#oh my god I finally finished remodeling

[talaok]

Chapter two: Light

Pairing: No-outbreak!Joel x married!reader

Series summary: You moved to Austin Texas with your husband due to his job, but your already troubled marriage is about to get more complicated when the contractor remodeling your home, Joel Miller, will enter both of your lives.

Chapter summary: You meet your new contractor for the first time, and he's not how you had expected

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It was only the second day of waking up in this house, but you were already more used to the routine.

Alarm, shower, breakfast, a kiss, a goodbye.

Easy, it was easy.

Today was the kitchen. All the boxes were piled on the white wall next to the entrance. They seemed so many you actually wondered for a moment how you were gonna manage that, but a part of you was actually grateful you had something to do to keep your mind occupied, from what you didn't know, but still.

Before starting to do that, however, you had a more important thing to get to.

"Hi" 

You laughed "Why are you whispering?"

"My boss is in today"

"so?"

"so he can't see that I'm on the phone during company time"

You snorted

"Yeah you laugh, but if he catches me and fires me, you're the one who's gonna have to take me into your home"

"that wouldn't be so bad actually"

"yeah, actually you're right" Claire sighed, "wait a second, I'll just put you on speakerphone so he can hear you"

"perfect" 

You both laughed

"So?" she asked after a moment

"so what?"

"how's it going there? How's Texas, tell me everything!"

A strange smile pulled at your lips "There's really not much to say. It's hotter than hell here, the house is huge, and it's gonna take me an eternity to unpack everything" you summed up

"Richard isn't helping you? What am I saying, of course he isn't"

"He has to work Claire"

"oh right, Richard and his work... wouldn't want to get between that marriage"

"Claire-" you rolled your eyes "let's not do this right now, ok? I want to know about you, about what I missed"

"about me? Well..."

"oh no I know that tone please tell me it's not what I think it is"

"I can lie if you want"

"oh my god, Claire!" you half shouted in the empty kitchen "I'm gone two days and you already go back to him!?"

"calm down alright, it was just a one-time thing, it was late at night and I had just finished watching How to Lose a Guy in ten days, and you know what Matthew McConaughey does to me..."

"ok, gross" You stopped her before she could get any further "Why? Why him, why Dylan, you could do so much better than him"

She huffed, "I know I know, it's the last time I promise"

"you promised the same thing last time too" you reminded her

"I know, but this time I mean it"

"you better," you threatened 

There was a brief pause as you heard her move, probably to get further from her boss.

"God I miss you already y/n, I don't know how I'll survive without you"

"I miss you too" you smiled "But it's not like I'm dead, we can still talk on the phone, and I'll come visit you as soon as I can"

"You promise?" you could feel the pout on her lips

"I promise you and hey if-"

The ding of your doorbell caught you off guard

"what?" Claire asked

"Oh shit, I forgot the contractor was coming" you realized, after your mind finally decided to unblank itself

"See, you're already too busy for me"

"shut up" you laughed "I'll call you back when he leaves. love you"

"fine" she sighed "I love you too"

"bye"

As soon as you hung up and placed your phone on the counter, the doorbell rang once more.

One minute, God! 

You rushed to the front door, not even asking who it was before opening it.

"Sorry for the wait, I was just- I was in the middle of something" you mumbled quickly

"It seems like I always manage to catch you at the wrong time ma'am" The man before you joked as your eyes finally settled on him.

Oh, 

For some reason, from your brief talk on the phone, you had pictured a 50-something-year-old with gray hair and a beer belly, definitely, definitely not this.

He looked as if the world broad had come to life. He was tall, and the navy-blue shirt hugging his body highlighted his muscles, muscles one builds from hours of manual labor, not at the gym.

His nut-brown hair was what one could describe as an organized mess, like he forgot to brush them this morning but tried to fix them with his fingers as he was making his way here.

His eyes were big, gentle, a pool of hazel one could find themself drowning in easily enough, you included.

And his lips- his lips had twitched into a smile that was more of a grin, as he- oh god- as he watched you study every inch of him.

"Sorry!" you said a bit too loudly "I wasn't checking you out I just- I had pictured you differently" you spat out, immidately regretting it.

Why the fuck did you just say that?

His chest rumbled as he chuckled " Differently how?"

"oh my god," you couldn't help but laugh through the embarrassment "Please forget I ever said anything, could- could we start all over again?"

"gladly" he nodded

"ok, thank you" You took a quick breath of relief and held your hand out to him "It's a pleasure to meet you, I'm y/n"

"pleasure 's all mine" he shook your hand as you finally noticed the sweet drawl of his accent "I'm Joel"

"good" you smiled "and before I forget, please don't call me ma'am ever again Joel, it makes me feel like I've aged twenty years in 20 seconds" 

Again, a soft laugh fled his throat "Will do" he nodded obediently.

"ok, then please" You fully opened the door to him "Come on in"

He wiped his shoes on the doormat before obliging, and you closed the door behind him.

"You have a nice house ma'a-" he cleared his throat "y/n, you have a very nice house"

you stifled a laugh at his clear struggle "Thank you. We've only arrived the day before yesterday, so it's still pretty empty"

You explained as you walked towards the staircase.

"Certainly not of books" he stopped in the middle of the living room, "wow" he exhaled "I take it you and your husband read a lot?"

The smile that rose on your lips was more of a reflex, not a voluntary decision.

"Some are his" you said "but they're mostly my doing"

He glanced at you as if you'd just confessed to being a witch before looking back at the wooden shelves filling the entire wall across from the tv, only stopping to make space for the couch.

"well I'll be damned" he chuckled

"I take it you don't read a lot?" you smiled

"I think the last time I read something my daughter was 8 and wanted to hear a bedtime story"

You couldn't hide your stupor "You have a daughter?"

"oh-yeah," he said, finally tearing his gaze off the wall and back to you "Sarah, that's her name"

"It's a pretty name" You nodded, the upward curve of your lips lingering

"Thank you, you should tell her that" he laughed "She's always complaining about how "basic" it is"

"Well she's not exactly wrong," You said before you could stop yourself 

"oh no, not you too, please" he ran a hand through his hair as if exasperated, and you chuckled.

"I'm sorry" You shook your head, amusement still tracing your words "If I ever meet her, I'll be sure to tell her the opposite"

"yes, please" he joked "You'd make my life a hell of a lot easier"

"consider it done then" 

Beat.

Silence fell for a moment, but neither of you ceased looking at the other.

"well" you clapped your hands together "The room I talked to you on the phone about is upstairs"

"right" he cleared his throat "lead the way"

__  __  __

"Can I offer you anything while... you do your thing?"

He smiled "I'm ok, thank you"

"You sure? Not even water? It's like a million degrees out" you continued, as he grabbed something from his tool belt

"Actually you're right, water sounds good"

"great" you beamed "I'll be right back"

It took you a moment to find your feet and will them to move.

You didn't know what was happening.

Maybe you hadn't talked to another human being outside of your bubble for so long that you just weren't used to it anymore, or maybe you had just started to lose your fucking mind, because as you walked downstairs and into the kitchen a weird, weird feeling consumed your entire being.

And what made it weirder was that it wasn't a bad feeling... no, it was like going on a carousel for the first time, like riding a bike without anybody's help and feeling the wind through your hair... you felt light, lighter than a feather. And all of it because you had a conversation with your contractor.

Either you were pathetic or crazy, but something definitely wasn't right.

"here" you hended Joel the glass

"thank you" he nodded politely, before drinking it in one go.

You snorted "I guess the weather still affects you even if you've lived here your whole life"

"It sure does, I never got used to it" he shook his head, "it's a miracle I'm still alive really"

You chuckled

"Where are you from? If you don't mind me asking"

"oh" you breathed "New York"

A sly grin tugged at his lips "The big apple... isn't summer there hot as hell too?"

"yeah, but not like this" you gestured vaguely into the air "This is torture"

He laughed "I'd like to say you're wrong but I kinda agree," he said "So what brings you here to this torture chamber?"

"My husband's work. He had to transfer here"

"ah..." he hummed "Of course"

He watched you for a moment, and you felt weirdly self-conscious

"that mustn't been easy... leaving your life like that"

he took you by surprise

"I-"

"Shit, sorry if I made you unco-"

"no,no" you cut him off, biting down a smile as you noticed the worry on his face.

God, he's so...

 "It's totally ok" you paused "and you're right, it wasn't easy, it- it still isn't really... but it just was the sort of thing where I had to, y'know?"

"right" he nodded "And how are you liking it here?"

"It's nice, Austin is a beautiful city"

"it is"

"And you know... I'm gonna sound stupid, but I'm nervous about meeting new people, and making new friends- it's just- it's been so long that I'm afraid I don't even remember how"

He raised an eyebrow as if he didn't believe you, as if you'd just told a joke.

"you?"

"yeah me"

"I don't think you need to worry 'bout that, you..." he paused, as if just remembering where he was and what he was doing "Well for starters, you've already met me, and I like you so..."

If you could, you would have smacked the blush creeping up your cheeks right off.

"Well, I'm flattered" You tried to play it cool, pretending you hadn't suddenly turned 13 all over again.

"Yeah, I think you'll do just fine" he smiled, and that's when you noticed for the first time just how beautiful of a smile he had, so reassuring, so kind, so... light.

This man's wife is a really lucky woman, You found yourself thinking before you could stop yourself.

You bit down what you were sure was gonna be a grin from ear to ear.

"well I'm done here" he looked around the room one final time

"oh, already?"

"I wish I could spend more time here too, you're much more pleasant than most of my clients, but unfortunately, today I just really needed to have a look around"

"right," you nodded "So when can you start?"

"umh" he scratched the back of his neck as he thought, "I think next Monday we should be ready"

__  __  __

"thank you for everything," you said, as you opened the door

"I didn't really do much" he grinned

You shrugged "Yeah, but you were nice to talk to"

"Well for what it's worth, you too y/n"

Your name sounded awfully good on his tongue.

You smiled as he walked out.

"See you Monday, then"

"Umh, wait-"

"yes?" you frowned, watching something like conflict transpire behind his eyes

"This is my number... You can call me if you-" he stopped a moment to clear his throat "if you need anything"

"oh- I already saved the one you called me with yesterday"

"That" he scratched his beard, "That was my work number, this is my private one, I don't always answer on the other one"

"oh" you breathed once again "Oh well, thank you" you smiled, taking the card he was holding out and watching as something that looked like worry melted right off his face.

"no problem" he looked at you one more time "See you Monday then"

"bye"

For some reason, even as you closed the door behind you, the smile on your lips didn't seem to want to go away.

What was happening to you?

…

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...

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[nctsplug02]

now that you say it... can we get a jock!jaehyun x y/n 👀

[8:05pm]

genre: fluff and smut

warnings: mentions of fleshlight, kissing and teasing

jaehyuns pool was finally finished after seven months of it under construction. it was being remodeled into something more wider and deeper.

“babe, my clothes are wet. is it okay if i wore some of yours?” he emerges from the water making you turn. “did you say something, baby?” you dry your neck. “yeah, can i borrow some of your clothes?” he nods and you quickly leave.

you dash to his room, greeting his two dogs on the way and making his way to his closet.

you hum, swiping off a white shirt with graphic words and drawings on it. your eyebrows pinch and your head tilts, only to realize, he has did this design himself.

“so cute.” you giggle, tossing it over your shoulder and looking for a pair of his sweats.

you bite your lip when pulling at his black sweats that is neatly folded. you gasp and step back when a purple plastic thing falls.

“what the..” you reach down and you grab the thing.

gasping, you see a silicone shaped.. vagina?

what?

“what is this? is this—? oh, my god. it’s a fleshlight.” your body shakes at the sudden realization. “okay, uh.. okay.” you stick it back on-top of the stack of sweats before rushing out of his closet.

“woo, that shower felt great.” jaehyun fluffs his hair with the towel and sees you by his closet door. “what’s wrong, baby?” he sees a slight worry on your face.

“um, earlier when i was getting changed and picking out some clothes.. i found something. and, i don’t think i was meant to find it?” he tilts his head and then his face goes absolutely pale when seeing his fleshlight in your hand.

“where— where’d you find that?” he gulps and blinks repeatedly. “i was getting out some sweats for me and it just fell.” he chews on his bottom lip.

how embarrassing, he thought.

“can i ask where or.. who you got it from?” he steps closer to you and takes it from you. “johnny,” you tilt your head. “johnny mentioned it one day and i said it sounded useful so he.. got me one. i totally forgot about it.” he tosses it, hand to hand.

“ever since we start.. y’know, having sex? i forgot all about this thing.” he pushes on the silicone material.

you bite your lip. “do you still have any lube left?” his eyes shoot up to yours. “what?!” you want to giggle at his reaction. “do you think we can still use it?” his eyes twitch. “you— yeah..” he says softly and slowly.

“i think i still have some lube in..” he quickly moves back to where his bathroom was located. “in my, uh—?” he turns his head and then turns it back to you after bumping into the bathroom frame. “sorry—? uh, yeah.” you could tell he was excited.

he comes back with a bottle of lube in his hand. he clears his throat and nods to his bed. you and him silently make you ways to his bed.

you undo the towel that was around his waist and you grin when seeing his semi-hard cock. leaking precum and nearly red as his sheets.

“do i just.. wait, no? wait, yes.” you pour some into the silicone hole and some onto his cock that stands up proudly. you gently fist his cock, coating it in lube.

he groans just at you fisting him. “okay, you ready?” you ask with doey eyes and he nods.

you hold the toy above his tip before slowly sliding it down and letting it suck him. “wait, what’s this button?” you gasp when it buzzes.

“oh, my god!” you slightly jump as jaehyun lets out a whimper. “what’s it doing to you?” you ask and he tosses his head back. grabbing the sheets firmly. “it’s like— like, s—sucking and m—moving!” he shivers, sweat already forming.

you smirk a bit.

this was.. fascinating?

you continue to use the toy on his dick by letting it suck and buzz. he bucks his hips up and gasps, feeling so much pleasure.

you look up towards his nipples.

oh.

you hold the toy steady with one hand and you bring the other hand up to his nipple. you and him both flinch. he flinches at the sudden graze from your finger pad.

“d—don’t, baby!” he pleads and you grin a little.

they were so hard?

his hips continue to buck and thrust upward as he softly mumbles, pleases. “cmon, baby. cum for me. i wanna see you cum.” you whisper in his ear, softly nibbling at on his earlobe.

“y/nnn,” he whines, his hand suddenly gripping on your thigh. “i’m so close,” he buries his face in your neck and whines as his thrusts become needier.

this was a side of him you’d like to see again.

his hips slam up into the toy as he hits his climax. his low grunts sounding like music to your ears.

“that’s.. a good boy.” you whisper in his ear and he pulls away. “fuck, this thing will eat you alive.” he heaved and you suddenly laugh.

you tip his chin so his eyes look at yours. “you did so good.” you praise and his cheeks turn even more pink. your lips catch his.

“maybe.. we should bring this to our place.” you say, slowly pulling it off and watching all the cum pour out of it. “you’re naughty.” he snickers and rolls himself into you, making you giggle and fall back onto his bed.

[hermitshell]

(Building off of your Gem world hopping lore a bit here)

Maybe this won’t make any sense, but I’ve had this idea rattling around in my head for a while about Gem being something like the universe’s champion. Not a god, not someone all powerful, but a player with the world’s blessing in all she does.

You’ve got her connection to the End, which is already one of the most iconic parts of the game. Then you also have her mentioning that dreaming is the key to dimension hopping, which is easily comparable to the end poem. And, of course, her whole thing with ender dragons, which really finished the trio off.

That lore is cool on its own, but it’s also in her play style. She’s drawn to villages, and while she did it in HC9 the worlds that really stand out to me are two of her hardcore worlds, where she’s based in villages, remodeled them, and protected the villagers, whom she gave names and personalities. She delights in the mundane or common parts of the game. Things like that.

It’s like how Etho feels uniquely Minecraft-y because he’s been around for so long, as ancient as the lands around him. Gem doesn’t have the same old world feel- she’s younger, bursting with potential. Maybe she has some sort of grand mission, maybe that mission is simply to live, to experience. No matter what, the player has played the game well

OH MY GOD ❤️_❤️ anon thank you for the ask I am staring at this so hard

Gem who's entwined with the universe... it's champion.... The key to finally opening the end in the life series and fully immersed in the worlds she inhabits yet unimpeded by the laws that govern places such as empires.

You mentioned her hardcore worlds and that also reminds me of the time she got the villager origin in afterlife, and stuck to that village the entire series. She became it's stalwart protector up until her death. So even there she continues that theme.

The universe loves all it's players but it's like it's given her the master's key to unlock any door she wants, to dream however and wherever she wants to. To open a door in dawn and step out into hermitcraft, to open the end, to escape the end of a world, anywhere she wants to go, anywhere she wishes to dream. Perhaps even guide her here or there with a little blue flame? AUGH

[super-unpredictable98]

Oh that's lovely. Can you do Klaus Hargreeves falling for a Johanna Constantine kind of reader while working with her? (She is an exorcist , an excellent demon hunter on hire , is a beautiful mixture of selfish, selfless , self-hating , self important and I feel mirrors Klaus but is not his female version if you get what I mean) Love ya 🤧

Not So Haunted | The Umbrella Academy AU

Pairing: Klaus x Reader

Word Count: 1,1 k

Warning: Strong language, alcohol

a/n: Thank you for the request, I hope I was able to capture the character you imagined. I'll admit I was not familiar with this idea, but I did my best to make it come true and I hope you like it <3

(Masterlist)

You were already used to the creepy houses, the creaking doors, the dark rooms. It was your job after all, to go to these haunted houses and cleanse them so some hipster could remodel them and tell all of his friends he lives in a house where there's a ghost but without having to deal with an actual ghost. 

"God, but this place is a dump..." you mumbled to yourself. 

"I don't think it's that bad," you heard a voice and looked around trying to find the source. Spirits could be vocal, even though they usually didn't straight up talk to you like that. 

But there was no ghost, there was a man. He was tall and slender, wearing a long coat with a furry collar. His leather pants were as tight as they get, his eyeliner was smudged, black nail polish chipped from his nails, and he wore a top that could only be described as slutty. 

"Excuse me, what are you doing here? Something tells me you're not the owner," you quirked an eyebrow at him. 

"This place has an owner? I could've sworn it was abandoned... I just came here to get high in peace." 

"It was just bought by some guy who wants to flip it and resell it. But first I need to clean it up."

"So you're the maid."

"I'm the exorcist."

The man's mouth fell open and he nodded, finally understanding what was going on. He held his hands up almost like you had a gun pointed at him and you tilted your head seeing those tattoos on his palms. Maybe with a better light, you'd be able to see he was quite attractive.

"That's why this place is so weird," he sighed, relieved to be intoxicated and not having to deal with the spirits. "I'm Klaus, by the way."

"Y/n," you held out your hand for him to shake, but he kissed it instead. Despite his affectations, he was quite sweet.

"So, y/n, can I interest you in a drink?"

Klaus held up a bottle of whiskey already half empty, and you thought for a moment. You were strictly against drinking while working, but... he was so intriguing, you didn't wanna blow him off and miss the opportunity to have a conversation and unveil his mysteries. 

"Why not?" 

After a while, you were both laughing and talking like old friends. Alcohol has that sort of power. The house didn't seem scary anymore when the lights were on and you were both sitting on the floor sharing that drink. It was just a silly house with some spirits in it, nothing you were not both used to.

"So, you hear these spirits and all that shit and that doesn't freak you out?" Klaus asked after taking a large sip.

"Not really, I'm sorta used to it and it gives me money. I think it's a pretty cool talent actually," you shrugged.

"Well, I think it's a nightmare. These ghosts are horrifying, I hate seeing them, I hate hearing them, I hate when they ask me to finish their unfinished business. I'm not a fucking mailman, it's exhausting!"

"Is that why you're like this? You're constantly drinking and God knows what else to drown out the voices?" you asked.

"Yeah... I gotta stay high all the time, to keep them off my mind," he sang, slurring a little bit from all the whiskey.

You laughed, taking the bottle from him to drink some as well. Even though you knew good decisions never came from drinking too much, you couldn't help but want to get that buzz and show him you were also interesting and cool. You wanted to make bad decisions if they would lead you closer to him. 

"So, what else do you do besides exorcisms? Any hobbies, interests, dates..." he casually asked.

You swallowed before answering, it had been a long time since you thought about dates. Not that you were saving yourself for someone special, but you also didn't want anything to do with the assholes that crossed your path. 

"I like... movies?" you laughed.

"Movies? Oh, come on! This is the most cliche thing ever, everybody likes movies. Give me something real!"

"Fine! I don't really know, when you put me on the spot like this I get nervous and I don't know what to say."

"Do I make you nervous then?" Klaus smirked and you looked away, trying not to think about his penetrating gaze locked on you. 

"Someone thinks highly of themselves. I'm way out of your league," you scoffed playfully.

"That's cause you haven't seen me with my clothes off yet," he teased. 

"I gather you're single?"

"Always, relationships haven't been really my thing. I liked someone a long time ago, but it didn't work out."

It wasn't hard to understand why he would open up to someone he just met half an hour ago about things he was hesitant to talk about with everyone else in his life. There was nothing to lose, someone from the outside wouldn't judge and if they did, it wouldn't matter as much. 

"I'm sorry it didn't work out. I'm sure you have no shortage of people interested in you though," you said before you could stop yourself. 

"You really think so?" he grinned smugly, knowing damn well how attractive he was. "Would you get in line?"

"You wish!"

Klaus took a bit of a chance and leaned over, pressing his lips against yours. You could taste the alcohol on his tongue, but also something sweet, you couldn't quite put your finger on it, but you liked it. 

"Oookay, we just met and you already interrupted my work to get me drunk, asked me all sorts of questions, and now you kissed me?" you tried to hide how much you wanted to keep going. "How am I supposed to concentrate on the cleanse now?"

"Sorry, but I think I waited long enough, usually at the club I don't even have all this talk, we drink and get down to business."

"Wow, romantic."

"I didn't peg you for a romantic type."

"That just shows how little you know me then."

Klaus bit his lip, watching how red your cheeks had gotten and it felt like a victory to him.  

"If I help you cleanse this house, will you go out with me?" he asked.

"I thought you hated the ghosts."

"I do, but it's worth it sometimes. So, will you?"

"Why do you even wanna go out with me?"

"You're nice and funny and your face makes me wanna smile."

Those peeks at his sweet side melted down your walls and you couldn't say no. "It's a date."

"See? I knew you liked me."

Tag List: @elliethesuperfruitlover @salvador-daley @seanfalco @firstpersonnarrator

[faegoddessog]

 Seventy Two Hours of Bliss Ch. 40/41

Chapter 40: Mangoes and English Oak

Chapter Warnings: Explicitly mature content, 18+ only, cunnilingus, fingering, sexual mangoes reference, Sex while eating, Unprotected PiV (play safe ya'll) female dominated PiV, Pinky and the Brain reference (lol)

Series Masterlist 

Series Summary:

You are neighbors with Austin Butler on the Gold Coast of Australia just prior to shooting Elvis. You become just friends because he is taken. However, after he is single again, you both find out just how attracted you are to one another and things get unrelentingly hot.

SERIES WARNING: Explicitly mature content, 18+ only,  here there be lemons.

Authors Notes: I started writing this while remodeling my kitchen, so that informed the slightly quirky narrative. It starts slow, but once it heats up, it is on fire. I have tried to pull facts from RL as much as I could, but obviously there are some assumptions and flat out dreamy wishes  involved here. 

Chapter 40: Mangoes and English Oak

Whatever it was that had been built between you seemed to evaporate with the mad fucking, the crying, the confessions and promises. Suddenly it’s like no time passed at all.

You two rummage in the kitchen, half clothed,  pulling out what few things were there, clearly you need to hit the market.  You nibble on toast with jam and tea with canned pears while leaning on the counter. 

You talk about your travels here and how nervous you were feeling to see him again. He talks about how he was anxious to see you too. You both smile at how you felt the same way. It feels comfortable again, finally.

You hop up to sit on the counter kicking your shoes off, closer to his height now.  You tell him you have 8-10 weeks, before going to begin the project for Tom and Rita. 

“When you go, maybe we can visit on weekends?” he suggests. 

“Oooo I like that, or meet in the middle, I do want to spend some time in France and Italy while I’m here,” you say. 

“Oh I would love that! We could fuel the French rumors more!” he laughs.

“Oh my god,” you laugh. “We could really keep them guessing!  Do we need to address that whole situation soon?"

He shrugs, "It's not really anyone else's business. Let them figure it out for themselves, it'll keep them busy."

You nod. 

"Oh! By the way, Marissa called me last week. She wanted me to thank you for setting her up with Kate. She says it’s been a dream come true.  I think she may actually be really good at it,” you smile at him. 

He moves his body between your legs, sliding his hands to your waist. Your breath catches just a bit. 

“It was my pleasure," he says, then hears what he said and who he said it to. He cracks a smile.

You can’t help but crack up, forehead to his chest, suddenly reminded of your inside joke about Chick-fil-A. He laughs too, putting his hand on the back of your head. "Do you suddenly feel like a sexy shower?" 

"Pavlov says yes... but the shower here looks tiny," you retort looking up from his chest. 

"We could always wait for a rain storm, I've always wanted to fuck in the rain..." he looks outside.

"Mmm, yes please, let's mastermind that" you say, rubbing up his chest to his neck and pulling him down for a slow kiss. 

After a long minute. He breaks the kiss, rubbing your thighs. 

“Do you know what your schedule will be like?” you ask, trying to handle the mundane in amongst the magical.  

“We just finished our mini boot camp yesterday, so we have a couple days off. I am told we should be working only during the week, so weekends should be ours. We’ll see how true that’ll be.” 

“It is ok if I stay here, right?” you realize that you hadn’t asked him at all, you just assumed. 

“Oh my god Kitten, yes please. I don’t think I could stand it if you didn’t. I need you all to myself for a while,” he wraps his arms around you rocking slightly side to side.

It’s amazing to be in his arms again, almost surreal. 

“I’m all yours sweetheart, morning, noon and night,” you look up at him.

He smiles down at you. A wave of awe strikes you. This amazing man loves you. Your mind is pulled to the little black box. You dutifully shove it away, ‘everything in perfect timing’, you tell yourself. 

“How long do you think Tom and Rita’s will take?” he asks, thinking about more time apart. 

“Oh, geeze,” you reply, thoughts pulled back to the now, “I can't even guess until I see it. Honestly it will depend on how fast materials get there and since it’s on an island, that will be an interesting twist!” 

“Then you’ll be done, huh, with your 7 continents,” Austin remarks, “then what?” 

“I don’t know,” you shrug, ”I suppose we will see what life lays at our feet.” 

“Our feet?” he says with a smile, “I like the sound of that.” 

“Of course baby,” you say snuggling up to him, “this, this right here is my dream now.” 

“Oh Kitten,” he lets out a huge breath, his arms tightening around you.

He leans forward to kiss your sweet mouth. The light kiss expands into parted lips, while tips of tongues solicit for entrance. Every other thought melts away as his kiss deepens. 

Kissing him feels like the oxygen you can’t live without. It’s like you’d been slowly suffocating for months without realizing it and now you can finally breathe deep.

He pulls back from you, looking into your eyes. 

“Is it alright if I take you to the bedroom?” he asks in a slightly cautious, but sultry voice, “I think I’m ready to take my time sweetheart.”

You bite your lip and nod. A smile spreads across his lips, like he was worried you’d say no. Silly boy, like you could say 'no' to him. 

He leans down and kisses your mouth. His hands glide down your back, snapping open the clasp on your red bra, almost as an afterthought.  He pushes his hands between your ass and the cold tiles of the counter. He bends his knees and your legs wrap around his waist, your skirt bunched up around your hips. He pulls you onto him. Your arms wrap around his neck and shoulders, helping to hold yourself on his lean body.  He has gotten stronger, you have too. 

He carries you, kissing you gently, to the bedroom. 

He lays you down on the side of the bed, your bra sliding off. His still undone jeans, underwear and shoes come off and he stands naked in front of you. 

It feels like the beginning again, even though he fucked you silly an hour ago. That was different, full needy desperation and all the difficult emotions that had built up between you. But this:  this is tender wanting, laced with love and all the feels. 

Your knees fall slightly together as you bite your lip. Your eyes are slowly taking in his Adonis-like form from head to toe and back again. Just the sight of him standing above you makes a little moan escape from your lips. Fuck he is magnificent.

He leans down to the bed, one finger tracing up your leg, the hem of your skirt still up near your hips. Its drape drags lightly along your bare and sensitive pussy lips as he slowly pulls the fabric across and out of the way. The barest of shudders slides down your spine. 

Then his knees are on the floor and his fingers are barely stroking your lips. He gently pulls your labia apart, stretching the skin around your clit just enough to make your inner lips contract.  You inhale an audible gasp. Pushing them back together, his fingers squeeze gently on the outside, near the root of your clit, massaging back and forth. Wetness seeps from between your lips. 

You blow out a little moan, fuck he remembers.  He pulls you apart again, blowing on your clit. The cold air makes you whimper. 

The tip of his tongue runs up and down the smoothness of your labia, teasing at what is to come. 

He is definitely taking his time, lips nibbling and tongue licking slowly, but not touching your clit. Not yet. 

Your breath quickens.

“Lord, I missed this,” he says, almost as a prayer. 

Then his fingers pull you wider, open and exposed. The tip of his tongue touches your clit. You gasp as a zing jolts you. He blows on it, then touches it again. Pause. And again.  

He is watching your reaction. His blue eyes peering over your mons with his tongue out long. Fuck, he is gorgeous. 

This please. Yes, this please, forever. 

Gradually his touches become tip-of-the-tongue undulations up and over your nub. Deeper, rolling his tongue farther down, down, down and into your entrance. 

Your breath is shallow and fast, little moans escaping with each new sensation. Then his tongue ripples up against your inner lips. His mouth closes around your clit with pulsing suction. 

“Oh my fucking god,” falls from your lips as you curl towards him, hands in his blonde hair, “did you get better at this?” 

His eyes open to yours and you feel the vibrations of chuckle against your labia. 

“Mangoes,” is all he says with a cock of his eyebrow and a lick of his lip. Then he dives back to the veneration of your cunt. 

Thank fuckin’ mangoes! Is there a god of mangoes? Because you need to deliver upon them all your offerings and praise! All hail mangoes, and Austin's tongue!

He pulls your clit into his mouth, tongue lightly flicking back and forth, then suction again. His fingers slide so slowly inside you. He is moaning into your pussy.  Your body is curled tight, flexing against his face. Then his fingers curl against your front wall and like a spring you uncoil, deep moans rumbling from your chest. The back of your hands beating the mattress. 

Beautiful, sweet release.  

He laps at your slit, drinking in all the juices that leak out as you shake on the bed.  Then his comforting weight is on your heaving chest. You stare almost dumbfounded into his eyes. He pets your hair, moving it out of your face. 

“Ready for more, my pet?” he asks. 

You can only nod still panting from your orgasm.

His lip curls up in a tiny smile, his little dimple appearing over the left corner. His hips rock, his cock rooting gently around your snatch, begging to be let in.  You lift ever so slightly, giving him room. Then he is barely in you, just an inch or so.

He freezes. Your hips strain up to his, getting him in you a scant inch further. He lifts back, teasing you. Your hips roll and you wrap your arms around him in an attempt to pull him to you. He refuses to let you.

“Oh my,” his voice deep and penetrating, “what a needy girl you are.” 

“Uh huh” you nod. 

“Do you need me in you?” he says, “is that what you want?.” 

"Want, need,” you moan, “please, please yes.” 

Slowly, he pushes himself into you. Every inch in and every inch out has your eyes fluttering and your body shaking. Then he stops, holding  himself up on his elbows and toes, letting you rut up to him.  Writhing against him, your body begs for more. You do your best to fuck yourself on his cock, but it’s not hitting right. 

“Let me…,” you say, pushing him off and rolling him over. You stand between his legs which are bent off the bed, feet on the floor. You plant your right foot on the bed next to his hip, your knee bent almost to your shoulder.

Rising up on the toes of your left foot, you grab the base of his cock and sink down onto him with a groan.  He can’t really thrust here more than flex his glutes. He smiles as you take charge. 

You place your hands on his hip bones, hunching over him like a big cat getting ready to pounce.  Your hips start rolling forward, tilting along his length, then pushing down and back in a slow steady rhythm. Each stroke rubs him along your g-spot. 

Oh my god it feels so good to ride him like this, to work yourself back and forth on him, angling right where you want him to hit. 

His thumb slides to your clit, giving you something more to rub against, something more to moan about.  Your hips move a little faster, your orgasm building deep inside  He is watching you grind yourself on his cock and hand. 

“Fuck yeah, that’s it,” he spurs you on, "god you are so hot.” 

His other hand rises to rub his fingers across your nipples. 

“Ohmigod, yes, play with them,” you start to flood his dick as the sensations from your nipple shoot right to your pussy.  You are so close to unraveling on him. 

“Oh lord, you are so wet, you are dripping down my balls,” he moans.

He pinches your nipple and for a split second it’s too hard.

“Not too…”  you begin saying, then it unexpectedly pushes you that last tiny bit, “haaaaaa yes, fuck yes, fuck yes.” 

You are exploding onto him, the contractions of your core riding him hard. You curl up over him, shaking with how good he is in you, riding the wave of your orgasm. You shake down to a stop, catching your breath. 

“Oh gods, Kitten! Don’t stop, please don’t stop,” he begs. His fingers dig into your hips now, intent on pushing you back and forth on his cock. Fuck. You can’t leave him hanging.

“You like this,” you breath out, moving on him, “me mounting you this way, riding you? Yeah?” 

“Yes, I do,” he moans, eyes closed, head tilted back. You had forgotten how sexy his neck was.  You realize how dominating this position feels for you, you are in control, you have the power. 

“You like it when I claim you?” your words coming out of their own accord in lieu of the moans of pleasure you feel bubbling up. 

His head raises, lust shrouded eyes meeting yours. He nods, biting his lip. Fuck, if that’s what he wants… a slow smile sneaks across your face. You grind down on him.  Shit it’s good, almost too good.

His eyes flutter closed.

“No, no, look at me Austin,” you tell him, pulling his chin. His eyes open, lost in sensation.

“You are mine. Your mouth is mine, your fingers are mine, your cock is mine, your cum is mine. I want all of you.” You put your hands on his chest, pushing him down, nails heedlessly digging into his skin, snapping your hips back and forth over him, overstimulating yourself in the best way. 

“Oh fuck!” his pupils are blown, his heart is racing in his chest, he is close to spilling into you, “I’m yours baby, yours! All fucking youuuuur,” he groans out as his eyes roll back in his head. He is so hot when he cums, it sets you off again. 

“Oh god Austin, yes, yes YES! ” your clit grinding on to the tight muscles of his lower abdomen as your internal muscles clamp down onto him. He groans, pleasure surging through you and through him.  Your bodies are buzzing, vibrating together in shared bliss. 

After you catch your breath, you climb off him and sit, leaning against the headboard. You spy the picture of you in your black dress in a frame on the bedside table. It makes your heart melt. 

Austin curls up, head in your lap and his arms around your waist. You watch him breath for several minutes, his eyes closed and a relaxed smile touching his lips. He could be sleeping. Your fingers lightly connect  the freckles on his left cheek in a curve then down his neck and arm. 

“God I love you, Austin,” you whisper. 

His smile broadens, not asleep. He turns his head to look up at you, his baby blues shining.

“I have never loved anyone like I love you, Kitten,” he says softly, finger tracing your jawline. 

You stare at one another, lost in the quiet of the moment, lost in each other.  You slide down next to him after several heartbeats,  wanting to feel all of your body on all of his. 

“This feels so good, so right,” you remark, snuggling close against him. 

“Oh Kitten,” his palm is tapping his chest, “I didn't realize how much missing you weighed on me, how much it hurt.  I’ve been living like that so long, the weight of it became normal.” 

You nod, totally understanding what he means. 

“I haven’t felt this good in months,” he says, ”and it just dawned on me that I don't hurt anymore.” 

“Oh my love…” you move his hand and plant kisses on his heart, “never again.” 

You spend the next several hours in the ebb and flow of one anothers embrace. You doze, you talk, you kiss, you slowly make love, you shower, you eat naked in the kitchen, you talk, your passion flares in a fiery kiss, you fuck hard, you eat again. In the wee hours of the night, you are both finally spent and curled up together. Just before you fall asleep, you press his hand between your thighs, cupping your mons. His fingertips lightly press against your labia. It’s oddly comforting. You smile and drift into a deep relaxed sleep. 

………

You wake up the next day before he does. You sneak out and go buy groceries at the Sainsbury’s down the street.  When you come back in, the house is still silent. You peek in and he is still dead asleep. Apparently, waking up early in distress was an Elvis shoot thing. 

You had decided to make french toast when you were at the store. You even bought cream to whip, which you end up doing by hand because there was no mixer. 

“Awoken by the whisk, I guess it’s better than the whip,” his deep voice resonates from behind you. 

“Hey! Good Morning,” you turn around, whisk and bowl in hand. He is leaning against the door with only pajama bottoms on. He looks divine. 

“Hungry?” you ask, rising on your tiptoes to kiss him. 

“For you? Always.” his hands come to your waist and pulls you into a passionate good morning kiss. 

“I’m sorry if I woke you up,” you say when your lips part. 

“No, it was good,”  his hands remain around your waist as you turn back to the counter to set down the bowl. “I was waking up already. When I realized you weren’t in bed, I almost had a panic attack thinking it was all a dream. Then I heard your racket in here.” 

“My racket is almost done and is going to be delicious,” you smile, dipping your finger in the white creamy fluff and  offering it to him over your shoulder, he slowly licks it off your finger.  A little involuntary moan whispers from your lips.

“Mmm, that is good Kitten,” he says. 

“Is it?” you dip your finger in again. Turning around, you  wipe it on his chest, just over his nipple. 

You lean forward, tongue out, flicking his nipple lightly as you lick up the slowly dripping vanilla flavored sweet cream. Then you cover his nipple with your mouth, gently sucking and biting. 

When you pull away, he is watching you from lowered lashes. 

“Mmm, is that how it is this morning?” he asks. 

“With you? Always,” you nod, looking up at him, “take your pants off and go sit,” you nod your head towards the table. 

A look of bewilderment flashes on his face, then he nods, untying the drawstring. Pulling his pants off right there, you see he is half hard. 

“Go, I’ll be there in a minute,” you turn your back to him, un-doing the top several buttons on your blouse and kicking off your shoes.

“Yes ma’am,” he does as he is told, watching you. 

You cut up some french toast into bite sized pieces, syrup, butter and whipped cream on them. You grate a little nutmeg and cinnamon on top. You grab one fork and bring a generous cup of tea. You walk over and set them on the table.

“Thank you,” says Austin, reaching for the fork. 

You bat his hand away. “No, wait,” holding up a finger. 

His look of confusion is priceless.  

You pull his chair perpendicular to the table, so he is facing sideways.  Stepping back, you slowly unbutton your jeans and make a show of taking them  and your underwear off. You slide your hands into your blouse removing your bra in the mysterious way all women know and all men wonder about. You lean over him, giving him a generous view of your dangling breasts.  You see he has gotten harder with your little strip tease.

Perfect.

His hands go instinctively to your hips as you lean further to kiss him deeply, passionately. Your hands slide around his neck and your legs open to straddle his lap, trapping his now hard cock against his belly.   You pull away from his lips, kissing along his jawline and down his neck. His hand slides into your hair to the back of your head, pressing you to continue. His other is wrapped around the curve of your ass, pulling you closer to him. 

“Are you hungry Austin?”  you ask quietly, deviously. Your fingers slip the last button of your blouse  out of its hole, exposing your front to him.

“Um… yes,”  almost more question than statement. He is totally unsure of what is happening here, “but…and.. ” 

His words hang in the air as you grab the cup of tea and pass it to your non-dominant hand. You pick up the fork, stabbing a piece of french toast. You offer it to him, letting him take the bite off the fork as you sip the tea.  As he is chewing you rise up and sink your pussy over his cock. His eyes close for a second as he stops chewing to inhale through his nose. 

You nonchalantly take another sip. 

He swallows with a shaky breath.

You slide up and down slowly continuing to offer bites to him. His breath comes little moans as he keeps taking food off the fork.  

You put the tea down. 

Neither of you say anything, eating and fucking is all your brains can process at the moment. 

Words would ruin it. 

It’s unexpectedly erotic.  

Thinking would break the spell.  

He takes the fork from you, turning the tables. He offers, you chew.  He flexes and pushes into you. Your eyes go wide, then your tongue rolls the flavors in your mouth, then you swallow as he pulls back. 

Your breath comes out wobbly before he offers you a second bite. Again and again this slow fucking and feeding continues. 

By the time the plate is empty, syrup, butter and whipped cream has dripped unheeded onto your tits due to his having to use his non-dominant hand.   One drop is trailing dangerously close to your vulva.  Remembering that you don’t like sugar there, Austin places the mostly empty plate on the chair next to him as you finish off the tea. As one motion he grips your ass, fixing you to him, and stands up, laying you back on the table, stopping the runaway drips of liquid sugar in their tracks.  His cock pulls back as he slowly lowers his face to your vulva. He catches the drop and backtracks its pathway with a lapping tongue. 

The empty tea cup slips from your fingers unnoticed.  

He finds each drop of syrup, each plop of whipped cream and luxuriates in slowly licking each, nibbling his own path between each one. By the time he is done, your heaving chest tells him you want more. 

He pulls back, double checking his work. He looks curiously at your breasts, realizing that they had been unsullied by thick, sweet fluid. Then he swirls  his finger in the plate of cream and syrup, bringing up a creamy mix reminiscent of sweet cum.  The idea of it being cum makes you want to tip the whole plate onto your chest. 

You watch as he lets it drop onto a nipple, then offers it to your mouth. Greedily you suck on his finger, eyes closed. The taste makes you want to break your rules and coat yourself in it. When you open your eyes, he is watching you suck his finger, lips slightly pursed and blowing out a breath. You are guessing he’d like it all over his cock too.

He pulls his finger out and wraps his talented tongue around your nipple, holding your breast in his hand. He sucks it into his mouth, brushing the nipple with his tongue, holding it in a gentle bite with his teeth.  

You moan, your clit throbbing all of a sudden. He pops it out of his mouth and works his way to your neck. With hands kneading and rubbing your breasts, he sinks his teeth into the meat of your neck.  Goosebumps spring up along your arm and down your side. He pulls back, running a finger along the tiny pebbles, evidence of your arousal.

Then he is staring at your eyes, soft and full of desire at the same time.  He leans down slowly and gently rubs his lips to yours, side to side. Not hesitant, but sultry.  You coax him closer with your tongue darting out to touch his soft, full bottom lip. He slowly  gives in to your lingual seduction, diving to deepen the kiss. Lips open, mouths press,  tongues explore. 

It’s hard to tell who is tempting who. 

Before you know it, one hand is gripping the table edge next to your head, the other having trailed down your side, over your hip and under your ass. He lifts you just slightly, enough to give himself a straight route to your core. His mouth never leaves yours as he slowly presses into you.  

A long whining moan resonates in your sinuses as he buries himself deep in your wet and wanting pussy. He takes his time to pull out, focusing more on devouring your mouth with his. 

Then he thrusts in hard, using the table as leverage. 

You gasp through your nose, vocal cords vibrating on the exhale, whimpering against his tongue. 

Pulling out, his hand adjusts on your ass,  almost massaging the flesh of your glutes. Then another hard thrust and his fingertips dig in. 

God it feels so good, he is hitting you in all the right places inside.  

He continues his pattern of kissing you while pulling out, and digging in his fingers while thrusting hard.  

In this moment, he is beautifully masterful in his authority, his immense self control. His energy is all male, but not noxiously so. By taking his time, going slow,  every thrust is slowly luring you, pushing you, enticing you to orgasm.  Soon your hips are tilting up to meet his thrusts. His mouth leaves yours as he starts to moan in his own pleasure. He seems almost lost in place and time

He has you balancing on the head of a pin, for long minutes as he builds slowly.

Your breath is panting, despite the slow pace. Your hips are vibrating against him, wanting more, needing more. Just a little and you will fall apart. 

He leans back, his other hand sliding under your ass. He stops for a moment, watching you squirm under him, a little decadent smile on his face. Your eyes are begging him, your hands are opening and closing, shaking, fingertips rooting at your teeth,  not sure what to do with themselves. 

With both hands digging into the muscles of your butt, he unleashes on you. Giving you everything you wanted and more.  

Your hands fly to the edge of the table, holding on for dear life. The way his hands are digging, massaging  into your ass feels exquisite, adding that much more to your orgasm. His cock is giving no quarter as it pummels into you. 

The imagined weight of your eyes rolling back tilts your chin up, your throat vibrating with deep guttural groans. Sharp undulating waves roll up your spine, arching your back further and further up with each pass. Your whole body shakes with force of his hips. You ride the high as he rides you, deep and fast. 

His scream comes from his gut; loud, resonant, primal. His hands squeeze deeper, pulling you onto him as he thrusts become hard and jerky, eyes closed and teeth bared.  His breath holds as pushes deep with little thrusts, giving all of himself to you.  

“Oh gaw,” bursts from him as the vacuum is released from his lungs. He stumbles a little against the table, lightheaded.  

You pull him down to you, his torso laying on yours, his hands  still trapped under your ass. Your chests heaving together, heavy breaths blow across your breasts.  

Eventually he pulls his hands out from under you, standing upright. He helps you off the table, now messy with more than just syrup.  

“Wow, sturdy table” he says, pulling you into his arms. 

“Probably English Oak” you say without missing a beat.

You both giggle,  still euphoric. 

“Well, that’s one way to have breakfast,”  he says.

“Right! It was freakin’ sexy though, more so than I thought it would be,” you admit.

“Yeah, I would’ve never thought to do that… but it worked. I don’t think anyone but you could pull that off though, further evidence that you are a sex magician, wait no, Enchantress”  He smiles, remembering that night on the top floor of the Emporium.

“Fuck yeah!” you respond with a giggle, leaning in to gather a kiss from him. 

“I’m actually still hungry,” you say, “shall we clean up the table and just like… eat?” 

“Yes please! Can I have my own fork this time?” he asks with sly smile. 

......

After second breakfast, Austin cleans the kitchen up while you go and actually unpack your bags.   You are humming happily to yourself, hanging things up in the wardrobe, tucking things away. There is an antique vanity on the wall opposite the bed complete with a trifold mirror. 

You figure you might as well use it for what it’s for and put your hair brush, makeup and brushes there along with what was left of the little bottle of essential oil Austin sent you. You also decide to be cheeky and artfully arrange  your collections of vibrators and butt plugs there too, giving the blue sapphire one center stage. The whole thing makes you giggle out loud. 

“What’s so funny,” Austin comes in, drying his hands on a kitchen towel he has slung over his shoulder. He’s, again only in his pajama bottoms. 

“Tah Dah!” you say arms stretched out to your sex toy display.  

“Oh geeze Kitten,” he chuckles blushing a little, “what if someone comes over?” 

“Well, if they are invited to the bedroom, then they should know what they’ve agreed to,” you give him a sly smile.

He nods, deciding not to argue with your logic. “Well, in that case,” he walks over to a drawer in the dresser and pulls out his two hanks of black rope, the lube and his own set of butt plugs you bought for him.  He hangs the rope from the corner of the mirror and puts the lube and plugs in amongst the arrangement. “There, no holds barred now!” 

He grabs you in a huge hug, kissing your forehead. 

“What are we going to do today Brain” you say in your best Pinky voice. 

“The same thing we do every day Pinky,” he answers as Brain, without missing a beat, “try to take over the world!” He dramatically clenches his fist. 

You both giggle, sharing the weird childhood memory.  

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” you say, sexily, leaning up to press your lips to his. 

“I think so” his voice husky, his lips rubbing against yours, “but burlap chafes me so.”

You completely lose it, like in the absurd way that makes other people look at you like a loon. You are laughing so hard tears run down your face, you can’t breathe and you fall onto the bed. 

Your ridiculous laughter makes him laugh too. Soon your bellies are sore and you are in a heap together on the bed, catching your breath. 

His arms surround you. It’s the most comfortable you’ve felt in months. 

“I do want to play with you later today, if that’s ok,” he asks. 

“Yes please, anytime is a good time for playtime. What do you have in mind?” you ask, cuddling up to him. 

“I have some ideas taking shape, but I think you’ll have to just wait and see,” he says… kissing your nose. 

“Oooo, antici……” you leave the word hanging.

[cookieswithay]

A visit to Orihime's house. (🧡Contains Ichihime,some swearing, and slight suggestive themes🧡)

*Ichigo's pov* About a week ago, I went to Orihime's house for the first time. When I say the first time, I mean by myself.(A few months ago, I asked her out.) So we were trying out all sorts of dates. (They've all been successful😏) This time, I was heading to her house for tea. But, I planned on suprising her with a new cake I bought. (Since Orihime works at a bakery, she knows every cake flavor) I was busy fixing my jacket, when I heard a familiar annoying voice. "Ichigo! Your seriously going to Orihime's house!?" It was Kon. Ever since we started dating, Kon's started desperately trying to go with me. Everywhere. "It's a no." I said flatly. I didn't have time for that. "Godammit, Ichigo!" Kon yelled. "You never take me anywhere!" I scoffed. "What kind of idiot would walk around with a stuffed bear?" I said. (I'm 18 years old, for god's sake.) He huffed. "Why can't you just tell Orihime I'm a stuffed bear you bought her!" He shouted. That's when I started getting pissed. "That way, I can finally be squished in between her massive-" Before he could finish his sentence, I stomped on him. "Your not gonna do jack-shit." I said through clenched teeth. He was shouting other things, but I couldn't understand him. That's when I remembered something. I glanced down at my watch. It was 1:00. I was supposed to be at Orihime's place 12. I grabbed the cake and zipped down the stairs. .

*Orihime's pov*

I was so nervous at the time. I was pacing back and forth, wondering what could be taking Ichigo so long. Was it a hollow? His sisters? A kungfu rabbit? I couldn't pick one. I didn't know if he was in trouble or lost track of time. That is, until I heard the doorbell ring. I opened the door to Ichigo. A out of breath, sweating Ichigo. (I still hope he didn't see how red my face got) "Orihime," he said through breaths. "Yeah?" I said. My heartbeat was getting quicker by a minute. (I'm gonna be honest, seeing Ichigo like this. Opened my eyes to whole new world of attractiveness) "Suprise." He said holding a white box. I wasn't sure what it was, until a sweet scent hit my nose. "Is this the new apple crumble cake, I saw?!" I know that aroma anywhere. Ichigo smiled and nodded. Then muttered 'So much for a surprise' I laughed to myself and grabbed his hand. "Come on in, I bought a new candle!" I said pulling him inside. In a way, it was a good thing Ichigo was late. The sun ended up shining right in my window! (Perfect lighting!🤩)

*Ichigo's pov*

When I walked in, a blast of Caribbean peach hit my nose. (I was at the store with her when she bought it) Her livingroom looked alot different than I remembered. Sure, I was only there once, but it looked completely remodeled. "Nice place you got here." I said. 'Was that too casual?' I wondered. She gave me a cute smile. "Thank you, Tatsuki and Keigo decorated it for my birthday." She said, twirling a bit. I chuckled, and sat down. (Keigo?) Then Orihime grabbed my arm. "Oh, we're not sitting here." Huh? "We're going to my room!" She said smiling again. (Well, she's always smiling when I'm around😏) Embarrassingly, my face did turn red. "Y-your room?" I repeated. She nodded and offered her hand to me. I inhaled and grabbed her hand. Apparently, Tatsuki redesigned her room as well. My heart pounded when a picture of me and her on Orihime's night stand. While I was admiring the picture, Orihime was setting up. "Ichigo," She said. "Yes?" I said putting the picture back. "Here's your pillow!," she said passing me a mint green pillow. "I'll be back with the tea." Before I could reply, she said dashed out of the room.

*Orihime's pov*

I slowly closed the door. (Well after I saw Ichigo sit down) I took a breath, and squealed. I couldn't help it, Ichigo was actually in my room! I'm covered my mouth, but couldn't help but giggle. This was really happening. I skipped to the kitchen, feeling better than ever. When I grabbed the tea tray, I started to remember Tatsuki's boyfriend tips. Bring to the room, talk,... what else did she say? I couldn't remember at the time (or now😅) so I decided to shrug it off. Unfortunately, I couldn't skip back, since I didn't want be break anything. After somehow opening the door with my foot, I was ready. "Ichigo, I got the tea!" I said gleefully. My voice immediately cut off when I saw Ichigo. His face was stuffed into one of my teddy bears. I had to stifle the laugh in my throat. What was he doing that for? When he pulled his face out, he was breathing hard again. "It smells just like her." He muttered before putting his face back into its stomach. This was a bit much for my heart. (And my arms were starting to hurt) I cleared my throat. "Well it is my favorite to hug." I said, startling Ichigo.

*Ichigo's pov*

The moment I heard Orihime's voice, I tossed the bear aside. (She simply smiled at me.) Since I didn't have a believable excuse, I quickly changed the subject. "Lemme get that for you." I said standing up. "I got it." She insisted. As usual, I took it from her anyway. As I set the tray down on the table, my foot nearly slipped from under me. Luckily, I braced myself, but that didn't stop me from letting a few cuss words fly. Like anytime I swore, Orihime snickered. (I still don't why she thinks it's funny) After getting situated, Orihime poured the tea, and I was gonna cut the cake. That is until I saw the whole thing was crumbled. On instinct, I slapped my hand against my forehead. (I don't what I expected, I ran pretty fast) "Something wrong, Ichigo?" Orihime asked, pressing her shoulder against mine. I didn't say anything, just pointed at the cake. She looked at it and then back at me. My face reddened a bit. Why was she staring at me? "Ichigo," she said. I braced for impact. "Did you run all the way here?" Wait... how'd she know?

*Orihime's pov*

From his expression, I was right. ( They were leaves in his hair🤭) Ichigo's cheeks turned red and he looked away. Which made me feel bad. I didn't mean to poke fun, I was honestly asking a question! I hugged onto Ichigo's arm. "But, I'm sure it still tastes good." I said, hoping that'd cheer him up. He turned and smiled. "Only one way to find out."

After alot of cutting, we finally managed to get 3 pieces. (1 for Ichigo, 2 for me) Unfortunately, most of the apples fell of the cake, so Ichigo asked if I wanted one. It was whipped cream on the apples, so of course I said yes. He grabbed one, motioned to me to bring my plate over. But, I opened my mouth instead. (Something Tatsuki said I should do) "What are doing?" He asked, with a confused smile. I pointed at my mouth. He chuckled and placed the whipped cream covered apple in my mouth. When Ichigo pulled his hand away, I remembered something. Tatsuki told me to bite down on his fingers! "Shoot!" I accidentally said out loud.

*Ichigo's pov*

Uh, wait? Did she break her tooth, or something? (Believe me, it happens) "Are you okay?" I asked. I was gonna worried. Her cheeks turned red. "I'm fine!" She said. "I just bit my tongue." She said looking elsewhere. I kinda had the feeling she was lying, but didn't press the subject. As long as she's okay. I laughed in my throat. "Does it taste good?" She nodded. After eating in silence for awhile, Orihime crawled up on her bed. I was content with the pillow, until she patted the spot next to her. So I got and sat next to her. Unfortunately, I didn't know her blankets poofed up her bed, so I nearly felt into it. Orihime laughed and kissed me on the cheek. Which made me blush. "That's not funny." I said under my breath. "It was too, Ichigo!" She said. "You were all 'Holy crap!'" She said imitating the way I fell. Not gonna lie, it did look really funny, but I didn't want to let her know that. "Alright, alright, stop it." I said starting to laugh. Which immediately cut off when I saw Orihime stuck her tongue out at me. That's it. Time for revenge.

*Orihime's pov*

I was busy having a laugh, when I felt Ichigo's hands on my waist. "Ichigo-" my voice cut off. He started tickling me! I burst into laughter. This wasn't fair. I tried to get away, but he laid me down. (Still tickling me🤭) "Hold still, geez." Ichigo said with a big smile. I was having fun, until Ichigo brought his hands up further. Which did tickle. But in a completely different way. I had to stop him. I intended to move my hands, but moved my leg. Right into Ichigo's *ehem* (😶) We froze. He inhaled sharply, and spoke. "All you had to do was say stop." He said in a weak voice. "I'm sorry!" I said. What kinda girlfriend knees her boyfriend in the treasures? He simply shrugged it off. (Although his eyes looked wet) A laugh started to build in my throat, but I stifled it. But the more I thought about it, the funnier it got. Ichigo must've noticed me wavering, because he stared into my eyes. "Don't laugh, I'm in pain." That got me. I burst into laughter again. I couldn't help it. Apparently, Ichigo couldn't either, because he started to laugh with me. After a few more minutes of laughing, we stopped for air. It immediately got hard to breathe, Ichigo's chest was pressed against mine! Unfortunately, this led to me thinking about the other stuff pressed against me. "Orihime." He said, pulling me from my thoughts.

*Ichigo's pov*

My heart was beating like crazy. I stared into her beautiful brown eyes. Before I could stop myself, I kissed her. (We've only kissed a few times) When I pulled away, Orihime's face was red. Once again, my body moved on its own. It's not like I didn't want to kiss her, I just wondered why I felt like I had to. I pulled to breathe and then continued. In the middle of it, I felt Orihime's arms wrapped around my back. I felt a shiver up my spine. That's when I finally realized what might be happening. I raised up. "Orihime." I said, through breaths. "Can... I continue?" I asked, starting to tug on my sweater. She blushed and nodded. I smiled and laid her back down. Right before I got started, Orihime's phone rang. Let's just say, it scared the hell out of the both of us. I got up so she could get her phone. Turns out, it was Tatsuki. Figures. After Orihime rushed Tatsuki, there was a awkward silence in the room. "Um," She thought for a second. "So, Tatsuki and Keigo will be here in a bit, so..." Her voice trailed off. "Mm." I simply nodded.

I wanted to ask her she wanted if wanted to "finish up", but my throat felt closed.

*Orihime's pov*

I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find the right words. So I simply used body language. I walked over to the bed and hugged him. I stroked his hair. His arms curled around my back. "Maybe next time?" I offered. Sure, the mood was perfect right now but they'll be other chances. ...Right? He chuckled. "It's a date, then." I sighed of relief. I was so glad he wasn't mad. That's when something struck me. "Ichigo," I said. "Do you think Tatsuki and Keigo are dating?" Ichigo's eyes widened. He probably didn't think of it before🤭

The end🧡

*Extra*

The moment they walked in, I was onto Keigo. I simply slung my arm over his shoulder and smiled. "So, Keigo, how've you been?" I was trying to fake the friendliness, but apparently the real was showing. "Uh, I've been fine." He answers, looking for way to escape. "Muziro isn't still stealing your girls, is he?" I said, starting to hint. "Nope, not at all." Now I knew he was lying. Only a few girls are immune to Muziro. I was about a ask another question, when Tatsuki cut me off. "Let him go Ichigo." She said in a stern tone. I immediately pulled my arm away. (Tatsuki was still scary as ever) Keigo sighed. "Whew, thanks, babe." The whole room stopped. Tatsuki blushed, Keigo slapped his hand over his mouth, and me and Orihime were in shock. I inhaled and started cracking up. "Shut up, Ichigo!" Tatsuki said, blushing. Orihime simply stared at Keigo. (Who buried his face in a pillow) I'm on the other hand, couldn't laughing. "Of all the guys, you chose Keigo!?" I said through laughs. She frowned and clenched her fist. Before I knew it, I was whacked in the face with a pillow. Looming over me was Tatsuki. "Don't you ever talk about him like that!" She said while tapping her elbow. Holy shit.

[0l0x]

Renovation Review 9/2022

My credit card is finally paid off. Oh thank god.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has commissioned me, bought merch, or donated during this hectic time! My car still needs further repairs but the situation isn’t as urgent right now. It’s limping along with shitty brakes, but it at least runs.

If you’d still like to help, here’s some links to do so:

>Donate via Paypal to: greysflood@gmail.com

>Merch

>Books

>Commission Info

We now have all the tools we need to maintain the yard and finish cleaning up the really overgrown parts. We’ve done a little work on the house itself, but we ran out of time and money (plus we couldn’t find somewhere for mom to stay while we do construction) so that will be next year’s project.

Autumn is fast approaching, but I feel so good about all that we accomplished since we moved here back in March. I got SO MUCH MORE done than I expected, and I couldn’t have done it without your help. Sincerely, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s what was done since March:

Spent 2 months aggressively researching RVs and browsing local inventories.

Put a down payment on an RV to live in until the house is in a livable state.

Cleaned out most of the hoard in the house.

Cleaned out almost the entire hoard in the yard.

Had several box trucks full of junk hauled away, including over FIFTEEN lawnmowers(!!!)

Cleared and burned several dumpsters worth of yard waste that had overtaken the yard and exterior.

Cut down 3 dead, leaning trees that were looming over the RV.

Remodeled an old cabin on the property to make it livable, installed electricity.

Upgraded electrical box in the house to accommodate RV.

Installed a walking path between the house and cabin (not a vanity project--original path was muddy and dangerous)

Got car fixed so it at least drives again.

Cut down a 15ft tall invasive knotweed forest, dug up hundreds of massive rhizomes, raked up and burned several years’ worth of dead canes, terraformed the land to be flat and planted grass over it, transforming the forest into a lawn within just a few months. (This was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. holy shit it was BAD, and it’s still not 100% done with cleanup yet...but the invasion is under control now at least.)

Split at least a hundred giant log rounds that were laying all over the property. Cleaned up several big fallen trees that had been laying in the yard for years. (This was also insanely difficult, almost as bad as the knotweed)

Pruned several living trees that had grown out of control. (Mostly hollies, which are a thorny, bee-infested pain in the ass to work with)

Removed and burned a MASSIVE wisteria bush that had choked out and killed a few full-grown trees and wrapped itself around a power pole. Seriously, this thing was a forest in itself. It took 5 people armed with 4 chainsaws and a manlift an entire day to cut down.

Acquired $2000 worth of tools.

Tore the crappy siding off the greenhouse and replaced it to convert it into a shed where we can store the tools.

Removed a bunch of unnecessary and dangerous rusty barbed wire fencing.

Rehomed mom’s dangerous, out-of-control pitbull. (It tore mom’s leg open and sent her to the hospital, bit me three times and bit my boyfriend twice before she got the hint and let it go, but she finally did, thank christ...)

Reclaimed about a half-acre of property from invasive blackberry bushes.

Used bucket traps to get a mouse infestation under control. (Very successful btw, highly recommend this type of trap)

Cleaned up a pile of black garbage bags FILLED with beer cans and HUMAN FECES (I’m not fucking kidding) that my mom’s alcoholic tenant left there. They had a toilet. Why didn’t he use it? Not a fucking clue, my dudes. The only job worse than the knotweed genocide was raking and shoveling all this human shit into new bags. There was years’ worth of an alcoholic’s poop. I had to spread sawdust to soak up the rest of the crap, bag up a few inches of soil as well, then put down new soil and plant grass on it. The good news is: It’s all done, there’s no smell left behind, and the grass came in beautifully. The bad news is: It mentally scarred me for life.

Converted a big ugly stump into a cute flower garden.

Learned a LOT about plants, animals, tools, homesteading, carpentry, and so much more. Became a smarter and way more capable person.

A bunch of other random minutia.

This has been a back-breaking and emotionally difficult experience, to say the least. This property was my childhood home, and seeing it in such a horrid state broke my heart. But I feel like we’re slowly but surely getting it back into order. I’m kind of disappointed that we didn’t get the house fixed as much as I wanted, but we did clean up most of the hoard inside, which improved my mom’s quality of life immensely. She STILL thanks me almost every day, I know it made a huge difference in her daily life. We still plan on making some emergency repairs to the back part of the house before late autumn, just because the floor is sinking and it’s an actual safety hazard.

Here’s what I’d like to get done before the wet/cold season hits:

Install PEX piping to the RV to reduce freezing and other issues.

Install skirting around the RV for insulation.

Jack up the back of the house and install cinderblocks under the floor to keep it stable, at least temporarily. We will eventually tear that whole part of the house off, but there’s other work that needs to be done before we can start demolition. We can’t demo until next summer anyway.

Finish the pathway between the cabin and house. This isn’t super urgent, but it’s going to get muddy and slippery again if we don’t install gravel before the rains come.

Buy a leaf blower. (I know, I know, everyone hates these, but the one I want is electric. No gas fumes and it’s pretty quiet.)

Build or buy an actual shed to store the tools in. The greenhouse is a plastic piece of shit that will fall apart under a few inches of snow. We took some temporary measures to reinforce it against autumn weather, but I’m doubtful about winter.

Get the brakes on my car fixed.

I think that’s it. The rest is long-term future stuff, like tearing down and rebuilding the garage, rebuilding the cabin (it’s livable for now but the foundation is failing), clearing more blackberries, demolishing the back of the house and remodeling the front, and so on. We’ll get there eventually.

Again, I can’t thank you guys enough. Things are going to slow down as the weather gets wetter and colder, but I’ll continue to keep you up to date as much as I can.

9/4/2022

[thequietmanno1]

Thelreads, MHA 262, Replies Part 1

1) “Anyway, my hero academia, right? right. Miruko died last time? Not yet? Alright, okay, so I`m back to where we left. Let`s see if this is the chapter where the reign of terror of the Bunny shall finally meet it`s end.”- If anything, this chapter demonstrates very firmly that Mirko will only meet her end by going the way of the black knight – and even then, only after she’s bitten off all her opponent’s vital pieces with what remains of her head.

2) “Oh hey look, it`s Fat Nomu, right? Apparently facing my old daily struggle of commuting to work by bus. I think this Nomu already died and its on hell.“- If we’re being technical, all Nomu are technically revived bodies, remodelled and warped beyond the limits of humanity to suit their increased powers, being brought to the brink of death and then rebuilt from that into a stronger form, to the point that it’s purely academic which of them were still alive when Garaki started cutting into them and which were deceased bodies frankensteined into life once more, like Shirakumo. At the very least, it seems like the High-End Nomus were living ‘volunteers’ for the experiments, hence why they keep their higher brain functions, but with their current state of being, it’s not a hard stretch to say they’re revenants of their former selves in enhanced cadavers. 3) “It`s too late already Crush, she`s already massacring the Nomus, we weren`t able to stop her- God help us, we weren`t able to stop her…”- One down, three to go. She’s not trapped in there with them, they’re trapped in there with her. 4) “Now tell me Crush, how do you expect them to go help the bunny if you`re keeping the dummy thicc Nomu stuck in there? It will take too long for them to go find another route.”- Given how they’re cutting into the floors and ceiling for purchase, I guess he’s trying to ‘grow’ the shields big and long enough to overpower the Fat Nomu’s mass and push him back into the lab with his expansion properties. Shame that Fat Nomu’s got enough junk in the trunk to make that a strenuous task even with the force his shields can produce. 5) “Goddammit Horikoshi, was there a need to pad this chapter or something? Just crush the Crush and get back to Mirko already, we want to see her gruesome ending.

Was there a break between chapters long enough that people would forget what a Nomu is and the different categories or something?”- I think the last active Nomu we saw in-series was Hood during his fight with Endeavour, about 70-ish chapters ago, so it has actually been a long time since the Nomu and the various categories of difficulty came into play. Plus, despite him being ridiculously powerful with multiple quirks and intelligence, we didn’t get much of an inside perspective of what precisely made the High-Ends so different and unique from the rest of the chaff, so Garaki’s getting his exposition in before Mirko’s finished tearing apart the rest of the High-Ends and rendering his lecturing useless. 6) “Do they exhibit their personality? Now that one I`m not entirely sure, since Kurogiri isn`t strutting around with his ass out like the original body. I thought it was more like they programmed those personalities on them- okay maybe we didn`t knew everything that there was to know about them.”- They exhibit variations of their original personality traits- mainly the basic ones, the parts of themselves that most readily came to the forefront when interacting with others. Hood was a brawler, and the one concept his fractured mental state held onto was finding strong opponents to fight with and ‘prove’ himself until his brain couldn’t take the strain of it. Shirakumo’s caring nature for others became Kurogiri’s main personality trait, even if it was warped by inbuilt loyalty to All For One’s orders. It seemed like Kurogiri was caring for Tomura because he was ordered to, but in actuality, it was because Shirakumo was somebody who cared for others and paid attention to their needs that he was put into double-duty as Tomura’s nanny and escape pod. In fact, despite the remodelling done, Shirakumo was able to fight off the brainwashing a little to give the heroes to ‘hospital’ clue, showing that the base personality does still exist underneath all the conditioning that Garaki implants into them. It’s precisely because of that they he had to select violent, bloodthirsty villains in a similar category to Muscular to make the High-Ends, so that even if the conditioning wasn’t perfect on them, their base mentality would still be that of a fight-happy monster anyway. 7) “Huh, I see… I was about to say how lucky they were that all the High-ends were bloodthirsty lunatics, but yeah it would make sense for them to pick this exact personality type. I bet they handpicked them from Naruhuta, where Koichi lives. That place is a den of psychos.”- It also means we don’t need to feel too bad about the heroes violently killing these Nomu, even if they’re fully sentient. Hood somewhat got a pass because he lost his mentality just before Endeavour put him down, but killing thinking, speaking beings is still a step removed from being a truly heroic act, even if it’s necessary. Garaki’s little rant here is more or less Horikoshi telling us not to feel too conflicted over Mirko stomping them into paste whilst they beg for mercy, because they’re already hardened killers with several sins underneath their belts. 8) “But again, I`m more terrified by the fact that, as we already knew, the Doc found a way to clone and transplant quirks even without AfO around. I still am horrified since we first got to know about this, I can`t wrap my head around what sort of nightmarish things he has been doing to get the same results.”- I’m very interested in how he’s been able to procure the samples necessary to duplicate quirks in the first place, since it’s pretty clear Muscular never had any direct interactions with him, due to the extreme need for secrecy regarding his true identity, yet somehow Garaki was able to duplicate and implant his muscle fiber quirk into Hood. If he can do it from something as simple as a blood sample, then we really need to be fearful of the potential dangers of his stockpile of quirks, and how many of them he’s already implanted into Shigaraki whilst he was in stasis. 9) “OH MY FUCKING GOD HORIKOSHI- THAT ONE WAS DARK. REALLY DARK. I LAUGHED BUT I FEEL HORRIBLE AFTER DOING SO”- Again, just Horikoshi letting the readers know we don’t need to feel too bad over Mirko pancaking both Mocha and johnny, since they were basically dead already and she was just putting them out of their existential misery. 10) “And so, the moment is upon us. The Symbol of Death is about to wake from its slumber…

He is coming.

God help us all”- God’s not here, but the devil’s always listening… 11) “Oh jesus that`s such a deranged and maniacal look on her face, I loved it.”-

The Readers and the watching High-Ends: ‘…I am both scared and aroused at the same time…’

12) “I love how even the Nomus are creeped out by Mirko, specially “Woman”. That Nomu is like “bro, what the fuck is up with that?””- They thought they were the boss fight. Now they’re realising they’re just the NPC mooks that get crushed to show off the boss’ strength. 13) “Oh- here she goes again! Time for more violence to take place!”- Extreme violence, both given and taken by the bunny of doom. 14) “holy shit girl- but yeah it is what I would`ve expected from her by now. Those legs are like some nuclear spring-pistons, the destruction she can cause just by jumping is almost at All Might-levels.”- People are always comparing her to Bakugou because of her attitude and saying she’d be a great hero for him to intern under for a bit, but I honestly think Deku would benefit a lot with his mobility-based kick style from some lessons with her…assuming her can survive the experience. 15) “Sorry guys, the bunny has more important blood to spill right now, but she promises to be back to murderize all of you as soon as she`s doing turning the Doc into a splatter on the wall.”- Sadly for them, the High-Ends didn’t want to wait their turn, so they forced Mirko to prioritise smashing them first before turning her bloodthirstiness into the doctor. @thelreads​

[kiwibirbs-library]

Welcome in!

Find a seat and a good book.

Get comfy.

Prepare to smile and probably cry a bit.

It’s ok, I’ll get you a drink and some food.

Hi love, you can call me K.

I’m honestly like everyone else on this app.

A writing insomniac that’s in love with fiction more than reality.

But you know what I do have a little spice with me.

I do have a specific addiction to Hitoshi Shinsou so…

Ok anyways imma just uhh… here’s some things about me.

My favorite color is green.

I’m a Midoriya and a Pidge Gunderson kinnie

I love to painting and writing

I’m absolutely in love with Dr. Spencer Reid

chat Noir is so freaking hot god

Keith Kogane could hit anytime I don’t care

TEAM NETEYAM FOR-FUCKING-EVER BIOTCH

Ok anyway thanks for reading that.

Now with my writing I like head canon story types and full stories.

I do do series though, I have fun with them sometimes lol.

I mainly do My Hero Academia too but I have a lot more in my drafts that I’m too nervous to post.

Study Room

Reference Book

Writer’s Corner

Okie that’s all thanks for reading my little Kiwis!

I hope you enjoy my blog and take it as a little haven for your needs.

I leave you with this->

———— ————

[earliebirb]

nosedive

steve/tony, fluff, (newly) established relationship, 3250 words

Tony stares absentmindedly out the airplane window as he puts his phone up to his ear, watching people run back and forth, performing last-minute engine checks. Some of the guys look sweaty and out of breath.

From the comfort of the air-conditioned Stark Industries private jet, he feels a slight twinge of sympathy for the people having to suffer in the humid summer heat.

He loosens his tie and sinks deeply into his seat, closing his eyes with a massive yawn as he listens to the ringing tone. He hadn’t been able to sleep very well throughout his five-day stay in Tokyo, too anxious about the contract to rest properly. 

The ringing tone goes on for a few more seconds before ending with a click, replaced by an achingly familiar voice greeting him in his ear. 

“Hello?” 

Tony’s eyes spring open. Outside, an aircraft marshaller walks by, speaking rapidly into his walkie-talkie.

“I had a blueberry muffin for lunch today. One single blueberry muffin.”

“...What?”

“It didn’t even taste that good. I couldn’t finish it. Too dry.”

“Tony, that’s not good. Is that all you had for lunch? You should really eat—”

“The meeting went well, by the way. Mr. Watanabe finally signed the contract, everything went as planned. My ride to the airport, however…”

“I told you things would go smoothly, you had nothing to worry about. You’re a brilliant negotiator—”

“The traffic? Fuck. I had to keep shifting in my seat to avoid pins and needles.”

“That sounds awful, are your legs okay—”

“Did you know that Tokyo is number nineteen on the list of cities with the worst traffic congestion in the world? I know that, because I looked it up on the way to the airport. But boy, did it feel like it deserved the number one spot. I think I lost feeling in my ass.”

“I did not know that. And, uh, is your ass okay—”

“Thank God for my private jet. These plush seats are the best things I’ve ever spent my money on.”

“That’s objectively not true, and you know it—”

“Then again, I think these seats in particular were Pepper’s choice? We remodeled the airplane’s interior like… two years ago. I couldn’t be bothered to meet with the airplane seat people and I just told her to pick whichever looked best. I had much more important things to tend to, like sewing up the holes in JARVIS’s Christmas stocking.”

“I am concerned about how you sort your list of priorities—”

“Hm, that’s right. I think it was around two, three weeks before Christmas and I didn’t want JARVIS to be upset about the whole stocking thing, you know?”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t have—”

“Also, you’re right, the single blueberry muffin was a bad idea because now my stomach won’t shut up. So I’ve ordered some pasta for my in-flight meal. Robbie’s making it, you’ve met Robbie—”

“I’ve met Robbie, yes, he’s—”

“Larry’s replacement after he resigned. Gotta say, I was sad to see Larry go. Guy worked for me for seven years. But then there was that thing with his grandma, and he had to leave, so… But! Robbie makes a mean carbonara, maybe even better than Larry, don’t tell Larry I said that—”

“I don’t even know Larry like that, how would I—”

“Mr. Stark, we’re ready to go.” The pilot—Paul—emerges from the cockpit, staring at him in anticipation.

Tony nods and makes a few rapid gestures with his free hand that he supposes Paul is only able to interpret perfectly after years and years of working for Tony. The gestures roughly translate to something like “Copy, I hear you, just let me wrap this up and then I’ll let you know when I’m done. Capiche?”

Paul—bless him—just gives him a curt nod and retreats back into the cockpit. 

“Anyway,” Tony takes a deep breath and puffs his cheeks out with the exertion of his exhale, “I called because… I got a feeling, Steve.”

“A… feeling?”

“Just— A gut feeling. A feeling in your gut. Inside of me. Like a hunch?”

“Okay,” Steve says patiently, his voice low and warm, “what are you feeling?”

“I… got a bad feeling. Today. A few hours ago. The feeling came to me when I was sitting in traffic, and I just— I feel like something bad’s gonna happen today, Steve. I can feel it in the air. In my heart. In my gut. In my joints.”

“Your joints? Like… the feeling old people get when it’s about to rain?”

“Okay, maybe not in my joints. Also, are you calling me old, grandpa?”

“I did not, you told me you felt something in your—”

“Anyway, so yeah. Where was I? Oh, right. Feeling. Bad feeling. Like, like, I don’t know, something bad’s gonna happen. Like an accident. Like a plane crash.”

“God, please don’t say that. You’re scaring me, Tony.”

“And I guess, I just called because I… I feel like I need to do this before the plane crashes and I die a violent and fiery death.”

“Nothing bad’s going to happen, Tony—”

“Like, if I didn’t do this today, maybe I’d never get to do it, you know? And, uh, okay, I’ve honestly been ranting to stall for time, but the longer I keep it in the more nauseous I feel, so maybe I’m just gonna do it now so I can die in peace—”

“Do what? And stop saying that—”

“Look, I’m trying to be brave and honest here and— Wait, actually? Maybe I’m being a coward because if the plane actually does go down, I won’t have to face the consequences of my actions, so I guess I’m just going to say fuck it, and say that I love you.”

“The plane is not going to— Wait, what?”

“I, uh. Love you. I’ve known it for a while now. And, uh, I know we’ve only been dating for like, a week, but—” Tony blinks. They’ve only been dating for a week. 

“...Fuck.” Tony can feel his own pulse starting to race. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.”

“Tony?”

They’ve only been dating for a week. What is he doing? What the hell is wrong with him? Normal people don’t do this. 

“Fuck. Shit, I mean— Uh, I’m sorry. That was super weird, huh?” Tony laughs nervously. He closes his eyes, gritting his teeth and cursing his stupid brain. Of course it’s weird. He always gets too attached to people way too quickly. No wonder Pepper was his only long term relationship. She was the only person who could put up with him—everyone else just got weirded out. “Uh, see you tomorrow? Or not. Fuck, sorry, I’m just gonna hang up before this gets—”

“Tony, wait.”

“...Yeah?” Tony says, hyper-aware of how breathless he sounds. His heartbeat is ringing in his ears. Everything is going to be fine. Right? Right. The worst thing Steve could do is… break up with him.

Oh, God, that is the worst case scenario. He really should’ve just kept his stupid mouth shut. 

“Tony, are you freaking out? I feel like I can hear you freaking out from all the way over here.”

“No, I’m not, of course I’m not. Who says I’m freaking out? You have no proof. I am calm, I’m calm as a clam, is that the saying? Did I get it right? Or was it happy— Anyway, I am absolutely calm, I’m the calmest I could possibly be. Any calmer and I’d be asleep. I’m—”

“Tony. Breathe.”

Tony forces himself to drag in a slow breath as he grips the arm of his seat with his free hand, focusing on the soothing hum of the airplane’s engine.

“Look, Tony, I—”

“No, listen. I’m sorry I jumped the gun, I hope I haven’t weirded you out or anything. You really, really don’t have to say it back to me. I mean it.”

“Tony—”

“No, in fact— Please don’t say anything. It’s fine. Let’s just pretend this never happened, okay?”

“But—”

“Drop it, Steve. Please?” Tony pleads. Clearly, his brain hadn’t been firing on all cylinders. That is the only reason that could explain his temporary lapse of judgment. “Look, I feel like talking about it more right now is going to send me spiraling into a panic attack.”

“...Okay. Fine.”

“Thank you. Uh, I’ll see you when I get home. If I get home. If the plane doesn’t crash. Haha.”

“Would you please stop saying that? It’s not funny.”

Tony latches onto the change in topic like a lifeline. “It is objectively true, you know. In order for me to be able to see you tomorrow, the plane has to land safely, and unfortunately, some things are just beyond my control. Like, who’s to say the plane won’t explode mid-air and—”

“The plane is going to land safely and you’re going to come back home to me in one piece. This is non-negotiable, Tony. You hear me?” Steve demands, his voice all hard authority and no-nonsense, like there will be Consequences should Tony fail to comply. 

As if he could ensure Tony’s safety with the force of his willpower alone. 

Come back home to me. 

That sounds good. Really good. Tony closes his eyes and pictures Steve’s baby blues in his mind’s eye. Warmth flowers in his chest.

“I hear you.”

“Great.”

“Awesome. I, uh, I gotta go now.”

“Okay. See you tomorrow.”

��See you.”

Tony hangs up and lets Paul know that he is done with his phone call. The jittery feeling left over from his call with Steve refuses to leave him, however, so he pulls up the drawing application on his phone and begins sketching something just to give his brain something else to fixate on.

He tends to lose track of time when he is hyperfocused on a project, so he isn’t exactly surprised that the next time he becomes aware of his surroundings, the plane is already well up in the air, his sketch of what looks like a flying coffee pot is almost finished, and Robbie is placing a plate of spaghetti carbonara on the table in front of him. 

“Spaghetti carbonara. With extra cheese.”

Tony’s mouth waters as he eyes the mountain of grated Pecorino Romano sitting atop the pasta. He sighs dreamily and smiles up at Robbie.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“Enjoy, Boss.” Robbie grins and slips back into the kitchen.

He only realizes just how truly famished he is after taking his first bite, and proceeds to finish the rest of his meal with gusto. Afterward, he spends the majority of the remaining flight time sleeping, the result of post-carbonara food coma and his sleep-deprivation finally catching up to him. 

It’s well past two in the morning when Tony finally makes it to his floor in the Tower, which is why he is surprised to see Steve sitting on his couch, one of Tony’s fantasy novels open in hand. 

“Steve, what are you doing here?”

Steve’s head snaps up at the sound of his voice. Tony frowns. “Actually, why are you awake at all?” He is usually an early sleeper, unless—

“Nightmare?” Tony gives him a sympathetic smile. It wouldn’t be the first time. In the early days of their friendship, Tony and Steve would sit together in the living room whenever they had trouble sleeping, talking to each other until the sun came up.

Steve shakes his head, closing the book with his eyes still trained on Tony. “No, I was just… waiting for you.” Tony blinks. 

“It’s…” Tony glances at his watch. “Half past two. In the morning.”

“I know, I just…” Steve stands up, shoving his hands into the pockets of his sweatpants. He ambles over before coming to a stop right in front of Tony. “I wanted to see you.”

Tony stares at him uncomprehendingly. “You’ll see me later anyway.”

“I couldn’t wait any longer. I didn’t want to go to sleep without seeing you first,” Steve says, low and earnest. His gaze wanders around Tony’s face, as if he were cataloguing each and every facial feature and trying to locate any changes he might’ve missed during his absence.

“Oh.”

Steve steps closer, arms snaking around Tony’s waist and pulling him close. His next words are whispered against Tony’s shoulder.

“I knew you’d make it home safely.”

“Uh, yeah.”

“You were wrong.”

“I was… wrong.” Tony swallows. “Uh, turns out the bad feeling completely disappeared after I woke up from my nap on the plane, so I suspect that perhaps the bad feeling I got was due to my severe hunger and sleep deprivation. I mean, I’ve heard about hallucinations caused by hunger or exhaustion, but this was—” 

Steve presses a soft kiss to the column of Tony’s neck, effectively cutting off Tony’s ramblings.

“Tony,” Steve whispers against his skin.

“Yeah?” Tony squeaks.

“Please don’t call me before a flight and say that you think the plane is going to crash, ever again.”

“Right. Noted. I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” Steve says, pulling away slightly and loosening his hold around Tony.

Tony allows himself to relax, letting out a quiet sigh. This thing with Steve is so new and delicate that every single physical contact still sends his heart fluttering, butterflies going crazy in his stomach.

Which makes, in retrospect, his abrupt love confession—as truthful as it was—that much more insane. God, Stark. Never do that again.

Except, it turns out that Steve only pulled away to slide his hands down the back of Tony’s thighs, wrapping his hands around them, and then lifting him up without warning.

Tony yelps, and in his alarm, promptly locks his ankles around Steve’s waist. When Steve begins moving, Tony quickly wraps his arms around Steve, resting his chin on Steve’s shoulder.

“Uh, Steve?”

“Hm?” Steve says, calm and nonchalant, as he begins walking away from the elevator. 

“Um— Wait— My suitcase—”

“Leave it. It’ll still be there in the morning.”

Tony blinks, staring dumbfoundedly at his lonely suitcase, abandoned by the elevator. It becomes smaller and smaller with every step Steve takes. 

“Where are we going?”

“Your bedroom.”

“Why are you carrying me there?”

“Because I want to.”

“You know it’ll be faster if you just let me walk, right?”

“Maybe. But you won’t be in my arms.”

“Um.”

“Bear with me, will you? I missed you.”

“I, uh, missed you too.”

Steve hums, satisfied. Tony lets himself settle more comfortably in Steve’s arms.

When Steve has successfully carried him to his bedroom, Tony fully expects Steve to deposit him on the bed. 

That is not, in fact, what happens. 

Instead, Steve turns around and begins walking backwards towards the bed before sitting down on it. Tony, still seated on his lap, swallows and pulls back slightly to look at Steve. 

“Look, Steve, as much as I’ve missed you, I’m kind of tired right now. I mean, don’t get me wrong. This whole carrying thing? Great. Very romantic. Ten out of ten. But I’m just not in the mood for sex, you know? Like, I’m not even sure I would be able to get it up if—”

“We’re not going to have sex.”

Tony blinks.

“We’re not?”

“We’re not. I’m just here to tuck you in.”

“Oh.”

Steve reaches up and begins undoing his tie. After setting it aside on the bed, he begins to unbutton Tony’s shirt. He takes his time, one button at a time.

“So…” Steve begins with a deep breath as he unbuttons the final button. “Did you mean, uh, what you said to me? On the phone?”

Tony closes his eyes, feels his own cheeks heating up. “Steve—”

“I’m sorry, Tony, I know you told me to drop it. But— I feel like if you did mean what you said, I owe it to you to… set the records straight.” When Tony opens his eyes again, Steve is looking up at him, blue eyes solemn.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean… We have only been together for a week. Well, eight days. In fact, we’ve only been on one date. And it was interrupted. By giant lizards.” Steve chuckles incredulously. 

Tony remembers that day very well. They were in the middle of dessert at Tony’s favorite Italian place when they received the call to assemble—something about giant lizards wreaking havoc in Central Park.

The lizards had green, gunky blood that got into the nooks and crannies of the suit. It had taken forever to clean.

“But Tony…” Steve gathers the material of Tony’s unbuttoned shirt in both of his fists, pulling him closer until their noses are only inches apart.

The second their eyes meet, Steve smiles the sweet, lopsided smile that never fails to make Tony’s stomach flip.

“I need you to know that… I didn’t have to date you to know that I loved you. I figured that a long time ago.”

Tony stills, breath frozen in his lungs.

“I guess, what I’m saying is… I love you too. I’ve loved you for a very long time, Tony. Even way before—” Steve breaks eye contact, looks down as he clears his throat. When he speaks again, his voice is tight. “Way before we got together. I’m talking… years before.”

Tony still finds it hard to breathe. “Oh.”

“Yeah,” Steve says, the word more breath than sound. He meets Tony’s dazed gaze. “So you don’t have to worry about… jumping the gun. Not with me. I’m in it for the long haul.”

“...Okay.”

“Okay.”

“Good.” Tony feels a lightness growing inside of him, spreading outwards to his extremities.

“Good.” Steve smiles, warm and impossibly fond.

“...Glad we’re on the same page.” Tony’s gaze drops down to Steve’s lips.

“We are.” Steve inches closer, nose brushing Tony’s. He then tilts his head ever so slightly and takes Tony’s lower lip between his, kissing him so tenderly Tony’s heart feels like it’s about to burst with it.

Steve’s warm hands slide up Tony’s naked back under his open shirt, sending goosebumps breaking across his skin. Tony buries his hands in Steve’s hair and relishes the feeling of the soft strands caught between his fingers. They stay caught up in each other for a few moments, capturing and releasing each other’s lips until the need for breath becomes too unbearable.

They break apart eventually, accompanied by soft chuckles. Steve smiles up at him, lips slick and cherry red, courtesy of Tony. He reaches up to caress Tony’s right eyebrow with the pad of his thumb, fleeting and affectionate.

“Get some rest, okay? You must be really tired. I should probably go to bed, too.”

Tony looks down at his lap, clearing his throat. “Uh, I know that we haven’t done this before, but…”

Steve waits patiently for Tony to gather his thoughts, hands stroking up and down Tony’s sides.

“Do you want to stay with me tonight?” Tony finds the courage to meet Steve’s eyes, holding his breath.

Steve’s blue eyes are gazing at him intently, looking at him like he’s the only person in the world worth his sole, undivided attention.

Tony swallows. “No sex. Just to sleep. If you—”

“Yes.”

“Yeah?”

“I would like that very much.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

“Good.” Tony feels his own lips slowly curve up into a smile, wide and unbridled. 

“Good.” Steve nods, lips twitching, his eyes never leaving Tony’s. 

Tony grins, feeling near giddy with delight. “Glad we’re on the same page.”

“We are, sweetheart.” Steve looks up at him, blue eyes fond and smile radiant. “We definitely are.”

[wrenhyperfixates]

The Raven Haired Rebel

Chapter 5

Pairing: Loki x reader Series Summary: After invading New York, it was decided that, as a punishment, Loki would work for SHIELD. Yeah, right. After escaping from their custody and stranded on Midgard, the God of Mischief decides to prove he’s the one thing no one ever thought he was: the good guy. Now a vigilante, Loki attempts to make amends for his past wrongdoings while also evading the Avengers, including their newest member. You. Brought in specially for the case, you notice more and more details about the prince’s story don’t add up. When you get the chance to turn him in, will you listen to your employers or your heart that believes Loki’s done nothing wrong? Chapter Summary: In which you enact your plan. Chapter Warnings: slight (fairly non-descriptive) violence A/N: Ok, this is the last chapter before the epilogue. I was a little bit on the fence about this series so I’m so thankful for the response it’s been getting. Happy reading! Permanent Tag List: @lucywrites02 @frostedficrecs @lunarmoon8 @twhiddlestonsstuff @lokistan @lowkeyorlokificrecs @gaitwae @whatafuckingdumbass @castiels-majestic-wings @kozkaboi @cozy-the-overlord @birdgirl90 @myraiswack @mythicalgarlicknot @what-a-flammable-heart @marvelouslovely @laurenandloki @fallinallinmendes @sophlubbwriting @mooncat163 @lokislittlesigyn @wolfish-trickster

RHR Tag List: @happygalaxymilkshake @electroma89 @stardust-walker @i-would-kneel-for-loki @fredweasleyandlokiaremylife @aestheticallyholland @loki-yoursaviourishere​

Masterlist

Disclaimer: Gif not mine 

After your confessions, you really hoped that something would happen between the two of you. At first you worried that you’d understood him incorrectly, that he wasn’t trying to say he felt the same way. Even at the few quick rest stops, Loki seemed to not want to talk to you, and lord knows silence prevailed for most of the car ride. But when you finally finished the long drive and settled into yet another motel, Loki was quick to lead you to the bed and pull you to him.

“Get some rest, darling,” he said, kissing the top of your head. “We’ll have to leave for our interviews soon.”

“Ok, Loki,” you sighed happily, snuggling further against his chest. His arms wrapped around you even tighter. “Sleep well.”

“And you, my darling.”

You blacked out moments after, too wiped after so much driving. When you awoke hours later, Loki was still holding you. Though his eyes were closed, you could tell from his breathing that he was awake. You buried your nose in the crook of his neck, inhaling his comforting scent. You couldn’t exactly place what it was, but you’d come to associate it with him. Maybe there weren’t even actually any distinguishable smells in there. Maybe it was simply just Loki. You placed a small kiss on the soft skin of his neck, and when you pulled back, he was looking at you.

“Are you sure you are up for this?” Loki checked, concern in his eyes. “I do not want you to get hurt.”

“I’m sure. I can handle myself, I swear,” you reassured, cupping his cheek. “Besides, I’ll have you to protect me. And you’re the best sidekick in the universe, after all.”

“Oh, darling,” he chuckled. “I thought we agreed you were the sidekick. Alas, it is true; I will protect you.”

You laid together for another moment, contemplating in silence. There was still so much you wanted to say to him, but were too scared too. What about after this mission was over? Would he come back to SHIELD with you? Would you still see him at all? Or was this the end? And would you regret all the things left unsaid? You didn’t know, but you really wished you did.

Loki gave your body one final squeeze, holding you close for just a few seconds more before getting up from the bed. You watched him as he moved to grab his clothes, going into the bathroom to change. He came back out a few minutes later in a white dress shirt, green tie, and black dress slacks, the matching suit jacket draped over his arm. Your mouth hung open a little at how good he looked. He chuckled when he noticed, placing a tiny, hesitant kiss to the tip of your nose. He was also noticeably blushing, letting you know he felt just as flustered as you did.

You hadn’t really been planning on needing nice clothes when you’d packed your things, so were rifling through your bag now in hopes of throwing together an ensemble at least half as nice as Loki’s. Naturally, you were quite surprised when you pulled a rather dressy outfit from your stores. It was in Loki’s colors, so if you hadn’t already been thinking he’d conjured it for you, you certainly were now. You smiled at him, but he was pointedly avoiding looking at you, his blush still persisting.

“How do I look?” you asked, stepping out of the bathroom after changing.

Now it was his turn to have his jaw hang open a little as he finally looked at you. “Absolutely ravishing, darling,” he smiled.

“Thanks,” you mumbled, suddenly finding the floor very interesting as you became flustered once more. “You do too, by the way.”

“And thank you.” He walked over to you and hooked a finger under your chin, gently titling your head up to look at him. You wanted him to kiss you so badly, but you were afraid to scare him off. Besides, he turned the conversation back to the mission. “Are you prepared to alert SHIELD of our presence?”

“Yup,” you nodded. “I’ll let them know as soon as we get going.”

“Well,” he said, caressing your cheek. “Shall we?”

You nodded again. “We shall.”

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

“See, darling? Confidence is key,” Loki said as you helped him shove the knocked out guard into a closet.

Loki had talked his way out of the situation, pretending like you’d gotten lost on your way to the interview. Then, when he got close enough, it was lights out for the guard. If there was one thing this whole ordeal taught you, it was that you needed more experience out in the field. You were a lot more comfortable behind your computer.

“Yeah, yeah,” you huffed. “Can we just get to the computer lab, please?”

Once you’d gotten a chance to download the intel to present to SHIELD, you’d make your way back out of the building, hopefully meeting up with the Avengers before they stormed the building, telling them the information you’d learned. The first few floors in either direction were set up like this were to be a functioning facility, and that the rest of it was still undergoing remodeling. Of course, the deeper you got into the base, the more heavily guarded it was.

“Shh,” Loki whispered, pulling you into a tight little alcove in the wall, your bodies hidden by shadows.

As he held you to him, out of sight from the guards passing by, you could feel both your hearts thundering. Whether it was from the mission or close proximity to each other, you weren’t sure. Once clear, you moved back out into the hallway. Only a few steps later, you could hear more people approaching.

“Listen, darling,” Loki said. “You go ahead, I’ll hold them off.”

“But... Ok. Stay safe.”

“You too.”

You scurried off to your destination, hurrying to complete your task. Pulling the hard drive from your small bag, you plugged it in, tapping away at the computer. The sooner you were back with Loki, the better you would feel. Unfortunately, that meant you were paying more attention to what you were doing than keeping your presence a secret.

“Freeze,” a guard shouted as you cursed under your breath, quickly turning around and raising your hands. You became hyper aware of the gun pointed at your chest. “What do you think you’re doing here?”

Confidence is key, you reminded yourself, gulping. “The boss sent me to do a system update. You see, I’m supposed to be here to-”

“No. Actually, they are not,” a familiar, deep voice that used to bring you so much comfort cut you off. It felt like your heart shattered in your chest as Loki appeared in the doorway, sneering, followed by two official looking guys in suits. “In fact, they are moments away from turning you into SHIELD.”

“Loki,” you said, pain obvious in your voice. You almost thought you saw the hurt mirrored in his eyes, but it was gone in moments. “What are you doing?”

“I saw an opportunity, and I took it. I suppose you were wrong about me, after all, darling.” His lips curled into a malicious grin. “See, I am quite infamous around here, and they decided they would rather have me with them than against them. Ironic, is it not, that I came for a fake interview but they already wanted to hire me, anyway?”

“And what about me?”

“You? You are insignificant in all this. Merely a sidekick.” To anyone else, it would have sounded like an insult, but you caught on to his reference to your inside joke. A signal, you thought, that he wasn’t actually switching sides. Still, you wondered if you were looking for signs that weren’t there as a dagger appeared in his hands. “And I would be more than happy to take care of you myself.”

As Loki made ready to throw his weapon of choice, he mouthed one word to you. Scream. You decided to trust him and let one rip free from your lungs. Though he’d thrown his dagger, you didn’t feel any pain. Still, when you looked down, it looked as if had pierced your flesh, and your front appeared to be stained red with a dark sickly substance that could only be blood. That was when you understood; it was an illusion. Playing along, you fell the ground, gasping for air as if you truly were bleeding out.

“Loki. Loki, please,” you whimpered. Your acting seemed to catch him off guard, true fear flashing across his features before he regained composure. “Don’t do this.”

“It is too late. It is already done.”

Just when his hand met one of the official-looking men’s in a shake, he yanked them forward, throwing them into the guard that had caught you, who was in the middle of holstering his gun. You rolled to your bag and grabbed your own weapon, the one Loki had disguised when you went through security. You aimed it at the guard's shoulder, feeling an odd mix of satisfaction, horror, and disgust as the bullet made contact and he began bleeding. Loki was quick to finish them all off, leaving them unconscious on the ground as he rushed over to you.

“Darling,” he said, gripping your arms and pulling you from your state of shock. “We have to go; someone certainly heard all that, and backup will be on the way.”

You nodded, mouth too dry to speak. You pulled the hard drive from the computer, shoving it and your gun back into your bag, settling for whatever information had already been downloaded. Hands clasped together, you and Loki dashed out into the hall, only for another group of armed guards to yell for you to halt. You tried to retreat the other way, but it was the same story at that end of the hall.

“It is alright, darling,” Loki said, giving your hand a quick squeeze. “I am going to get you out of this.”

“I know. But don’t you dare sacrifice yourself,” you half threatened, half pleaded.

“We shall see.” You both began to to raise your hands up in surrender as the guards closed in. Loki turned his head to look at you and whispered, “On my word, duck.”

But before he could give the signal, a whirring came from your right. A flash of light later, most of the guards on that side were knocked down. Loki reacted immediately, putting up a shield as the group on the left began to fire. In tandem with a few powerful blasts of Loki’s magic, your savior from before finished off the rest of your attackers.

“Long time, no see, kid,” Tony’s voice said from inside his metal suit. “You too, Reindeer Games.”

“Stark,” was all Loki said in way of greeting, rolling his eyes.

“So you guys finally got here,” you smirked with a little laugh. “About time, old man.”

“Come on, is that any way to treat your hero?” he teased.

“If you’re done exchanging quips,” Clint said, coming around the corner, aiming an arrow at Loki, “Fury wants these two upstairs. Now.”

“Relax, we are going,” Loki said, nudging you forward. He dipped his head down to whisper to you as you walked. “Well, darling, I suppose this is it, our chance to prove my innocence. Though, knowing them, I would caution you to be prepared to run.”

“Well, with that attitude,” you tsked, interlocking your fingers. “You deserve a happy ending, Loki.”

“Oh, darling,” he chuckled.

You scrunched your nose. “What?”

He lifted your hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I thought you knew; with you, I already have one.”

Once escorted outside the building, you were made to wait with a few guards constantly pointing their guns at you as the rest finished their sweep of the AIM base. It was scary, yes, but they hadn’t separated you from Loki, so it was more than bearable. Leaning against the wall, he kept playing with your intertwined fingers, both of you contemplating in silence. Every once in a while, Loki would whisper a sweet nothing in your ear, placing a kiss to your cheek or temple or head, letting you know everything would be alright.

You weren’t sure exactly how much time had elapsed before Tony came to collect you. He looked upset and exasperated, a combination that wasn’t exactly comforting given the current circumstances. You hoped it was just him being tired after the fight.

“I talked to Fury,” he told you as you walked. “I vouched for you, but he never really listens to me. I don’t really know how the future’s looking. Sorry, kid.”

“That’s ok, Tony,” you smiled, speaking truthfully. “I appreciate that you tried.”

“I am grateful, too,” Loki chimed in. As his eyes locked with Tony’s, it seemed they reached some kind of understanding. “It seems I have misjudged you, Stark.”

“Right back at you, Reindeer Games.”

You came to a stop in front of Thor and Director Fury. No one spoke for a moment, but you and Loki silently communicated by squeezing the other’s hand. Your heart was pounding so wildly, you wondered if it was about to reach its limit and burst. You took a deep breath as Fury opened his mouth to speak.

“Loki. Agent. I suppose you have a good reason for being here,” he said with a laugh that sounded more wry and mirthless than amused for you.

“Yes, actually,” you braved a reply. “We figured out this was AIM’s base. You’re welcome.”

“Even so, that doesn’t authorize you to break in. What if you had been wrong?”

“On the contrary,” Loki chimed in, “they let us in to the building of their own free will. Besides, we were right. You must know that; after all, no chains this time.”

“Yeah, that didn’t seem to be working too well. You're not Earth’s problem anymore, anyway. It’s time to go back home and face the consequences of your tantrum.”

“Wait. No, please,” you jumped in before you could think about it. “What I’ve been trying to tell you is right. New York isn’t his fault.”

“Then whose is it?”

“It’s...” you trailed off, realizing you never had gotten the full story. You threw Loki a desperate, pleading look.

He sighed. “It was the mad titan, Thanos. He controlled me with the mind stone and forced me to attack, told me to collect the tesseract for him.”

“Brother,” Thor said, furrowing his brow. “That is deeply troubling for all the nine realms. Why did you not tell me?”

“Because, brother, I could not live with the shame. You certainly would not have broken under any circumstances. But now I have my darling mortal to look out for, too, so I must come clean.”

“Loki, if there is one thing I know, you are not weak. Whatever he did, it must have been truly awful. And I believe it noble of you to protect your mortal love, for that is something I certainly understand.” Loki’s face burned a little at the fact Thor had so blatantly called you the trickster’s love. “I vow to have your charges on Asgard dropped, for you were not in your right mind. Or... perhaps not your mind at all. I am sorry, brother, for not being able to see so sooner.”

“You are forgiven, brother. And I too apologize for any wrong I may have done you and for not coming clean. I truly do not want any harm to come to this realm.”

“I believe you, brother. And can I trust his charges here on Midgard will be dropped too?” Thor asked, turning to Fury.

He mulled it over for a minute. “If we set some ground rules, I believe something can be worked out. I’m afraid that doesn’t excuse your actions, agent.”

You tried to come to your own defense, but Loki did it before you could. “Wait. They only wished to help me because they believed it was right. Certainly you cannot fault them for that. And, really, when you think of it, they have done a great service, whatever their methods. Stopping AIM, bringing me in, getting me to confess; truly impressive, you must admit.”

“See, that’s exactly my point,” Tony joined the conversation. “The kid did good.”

“Listen,” you said, finally getting a word in. “I understand that running off and doing this myself wasn’t the best decision ever, but no one was listening to me. And it’s like they said, you can’t argue with results. So please take that into account and, you know, maybe don’t lock me up?”

“You’re a hell of an agent,” Fury said. “So I will let it slide this time and drop the charges for you too. But on account of a series of stupid-ass decisions, I still have to fire you.”

“Thank you,” you nodded. “I understand.”

You shared a happy glance of victory with Loki. True, you’d always had hope for a happy ending floating around in your mind, but things had seemed pretty bleak there for a minute.

Fury pointed at you and Loki. “You two, off the property now. This is government business.”

“So long for now, kid,” Tony said as Loki and Thor shared a nod before parting.

Together, you and the raven haired God of Mischief walked toward your car. It seemed neither of you were exactly sure what to say. After all, you hadn’t really talked about what would come after all this.

“So what are you going to do next?” you finally asked, stopping in front of the vehicle’s door.

“Well, I do not think Asgard was ever really the place for me,” he replied as if he really had to think of it. You could tell he already knew, though. “Perhaps I can find somewhere to settle here on Midgard.”

“You know,” you replied, unable to control your grin, “it just so happens my apartment has room for two.”

“Then by all means,” he smiled, cupping your cheek. “Lead the way.”

Grabbing his shirt, you pulled him forward, meeting in a kiss. He responded immediately, once again communicating without speaking. You still didn’t know exactly why you had been drawn to him, but you would be forever grateful you’d listened to your gut. Because if there was one thing you had no doubt of, you were meant to be with Loki. And anyway, you were right; he was innocent. Well, mainly. The only crime this rebel was guilty of was stealing your heart. And now it was his to keep, always and forever.

[lildevyl]

DSMP FanFic Recommendations I

So, a few days @nastiiuu did a nice Recommendation of a DSMP FanFic called Evermore. So, per request, here's a list of different DSMP Recommendations that I have from my History, Mark For Later, and from my Bookmarks! Sorry, @nastiiuu that it took me a while to get this up! But I hope you all enjoy!

Stay safe and I will put the Summaries and Tigger Warnings in as well!

So, I will start off with the one the @nastiiuu recommended a few days ago!

Evermore

Summary: Prince Theseus, a child of blonde and blue, a child of isolation and a crave for touch. He's the youngest in the Royal Family, and somehow the most forgotten. The most neglected. The most alone.

Tucked away in his tower, the young prince watches the world move on without him, watches his family welcome two new princes into their arms, and yet reject him when he cries desperately from nightmares or shivers from a painful wound.

"Wilby?" The child had murmured, all curious and hesitant at once. He was tucked in his older brother's lap, watching as his other sibling sparred with their father. "We'll always be together, right? Forever and ever?"

Wilbur smiled. "Of course, Tommy. Forever and ever."

The Hanahaki rising in young Theseus' throat says otherwise.

TW: Isolation, Hanahki Disease, Angst no happy ending, Character Death, Villain!Dream, Manuplation.

The Exchange: My Life for Yours: I'm still reading this one, I'm on chapter 17 and it's ssssssssooooooooo good right now!

Summary: Tommy was a liability. Too annoying and too loud.

Techno didn't care about this child.

"Unless of course, you want call on that favor"

"Ok"

Then why he suddenly did?

TW: Villain!Dream, Canon Diverse, Kidnapping, Demons/Dreamons, Demon!Dream, Dreamon!Dream, Isolation, Manipulation, "A Deal with the Devil."

The Inevitability of Change: I just got caught up with this one and oh my Ghoul! This is intense and so good! I can't wait for the update!

Summary: Fuck it, he was allowed to do this, it would be better for everyone else anyway. They could do whatever they wanted and he wouldn’t be in their way. He wouldn’t cause problems anymore and he could have the perfect life that he had always wanted.

The egg extended a blood vine out to him. "Do we have a deal?" There was a level of smugness that Tommy recognized all too well from all his wars with Dream, it was the sound of an opponent knowing they’d won.

“We do, you dumb ugly bitch.”

or

Tommyinnit hated change. He'd witnessed so many people he cared about in his life change and hardly ever for the better. He just wished things could go back to the way they were when he had everything he ever wanted, a loving family who cared about him, a best friend who was always by his side. He craves this so badly that he makes a deal with the egg to get everything he's ever wanted.

or or

Tommy becomes a coraline kinnie

TW: Derealization, Unreality, Manipulation, Child Abandonment, Violence (later chapters), Explosions (later chapters).

Ties of the Puppet

Summary: Tommy hates how his mind feels trapped at that moment with Tubbo. The look in his eyes one Tommy had been forced to see far too many times. Wilbur’s eyes.

or

Tommy struggles with the trauma of his life and unhealthy relationships, Wilbur tries his hand at redemption, Phil and Techno learn to heal what's been lost.

TW: Mental Health Issues, Violence, Abuse, Redemption Arc for Tubbo, Healing for Tommy/Phil/Techno, some of the characters will seem a little OOC, Canon Diverse.

Forged By Truth (Or the Lack there of)

Summary: After his escape from exile failed spectacularly, Tommy only needed to be reminded that Dream saved his life a few times before it starts to sink in. Once his exile can continue again far away from any more distractions, Dream proceeds with his plan to craft the perfect weapon.

TW: Manipulation, Mention of Character Death (Character doesn't really die but the other characters don't know that), Suicidal Thoughts, Violence, Protégé AU, Tommy becomes Dream's Protégé, Angst, Whump.

Mask: I'm still working on this one but it's really, really, really good! A lot of Angst and Manipulation. So, please be careful when reading!

Summary: Dream knew Tommy was a naturally clingy child. That's why he found such satisfaction in having him exiled.

Dream didn't plan on Tommy clinging to him.

Dream was going to take advantage of the situation.

All Tommy needed was a bit of a push and then he would be completely broken.

Ready to be remodeled into the perfect weapon.

TW: Suicidal Thoughts, Attempted Suicide, Manipulation, Emotional and Mental Manipulation, Protégé AU, Broken!Tommy, Angst, Angst (possibly no happy ending but I'm not sure), Whump.

Lion's Cup, Tiger Stripes: I just finished this one and it's so good! Exile Arc but with a twist! Guest Appearances by Sad-ist, Late-August, Derivakat.

Summary: Tommy Innit knew what Dream was doing and was sure as hell not going through with it. So, by the third week of exile, as Dream starts to escalate his punishments, he leaves. One month later he runs into Purpled and hires him as a bodyguard while he travels.

Or Tommy runs away, stays in one village for a month to clear his head and decides to go travelling while dragging Purpled with him.

Or road trip pog.

TW: Angst, Angst with a happy, Found Family, Violence, Testing, Scares, Explosions (later chapters), I think that's all.

Valley of Serenity: This is a very long fic! It's about 60+ chapters so feel free to read in increments but this is a really good fic! Redemption Arc and Healing for the SBI Family!

Summary: After blowing up a nation, Wilbur throws a sword down at his father's feet and begs to be killed.

Phil, however, takes one look at the state of his children and decides he has other plans.

(post november 16th au where wilbur doesn't die. instead a family leaves the smp entirely, and learn how to live with each other again.)

"Fuck, I - I can't forgive either of you right now," Tommy says quietly. Despite the words, he hugs Wilbur tighter. "One day, though. I think one day I will."

"And we're still brothers, right?" Wilbur dares ask. Techno inhales sharply beside him.

They get a choked laugh in reply.

"Yeah. Brothers."

TW: Angst, Mention of wanting to die, Healing, a long road of healing, Mental Health Issues, Family Bonds, Angst but I think there is a happy ending, Violence, Mention of the L'Manburg exploding. Redemption Arc, Healing.

Breathing's Just A Rhythm: I finished this fic a few weeks ago and my ghoul! This is so good! Time Travel Fic with Dream, Schlatt, Tubbo, Tommy, and of course CHAT!

Summary: POGTOPIA??? WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?? TIMETRAVELBLADE. technotravel

“Chat, I did not time travel,” Techno said exhaustedly, “I don’t know what gave you that idea, but please calm yourselves.”

The voices started obnoxiously whispering at the top of their lungs. HE DOESN’T KNOW. PANIC

Or: Tommy, Tubbo, Jschlatt, and Dream all end up in the past. (Oh, and the Chat comes too) (mcd is a villain, this fic has a happy ending)

Or OR! Dream attempts to Time Travel in the past but winds only go back a few months ago during Pogtopia Area and he winds up bring a few unexpected victors with him! MEANWHILE: Karl is trying his damnest to fix everything with Time Travel Fiasco that Dream caused! B/C the Future selves and the past selves switched!

TW: Graphic Violence, Bodily harm (later chapters), Kidnapping (later chapters), Explosions (later chapters), Betrayal (later chapters I won't say who!), Isolation, Manipulations, Mental and Emotional Abuse, Trauma, Therapy (Finally these boys gets some), Good!Schlatt, Villain!Dream, Redemption Arc Wilbur and Schlatt.

I think I got them all?

Wrong Place for Redemption: This one of the stories that helped inspired Breathing is Just a Rhythm! Time Travel Fic!

Summary: -Previously titled Time Will Decide. Name taken from lyrics in 'A Sadness Runs Through Him' by The Hosiers

“Okay, why don’t you go see him.” Tommy didn’t know what he thought the afterlife was going to be like, hell he didn’t even know if it was a real thing. Maybe he’d see Wilbur, possibly Schlatt, but he didn’t expect to see a white castle and Karl.

Or where Tommy looses his final life to Dream in the prison only to be teleported back in time.

OR where Tommy is given a second chance and isn't going to blow it, not even if things start to get revealed (things that change everything) and discoveries are made.

This whole book has TW's: Child abuse, violence/murder, gore/blood, implied/referenced suicide, suicide, drinking, etc.

Parental Rights: Another good on going fic for me! Can you tell that I love some SBI/Found Family Fics here?

Summary: Sam wants to be there for Tommy. Wants to be his dad. Wants to be the one Tommy comes to when he's in trouble or excited over something. He'd happily legally adopt Tommy, but well... Tommy's actual father is in the way of that. Sam thought with how distanced Phil was with his son it would be easy to persuade him to give his parental rights over to Sam. But well... Tommy's stubbornness had to come from somewhere, right?

TW: Sleep Walking, Mentions of Exile, Healing Arc for Tommy, Healing Arc for Sam, Healing Arc for Tubbo, SBI, Healing Arc for Techno.

Allium: This is still on going, but oh man! This is getting really good!

Summary: What if Dreams plan for the Disc War finale had worked?

Tubbo dead, Tommy in the prison, SMP under his control. Allium Ashes.

TW: Major Character Death, Ghostbo (Ghost Tubbo), Manipulation, Isolation, Imprisonment, Prisoner Innit, Making someone believe they are responsible for something they didn't do, Kidnapping, Rescue Mission.

And How Can I Compete (With The World At Your Feet): God AU and this is really Fangtastic! Rated M for Graphic Violence and Attempted Sacrifice.

Summary: Tommy has been kept away from the world and held captive for four years, and now he’s about to be used as a sacrifice to a god. A blood god, to be specific. The Blood God. But, instead of accepting his captor’s sacrifice, the Blood God is in debt to Tommy. And he’s going to save him.

A universe where Technoblade, Wilbur, and Phil are all gods who have become quite protective of a mortal fifteen year old without a home.

This concept was based on a text post I saw, I think! I can’t find it anymore, but if you see it let me know!

TW: Blood, Violence, Attempted Sacrifice, Villain!Dream, Villain!BadBoyHalo, Occult Setting, God AU, Blood God!Techno, Angel of Death!Philza, God!Wilbur, Angel!Tubbo, Angel!Ranboo.

Death's Forest: This is a nice little One-Shot for the SBI, and Dadza fans! Set during Tommy's Exile. Don't worry! Dadza to the rescue!

Summary: “Can I see him?” Phil asks, blinking owlishly, as if he’s simply just asking. As if he’s not holding a threat behind those light words.

“Don’t push your limits.” Dream responds, and Phil only smiles with a slow nod.

The next day, Dream wishes he had answered differently.

Or

Phil isn’t quite human. He wants to visit Tommy during exile.

TW: I don't think there's any TW here, but if there is, please let me know!

Prince Theseus: Royal AU! Hybrid Tommy. Prince Tommy (Theseus).

Summary: Prince Theseus Craft of the Anartitic Empire, A child who could bring joy to anyone's day left to be forgotten by his family left to spend his days in his tower with nothing but his Maid and dear friend as company

Left to watch his older brothers laugh and smile as his father looks at them with love and the eyes of a proud parent he never saw directed to him, watch them both receive the love he craved so desperately from his father. Left him to envy his brothers yet grow jealous as that jealousy turns to a small flame of hatred growing steadily as time passes leaving him to make his final decision.

No longer will he be known as Theseus but as the Amazing Tommyinnit who could do anything who will prove his former family wrong and show he is better than what they think.

Which leads him to where he is now, a runaway prince who finds a new family brought together by hardship and their love of traveling the endless seas.

AKA :

16 yr old Prince Theseus changes his name to Tommyinnit and runs away from his royal family who neglected him and finds a real family on a ship who just so happened to be pirates as well.

TW: Isolation, Mention of a Minor Character Death, Running Away, Royal AU, Hybrid Tommy, SBI, Neglect, Pirates, Found Family, Angst, Hurt and Comfort, Magic.

Therapy Marriage: Okay, I'm adding this one for some Wholesomeness, and Fluff with some Angst but there should be a Happy Ending!

Summary: but for some reason, tubbo (and possibly ranboo, although he doubted this was his idea) had got it into his head that tommy needed therapy or some shit.

which, fine, maybe he had a little bit of an issue. he did freak out at damage, and weapons, and he had reached out to puffy, but he was okay! he didn’t need tubbo to pity him.

but- here was where the weird part came in- tubbo wanted tommy in his marriage.

TL:DR Tubbo wants to help Tommy and decides that the best method is by marrying him as well. Ranboo just goes along with it.

*****

Okay, this post has gotten very long! I do apologize for that! So, I'll add others to another Post!

[maastrash]

Fighting Fire with Froyo

oh my goodness hello friends plz dont roast my title bc @verryberriess already has LOL it is ✨quirky✨ anyways the first fic back is always rough to write and i got tired of editing so without further ado ... 

Nesta pried the uniform hat off her head and wiped the dripping sweat from her brow. By the cauldron, it was burning up today. It amazed her that the frozen yogurt wasn’t melting right out of the machines. That probably wasn’t even possible, but the heat was making her delirious. Of course on the hottest day of the year something was wrong with the AC. She added calling the maintenance guy to her 5-page long mental list of things to do after her shift today. 

She truly did not have the time to be working on the service line today. The Archeron sister froyo shop had opened almost a year ago and already she was talking to people about expanding it to become a chain. That’s what she should be working on instead.

Nesta supposed she should be happy their little shop was so popular. The sisters had been so nervous when they were finally able to launch their yogurt shop after years of planning. It was a dream come true. 

They named it Archeron Delights and it became one of the most popular dessert places in Velaris. Elain was the mastermind behind the frozen yogurt recipes. People came from all over the country to try their unique flavor combinations. Feyre was in charge of all the interior designing. She remodeled the entire space and made it look modern with colorful signs and trendy photo taking spots - a necessity for kids obsessed with instagram worthy pictures. Nesta was the official manager which meant she dealt with finances, hiring the team, making schedules, and other administrative duties. 

To be honest, Nesta never really worked at the counter, but Morrigan their newest hire, and Feyre’s best friend was sick with the flu. Definitely not a good idea to put her near customers. To make matters worse, the shop had been extremely busy today so she didn’t have time to take any breaks. Unlike her sisters, Nesta was already not the cheeriest service worker. It’s why she worked in the back in her quiet, private office. 

At least she could distract herself by filling out their monthly budget summary while waiting. However, her calculations were soon interrupted by the cheerful bell dinging, meaning the shop door was being opened. Damn another customer. 

Nesta began quickly finishing up the section she was on, “Hi I’ll be with you in one -”

“You need to get out of here,” the customer interrupted. 

Nesta’s smile dropped so fast. Who did this man think he was?

“No, you need to get out,” she snapped back without looking up from her papers. If he was gonna speak to her like that she was gonna take her sweet time. 

“Excuse me I -”

This time Nesta interrupted. “This is my shop and I say you need to leave.”

“Ma’am if you would let me explain -”

“Stop calling me ma'am, you have no right -” This time it was Nesta who trailed off.

She finally looked up to see a man equipped fully in firefighter gear staring right at her. Shit. She just yelled at a fireman. To make matters worse he was handsome. Extremely handsome. 

“There’s a small fire in another location 2 units from yours. We’re containing it, but you still need to evacuate,” the man explained.  

Nesta was still gaping. It seemed she was unable to form words. How was this man so attractive? He was wearing full protective fire gear and wasn’t even breaking a sweat and here she was, literally dripping. 

To be quite honest she couldn’t tell if she was sweating because of the heat or the fireman’s burning gaze. 

“Ma’am can you hear me? Ma’am? Oh for goodness sake.”

Before Nesta knew it she was being lifted off her feet. Literally. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she exclaimed in surprise. 

“Ah so you can still talk.” 

“Put me down you oaf.”

“Oaf?” he raised a brow, “That’s a real nice way to thank the person saving your ass.”

“I’m serious,” she said crossing her arms angrily. 

“Let’s get to safety first.”

Nesta gave the man a withering glare, but he continued to carry her bridal style to a tent where it seemed other shop owners were gathering. 

“Oh my goodness Nesta are you hurt?” Aelin asked as they approached.

Aelin owned a dress boutique in the same plaza and they often grabbed lunch together. She was Nesta’s best friend. 

“No I am being harassed,” she deadpanned. 

“She means saved,” the firefighter corrected as he finally set her down. 

“Woah he’s hot,” Aelin whispered in her ear. 

“Shut up or I’m telling Rowan.”

“Just an observation” Aelin laughed. 

The man gave them a polite smile before heading back towards the rest of the firemen. 

Nesta stopped him before he got too far. “I want to talk to your boss,” she said sternly. 

“You mean the captain?” he asked. 

“Yes.” Obviously. 

“Why do you need the captain ma'am?”

“Stop with the ma’am, I’m serious.”

“Ok fine. What’s your name?” 

Nesta stayed silent. 

“Ok then, sweetheart. Why do you need the captain?”

Nesta growled at his stupidity. “I am not your sweetheart and I am reporting you for inappropriate behavior.”

Something like amusement crossed his face, but it quickly vanished, “I see. I’ll be right back then.”

For someone about to lose his job he did not seem the least bit frightened. 

***

It was only a few minutes before the man returned. He was still wearing his fire pants or whatever they were called, but the protective jacket was gone. Now he wore a tight shirt that read Velaris Fire Dept. It framed his muscles a little too perfectly for her taste. How was this man real?

“The captain is busy at the moment but I will take your complaint and hand it to him myself,” he said, pulling out a pen and paper.

“How do I know you’re not going to rip it up as soon as I leave?”

“You can watch me hand it to him once we have this mess sorted out,” he assured her. 

“Fine.”

“First I will need your name.”

“Nesta Archeron” she grit out.

“Nesta. I like how that sounds.”

She rolled her eyes. This man was absolutely insufferable. 

“Ok, now your phone number.”

“Why do you need my phone number?” 

“So the captain can contact you about this issue, of course.”

She grabbed the paper from his massive hands and scribbled her number down quickly.

“Ok and what are you complaining about?” he asked, clearly amused.

She rolled her eyes, “You already know what I’m complaining about.”

“Well, I need to write it down word for word,” he said, laughing softly.  

His laughter was the last straw. “You know what this is ridiculous I’m going to find the captain myself,” she said, stomping off. 

“That’s gonna be hard to do sweetheart,” he called after her. 

“Oh yea, why?” she yelled back over her shoulder.

“Because I am the captain.”

That stopped Nesta dead in her tracks. She turned slowly to see the big oaf smiling. 

“Cassian Nazari, Captain of Station 17,” he said, extending his hand.

“Are you playing a game or something?” she scowled, slapping his hand away.  

“No,” he chuckled softly, “Just doing my job.” 

“By pretending to not be the captain and stealing my information?”

He smiled again and half of her wanted to slap him, but the other half was tempted to kiss him. What was wrong with her?

“I take complaints seriously. So seriously, that I would like to hear all about your complaint over dinner.”

“This is not funny,” she said crossing her arms over her chest. 

“Don’t tell me you’re not interested. You took one look at me and were absolutely speechless. I literally had to carry you out before you burned to death.”

“The fire was contained, evacuating was a formality you brute.” 

“If you say so,” he said sarcasm lacing every word. “I’ll pick you up from your shop at 6.”

Nesta’s jaw dropped, the audacity of this man was astounding. She paused before answering, debating her options. She figured she could either continue pretending to hate him or just give in. Gods above, was she actually considering this?

“Say yes you idiot” Aelin whispered.

Nesta flinched in surprise. Where the hell did she even come from? 

“Are you kidding I’m not going anywhere in this.” Nesta argued, gesturing to her work apron and leggings. 

“I think it looks great,” Cassian said with a wink. 

“Me too,” Aelin added.

Nesta gave Aelin a deadly look before saying, “Let’s meet at the Sidra at 7. That way I have time to change.”

Cassian only looked surprised at her suggestion for a second before agreeing, “Ok, I’ll see you there.” 

He waved before heading back to the rest of his crew and Nesta against her better judgement waved back. 

“Nesta Archeron, are you smiling?” Aelin teased as soon as Cassian was out of ear shot.

“Shut up. I am absolutely not,” she said, quickly bringing her face back to neutral. 

And then it hit her...

She was going to dinner with Cassian - a fire captain she just met. What the hell was she thinking? 

tags! @illyriangarbage // @court-of-fuck-me-daddy // @girlnovels // @julesherondalex // @ifangirlninja // @dreamerforever-5 // @queen-of-wings-and-fire // @rhysanoodle // @jemma-nessian-and-elriel // @books-and-words-addict  // @nightinshadow // @wolffrising // @the-regal-warrior // @dreamingofalba // @abillionlittlepieces // @alitzeldiaz // @kylizzles // @queenmaas // @illyrian-bookworm // @aspillofstars // @b00kworm // @tswaney17 // @girl-who-reads-the-books // @theshadowsinger-and-thefawn // // @perseusannabeth // @acourtofmarauders // @sweetlyvillainous // @awesomelena555 // @notyournymphetish // @ladywitchling // @aesthetics-11 // @sjmships // @iammissstark // @illyrianwitchling13 // @moondancer-204 // @sjm-things // @foolsinlovex // @sayosdreams // @welcometothespeaknowworldtour  // @stardelia // @julemmaes // @thewayshedreamed // @texas-shaped-waffle-maker // @keshavomit // @superspiritfestival // @wannawriteyouabook // @verryberriess // @courtofjurdan // @bookstantrash // @sannelovesreading // @ahappyhistorianreader // @cass-nes // @my-fan-side // @junsuichow // @sleeping-and-books // @yumna402 // @lordof-bloodshed // @emcarstairs578 // @gisellefigue08 // @maybekindasortaace // @starborn-faerie-queen // @empire-of-wildfire // @loveofbooksandwine // @sanakapoor // @silentquartz // @a-omgnaomithings-love // @aimee1602 // @jlinez // @creamcheesechicken // @steamedlattes // @sahsahprova // @elriel4life // @ireallyshouldsleeprnrn // @rowaelinismyotp // @thegoddessofyou​

[dippydots]

Edward Hyde is NOT Sick

Something more fluffy :)

Note: This is before the events of Gothic Gang

Henry Jekyll, sat in his comfy chair by the fireplace. The pediatrician heaved a heavy sigh, and proceeded to blow his nose. He was down with a nasty cold, most likely from the workplace. He tossed the soiled tissue into a little waste bin beside the chair. "What's up, Doc?" He felt a chill go down his spine. "What is it now?"

"Heh, your voice sounds funny."

"Says the one who has four voice cracks in every sentence."

"Okay, that's just personal. You're lucky I don't have my own body, or else I'd be all up in your business," the raspy voice inside Henry's head said. Henry looked over at the body length mirror two feet away from him, and a cloudy form replaced his reflection. A thin, young man with large elf-like ears and wiry thin black curls appeared. His yellow snake eyes stared back at Henry. This was Edward Hyde. His nose wrinkled in disgust. "Dear God you look terrible," Edward muttered. Henry chose not to say the first thing on his mind. He instead took the safer option. "I'm sick today," he said flatly. "Oh, that explains why your voice doesn't sound deep anymore. Your nose must be really clogged, and that's saying a lot, cause you have a humongous nose." Henry rolled his eyes. He stood up and walked out of the living room, up the stairs. "Henry, I was joking! Your nose isn't that big! Also, wrong direction."

"What do you mean, wrong direction? I'm going to take a nap," he retorted. "You're supposed to go downstairs to the laboratory," Edward rolled the R in laboratory, "so I can go out."

"Absolutely not. Not when I'm feeling sick."

"But that's you. We're talking about me. I, Edward Hyde, am not sick. You, Henry Jekyll, are. Now go downstairs," he said calmly. Henry ignored him. Edward sighed aggressively. "Fine then. I'll do it myself." Before Henry could do or say anything, his legs suddenly gave out. He looked down and took notice of the fact that his legs were now comically smaller and were forcibily walking him downstairs of their accord. "What on earth are you doing?!" Henry shouted, holding onto the railing of the staircase. "What does it look like? We're going downstairs!" Edward's legs almost tripped, making them almost fall over. "Okay, okay, fine I'm going downstairs, I can walk myself!" he said rather quickly. Soon, the doctor was walking down the stairs normally, and down the basement stairs. Henry had remodeled his basement into a lab once he had finished college. The basement at first was a place where he and his best friend used to play. He remembered that she and he would do science experiments. Now his science experiments gave him a migraine thanks to his constant screeching. Speaking of which...

"FINALLY! I can't wait any longer!" Edward said excitedly as Henry reached for Formula HJ7. He sighed before downing the drug. Henry braced himself for the pain that was Edward taking complete control over his body, as well as his entire being twisting and shrinking down. Henry fell to the ground, his body trembling as the formula coursed through his veins. The pain was over after around two minutes. Edward stood up off the ground, laughing. "I'm fr- ACHOOO!" Edward sneezed. Henry blinked a few times as he watched from the mirror. Edward looked startled. "What was that?!" His voice sounded as if someone was pinching his nose. "Are you alright?" Henry's voice was already back to it's baritone sound. "Of course I am! Why wouldn't-achoo- I be?" Edward asked, an obviously fake smile on his face. "Goodness gracious, you're sick."

"I am not sick." Edward had a few sneezes in a row after saying that. He stumbled backwards a little bit, and he gripped the desk. "Jekyll why is the room tilted?" he asked. "It's because you're sick."

"I'm not sick!"

"I am a doctor, you can't hide these kinds of things from a professional." Edward groaned out of annoyance. "I have plans tonight! It's not cool to stand anyone up!"

"I'm sure whoever you were going to hang out with would understand if you're sick. It's flu season," the doctor said. He sighed. "Fine. I'll stay home."

Edward held up the hem of his pants as he walked up the stairs out of the basement and then up the stairs to 'his bedroom'. He forcefully opened the door and slammed it, ushering a loud noise that made him inhale through his teeth and made his ears go down like a cat. "Why did that hurt so much?!"

"It's because you're sick."

"Shut up."

"You asked, I answered." Edward flopped onto the bed that he never even used. "Why am I even sick?" he asked. "It's because I am, or was. You know how when you got that nasty cut on your arm that one time and how I had it too? If one thing like that happens to one of us, it happens to the both of us."

"Gotcha." Edward shivered. "It's so hot, yet so cold, I hate it," he continued, "how do I stop being sick?"

"Let's see here. Drink fluids; wear lightweight pajamas; turn a fan on, and sleep. We'll feel better in a few days."

"Do I even own pajamas?"

"I...never thought about that," Henry said slowly. Edward slowly got up and staggered over to the dresser. "Do sweats count?"

"Yeah, I suppose." Edward changed into the pjs and turned the overhead fan on. "And what do you even mean by fluids?" Edward asked, going down the stairs again. "Water and soup."

"I don't know how to make that! I only know how to make pancakes!"

"I can give you instructions, it'll be like Ratatouille." Edward entered the kitchen and searched for a pot. "Ok. Tell me what to do."

Henry gave Edward a step by step tutorial on how to make chicken noodle soup, which was finished in around an hour, including eating time. "What now?" Edward asked, putting his used dishes in the dishwasher. "We sleep."

"But it's only 9!"

"Do you want to feel better or not?" Edward sighed. "I do, I do." Edward went upstairs for the last time and got under the covers of his bed. He laid there in silence, drumming his fingers on his chest. Henry had almost dozed off. "Hey, uh, Doc?"

"Yeah?"

"Am I a burden to you?" Edward's voice didn't sound as hoarse and whiny, it was more quiet and solemn.

"No, I don't think so."

"You sure? I know I'm annoying, and I can hardly do anything useful on my own. Like, I just learned how to make soup! I'm supposed to be 22! I don't know about you, but people my age know how to make soup!" He grasped his face in frustration. Henry cleared his throat. "Well, there are actually a lot of people your age who can't even take care of themselves in the slightest. Some even older than you." Edward raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yes, really. Some people who are my age, even." Edward laughed a little. "And you're like, a bazillion years old."

"I'm 34. But that's not the point. The point is that you're actually trying to better yourself, and I'm proud of you for that." Edward smiled a little. "Thanks, Doc." He yawned and closed his eyes. "Good night, Edward," Henry said. "Good night, Dad." Henry paused for a moment. "What did you just call me?"

"Doc. I said 'Doc,' I didn't say nothing weird," Edward quickly said before rolling over onto his side. "Night," he said quietly. Henry smiled slightly. "Good night."

[fandom-puff]

Exhaustion

Pairing: Jon Snow x reader

Requested by: anon

Summary: you’ve been up for well over a day, helping Queen Sansa with returning winterfell to its former glory. Jon, back from the Wall now that Greyworm has ventured to Naath grows increasingly concerned for your health as you wear yourself to the bone

AN: so yeah this is totally a season 8 fix it bc we all got incredibly screwed over :) can you tell I’m not too fond of Danaerys after about... season 1? Anyways I love writing for game of thrones lol! Gif creds, as always, to the owner <3 ALSO: YNN= your nickname

Warnings: sleep exhaustion, season 8 spoilers

“There is damage to the wall, my queen, the entrance to the castle as well. The stables were burnt by dragon fire, the armoury... well, most of it is gone. The statues of the direwolves are also destroyed, more so than when the Bolton’s were here,”

Sansa nodded slowly, her hands grasping the ornate wood carvings of the arms of her throne. She looked sideways to you, her closest friend and most loyal advisor, a lady from a lesser house in the north. You turned to the fellow Northman in front of you and surveyed him for a moment.

“For now, we have little need of an armoury. For any horses who survived the dragon fire, we will source wood to build a temporary stable so they may sleep out of the cold,” you said.

“Lord Bronson, please see that the horses are kept sheltered and that any builders hired are paid adequately for their time,” the queen addressed her newly appointed master of coin. “As for the damage to the wall of the castle, we need stone and men to rebuild it. Scope around for volunteers in the keep, they too will be paid for their extra work,” the man nodded and bowed to his queen. “As for the statues... have the Smithy melt down any damaged weapons and use the steel to remodel the Direwolves,” the master of coin scribbled down the funds and nodded.

“That is all, my queen,” the man said.

“And what of the Northmen? Those nearer the wall will have been hit hard by winter and the night king. The harvests were poor, the livestock is weak. We have an excess in our own kitchens. I want hearty food and good ingredients delivered to the villagers to ensure they survive until a more permanent solution is found,”

“Your highness, perhaps we should send a raven to your brother in the south? Out of loyalty to you and his ally, the North, arrangements can be made between the Crownlands and their ports and the fertile grounds of the Reach? Just because the North is now independent does not mean we ought to sever trade links entirely,” you said slowly, your hands clasped in your lap.

Sansa was quiet for a moment. You could see the internal struggle between wanting to do everything herself without help from the south, and wanting to keep the people fed and strong. She turned to you slowly. “Have a message sent to Bran,” she said firmly, nodding slowly to show she trusted you. “Surely there are resources we can trade with Kings Landing. Have another sent to Highgarden, I believe the Reach was relatively unscathed by the Mad Queen,” you bit back a smirk at that nickname. “They have always been fond of our embroidery,” you nodded. “Thank you for your report,” Sansa turned again to the man in front of her. “We will set to work as soon as possible. You are dismissed. Go and see to your wife, my Lord, I believe she is reaching the end of her pregnancy,” she smiled kindly, and with a low bow, the man left the hall.

With no one in the room but herself, you and the master of coin, Sansa sagged into her throne.

“You’re doing wonderfully, your highness,” you said gently, smiling softly at her. “Winterfell is almost restored and I have never seen a ruler show such compassion and sensibility to her subjects. The King of the South will help us- he probably knows already. And if need be, I will tell my brother that I’m staying at winterfell a while longer, should you need me. I trust him not to run my House’s keep to the ground while I’m gone,”

Sansa smiled at you with appreciation, and she soon gave you leave while she went to visit her Maester. As you were reaching the door, she called out. “YN! I’ve had word from Castle Black. Jon is returning to Winterfell. He should be here tonight,” you tried to hide your excited smile, and couldve sworn you saw a sly smirk tugging at Sansa’s lips as you bowed slightly and hurried off to your chamber.

Jon was coming back! You had been furious when the unsullied had him banished to the wall for killing the Mad Dragon Queen. From the moment you saw Danaerys, you did not trust her in the slightest, having heard the stories from across the Narrow Sea. In your eyes she was a glorified tyrant, as mad as her father and as deceptive as Queen Cersei. You knew she was almost nothing without her dragons, which caused more harm than good. Breaker of chains, she had called herself, when in reality she forged chains of her own- bend the knee or die was not a free choice, it was a threat, and had Danaerys Targaryen taken the throne as she was adamant she deserved it, you would’ve been slaughtered for your loyalty to the North, to the Old Gods, to your family, your friends, and not to a glamorous tyrant who would surely burn Westeros to the ground just as her father had planned.

Once returned to the north, you and Sansa had spoken of Jon a few times, and Sansa always got a mischievous glint in her eyes when you did. She must have planned his return, as he had no real need to stay beyond the wall after the Unsullied left for Naath. Smiling to yourself, you set to preparing yourself for dinner, asking a few passing maids to help you draw a bath. Unlike most nobles, you helped the maids, rather than watch them, and spoke kindly as you heated the water for your bath. Once there was enough water, you thanked them and allowed them to leave as you bathed, washing your hair and scrubbing your skin. Once towelled dry, you rubbed sweet smelling oils into your skin, before slipping into your smallclothes and a simple, yet beautiful, dark green gown, discretely embroidered with your house’s sigil at the trim of the neckline and up from the wrists of your long sleeves. Lacing the dress up at the side, you sat in front of your mirror and set about sorting out your hair, towelling it dry and braiding it around your head. Finally, you fastened a simple silver chain around your neck, your sigil hanging over your heart.

Smiling to yourself, you stood, leaving your chamber and walking to the Great Hall where dinner was normally held. When you slipped through the door, however, the room was empty, only a few candles lit. Frowning, you turned, hearing the sound of two sets of footsteps as Sansa and Jon rounded the corner. Sansa trailed off from what she had been saying and smirked slightly as she pushed Jon towards you.

“Er... Lady YLN,” he spoke in his thick, northern burr. You repressed a shiver and have him a bright smile.

“Jon! Just YN, remember?” You said, slowly walking towards him. Gladly, he accepted your embrace, and you buried your face into the thick furs at his shoulder, not caring about the flecks of snow. You pulled away and beamed at eachother, before Sansa cleared her throat.

“I thought we’d take dinner in my chambers,” she said. “The three of us reunited,” you both nodded and followed your queen. “Jon, I’ve had a room prepared for you, there should be a fire to warm you and new clothes there too,”

“But, your majesty, I... I took the black. I’m in exile,” he said lowly, frowning.

Sansa merely smiled and carried on walking. “No. You were in exile, therefore unable to take an oath of any sort. That, however, was when the unsullied insisted on ‘justice’. The unsullied are settled in Naath, and furthermore, you are a Northman. The north is an independent kingdom. Therefore, you are released from your exile,”

You shook your head fondly at your friend as you entered her chambers, were a maid was laying out the table. She turned when she heard the door and sunk into a low curtsey. “Thank you Amya,” Sansa said. “This looks wonderful,”

“Yes m’lady,” the young girl said, smiling proudly as she was dismissed.

Once fed and watered, the three of you retired to Sansa’s personal chamber, drinking wine and sharing anecdotes. Already smiling serenely from the wine at dinner, having more was making you feel a little floaty. You stifled a yawn as you fiddled with your necklace as you listened to Jon. “YN... you look exhausted,” he said softly, tipping your chin up to face him properly. The flickering light of the hearth highlighted the growing bags under your eyes and how glazed over your eyes were.

“‘M alright,” you mumbled, resting your head on his shoulder. “Can stay up a bit longer. Finish your story,” you insisted, but your eyes were already fluttering shut.

Sansa pursed her lips. “YN... after last night’s small council meeting, did you even go to sleep?” She asked gently. “And today... we’ve had about 15 lords and 12 smallfolk coming in for audiences, all of which you attended...”

You smiled slightly. “Was in the library last night, Sansa...” you mumbled. “Needed to look up the logistics and the finances,”

“Oh, YNN, we have a Maester and master of coin to do that,” she said gently, reaching over to place her hand over yours. “What about when the maester called for a break?”

“I went to start on the letters to my brother and the King in the South,” you mumbled. “And Highgarden...” you let Sansa hold your hand and give it a firm squeeze, still nuzzling you’re face into Jon’s furs as the last two days finally caught up with you. “Nodded off at my desk, though, so I’ll have to start the letter to King Bran again,”

Sansa frowned. “YNN, you’re working too hard. I appreciate it immensely, but I cannot expect you to help me if you aren’t taking care of yourself. Tonight you will rest, and when morning comes you may rest some more. You are allowed to care for yourself, alright? You must. Because without you by my side, I question everything I do. I need you by my side. The north needs you in excellent condition. And so does Jon,” you nodded slowly in understanding, but her soothing words and gentle tone were lulling you to sleep. “I want to make you my hand, YN. But first, you need to sleep,” you nodded again and let out a mumbled ‘yes, my queen’ as you finally turned your head fully into Jon’s furs and let exhaustion take you.

What felt like an eternity later, you were jostled awake. You let out a small noise of complaint and nuzzled you’re face further into the soft thick furs in front of you, your fingertips brushing a lock of curled hair...

“Jon?” You whispered, barely audible.

“Shhh, I’m here. Gotta get you to bed, YN. no arguing, now. Queen’s orders,” you nodded, and mumbled ‘alright’ as he carried you to your chamber. He found your bed already turned down, and gently lowered you into it, letting you wriggle out of your dress. He averted his eyes as you tugged the covers over yourself, despite it being dark. You settled into the pillows, already drifting deeper into your slumber, when you heard the door creak open.

“Jon?” You murmured, reaching an arm out for him.

“Yeah?”

“Stay?”

Your eyes were shut and you were practically asleep, but you heard the door shut and lock and the sound of heavy leathers and cloaks hit the ground. Best of all, you soon felt the safe warmth of Jon pressed against your side.

Tag List: @diksy1112 @zodiyack @soleil-dor @sleepylunarwolf

[nsheetee]

sweet iced tea | haechan

pairing: music major!haechan x barista!reader genre: coffee shop au | fluff, humor summary: when you meet haechan, you think he might be the most annoying customer you’ve ever had, but you deal with his games for the sake of your bosses. when the cafe’s fundraiser rolls around, you get the chance to hear haechan’s amazing singing voice, and decide that maybe he’s not too bad.

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this is a part of the moonlight cafe series — please read the preface before continuing reading

he swaggers in, tongue pushed against his teeth and hands in his pockets

the bell that chimes above the door is like his personal background music- it follows him all the way up to the counter

you have to say, you’re thoroughly intrigued by the time he gets up to the cash register

he looks you up and down as he leans his elbow against the pastry display case

“hey sweets, where’s tae?” he asks you in a playful voice

“-yong or -il?” you ask, raising an eyebrow and leaning your hip against the counter

he chuckles at your question, lifts his baseball cap off his head to fix his hair, and pulls it back down 

you wonder if he’s trying to show off to you- you can tell he’s flexing his jaw and his arm as he fixes his hat

“I'm looking for the moon. he usually works friday nights?”

“not anymore. I work weekend nights now.” your new customer tilts his head, his facade dropping for only a second to show confusion on his face

“does that mean I'll get to see your pretty face here every friday night? beats staring at my stale-bread-looking older brother.” 

your eyes widen at his words 

this kid is taeil’s brother?

but he’s so..... bizarre and taeil’s so................ normal

“step brothers, right?” the guys smirk drops off his face as he digests your minor burn

he doesn’t have the chance to say anything back because the door chimes once again and more people step into line to order

“is there something I can get for you?” you ask, as if the past 5 minutes didn’t even happen

“a sweet iced tea” he mumbles, pulling out his wallet

you quickly make his drink and decide to add a cookie to his order- just because you would have to throw them out soon anyway and didn’t want to waste them

as you come back to the counter, he raises an eyebrow as he holds out some money

“I didn’t order a cookie?” 

you grab his money and place all of it in the tip jar, sliding his food to him

“it’s on the house. I can help who’s next?” you reply skillfully, making him drop any trace of a smile on his face, surprised that you can ward him off so easily

it’s not the last time he comes into the cafe

absolutely not the last time

he never told you his name, and you eventually decide to ask taeil if he’s actually related to the weird guy that comes in to bother you every friday night

“oh, haechan? yeah, that’s my little brother,” taeil laughed wholly when you talked to him, “just give him whatever he orders and keep the receipt, I'll take care of it.”

despite getting his drink for basically without charge, he always orders the least expensive thing on the menu: a sweet iced tea

but that doesn’t stop him from leaning over the counter to very loudly ask you to add in a few extra pumps of sweetener

he sits in the middle of the cafe, in the center of all the buzz and craziness when the friday evening rush hits

he keeps his straw permanently in his mouth, leaning back on two legs in his chair, and scrolling through his phone

of course, whenever you leave your area behind the counter and venture out to the tables to hand out orders, he always has to add in his little, extra comments:

“woah, six iced americanos? it’s not dead week yet. you better tip the amazing barista that had to put up with you!” he practically screamed across the cafe and pointed a blaming finger at the group of girls who ordered the iced coffees

when it seemed like every person was ordering a million food items, he took the initiative to come help you “okay, what do you need me to do?” “haechan, you’ll get in trouble, you can’t be back here.” “actually, I can’t get in trouble ‘cause I don’t work here.” “that’s exactly why you’ll get in trouble.”

“excuse me, ma’am, this is not what I ordered. I'm gonna need a reimbursement.” he taps his cheek, “in the form of a kiss.” “haechan, please be quiet before I have to quit my job out of embarrassment.”

pretty soon, his “helpfulness” turns into the aspects of your friday night shift that make your eye twitch and probably the reason you found a gray hair this morning

you hope with the presence of your bosses this friday night, haechan will tone it down- or even better, not show up at all

but alas, he walks into the cafe right on time

“woah, what’s going on here?” haechan approaches the cash register where you’re counting money, but looks towards the brick wall of the cafe where taeyong and taeil are setting up a small stage, a backdrop, some strobe lights, and a sign that reads “Moonlight Cafe Karaoke Fundraiser!”

“can’t you read? knowing you, probably not.” you don’t look up from your counting and haechan pouts at you

“aww, c’mon, don’t be like that.” he leans his head between your face and your hands, blocking your view of the money

“I lost count, thanks.” you sigh, restarting your counting

“it’s okay!” haechan sings, “I'll help you.” he reaches his whole hand into the penny compartment and dumps out the coins on the counter, counting them one by one

“haechan!” taeil greets his younger brother with a clap on the back, “you have to join our fundraiser next friday night.”

“sorry, I only join fundraiser where I take my shirt off or eat.” haechan sighs and shrugs while you fake gag at his words

“oh, this is right up your alley. for every whole song someone sings for the crowd, we’ll give $25 towards the remodeling of the auditorium.” taeyong replies this time, and haechan perks his ears up

“that’s all I have to do? bro, I'm gonna make you bankrupt.” haechan lays his hand sympatheticly on taeil’s arm 

“I think there should be a requirement to have a good voice to even consider singing a song.” you speak up, finally finishing counting the money in the cash register and fully joining the conversation

“oh, haechan has a good voice.” taeyong speaks up, “he’s a music major.” you're eyes turn into the size of dinner plates as you look between your bosses and haechan

“really?” you never thought about what haechan’s major is, but you never in a million years would think it’s music

maybe it’s because his shrill yelling every friday night has absolutely ruined your like for even his normal speaking voice, you can’t fathom what his singing voice sounds like

“oh, now I'm definitely singing next friday night, if anything then to prove y/n that I'm a god when it comes to music.” haechan leans closer to you, bopping your nose to gain your attention and stun you at the same time, “I'll serenade you, sweets.”

you grimace at the feeling in your chest his pet name brings you, and even more at how he smirks at you

it’s not the first time your heart feels like it’s about to fly away when you look at him, and you’re at the point where you’re hitting yourself for falling deeper into your feelings

you can’t help it, something about him is irresistible to you

no matter how much you want to rip your hair out whenever you’re around him

“maybe I'll quit before friday.”

but you don’t

and before you know it, the next friday night rolls around

the cafe is more packed tonight than any other night you’ve worked, and for the first time, taeyong and taeil are behind the counter working with you to provide food and drinks for everyone that comes in to enjoy the music

just like any other friday night, haechan walks in through the doors

the jingling of the bells seem to sound different when it’s him pushing the door open

your heart dumbly flips when you make eye contact with him; he’s more dressed up tonight, the top few buttons of his button up undone, wearing  an expensive looking watch

you can tell he styled his hair and really tried with his look tonight

and man, it’s definitely affecting you

“your drink, haechan.” you slid over a straw and his sweet iced tea 

“aw, it’s so cute that you memorized my order.” he coos and rips open the straw, sticking it into the lid 

“it helps that you order it every time you’re here.” you mumble

he begins to walk away as he sips, but abruptly stops and turns around

“is there... extra sweetener in here?” he asks, looking up at you with the most perplexed face you’ve ever seen on him

haechan didn't even have to beg for you to add any extra pumps this time

“yeah,” you mumble with your head down, pretending to focus on wiping the counter, “for good luck.”

“you’re getting too soft with me, sweets” haechan walks back to the counter, taping the spot you keep focusing on to make you look up at him, “don’t stop. it’s cute.”

and with that he walks away, leaving you to attempt to hide the affects of how much his words moved you

soon, the fundraiser starts and several people go up on stage to sing a song

you meet doyoung and johnny, who are both close friends of taeil and taeyong and who also graduated from this same university

when they got up on stage to each sing a song, you were absolutely blown away by their talent and their voices

even taeil went up to sing, and you were amazed by his powerful and skilled voice

it only made you more curious about haechan

it has been almost an hour, and he still hasn’t gone up to the mic for his song 

you wonder if he chickened out, but when taeil finishes, haechan stands up from his seat and walks to take the mic out of taeil’s hand

you move from behind the counter to lean against the other side of it next to taeyong, getting a good look at the stage where haechan is plugging his phone into the speaker

“hello everyone. I'm haechan, taeil’s brother, here to make my him and taeyong go bankrupt,” the audience laughs at his small joke and haechan eats it up, making you scoff

“this song is for the pretty barista who I've been flirting with for the past few weeks. I don’t think she noticed, so I hope this makes my intentions clear.”

he looks straight at you as he speaks, making your eyes widen at his unexpected words

you look over at taeyong for an explanation, but he only shrugs and laughs

the music starts, a slow and swing-y melody rings out of the speakers and stuns you

haechan is actually going to serenade you

with the cafe lights dimmed and the only focus on haechan, he looks like a different man than from what you’ve gotten to know these past few weeks

he looks a bit more serious; he makes eye contact with you from across the cafe, yet still somehow draws the entire audience in with his lush singing

for a second, you forget where you are

haechan’s voice is that powerful

his voice, which was formerly imprinted in your mind as the eagle-like screeching he likes to use when at the store, is now reminding you of the smooth milk you steam for lattes, and the cotton of newly washed bed sheets, and of everything that makes you melt from utter softness

it feels like he’s singing directly to your soul, and the lyrics make you blush:

“I found a dream that I could speak to, a dream that I can call my own.” he walks off the stage, down the steps and through the maze of tables and chairs

people move to let him through, some chatter rises as he walks towards you

“I found a dream to press my cheek to. A thrill that I have never known.” he approaches you, and taeyong holds you in place as you try to squirm away from the spot light

“Oh, yeah, you smile and then the spell was cast, and here I am in heaven. For you are mine, at last.” as the song ends, people clap for haechan and the cafe lights turn on 

he doesn’t look away from you, keeping the microphone comfortably pressed to his lips

“hopefully, I can call you mine?” he asks you in a whisper, but his voice is still amplified by the microphone

the audience anticipates your answer, an eery quietness blanketing the room, all eyes on you

you stay silent, the amount of attention on you making you scared to speak up

“just say yes!’” taeil calls out from his seat, “please, he’ll be so annoying at home if you don’t. I'll give you a raise!” the crowd laughs and haechan sends his brother a glare before turning back to you

“yes, okay.” you finally respond and the cafe erupts into applause 

haechan hands the mic to taeyong who walks it to the next person at the stage

soon, everyone forgets about you and haechan as the lights dim once again and the next person begins their song

haechan takes taeyong’s spot next to you against the counter

“you couldn’t ask me out like a normal person?” you whisper, turning to him 

“that wouldn’t be any fun. plus, your face was so red. I'll never forget this.” he cackles silently

for a minute, you both stand in comfortable silence while watching the next person perform an upbeat song that has the audience singing and clapping along

the colorful strobe lights above the stage are turned on and they swing around the cafe, making you feel like you’re in a kaleidoscope 

“you’re serious, right? about going out with me?” haechan’s tentative tone makes you turn to look at him

he’s leaning into you, his eyes curious and slightly nervous 

he’s worried you might’ve been pressured into saying yes with almost a hundred people watching you

you take note how he looks more nervous asking you this question than performing in front of a whole room of people

the colorful lights hit his tan skin every once in a while and a few beads of sweat roll down his forehead from performing 

he may be a bit annoying at times, but you decide that you wouldn’t have it any other way

“of course, I'm serious.” you reassure him

he smiles brightly at you, and you reach out to pinch his cheek lovingly

he laughs some more, leaning in abruptly to peck the side of your head and letting out an obnoxious “mwah” afterwards

“is it too late to take it back?”

“nope, sorry. you’re stuck with me, and I expect you to put extra sweetener in my tea every time from now on.”

“yeah, in your dreams.”