#our little private love affair

[httpknjoon]

surprise, surprise | jjk

plot | When you asked what your boyfriend wants for Valentine's, Jungkook challenged you to surprise him. But when you did, he wasn't the only one surprised.

words | 2.1k+

genres | fluff,  secret relationship au, established relationship au, friends to lovers au

pairing | jungkook x reader

warnings | none

note | another part will follow :)) enjoy reading!

main masterlist  |  drabble series masterlist

It was a late afternoon, during a warm sunny day, you and your boyfriend finally went on with your picnic plans after weeks of talking about it. Under a lush shade tree, Jungkook laid out your classic red gingham picnic blanket. He also has pillows from his place, knowing that you would love to have one while chilling. On the flip side, you brought out the food from your basket which includes various colorful sliced fruits, sandwiches, chips, orange juice, and a bottle of chocolate syrup if ever your boyfriend wants to put it on his fruit.

It has been past an hour since you arrived at this spot in the park, half an hour away from the city you and Jungkook live in. So, with no worries about seeing your friends around, you two were free to basically do whatever you wanted on the grass. Jungkook brought his digital camera and you were already sure that half of the photos he took today are Bam’s. You were just giggling when you saw Jungkook trying to make your pet stand still with his green toy ball and sounds he learned from The Dogist, a dog photographer who posts every dog he meets online.

“One more, Bam. Stay…” he commanded as he closed his left eye to focus on his camera’s viewfinder. 

Your pet, eager to have a treat and his toy, heeded. Followed by a shutter sound, you hear a satisfied chuckle from your boyfriend. He handed Bam a treat and then threw the ball for your pet to run after.

“How was it?” you asked, sipping on your glass of orange juice.

Jungkook turned around in your direction and instead of answering immediately, you found him staring at you. Used to him dazing out sometimes, you just smiled and took another gulp from your glass. Jungkook took this opportunity to point his camera lens to you. He moved around, finding the best angle where the light makes you glow from your greenery background. You were an angel before his sight. He clicks for your candid shot. When you hear the first shutter sound, you realize what he is doing.

“Wait! Take another one.”

This time, you smiled for the camera, making him smile behind the lens. After a couple more shots, he sat next to you to show you the results. By the small sound of awe you made, he knew you loved them.

“You’re such a great photographer, babe,” you told him.

“I just have a very beautiful muse,” he replied.

You looked up at him and he laughed when he saw your eyebrows scrunching together. Perhaps it was too corny and sweet. But your scrunched expression softened up before giving him a peck on his lips. He was about to lean in for more but you pulled away with a smile.

“You used to get girls with those lines?” you teased and laughed.

And before Jungkook can defend his game, Bam runs back with his toy in between his teeth. Half an hour passed, and the camera was now in your hands while Jungkook lay his head on your lap, scrolling through his phone. Bam is napping on the grass beside you two, tired from playing. The weather was not too hot since there was still wind blowing from time to time, perfect for a midday nap. With no more energy to take pictures, you settled his camera down. For the next few minutes, you spent the time running your fingers on Jungkook’s hair and appreciating the peace of the place. You can feel your heart feeling at ease.

“I can’t believe we’re already in the second month of this year,” your boyfriend suddenly spoke, eyes still glued on his phone.

“I know, babe. It seemed like yesterday when we celebrated New Year’s Eve at Dara’s and our anniversary,” you replied. “Then, we told Blaire about us.”

He put down his phone with that, looking at you, “We didn’t tell her, you did.”

You just rolled your eyes since you know you cannot really defend yourself. You were too drunk that night, Jungkook had to tell you what you shared with your friend the morning after. And after a whole-day conversation with Blaire, she agreed to not say anything about it and simply called you two “sneaky rats” in a teasing way.

“Anyway, Valentine’s Day is next week.” Jungkook brought up the topic, sitting up. “Do you want to do anything or go anywhere?”

“Well… we already did this picnic.” you clicked your tongue as your eyes traveled away, thinking. 

And after a few seconds, an idea pops into your head. An activity you saw online that you found cute and perfect for you two. You beamed as you told him about it. Jungkook nodded as he listened intently, eyes traveling down his tattooed knuckles.

“I love that, we can do that! That’s wonderful, princess.” He smiled, eyes crinkling. “Do you already have any ideas about the design?”

You shook your head, “Oh, not yet.”

“Okay, okay.” he nods again,

You squeeze his hands, “How about you? What do you want to do?”

He looked up at the leaves on the tree as he sighed, “I don’t know… Really. That’s why I asked you. What you want is what really matters to me.”

You raised an eyebrow, “Really? Nothing?”

He nodded his head but not a second after, he spoke again, “Okay, I have an idea.”

“Okay, spill.” 

“Surprise me,” he said like it was a challenge.

“Surprise you?” you repeated.

Looking back at your relationship, you were a little weak at doing surprises. You cannot really lie well and always see his reaction when you get him something meant for a surprise. But maybe you can try again.

“Okay, babe.”

“Isn’t this sad?” Wooshik sighed in between the film playing on the television. “It’s the day before Valentine’s. We are both single straight guys, watching Meryl Streep boss around people because we don’t have any plans tomorrow,” he added.

I do, Jungkook said in his head. Today is the thirteenth. It has been days since you two went on that picnic and he has been secretly waiting for your surprise. You didn’t want to give him a spoiler about it since you both know how bad you are at lying. So, you didn’t give him even a single clue.

And since it’s the day before that day, you and the girls in your friend group went out for your Galentine’s Day. You told him your activities for the day, which included going to a baking class and pampering yourselves in hair and nail salons. So, in return, he and Wooshik are pretty much shooed away when the latter begs to come with them.

“It’s for girls only! Go hang out together,” Jenny laughed. 

So, they did. Initially, they planned on playing video games in Jungkook’s place. But after two hours of playing and having succeeding losses, they got exhausted and opted to watch a movie. The streaming service recommended a lot of chick-flicks so that’s what they settled for.

“This is fine. The girls are single too. A lot of people are spending tomorrow single.” he noted, focused on the film.

But Wooshik exclaimed, “But love is in the air! I don’t want to be lonely. Maybe we should pull up at a bar or something. Maybe we can have dates tomorrow.”

“I told you, I’m not into those things anymore.”

“Those things?! It’s called dating, JK. So you’re not into dating now?” Wooshik asked his tone in disbelief. Jungkook just laughed at his dramatic reaction. His friend continued, “What happened to my friend who used to introduce me to his new girlfriend every two weeks?”

Jungkook tossed him a pillow, smacking it right to his face, “Hey, people change!”

“You used to hold the record for most partners in a year in our friend group, JK.” Wooshik snickered.

“And now, I don’t. I’m happy where I am right now.” 

“Blablabla. That’s something a person with a great high-paying job or a nice love life would say. And I don’t think your job pays you that high for you to say that.” Wooshik quipped while watching the movie again.

Jungkook laughs. He’s right. But Wooshik is not aware of how fun he is having with you. Your friend doesn’t know how much you made his life more than nice. You made his days a lot more warmer and brighter than it has ever been.

“And the girls are not really single. Jenny said she will be busy tomorrow–”

“She is. She works as a head chef in a restaurant. Tomorrow is like a festival in her workplace.” Jungkook cuts him off. 

His friend snickered, “Okay, but she’s going on an occasional date with that same guy she met at a food convention. Blaire is having an on and off and on relationship with Grace. Dara is dating–”

“She is?” Jungkook asked.

Wooshik nods like it’s something he has known for a long time, “Yeah… and YN, I just know that one is seeing someone.”

Something in his stomach dropped when Jungkook heard that, “Yeah?”

“Remember when I stayed for like a week in her house when I had something renovated in my place? I swore I saw her sneaking out a guy one early morning.” his friend shared, clueless about the guy who was now sitting in front of him.

“Are you sure?” Jungkook asked.

“Yeah, I just didn’t see him properly since the lights were off. But I heard YN talking to him.” 

Yeah, it’s him. 

Not wanting to talk about it anymore, Jungkook said, “You know what? Maybe we should go out.”

It’s like Wooshik’s ears perked up when heard that, “Where?”

“Just out. Maybe get something to eat or… I saw this new bowling alley opening up around the corner. We can walk there from here.”

Originally, Jungkook wanted to take you there first. But with his best friend being bored and talking about you and your relationship, he just thought of going to that place.

“Oh, okay. Maybe fate can find me a date there.”

Jungkook chuckled, getting up, “Okay, I’ll just take a quick shower. Then, we can go.”

Wooshik nodded and Jungkook walked away. Left alone in the living room, Wooshik reached for the almost-finished bowl of chips on the center table. He rarely watched chick flicks but he really liked this one. Maybe because of the lead actress. But nonetheless, he enjoys the story.

“I just don’t get why she has to leave her great job for Nate. I mean, he did not even support her when she was having growth in her work and she was in Paris!” Wooshik exclaimed as the screen showed Anne Hathaway walking away from her boss, portrayed by Meryl Streep.

The credits were rolling in when he heard the knock on the door. He was about to call his friend when he heard the distant trickling from his shower. Wooshik got up and opened the door, dusting off the cheese powder from the chips. A delivery guy stood in front of the door, holding a box of pretty flower arrangements.

“Delivery for Jeon Jungkook.” the guy said.

Confused, Wooshik had his mouth slightly open before answering, “Oh… uh, he’s in the shower. But I can receive this for him.”

“Okay. Please, sign here.”

The guy handed him a paper and Wooshik followed. After the flowers were handed to him, he said thank you and closed the door. His eyes scanned the whole arrangement filled with various flowers. A white folded card sat on top of it. As he carefully placed it down on the table, one question stayed in his head.

Who the hell would send flowers to his best friend?

So just like what any nosy, curious person would do, Wooshik flicked the card open.

Blooms for the best person I know. 

I was with B in the flower shop and he helped me pick the flowers. I hope you’ll love them.

Know that this is the first of other surprises I’ve planned for tomorrow ;)

But firstly, let me ask you for the first time,

Babe, will you be my Valentine?

-Princess

Princess? Who the hell is Princess? Who is B? Is B a person? Did his friend have a baby and didn’t know it?

“Hey, let’s g– Oh, where did that come from?”

Jungkook came in, hair damp. His eyes land on the bouquet of flowers. Wooshik is frozen in place. His hand is still holding the card as he stares at him.

His eyes gradually squinted, “Who is Princess, and why is she sending you flowers?”

TAGLIST (closed)

@hobiuwusunshine @alinerl @bbangtanlove95 @daydreamiies @craftymoonchaos @awseokjin @yoonabeo @luvrsofbts @hisbutton-nose @bloopkook @chvngbiin @takochelle @wildarmy @cuddlysoftbear @luv-minhyun-world @shydestinyyouth @bbtsficrecs @fan-ati--c @rjsmochii @jkbabiey @hopeworldjimin @chieftoadturkeynickel @ppeachyttae @tannies-luv @loomipee @sanctify-mp3 @stuffy16 @laylasbunbunny @di0rgguk @tswisal1 @amara-mars @jksgirlhere @callmejimmeo @rapmonie2047 @petalsofink @daemontargaryenwhore @juju-227592

[itafushin]

considering this is our main fandom blog, ive considered making a separate blog for system stuff but due to personal stuff i dont feel safe talking about our experiences so open

[astrolovecosmos]

5th House + Romance

The 7th House tends to get all of the attention when it comes to couples, relationships, and romance. But the 5th House rules over our love affairs, flings, close encounters, dating life, and romance overall. Below are blurbs about the signs in this House:

Aries in the 5th House: Can't resist an instant connection or chemistry. Falls for love at first sight stories. May be attracted to passionate ideas or people. Interested in stories or themes that involve the lover and the fighter. May be highly independent in their love life and embrace being single or at least being more separate from a partner or crush somehow. Can easily get bored in their dating life or burn through relationships. Having a partner who recognizes and appreciates their individuality is important for keeping the flame alive. At times they may be a selfish lover or demanding. They could have high standards or not, but what matters the most is someone who can keep up with their energy. May be an impatient, lively, youthful, daring, flirty, and physical date. For them dating should be fun, maybe a little competitive or a challenge, creative, and exciting. They get turned off by those who threaten their independence, anyone that attempts to boss them around, the overly cautious or practical in love, and an embarrassing date. Some can get competitive in their love life while others prefer to be the prize.

Taurus in the 5th House: Sensual, physical, and visual things is what grabs their attention. This may mean a large focus on looks, may be all about smell, needs someone who is good with their hands, loves gifts or being spoiled, and needs plenty of time and comfort. Is all about sweet, traditional, and/or giving romance. Is attracted to ideas about loyalty. Their romance is all about chocolates, silk, champagne, candlelight, massage oil, beautiful settings. Will be turned away by those who pressure them, rush them, and/or are unreliable or too unpredictable. This placement needs to feel safe in their dating life and among love interests. They can also be unforgiving in their love life, finding it hard to get over a bad impression or big mistakes. There might be a focus on money or materialism in their dating life somehow. Can crush hard but always plays cool about it. They aren't one to rush into commitment quickly. Their love life may seem slow or predictable, but this is due to their caution, standards, and strong heart.

Gemini in the 5th House: Gemini and the Air element is famous for needing strong mental connections in their relationships and being attracted to witty, social, clever, talkative, and/or intelligent people. Their romance is all about the mind and conversing but also spontaneity, trying new things, having fun, flirting and teasing, sharing and listening, and low-key lewdness. They are excitable in love or lust. They can also easily get bored and restless in their dating life. They usually make for a funny, charming, easygoing, and playful date. They may approach dating in a mischievous, shallow, and/or careless way. They may love their space and independence. But the desire to connect and learn from others is strong. They may highly value friendship or find that their dating life heavily involves them somehow. This person's date better get along with their pals or be as social or anti-social as them. They need someone who is on their wavelength socially and mentally. Is associated with having a very active and busy love life filled with stories. But the observant and detached side of this sign may love from afar or romanticize ideas and people more than interacting with them.

Cancer in the 5th House: This placement is likely attracted to those who need their help or care, the few they can make a deep connection with, the caring, the vulnerable or sensitive, and/or the mysterious as long as the individual isn't as private as them. Romance to them is about affection, sharing, melding, emotional reactions and expression, feeling needed and wanted, the ocean and moonlight. They may take their time to open up to someone and may not have an overly active love life. But this placement can certainly be romantic, a daydreamer, an admirer, and potentially possessive and smothering but with lots of passion. Despite Cancer's guarded nature it wouldn't surprise me if this placement was at least vocal and active in the dating world somehow, even if indirectly. Will be turned off by those who are flaky or unpredictable, the cold or detached, anyone that makes them feel too misunderstood, and the insensitive. They are highly sentimental in their love life. They usually make for a thoughtful, understanding, welcoming, and memorable date. Doesn't take rejection or breakups well but is good at hiding their distress or obsession. Might not be comfortable being single but also their protective side won't let them settle or rush into anything. Also, family may be a distraction from their love life or take priority over it.

Leo in the 5th House: Romance to them needs to be loud, warm or hot, passionate, lively, and has plenty adoration. They want a love life that is filled with activity, potentially drama, celebration, affection, and physical intimacy. They want to date those who make them feel special and give plenty of attention and praise. Leo in the 5th House makes for a playful, confident, dazzling, fun, brave, potentially chivalrous, generous, and sometimes impressive date. They have a love for the chase but also a greater love for admirers. Their ego may also be addicted to making a good impression on their crushes and dates. Some can be quite melodramatic in their love life, making mountains out of molehills or getting into the most scandalous happenings. Dating may be a game, performance, or work of art for them. Because of the fire element and Leo's strong connection to the self and ego, it is worth notating that this placement can be selfish, demanding, and arrogant at times in their love life. But there is also a part of them that may heavily focus on integrity, respect, being good-hearted, and doing right by people they're courting. Leo is a sign of nobility and honor after all. This placement likely has high standards and rightfully so as they believe they will bring a whole lot to the table.

Virgo in the 5th House: Their romance can have unexpected spice and bitterness. Virgo in the 5th House will certainly have a practical, high-standard, and intellectual approach to their love life. But they are sensual, curious, eager, and expressive in the bedroom or in romance. They can be perfectionist in their romance and love affairs somehow. This could manifest in their appearance, the planning of their dates, or general expectations. Makes for a polite, dependable, clever, attentive, knowledgeable, and potentially talkative date. Will want to learn everything about their date or crush right away. Can seem cautious, reserved, prude, or fickle at times but their head is likely noisy with thoughts and daydreams about their object of affection. Romance for them needs to be tempting, clean or messy or both somehow, filled with a lover's praise, trusting, maybe involve acts of service, relaxing, maybe an escape. Winning over someone, impressing someone, and spying on their crush are all activities they may enjoy, but nothing compares to "saving" or "fixing" their love interest. Won't stand for an overly vulgar, rude, disorderly, or uncultured date. May be turned off by those who love the spotlight, are cocky, or are reckless. Can have a flexible and self-reliant side in their love life but ultimately is after a long-lasting relationship.

Libra in the 5th House: Romance for this placement needs to be intoxicating, dreamy, sweet, maybe a little edgy, harmonious, pleasurable, and beautiful. May easily fall in and out of infatuation. Libra is famous for their indecision, and they may struggle to take action and make decisions in their love life. This placement at times prefers it when others make the first moves but at the same time, they are likely to entice their crush or manipulate events so that it seems like others are making all the big moves when in reality they've been scheming. Can be quite a flirt or charmer. May get a thrill out of getting others to like them but not actually be interested themselves. They could also be shallow in this area of life at times. When dating they try to be accommodating, understanding, accepting, supportive, and romantic. While they may love a game of cat and mouse, they won't hesitate to initiate bouts of romantic gestures, words, and ideas. They have a great desire to make their lovers happy and to keep the peace among their dating life. They can be determined to end on "good terms" or "mutually" with exes. Mutual sharing, compliments, sophistication, lovey dovey things, long conversations, and fairness are all things this placement values in romance. Can have a surprising competitive, jealous, or critical streak in their love life. May seem like their dating experiences are ideal but know that loneliness and self-doubt may be an element that holds them back in romance. Other placements in the chart such as Venus and Mars can shed more light on things like commitment, intimacy, and relationship dynamics but those with this placement are likely to have a very romantic, active, or appealing love life.

Scorpio in the 5th House: This individual may be hard to get to know romantically. They can be secretive and/or mysterious in the dating world. Scorpio is associated with depth and intimacy and in the dating world they may feel as if sometimes they are too much or that others are too little. Their style of romance is intense, passionate, magical feeling, may involve power dynamics, dark, filled with sex-appeal, acts of devotion, affection, potentially pain, and secrets. This placement can be attracted to forbidden love, love stories that involve taboo subjects, or ideas and themes filled with betrayal, sacrifice, death, rebirth, empowerment, and rawness. They can be a jealous and controlling lover or date. They will take faithfulness and promises seriously. They rely on their magnetism, intuition, and bravery in the dating world. They get turned off by a controlling partner, the shallow, vain, or fake, and unreliability. Takes breakups hard and isn't good with change in this area of life. Can be unforgiving in love and isn't known for smooth or peaceful breakups. Their love life can be turbulent, dramatic, unknown, or even dry many times. It depends on what stage of fascination, obsession, and heartbreak they are in. Can be attracted to vulnerability and sensitivity but also toughness, competitiveness, and confidence, especially physical confidence. Keeps love and lust very separated which can make them seem misleading or manipulative... and sometimes they may be manipulative. Anyone with good or bad character can have this placement, but being the other man or having a mistress certainly can thrive here. Someone with this placement can also be a compassionate, giving, trustworthy, protective, and stable partner.

Sagittarius in the 5th House: The hunter in the dating world. They can be determined to obtain their love interests and may be attracted to those who are hard to win over. Romanticizing people, places, or ideas based on their rarity, exoticness, or newness may happen here. Romance to them needs to be thrilling, insightful, maybe challenging or like a game, exploratory, a journey. Turn offs include smothering, their date not getting along with their friends, coldness, secrets or deceptive behavior, and an overly sensitive date. They may be tempted by risky situations, ideas, or people. Loves the idea of a little bit of danger or the strange. Has no problem rushing into things or making the big moves. May be a lover who over-promises, exaggerates, or is impatient. Is honest, flirty, possibly crude, and passionate with some swagger or smoulder. Can be attracted to adventurous types, intellectuals, and "the enlightened". Can be free spirited and good-natured but also reckless and selfish in their love life. Sharing ideas, keeping things straightforward, some humor or playfulness, and respecting each other's space is how you can win their heart.

Capricorn in the 5th House: Romance for this placement is a soft spot for them. A part of them dreams about the sentimental, roses, tender touch, messy passion, and vulnerability. But another part of them is very practical, rigid, and cautious in the dating world. They are likely private or quiet about their love life. Capricorn in the 5th's style of romance may be surprising to some, here they may indulge in themes of powerful attraction, high libidos, a little bit of wealth, luxury, or authority and power, earthy themes, erotic ideas, encouraging vibes and dynamics. This person may be hesitant to commit but they are known for their loyalty, dependability, and integrity. They will work hard to maintain their relationships, even the shallower ones. They fear having a bad reputation in the dating world. Likely to always be on time for a date. They can take love and dating very seriously, possibly rejecting or scaring away suitors frequently, especially when younger. They may feel stressed easily in this area of life, maybe feeling pressured by family, friends, or society to date or settle. They can be hard on themselves in the dating world. They strive for approval from their love interests. They may desire sanctuary, reward, and/or control from their love life somehow, and appreciates lovers who help them to relax or try hard to understand them and reassure them.

Aquarius in the 5th House: When you hear about this person's love life you would "have never guessed", and neither could they... which they probably love! This placement is associated with having an unpredictable, chaotic, potentially detached or dispassionate, or conflicting love life. Their style of romance can be "different" somehow, they may embrace the weird, loves an irresistible force or may be one sometimes, adores those who fight for what they believe in, wants romance to shake things up, can involve a melding of minds, involves late night walks and talks, abstract ideas and debates, experimentation, and psychedelic or spiritual vibes. This placement falls for individualists and conversationalists. They have heart-eyes for those who are comfortable in their own skin or embrace their strangeness. Also loves a nerd, a dork, a geek, an intellectual. They can be quite sincere and loyal in their love life but a shallow and even egotistical side of theirs may give them the urge to show off their shiny, new, unique girlfriend/boyfriend who isn't like anyone else's. This placement may get easily distracted in love, value friends over lovers, is hard to get to know, may be overly independent for some, and struggle with rebellion vs. pressure dynamics in the dating world. They hate to be judged in this area of life and may have deep fears of rejection. This placement is associated with dating friends or somehow being highly involved in their friend's love life. Maybe they play matchmaker, help couples get back together, or play messenger. Their dates MUST get along with their friends and get their pals' stamp of approval. Some with this placement may also live through their friends' love lives vs. nurturing their own. This sign can struggle with emotional attachment and closeness, intimacy, and emotional expression in their dating life. Unless personal planets indicate otherwise, this person likely won't open up emotionally until years after dating. Can feel conflicted about their need for stability and need for change and newness in love. Embraces the extremes and unknown as long as they can do things on their own terms. Is turned off by rules or bossiness, staleness, the overly judgmental, and clinginess. Can appreciate beauty, loves quirkiness, but is mesmerized by a crazy mind.

Pisces in the 5th House: Romance is their middle name. If their real love life isn't active then their fictional one certainly is. Despite other chart placements this person's love life doesn't leave out the fantastical, magical, ardent, sensitive, and spiritual. This person is a secret or vocal hopeless romantic. Their style of romance is rom-com, fairytale, messy, sparkly, dramatic, grand, sentimental, sweet, mystical, intuitive, eternal and changing. They have an active imagination and may get as much of a thrill from writing love songs and reading romance as going out on dates. When on a date they need an emotional connection or something that feeds their imagination. They can also easily fall for sob stories or playing the hero. They may also get addicted to infatuation or the way someone makes them feel. They need to be careful of being taken advantage of in the dating world. They may also easily lose themselves in their partners. They put their crushes on a pedestal and sometimes needs a reality check in their love life. They can be a sensitive, moody, alluring, empathetic, and easygoing date. They win you over by getting to know you emotionally and intimately. They won't settle for a boring, aloof, or stale relationship. The romance always needs to be alive.

[seeingivy]

king of my heart

satoru gojo x f!reader 

maybe satoru gojo, the man you were arranged to marry by your very annoying parents, was the one you were waiting for all along

**part of my satoru as taylor swift songs series

content: arranged marriage trope, megumi + tsumiki kiddos, annoying parents, mentions of drinking + prom/highschool LOL

an: taylor swift satoru gojo propoganda returns. 

- 

You hold the vase of tulips in your hands, your palms sweating against the glass secured in his hands. You sincerely hope your anxiousness doesn’t make you drop the flowers before you can hand them to Mrs. Gojo. That would be a disaster. 

Your parents are behind you, locking up your car and fussing over your outfit. Your mother had picked out a pale, baby blue dress for you, a modest cut but flattering your best features (according to her) - your hips, shoulders, collarbones. She’d given you a sparkling silver necklace to match, to draw attention to you. You silently wonder when she became such a conniver, hand picking your best traits to put on display for the Gojo family. 

Your father’s mimicking her motions, taming down your stray hairs. You had braided the front pieces of your hairs just behind your ears and curled the rest of your loose hair to perfection. Your mothers request, of course. He’s less anal than her about the entire affair, but you don’t miss his nervous twitching as you walk up to the door. 

The only person you can stand is your little brother, Saiki, who's been rolling his eyes since we started driving here. He thinks the entire proceeding is archaic, which it is, and has vehemently been making his disapproval known. He would keep it going, but there was talk of grounding on the table, which silenced him all together. 

The four of you gather on the steps of the Gojo's mansion. You prepare yourself, mentally running through the steps your mother had drilled into you since you started meeting potential suitors a few months ago. Polite nod to the husband, hand the flowers and press a kiss to the wife, a shy smile to the suitor. 

The three of them are crowded at the door, Satoru Gojo towering over the two of them. You’d heard of him before, your mother mentioning that their family was one of the most esteemed business owners in our entire social circle. She had never had the pleasure of making her acquaintance, which killed her every night (you’re sure of it), until now. A mutual friend had mentioned the Gojo family was looking for their daughter in law to “perfect their set” and your mother was all too willing to offer you up on a silver platter. 

You do as your told. You knew you would have to anyway and struggling was useless. Plus, you’d sworn off love as of late anyways. This is what you were primed for - that shiny medical degree, your private pediatric practice - they’re all sparkly little gimmicks meant for this. A selling point. 

The door opens and you start. First, a polite nod to Mr. Gojo, who gives you a chill with his stare. His eyes are void of warmth, the cerulean blues staring back into your eyes. His hands are cold when you press them together to shake, the same cold gaze being exchanged with your parents over the back of your shoulder. 

Second, flowers and a sweet kiss to Mrs. Gojo. She dotes over the tulips, in a polite way, before dismissing them away to the servants you didn’t notice standing against the wall. You thank the servant for taking the vase, giving a warm smile before pressing a kiss to Mrs. Gojo’s cheek. Ice cold. 

Third, a shy smile to the suitor. Whatever the fuck that means. You meet his gaze, half obscured by the sunglasses he was wearing indoors. He’s dressed in a buttoned up white shirt, the sleeves rolled past his forearms. The slacks are pressed to perfection, his shoes shined so well you could use them as a mirror. You give him a smile, which he halfheartedly returns. It seems he’s more interested in talking to Saiki than you. 

The seven of you walk down the length of the hall, the table set up with white lilies and silver tablemats. Mrs. Gojo turns to Satoru, insisting that he take you and Saiki on a tour. Satoru nods, begrudgingly, before gesturing to you and Saiki to follow him up the stairs. 

When you reach the top of the stairs, Satoru turns to a painting on the left, a painted portrait of his family when he was way younger. They all have solemn looks on their face, Satoru’s hinting on the borderline of irritation and boredom. Before Satoru can start his riveting spiel, Saiki interrupts him. 

“Are you really going to make us do a real tour? Do you have video games or something till we have to go back?” 

You dig your hand into his shoulder, bending down to his height and squeezing slightly. 

“Saiki. Be nice.” 

“Mom’s not nearby, you know?” 

“She has superhuman, x-ray vision, Saiki. I bet she can see you from here.” 

The two of you laugh and you ruffle his hair before you stand up again. You pat down the pleats of your dress, drying your palms against the fabric, as you turn back to Satoru. 

“We don’t actually have to do a tour if you don’t want to. I have Mario Kart in my room.” 

You and Saiki shoot him glimmering smiles, following him down the length of the hallway. He opens his bedroom door for you, the room the exact opposite of the perfectly proper, museum like decor downside. 

His walls are navy blue and littered in posters and pictures. You can see his diploma hung up on the wall, right next to a poster for the Spongebob movie. 

“I’m shocked they even let you do this.” 

“They didn’t, Y/N. I just did it anyway.” 

You nod at his words, turning your neck back to the walls. Saiki and Satoru sit on the floor, legs crossed, playing the game as you take a moment at each section, observing all the pictures. He has what seems like twenty or thirty pictures of his friends - sleeping in class, sitting by a lake, studying in a library. You don’t miss the multiple pictures of the girl with dark hair, a scar pressed against her nose. Especially the one of him kissing her cheek. 

The other picture that stands out is a picture of Satoru himself, from when he was younger. The picture was clearly taken from above, an exasperated look pressed on little Satoru’s face. You can’t help but think he looks sad, lonely in the picture and commit it to memory. Your parents were more irritating than most, but Saiki got you through. 

You settle down onto the floor next to them, Saiki handing his controller as you start to play. 

“One more round and we should head back.” 

You nod, playing the game, the pictures rattling around in your head. 

- 

The dinner is horrible, obviously. You were seated in between Satoru and his father, with Saiki exiled all the way at the end of the table. You shoot him glances every few seconds, trying your best not to smile at his very clear distaste for it all. 

You can sense the dynamics fitting into your mind, observing every little thing to better understand what you were getting into. After all, the Gojo’s were going to be your family in a few months, whether you liked it or not. 

Satoru has a clear distaste for his parents. His father, more than his mother. You can just tell by the way they look at each other. You think back to the picture, the one of him when he was younger, and can’t help but wonder if his father took it. 

After dinner, your parents and Satoru’s convince force the two of you to take a walk along the garden, alone. You nod, preparing yourself for what was coming. A moonlit walk, pleasantries, and a ring secured on your finger by the end of the walk. 

The two of you walk in silence, a respectable distance between the two of you. You can smell his cologne as you walk next to him, the breeze in the air making the hair on your arms stand up. 

You press your hands across your arms, entering the gazebo with Satoru. The two of you take a seat on the bench in the middle, keeping a respectable distance. 

“Y/N.” 

“Can I say something first?” 

He nods, leaning over the bench to meet your eyes. The only light in the gazebo is from the tiny, sparking fairy lights around the interior, the moon shining through the openings on the side. You can’t help but wonder if things were different, that this might have been the happiest moment of your life. 

“I would like to be married by name. I figure you have a girlfriend, that girl from the pictures in your room with the scar on her nose, and that’s fine. I’d just like to keep it up for images to satisfy both of our parents, since I figure yours are as relentless as mine.” 

The two of you sit in silence, the words hanging in the air. You focus on the lilies growing by the edge of the opening, wilting in the air of the night. 

“You’d be okay with that?” 

“I was never expecting us to fall in love. We just have to do what we’re asked, keep our own lives outside of it.” 

He nods, the silence returning. You can see the gears moving in his head, considering your offer. After a few minutes, he removes a dark green box from his pocket, sliding it over to your side of the bench. You open the box to find a sparkling, modest cut diamond secured around a gold band. 

You take it into your hand, taking out the diamond ring and placing it on your ring finger. You stick your hand out, staring at the sparkling ring on your finger. 

He shoots you a genuine smile, shaking his hand in yours. Deal. 

“Thank you.” 

“No problem, Satoru.”

He secures his hand in your own as the two of you walk back down the path. Your parents are all too delighted, everyone pressing warm kisses to your cheek as they take your hand in their own. 

The business deal is set. Your parents deal with each other and yours with Satoru. You can feel Saiki’s hand shaking in yours, trying to hide his upsetness at you. You reach down to ruffle his hair, shaking your head at him as the four of you head back home. 

You and Satoru are married by the end of the month. 

- 

“I have a secret.” 

You’re currently standing in Satoru’s driveway, your driveway now, with your boxes lined up on the sidewalk. Your parents had insisted that you move in with him, now that you were married. You had to oblige. 

All in all, your marriage with Satoru was pleasant. You guys went out to dinner every night, exchanging pleasantries over an expensive meal Satoru bought you. The two of you often shared jokes, trying to ease the tension. He updated you on his relationship with the girl, Utahime was her name, and you talked to him about work. You find out that his relationship is anything but stable, the two of them fighting like it was breathing. He likes to hear about your coworkers, the patients you saw that day, how you like the workplace. 

It felt more like hanging out with a friend, but there was always an invisible, silent wall between the two of you. You were married. You had to have kids together. Grow old together. He doesn’t talk about it. Neither do you. You’ll breach that when you get there.  

“What’s your secret, Satoru?” 

“I have kids.” 

“If there’s a zoo animal inside that house, I’ll run you over with my car.” 

Satoru loves to prank you. You get irritated with him very easily, which you’re aware goads him on even more, but you can’t help it. He’s an idiot. 

But this time, he places his hands on your shoulder, squeezing twice. His sunglasses are hanging from the collar of his shirt, his usually obscured eyes peering into yours. No sign of a joke in them. You gesture to the steps on the porch, the two of you sitting down against them. 

“You’re a manwhore? You got a girl pregnant and then had to raise it by yourself?”

“Obviously. The woes of a single father.” 

You laugh, leaning your neck back. The sunlight is sprinkling onto your skin through the leaves, the beams kissing your skin. It’s a nice feeling, the breeze tickling the wisps of your hair. You can feel Satoru staring at you through the corner of your eyes and you turn your head to the side to look at him. 

“Their dad passed away. I took them in after, just because I didn’t want them to be alone. Their names are Megumi and Tsumiki, they’re five and eight. I really hope you like kids, they’re really well-behaved.” 

You turn to face him, narrowing your eyes at him. 

“You’re kidding right? Did you just ask me if I like kids?” 

“Well yeah, you’re going to be living with them, I was just wondering.”

“Do you ever listen to me when I talk? Do you even know what I do for a job?” 

“Um…”

You burst out laughing, the tears rolling through your eyes. 

“You’re ridiculous, Satoru Gojo. I’m a pediatrician. Like a baby doctor. Like I full on go to work everyday and see children all day.” 

He pushes you over, grumbling about how you were still laughing at him, about how it was an honest mistake to make. When your tears subside, he reaches his hand out to you, pulling you up to enter the room. The two of you shuffle the boxes to the edge of the door and pad into the foyer. Satoru grabs your hand, pulling you in to meet Tsumiki and Megumi. 

Tsumiki extends her hand, introducing herself politely to you. You bend down, reaching in your pocket for the lollipops you always had in hand, and don’t miss the glowing smile when you hand it to her. You turn to your side to look at Satoru, whose rolling his eyes at you. 

At the sight of Megumi, you can tell he doesn’t look quite right. His face is flushed pink, his forehead covered in beads of sweat. He can barely keep his head up, eyes wavering at the sight of you. You reach down, pressing your hand against his forehead. 

“Satoru. He’s sick.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Satoru, I’m a doctor. Do you have anything on hand?” 

At the sound of your words, Satoru enters into a full blown panic, grabbing basically any medicine and blanket he had in the nearby vicinity. You examine him, asking his sister how long he had been feeling this way, laying him down on his back and administering the medications Satoru had brought you. 

When things settle down, with Megumi’s eyes fluttering open and Tsumiki running her hands through his hair,  you join Satoru in the kitchen behind them. He’s nervously watching the two of them from the back, his eyes still pinched in worry. 

You link your arm through his own, preparing the parent pep talk you give your patients every day. 

“It’s okay, Satoru. Kids get sick all the time.” 

He nods, his eyes still fixed on Megumi. 

“It was a good thing I was here, really. He’s going to be okay, I promise.” 

Megumi speaks up from the couch, his grumpy voice permeating the air. 

“Satoru would have killed me if you weren’t here” 

You turn your head to face Satoru, expecting to find annoyance pressed on his face. Instead, he’s broken out into a full smile, shaking your hands in his and thanking you profusely. 

“That’s a good sign?” 

“Kid always loves to give me attitude. If he’s well enough to make a dig at me, he’s perfectly fine.”  

“Can’t blame the kid. I would do it too.” 

“First, I get an malevolent kid and then a malevolent wife? No breaks for Satoru Gojo.” 

“Woe is you.” 

You roll your eyes, joining Megumi back at his side to take his vital signs again. The two of you share a knowing look, ignoring Satoru’s joking pouts and comments in the back. 

You can’t help but smile at the two of them, their soft hands clasped in each other as they fall asleep on the couch after a few minutes. After a few minutes, you and Satoru carry them back to their beds, giving each other a high five before heading to your own rooms. 

Maybe it won’t be so bad. 

- 

Satoru comes home late one Friday, well past Tsumiki and Megumi’s bed times. You had to shower and tuck both of them into bed by yourself, which was irritating. 

Satoru reserved Friday nights for Utahime, the two of them going on a secret date somewhere in the city. You had met her once, establishing that you had no intentions of doing anything with her boyfriend, which she was all but understanding of. 

You figure that she must love him so much that she’s willing to look past it. You get it, you’d do the same if you were her. 

If you were in love. In general. Not in love with Satoru, obviously. 

He trails in, ten minutes past midnight to find you sprawled against the couch. You’re wrapped in three blankets, your head poking out of your little cocoon. 

“You know what sucks? You got some tonight and I got to tuck two kids into bed.” 

He trails to the kitchen counter, no stupid remark in response. You get up from your tiny fort, padding into the kitchen where Satoru is standing. He’s eating a box of macaroons, pushing the last one towards you to eat. 

The two of you are leaning over the counter, the silence palpable. 

“You okay, Toru? Where’s my usual back talk?” 

“Mhm. Kind of broke up with Utahime. Don’t feel like it today.” 

You push yourself onto the counter, your legs dangling over the edge. The two of you are the same level now, facing opposite directions. You lean your head against his shoulder, linking your hand with his and pressing twice. 

“I’m sorry, Satoru. Want to talk about it?” 

“She just got upset that I got married, that's all. Didn’t really understand that it was something I had to do. Said I was doing a little bit too much for her to make up for it and she met someone else.” 

You nod, the two of you sitting in silence. You stay that way for a while, your head against his shoulder, your hand in his. You’re rubbing small circles into the side of his hand, your fingers tingling at the contact. 

“Satoru.” 

“Hm?”

“I understand.” 

“You do?” 

“When I got my heart broken, all I could think about was how I wanted it to be him so bad. He meant everything to me and I’d do anything to be the one next to him.” 

“Heartbroken? You never told me that.” 

“Yeah. It was a few years ago. He didn’t feel the same about me as I did about him.I]” 

“Did you date anyone after?” 

“I waited for someone, the person who was meant for me. I kind of gave up as time went on, swearing off of it all together. It’s partially why I struck the deal I did with you. If I was going to be forced to marry someone, he could at least be someone nice, a friend I could keep.” 

He sits quietly, pondering your words. He’s leaned his head against yours, the two of you sitting quietly. The only sound is your breaths, inhaling and exhaling in sync. 

“You think I’m nice?” 

“I’m not soothing your ego.” 

“Rude. I’m wounded Y/N.” 

You poke the side of his cheek, rolling your eyes at him. You move closer into his embrace, now tangled in his arms. You can hear him whispering against your hair, his lips against your forehead. 

“Did it hurt? When he left?” 

“Yeah. But, someone told me something and it’s always stuck with me since then. I guess I was trying really hard to make it work, but things like this always sort themselves on their own.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“The right people were always going to stay. If Utahime and Getou were the right people, they’d still be here, Satoru.” 

The two of you stay that way for a while, pressed against each other. Tsumiki and Megumi trail in at the sound of Satoru’s voice, pressing themselves against your legs. 

You all sleep together in Satoru’s bed that night. You ignore the stinging in your chest at the thought of Satoru hurting. 

 - 

You can feel your phone buzzing on the counter, as you tuck the last bit of flowers into Tsumiki’s hair. 

toru: hurry up 

toru: this kid is gonna shit his pants and i think im scaring him

you: omfg don’t tell me you gave the poor kid a pep talk 

toru: kind of. told him id throttle him if tsumiki doesn’t come back from the dance with a smile on her face. 

you: satoru gojo, i will hurt you. leave the poor baby alone. 

Tsumiki turns around, her pale pink dress falling to her sides. You hear Satoru’s footsteps down the hallway, glaring at him as he joins you two at the door of the bathroom. 

“Don’t tell me you left him alone at the dinner table.” 

“Megumi is there. He’s staring him down real good.” 

You and Tsumiki glare at Satoru and you turn back to Tsumiki to give her the final touches. You press your shiny pink lip gloss in her little hands, settling her hair down as you stand up. You and Satoru move out of the hallway, about to find your way back to the room, but Tsumiki stops you in your wake. 

Her hand is pressed against yours, pulling you down. 

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure thing, Miss Miki. What’s up?” 

“Do you think I’m pretty, Y/N?” 

“What? Of course, I do Tsumiki. You look lovely. I’m sure Ethan will love it.” 

She gives you a shy smile, her eyes wavering on uneasiness. 

“You’re very pretty, Tsumiki. I love your dress and your eyes are all sparkly the way you like. Just have fun out there okay? If you’re not having fun with Ethan, you can always have fun with your friends instead.” 

She nods, pressing her body against your frame. You squeeze her tight in your frame, Satoru eyeing the two of you on the ground. 

“Thanks for always being here, Y/N. I love you.” 

Tsumiki lets you go, running off into the kitchen where Ethan is very shyly handing her the little corsage he bought her for the dance. You turn to Satoru, the two of you watching him in the kitchen. 

“She loves me.” 

“Are you dense? You do know Tsumiki and Megumi both love you right?” 

“I don’t know, I wasn’t entirely sure of it. I figured they might, but I never thought they’d actually say it to me.” 

You pull out your camera, snapping pictures of Tsumiki and Ethan as they press their little flowers to each other’s clothes. Ethan’s parents are waiting in the driveway. They’re driving them to the dance and you and Satoru will be picking them up. 

You follow them into the driveway, waving goodbyes as the car makes its way down the road. 

“Did you like school dances, Y/N?” 

“I never really went, Satoru. No one ever asked me.” 

“What? Not even Prom?” 

You shake your head, facing away from him as you pull out the dinner the two of you were going to eat. Ice cream. Satoru’s idea, obviously. 

“Why didn’t you go?” 

“It’s kind of stupid, Satoru.” 

“Tell me.” 

“No.” 

“You’re keeping secrets? From your husband? Who is he?” 

You laugh, playfully pushing him. He gives you a smile, locking his fingers with yours. 

“Cmon, tell daddy. I won’t make fun.”

“You’re disgusting. I’m filing for divorce.” 

“As if.” 

You look down at your hands, his pale, nimble fingers interlocked with yours. 

“It’s just stupid. I wanted to go really badly, have my whole special moment. A guy who asks me to the dance, brings me a corsage, matches the color of my dress, and we dance while drinking cheap beer out of solo cups. But no one wanted to do it with me.” 

He turns his head to the side, staring down at you. 

“Forget it. You’re dumbass was probably Prom King for all I know. You wouldn’t get it.” 

You lean against the counter, digging your spoon right into the center of the tub of ice cream, rather angrily, reliving the stupid, pitiful feeling of your teen years. 

“I was Prom King.” 

“Of course.” 

“Hey. I’m sorry you didn’t get your moment, Y/N.” 

“I’m glad Tsumiki has someone to do it with. You know, make her feel special, like she’s only girl in the room and all that.” 

He presses his forehead against yours, reaching for your spoon to eat some of the ice cream with you. You swat his hand away, which he pouts at. 

“It was still a good day. Tsumiki said she loves me.” 

“I thought you were kidding about that. Did you really not know that we love you?” 

“We?” 

“Y/N. You know I love you right?” 

You shrug your shoulders, staring at his blue eyes. He cups your face in his hands, squishing your face. 

“As smart as you are, you’re really stupid sometimes you know that? How could I not love my wife?” 

“You’re stupid.” 

 - 

You pick up your phone, shooting a text underneath your desk.

you: satoru.

lanky ass mf: yes, oh beloved wife of mine?

you: sleep in the sewage, you gutter rat.

you: I forgot my white coat and my badge at home, can you pLS PLS PLS DROP IT OFF AT THE OFFICE I NEED IT

lanky ass mf: first you call me a gutter rat and then ask me for a favor?

lanky ass mf: no I love you? no light of my life, king of my heart, body, and soul?

you: I will skin you where you stand. PLS JUST BRING WHAT I ASKED

lanky ass mf: ask nicely and i’ll drop it off on the way to work.

you: oh beloved, dear old husband of mine. everyday, my love for you grows exponentially. if you could please spare me some kindness out of your cold, pitiful heart of yours and bring me my white coat in my badge, it would be much appreciated sweet thing

lanky ass mf: i’ll ignore the insult that you threw in there and bring it over in ten, oh lovely wife of mine.

you: ty satoru :DDD

lanky ass mf: ur welcome, sexy :’)

you: wanted: y/n l/n wanted for the vicious, gruesome murder of satoru gojo.

“lanky ass mf disliked your message”

You set down your phone, burying your head in your hands. The practice had been busier as of late, a viral bug passing around all of your patients. And on top of that, you had left your white coat and your badge - which you needed to round - at home. You can feel the tension headache setting in your forehead, bringing your fingers to your temple to soothe it down.

Tsumiki had a field trip today. Satoru dropped her off bright and early but she forgot her permission slip at home. You had to rush over to the school, nearly running onto the school bus to get Tsumiki’s slip in on time.

As promised, Satoru prances in twenty minutes later, your whitecoat and badge in his right hand and a bouquet of tulips in his left hand.

Asshole. You had framed a photo of Satoru, Megumi, and Tsumiki from your birthday and placed it on your desk. The three of them planned a surprise dinner for your birthday and you loved the pictures so much you just had to frame one for your office.

The problem was that ever since then, all your coworkers could talk about is how handsome your husband was. WIth his white hair, sparkling blue eyes - all they could go on about was how beautiful he looked and how cute your kids were. Multiple of them had asked you how he was in bed, which you ignored. Obviously.

You had mentioned it to Satoru in passing, which you’re sure prompted the tulips in his hand. And you know that egomaniac was about to have a field day.

He comes to your side, not missing the shining smiles on your coworkers faces, as he places the tulips in front of you. He beckons you to stand up, holding your white coat open for you to pull your arms in.

You give him a glare as you pull it on and Satoru clips your badge to the pocket.

“I hate you, Satoru Gojo.”

“I love you, sweet pea.”

You can hear your coworkers cooing quietly behind you, walking up to dote on Satoru for bringing you flowers. You can feel him drinking up the attention, giving everyone charming smiles as he secures his arm around your waist.

“Imagine if I told them all you had a girlfriend when you married me.” you whisper in his ear.

He frowns, prodding his fingers into your forehead.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Watch me.”

Satoru places the flowers at the head of your desk, dropping a glass box filled with the noodles you had last night for dinner. He leans over the counter, whispering at you as you fill out the charts for the day.

“Take a break for lunch later and eat this. I’m tired of you coming home hangry and taking it out on me.”

You take the box from him, rolling your eyes before shooting him a smile.

“Thank you, Toru. I appreciate it.”

He smiles at your words, leaning over to press a kiss to your forehead before running out of the office. Asshole.

You look down at the tupperware, a sticky note pressed on top.

eat up silly wife - satoru <3

You take the post-it off, pressing it against the frame holding the picture.

- 

“Why did your parents want to meet us again?” 

You and Satoru are currently standing on the porch of his parents house, dressed up for the occasion. Satoru’s wearing a buttoned up white shirt, rolled up to his forearms again. He’s wearing a light green tie, intending to match the green, silk dress you had decided to wear. 

He asked you to look your best, because he was going to ask his parents for something really important. He said bringing you would be his best bet, so that they feel more inclined to say yes at the perfect sight of the two of you. 

“I thought your parents were in Bali. Did they come back early?” 

“Yeah. They hated the animals so they came back.” 

“The what?” 

Satoru reaches forward, ringing the doorbell. The door is opened immediately, the servants answering the door. You wave hello to them all, making your way to the garden where Satoru was leading you. 

His hand is clasped in yours, firmly, as he leads you to the back gazebo. He takes you to the direct center, where the two of you had first made your deal, and turns to face you. 

“So.” 

“So.” 

“My parents aren’t here.” 

“I gathered that.” 

“Don’t talk back.” 

He reaches towards the back of the gazebo, pulling out a plastic box. In the box, there’s a matching corsage and boutonniere, pink flowers surrounded by baby’s breath. You take the box in your hand, meeting his gaze. 

“You never got to have your moment. Figured I’d give it to you now.” 

You smile, opening the plastic box. Satoru takes the corsage out first, securing it against your wrist. He lifts your hand, pressing a kiss against your knuckles as he does so. You avoid the blood rushing to your cheeks as you take the rest of the flowers out of the box. 

You pin the boutonniere against his shirt, smiling at him. You’re unsure when Tsumiki and Megumi joined you, but the flash of Tsumiki’s camera catches you off guard. You give the two of them a smile and they run off hand in hand, leaving the two of you alone again. 

“Like it?” 

“Love it. They’re very pretty, Satoru. Thank you.” 

He reaches back, pulling out a little juke box. He presses play, Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud playing out of the speaker. 

“Did you really pick this song?” 

“You wanted your moment. That includes dancing to a cheesy, Ed Sheeran song.” 

“You could have left that part out.” 

He grabs your hands, placing them around his neck as he secures his own around your waist. 

“Nope. Giving you the most authentic, real moment I can.” 

The two of you sway, laughing into each other's neck as the song goes on. The song transitions, Taylor Swift’s Sweet Nothing blasting out of the little speaker. You press yourself against his chest, the two of you hugging as you dance in the moonlight. 

“I’ve got one more thing for you.” 

He reaches out, pulling out a little plastic tiara for you. He secures it on top of your head, pressing your hair down. 

“I don’t get it.” 

“You’re Prom Queen!” 

You press yourself against him again, your cheeks burning against his chest. 

“You’re stupid, Satoru.” 

“You love it.” 

You do love it. The tiara, the dancing, him. You love him. 

The two of you return to swaying, your faces a few feet away from each others. You stare into his glimmering eyes, smiling at him. He returns your smile, rolling his eyes at your cheesiness. 

“You don’t have a crown.” 

“Yeah. Figured if I got to be Prom King and you didn’t during high school, then you get to be Prom Queen right now and I don’t. Even it out.” 

“Boo.” 

“It’s okay. I know I’m the king of your heart anyways.” 

You feel your chest clench, his words sinking into your chest. 

“You are.” 

“What?” 

“The king of my heart. Body and soul, all that cheesy stuff you say.” 

“Don’t lead me on. That’s cruel, even for you little lady.” 

You stop swaying, bringing your hands down to his. 

“I’m being serious. You’re special to me. I was waiting for someone all my life, who made me feel special. That person is you.” 

He’s staring into your eyes, the shock spreading across his face. 

“You don’t have to feel the same way as me. It’s okay.” 

He leans forward, pressing his lips against yours. You’re caught off guard, his hands pulling you closer. 

“Toru.” 

“Y/N.” 

“Do you love me?” 

“You’re impossible. I just kissed you.”

“I don’t know. I was a little confused, I guess.” 

“I love you, Y/N. You’re my sweet, sweet girl.” 

You can feel yourself blushing at his words, trying to fight the doubt settling in your mind. 

“Utahime?” 

“I thought about what you said. And I realized that the only person who stays by my side is you - through an arranged marriage, two kids I sprung on you, and a literal girlfriend. The right person was you, just took me a second to realize.” 

The two of you stand in silence, the lights flickering above you. 

“Satoru?” 

“Yes, sweet girl?” 

“Can you kiss me again?” 

He’s all too happy to oblige. He lifts you up, slotting his mouth against yours again. You can feel his hands shaking against your face, his lips desperately pressed around yours. 

“Calm down. I’m right here.” 

“Cut me some slack. I’ve been waiting to kiss my wife for months now.” 

You feel Tsumiki and Megumi return to your side, the two of them sporting cheeky grins at the two of you. Megumi presses something into the small of you hand and you feel for it in your fingers realizing what it was. 

A ring. 

“Toru.” 

“Yes, sweet girl?” 

He’s cradling your face and you can’t help but feel like this was going to be the happiest moment of your life. Your face in his hands, your kids hugging you against your legs, smiling at each other. 

You hold the ring out, balancing it between your fingers. 

“Marry me?” 

You slip the ring onto his finger, the two of you walking out of the garden hand in hand like you did the first time. 

- 

part two based on enchanted linked here

the satoru as taylor swift songs series masterlist

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Just Friends, Chapter One:

pairing: joel miller x f!reader

rating: E (18+ ONLY, mutual pining, age gap (joel is 56, reader is 34), angst??, masturbation (m))

wc: 2k

joel masterlist | series masterlist

Joel feels weak when he sees you.

That’s the best word for it. Weak. A complete lack of control—of power. Logic and reason are nothing but incoherent mumbles in the background every time you’re in the same room as him, even worse when you look into his eyes and speak his name.

He hadn’t felt this sort of tug towards someone in years, and the unfamiliar sensation of needing to simply see you at least once a day in order to function properly was beginning to consume him. He didn’t know what to do to rid himself of this infatuation, avoiding you was impossible and so was getting closer thanks to that 30-something year old patrol ranger you called your boyfriend.

He watched the two of you together as though it was his job. He watched the way you seemed to keep him at an arm’s length when the two of you were out together, always sandwiching yourself between your friends rather than beside the man you were supposed to love.

He couldn’t help but wonder what the two of you were like in private.

It couldn’t be a very passionate affair, that much he knew. Real passion wasn’t so easily concealed. It was consuming, drawing you like a magnet to your partner, burrowing beneath your skin, creating an itch to be near them—to be touching them. It couldn’t be an affair of passion.

Just now, he’s sat in his usual seat in the corner of the bar, his back pressing to the padded walls of the booth, his hand holding a crystal glass filled with whiskey, his brows drawn together, his eyes locked on the back of your head as you ordered a drink, your friend next to you. Joel wants to stand up, walk over, and offer to buy your drink right in front of him just to see the look on your face.

Would you tell him to fuck off? Or would you say yes?

The laugh you let out in response to something your boyfriend whispers into your ear stops Joel from finding out.

“God, I need a drink,” Ellie sighs as she emerges from nowhere, her backpack being shrugged onto the floor as she sits down across from Joel.

“Tough day learnin’ your ABC’s?” he quips, his tone still flat from the war jealousy was waging inside of his head.

“Ha-ha,” she replies, just as dry. She knocks her knuckles on the wooden table as she watches his eyes drift back to you, now seated at a table just five or so feet away from him—too close for his comfort. Downing his drink, he shifts his eyes back to Ellie in time to catch her chuckling at him.

“What?” he asks, tilting his head at her as though he were begging her not to read him as easily as she does.

“Nothing,” she shakes her head and laughs again before reaching over the table to swig the finger of whiskey left inside Joel’s glass.

“Hey,” he calls as he catches her mid sip, stealing the glass back. “They got rules about kids drinkin’, you know that. You itchin’ for another lecture from Maria about followin’ the rules?”

“No,” she replies. “It’s a bullshit rule anyway.”

“No, it ain’t,” he sighs as your laughter fills the room again, his chest panging causing him to physically wince. “I’m ready to go home. You comin’ or you stayin’?”

“Staying,” she says, grabbing her backpack and setting it on the table. “Have homework to finish and your sad country music being blared through the house isn’t going to help keep me focused.”

“Don’t disrespect my sad country music,” he warned playfully as he stood up with a grunt, finishing the little whiskey left in his glass in one gulp. “I’ll see ya back at home by curfew.”

“About that…” Ellie looked up at Joel with a hopeful smile. “Dina invited me over to spend the night—“

“Dina can spend the night at ours,” he argued, that protective streak of his making it’s usual appearance.

“Dina and I don’t wanna watch you drink and sing along to George Jones, dude,” she replied, frowning up at him until he broke.

“Fine. But you’re back in time for breakfast tomorrow.” Ellie grinned as she nodded at him, his eyes rolling and a chuckle escaping his chest. “Spoiled.”

As Joel starts to make his exit, he stops at the bar to deliver his empty glass and pay off his bill. That’s where you find him.

“Hey,” you start, hoping to conceal your deeply hidden crush on the older man with friendliness. Joel’s head turns to you so quickly you swear you hear his neck crack, his unreadable eyes locking on yours as though you were some sort of apparition he was almost certain wasn’t actually there. “I just wanted to come over. Say hi.”

“Hi,” he replies, choked and unprepared. Clearing his throat, he tips his head towards your table. “I saw you were with your friends, otherwise I would’a came over and said somethin’.”

“You can always come over and say something,” you assure, fighting the urge to bat your eyes at him as you give him a smile. The man whose coat you’re wearing lingers in the back of your mind as you stare at the man you’ve wanted since he arrived.

“How’s the new fence treatin’ ya?” he asks, a smile creeping onto his face as he leans a shoulder onto the bar and faces you. You think back to the weekend he spent building your white picket fence last month, free of charge. The way his arms looked in a t-shirt as he sawed away at the wood still makes you dizzy.

“Well, it’s still upright so…you must’ve done a good enough job on it,” you offer with a smirk, earning the slightest of chuckles. You always wondered why everyone seemed to think he didn’t have a sense of humor, he seemed to find you funny enough. “I, uh, also came over to invite you over to my place tomorrow evening.”

You watch as Joel’s brow lifts with interest.

“Oh yeah? You throwin’ a party or somethin’?” he asks.

“My birthday,” you shrug. “Figured I’ve gone twenty years without celebrating it, might as well.”

“That’s what this place is supposed to be about,” he says. “Doin’ normal things again.”

“Exactly,” you smile, ignoring the butterflies that flutter in your stomach when he mimicks it. “So, can I count you in?”

“Long as you got somethin’ to drink.” You laugh and nod in reassurance. “Well, I’m in, then.”

“Alright, I’ll let you escape before someone else comes up and tries to talk to you,” you offer, reaching your hand over to touch his arm. Joel looks down at the contact before meeting your eyes again, something unreadable lingering in his dark irises that makes you flustered enough to pull your hand away. “I’ll see you.”

“See ya,” he replies, quiet as he taps the counter with his knuckles before turning and walking off. Your eyes couldn’t help but lower to his fist as it hung by his side, clenching and unclenching. With a subtle but deep breath, you turn around and walk back to your table—back to your boyfriend and all of his perfection that bores you beyond belief.

“Why did you go up to him?” Josie, a friend of yours, asks as you return to your spot at the table and reach for your beer to wash down the lingering desire.

“I invited him to my party,” you replied, shrugging as you gave her a confused look. “What?”

“Babe,” your boyfriend, Will, chuckles. “He’s…old.”

“And an ass,” Josie adds. You roll your eyes at them, knowing that neither of them ever had a real conversation with Joel, making their opinion of him mute. “Did he say yes?”

“Yes,” you chuckle, amused by the shock on their faces. “We’re friends!”

“Since when?” Josie asks with a hearty laugh.

“Since always,” you reply with a shrug before continuing, “I helped show him around when he got here since I’m right across the street.” Josie looks to Will and then Will looks to you, a look of amused confusion on his handsome face. “He’s a nice guy when you get to know him.”

“Maybe, but he’s also old enough to be our father,” Will argues. You roll your eyes at the reality of the age gap between you and your secret crush, twenty-two years to be exact.

“There are only so many people our age in Jackson, honey,” you say, irritation thick in your tone. “And besides, just because he’s older means I shouldn’t be friendly to him? We’re just gonna start shunning every person in Jackson above what, fifty?”

“You know what,” Will starts, reaching his hand over to rub your back, his warm touch only making you feel colder. “You’re right. We’ll be friendly to him too. Okay?”

“Yeah,” you sigh, lifting your beer up to your lips, wishing more than anything that the man touching you was someone else.

Joel’s in bed, his drunk thoughts centering around you. Around the way you smiled up at him as though you had no clue that his heart was beating out of his chest. Maybe you didn’t, but how could you not notice his sweaty palms, the nervous twitch of his lips when you forced a smile onto his face?

He was sure he was going to lose it completely when your hand came to rest on his arm. He wanted to run and at the same time wanted to get closer, to feel you too. But, the falter in your smile once his eyes met yours and your hand leaving his arm so abruptly it hurt grounded him back to reality. The one in which you were a taken woman and he was a man twenty years older.

It makes him feel sick when he tries not to think about you, so he doesn’t bother as he reaches his hand over his briefs and grips his swelling girth in an attempt to soothe the throbbing ache there. He grunts as he strokes himself through the fabric, just enough to build himself up slowly.

He thinks of you. He thinks of that weekend he built your fence. He thinks about the way you looked in the sun, the green grass beneath you as you sat out on the lawn and kept him company. He thinks about your legs, bare in the summer heat, your denim shorts cut short enough to make him turn red when you rolled over to lay on your stomach.

As he rubbed his thumb over the now weeping head of his cock, he imagined what it would be like to take those shorts off of you. To lay claim to what lies underneath. He moans as he imagines the sounds he’d pull from you.

Pulling his briefs down enough that his cock was springing free, he licks his hand and grips himself at the base, another choked moan slipping free as his fist glides up and then down again, over and over.

He wonders what you’re like in bed, how you like it, if you’d let him take control or demand it for yourself. It didn’t really matter, he remembers, not when he’d never have the chance of finding out.

When he cums, he groans, his fist stroking up and down, gathering his spend to help ease the glide of his hand until he’s finally had his fill. With a sigh, he lets his head fall back against his pillow, his eyes on the ceiling fan spinning above him.

“Get a fuckin’ grip,” he curses himself.

It doesn’t work.

•

•

•

•

•

[goldsbitch]

Right? p8

part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5, part 6, part 7

epilogue - Lando's POV

summary: Y/N is a photographer for McLaren F1 team. Hard working, goal oriented professional who would never put her career in jeopardy for some stupid crush, right?

Challenge me. Make me question my past actions. Hold me on the edge, while we risk it all.

Watch me watch you walk around the paddock, as if there wasn't a bright red love bite underneath your turtleneck. One that only I know about and plan on refreshing. Knowing you have to cover those up makes me ecstatic, because I have seen you smile like a teenager while doing so.

We're our little secret, for now. It will come out eventually and we'll enter a new chapter. But for today, let me have our classified, not so modest photoshoots. Let me sneak around just to give you a little peck on the cheek. Walk just a little close to me so that our hands brush, ever so "accidentally".

The way how you're so good at passing me by, as if you hadn't woken up next to me. Like I have no idea about your birthmark little too low on your lower back. The one I'd touched in a way colleagues should not.

And I know you're having to fight smiling a little too obviously during our team meetings. Because I have to admit, sometimes I have to hide my smirk behind a coffee cup or a cough. I wonder if people noticed that you don't take official photos of me anymore.

I'm good at running around with a camera, but I think I was born to be your muse. To let you capture me in the way only lovers can. Energy and desire creeping through every frame. I trust you deeply that you won't sell my secrets - and I know you have to trust me too. Allow me to play an all-or-nothing game, while being ultimately raw with you.

I sometimes can't help my mouth from smiling at random times throughout the day, just knowing that we managed to play this game so effortlessly. Once I got you on board, it turned out you're quite good at this. I guess it's making you irresistible even more.

I think hiding it from everyone is working in our favor. Once the fan hurricane hits when the reveal day comes, we will have already spent many days of freedom. It won't be a va banque taken with a stranger. A companion, lover, muse and the capturer. I should not be looking forward to causing a scandal, right? But I do. Turns out I am bad at stopping myself when it comes to you.

I've already sunk so deep, so much at your mercy, I am unable to untangle myself. Please, promise you mean it when you said "I love you" so shyly the other night. It took me some time to admit that I do. But with you being so slick and smart, you must have already known. You're someone who does not like to be brave about this. You wouldn't have said it if deep down you were not sure about my response. And that's ok. You're the smart one, I'm the brave one. A perfect combination.

One day, you'll have to take a big risk with me. When you've finally moved on from McLaren photos and get yourself in fashion photography as you always wanted anyway. You'll have to get out of your shell and I am so here for it. But for now, we have our little secret life to enjoy.

There will come a day when we'll replace the thrill of a private affair with a strive for something serious. If it had been only my decision, I would have already shouted to the world that you are mine. Make your love bites visible and trackable to me. One day, we won't have to worry about hotel room walls being too thin. But I want you ready for the price that comes with my public company.

I'll drive us fast, maybe even recklessly, and you'll make sure we have something to remember it by.

_______________________

@i-wish-this-was-me @lqvesoph @ophcelia @noneofyourfbusinessworld @formulaal @chezmardybum @amberpanda99 @4-mula1

Short, but a proper goodbye to my first story. Thank you all for the support! Love you all.

[circeyoru]

The Raven’s Deer _ Part 2

You guys send requests for this so fast. I thought I have time to write. Anyways~ Here it is!!

[Alastor x Zestial’s Little Sibling!Reader]

Part 1

Part 2 (here)

How the tables have turned. Before, Alastor could enter Zestial and your territory just fine, even teleporting via one of the many ravens in the city. But now, he found his own presence blocked just outside the two sibling Overlords’ domain

He recalled how Zestial and you would have radios in the mansion and even in the forest to sometimes catch his broadcast, since the two of you ancient souls were less pleased with Vox’s attitude and not his product per say. So he tried his hand at finding a radio from within your domain so he could at least request for your ears to listen to him

What he got back was nothing. As if all the radios were gone. He knew it wasn’t gone, but it was merely because he wasn’t allowed to reach it. As much power as he had over radios and broadcasting throughout the city, it pale in comparison to yours. While you weren’t as showy, you were feared for a reason

Alastor put his minions at the edge of your domain, as much as he could to cover grounds and alert him when you appeared. Not even Rosie was helping him with them since she said it was his private business with you. She’d love nothing more than to have you and Alastor reunited and be the same as you always have (maybe more), but you hated when people butt into your affairs, thinking that it was ingenuine to both demons. Then there were Zestial and Carmilla that actively blocked Alastor’s connection with you

Call it luck, call it Alastor’s stubbornness and persistence. Either way, he caught you one way or another when you were flying back from a little murder spree. “My cruellest dear, I merely wish to speak to you. Please lend me your ear and time.”

“Actions speak louder than words, Alastor. Rosie must have told you so. Your 7 years disappearance spoken plenty to me.” You had given him a taste of your nightmare aura with your black wings that mimicked that of an angel’s puffing up to make you look more threatening

“My nightmare, and I have been trying to get a hold of you for the longest time. That accounts to something, yes?” Alastor pleaded back. The fact that you used the modern way of speaking was very telling of your mood. He had to be careful with himself else risk angering you further. “May I take you to… Your favourite restaurant?”

“It closed after the third year you were gone due to angels raiding the place.”

“Your favourite hunting grounds?”

“Just returned from there.”

“Your forest?”

“You have not permitted entry.”

“Anywhere you please, name it and I’ll bring you there.”

You had raised a brow. This needy side of Alastor was something he showed to you after some time of being acquaintances and business partners. You have to admit that it was very attractive and you love seeing him like so. Your anger overpowered your curiosity as you nodded, though where to move the conversation though… “The Vees’ headquarters.”

Ruthless as always. You knew he and the Vees had bad blood yet you wish for your talk to be there of all places. If he backs down or suggests another location, you’d definitely leave him in the dust

So the two of you made your way to the Vees’ tower, walking side by side while Alastor was a bit behind. Imagine the look on Vox’s face when he saw the two of you coming to his building, worst thing was your wings were out. Not a good sign. At all. Vox was quick to intercept when you two had passed the front door

“What can I do for you, Raven? Nightmare? Mare? Uh, Night?” Vox put on his business smile, holding his clapped hands in front of his lower chest. He’d eye back to Alastor when you made no movements or eye contact

Alastor cleared his throat. “We- I’d like to use your building as a location for the dear here and I to have our chat. So if you’d be so kind as to vacate this location for a moment, that would be much appreciated.”

Vox stared at Alastor, his face showing ‘error’ on it as he went on overdrive to understand the situation. He was really curious why you were with Alastor and why here? “Ha, you think you can waltz into here and just—”

“I don’t mind taking your souls. Vox.” Your eyes glowed, looking over to the TV Demon with intensity. Hallucinations of all kind appeared in Vox’s eyes when your gaze was on him. He had to do a double take that you weren’t speaking as you normally would. “I’ve been looking for a reason to level the three of you, especially that freakishly tall one with 4 arms.”

When the hallucinations of terror stopped, Vox nodded, immediately making an announcement for everyone to leave the building immediately. By then Vox had realized Alastor did something to you that warranted your wrath

While the staff left, Vox personally went to his two partners to ask them to stop what they were doing and leave. Velvette was understanding since she wasn’t even doing another. It was Valentino that caused a problem that needed Vox to step in with a bit of convincing from your side

(You weren’t aware nor did you care at the time, but you had saved Angel from a hellish work schedule. Even giving him a breather and the idea that Valentino was powerful as long as within the building the Vees own. You certainly didn’t care about Angel and Alastor making brief realizations of each other in the same vicinity)

Sitting down at the top floor where Vox was so kind to put out snacks and drinks for you (not Alastor). Before you could disrupt the recording devices in the room, Alastor had taken that action for himself to complete. You retracted your wings to lean back with crossed legs and arms, signalling for Alastor to start speaking

You were internally screaming when Alastor was on a knee at your legs, his ears pinned back. If it weren’t for the fact that you were mad at him, you’d be playing with his ears and hair. They were just so fluffy and soft and— Ahem! You listened to every word that came out of Alastor’s lips, his confidence dying as he told you his situation that he kept close to his heart

To confirm his words, you leaned forward and hovered your open palm to his chest, as you would when extracting a soul. Yet there was nothing to grasp at; instead, there was that familiar thick collar around his neck and a chain that disappeared into the floor to wherever his owner was

The room was enveloped in darkness with stars all around, a scenery anyone could fall asleep under. The two of you floating in the middle of nowhere. Your black wings cocooned the both of you as you hugged him by the waist, “I bethought thee w’re dead.  I did accept yond thee w’re gone. (I thought you were dead. I accepted that you were gone)”

Alastor hugged back, the warmth from you was so foreign but so comforting all the same. He missed this. “I apologize for the heartache I caused your black heart, my sweet.”

“M’re apologises can’t saveth thee f’rev’r, Alastor. Thee needeth to doth something. (Mere apologises can’t save you forever, Alastor. You need to do something)” You gave him a look and a pout, showing your ‘childish’ anger

The taller demon laughed and nodded as he asked what you wanted. You answered by saying you wanted to have his cooking, you craving some deer in particular. Alastor obliged to your request with delight, the two of you walking about and shopping for ingredients to catch up. Similar to who demons acted when seeing Alastor and Zestial together, demons all did a double take to see you smiling at Alastor and chatting away like old friends

Oh, speaking of. You left some money behind for Vox. You weren’t unreasonable, just think of it as suddenly renting a place to use and returning it with money. You basically gave him an amount that could sponsor his and the other two’s projects for at least 2 years, if they spend it wisely. Even though they exacted the corpse of Alastor when they returned, this was also a good surprise, no complaints

“Ah, I guesseth I shouldst bid broth’r Zestial and Carmilla yond we madeth up, else you’d beest blacklist’d in two domains…... (Ah, I guess I should tell brother Zestial and Carmilla that we made up, else you’d be blacklisted in two domains…)”

From then on, Alastor drilled it into his head to never anger you if possible. Like ever. “Hahaha, My darkest star! Your wrath is one to be feared!”

Note: Welp. Hope you guys like this. The Vees part was not planned I tell you. Originally it was them being murderous on the streets and Alastor having no room to talk. But then Reader's (somewhat) design was to be a similar similar in trait with Zestial, so... This happened

Circe Y.

MASTERLIST

[wolfiesmoon]

Deal or no deal

Azul x gn!reader

finally writing for my baby boy azul, i can't believe it took this long since i am an azul girlie myself

a very funny silly definitely innocent business man methinks

"First, tell me what you desire. We can take it from there." Azul smiled slyly, interlocking his hands as he leaned on his elbows.

You were currently located in his private office, about to sign a contract with him. You had to think long and hard about coming to him, but you figured that if anyone can fulfill your wish, it would be Azul. You feel kind of guilty asking him for this in the first place.

You see, you've been in love with Azul for a good amount of time now, but are too afraid to make a move. You beat yourself up for being such a coward every day, and even moreso right now because you're about to ask him if he can make "someone you've had your eye on" fall in love with you. You're not sure what exactly he does to make it happen, but you hope it's doable without much instructions on your end. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Though you still feel like a bit of a villain for doing this at all.

Your guilt and nerves are probably showing in your body language, too. Which you suppose only makes Azul more interested in learning what you desire. You can practically feel the grins on the Leech twin's faces, too. It's like they genuinely like seeing you nervous and scared.

Why are they even here, anyways?

"I want... someone to fall in love with me. Someone who I've had my eye on for a while now." you fidget with your fingers, unable to look Azul in the eye when you say this.

"That's..." he tried his best to hold back from laughing but a snort escaped from his lips anyways. "Forgive the reaction, your wish was just... unexpected."

You suppose he thought your wish would be more sinister because of your body language. Or way more embarrasing. But still...

"Ehhhh, I didn't know Shrimpy was in love..." Floyd's eyes were slightly widened but his creepy grin was still as wide as ever. "It is quite surprising, indeed." Jade added on. By the suspicously calm way they're acting, you have no idea if the twins already know about your little crush and are just acting along or if they're actually surprised.

"Yeah, uhhh, I guess that's it?..." you had no idea what else to tell him. You just hope that this can be over as soon as possible since things are getting really awkward.

"I can certainly do something for you. Tell me, what is their name? They attend this school, I assume." Azul seemed delighted. Probably because that means he'll get free labour from you as a collateral. You don't have any magic to offer him, after all.

"T... their name? Is that required?" You froze up. There's no way you can say that. That would be the worst way for your feelings to get outed, ever. You suppose it makes sense, though. He can't do anything if he doesn't know who you're in love with.

"But of course it is. Don't worry, judgement has no place in business affairs." He smiled reassuringly at you. You felt your face heat up. No, no, nope. You can't do this. Not like this.

"You know what.... Never mind. I can't do it." You abruptly stood up from the cushy office chair, apologising curtly before practically bolting out of his office.

"Oh my god, that was so bad... oh my god..." you mumbled to yourself when you were out of Octavinelle. You just royally embarrased yourself in front of your crush.

Was it obvious?

.

"What was that about?" Floyd pouted at the direction of the door, which you left slightly ajar in your panic to escape the situation as soon as possible.

"Hmmm... how odd." Jade looked deep in thought about something.

"This is why I tell you to stop coming to my office when I'm trying to make a deal. You scared the poor thing off." Azul shook his head dissaprovingly.

"That wasn't our fault. Shrimpy was acting super weird the whole time anyways." Floyd defended himself and his brother.

"I suppose you're right..." Azul took a deep breath, seemingly... relieved? Not about the fact you ran away, but still relieved for some reason.

Jade made a realisation. "Oh. I see. I see."

He smiled knowingly at Azul, who raised a brow. "What is it? Is there something on my face?"

"No, it's nothing. Don't worry."

Azul gets the feeling that Jade knows something, but doesn't want to tell him.

"If you say so."

[ellieluvr420]

We meet again, darling epilogue (detective Abby Anderson x criminal reader x detective Ellie Williams)

Synopsis: Abby Anderson is a skilled detective that's never let a criminal escape her grasp, until you. You've infiltrated every part of her life and she still can't get you. As she grows more and more intrigued by you she finds herself descending further into darkness until there's no way back. She takes your hand and follows you as if your presence is the only thing giving her life knowing that you are the most dangerous thing for her. Her life will never be hers again and she will stop at nothing to keep following you down your path of corruption.

SMUT mdni

I hope this is a good ending to the series for you beautiful people that have followed the story from the beginning!!!

You lay on the large bed that overlooks the ocean on your private beach with Abby cuddling into your side, an arm lazily draped over your stomach. You had been here for just over a year now and you still never get bored of your daily routine, the constant sun and heat only sweetened the deal more for you as you gaze at the freckles that dot Abby's shoulders and face, she looked so cute with the permanent blush that crept over her nose and cheeks and you couldn't help but reminisce on your time with her in the city, although you missed it the sight of her now reminded you why you hadn't regretted your decision once. You're taking in her sun-kissed appearance when she shifts so that she can look you in the eyes.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course my love."

"How were you able to just up and leave so quick? Within a week of us speaking to Ricky you were ready to just up and leave the country. You had planned our deaths, you dealt with your penthouse, the business, everything, in a week. How did you do it?"

"I had been preparing to leave for awhile. I knew me taking over the Met would blow everything up so I got my affairs in order."

"Why would you do it if you knew it would go bad?" Her thumb was rubbing soothing circles into your side as you scratched at her scalp.

"I was bored, I was ready to go so I decided to go out with a bang, did me a favour that taking over the Met lined my pockets a little too before we left but I mainly wanted to really screw them over before I left."

"Why wouldn't you just tell me that?"

"If I had told you from the beginning that you'd end up running away with me to live happily ever after you wouldn't have taken me up on my offer would you?"

"So you knew and planned all of this from the beginning?" Her words were spoken with caution, her stomach twisted a little as you spoke.

"Yes, I had caught wind of my brother's frustrations with how I was running things so I was looking for a reason to cut ties so it would be clean and easy. When the opportunity to take over the Met came up with you I knew this was my chance. I took them over so that everything would crumble which meant I'd be able to take everything from them and my brother. I knew one day he'd try and get rid of me so I just had to wait for him to do that so I could end him. I knew what was coming so I informed Jeremy and a few others that when the time came I would pay them a huge bonus to dispose of his body and then scatter, of course their silence was part of the deal." Abby was quiet as she took in everything you said, she couldn't believe it but despite hearing all of this there was only one question on her mind.

"Was Ellie part of the plan?"

"No actually, she was a happy surprise, once I saw her I knew she would join us but I hadn't prepared for that from the beginning."

Abby processes everything you've said and she realises you manipulated her by playing on her greed for power and glory in her life, manipulated Ellie's need for love and company and you got what you wanted. You hadn't let go of your life in the city because it was the only choice you had, this was the plan all along and she had fallen for it completely and now there was no going back, she could never get away from you. She felt comforted by the darkness as she bathed in the glow of your love and let herself fall deeper and deeper into the hole you coaxed her into, making her bed and lying in the throes of your corruption.

As Abby lay quietly contemplating everything you had just told her Ellie walked back over to the bed with a tray of drinks in her hands and a joint hanging out of her mouth, the sight sent pulses straight to your core. She placed the tray down on the end of the bed and passed you and Abby your drinks before lighting the spliff. She inhaled deeply a couple times before passing it to you, you all took it in turns sharing until it was done and you were all blissfully laying enjoying the view you could never get enough off as you sipped your drinks. You hadn't smoked weed since your teenage years but you had come to enjoy getting high with Ellie and Abby, you pulled Ellie down to also lay on you and as her face nuzzled into your neck leaving feather light kisses you knew this would be your life until you died, the paradise you were surrounded by could be ripped away from you and you'd still be okay as long as you had them by your side,

You're interrupted from your thoughts when you feel Abby's hands wrapping around yours that's holding the drink and you let her lift it away from you and place it onto the tray at the end of the bed.

"Ellie take the drinks of the bed."

"What's the magic word?" Ellie snipes.

"I want to fuck and she'll kill us if we break anymore glasses." Ellie's eyes light up at Abby's statement and she immediately jumps up to move the drinks. You laugh at them talking like you aren't right there until they both turn to you with a carnal look in their eyes.

"Hey babe." Abby purrs as she sits on her knees facing you.

"Hi honey." You say in an annoyingly innocent tone.

"You gonna let us have our way with you?" Ellie questions although it sounds like more of a statement. Over the year that you had spent here you found yourself relaxing into a more submissive role when you slept together, you trusted them and enjoyed giving control to them in bed now you didn't need to have such a tight grip on everything in your life.

"Hmm ask nicely." The shift in power dynamic didn't stop you from fighting them a little.

"Please let us fuck you baby. You know how good we can make you feel." Abby kisses up the thigh of the leg she had wrapped around her waist as she speaks and you shiver at the tickle.

"You know you want it." Ellie had returned to her place at your side and was lightly circling your nipple with her index finger as she spoke.

"Well if you want me that bad how can I refuse?" As soon as you utter those words Ellie is attaching her lips to yours while Abby rips down your bikini bottoms. You're so entranced by the tangle of yours and Ellie's tongues that when Abby's lips attach to your clit and suck with a fervour you gasp in shock. Ellie keeps you firmly held in place as she pushes impossibly further into your mouth, her fingers are pinching and rubbing at your sensitive nipples as your hands find their way into her hair, you tug at her locks as Abby thrusts her middle and ring finger into your dripping hole, her pace only quickens as does Ellie's lips against yours. You can barely breathe with the stimulation they were both giving you, Abby's tongue swirling and sucking on your clit, even occasionally nipping at it as Ellie swirls her tongue over your neck and jawline following its path with open-mouthed kisses that leave a trail of bruises. Before you even register it you're finishing with a scream that's muffled by Ellie's lips that never left yours for a second.

"Come on you." As you're basking in the glow of your orgasm Ellie hoists you up over her shoulder so your hips are bent over it and your face is directly in front of her ass, you can't help but watch it as she walks, the sight making you lick your lips. You look up at Abby following behind and the image of her sucking her fingers clean as she walks makes your cheeks heat. Ellie bites and pinches at your thighs as she walks you to your shared bedroom where she throws you down on the bed. They both stand there eyeing you hungrily as you bite your lip in return.

Ellie climbs onto the bed, simultaneously manhandling you so you're straddling her thigh, Abby joins you both as she sits next to Ellie and pulls you into a longing kiss. You groan as you taste yourself on her tongue and Ellie takes that as her signal to start grinding your hips into her thigh, Abby smiles into the kiss as you gasp and pant, struggling to kiss her back as Ellie's pace quickens. The sensitivity from your previous climax makes your head spin as you feel yourself edging closer to that release all too quickly. Their hands were everywhere they could reach, grabbing and squeezing as the friction of your clit rubbing against Ellie's strong thigh made your breath hitch.

"You look so pretty like this babe." Ellie whispers in your ear before attaching her lips to your neck, your response is a groan that's muffled by Abby's plush lips that never stop her attack on yours. You moan as your hips stutter and you see white as your second orgasm washes over you, Abby detaches her lips from yours to let you catch your breath. Your forehead rests on Abby's shoulder as she rubs at your back while Ellie strokes your hair.

"You look tired, don't tell me you're going soft on us." Abby tuts at you and your lift your head to meet her eyes and smirk.

"You wish." They both chuckle but not enough for them to miss the tiny yawn you suppressed.

"Well you may not be tired but I definitely am." Abby did an overly dramatic yawn.

"Yeah me too." Ellie smiles at you as you raise an eyebrow at her knowingly. You appreciate them playing the game with you, weed had always made you so tired and that combined with sitting in the sun all day knocked you out every time. Abby wasn't lying when she said she was tired though, you all were and the dazed look in their eyes gave them away entirely. You giggle and get off of the bed walking to the ensuite.

"Well how about we pick this back up later on then hm? I need a shower, anyone joining me?" You smirk to yourself as you hear them both rush off of the bed to follow you, you hear their clothes dropping to the floor before you feel their bodies lingering behind yours as you turned the shower on.

You're all basking under the soothing patter of the water falling onto you, you were sandwiched between Abby and Ellie who were facing each other with your arms wrapped round Abby's waist resting your head on her chest. Ellie was rubbing your back as her and Ellie shared a sweet but passionate kiss, you could've fallen asleep right there and then until you jump at the cold loofah being rubbed over your back. The flowery smell of your body wash invades your nostrils and you sigh into Abby's chest as Ellie begins rubbing the loofah all over your arms, she bends down and kisses every inch of the skin on your legs before rubbing suds over them too. As she stands she spins you around to face her pressing a light kiss on your lips before massaging the front of your body with the soapy loofah. She purposely avoids your chest until she's washed everywhere else, the feeling of Ellie rubbing at your tits as Abby bites and sucks on your shoulder has you panting as your head falls back onto Abby.

"God I love your boobs like this. Do you think it would taste bad if I licked the soap off?" Ellie questions. Abby scoffs and you snort before pulling her flush against you. You stay entangled together until you slip from between them, tutting at their matching pouts.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm clean, you're both dirty. Clean up and come meet me downstairs alright?" You wink as you grab your towel wrapping it around yourself and walking off before they can protest.

Ellie looks at Abby with a mischievous smile as she holds up the loofah. "Want me to do you?"

"You're alright thanks." Abby chuckles before pulling Ellie into a harsh kiss, the loofah is long forgotten as Abby pushes Ellie until her back hits the shower wall. Ellie hisses at the sudden cold and Abby looks at her unimpressed. "Don't be a baby."

She kisses down Ellie's neck as her fingers creep towards Ellie's core. As Abby's fingers draw tight circles around Ellie's bud, Ellie's hands find their way into the taller women's hair, tugging hard so that Abby's face is pulled from her neck. They kiss again, though this time it was rushed and feverish as Ellie's hand finds its place at Abby's centre. They both replicate each other's motions as they inch each other towards their orgasms, they're barely kissing each other anymore, instead panting into each other's mouths as their legs tremble. As they both finish they share one more sloppy kiss before grabbing their respective soaps and loofahs, Abby's red and Ellie's purple, you thought you were hilarious buying their loofahs in colours that matched their straps. Once they were both clean they hopped out of the shower both grabbing their towels before walking to meet you.

As they walked into the kitchen they were shocked to see you standing there naked sipping a glass of wine, your face perks up at the sight of them before you hold a hand out to them stopping them in their tracks. "Drop the towels." They huff and roll their eyes as they both do what you say and unwrap their towels. The sight of them standing there completely naked, their muscles rippling with every small movement has you biting your lip and clenching your thighs as they continue walking over to you. "Give me a spin I wanna see the back too." They both spin looking equally as smug and you whistle at them. "That'll do it." They both come to stand beside you each placing a kiss on your cheek.

"I'm feeling a little objectified right now babe." Ellie whispers in your ear and you laugh as you grab her face.

"Sorry love, I promise I don't love you just for that banging body you've got."

"You love me?" Ellie looks like a deer caught in headlights. You had been more affectionate since moving here with the both of them but you had still never said you loved them, you often found yourself pondering it when you had a moment alone. All your life you had accepted the fact that you didn't feel things the way normal people did, the day you killed Richter was the first time you questioned the truth to that statement and the doubt in your mind had only grown. You didn't understand love, you hadn't felt loved by your parents as a child and you had always kept yourself closed off from any relationships as to not create a weakness for yourself so you weren't entirely sure what love was.

But when you looked at both their sun kissed faces framed by their wet hair, you knew, you knew that what you felt for them was love. It wasn't the kind of feeling that weighed on you the way your soft spot for Richter did, it made you feel light as a feather, like you could float away if they weren't there holding you and you're so glad they're holding you because the thought of leaving them caused your stomach to twist.

"Ellie, of course I love you. I love you, Abby, I love you both more than myself, which is hard."

"Oh believe me, we know." Abby snarks before cuddling into your side. "I love you." She directs her attention to Ellie and they exchange an awkward smile. "I love you too, you're both pains in my ass but I love you." Ellie holds Abby's hand that was resting on the small of your back as she mouths 'I love you too.' You smile and turn to face them pulling them into a hug as you take in their fresh scents. You never imagined yourself this way, it felt too soft and humane.

It felt too good for someone like you which is exactly why you love it. Richter had been right that day when you said you always wanted things you couldn't have. It always made you feel powerful, and now standing here with the most beautiful women you had ever laid eyes on, you realised you actually did it. You had proved Richter wrong because there was nothing you couldn't have.

You had it all now.

[httpknjoon]

hello boyfriend | jjk

plot | You're drunk. Blaire was supposed to drive home but you want no one except your boyfriend to pick you up. The boyfriend that Blaire completely knows nothing about.

words | 2238

genres | fluff, crack,  secret relationship au, established relationship au, friends to lovers au

pairing | jungkook x reader

warnings | alcohol consumption, cursing

note | this one has been sitting in my docs for months now. but it's here! i missed writing for these two. let me know your thoughts! enjoy reading!

main masterlist  |  drabble series masterlist

"Wait! Wait! Wait!"

Through the ear-piercing and booming beat in the club, you managed to get the attention of your friends with your rowdy exclamation. There are only three people in your booth but because of the music, you had to speak like you are talking to a crowd. Even though you felt like everything around you was spinning, you managed to stand from the leather seat.

"What... What did you... did you just say?" your body swayed as you slurred your words.

Ella, the one who invited you tonight, repeated, stammering, "I said, being single is good, right? We're both been single for a very, very long time now. So, I guess, you'll understand."

She was a good friend of yours and Blaire, who's sitting next to you, from college. Three of you went to the same university years ago.  After graduating, Ella left the country and worked abroad. Five years later, she came back and immediately set a night to meet you and Blaire to catch up personally. It took three hours of chatting, reminiscing, and drinking to get you to the state you are in now. As the one with the highest drinking tolerance and always the designated driver, Blaire stays sober. While her two other friends came up with this dumb topic.

You tried to be steady on your feet as you looked at Ella, "Tsk. Tsk. That's where you are wrong."

Blaire bit her lip to stop herself from laughing. You were never this drunk since you began working or when you were out with your other friends. However, in college, you became too drunk one time that she had to call Jennie on the phone since you want to talk to your best friend or you’ll cry. But later, you became the one who will snooze off first after just a few drinks. But tonight, you were a little more talkative and vibrant than usual.

"I…” you grinned widely.  “have a boyfriend," you confessed, holding your head high.

Ella being the tipsy person that she is gasped dramatically. Like, she was betrayed or something. On the other hand, Blaire just shakes her head while putting down her almost-empty bottle. She assumes that you are simply babbling nonsense. She vividly remembers you rejecting Jenny’s blind date set up like a year ago, saying that you are happy with being single.

"Okay, okay. Both of you are already drunk. Let's just leave this—"

"Wait! No!" you screamed, cutting off Blaire. "You don't believe me, huh?"

You squinted your eyes at her before reaching for your phone in your purse. With all the alcohol flowing in your body this night, you had the urge to prove something to your friends. You unlocked your phone after two dizzy attempts and immediately rummage through your contacts. Your eyes gleamed when you found Bam’s dad. Jungkook set it up himself out of a joke.

"I'll go to the restroom." Ella was about to leave your booth when you pulled her arm back to her seat again.

"Wait, I'll prove to you that I'm not single. I’m seeing someone for two years now!" you persisted even though no one challenged you.

"But, I need to pee!" she whined and even stomped her heel on the ground.

You placed a finger on your lips, signaling for her to quiet down. You clicked your phone screen and it immediately began ringing. Your two friends heard it too since you put it in loudspeaker mode. Blaire leaned her back on the couch, massaging her forehead. She thought maybe you just clicked on some random contact or number on your phone. She hates to be the one to explain to your contact about your drunk action.

She can't stop herself from sighing, "Y/N, you're drunk. Let’s just go—"

"Hey, princess." 

"Hey, princess."

Jungkook rubs his eyes as he answered a call from you. His voice was raspier and deeper since he was just woken up from a short nap. He looked at his laptop in front of him and sees the work he left off before dozing off. He leaned his back on his swivel chair while he spotted Bam sleeping on his dog bed. Based on the noisy background from your line, it seems like you're still out. You told him earlier that you're going out with Blaire and Ella, whom he once met years ago too during college. So, he suggested having Bam in his place for the night. You said you’ll go home straight to your place since Blaire would be driving. He agreed, making her promise to contact and update you.

"Hello, boyfriend!" you giggled like a kid, making him smile instantly.

He can tell that you're already intoxicated just by the way you call him with that endearment. It’s one of those secret signs that you already have too many drinks. 

"Hello, girlfriend.” He greeted back with the same tone you used. He cannot help but chuckle. “How are you? Are you having fun there?"

"It's fun! It's great actually!" you chattered. "But... I miss you."

Jungkook can mentally picture you batting your eyelashes while pouting your lips from your location. He chuckled again, "Is that so?"

“Yes.” you huffed. “I want to go home!”

“Well, have you told Blaire? She’ll drive you home, right?”

It took you a long to respond. Jungkook only heard the music playing in the background and a few dialogues of you with Blaire, confusing him a little.

“I was telling you two, let’s go. I’ll drive.” He heard Blaire’s voice. Then another voice,

“Oh my gosh, can I just go pee now?!”

“No! I want my boyfriend to pick me up!”

“Princess–” Jungkook was about to try to talk to you but somebody spoke again. You were heard whining in the background.

“Hi, uhm… Bam’s dad.” Blaire paused as she read his contact name. “Um, you’re Y/N’s boyfriend?”

“Y-Yes.” he stuttered, suddenly feeling a weird knot in his stomach. 

On the other hand, Blaire wanted to ask more about this unknown guy since you never mentioned dating anyone. It was suspicious how suddenly there is Bam’s Dad on your phone. She was contemplating if she should let you go home with this man as she doesn’t have any idea who he is. But she tried to shake off any negative thoughts since she will probably meet him later.

“It’s Blaire, Y/N’s friend, and assumably babysitter for tonight.” she shortly introduced herself, unaware that a close friend of hers is on the other line.  “She may be told you that I will drive them home tonight, which is what I was supposed to do now. But, your girlfriend here is being bratty and–”

“I’m not being bratty. I just miss him.” you cut your friend off with a huff.

“Whatever. Anyways, we’re in Double Aces. Can you pick her up?” Blaire exhaled. Jungkook can imagine her rolling her eyes in annoyance. 

Although taken aback, Jungkook replied, “Uh, of course. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

Did his voice just go deeper?! Why? 

“Great! We’ll be waiting outside the bar, probably in my car. I just need to get these two away from more alcohol.” Blaire hurriedly said before hanging up.

Jungkook was admittedly hesitant at first. Suddenly, it felt like he doesn’t know Blaire and he has to introduce himself again. This time, as your boyfriend. He felt conscious about himself all over again. Thoughts and questions were all over his head before Bam, who woke up, snapped him out by barking. He breathed heavily.

“Okay, okay. Let’s pick up mom,” he told the dog, who followed him behind as he stood up.

Jungkook moved quickly, putting on his hoodie and picking up his keys. He opted to leave Bam since he’ll probably be too excited in the car to see you, even though you’re probably intoxicated. The drive to Double Aces was only fifteen minutes. Just when he arrived in front of the said bar, he saw a familiar car in front of the club.

And there he sees Blaire had your arm linked to her as you sway back and forth. She was holding an open bottle of water,

“Geez. Just drink it.”

“Okay, okay. Come on, ladies.”

Blaire returned your phone to your hand. You gasped when you saw the call already ended, and your friend rolled her eyes. Ella just watched the interaction between you two with heavy eyes. She raised an eyebrow,

“What do you mean?”

“I meant, we’re leaving. Go pick up your purse, I’m driving you back to your hotel.” Blaire replied.

“How about me?!” you whined.

“Your boyfriend is picking you up. He’s on his way.”

Boyfriend. Curiosity builds up in her chest as Blaire wonders who this mystery guy is. His voice seemed familiar though. But she cannot remember who she heard that voice from.

Your eyes widened in delight, “He is?! Yay!”

After five more minutes of talking to you and Ella, Blaire managed to convince you both to leave the club. She bought two bottles of water for each of you two. Ella was soberer than you so she was easy to follow when told to get in the car. Meanwhile, you insist on waiting outside the car for your boyfriend. Blaire, who just doesn’t want to argue, waited with you. She chain-linked her and your arms since you cannot really stand straight, leaning and moving back and forth. She still laughs at your unusual state.

She chirped, “How can I let you go with this mysterious boyfriend if your state is like this?”

“What?” you turned your head to her, eyes getting droopy. “He’s not mysterious.”

“I don’t know who the guy is, Y/N. You literally just dropped the news like twenty minutes ago. I don’t even know if I can trust him in taking you back to your home.” she replied seriously even though she was unsure you can truly understand her.

You smiled, “Oh, you’ll trust him. I’m sure. You know him.”

You were totally far from being sober. You just let words run out of your mouth, not really thinking anything.

“I know him?” Blaire repeated with a mocking tone. “Well then, what’s his name?”

“Jungkook.” 

A second of silence. Then, Blaire rolled her eyes again.

“Oh, fuck off.”

She laughed as she opened the bottle of water. Jungkook? Impossible. He is in your share friend group and if you two are dating for a couple of years now as you claimed, she would have known it by now. You were about to say more but she cuts you off while shaking her head,

“Geez. Just drink it.”

Blaire watch you guzzle the liquid before she heard a car engine near them. That’s when she sees a very familiar Jeep Wrangler and she knows only one person who drives around with that car. The door from the driver's side opened and as she quickly recognize who it was, she raised her eyebrows and swore it almost went past her forehead.

“What the fuck?”

“Babe!” 

You ran to Jungkook with open arms and immediately hugged him when walked in front of you and Blaire. Blaire remained wide-eyed at her spot. Jungkook tried to smile,

“Hi, Blaire.”

His smile was in between forced and nervous. He had his one hand on your back since you were still hugging him while the other gave a single wave to your statued friend. He knew you can hear his heavy heartbeats with how close your ear is to his chest while Blaire stared at you two.

“Y–You’re…” Blaire stutters as her index finger points between you and him.

Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck, “Yeah… two years.”

You finally turned around, “See? I told you!”

Jungkook laughed at that while the surprise still hasn’t worn off Blaire. Somehow, your drunkenness calmed him down. She was about to say something when you looked at your boyfriend.

“Let’s go home. I’m tired.” you pouted.

“Okay, princess.”

Blaire just stood there, trying to remember the times she has seen you two together alone during group hangouts. Things were starting to make sense. If you didn’t run to hug her, she’s probably still spacing out there.

“I told you, you can trust him,” you whispered before turning to your boyfriend. “Babe, say goodbye to her!”

He followed, still wearing that shy smile on his face. Blaire just broke into a smile too, giving him a pat on his arm.

“I honestly have a lot of questions right now,” she confessed.

“I know. Surprise?” Jungkook joked and they both giggled. But when it dies down, he tried to say something, “Since she’s drunk and will likely forget tomorrow  that she just revealed our relationship, I hope… maybe you can…”

Without any more words or explanation, Blaire nods and formed a reassuring smile, “Yeah, I get it. I’m good at keeping secrets. We can talk all about this later… maybe when your girlfriend is sober and awake.”

She nods her chin to you. You were already resting your head on Jungkook while he holds you by the waist.

“Okay. Thank you, Blaire.” he smiled, weights lifting off his chest.

Blaire watched as Jungkook assist you in walking to his car. You were rambling about random things and he was playing along, nodding, and showing genuine reactions. She cannot help but smile at the interaction.

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[phantomrose96]

Familiar Corpse

Vlad Masters’ housephone rang for the first time in 20 years.

Vlad jolted. It was a noise so starkly unfamiliar that he looked to his cellphone first, then the shut off television, both black and wholly silent. Quiet followed, and Vlad sat in his muddy confusion, eyes roving across the empty study, until the second ring of the phone clicked into memory, and he recognized the sound.

Vlad smiled.

He placed his heady romance novel pages-down. He adjusted both his glass of wine and Maddie the cat so that he could disentangle himself from the armchair. He stood, and followed the phone’s offbeat tittering, its imitation of clambering metal, and snagged it from the line just before the third ring died.

“Hello?” Vlad said, cradling the receiver to his ear, cushioned in the fringes of his bathrobe.

“Vlad, hello,” that lovely lovely voice answered. “It’s Maddie.” As if it could have been anyone else.

“Oh, Maddie! This is a pleasant surprise, my dear.”

This phone line was not Vlad’s business line. This was the line reserved for friends and family only—which was to say, for Maddie only. Sure, she’d shared the number with Jack, though he insisted purely on texting Vlad’s cell. To stay “hip.” To “trend with the kids.” Jack had not texted him in a long while.

“Sorry to be bothering you so late, Vlad. It’s just—"

“Oh no bother at all!” Vlad traded the phone between hands. “I feel like it’s been ages since we’ve last spoken. How are you? Wonderful as always, I imagine.”

“I’m… not so great, actually, Vlad.” Maddie answered, and Vlad could have scoffed. A remarkable understatement, given what Vlad knew, and what Maddie did not know he knew. “It’s… I’d like your opinion—your expertise—on something. It’s… it’s important. Jack and I don’t know who else to turn to.”

“Ohhhhh,” Vlad sucked air through his teeth, “now I am quite busy. The McGovern merger is going through by end of the month and with the re-election campaign and everything--”

“Lunch? Just.. lunch? An hour or two of your time. Really. I can make it fast.”

“My dear I would so love for all of us to meet up like old times but I really cannot overstate how busy I am with--.”

“I won’t bring Jack.”

Vlad fell quiet, smile cracking unseen on his lips. He wasn’t even here to play this game, but he was a man who so loved being handed a victory.

“Just us. Just us two, Vlad. You can pick the place.”

“Oh now that does make things a touch more convenient. You see I already have a reservation for two set up at a nice little spot near the campaign office tomorrow,” Vlad lied. “It was going to be a quick little affair with one of my donors, but, I am sure they can reschedule.”

“Thank you. Thank you. Just tell me the place and time, I’ll be there.”

“Oh don’t even fret. I’ll send a driver to pick you up. Expect him around 11:30. Anything I should know before our… consultation?”

Maddie fell silent.

“…No. No, I don’t think so. I don’t want to give you anything that might… make you jump to any conclusions. I think I need to explain it all at once.”

“I understand completely, my dear. Wear something red, won’t you? It’s a stunning color on you.”

“Sure. I’ll—11:30? I’ll keep an eye out. Here. For the driver.”

“Yes, 11:30. Until then~”

Vlad hung up, and he ruminated on what he’d agreed to—or perhaps instigated.

This was a matter of clinical curiosity. After all, he was tabling his pursual of Maddie for the time being. A project on hold—cooled, but not soured, he assured himself, as he did not care enough about what happened to feel truly sour.

Vlad suppressed a small laugh. It was funny almost, powerfully ironic, how ideal this situation would have been to him 2 weeks earlier. But it was tainted by the knowledge of what Maddie wanted to discuss.

Vlad knew, and the swaths of blood stains on the carpet knew, which neither bleach nor vinegar had been able to fully lift from its fibers.

…

Sunlight fell like waterfalls through the second-story bay windows of Le Petit Capot. The tables were well-spaced, private despite the vastly open floors. Each was decorated with a satin white table cloth, napkins folded into roses, candles brand new and unlit. A string quartet played near the fountain, a dash of ambient background noise and mindfully polite chatter from the tables already seated. Vlad sat, confident and eager, perusing the wine menu and wondered whether Maddie might be jealous of everything she’d missed out on when Vlad ordered the most expensive bottle on the list.

“Sir.”

Vlad raised his eyes. The host approached, pulling out the second chair from Vlad’s table and gesturing to it. He watched Maddie enter from behind, clad in a stunning red dress whose creases suggested it had lived in her closet for the better part of many years. Vlad took another small victory in how so very out of place Maddie was here. Stunning, beautiful, yes. But she could not carry herself well. She shifted visibly in her dress. They were different creatures, clearly, she and Vlad.

“Thank you,” Maddie took her seat, and the host bowed and exited.

“Wine menu, my dear,” Vlad handed over the menu as though offering a business contract. “I am already intending to order this cabernet,” Vlad said, tapping the priciest item on the list. “We can order a second bottle of course, if anything else catches your eye.”

The wine list did not catch her eye. They were too tired and dull and lifeless for much at all to catch their attention.

“No thank you.”

“Appetizers, then? I know escargot can be a bit cliché in this kind of establishment, but if you’ve never had truly superb—”

“I think I should just. Get started.” Maddie’s hands had vanished beneath the tablecloth, but Vlad could tell she was wringing them out of sight from the uncomfortable shift and shuffle of her arms. Her eyes darted about. Her voice dropped. “Since you’re… busy. I don’t want to waste time.”

“Just the cabernet then. And the escargot, for the table.” Vlad flagged the waiter over. Maddie avoided looking at either of them as Vlad ordered.

“Now then—” Vlad leaned forward, one arm out and palm up, inviting conversation. “You seem quite bothered. What is it you’d like to tell me?”

“Danny’s dead.”

Maddie’s eyes refused to find his as she spoke. Vlad arched an eyebrow, less surprised by the statement as much as he was by its bluntness, by its phrasing. Not “a ghost.” Not “Phantom.” Dead.

“My… my goodness,” Vlad said, constructing whatever kind of faux reaction an uninvolved, non-half-ghost billionaire may have. One who did not already know every detail of what Maddie intended to divulge today. “Oh my sweet dear. I’m devastated. I saw him just a few days ago it feels like.” Vlad reached a hand out, and he pulled Maddie’s right arm up above the table, cradling her hand in his. “When did this happen?”

“Last week. Sometime. I don’t know precisely.”

And Vlad faltered. He was not usually one to falter, but he’d come to this meeting knowing everything, and the everything he knew would not have included an answer like that. “A year ago,” she should have said. “When Jack and I built the portal,” she should have said.

So she was lying to him then, maybe, Vlad thought, a bit colder. An odd choice for a woman who’d come absolutely begging to him for help.

He let none of this show on his face.

“My god. Did he go missing? My Dear you should have told me sooner. I could have had the whole town’s forces out searching for him. I’d have dropped my re-election responsibilities in a second if—”

“Can I… explain please? Can I just explain?” Maddie whispered. Vlad nodded, and rubbed his thumb in circles along her hand, still grasped in his.

“Last week—a week ago today—Jack and I captured Phantom. We brought him back to the lab and dissected him. To study him.”

The rhythm of Vlad’s thumb faltered. He kept it off his face, but it soured something in him, deeper and worse, to hear how few words it took her to say it. How clinical it was, the way she said it.

Vlad remembered it differently.

The desperate slamming pounding on his front door from a boy too weak to phase through. Arms hugged deathly tight around midsection as the only pressure holding organs inside. The whole front of his suit torn away, skin peeled and the whites of his clothing dyed black with rusted crimson and crusted ectoplasm. And the noise—the attempt at speaking—the look in his eyes which was so far gone—the elements which Vlad could not remember without the memories clamping like a fist around his entrails.

Vlad swallowed it all down. His heart rate was rising, and that was silly, as he had nothing to be worked up about.

“Phantom escaped. Jack and I were taking a break, and a cuff was loose—Jack had meant to fix it before, but must have forgot—and it. When we came back down into the lab, Phantom was gone.”

Vlad nodded, staring with an expression he was making sure looked rapt. He was studying her face. He was finding she hadn’t aged quite as well as he’d always thought. That rapturous beauty that had held him throughout college had gone somewhere.

“That—by itself, missing a subject. It wasn’t a problem. Ghosts have escaped before. It happens. Jack and I didn’t think too deeply about it.” Maddie glanced to the right. The waiter hovered against the other wall, wine bottle in hand. He’d read the atmosphere of the table and tried to tuck himself away until a good moment. Maddie sighed. She pulled her hand from Vlad’s. She stared down as she spoke, quieter. “I never… thought Phantom was a vengeful spirit. …I was wrong. God. I was wrong. If I could have just destroyed him on the table. …If Jack and I had never captured him.”

Vlad was glad, in the moment, that Maddie would not meet his eyes. There was emotion bleeding through on his own face which he could not wipe away.

(“I have to tell them, right…? That it’s me…?” Danny, stitched back together to the best of Vlad’s ability, kept alive with the entanglement of machines Vlad had once used to incubate Danny’s clones. He could only speak when the machine breathed for him. A rasp instead of a voice. Eyes too dry to cry, dehydrated and spent from all the screaming and sobbing Vlad had not been around to witness, and could only imagine. “I can’t hide this. They’re gonna know…”)

“Maddie… my dear… I’m—perhaps not quite following—it sounds like you mean—”

“Phantom killed Danny,” Maddie said, and she said it with no emotion in her voice, because the alternative was to fall completely apart.

“That’s—”

“It’s worse,” Maddie said, her voice wavering. “He took Danny’s body. And he told Jazz—told all of us—that Jack and I did this to him. To Danny. He’s still walking around. In Danny’s body. Pretending to be Danny. Jack and I know the truth of course but he has Jazz convinced. Jazz believes it. She thinks Phantom was Danny, that it’s been him all along, and she doesn’t know that Danny—and she thinks that we—Jack and I—thinks that we—”

Maddie’s breath hitched. She was pale now, so starkly pale against the sequin red of her dress and breathing all too quickly. The waiter with the wine retreated. Despite the open air, Vlad felt a pressure closing in around his chest.

(“It’s…………….. going okay.” Danny flinched as Vlad threaded another stitch. It took too much effort on Vlad’s part to align the needle with how badly Danny’s body trembled. It wasn’t because of the stitches. Danny’s body trembled on its own, perpetually, for the last four days. As if it had forgotten how not to, as if those untold hours on the dissection table had broken him into this state. “It was scary when I—thought I couldn’t actually convince Mom and Dad but… Jazz convinced them. They get it, I think. That it’s me. …They haven’t attacked me, you know, haha? …..It’s awkward. I think they’re sorry. It’s weird. ….I think it’s okay.”)

“This is Phantom’s revenge for what we did to him. He killed our son. And no one knows but Jack and me… and you, now. Danny’s dead and I can’t even bury my son… It’s Phantom, now. Reminding us every single moment of what we did to him. And we have to pretend like—because Jazz is there. He turned Jazz against us. She believes Jack and I did this to Danny. We tried to explain but she just thinks we’re trying to avoid the blame. Like it’s denial.” Maddie dropped her forehead to her palm, elbow on the table, holding herself up. “I can’t tell Jazz that her baby brother’s dead. She won’t believe me anyway. I can’t have a funeral for my baby boy. I have to look at his corpse every single day and pretend it’s him, and not the monster that killed him.”

Maddie’s body trembled, and the sight of it was all too familiar to Vlad.

“Jack and I don’t sleep. We don’t eat. That thing lives in our house and our baby boy is dead. And I’m begging you, Vlad, to please tell me what to do.”

Maddie looked up, and the disquiet on Vlad’s face was hopefully not out of place with whatever she expected of him.

“Surely,” Vlad said, mouth dry, “there are ways to prove if it is or isn’t Danny. There must be… a million things Danny would know, which Phantom would not.”

“He’s in Danny’s body, Vlad. He has access to all of Danny’s memories right there. He can read any memory he needs right from Danny’s own brain…” Maddie’s voice caught. “And he can overwrite other people’s memories with possession. Physically, he has Danny’s body. Mentally, he has Danny’s mind. And there is absolutely nothing Jack and I can do to prove he’s not Danny.” Maddie fell quiet a moment, eyes dropping. “And if we go after him the only way we can—as a ghost—Jazz will think we killed our little boy. His friends, too. Do we do that…? Do we just do that, and destroy him, and lose Jazz right after we lost Danny…? Or do we live with the monster. Forever.”

(“It’s… I can’t really tell what they think. It’s maybe more awkward now but, it’s getting better in some ways, maybe, I think. I don’t really spend any time alone with them… or talk about the—haha—the uh—” Danny let out a stressed laugh, blinking away tears as he ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t really talk about the—not yet. Maybe eventually. Maybe we’re—I think we’re healing. Slowly, I think. It’s okay. I’m gonna figure out how to forgive them and it’ll be okay.”)

Vlad wasn’t speaking.

Vlad needed to speak.

“Maddie, I… My dear I hear what you’re saying. But what if—well—if he is so physically and mentally indistinguishable from Danny, what if he simply is Danny? It’s—what would this be—a half-human half-ghost hybrid of sorts? From my research I feel that could be distinctly possible—”

Vlad met Maddie’s eyes, and the pain in them silenced him immediately.

“…Not you too,” Maddie breathed. “Did he get to you already? Overshadow you already?”

“Maddie my love I am not overshadowed.”

“But he’s gotten to you first somehow, hasn’t he…?”

Vlad did not speak. He did not speak, and he thought of the blood lingering in his mansion carpet and the gore he’d seen inside his laboratory walls and the dead dead dead eyes of the boy coming back, day after day, clinging to the same exhausted hopefuls of “It’s getting better...” “It’s getting better...” “It’s getting better...”

The waiter set down the wine bottle, hurrying through a speech about its origin before Vlad raised a hand to dismiss him, and with clear shining relief the waiter bowed out. Vlad had not so much as looked at him. He was staring at Maddie. And she was staring back.

Maddie pushed her seat back, and she set her napkin on the table.

“Sorry to bother you about this, Vlad. You’re much too busy. Forget you ever heard any of this.”

She went quietly. Vlad watched her back disappear without so much as a word.

There was proof, surely, for the existence of half ghosts. There was proof directly within his reach, inside him, which could be shown at a moment’s notice.

But the crimes of Vlad Plasmius ran numerous and deep. It was not a decision to make lightly. It was not a decision to make at all for the broken shards of a family Vlad was no longer interested in pursuing—for a broken woman who’d lost her charm and a son too fractured for Vlad to ever proudly call his own.

Besides, what might it mean to Maddie to see Vlad become such a creature before her eyes? What might that make Vlad to her, if not simply another vengeful ghost in another familiar corpse?

[suuuupernovaaa]

pìwopx part 2

pìwopx [pɪ.ˈwop’] n. cloud

Anonymous Request: Please could you do part two for the neteyam x ninat daughter? I'mm craving for them, maybe you could add some conflict in their love journey or anything you wanna do?

Part 1

When we began planning the day, it was going to be a small ceremony. A blessing from Tsahik between our families, a small meal, and Neteyam and I would enjoy an evening alone.

As the planning went on, things got larger, and larger, and larger, until I didn't even know what all the day entailed.

My mother insisted the entire clan be there for the ceremony, and we agreed, because we were to lead these people. Then Neteyam's mother insisted on dancing and music, to let the people celebrate. Of course, then we would need food, and more formal attire, specific hairstyles, and before we knew it, it was becoming an all day affair and I was feeling very overwhelmed.

My mother, Ninat, enjoyed the spotlight, and she had all her life. Neytiri and Jake didn't shy away from it either, as our clan's leaders. Neteyam didn't really seem that upset by the plans either, especially since the extent of his plans were to simply show up.

I was petrified. Everyone would be looking at me, watching me pledge my love for Neteyam, and while I was proud to serve the people, I did not want them witnessing something so private.

"What do you plan to sing?" my mother asked me one day, as Neytiri ran her fingers through my hair, considering how she might braid it for the special day.

"Sing?" I asked.

"Of course, you will sing."

"No," I replied. "I don't think so."

Mom rolled her eyes at me. "You will choose, or I will choose for you."

Tears pricked at the back of my eyes, and before I could make a scene, I excused myself. The mothers huffed, but returned to discussing the ceremony as I left them behind.

My body slammed right into another as I exited the alcove, and I looked up to see Neteyam.

"Sorry," I said, wiping the tears from my eyes, but it was too late - he had seen.

"Y/N," he said quietly, grabbing my arm. "What's wrong?"

I took his hand in mine, and pulled him away, down home tree and into the woods, as quick as my feet could carry me without running.

When we were away from prying eyes and ears, I finally stopped. "Can we walk to the meadow?" I asked.

"The one where Kiri gets her flowers?"

I nodded, barely holding it together, and Neteyam smiled softly and nodded in return.

"Anything you need, my love, just tell me what's going on."

"On the way," I said with a sincere smile, and we set off.

--

As we walked, I finally told Neteyam everything I had been feeling, how overwhelmed I was, how much more the simple ceremony appealed to me.

"I just want it to be about us. I feel..." I stopped. It was so hard to put into words what I was feeling. Since the moment Neteyam had asked me to be his mate, and I had agreed, we'd had almost no time together. I still felt a little shy, even if I was sure of how I felt.

"I love you," Neteyam said. "I will say it first, as I should. I love you and I want this day to be about us, and only us."

A weight rolled off my shoulders, and as it did, we entered the meadow. "I love you too, Neteyam. I mourn the years we wasted, and I don't want to waste anymore."

We turned to each other, and he smiled at me, ear to ear.

"I have an idea." His grin turned devilish, and I leaned forward, listening intently.

--

Three days later, Neytiri was braiding my hair intricately, weaving flowers through it, in a design that I knew would be beautiful. Kiri was placing paint on my face, chest and arms, and soon, I would be ready.

"You seem relaxed," Kiri said, and I just shrugged and smiled.

A short time later, Neteyam and I stood before the Tsahik, and the entire clan, and promised ourselves to each other, eternally. The people cheered and clapped, celebrating the union of the next Olo'eykton.

There was dancing, and singing, and enough food to go around. The celebration raged on late into the night, and Neteyam and I enjoyed every moment of it.

He pulled me close during a dance, whisking me away from everyone else, and whispered in my ear. "You look happy, my darling."

I smiled and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I have a secret. We have a secret."

We shared a smile as we snuck away from the crowd, hand in hand, to the tree of souls. Three nights ago, Neteyam and I had mated before Ewya in the same meadow where I had realized I would surely fall in love with him.

Today was just ceremony. It was for everyone else, not for us. The meadow was for us. Quiet simplicity and love was for us.

And it always would be.

[femsolid]

Every woman, of course, wishes to believe that the man in her life is an exceptional man, a man in a million, and that therefore she is the exceptional woman. But the odds are 99.9 to 0.1 against her (and .1 is probably a high estimate), because almost no man, no matter how gentle, no matter how liberal, could bear to reject the innumerable privileges (operant in very subtle as well as blatant ways in every sphere of his life) of being male, even if it were possible. A friend once wrote to me, "For me, the bottom line now with men is that any man (my brother, too, whom I love dearly) will sell me out if it's a choice between me and patriarchy, me and his male privilege."

- Sonia Johnson

Women feel that, without men, we will be alone and further isolated. We will have no one. We do not see relations with other women as an alternative. Without men, life isn’t worth living. This reveals the extent to which women experience our selves through men’s eyes. The more lost women feel without men, the more we have defined ourselves through our relationships with men and in relation to men.

Having most members of any oppressed group live one-on-one with their oppressors is probably the strongest possible arrangement for ensuring continued psychological enslavement. Whether the adult male is father or husband, the effect is the same: the woman is isolated from other women.

- Dee L. R. Graham

Men are thinking, writing, and creating, because women are pouring their energy into those men; women are not creating culture because they are occupied with love.

- Shulamith Firestone

Heterosexuality stands out as one of the last bastions of patriarchy where the notion of individual choice remains thoroughly unexamined. This leads to curious scenarios such as the phenomenon of feminists who might be critical of the notion of ‘choice’ and ‘agency’ in relation to oppressive systems such as pornography and prostitution, posting pictures of themselves in wedding dresses on social media, and defending their ‘choices’ as a purely private affair.

- Julia Long

Feminism is stifled by women with shifting priorities based on necessary compromises with the men in their lives. This will always create a burden for the woman to choose between her politics and the oppressor class she has an intimate connection to.

- Sustainable Separatist

Women’s magazines place young women’s ability to establish and maintain heterosexual dating relationships at the centre of women’s identities. Rhetoric surrounding the achievement of ‘wedded bliss’ and finding ‘Mr Right’ abounds, with men the ultimate source of ‘women’s fulfilment’.

- Kate Farhall

The whole world wants you to partner up with a man; the handful of us who want liberation don’t threaten your little domestic dream beyond asking you to self-reflect a bit and ponder your priorities. We’re not witches, and we’re not the monster under your bed either. We’re women alive leading fulfilling lives, and we’d love it if more women got to experience it. There’s no non-misogynistic man. Some do a good job of fooling the women around them, but none of them isn’t complicit in women’s oppression. Why do you feel such a need to put your life and your freedom in a man’s hand? Can’t you do things yourself instead of waiting for someone else’s input? At the end of the day it’s not about your feelings. It’s about doing something so things change instead of just waiting passively for men to deign to give us a few rights, it’s about women’s liberation. And that might very well be something you are not interested in, which is your prerogative, but it’s not my case.

- Floatingbook

The most exhilarating experience of my newly-divorced life was the discovery that I could be whole and happy without a man; that the fierce brainwashing to the contrary, which I’d sustained all my life, was not only composed of lies from start to finish, but was a total reversal of the truth: it’s not women who need men, but men who need women.

- Sonia Johnson

I don’t think we need to argue or defend female separatism. We just have to build it. Women who are able to speak against it obviously see no benefit in joining, so they can stay as they are. But they can’t control what we do. They can go on and on about how absolutely dreadful it would be, while we’re already building our houses and planting our gardens and having immense joy at the freedom and life. Separatism proves its points by existing and showing what it really is. Don’t waste energy telling people how stupid they are for fighting you about it, come learn all about berries and sustainable permaculture with us.

- Balkan Radfem

Friends and enemies will be clearly lined up, and the friends will be real friends and the enemies unable to hide behind phony benevolence — nor will we have to toady to them. An end to this constant remaking of ourselves according to what the male ego demands! Let us be ourselves and good riddance to those who are then repulsed by us!

- Dana Densmore

[ridhearts]

all for show {housewardens}

!! THIS IS A REPOST !! If you see a copy of this post floating around, that was INTENTIONAL! I was shadowbanned :(

@sakurarabbit18 requested: Hi, there~! So I have this really fun idea in my head. I would like a headcannon in which the fem! reader asks the housewardens to be her pretend boyfriend. But what happens when the boys fall in love for real? Super fluff, please! Thanks

sits on hands. I LOVE fake dating hehehe I left the reason for the fake dating kinda vague because I did NOT have a reason they’d agree to ready but I still hope it’s enjoyable! Also sorry if the least two are a bit short I was both getting tired and don’t know a lot about them yet so I’m still in need of some practice ig!

(also sorry for the second tag, I hope you don’t mind!)

I hope you enjoy! Feel free to leave a request!

Riddle

If you watch closely, you can see Riddle go through the five stages of grief as soon as you ask him.

Denial: no way. The prefect who has stopped Overblot after Overblot is not reducing their problem solving skills to this. (They are.)

Anger: How could they?!?! Do they have no respect for the way dating is usually done?! For themselves?! (Apparently not.)

Bargaining: Well, surely it doesn’t have to be him. Ask Ace or Deuce! Just say he’s your boyfriend and don’t make him actually do anything. (It won’t work that way.)

Depression: Is….is he seriously going to do this? If anybody finds out, his reputation will be dragged through the mud! He can imagine the field day Ace and Deuce will have if you ever tell them…

Acceptance: Riddle’s made up his mind,  and he is not happy about the decision he made.

You barely have time to cheer for your victory, because before Riddle does anything, he is setting down the ground rules. Most of them start ok: hand holding was a-ok, hugs should rarely be a surprise, only short cheek kisses allowed (he turned bright red and hastily agreed to whatever you said was acceptable)… He even insisted you had to maintain a certain grade point average if he were to help you, as if you were some kind of athlete on a scholarship. Eventually the two of you settle the details, and you skip happily out of the office with a new (fake) boyfriend ready for…whatever it is you have planned.

Riddle, at first, was very…stiff. He wasn’t sure what exactly he was supposed to be doing. After all, he had little to no experience and it’s not like he was particularly invested in the relationship as anything other than a good friend and a man of his word. You’re the one initiating any affection, and the best he can do is not appear wildly uncomfortable and embarrassed when you do.

It’s not that you make him uncomfortable. It’s just…if this were real, he’d definitely opt for affairs to be more private. Making such a literal show out of something that he’d like to keep private just feels…a bit weird.

Don’t worry, though! Eventually, he falls into the act, and he is damn good at pretending to be the perfect boyfriend. It’s definitely less ‘naturally suave and charming’ and more ‘this boy has definitely memorized a syllabus (or several) for an etiquette class before’ but hey! Whatever works, right? Just hope there isn’t a pivotal moment with Ace and Deuce around because…they are weirded out by their bestie pretending to date their housewarden, and they make it known.

“What are you two looking at?” Riddle asked sharply, fighting the urge to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Ace and Deuce had been staring at him like he had grown a second head ever since you left to get your lunch, and he was beginning to fear the incoming outburst.

It was Ace who cracked first, hitting the table with one hand. “Dude, what are you doing? It’d be weird enough if you were dating them for real, but this is even weirder! It’s way weirder, right?”

Deuce nodded. “Definitely. I mean, it’s not exactly our business, but…”

“But we have to watch it from our lunch table! So I think we should get to speak our minds if it’s a daily occurrence.”

Riddle sighed, doing his best not to make a scene. “The prefect and I have everything under control, so-”

Ace’s face suddenly brightened as he got an idea. From experience, Riddle knew that was definitely not good. “Oooohh, I get it! You’re just trying to prove to them that you’d be a good boyfriend because you like them!”

Unable to hold himself back, Riddle stood from his seat and watched as the pair cowered before him. “Don’t you two know how many rules you’re breaking by delving into other people’s personal business? Another word out of you and I’ll have your heads!”

Riddle catches feelings somewhere in the middle of the act (or, if he already had them, they get worse), but he doesn’t even realize anything’s amiss until you tell him you’ll free him in a few days. Then he spends the night wondering why the thought made him feel so heavy and panicky.

He doesn’t strike me as the type to ask you out once the deal is over, though. Honestly, he’s probably still analyzing every last detail, every last emotion he had around you while also trying to figure out if you feel similarly. Did you ask him to be your fake boyfriend because you wanted him to make a move, or do you just really trust him? Were you flustered when he played his part exceptionally well because you liked him, or were you a better actor than he thought?

If YOU ask him out, he’ll stand there starstruck for a solid few seconds before clearing his throat and eventually agreeing. If you don’t, it’ll take him some time. But eventually he’ll ask for your company and begin gently prodding you under the guise of asking if he did a good job. No matter what you answer - telling him yes or teasing him for how strict he was about the whole thing - he’ll clear his throat before asking…did that make you wonder what it’d be like to date for real? He can promise that there will be less rules for this relationship…or, at the very least, more leeway.

Leona

Leona is the worst choice if you’re trying to actually accomplish something, but the best choice if this is a last-ditch attempt to see if he likes you likes you.

Very few things are worth putting in the effort, and the amount of stupid things on that already short list is 0. When you tell him your plan, the only reason Leona doesn’t condescendingly laugh in your face is because he’s pretending to be asleep (a point of pride, really, considering you wouldn’t continue your blathering if you didn’t think he could hear you.)

Whatever your reason for needing a fake boyfriend, you’re only going to convince him through bargaining. Keep in mind, putting up with you and pretending to enjoy it is a tall order. If you’re stuck skipping Crewel’s class two days a week and bringing Leona lunch so he can use you as a pillow, consider that getting off easy.

…you almost would consider yourself lucky, if Leona actually held up his end of the deal. He isn’t pretending to enjoy this at all. Hell, half the time he isn’t even with you. And when he is, he’s doing off or just as gruff as usual. You don’t have a fake boyfriend any more than you have a grumpy lion to babysit.

It’s weird, though, because now Leona is reluctant to leave your side. Before, you could push him off you and eventually have him swagger away to do something else. Now, your prodding is met with a snide grin and him asking you, “What, herbivore, isn’t this what you wanted? I seem to remember you begging and pleading me to-”

Hopefully you don’t need the fact that this is fake to be a secret because…he won’t listen. Whoops.

Honestly, you’re surprised he’s even fulfilling any part of the deal. But the moment you need someone on your defense team, it’s like he appears out of thin air,  teeth bared and bad attitude sharpened for lethal destruction.

The second years that were bothering you scrambled to their feet, not willing to go toe-to-toe with Leona when it only took one swipe of his arm to knock them both to the ground. They stammered out useless apologies, meant more to be shields and less to be peacemakers, before running back to safety.

“Tch. Young enough to get into trouble and old enough to prey on the weak,” Leona muttered, rolling his shoulders back as if to shake the irritation off. You tried to blink away your surprise before he turned around, not willing to be the subject of his ire after he nonchalantly threw twice your weight to the ground. But of course he already knew. “What’re you looking so shocked for? I barely did anything.”

“I…didn’t realize you were there,” you said simply. Leona’s ears almost imperceptibly flattened and his tail stilled in its lazy movements against the ground.

Before you could ask him about it, he scoffed. “No wonder they thought you were an easy target, then.”

Neither of you can pinpoint exactly when your arrangement became enjoyable, per se. When you started it felt like your relationship was worse than it had been before, but now Leona seemed to love nuzzling into your shoulder and he could, more often than not, be found trailing after you (as long as you promised you weren’t going far or to do something exhausting). You didn’t remember when he decided it was alright if you ran your fingers through his hair or over his ears, either.

He’s not going to be the one to take the leap and make anything official. As far as he’s concerned, if you’re enjoying yourself you’ll stick around. and if you leave, well, it couldn’t be said he wasn’t your first choice if he never gave you a choice, right? If you’re interested in labels and stuff……just tell him that you no longer need a fake boyfriend but are looking for the real deal. If you ask sweetly enough, he might just offer to fill the spot in for you.

Azul

I’M GONNA BE REAL WITH YOU. MY BOY PROBABLY HAD FEELINGS BEFORE YOU EVEN CAME UP WITH THE IDEA.

When he hears your proposition, he’s torn between two perspectives: one, that you’re certainly toying with him and about to call him a fool for even accepting, or two, that this could be an excellent investment opportunity. He’s nervous, absolutely, but he’s never sensed that sort of hostility from you. (Ignoring the fact that he’s “lowkey” thought you made the sun shine for a while now). So he accepts your proposition, with a very clear IOU from you.

(In his giddiness, he couldn’t quite figure out what to take from you out of this deal, yet he was wise enough to think not wanting anything might make him look desperate. You, in your desperation from…whatever you needed him for, didn’t care much for specifics as long as you got a yes. Perhaps you were BOTH fools.)

Azul puts on quite a show as a fake boyfriend. He’s a master at sidling up beside you when you’re walking in the halls, falling into step with you like it was nothing. His conversation is light, easy, and you find your laughter to come naturally. Azul finds himself handing you small trinkets, charms to hang off your belongings or snacks from the Mostro Lounge (because he’s seen what you put together from Ramshackle, and he describes it to you as cute, his true distaste dripping off his words.)

But there are moments he gets…shy. Like if you laugh for a moment too long he starts to think you thought he was funny for real. Or when you toy nervously with the charm hanging off your phone, or insist he share the snacks he brought for you. When Azul works up the nerve to drape his coat over your shoulders, allowing you to nap atop your assignments while he finishes paperwork, he wants to reach out and touch you, admire the shape of your face, maybe push your hair away, just a bit…

But he doesn’t. For as well as he puts on a show, Azul has never initiated any of the affection. You have, sure. You grab his arm as you walk through the halls, you lean on him when he’s sitting close to you, you’ve even been so bold as to kiss his cheek a few times. Each time, Azul has heard his own word stutter, felt his breath catch and his cheeks warm. It was easy to pretend you were interested in him the way he was interested in you. But at the back of his mind, a voice reminded him that this was pretend. There was a time limit.

As the end of your little deal approaches, Azul gets more and more distant. He stiffens more when you touch him, and sometimes he interrupts your move to kiss his cheek and instead kisses your hand. The one thing he doesn’t give up, though, is walking with you whenever he can.

One night, when he steps onto your porch and prepares to bid you goodnight (he’s never been inside, you note, not since you’ve started this whole charade),  you stop him from leaving with a gentle call of his name.

Instantly, he freezes, but he still responds in a level voice. “Yes?”

There is finality hanging in the air, heavier with each day your final date approaches. Rarely has there been a time where you felt just how important a moment was, yet here this moment was, catching you entirely unprepared.

“…what about my IOU?"

"What?” Azul jolted, forcing his glasses askew instead of pushing them up like he intended. “Oh, yes. Your end of the deal.”

Where you felt tension, Azul felt it even more, wanting nothing more than to curl up into a trembling, sniffling ball somewhere and figure out what was going on. He thought he could use this scheme as a practice run, proving to you just how capable he was and how good of a boyfriend he could be so you’d surely realize what you were missing and want him. Instead, it felt more like you were doing a victory lap, then three, then five, proving that you really had captured his heart long ago.

It’ll be up to you to offer up a real relationship. For as much as Azul tries to be the confident businessman with answers to everything, he’s still not quite to the point where he can just brazenly ask you out. Besides, asking you to date him to fulfill a deal just feels nasty and insincere. Nervous and self-conscious as he is, Azul is still greedy, and he wants your love to be genuine, should he ever earn it.

(It’ll be up to you to let him know he already has, but won’t you take the jump if you know he’s already yours?)

Kalim

Here’s the thing: Kalim missed the part where you said fake boyfriend.

As a friend, Kalim is naturally affectionate. He’s not just ‘lean on your shoulder when he’s tired’ affectionate, either. He’s a ‘lean on your shoulder all the time like it’s a wireless charger and he’s a phone at 3% battery’ affectionate. A ‘tackle you to the ground if he’s been away from you for more than an hour’ affectionate. A ‘here, let me shower you in gifts worth more than you’d see in your life otherwise’ affectionate.

So it makes sense that you’d ask him - surely, nothing would change, right? Maybe you’d hold hands a little more obviously, or make up ridiculous pet names for fun, but it couldn’t be too bad, right? Plus, Kalim didn’t leave a bad impression on anybody (mostly), so he’s an obvious choice for a good fake boyfriend.

However….the gifts start rolling in, and you’re not sure what to do.

If Kalim missed the part where you said fake, you were at fault for not following up and setting up clear rules and boundaries. Sometimes Kalim gets so excited about things, you get swept up in the whirlwind, too. But the small mountain of (real???? Almost definitely but you’re too scared to check) gold jewelry growing underneath the socks in your drawers is enough to send you into a small panic.

At first, you try to play it cool, as if this is normal and expected and not totally stressful. Aside from the gifts, things are fine! Kalim is a natural at slinging an arm around you and leaning into you like it’s nothing. He doesn’t just hug you anymore, he holds you tightly and nuzzles up to you, eager to prove you fit like complimentary puzzle pieces. And, while you aren’t familiar with the culture around dating and courting in the Scalding Sands, the garments he begins gifting you seem awfully familiar to the significant pieces he was talking about just days before you got yourself into this mess.

Whatever plot you needed a fake boyfriend for is quickly swept aside as you try to figure out what to do with your maybe-fake-maybe-accidentally-real boyfriend situation. You try to ask Jamil for help, but he only gives a flat look that screams ‘you got yourself into this mess’ and ducks away to go to basketball practice. Clearly an intervention is in order, but you feel like you’re the one that’s lost, and Kalim is a bullet train without working breaks.

“You do remember that the plan was for us to fake our relationship, right?”

There. You said it. That dreaded ‘what are we?’ that you never thought you’d actually have to say was out in the open, feeling just as heavy on your shoulders as it did in your chest. Part of you wondered if you sounded too accusatory, but you were at wit’s end trying to figure the way out of the woods you had gotten lost in.

Kalim’s smile dropped, his eyes widening as his hand flew instinctively to his chest in surprise, his arm a shield in case your words turned to daggers. For a brief second, a crestfallen expression flickered across his face, eyes unfocused and eyebrows furrowing. Just as quickly, though, he replaced it with a smile, one more hollow than before. His hand then moved to rub the back of his neck.

“I overdid it again, didn’t I?”

It’s one of the few times you’ll see Kalim embarrassed and thrown off-kilter. He laughs, but it’s hollow and uncomfortable and you immediately feel bad for being the reason he’s like this. But Kalim is an expert at rebounding, and he’s honest to boot. So he takes a deep breath and proclaims that ok, maybe he messed up the fake dating part, but if you were happy with the way things were going, why not continue where you left off…?

It’s a little strange, at first. Kalim has a little difficulty remembering that to you, you just started dating but to him, it’s been about a month. But his boundless energy swept you away in the first place, and it’ll sweep you away again if you let it. Just…maybe tell him to ease up on the gifts. You’re running out of space for everything he’s given you.

Vil

You’re going to need a very good explanation to even get him to consider this.

See, if you were anywhere but NRC, Vil would assume you were using him for fame or something. It’s not a reflection on you, it’s just that he has eyes on him all the time when he’s in public so naturally you would get some exposure. Honestly, for that reason alone he may reject your proposition, as it’s not worth any of the pain you’d go through just to have a little fun for whatever you need a fake boyfriend for.

But you are at NRC, so things are a little different. Not entirely, as he is still very busy at school and wouldn’t have time to keep the charade up for long. BUT. If you have a specific event and he deems it worthy of his attention, then…fine. He’ll be your date…if you pass his training.

(So maybe this is less 'fake dating’ and more 'you’ve made a fatal mistake asking Vil to be your date to the NRC version of the homecoming dance for revenge,’ but it gets the job done.)

No matter what you already know or have prepared, Vil is taking the reins on this project and he will NOT accept anything less than perfection. It may have been difficult to get him to agree to this, but once he’s part of the plan he is in it to win it. Do you already have an outfit? Too bad if he doesn’t like it, the two of you are an item, you will look the part and it will not look like that. Do you need to know how to dance? Well, lucky you, you’ve got yourself a personal trainer who is extremely adept at all types of dances. Vil doesn’t cut corners on anything, and to top it off he is an actor. You are going to look like the perfect couple whether you like it or not.

The first few weeks of preparations put more strain on your relationship than anything. Vil is renowned for being a vicious teacher, and you were already simply looking for an easy way out of your problem. The two of you are at each other’s throats, practically snarling at each other each time you pull each other in to practice a dance again.

Eventually it mellows down, of course, and the tense frustration simmering between you two is erased as you focus on a joint goal. Maybe you wouldn’t be taking an easy way out of your problem, but you’d have a fake boyfriend at the end of the day, which is really what you wanted. Besides, you’re starting to pick up on Vil’s sense of humor, the dry and sarcastic quips he makes while you guys are chatting through your last runthrough of the evening. If you’re trying to avoid or get back at a certain person through this plot, he’s immediately invested and on your side, meeting every frustrated sigh of yours with a comment.

Vil would be lying if he said he wasn’t sensing the changes in the atmosphere between the two of you. You’ve been spending more and more time together, so of course you’ve grown closer, but he’s finding you endlessly endearing. He rather likes how hard you’ve been working to meet his standards, and though petty drama is beneath him, he finds it rather amusing how far you’d go to purposely spite someone. Vil is rather glad he took you up on your ridiculous offer; you never fail to surpass his expectations, and he’s finding out that he rather enjoys that about you.

The day of your event rolls around, and a part of you is nervous. You realize you have no idea how you’re going to deal with the fallout - people will surely wonder why you dropped the Vil Schoenheit, how you landed him in the first place, and all of a sudden you’re certain you forgot everything you spent so much time learning. This isn’t the first time Vil’s dealt with a rookie that has a bad case of stage fright, though. However, this might be the first time he’s purposely making it worse.

“By the way,” Vil starts moments before he opens the door to lead you into the room where everybody else is already mingling. “You don’t mind if I give a few last-minute notes, do you?”

Immediately you tense, flinching aggressively as if trying to retreat into a shell. Vil, stoic as always, watches you sputter with an expertly-concealed smirk. His perfectly painted lips barely quirk up at the corners, but if you were less preoccupied, he knows you would’ve spotted it anyway.

“Of course you don’t,” he decides for you, ignoring your fragmented protests. “We are prepared to give them the most dazzling display they’ve seen yet, but it’s missing a certain authenticity. Why settle for mere costume jewelry when we can offer them something real.”

“Authenticity…” You murmur, your eyes searching his. Something almost mischievous sparks within them, and a few moments later everything finally clicks. “Wait, are you really asking me out?”

“Does it surprise you? I can’t imagine it’d be much different than what we’ve already been doing.”

“…There will probably be less dancing.”

“Hm. What a shame. I suppose we’ll have to make tonight count, then.” With that, Vil opened the doors, allowing all eyes to almost immediately fall on you. Your face grew warm and you took a side-step closer to Vil, hoping to gain a fraction of the confidence he radiated.

Idia

You are trying to kill him, aren’t you? He already said he was sorry he got the rare character you were excited for and you didn’t a thousand times, there’s no need to resort to murder!!

I don’t think Idia has it in him to do this irl. If you’re in a chat room and some people are being creeps, he can step in. But that’s kind of a one time thing.

However…he will agree to be your emergency contact.

In a car and you don’t feel safe? Talk to him the whole way and put him on speaker. Need someone to send you a barrage of texts so it looks like someone has been begging for your attention? He’s your man. After a short while, he’ll even send lazy pictures of half his face so you have something to show others like 'see? see?? I told you I have a boyfriend.’

Here’s the thing that Idia won’t tell you: He’ll pick up your calls at any time, as soon as he gets them. He’ll respond to you as quickly as he can just to hear back from you even faster. He’s not so good at letting people know how he feels or even knowing himself how he feels, and the thought of you knowing how much he values you leaves him feeling kind of itchy, but he’s happy to help you if you’re in need. Honestly, the thought soothes some of the complicated feelings he’s opened himself into. Maybe the cute selfies and messages you send are part of an act, but you genuinely trust him to be your fake boyfriend. It’s an honor all its own, if you think about it.

Except he CAN’T think about it because the more he realizes what sort of shoujo manga hijinks he agreed to and he crawls under his covers to process it.

Idia checked his phone while the next level loads, shoulders slumping once he saw it was all game notifications and nothing from you. He thought about sending you another message, especially since some of your last messages mentioned someone giving you a bad vibe and wanting to leave, but what if he just ruined your socialization by asking about you?

Maybe you didn’t need a fake boyfriend anymore because you had found a real one.

Idia turned his volume up again in case you messaged, and started his game.

Sometimes Idia talks himself into a bad mood, one that ruins his vibe for forever both because he feels worthless and then feels more worthless for thinking about you in such a bad light. You can even notice it over text in the slightly longer response time and the suddenly accurate punctuation.

He won’t do much about his feelings, even as they continue to grow. He’s already fighting for his life out here, trying to figure out the brand new environment he threw himself into. You’ll have to take the next step - but don’t worry about him rejecting you. You seem to have a knack for roping him into your crazy ideas already.

Malleus

His first thought is oh, dear. I’ve made a grave mistake somewhere.

Similar to Azul, he’ll start to think that perhaps this is a trial period, or a courting ritual from where you’re from. Those are the only terms he’ll understand it under. Everything else confuses him - why act exactly like you’re dating and not date for real and have the benefits forever?

Still, once he wraps his head around it, he goes all in. If you want to convince people he’s your boyfriend, he is going to convince people. Malleus before had a habit of toeing the line, occasionally acting a bit intimately that might suggest he had feelings for you. Now he’s over-the-top romantic, taking advice from every  piece of courting and dating rituals and advice he’s ever perceived. (Some of it goes better than others, and yes, Lilia’s advice is 50/50)

The bad news is, since he is still Malleus, people are hardly around to see the show you’re putting on. The good news is this plan has worked wonders if you were trying to get some creep off your back.

“So, where else do you need to go today?”

The other people on the sidewalk gave you a much wider berth than normal, not wanting to approach the formidable Malleus Draconia. It would have been funny, how they avoided the man who was nothing but sweet on you, if it wasn’t sort of sad. You could see why Malleus felt so isolated all the time - you were feeling crestfallen after a few hours a day of this obvious avoidance.

“Actually, I only need to head home. Grim’s waiting on me to make dinner,” You answered, shrugging your bag higher on your shoulder. “Thanks for walking with-”

“I’ll be happy to accompany you,” He interrupted before you could urge him to part ways with you. Furrowing your eyebrows, you nodded.

“Okay…if you insist.”

If you let him know it’s about time to start winding down the act, Malleus…won’t listen. He’ll never overstep to make you uncomfortable, but having such singular attention from you for so long was kind of a dream come true. Plus, Malleus has a sinking feeling that your withdrawal won’t stop once the two of you return to being friends as you were.

If you don’t make a move, he will. The two of you will be walking at night like you used to, and it’ll be one of the most romantic things you could think of in such short notice. Please, please accept him - he isn’t sure he can lose you now, not when he’s already in this deep.

[gotham-ruaidh]

Little Bit Better Than I Used To Be

Catch up: Chapter 1 (Starry Eyes) || Chapter 2 (Save Our Souls) || Chapter 3 (Dancing On Glass)|| Chapter 4 (Merry-Go-Round)|| Backstage (1) || Backstage (2) || Chapter 5 (Danger)|| Backstage (3) || Chapter 6A (Love Walked In) || Chapter 6B (Without You) || Backstage (4) || Chapter 7 (Stick To Your Guns) || Chapter 8 (Time For Change) || Backstage (5) || Chapter 9 (Take Me To The Top) || Backstage (6) || Chapter 10 (Home Sweet Home) || Backstage (7) || Chapter 11a (Nightrain) || Chapter 11b (Nothing Else Matters) || Chapter 12a (Handle With Care) || Chapter 12b (I’m So Tired of Being Lonely) || Chapter 13a (Angel) || Chapter 13b (She’s My Addiction) || Chapter 13c (Patience) || Chapter 14a (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14b (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 14c (Where Do We Go Now?) || Chapter 15a (Dreams) || Chapter 15b (I Sing A Song of Love) || Chapter 15c (You Can Do This If You Try) || Chapter 16 (Let That Feeling Grab You Deep Inside || Chapter 17A: Never Tear Us Apart ||| Also posted at AO3

Chapter 17B: It's Tough To Be Somebody, And It's Hard Not To Fall Apart

New York City || September 1988

It's tough to be somebody And it's hard not to fall apart Here on Rehab Mountain We gonna learn these things by heart

 - “Detox Mansion”, Warren Zevon (1987) [click here to listen]

Raymond crossed the threshold, and Claire closed the door. “We just had breakfast delivered, if you’d like something to eat or drink.”

“Tea or coffee, perhaps, if you have it?”

Claire slid her hands into the pockets of her leather jacket, bare feet soundless on the marble floor of the suite’s hallway. “Of course. You must excuse us, we didn’t get back until very late last night, and it’s so hard to go out for breakfast so we tend to just order room service for everything.”

“No need to apologize. I’m grateful for whatever you may have.”

The hallway turned into a sitting room, complete with a stunning view of Central Park.

“Hello, Dr. Germain.” A tall man stood at a long white couch, wearing black jeans and a black tank top, the tattoos on his arms vivid against the sky through the floor-to-ceiling windows. “I’m Jamie Fraser.”

“Raymond. And it’s a pleasure, Mr. Fraser. Dougal speaks very highly of you.”

Raymond shook Jamie’s hand, and watched Claire busy herself at a large rolling table covered in food.

“Jamie, please. Just Jamie. Make yourself at home.” Jamie gestured to another couch, and Raymond settled against the cushions.

“It’s quite something, isn’t it? This room, I mean.” Jamie grabbed a coffee mug, wedding ring clinking softly against the china. “I grew up on a farm in upstate New York. So this is the kind of thing you can’t get used to. Or should never get used to, anyway.”

“It is incredible,” Raymond agreed. “Definitely a lot better than the view from my apartment. I’d find it hard to leave here.”

“I do,” Jamie sighed. “But playing shows at the Garden…well. That’s pretty awesome, too.”

“Here you go.” Both men looked up to see Claire, holding out a steaming mug and plate of cut fruit. “Black coffee, but there’s cream and sugar if you like.”

Raymond gratefully took the plate and mug. “Thank you, Claire. You don’t need to be so generous.”

She smiled kindly, and settled on the couch next to Jamie with a bowl of cereal. Raymond sipped his coffee, watching Jamie rest a gentle hand on her thigh.

“Tell me about yourself,” Jamie said softly. “How do you know Dougal?”

Raymond spoke at length, in between bites of banana. “We met at a conference about ten years ago. I’ve been in private practice for many years, and I’m always eager to learn new techniques, to keep on top of the latest research and thinking. Conferences are good for that kind of thing. It was one of those three day affairs in a big hotel ballroom, and there was a rather boring dinner the first night. I ended up sitting next to Dougal and Gillian. We got to talking, and that was it.”

“If you’ve known each other for so long, I’m surprised you’ve never worked at The Ridge.” Claire crunched the last of her cereal, and Jamie smiled slightly.

Raymond shrugged. “You know this better than anyone – there is one requirement to work at The Ridge, and that is that you must be an addict in recovery. I’m not that.”

Jamie’s brows rose in surprise. “And yet, you’re one of the top therapists in the country for addicts in recovery. Or so Dougal led us to understand.”

Raymond set down his plate. “I started my career focusing on patients who had experienced extreme trauma. I’m a bit older than the two of you – this would have been in the ‘50s. I had volunteered at a VA hospital during medical school, and I got to know a lot of veterans who…well, let’s just say that they had seen and done things in Germany and the Pacific that no man ever should. I resolved then and there to dedicate my life to help people like that.”

He paused, and closed his eyes.

“Many of the men I worked with turned to drink and drugs to numb their pain. To escape their reality. I learned a lot about addiction that way. Why it starts, why it persists, how much damage it inflicts on the addict and the people who love them. I’ve never had a drink or taken a drug in my life, and I hope to stay that way until the day I die.” He took a breath. “But that doesn’t mean that I don’t understand why someone would reach that point.”

It wasn’t often that Raymond opened up – even in this muted way – about his own life. But with Jamie and Claire – who would be some of the most unique clients he’d ever work with – he knew they would give him space, and respect. And more importantly, that they would understand.

He finished his coffee, gently setting the mug on the table. Eyes open but focused downward on his hands.

“Put simply, I did not have the happiest of childhoods. I have no memory of my parents, and was in an orphanage run by nuns from the age of two. Things were not easy in Montreal during the Depression.”

“So that’s where your accent comes from,” Claire smiled.

Raymond glanced up at her, and smiled back. Tightly. “Indeed. Well, as a child I was bullied quite relentlessly. I’ve always been quite small, and you know how boys can be. So my friends were my books. Had it not been for my high school English teacher, I never would have found the courage to apply to university, or to come to New York. To fulfil my dream of helping people, and giving them the kindness and support that I never had. And somehow, by the grace of God, here I am, sitting with you today in this beautiful room. I will never be ungrateful for my improbable life.”

He glanced up at Jamie and Claire. Saw their hands entwined, gripping tightly, Claire’s face buried in Jamie’s shoulder.

Raymond flushed. “Oh my. I do apologize. I didn’t – ”

Jamie smiled sadly. “It’s fine. Claire’s fine, she’s just…did Dougal tell you anything about us?”

“Only the broad strokes.” Raymond uncomfortably scratched the back of his neck. “How you met, that you were both at The Ridge for treatment. He had to tell me about your career, regretfully I had never heard of you or your music. But I did buy your most recent CD earlier this week to prepare.”

Jamie nodded. “Interesting. I’m asking because we all seem to have something quite important in common. Claire was five when she lost her parents in a car crash. And I was eight when I lost my mother, though thankfully I had my father until just a few years ago.”

Now it was Raymond’s turn to smile sadly. “It colors your life, does it not?”

Claire straightened, and Jamie wiped away her tears with his free hand. Raymond noticed the flash of a tattoo at the base of Jamie’s thumb.

“It does.” She smiled sadly at Raymond. “It’s a hole that is never filled. Jamie and I have talked about it many times – whether we would have ended up as addicts, had we not lost our parents.” She sighed. “Thankfully I was raised by my mother’s brother – and I’m so grateful he is still in our lives. He married us. But it’s not the same.”

Raymond’s smile brightened considerably. “My heartiest congratulations on your recent wedding. It’s quite evident how deeply you love each other.”

Claire flushed happily, and Jamie kissed her cheek. “Thank you. We still can’t believe it ourselves. It’s been quite the year.”

“I can imagine. This tour must be something, if you’re selling out the Garden.”

“Well – the tour of course has been big,” Jamie remarked. “But it’s been a lot more than that, for us. A year ago now, we were at The Ridge, in treatment. I ended up being there for 17 weeks. Claire was there for, eight weeks?”

“Nine.”

“And when did the two of you get together?”

Claire glanced at her husband. “Officially, right before Jamie left. Then after that, we had some time together in January and February, but soon after that the decision was made to go on tour. Jamie had written a lot of new material at The Ridge, and he – we – thought that touring would be a good way to get back into real life. Buy us some time as I figured out what was happening with my medical license. And then…we decided to get married.”

“A three week tour,” Jamie snorted. “That was the original plan. We’re now on our fourth month, and we’ve sold out Madison Square fucking Garden for three nights.”

“How much longer will you be on the road?”

Jamie glanced briefly at Claire. “Just a few more shows and then we’ll wrap up. But then we’ll be back at it next year – the label has booked over one hundred dates, all across North America and then legs in Europe and Australia as well.”

“It’s going to be intense,” Claire added quietly. “I’ll be there with him, of course. My medical license has been reinstated, but I’m taking an informal break.” She darted a quick glance at her husband, squeezing his hand. “You should know this, Raymond – we quite desperately want to start a family. We’ve given ourselves this year to just…be. But that means there’s a good chance that while we’re touring next year I’ll be pregnant.”

Raymond folded his arms across his chest. “Which would be yet another source of stress in the situation. And another strain on your sobriety. Not to mention, your relationship. For both of you.”

Jamie gripped Claire’s hand. “And that’s where you come in, Raymond. I’ve been stone cold sober since I arrived at The Ridge. Claire, too. We’ve had each other this tour to keep each other honest, and I know I can say categorically that I wouldn’t be sober without her.”

He kissed her temple.

“But it’s not been without tremendous difficulty and so much strain,” Claire said softly. “He’s been having panic attacks.”

Raymond nodded. “Dougal did tell me that. And naturally, you’re worried that they will continue as the touring continues.”

Claire glanced at Jamie. “He – we – have learned enough about them now for him to recognize when one is coming. We can’t stop it from happening, but we can step away and ride through it together. Every time that happens, I’m grateful for the psych rotation I did in medical school.” She sighed. “But I’m not an expert, Raymond. I can’t help him the way he needs.”

“Said differently,” Jamie interjected, “it’s not fair for me to expect her to provide that kind of support. I don’t want to add to her stress. And I don’t want something to happen that could threaten her own sobriety.”

“Is that a realistic fear for Jamie to have, Claire?”

to be continued…

[dreamofjoys]

𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟒 ‒ 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 , 𝐥𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐞

scenario: lilia loves you. he dreams of starting a family with you, fantasizing about your belly that would be swollen with his kids. that dream soon turned into a nightmare when your family wed you to a wealthy man for the sake of politics. things became even more worst for lilia when he heard that you were pregnant. honestly, the war general should have taken you away from everyone at the beginning. now is not too late, right?

tw: cheating (reader cheats on husband), breastfeeding (to the baby but lilia is gonna suck on ur nipples so…), thigh grinding, mentions of pregnancy, reader abandons her baby

back to kinktober's 2022 masterlist

“shhhhhh, mummy is here. drink up, little one.” you cooed to the small bundle in your arms, bringing them close to your chest area as you breastfeed them.

it has only been a week since you gave birth to a baby girl, and the little one never fails to cry every night for milk. your newly wed husband doesn’t care, he only bother to settle the financial affair within the house, leaving all the other household workload to you.

your baby girl latches her lips onto your nipples, feeding herself to her heart's content with your breastmilk. you sighed, cradling her head closer to your chest as you thought about your new future.

your parents had decided to marry off to some wealthy men for the sake of politics. your husband is rich and provides every necessities for the family. however, he does not care about your mental well being. the only reason why the both of you had a child is because he wants other people to think that the both of you are happily in love with each other, which was false.

instead of falling in love with your husband, you had fell for a certain fae from briar valley. you could still remember how his lips would linger on your skin, whispering to your ears about the future he dream of having with you.

when your baby girl was done drinking, you placed her back to her crib, watching her small eyes closing and drifting into slumber. just as you are about to wear your bra again, a figure had appeared behind you, engulfing you into a hug as they lay their head on your back, basking in your scent and warmth.

"li-lilia?"

the fae hm in respond, hands travelling up to grope your breast as your shoulders relaxed, back onto him comfortably. "can we talk somewhere? my baby is asleep." magic gathers in the air, teleporting the both of you to one of the private guest room in the mansion.

before you knew it, you were pinned to the bed as lilia places one of his leg in between yours. his knee was rubbing onto your clothed sex as he stares at you with his deep ruby eyes.

"why?" lilia questioned, a sign of hurt flashes across his eyes. you turned your head away, a sign of guilt that you have been holding in for a long time.

"my parents forced me into this marriage. i don't love him at all, and neither does he. im sorry, lilia. i love you, and i still do. i know you won't forgive me but-" lilia shuts you up with a kiss. his lips melt onto yours, instantly reminding you of how many times the both of you had exchange kisses under the stars, promising to be together forever.

lilia breaks the kiss, lips wet from your saliva. "come with me, y/n." he said. "leave everything behind. come to briar valley, i will protect you. your family and that man won't be able to touch you. let me be your husband, and lets have kids of our own."

he lowers his head to your chest, giving your right nipple a kiss before fully devouring it into his mouth. lilia makes sure to swirl his tongue over your nipples, giving it kitten licks before sucking it like a newborn baby, drinking your leftover breastmilk. his left hand plays with your left nipple, occasionally flicking on it and giving your breast a huge squeeze, making the milk that was stored inside of your left breast to leak out.

lilia smiles when he could hear you moaning. you were subconsciously grinding your clothed sex onto his thigh, hands shooting forward to grip onto lilia's hair to pull him closer.

"lilia, more, please."

"of course, anything for you my dear."

it's quite safe to say that the both of you had a heated night and lilia had made sure to plant a baby inside you before the both of you depart for your humble home.