even win my heart over? How exciting, hm?” You lowly snap, “Go to hell.”

Beomgyu’s lips twist into a grin as he tightens, “Hm? You weren’t so hostile when you asked me to kiss you? I obliged in fact. You could owe me for that, yet I didn’t ask for anything. Perhaps in your deepest, darkest dreams your wish will occur. Until then, I’ll be making sure my name is the only thing your wonderful lips can utter.”

Perhaps, it was a misconception that Fae could only hurt you if you gave out your name or accepted their help. Though it appears some Fae, overall didn’t keep that etiquette.

How unfortunate for you, that you stumbled upon such a fae, a truly sadistic trickster indeed.

Perhaps it was best to just leave the supernatural creatures to themselves. Somethings are better left unknown after all, hm? Who knows how many researchers fell under their traps?

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honeyhotteoks · 1 year

Text

this night together - chapter four (j.yh + s.mg)

chapter four: a funny little feeling

chapter summary: your heat finally breaks, leaving you to relive every moment and every touch with a clear head. but you're sure you'll be able to just stay friends.

warnings: smut, all the a/b/o/omegaverse warnings, extreme horniness, masturbation, fingering, nipple play, rough sex, knotting, serious aftercare, emotional rollercoaster of hormones

pairings: alpha!yunho x alpha!mingi x omega!reader

genre: smut, abo/omegaverse, angst, fluff, romance, polyamory

word count: 7.9K

previous chapter | next chapter | AO3

They’re dead asleep when the pain passes over you again, and after all the hours they had put in helping you come again and again, fucking and filling you over and over, you can’t bring yourself to wake them. Neither of them are in a rut, and this has to be getting tiring for them, even though they can share you, with a heat this hard you’re demanding constant attention and stimulation. There’s no way you won’t be feeling this for at least a week when it finally breaks.

Yunho is laid out flat on his back, head turned away from you and his lips parted softly as he exhales little puffs of air. His upper arm is pressed along yours, but otherwise he isn’t touching you at all. Mingi on the other hand is curled over you, situated higher up on the bed than you, one broad hand resting between your breasts and a knee hitched up over your hips.

No longer in the hazy space of peak heat, you’re able to breathe and take in the feeling of them so close. You can hear your own heartbeat, feel the thready hiss of your breath, but still they sleep on.

Your nipples harden into painful peaks, a light sheen of sweat across your body once again, and your cunt pulsates with need. What you should do is wake them, beg them to knot you again until you can sleep a little longer in plump satisfaction, but you bite down and hold your tongue.

It takes a moment to maneuver Mingi’s leg off you, his weight extra heavy while he’s deep in sleep, but you manage to push him off. That leaves you naked in the center of the bed, lying between both of them.

You slip your fingers down your body and between your folds, finding your core wetter than you’ve ever been, so slick you can barely catch any friction where you need it. A soft whine bubbles from your lips, but it’s still almost a whisper and they don’t make a move.

Steeling yourself, you arch your hips to give your hand better access, and wipe away as much excess slick onto your inner thigh as possible, returning your fingers to your swollen, throbbing clit and finding now, finally, you can feel something. At this stage of your heat it’s always harder to orgasm from manual stimulation alone, your body knowing intrinsically that what it needs is a knot, but you have to try.

You circle your fingers, pressing firmly down over your clit and chasing as much feeling as possible, cupping your breast and tweaking your sensitive nipples to drive some additional sensation through your body. They sleep on beside you, and you bite down on your lip as you rock your hips up to meet your fingers a little better, trying all the while to keep quiet. Your legs widen on their own as you try to get what you need, but your thighs connect with each of them since they're crowded so close to you in the bed and you stutter to a stop to see if you’ve woken them.

Yunho makes a heavy sigh but doesn't move and that’s all the permission you need to sink two fingers inside yourself and pick up the pace of your hips. A shuddering breath pushes out of you when you start hitting the tender point of your pleasure just inside your tight channel and your legs widen further. You’re losing yourself now, no longer cognizant of anything but your own need.

Mingi’s hand shifts and cups your breast, but when you jerk your head to the side to look at him, he’s still fast asleep.

Just a little more. All you need is just a little more.

You’re caught looking at Mingi’s plush, parted lips. His forehead smooth and mind unbothered in sleep, and you admire his features. Masculine and sharp, with a softness to his eyes even when they’re closed. Heat pulses through you, and Yunho’s hand shifts.

He sleeps on, his hand coming to rest on the juncture of your thigh and hip, and you whine softly as you continue thrusting your fingers into yourself, canting your hips up to meet every downward jut.

Their hands on you feel electric, their scent filling you and making the atmosphere of the room heady. You’re so close, it’s right there for you. You widen your legs more, your thighs pressing further against them, but you don’t even care. Yunho shifts slightly, the sheet over his bottom half stretching taut and your mind buzzes - the hard line of his cock is suddenly clear and you stammer out a moan.

Yunho inhales sharply, his fingers tightening on your thigh, and Mingi makes a small, sleepy noise next to you. When Mingi draws his hand back and inadvertently drags his palm over your nipple the sensation is just enough to finally push you over the edge. You moan as it crashes into you, your body locking up in pleasure and twisting in the sheets, and your breath is coming in short sharp pants as you ride out your sudden release.

Your body shifts suddenly, and your eyes flutter open. In the dim light of the room you register quickly that Mingi has pushed you onto your side to face Yunho, who’s awake and looking at you with a blown out, flushed expression.

“Ah, Mingi,” You stammer as he hikes up your leg to open you up to him.

He doesn’t respond with words, but he crowds you with his body and aligns himself with your wet core, thrusting up inside you with one smooth stroke. You curse, gripping down on the sheets at the sudden sensation, but he pulls you closer still like he needs to touch every inch of your skin. His teeth close over your shoulder, far enough from your gland to be safe but still making you start in his arms and try to twist to find his eyes. Hot hunger strikes back up through your body at the sensation, but you know you don’t want him quite like this.

“Mingi, baby,” You reach for him, threading a hand into his hair, “l-let go,”

His teeth sink into you a little more, not enough to break the skin but certainly enough to hurt and his hands tighten.

Your eyes flick to Yunho’s and you watch his face clear suddenly from the primal haze he woke up in, and he meets your eyes. He wets his lips and eases down in the bed a little more, “Mingi, stop,”

Mingi breathes out heavily, a hot stream of air across your damp skin.

“Mingi,” You murmur softly, knowing that he needs a little help snapping out of the haze, “alpha, please let me go,”

His jaw relaxes and he pulls his mouth away from your shoulder. He’s still holding you tightly, but you feel him coming back to the surface, realizing that this isn't a dream.

Yunho cups your cheek softly, “You okay?”

You nod, shifting to kiss his palm gently before reaching back behind you for Mingi, “I’m good, I promise,”

“Jesus, did I hurt you?” Mingi’s grip softens as he finally realizes what’s going on around him.

“No,” You answer clearly, no space for ambiguity with something like this, “I just knew you were still kind of out of it,”

“I bit you,” He registers

“And I liked it,” You squeeze his hip where you reach around, “just not while you were that out of it,”

“What happened?” He manages.

You blush scarlet, “I woke you up by accident,”

Yunho smiles, a little amused at your choice of words. He had rocketed into consciousness and watched you finish the minute you moaned, fighting the urge to sink his own fingers inside you as you came apart in ecstatic pleasure right before his eyes.

Mingi pushes up onto his elbow to see you better, his expression confused.

“You were both asleep,” You explain softly, adverting your eyes from his, “and I didn’t want to wake you, but I needed to take the edge off,”

He smirks when he realizes your euphemism, “Oh,”

“It didn’t work out like I planned,” You duck your face into the mattress and sigh.

“You missed out,” Yunho smiles at you, dragging the back of his knuckle down your chest and back up again, “she looked gorgeous,”

If you could blush more, you do.

“Mm,” Mingi nuzzles you, “why wouldn’t you just wake us? That’s what we’re here for,”

“You’ve got to be exhausted by now,” You explain softly, “I thought I’d give you a break,”

Mingi hums quietly, dropping his lips to your shoulder to kiss you tenderly, and then his hands tighten again and he snaps his hips, dragging his cock out of you and plunging it back in, “Do I feel exhausted to you?”

You moan tightly, reaching out and gripping onto Yunho’s arm as you recover from the sudden sensation, “God, fuck,”

“God, fuck?” He teases you, “Yeah?”

“Oh, shut up,” You sigh, grinding your hips back a little to feel him deeper.

He groans and gathers you close in his arms, “You’re so cute,”

You want to make fun, but something inside you sings at his praise and you smile softly, “Yeah?”

“Aw,” Yunho smiles, “you’re blushing,”

“Mm,” Mingi kisses your head, “do you not hear that enough? Should I tell you more?”

“Mingi,” You make an attempt at protesting but your body flutters around him and you’re acutely aware of the sweat trickling down your brow and the feeling of his heart pounding against your back.

“Cutie,” Mingi nips at your ear, tugging softly on the lobe, “did you take the edge off or do you need me?”

Orgasm aside, your body is starting to fall back into the needy, desperate tendencies of heat and all you can manage is a gentle whimper.

“Oh, pretty girl,” Mingi sighs, dropping his hand over your belly and nuzzling your head, “you need my knot, precious?”

“P-please,” You choke, and even though a few minutes ago you might have been sated enough for sleep, the idea of it is enough to rocket you right back into desperate wanting.

“Can I help?” Yunho murmurs softly.

“Anything,” You nod, a little breathless and frantic.

Mingi groans as you press your hips back into his and reach for Yunho, connecting your lips to his in a hungry kiss. Mingi snaps his hips again and you gasp against Yunho’s mouth.

“Harder,” You reach back for his hip, nails scraping along his soft skin to try and get him to respond the way you need.

He says nothing, but his hands shift to hold you steady, one on your hip and the other on your shoulder and then he starts to thrust. He listened perfectly - not faster, but harder, deeper. Every sharp click of his hips up snaps your hips against each other and drives his aching cock so deep you can’t think straight.

You want to come so badly, you want to spasm around him so hard you make him come inside and you want to take every bit of it. Your brain is still a little blurry and you let your eyes close as you focus on the sensations. Mingi stretching you wide, his tight grip, Yunho’s hands caressing you gently in a dizzying contrast to the way you’re being fucked open.

You whine at a particularly hard thrust, the head of his cock connecting with your cervix and lighting a bubble of pain up inside you, but it’s no worse than your intense hot cramping.

“God,” Mingi pants, his hips canting up a little faster, “you’re so fucking hot,”

Yunho smiles, and then presses forward to catch your mouth again. His fingers trace down from your chest to your belly and back up, one hand cupping your breast and a thumb flicking across your nipple.

You moan hard, breaking away from his mouth and dropping your face into the pillows, “Again,”

He flicks again, and you bury your face deeper into the pillows as you moan.

“No, no,” Mingi’s hand on your shoulder shifts up into your hair, pulling your head back slowly, “don’t hide,”

Your muscles lock up around his cock and he hisses.

“You like that?” He pulls your hair a little harder, yanking you against his shoulder so he can hold you still.

You whine out an affirmative response, one hand reaching for something and finding Yunho’s chest.

“I want to hear you come, beautiful,” Mingi’s breath is hot on your ear, and he adjusts his body slightly so he can drive his cock into you again and again at a punishing pace.

“More,” You manage.

“Y-Yunho,” Mingi groans, “play with her some more,”

Yunho makes a hungry noise and then you feel his mouth close over your nipple.

“Oh, god,” your body arches hard into them.

You’re sandwiched tight between them, and then Yunho sucks hard and the sensations flowing through you double.

“Do that again,” Mingi pants.

Yunho obliges, sucking hard again and then flicking his tongue firmly over your pebbled nipple, his fingers coming up to tease the other.

“I’m gonna fucking come,” You stammer, “I’m- I’m,”

“Taking your alpha’s cock so well,” Yunho bites at your breast, “our good, good, girl,”

“The fucking best,” Mingi chokes.

Good, the best. Theirs. Your brain bubbles over with the praise and you cup Yunho’s head in your palm, pressing him closer to your body and forcing more of his mouth over you. Your legs start to shake, and Mingi’s hand on your hip slips down and his fingers start to circle your clit. Frantic and fast.

“F-fuck,” You hold onto them for dear life, “I’m coming, I’m, ah, fuck,”

“Shit,” Mingi thrusts up hard and you feel his swollen knot, “oh shit,”

“Inside,” You beg, “alpha, please,”

He all but growls, and it burns, but he pushes in. Your fluttering channel expands just enough to accept him inside and then you feel him swell properly to lock in place, spilling seed so deeply that for a hazy moment inside your orgasm you daydream that not even your implant could prevent that from taking root.

You can barely feel your body, all of you shuddering and panting after the intensity, but slowly you feel Yunho kiss along your breasts and up your chest, and Mingi’s hands soften to smooth over your skin in a comforting pattern.

“She asleep?” Yunho mumbles as he kisses more of your chest.

“Maybe,” Mingi responds and then he squeezes your hip, “baby, you with us?”

“Mm,” You manage.

Mingi chuckles, “Does my knot feel good, tiny?”

You sigh pleasantly.

“I think that’s a yes,” You feel Yunho’s smile on your skin, “she’s practically glowing,”

“Beautiful,” Mingi murmurs.

Yunho’s gone suddenly though, and your eyes flutter open, “W-where?”

“Getting you water,” He soothes, still on the bed just a little bit further from you than he was, “I need you to drink some of this and then we can cuddle all you want,”

You take the glass, eagerly drinking as much of the water as you can at this odd, twisted angle and Mingi chuckles again behind you, pressing a kiss to your shoulder.

“That’s good,” Yunho smiles when you pass the glass back.

“Come back,” You reach out again, needing to feel him.

He drops the glass on the side table and eases himself back over until you’re pressed front to back between them both. Every inch of your skin that can touch one of them does, and you finally feel at peace. Yunho wraps an arm around you both and kisses your hair, “Better?”

“Don’t leave,” You mumble, sleep clinging to you once again.

“We’ve got nowhere to be, jagiya,” Yunho soothes, kissing your lips softly.

“Hmm,” You sigh, your tense muscles releasing one by one, the warm feeling of Mingi’s hard cock inside you washing over you like a salve.

“Perfect,” Mingi murmurs, and then sleep takes you under.

It continues like this for what feels like hours. You wake in needy desperation and one of them is suddenly inside you. You lose count, if you ever had count to begin with. They knot you over and over again, make you come over and over again. On their fingers, their tongues, dragging your slick aching cunt across their thighs if that’s what you need. You lose track of time, and if they’re being honest so do they.

Nothing exists now but this bed and their bodies.

Nothing until it all breaks.

Coming out of heat is always stark and sudden. Where pre-heat lasts hours, sometimes days and you can feel your body changing and adjusting to accommodate the surge of hormones, when it ends it just ends. It feels final and stark, like you’ve been doused with a bucket of cold water, and all the aches and pains in your body that the endorphin surges drowned out come back tenfold.

You know it the minute you open your eyes, no hazy feeling in your limbs or pulsing between your thighs. This time it’s all over, and with strange clarity you realize just how fucked you are.

“Fuck,” You breathe softly, remembering every detail from the past few days and how stripped down and bare you were in front of two men that not only are you not involved with, you work with.

A small groan to your side brings you out of your thoughts as Yunho wakes and registers your soft curse, “Shh, shh,” he hums, “I’m right here,”

“Oh,” You open your mouth to tell him it’s over, but his hand is already pushing between your thighs.

He pushes himself up onto his side, his hair messy and eyes bleary, “There we go,” he murmurs, hoarse and low as his fingers find your clit.

The overstimulation is immediate and you hiss, pulling back with your hips, “Ah, ah, no,”

His fingers raise, “Does that hurt?”

“Yeah,” You manage, “Yunho, I’m,”

“That’s okay,” He swiftly cuts off your words, still sunken into his soothing alpha tone, “I won’t hurt you, jagi,”

“I know,” You manage, looking for the right words to tell him he doesn’t need to do anything more, but he smoothly finds your entrance with his fingers, still wet with leftover slick and cum, and pushes two inside you. He’s slow and deliberate, watching your face for any discomfort, and even though it burns a little it’s also a dizzying pressure that leaves you moaning softly in his arms.

He drops his lips to your shoulder as he rhythmically pumps his hand and he sighs hot against your skin, “There’s my girl,”

His girl. Your heat addled brain had been desperate and aching for it, ready to make them both your alphas for life in the thick of your delirium, but this… this would just be sex. It feels suddenly dishonest, uncomfortable and wrong. They had offered to help with your heat, but that part of whatever your relationship with them is, is now over.

“Yunho,” You stutter out, and he hums, mistaking your sounds for pleasured whimpers. You blink hard and steel yourself, “Yunho, stop, please,”

His fingers push forwards and then stop immediately and he adjusts quickly, pulling them out and turning to look up at you in the bed, “What’s wrong?”

“Can I have that sheet?” You nod towards your legs where the sheet tangles up around your legs and he fishes it up immediately. Once it’s tucked around you, you feel a little better about meeting his eyes, “I’m sorry,”

“Why?” He shuffles closer, wrapping an arm around you and you hear Mingi starting to stir to your other side, “Did I hurt you?”

“No,” You assure him, “but it’s done,”

“Done?” His eyebrows knit together and you remember he’s never done this before.

“My heat broke over night,” You explain softly, “you don’t need to do anything else,”

“Oh,” He blinks, “just like that?”

“Mhm,” The intimacy of his arms around you feels so, so right, but you also know it’s part of this manufactured moment. You wouldn’t be here in bed with them both if it weren’t for a biological imperative that you can’t control by yourself, and a rational voice in the back of your brain is telling you to cut and run before this gets messier.

“Are you okay?” He whispers.

“I’m fine,” You nod, “a little sore.”

“Can I get you anything?” He brushes your hair back from your cheek like a lover.

“I think I just need,” Your voice cuts off as Mingi rolls towards you both, snuggling up to your opposite side and exhaling heavily against your hair.

“What’s going on?” Mingi mumbles, sleep still clinging to him.

“My heat’s over,” You rip the words off like a bandaid.

“Shit,” He blinks, pushing himself up onto one arm, “I should have known, you smell different,”

“Do I?” You glance between them.

Yunho takes a deep breath, his eyes slipping closed and then he nods, “Milder,” he agrees, “chamomile and willow now, the honey is less pronounced,”

“Give me a minute,” Mingi shakes his head, as if he’s willing sleep to stop clinging onto him, “I’ll get up and get you what you need,”

“I’m fine,” You reiterate, and that’s mostly true, except for the thumping anxiety in your chest and the fact you’re desperate to not be naked in bed anymore.

Mingi rolls his eyes, “You’re stubborn, I know you’re probably aching like hell,”

“I really just need a shower,” You shake your head, “and then I can get out of your way,”

“That’s not a great idea,” Mingi shakes his head, “you shouldn’t try and rush the comedown,”

“Take it easy,” Yunho agrees, “there’s no work today anyways. Just relax, and I can drive you home this afternoon if that’s what you want,”

What you want is to run. Your chest feels tight, and you’re so aware of their hands on you. Your brain gets stuck like a record skipping again and again, Yunho saying clearly that he can take you home.

“If you need a couple more days,” Mingi jumps in and offers, “you should take them, I know this was a hard one,”

“Really,” You need to move, so you start to sit up, “I’m okay,”

You shimmy forwards and wrap the sheet around yourself as you slide out of Mingi’s bed. It’s not graceful and you’ve probably just flashed more skin than you want to, despite all the parts of you they’ve seen and touched the past few days, but you make it up to your feet. Pretty much immediately you feel like you might faint.

“Whoa,” Mingi rolls out of bed fast, hands out and ready, “you okay?”

“I’m good,” You brush him off, taking a step backwards, “just a little headrush.”

Yunho looks nervous, watching you intently as he locates a pair of his sweats and pulls them on, “I think you should slow down, you’ve been here for days, what’s a few more hours?”

You ignore him, “Do you mind if I use the shower?”

Mingi’s lips press together hard in a line and you can tell he’s confused and not exactly happy with you, but he nods anyway.

“Great,” You gather the end of the sheet so you can walk and then push yourself into the bathroom. Blissfully, they don’t follow you.

Moving quickly you get the hot water going and lay out some towels, and while you wait for the temperature to adjust you collapse against the counter and take a deep inhale. Their apartment feels suddenly claustrophobic. You had really liked them, a tiny piece of you even day dreamed about dating Yunho when you first started. You shake those thoughts away and pull yourself into the warm spray, leaning hard against the tile wall. A flickering memory, Yunho holding you against his chest, Mingi cupping your cheek as they carried you out of the shower and back into bed. They took such good care of you, you can hardly believe they’re real.

You shower until the water starts to run tepid, until you’re out of time again and need to go look them in the eyes. While you washed your skin again and again you thought about it all. Your stomach flips with nervousness, the idea of seeing them with your head clear alone making your palms clammy.

The bedroom is empty when you get back, sheets stripped off the bed and piled high in the corner, the widow behind it pushed up and open. Your stomach twists painfully at the sight. They’re already airing out the nest and it makes you feel suddenly empty. You need to get home, wrap yourself in a tight cocoon of blankets and try not to think about what work tomorrow is going to look like.

You dress quickly, pulling on your last pair of clean underwear and leggings, avoiding the sudden urge to wear Mingi’s hoodie again, and instead slip back into your sweater. You braid your wet hair back, pack up your things, and quietly order yourself an Uber. In ten minutes, you’ll be gone.

You’ll have to see them one more time before you go, your stomach fluttering with sudden anxiety, but you brace yourself and head down the hall.

“Um,” You clear your throat softly as you step into the living room, “hey,”

“Hey,” Yunho smiles wide, “feeling okay?”

“I’m good,” You assure him, watching as they both get to their feet, “but I really should get going,” you say it, but your stomach twists at the idea.

“Already?” Mingi says.

“I can’t steal more of your time,” You adjust the strap of your bag on your shoulder, “I really can’t thank you both enough for helping me out of the office the other night… and, you know, everything else,” your cheeks heat with blush.

“You don’t have to thank us,” Mingi steps towards you, as if to reach for you, but he stops himself.

“Right,” You glance down at your phone, your car now six minutes away.

“Let me drive you home,” Yunho reaches for his keys on the island.

“No, no,” You wave him off, “I already have a ride,”

“Oh,” He lets his hand fall away from his keys.

A beat of silence stretches between you all and you swallow, “I’m sorry, this is awkward isn’t it?”

“It shouldn’t be,” Mingi says with ease, “we just spent four days naked and locked in a room together,”

His blunt honesty makes you laugh and you clap a hand over your mouth, “Oh god, we did, didn’t we?”

“Yeah,” Mingi smiles, “I don’t think we need to be shy now,”

Your shoulders relax, the air clearing, “Everything just felt like a lot, but you’re right,”

Mingi shakes his head, reaching for you without asking and pulling you into his chest, “Just because you’re not in heat anymore doesn’t mean we’re strangers now,”

“I know,” You let his familiar warmth relax your body further.

“So, let me ask again,” His hand smooths up and down your back, “how are you feeling?”

The word ‘fine’ sits on your tongue but you bite it back and choose honesty instead, “Overwhelmed,”

“I thought so,” He hums, “cancel your car,”

“What?” You pull back slightly in his arms.

“You can’t just run away the second we’re not having sex,” He calls you out so easily it flusters you and you duck your head into his chest, “we need to talk, and you need to sit down and rest. And I know you’re hurting, so just take a breath,”

You nod into him and then lift up your phone, “Okay,”

You feel it lift out of your hands and you don’t hesitate, you wrap your arms around his back and grip him tight, soaking up his warmth and the steadiness of his breath.

“Yunho,” Mingi murmurs, his voice low and soft, “can you make some tea?”

“Got it,” Yunho says softly.

You don’t know why you suddenly feel like crying, but you do. The body remembers trauma, but it remembers tenderness too. His arms feel right, even without the needy cloying of your primal brain, his body so warm and so steady that it cracks your emotions wide open.

At your first, sharp intake of breath, sounding wet and locked up with tears, Mingi moves. He scoops you up with ease, settling you both back down on the couch and tucking you into his broad chest, “Shh, shh,” he soothes, “I’m right here,”

“I don’t know why I’m crying,” You hide your face in his shirt with a sob.

“That’s okay,” He nods.

“This is so embarrassing,” Your voice is strained and thick with tears.

“Why?” He tuts, “You cry if you need to cry,”

“Hey,” Yunho sounds worried immediately as he comes back into the room, “what’s going on, what’s wrong?”

You sniffle and shake your head into Mingi’s shoulder, your head feeling floaty as you try to focus on getting your blurry emotions under control.

“This is normal,” Mingi says to Yunho, his voice even and low, “just like how flattened out you feel after a rut. It’s a lot of hormones, a lot of emotions, that’s why I wanted her to stay. She shouldn’t be alone just yet, and it’s an alphas job to help ground their omega,”

“I didn’t realize,” Yunho murmurs, and you feel the weight of the couch shift as he sits down with you both.

“Nobody explains,” Mingi shakes his head as he strokes your back, “all they teach you in Secondary Gender Presentations is knotting and pups, but there’s a lot more than that,”

Hot emotion courses through you, and you sob again, “Mingi,”

“Come here,” He pushes your arms a little, prompting you to wrap them around his neck and burrow closer, “You can feel me, right? I’m holding you, I’m right here,”

“Mhm,” You exhale, shaky and broken.

“I’m not going anywhere,” He soothes you, “okay, omega? I’m not leaving, Yunho and I are not leaving you.”

You didn’t even know that’s what you needed, but his words soothe you instantly, the hammering panic of your heart settling slower and slower in your chest.

Mingi clears his throat softly and readdresses Yunho, “She needs to know she’s not alone, especially after a heat that intense. It hits some people really hard, my ex used to be inconsolable after,”

“Jesus,” Yunho murmurs, “I’m really fucking glad you’ve done this before,”

Mingi’s chest jerks as he huffs out a laugh, “There’s a lot more to it, isn’t there?”

Yunho makes a small noise of acknowledgement and slowly you start to feel your emotions level out.

“M-Mingi?” You murmur wetly into his neck.

“Yeah?” He squeezes you.

“Thank you,” You sigh.

“Mhm,” he soothes, “are you still feeling overwhelmed?”

While your tears have subsided, bubbling anxiety still crawls under your skin and you nod against him.

“Are you afraid?” He murmurs, picking up on your trembling hands.

“I don’t know why,” You wish you could articulate it, reach deep down inside yourself and pull free this thread of niggling panic to get to the root of it, but you simply can’t.

“That’s okay,” He assures you, “how about you let me take care of things, hmm?”

“What things?”

“Today,” He explains, “I know you’re stressed and I know you want to go home, but right now I think we should all stick together a little longer. Would that be okay with you?”

“Yeah,” You breathe.

“Good,” Mingi murmurs, “y/n, can Yunho hold you for a little while? I need a few minutes,”

You unwind yourself from him and nod, sitting back so you can see his face. He smiles softly, wiping away your tears with his warm, broad hand. A little piece of you wants to kiss him, settle your fluttering heart once and for all, but it’s probably just the lingering pull from your heat so you push it aside.

Yunho shifts on the couch and positions himself next to Mingi properly, “Hey,”

“Hey,” You smile, sliding off Mingi’s lap and into his, “are you doing okay?”

“Me?” Yunho’s brow raises, “I’m fine,”

“I’ll be right back,” Mingi murmurs, brushing a hand along your hair, and you watch as he disappears into the kitchen.

“Don’t be worried about me,” Yunho says, bringing your eyes back to him.

“You’ve been quiet,” You tell him, “I just… I’m really trying not to fuck everything up just because I couldn’t afford my stupid suppressants,”

His face screws up in confusion, “Fuck what up?”

“Our… friendship,” You manage, “and the studio, and everything,”

Nervous panic strikes through you again and you take a deep breath, closing your hands into tight fists and focusing on the pin pricks of pain in your palm as your nails dig in.

“y/n,” Yunho shakes his head, “not a chance.”

“You say that, but I know how these things go,”

“Why?” He brushes you off with an easy smile, “You think just because I saw you naked I’m going to fall in love with you or something? It doesn’t really work like that,”

Blush flushes your cheeks, “Please, don’t,”

“Fall in love with you?” He clarifies, still smiling.

“Yunho,”

“Why can’t you fall in love with me in this scenario?” He nudges you, trying to make you laugh and break the tense knot that’s been here since you woke up, “I selflessly took off work to have copious amounts of hot, hot sex with you. I made you food, cuddled you all night, basically gave you a sponge bath,”

Your hands relax. “You did not give me a sponge bath, Yunho,” You roll your eyes, “god, you’re annoying,”

“Annoyingly lovable,” He clarifies.

“Fine,” You nod, “annoyingly lovable, but I’m not going to fall in love with you.”

“Then I guess we’re good then,” He assures you.

“And work won’t be weird?” You check.

“Work won’t be weird,” He shakes his head, “is that what you’re worried about?”

“I guess,” You press a hand over your chest, the nervous flutter of your heart still there, “I just… I love this job. I’m finally getting what I want, and I’m making friends, and I have a mentor,”

“Am I your mentor?” He interrupts, eyes widening a little.

“Shut up,” You dismiss him, “you know how much help you’ve been to me,”

“Mentor,” He smiles, looking a little elated.

“Yunho,” You sigh and he clicks back in to your words, “what I’m trying to say is that… sex complicates a workplace, especially heat sex. I don’t want this to…. Fuck, I don’t know what I’m trying to say,”

Yunho catches your fluttering hand in one of his and cups your cheek with his other, “Sex can just be sex.”

“Can it?” You chew the inside of your lip, “For us, can it?”

“If that’s what,” He starts to say.

“Okay,” Mingi returns with an armful of goodies and a warm smile, “I’ve decided it’s a Netflix and nap day,”

“Wait, hang on,” Yunho shakes his head, getting you to face him again, “listen to me. You’re afraid that spending your heat with us is going to change things, affect our relationship and make work different.” You nod a little and he smiles, “I can’t tell you everything will be exactly the same because honestly, we just are closer now. It was intimate, and I don’t know about you but I feel closer to you, but that doesn’t mean it changes our friendship or fucks up our ability to work together. It means whatever we want it to mean,”

Mingi drops the blankets and pillows in his arms and steps closer, “Yunho’s right, y/n,” he murmurs, “we’re adults, this isn’t going to ruin anything if we don’t let it.”

“Friends, then?” You glance between them, “Sex can just be sex, like you said?”

Yunho swallows hard and then nods.

“Friends,” Mingi says.

The panic in your chest starts to recede. “So, we’re okay?” You ask finally.

“We’re okay,” Yunho nods, “we’re perfectly okay.”

“We’re okay,” Mingi agrees.

You nod, exhaling a long breath, “So,” You nod towards the steaming cup on the coffee table, “is that tea for me?”

“Yeah,” Yunho gives you a soft squeeze, “here,” he shifts you off his lap and passes you the warm mug.

“You really don’t mind if I stay a little longer?” You check.

Yunho shakes his head immediately, “I would like it if you did,”

“Okay,” You sigh, the knot inside you finally gone.

“Great,” Mingi goes back to his project, “just hang on one sec,”

You watch as he reaches inside the front lip of the side of the couch you’re not sitting on for a handle and then he pulls, the couch opening up and producing two more large sections of cushion that turns that half into almost a bed.

“You do a lot of napping?” You tease him.

“Ha, ha,” He shakes his head as he tosses out some blankets and pillows, “we have guests sometimes,”

“Ah,” You nod.

He disappears for another moment and when he returns he’s well equipped once again. He waves you over, “Okay,” he says, “tuck in, get cozy. I’ve got some pain killers for you, water, and snacks. I figured we could just hang out, watch something dumb on TV and then if you feel better later or like you want to head home, we’ll take you then.”

You want to kiss him again, and when Yunho smooths a hand down your back and smiles brightly at you, you want to kiss him too. Whatever that means is too complicated to think about for the moment, so you don’t.

When it’s all said and done, you’re sandwiched between them on the pull out, tucked under Yunho’s arm and falling into absolute hysterical laughter at the reality show Mingi threw on. He called it a guilty pleasure with a shrug despite your teasing, and fifteen minutes into the first episode you and Yunho both are ashamed to say you’re hooked.

You can feel sloshing waves of emotion inside you as you let yourself relax, but their proximity keeps you calm and collected. It’s sometime after lunch when you finally take the opportunity to ask Yunho again, Mingi thankfully asleep to your left side.

You prod his leg gently under the covers, “Hey,”

“Hmm?” He glances down at you.

“How are you doing?” You ask softly, prodding him again.

“I’m fine,” His brows knit together in confusion, “why wouldn’t I be fine?”

Using his chest for leverage you shift off him, turning towards him eye to eye now so you can actually have a conversation with him. “You still seem kind of quiet,” You explain, “and you’ve both been so fixated on me and what I need, but I’m just checking in. It was your first time going through someone’s heat, so, I don’t know what that’s like for you,”

Your mind flicks back to the moment you begged him to claim you, desperate and clinging to him, the way his eyes blew wide with wanting and he almost, almost succumbed. His whisper on your throat as he held himself to his promise - Not like this, sweetheart, never like this.

He hesitates, and quietly under the blankets you move your hand into his.

“Yunho,” You prompt him, “it’s okay to tell me,”

“I mean,” He studies your face and then sighs, “I am fine, really, I am, but do feel different.”

“Different how?” You murmur.

“Clingy, still?” He offers, but you can tell he doesn’t really know what to make of his own emotions, “When you said you were leaving I felt sick,”

“Me too,” You nod, “but it makes sense,”

“Does it?”

You shift closer, your legs leaning on his now, “Mingi’s right, we spent four days locked in a room together. All we did was be intimate and share emotions…”

“Then why did you want to leave so quickly?” He asks, no judgment in his voice at all.

“Yunho,” You smile, “I don’t know if you’ve picked up on it or not, but I’m not the best at sharing. Or admitting I need help.”

“So you were running,”

“I guess,” You nod, “I was just embarrassed and then before I knew it I had one foot out the door,”

“I don’t want you to feel embarrassed about this,” He shakes his head, sliding his hand up your arm, “I don’t like that.”

You sigh, “I know, but the idea of being back in the studio after this? I mean I’ve worked with you for what, two months? We really barely know each other, I’m the new girl. How am I not supposed to worry about us being too familiar after this?”

“So we’ll be familiar,” He presses, “I promise, it really is okay. Mingi and I are not going to treat you any differently where the work is concerned, but we can be friends.”

“Friends,” You repeat the sentiment with a nod, “you’re right, and these feelings will fade,”

“Feelings?” He says softly.

“Like Mingi said,” You tell him, “it keeps coming in waves, but the consistent thing is that I don’t want to be apart yet, even not touching feels wrong.”

“Exactly,” He nods enthusiastically, “every time you get up to pee I feel like I should follow you and guard the door it’s kind of ridiculous,”

Laughter bubbles out of you and you cover your mouth, glancing over at a still sleeping Mingi, “The protective alpha instincts are really no joke, I guess,”

“Mm,” He smiles, “Mingi has a handle on it, it was just so much more than I expected it to be,”

“How long were he and his ex together?” You ask.

“Two-ish years?” He says, “So yeah, he has a good handle on himself.”

“Do you think he feels the same way as you do?” Your eyes dart back over to Mingi’s fully peaceful face as he sleeps.

“Probably,” Yunho shrugs, “but he’s very good at only letting people see what he wants them to see,”

“I’m getting that,” You murmur.

There’s a long beat between you and finally you twist back to look at him, “I know it’s just the hormones,” you tell him, “but can we cuddle?”

“Sure,” He scoots down on the couch, gathering you close, your head now resting on the crook of his arm, “This okay?”

“Perfect,”

Now that you’re not looking at him, the next thing you say feels so much easier, “I have to thank you for what you did,” you smile, “or didn’t do, I guess,”

He’s quiet for a moment and then, “I almost did though,”

“I know,” You remember the sensation of his teeth dragging along your throat, “but you stopped,”

“I didn’t realize how right it would feel in the moment,” He says softly, “and I just wanted to make you stop hurting,”

You pat across his chest until you find his hand and you lace your fingers together, “You did,” you fight the urge to kiss him, “and for what it’s worth, Mingi was right. I don’t think I could have gotten through this at home by myself, I’ve never had a heat this hard,”

“Now I’m really glad we brought you home,”

“Mm,” You nod, “I don’t know what I would have done,”

He hugs you a little more tightly, “I keep meaning to ask you something,”

“Anything,” You shift to look up at him.

“Suppressants,” He says, “when will insurance cover the ones you need?”

“Nineteen days,” You recite, “nearly there.”

“You’ll be alright until then?” He asks.

“Should be,” You nod, “I’ll have time to onboard before my next heat so everything should be much more manageable,”

“Good,” He brushes a hand along your hair and then settles it high on your back.

You expect him to offer, to indicate a next time, but he doesn’t. Something distant in your gut twists and the thought that maybe this really is a one-time thing. You know it should be, you work too closely together to muddle it all up with all these emotions, especially when you can barely tell now if it’s your biological need for an alpha or if you really do just like them. But the thought of leaving and never being held by them like this again hurts a little, more than you thought that it would.

When Mingi wakes a little later you all stay cuddled up a little longer. You eat dinner together and by the end of the meal, you’re all sitting a few feet apart. You still want to be here with them, but the desperate pull to touch them has faded almost completely by the time you’re done with your spicy noodles.

The drive back to your apartment is quiet, and you’ve been away from work and insulated with them for so many days that you feel distantly like it’s the last day of summer and the night before school. You want to stretch out the seconds, avoid getting out of this car and going to bed at all costs, you know once you do life will be back to normal. Four days with them made you yearn a little for something more than normal.

“Well,” You clear your throat softly and pull your bag up from the passenger side floor, “I guess that’s it,”

“Take tomorrow,” Yunho says, twisting to the side from the driver’s seat to face you, “we’ll go back to work and you take one more day.”

“Okay,” You nod, knowing that it’s the smartest way to not seem obvious about sharing your heat with them.

“We had the flu,” Mingi offers, “and it’s just weird timing.”

“Weird timing,” You nod, “okay,”

“What will you tell your roommates?” Yunho asks.

“I’ll think of something,”

Your legs feel like lead as you swing open the door and start to climb out of their car.

“You sure you’re alright?” Yunho leans over to catch your eyes.

“Mhm,” You nod, but suddenly you don’t really trust your voice.

“If you need anything,” Mingi says, practically hanging over the passenger seat from the back to see you too, “tonight, tomorrow, whatever,”

“I know,” You manage, “I’m okay,”

Mingi opens his mouth and closes it again. His hand tightens on the seat. You drag yourself back a few steps and nod, “Drive safe,” It feels like the stupidest, most empty thing to say after everything.

Yunho smiles softly, “Always do,”

“Good night,”

“Night,” Mingi says softly.

“Night,” Yunho leans back in the driver’s seat again, returning his hands to the wheel.

It’s time. You hate it.

You push the door shut, offering a wave, and you force your legs to move as you turn around and trudge up to the apartment building ahead. A nervous bubble blooms in your throat. You want to turn around, but you don’t. The steady sound of the car still idling behind you doesn’t change. When you make it inside, your apartment is blissfully quiet and you tuck yourself away in your room fast before anyone can come and check up on you.

You want to go back, but you focus hard and try to shake it off.

With a deep breath, you allow yourself one tiny moment of weakness and you pull your bedroom curtain aside. Their car is gone, not even the blue glow of their headlights left on the street ahead. They’re gone, and you’re alone again. You don’t even bother to take off the clothes you were wearing, you collapse into your bed and bite back the sudden rush of tears.

All you can smell is stale lavender, and suddenly you wish more than anything for a thunderstorm.

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