#really this took me a while because i’m terrible at accepting compliments

[hippolotamus]

Hippo, I love you. You are so kind, and so supportive of everyone in your fandoms. Your writing, both fic and original, is beautiful. Your art is amazing. You are an incredible friend and I adore you. Just thought you should know.

Oh, this is just so… this is so sweet and made my day 🥹 I appreciate your very kind words, dearest anon. And I’m sure Off Anon i adore you as well. People are out here making fics, gifs, fan art, etc and I just love cheering them on! Everyone should have someone in their corner screaming and shouting about their work and WIPs.

Wishing you a very lovely day and hope you’re doing well 🥰

[kimbappykidding]

You co-owned a coffee shop with your best friend just a few streets away from Seventeen's building, However, you weren't into mainstream media so you weren't really aware of that. Being in the city centre you knew there were idols and actresses and models galore but never really paid them any attention. You preferred the ordinary people, after all it was them who came into your cafe most often...or so you thought.

You had many regulars but your favourite was the boy with glasses who you'd nicknamed cute gamer guy. He was always polite, quiet and friendly. He'd usually stay for a few hours and he'd either read or play games on his laptop hence the nickname. You liked to read too and often discussed your latest and favourite books. When he played games you'd get stuck just watching him because he was really good. You'd stare amazed and forget you had work to be doing. You figured he must be a student of something as he often came in at odd hours and seemed like he had some time to kill. You didn't know much about him but saw him most weeks and got to know one another that way. He'd always ask about your day which you thought was nice and compliment your baking. He was cute too and your friend had long since suggested you should ask him out. You didn't want to just because you felt it might be weird. "I don't even know him! I only know he’s called Wonwoo because I put it on his coffee cup otherwise I wouldn't even know that! I don't know his age or what he does for a living! He's basically a stranger" you argued when your friend Mari brought it up again but she just rolled her eyes. "You see him pretty much every week of the year, that's more than you see your family! He is not a stranger". "True but I don't know him enough to ask him out! He could be a terrible person, or a sexist jerk or a..." you trailed off to see him standing at the counter. He was looking down at his phone and you prayed you hadn't been speaking loud enough for him to hear. You hurried forwards and smiled nervously "sorry to keep you waiting, what can I get for you?". He smiled "it's no problem, can I please get a chai tea and a brownie please Y/n?". "coming right up" you nodded and got to work. He asked you how your week had been and you asked him about his day then he took a seat with his tea and snack. "Did he hear us?" Mari asked and you shook your head "I think we got away with it". You were wrong.

As you were getting ready to close up Wonwoo came up to you "thanks for the snack, it was great as usual". You smiled "I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for telling me". He nodded "I also just wanted to say...I'm 26 years old and I'm from Changwon originally. I'm a performer for a local company and I promise I'm not shady or dangerous...". You blushed "does this mean you heard our conversation?". Wonwoo nodded "I didn't mean to but I just wanted to let you know, I've been wanting to ask you out for a while and if the only thing stopping us was you not knowing my age or what I do...well I wanted to correct that". You smiled "consider it corrected". "In that case would you like to go on a date with me?" Wonwoo asked "I'm free this weekend and you can pick whatever we do". You smiled "sounds good". So the two of you exchanged numbers and agreed to meet up Saturday night. Mari was ecstatic and kept jumping up and down on your way home. "So he's 26" she said and you nodded "only 2 years older than me". "Which is an acceptable age gap" she nodded "and what did he say he does for a living again?". "He said he's a performer at a local company". "wait what does that mean?" she asked and you paused "I have no idea...I assumed he's a local singer or dancer or something. I probably should've asked. "Well that's what the date is for" she grinned. You suggested dinner and a movie and Wonwoo agreed to pick you up at your house. Mari helped you put together the perfect outfit and then you waited for Wonwoo. You were early (as always) and were sitting in your living room when a car arrived. An extremely expensive car so neither of you expected it to be here for you. Your friend sighed "I hate when cars just pull up outside our house like that! It's such a fancy car too". You nodded looking at the expensive car and wondered what it must be like to have a car like that. When the car didn't move you paused "why isn't it going? Wonwoo is going to be here soon and it might block him". Mari frowned "let's give it a second and then tell them to move". You nodded when the car door opened and who stepped out of the car but Wonwoo. "Holy shit!" your friend cried and you stared. "That can't be his car" you said but Mari laughed "well it sure looks like it seeing as he's driving it. Y/n if he has a car like that then he must be rich! I thought you said he was a performer not some sort of prince!". "That is what he said" you replied watching him come closer to the door "maybe he just inherited the car or won it as a prize". Mari smiled "well however he got it, it's glorious and you're going to ride in it!". As she said that the doorbell dinged and your friend squealed. You opened the door to find Wonwoo dressed smart-casual in a shirt and some very nice jeans. "Hi Y/n" he smiled "I've got you something" and held out some flowers. You immediately felt touched because nobody had ever bought you flowers before. "That's so kind of you thank you...let me put them inside" you said and opened the door to find your friend standing there where she'd clearly been spying on the two of you. "Wonwoo you remember my friend and business partner Mari" you said and he nodded "it's nice to see you again". "You too" she smiled "nice car by the way". Wonwoo blushed slightly "thank you...I try and take good care of it". "I bet!" Mari nodded and you elbowed her. You placed the flowers in the hall and told Mari you were leaving. "Have fun!" she called waving and Wonwoo led you to his car. You opened the door and were shocked at how nice the inside of the car was. You wouldn't trade your beaten-up old car for anything but this car was amazing! It was so spacious and comfy. You felt like you were in some sort of massage chair and the dashboard was so big and colourful. "If you're cold I can turn on the seat warmers" Wonwoo said and your eyes widened "seat warmers?". He smiled "yeah, want me to show you?". You nodded and he pressed a button "it might take a few seconds to warm up". You nodded admiring the architecture when you felt the warmth and gasped slightly "I can feel it! That's so nice". Wonwoo smiled "the temperature control is just there" pointing to a dial "so feel free to make it warmer or cooler". You nodded "cool" and tried not to act too awestruck with this space-age car. Wonwoo must've sensed your unease because he started asking you some casual questions and as you chatted you felt less nervous. You arrived at the cinema and Wonwoo parked up. As you were getting out a guy gawked at the car and you thought Wonwoo would say something but instead he put a hat on and pointedly pulled it over his face which you thought was odd considering you were going inside. "This way" he said and he led you inside keeping his head down. You bought tickets and snacks but Wonwoo didn't take his hat off until he was in the dark cinema. You chatted until the film started and then watched the film. It was a good film and was good as any cinema date could be. Wonwoo gave you free rein of the snacks and you had a cute hand-brush moment halfway through. Wonwoo laughed at all the same parts as you and you were sat quite close together without actually touching. So the night was going pretty well as you left your screen and headed to dinner. On your way out there was a big group of girls and you saw Wonwoo pull his hat down tighter. "Hey mind if we go out this way?" he asked pointing to a side door away from the crowd and you nodded, exiting around the back of the building. Wonwoo drove you to the restaurant and opened the door for you. "Table for 2" he said giving the waiter his name and the waiter nodded "of course". You'd picked a restaurant you were familiar with and smiled at the familiar sights and smells. "Have you ever been here before?" you asked Wonwoo. He nodded "yes I like it". "Me too" you smiled as the waiter told you to follow him. "My friend and I must've been here 20 times we never get the fancy table" you said pointing to the table behind their water feature which was very private and highly coveted. Every time you came it was taken and you couldn't even book it. But tonight it was empty. "Well maybe tonight will be different" Wonwoo said and sure enough the waiter took you to the table. "Here are your menus and some complimentary waters. I'll be back soon to take your drinks order" the waiter said and you turned to Wonwoo. "How did you get this table? They wouldn't even let me book it for my friend's 21st!". Wonwoo shrugged "I guess we just got lucky". You thought he wasn't telling you something but didn't say anything. The meal continued and everything was still going well. Wonwoo was very interesting and talking to him was so chill but also fun. He had an effortless quality about him, he seemed to look effortlessly good, was effortlessly funny and effortlessly nice but it wasn't annoying or forced. It was just how he was and you felt like you'd known him for ages. When Wonwoo went to the bathroom you checked your phone and saw 20 messages from Mari. You opened your phone and decided to call her instead of texting. "What happened are you okay?" You asked. "Y/n it's Wonwoo" she said and you froze "what is he a serial killer?". "What? No, he's a kpop idol! That's why he's so rich and always turns up at the cafe at odd hours! He's a successful idol and has been for years. I knew I'd seen him before". You pause "no he can't be". "He is, Google Wonwoo Seventeen and you'll see". You did and your phone was flooded with results. "Oh my god..." you said and your friend laughed "see! Y/n you're dating an idol!". You had no idea what to say but spotted Wonwoo on his way back so quickly hung up. Wonwoo smiled sitting down "would you like another drink?". You tried not to let on you knew who he was and it was surprisingly easy. The second Wonwoo sat back down things just felt normal and it made you question if this was the right Wonwoo. Maybe they were brothers or just really looked alike...until you went to leave and Wonwoo's suspicious hiding behaviour kicked in again. There were some men in black coats outside the restaurant with cameras and Wonwoo spotted them putting his hat back on. "You ready?" he asked and you nodded. "It looks a little busy so grab me if I'm moving too quickly" he said and you nodded. The second you stepped outside Wonwoo shot off, head down trying to avoid the cameramen's attention. You thought you'd made it when one of them shouted Wonwoo and they started following you. Luckily Wonwoo was in the car park and the gate closed behind you stopping them. You shot Wonwoo a look and he shrugged "some people know me from my performing". You almost laughed as that was his explanation of him being a world-famous idol. You just nodded not wanting to force him to tell you before he was ready and got in the car. Wonwoo drove you home and pulled up outside. "So I had a really good time tonight" he said and you nodded "me too I really enjoyed myself". Wonwoo smiled "great, so would you maybe like to do this again sometime?". You nodded "I would" and Wonwoo smiled "great so I'll text you..." and then he trailed off. "What?" you asked and he smiled "nothing you just look really nice in this light". You blushed slightly but smiled "you should see my view" and Wonwoo smiled. "Do I get a goodnight kiss?" you asked and were pleasantly surprised to see the boy blushing. "Of course" he nodded and leaned across to kiss you. Wonwoo was clearly a good kisser and given he was a famous idol that made sense. He probably had lots of experience in this area but you ignored that and just focused on your moment with him. When you separated you took in a breath and Wonwoo smiled "that was a pretty excellent first kiss". You smiled "I'm glad you agree, see you later Wonwoo" and got out of the car. You managed not to look back and only when you safely inside did you squeal. Wonwoo returned home to find a few calls from his publicist saying he'd been spotted downtown but they hadn't managed to get any photos. Wonwoo was relieved and his members smiled when they saw him "so how was the date with the mysterious cafe girl?" Mingyu asked. "Ahh yes the place you have banned us from" Scoups said, "it better not have been for nothing!". Wonwoo smiled "it was good...she's so funny and interesting. Not to mention pretty". "Did you kiss her?" Dk asked bluntly and Jeonghan hit him "come on this is Wonwoo we're talking about" before everyone noticed Wonwoo's reaction. He'd frozen and was purposefully staring at his feet to hide his blush. "You kissed her?" Hoshi asked and Wonwoo nodded "she asked for a goodnight kiss so I gave her one". The guys all roared with excitement and began cheering. Once they'd settled down a little bit Jun asked an important question "how did she react when you told her you were an idol". Wonwoo paused "I'm not sure...". "Why? Could you not tell how she took it?" Joshua asked and Wonwoo shook his head "no I just didn't really tell her". "Wonwoo!" Seungkwan cried and Woozi laughed "even after the cameramen chased you down the street?". "I just said people knew me from my performing". "So you didn't tell her what you did at all?" Scoups asked and Wonwoo shook his head "she asked me about work but I managed to be vague". "Well that's not going to work all the time" The8 said "if you want to see her again you have to tell her". Wonwoo sighed "I know but it was nice to date someone who had no idea what I did! A person who I knew wasn't swayed by it". The guys all knew what that felt like so agreed. When you got back from your date you were buzzing but when you woke up the next morning you felt a little different. Last night you'd gone through all the positives but this morning you began to think of the negatives. The cameras last night were just a taste of the harassment you'd receive for dating a kpop idol. There were also stalkers, hate comments on all your Instagram photos and death threats to look forward to. Not to mention you couldn't have a normal relationship. Wonwoo would work a lot and even when he wasn't you couldn't hurt go out in public. Wonwoo had to be careful where he went and you realised last night he probably loosened the rules for you. You weren't sure if that was the life you wanted. Relationships in the public eye were very challenging and that was if Wonwoo ever wanted a relationship. The internet told you the names of many girls who had uprooted their lives only to be used and thrown away by idols. What if Wonwoo did the same? He seemed nice but he was an idol, he wasn't an innocent kid. You didn't know him and he could do that to you. When you came downstairs Mari smiled "so...how does it feel the morning after? You're like freaking Cinderella or something". You chuckled awkwardly "not that great" and explained your worries. Your friend nodded "see I understand where you're coming from but I think you're worrying for nothing. For one thing, we work together so there's no way you're losing your job even if this did get out. For two, if Wonwoo was the type to throw girls away like tissues wouldn't he have asked you out the second he saw you instead of getting to know you for months?". You paused "maybe...". "Plus I've been watching videos of them and he's definitely not like that" Mari said. You frowned "but that's his stage character he could be completely different". "Based on what we've seen in the cafe I don't think so". You weren't sure but agreed to watch one Seventeen video with Mari which turned into several. You saw what she meant. In the episodes, Wonwoo seemed just like the guy you knew. Thoughtful, smart, considerate and...well hot. But you were still more cautious and all day you hovered near your phone, scared anytime it lit up. Part of you thought it would be easier if Wonwoo just bever texted you about your next date but another part of you really wanted him to text you. Your phone buzzed around dinner time and sure enough, it was from Wonwoo. "Hey Y/n I had a really great time last night and can't wait to see you again. How does next Saturday around 7 sound?". You debated over a reply for way too long but eventually just went with your gut. "Sounds perfect! See you then".

For better or worse you wanted to keep getting to know the cute gamer guy who also happened to be a world famous idol. Only time would tell if it was the best decision of your life...or the worst.

____________

This is a three part series and you can read the other parts here: Part Two and Part Three.

[meowriddler]

Baker reader x Edward headcanons

A/n: here is some random headcanons I wrote.

Warning: I didn’t proofread this 👍😃 and it’s my first time writing headcanons ( I have no idea what I’m doing)

-Imagine you’re working in a bakery. It's pretty lonely. There weren't many customers throughout the day, which made you a bit sad.

- And bored terribly bored

- Normally, every day would be filled with people, but ever since that robbery that happened a few blocks from where you are, no one wants to be close to this place.

- It's been about a week now without customers coming in, and that isn't really good for the business but is worse for your boredom.

-But one day a new customer walked in. He was dressed in a slightly too big on him windbreaker, which made him appear smaller than he actually is.

-It was Also in the middle of summer, so what the hell-

- He had brown flattened hair, and he wore glasses.

-He was cute, but in a dorky kind of way.

-You still welcomed him in with a bright smile, and you were excited to finally have a customer.

-“Welcome in! How can I help you?"

-Edward was not ready for such a heartwarming welcome. He isn't sure how to react.

-He just wanted something sweet from your bakery, but after seeing you react so brightly to his presence, he isn't sure what to pick.

-Is there any "you" option?' He thought that to himself ( of course not having the balls to actually say that out loud lmaoo)

-He could barely stutter out his order without looking like a complete idiot.

-But that was ok; you still gave him a warm smile and took his order, which might’ve made his heart beat a bit quicker than usual, but you will never know that.

-After that incident, he couldn’t stop coming back for the sweets ( you)

-Our boy here becomes infatuated by u ( good luck on trying to get rid of him now! )

-He soon became your favorite customer. He was always quiet and polite, and his voice was as tame as his looks, never wanting to draw too much attention to himself.

-The way his face lights up every time you ask him to tell you one of his riddles or really talk to him about any of his interests ( which involved puzzles and riddles)

-Yeah, you totally aren’t falling for him or anything, right?

-You insisted on giving him baked goods for free, but he can't accept that; that isn't fair.

-But with your insistance (basically forcing him to accept it), he eventually took them.

-He even lets you test out new recipes on him (even the bad ones, but he won’t tell you that). He would always compliment your baking skills, always letting you know how ur pastries were the best thing he ever had in his life (which was true) with rosy cheeks and that cute little smile of his that you adore.

-Eventually he asks you out because he couldn’t take it anymore, even if there was a chance of you rejecting him (which would literally destroy him).

-He was shaking like a leaf while sweating buckets because, god, look at you, with that glint in your eyes staring back at his, seeming to be quite apprehensive while he tries to form actual words.

"Hey, I w-was wondering if you, um, would you know? Um, how can I say this?" he mumbles to himself (he practiced this like a million times in front of his bathroom mirror). He glances back at you while, of course, you offer him your kind smile, waiting for him to continue being so patient (god, he wanted you so badly).

He takes a deep breath and finally spits the words out that have been clinging to the back of his throat since the first time he met you.

"I-I wanted to know if you would like to go out with me if you wanted too! I-I'm not trying to force you or anything; you can always say no."

"Edward!" you call out to him. "I already said yes!" you exclaimed while giggling at his awkward confession.

(He wishes he could record your laugh just so he could play it on repeat.)

Anyway, back to more important matters:

He looks at you through his glasses as they slip down the bridge of his nose, trying to process what you just said.

Wait, you actually said yes.

Edward felt like dropping down on his knees. Maybe God is actually real!

But wait, he didn’t really plan that far.

You can tell he started to panic over the date, so you suggested a movie over at his apartment. Maybe you can even make him a treat.

He wanted to impress you by making your favorite cake, which shouldn’t be hard for him.

That was a lie. It was horrible. The cake looked like it was about to collapse on itself; it also looked half baked, maybe even raw, and he’s literally covered from head to toe in flour.

He felt like crying at this point. If you were coming in any minute, maybe he could try making another one.

He heard a knock at his door. It’s too late now; you're already here. 💀

He walks to his door with his head hanging low in shame. He opens the door to reveal

Standing there, looking more radiant than ever and also so very pretty (could he say that out loud?)

"Hey Eddie I brought you your favorite pumpkin. Wait, why are you covered in flour?" Now looking more confused, instead of answering you, he might as well show you.

He stands aside for you to come in, and what a surprise it was.

It looked like a cake (a deformed one), but still a cake!

He stands there awkwardly waiting for your response, which made him nervous as hell; he couldn’t read your face.

What if you don’t like him anymore? Do you even like him? Oh my god, what if you hate him so much now because of this? God, he was such a dumbass to have thought someone would actually like him. -

“I love it!"

“Wait, what was that?”

“I said I loved it." Now, looking back at Eddie, smiling so hard, your cheeks are starting to hurt. No guy has ever tried making you something so sweet, even if it looked raw. But It was still sweet.

You went up to him, wrapping your arms around his waist (he’s tall, ok?) absolutely smothering him with affection, not caring about the flour he was covered in.

Edward lets out a gasp, not expecting this reaction at all, especially having you this close (he can almost smell that fruity scented shampoo you always use; it adds to your already aching sweetness). He hesitates before wrapping his warm arms around you, completely engulfing you in his embrace.

He wishes to stay like this forever just standing here, feeling you around him.

Nothing good lasts forever, though. As you sadly pull away, your scent still lingers where your body was pressed up against his (giving him not-so-family-friendly thoughts).

As you look up at Eddie, you find him giving you a goofy smile while his cheeks are tinted red (god, you really are in love with this nerd).

You break the comforting silence first: "How about you go change while I get everything ready, ok?"

It takes him a few minutes to snap back (honestly, he’s really touch starved) just by a hug, you got him all spaced out on cloud nine.

He comes back fresh and clean ( also after giving himself a prep talk).

You guys end up chilling on the couch, sharing the best pumpkin pie ever (in Edward’s words, not urs), while watching a cheesy rom-com movie.

Thank u for reading and I hope u enjoyed this don’t forget to drink water

If u guys enjoyed this concept I might do a full fic 👹 but who knows lol

[destisea-a]

okay so here we go, some potentially hot takes here. but here's a deep dive on yato and his character. because despite how evil he's seen and represented, yato is a lot more than that.

yato is an incredibly reasonable, level headed, and calm individual. he shows grace in defeat, and even intrigue and admiration for it. despite yato being powerful, and his clear advantages-- he views his loss as another rule in the game. rules are, after all quite important to him. and as we learn later, actually saved his life, and the lives of everyone present for the event.

hiromasa: You... so you don’t actually care even if you fail?! Yato: Accepting the result is the prerequisite for the game, right? Yato: Naturally, I wish to win, but I don’t disavow the existence of defeat because of that. Yato: I’m simply happy to see whatever changes there are, and I’m happy to accept whatever result awaits me.

he also promises to follow through with his conditions of the game. swearing to grant sei/mei's wish, regardless of what it is.

additionally, his opinions on nobility and being a "god" are really interesting too. expressing that he'd rather be a noble, than a god.

Kohaku: A more accurate name would be god, wouldn’t it? Since your name Yato no Kami literally means “God of the Nightblade”! Yato: “God” is just a term people use to pay their respects to me... if I took such a compliment seriously, it would make me too much of a narcissist, wouldn’t it? Yato: Modesty and respect are both qualities a nobleman should possess. Yato: Moreover, there’s a difference between the noble class and the gods. It’s the rules set by the noble class themselves that gave birth to, and power to, the noble class. Yato: Therefore, the noble class is restricted by the rules, but also enjoys the privileges brought by the rules, and they’re also the upholders of the rules.

boiling yato down to a tricky, evil god does him a disservice. you can definitely tell that this event was a collaborative one imo. the writing was so unique, and yato is a very nuanced character, who is very grey lining-- but with high morals. specifically morals that align with what is, by definition, noble.

that is not to say he's a good person, who's committed no crimes. yato has thrust many people into his ritualistic games. as well as dealing with orochi, and swearing himself to him-- promising to repay him for his help. and while he really doesn't kill anyone personally, his games have led to a great deal of death.

Yato: So, I prefer to be a nobleman rather than a god. Yato: After all, although I’m terrible, I’m not that terrible, really... Just kidding.

further on he explains that he maintains a perfect balance of spiritual intelligence and physical flow. otherwise he'd lose himself, and become a plague. equating a great deal of himself, and what he is to the concepts surrounding water-- the movement of rivers to lakes, to the ocean. too much, and it goes from a pleasant stream, to an overwhelming flood. the idea makes him uncomfortable.

Red canals intertwine with each other, as if a red ball of snakes is gathering. The raging waves of water roar and rise up high like a sharp horn. Then it ruthlessly devours everything a living being needs - blood and spiritual intelligence - like a ravenous wolf. Completely devoid of good and evil intent, surviving by instinct, and chasing pleasure. Like a child who casually stomps on a bug. Cruel naivety. The delusions arising from what is seen with the eyes, and what is thought in the mind, along with countless other delusions, are intertwined. The demon known as Yato no Kami, who had boasted of his nobility, looks at the remains of “himself” in the sunlight and gives a sincere and pleasant smile. “So, the game is over. Congratulations, gentlemen. This time, it’s your victory.”

i know i talked about it through all this post. but this. this right here. really summarizes so much of it. he is the embodiment of instinct, and follows the flow or direction that suits him the best.

[nehswritesstuffs]

banish every gaslight; let clarity shine - Part 10

I knew the ending of this was going to get tricky, and it's beginning to trip me up, so please forgive me for upturning any expectations you might've had based on how frequently I posted the first seven chapters.

Part 1 [FFN/AO3] - Part 2 [FFN/AO3] - Part 3 [FFN/AO3] - Part 4 [FFN/AO3] - Part 5 [FFN/AO3] - Part 6 [FFN/AO3] - Part 7 [FFN/AO3] - Part 8 [FFN/AO3] - Part 9 [FFN/AO3]

The siblings adjust to their fresh separation and attempt to hold onto the concept of hope. [3994 words; AU where there is a Third Corazón, whose existence makes Law’s life hell]

It was especially cold that day, Baby 5 noted. She had waited until it was just her and Lami in headquarters again before she wrapped up her sister in blankets, took Cora-san’s Den Den out, and placed the snail on the bed, doing her job.

“Child.”

“Grandfather…?” She looked at Lami—they both had tears in their eyes. “My sister and I are home alone.”

“…I know.” The snail mimicked a pained expression as the man on the other end was also about to cry. “I already know.”

“What do we do now…?”

“I… that I don’t know.” The man sniffled sadly. “This is going to have to be the last time we talk like this.”

“There was a boy who the Marines rescued,” Baby 5 mentioned. “Is that our brother? Do you have him?”

“…no.”

Baby 5 and Lami stared at one another, not entirely sure how to process that. How come the Marines didn’t have Law if the adults all said they did? Where was he if they didn’t? Did they assume that Grandfather was with the wrong organization? Was Law safe, or…?

“When you are old enough to run,” the man said, “find a Marine base. I will come for you.”

“Grandfather, I’m scared,” Lami squeaked. “Our brother’s gone, Papa’s gone, we don’t know where you are…! Can’t you come for us?! It’s scary being home alone!”

“It will get better,” Grandfather sighed, voice sounding like a hug that was meant to feel better yet didn’t. “My darling grandchildren are strong—be strong for a little while longer, okay?”

“…okay…” both girls mumbled.

“I love you.”

The call clunked to an end and the snail fell asleep. Lami and Baby 5 stared at it before looking at themselves; they were now alone. No one was coming to save them now.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

All Baby 5 knew was that she wasn’t terribly fond of Monet and Sugar. There was something about them that was just… well… off. It was true that the Young Master had saved them, just as he had saved most of them, yet there was just something about the pair of sisters that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on-end, as though there were a lot of coincidences with their assimilation into the Family.

“You’ll look good for your date tonight,” Monet assured Señor Pink as he preened in a mirror. “Miss Russian is going to find you dashing.”

“You really think so?”

“I know so.” The teen looked over at Baby 5, who was trying to pluck some books from a case without attracting too much attention. “Don’t you agree, Baby 5?”

“I think he needs to tell her the truth,” the girl frowned.

“This could be something really big for me,” Señor Pink said. “I know I’m a member of the Family, but this woman could see me as a family man. Do you realize how important that could be?”

“You hate kids.”

“I hate kids that are in the way and sniveling,” he replied. Baby 5 rolled her eyes and took the books with her, away from where Monet was reassuring Señor Pink that all was going to go well. She went into her room and found Lami sitting up in the chair by the window, looking out longingly.

“Pink’s going out again,” she said, bringing the books over. Lami accepted the top one—a volume about historical architecture—and carefully opened it up.

“At least he won’t be around for dinner.”

“He was having Monet give him compliments on his outfit.”

“Ew.” Lami wrinkled her nose and looked at Baby 5. “Sugar came in earlier but didn’t stay long; the adults really want us to be friends because we’re the same age, but I don’t like it. I don’t think they do either.”

“Maybe we can figure out a way to steer clear of them that doesn’t involve staying in our room all the time.”

“I hope so. Avoiding them sucks—we need to get strong if we’re going to find Law-nii.”

“Yeah, but I wonder where he ended up… if he’s still out there…”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lami shrugged. “We have four more years on me; if we can get out in three, that’ll leave an entire year of traveling the North Blue. Law-nii and I did almost all of it in half a year with Cora-san. It should be easy.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Baby 5 smirked. She pulled an extra blanket from a shelf and wrapped up Lami in it. “Oh, and Diamante wants to know if you’ll be okay enough to come down for dinner.”

“Yeah, I’ll come,” Lami pouted. “If we keep skipping Family dinners, then people will start to get suspicious.”

“…but we have a good excuse, at least.” Baby 5 gently took hold of Lami’s forearm and inspected it. “Still looks like it’s fading to me.”

“It’s probably going into my bloodstream,” Lami shrugged. “That’s worse.”

“You still got more time than before, which is time we can use wisely.” Baby 5 let go of her sister’s arm and motioned with her head towards the wardrobe. “Come on; let’s get you ready for dinner.”

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Opening up the closet door, Law found Lami right where he left her, trembling between the linens. She saw him and squeaked, throwing her arms around his neck as he clung to him.

“You’ve been so good and brave,” he whispered in her ear as he lifted her out of her hiding spot, the words technically for both of them. He set her on the floor and took her hand in his, holding tight. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“…but Mom and Dad…!”

“They told me to get you out of here,” he lied. She didn’t need to know they were already cold when he found them. He pulled her along, keeping her from looking inside their parents’ office, before sneaking them both out into the corridor. They hid behind an overturned gurney as they heard the sound of soldiers shouting around the corner. Once their voices faded, Law pulled Lami up to her feet.

“Where are we going?!” she squeaked. “Where’s Bee-nee?!”

“Bee’s waiting for us! Now come on!” He urged her forward, towards the back door where he knew the path the freedom sat. “We’re going to get out of here! We’re going to live!”

Hiding behind some rubbish bins, Law waited outside before making a break for the cart he saw on his way back to the hospital. It was full of bloody, half-stiff corpses, but they could use it as camouflage to get far enough away from the bulk of the soldiers so that they could slip into the woods easier. Was it ideal? No, but it would give his sisters and him a chance.

“Bee! There you are!” Law almost cried in relief as he saw their sister standing by the cart. Her back was turned as they ran up to her, knowing they needed to act fast. “Why aren’t you in there yet?!”

The girl turned around and he gasped—Amber Lead lesions were spread over her face and neck and her eyes dull and unfocused. Wait… this was wrong… why was this so wrong…?

“Join us, Law-nii,” she said, holding out her hand for him to take. “Cora-san is going to help us.”

“We have to get to the forest!

“…but Cora-san is the adult who helps!” Lami chirped. “He didn’t let Bee-nee come before, but now we can all go together!”

“Kids!” Law whipped his head around to see Cora-san running towards them, looking ridiculous in both his uniform and his full-routine of makeup. “Hurry!”

He tripped and shots rang out.

“Cora-san!” Law screamed. The man’s body fell to the ground and did not move, blood pooling and oozing between the white cobblestones in the street. “Cora-san!”

More shots and the boy heard soft thuds next to him. He looked, only to find his sisters’ bodies laying in crumpled heaps, both done in by single hits to the head.

“…Lami…? Bee…?” He knelt down and checked their pulses—nothing. “No… no… NO! NO! IT’S NOT FAIR! WE’RE ALL SUPPOSED TO LIVE!”

“Life doesn’t give a shit.”

Trembling, Law looked up to see one of the soldiers, covered head-to-toe in their protective bodysuit. A gun was in their hand, still smoking from the last round. The soldier pulled off the gas mask to reveal Doflamingo; his sunglasses glinted brilliantly, the bright and gaudy pink so stark against the paleness of their owner and Flevance itself.

“Fufufu… this is for thinking you could actually get away,” he chuckled. The man raised his arm, aimed the gun, and pulled back the hammer to cock it.

BANG

Law sat up straight and shuddered as he woke up in the middle of the night. He looked around at his roommates to see if he had shouted and woken any of them up—nothing so far. Quietly, he slipped out of bed and padded out the room and down the hall, heading towards the kitchen.

“So, you can’t sleep either?” Law nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Penguin’s voice, the older teen sitting at the kitchen table in their small house. He had a half-drunk glass of milk in front of him—huh, a good idea. Law got one himself and sat down as well. “Am I right?”

“Kinda.” Law didn’t want to pry—he knew that Penguin also got nightmares, but they weren’t really the same. For all the horrors he had seen in Flevance, the other lad had lived different ones and for much longer. What did he really want to reveal about his fucked-up dream? From everything he was reading in medical texts and journals, the signs weren’t good. “I was just… reminded of… some people… who I want to find… who I want to join the crew.”

“Join the crew…? Must be special.”

“Yeah, they are.” Law took a sip of the milk and took comfort in the chilled, smooth drink. “If things were different, they would have been the first members of the Heart Pirates.”

“That’s a statement,” Penguin said, making Law cringe slightly. Ah, shit. “They must be pretty important to you if that’s the case—you don’t just want anyone on your crew. Where are they?”

“Spider Miles.”

“Well, then I guess the first thing we do after we finish our training and raise the funds is head over to Spider Miles.” Penguin shrugged and drank some milk. “There’s no helping when the Captain has something in his head.”

“I’m not the captain yet,” Law scowled.

“You’re our wee baby captain—shut the fuck up.”

“I hate you.”

“No you don’t. It’s a fact you’re the smallest of us, even Bepo, so you gotta learn to live with it.”

“I can make it so not even you can find all of you.”

“Nah; that’s a hard pass.” He slammed back his remaining milk like a farmer would his ale. “Who the fuck would keep everyone in line if I wasn’t here? Scrub the toilet you all refuse to touch? Braid Shachi’s hair before bed? Make you super-fucking-thin raisin pancakes of all things?”

“Alright, alright; you win, asshole,” Law conceded. He finished off his glass as well and they both rinsed the dishes with some water before leaving them in the sink. “Hey, uh… can you… not tell the others about this?”

“I make no guarantees,” Penguin shrugged. The younger teen glared at him, which made him just want to give him a hug. “You know that we all know you get nightmares, right?”

“I never said it was a nightmare.”

“…but you came out here for a glass of milk in the middle of the night, which you usually only do after a particularly bad dream.”

“Yeah, but…” Law went quiet and looked away. “Doesn’t mean they need to know every time I get nightmares.”

“Nah, you’re good.” Penguin ruffled the younger teen’s hair—fuck, he was almost too tall for that now considering Law’d been almost in a constant growth spurt since they met. He was shrugged off with a halfhearted shove and he knew all was well… at least, enough for them to trudge back to the shared bedroom.

It felt childish, but Law just wanted his sisters and didn’t want to fully admit it. He watched as Penguin climbed up into his bunk before looking at his own empty one—how often had he gone to sleep alone only to wake up with both of them clung to either side? Back then he’d always yell at them, but now… fuck… what he wouldn’t give to have them both and know they were safe…

…and instead, Law nestled himself in Bepo’s bunk, the Mink squeaking in his sleep as he suddenly was being used as a living body pillow. Even though Law knew that he was with friends—friends he might be able to keep—the loneliness he felt was a crushing, oppressive force, more than he could bear. Ha… bear… fuck. He pressed his face against Bepo’s back to hide his tears and did his best to fall into what would be light, fitful sleep.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Time passed.

Law and his friends worked and trained hard as they lived on Swallow Island, earning their keep and strengthening their abilities. With every time the teen could stand to keep his Room open for a minute longer or a square meter larger, he knew he was that much closer to his initial goal.

In Spider Miles, Lami kept busy, poring through books and soaking in all the knowledge she could. Science, navigation, medicine, history, language—she read through everything afforded to her and then some. With her strength coming and going at odd intervals, she knew that she needed to what she could, while she could still do things…

…and Baby 5…? She continued to take care of her sister, cooking and cleaning and making sure enough chores were done so that Doflamingo left them alone. It was hard work, often keeping her busy the entire day, but it was worth it for what little beri she could scrape together… for what she was able to do for her sister as she laid in bed on her bad days and wandered around the empty compound when things were good.

The rest of the Donquixote Family, on the other hand, had plans… the more ambitious of such were nearly ready to be put into action. They plotted, they schemed, and one day they began packing the contents of their base, putting as much as they could inside the Numancia Flamingo, for the Young Master… well… he was going home.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Three years later, in a place now all too familiar…

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Invading Dressrosa was… too easy.

It was completely engineered by the Young Master, of course, which meant that he used the king and his soldiers as living puppets, which furthered his plans easier than it would have gone otherwise. Lami had been having one of her bad sick days—they were increasing in frequency and severity again—and it caused both her and Baby 5 to stay on the Numancia Flamingo while the rest of the Family pretended to settle the country’s affairs.

“This feels so wrong,” Lami said, staring out the porthole of the cabin. She could see fires illuminating the night sky as the coup was being staged. “You know… I don’t think Law-nii and I ever really wanted to cause chaos… not if it feels like this.”

“Don’t worry,” Baby 5 assured. “One day, when the time is right, we’ll go back to the North Blue and find Law-nii.” She put a bowl of steaming water on the table and sat on the edge of the bed, grabbing hold of Lami’s arm. The younger girl allowed her touch and soon her lesions were being gone over with a wet, hot cloth. “Maybe we’ll be lucky and he’ll find us here. He might rescue us.”

“Maybe you… but not me.”

“…and why would he rescue one of us and not the other?”

“…because this is still late-stage poisoning,” Lami frowned. “It’s like when Cora-san stole Law-nii and me… except now… now his last-ditch effort to save us is who-knows-where, well on the other side of the Calm Belt.” She exhaled heavily and tried not to cry. “I don’t know…”

“We’ll figure it out,” Baby 5 assured gently. “I’m clever and you’re smart—we can survive.”

“You accidentally ate your Devil Fruit.”

“It was planted, alright?” she pouted. The sisters could only look at one another for only a few seconds before bursting into giggles. Baby 5 moistened the cloth again and continued going over Lami’s lesions. “As long as we’re still here, he’s coming for us both. Don’t forget that.”

“You sound old.”

“I am older.”

“Not ancient.” Lami snickered as Baby 5 flicked a bit of water in her face. “Do you think they’ll send for us or…?”

“It’s Doflamingo—of course he will.” An idea then popped into her brain, causing her to perk up. “Say, you want to get some of his ice cream? The kind just for him?”

Lami’s face brightened at the suggestion, knowing it might be their last true act of rebellion for a while.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

It was a while before Dressrosa was deemed stable enough to bring Lami ashore. Baby 5 carried her piggyback all the way to the palace, all the while the girls staring at their new environment with wide, curious eyes. It was so different from Spider Miles, from Kuen Village, from the White City, from the North Blue in general, and they wanted to take it all in the best they could. They eventually stepped across the palace threshold, where Monet was waiting for them.

“The Young Master tasked me with finding the perfect quarters for you,” the young woman mentioned. “There are rooms that are right next to one another, and even a pair that possess an adjoining suite.”

“Lami-chan and I share,” Baby 5 insisted. Monet shook her head.

“Young Master had his orders,” she claimed. “Here; follow me.” She led them up the stairs and down a corridor where there was plenty of expensive-looking things that had been placed on the floor and against the walls haphazardly. “Pick your rooms from these; let us know your decisions when you make them.”

Baby 5 moved to enter one of the rooms, thankful when it seemed like Monet was not following them. She put Lami down on the plush couch that sat off-center in the large room and looked around.

“This’ll be nice,” she nodded. “There’s shelves for all your books, and lots of air and light.”

“There’s already stuff there though,” Lami frowned. She stood and slowly hobbled her way over towards the nearest bookshelf. “Histories, politics, books about Dressrosa’s neighbors and allies…”

“Perfect for the kid who can’t get her hands on enough books,” Baby 5 chuckled. If it could keep her from having to find time to smuggle her sister more books, then the shelves’ contents were more than welcome. She plucked a book from the shelf that was eye-level and looked at the cover—love poems. Ha. “I wonder whose collection this was…”

Just then, a stranger ran in through the open door and flung herself onto the large bed. She was tall and pretty, though sobbing so hysterically that she did not see the sisters standing there.

“…are you okay…?” Lami wondered. The woman flinched at her words as though they physically stung her.

“Who are you?!” she snapped, fear tempering her voice.

“I’m Lami, and this is my older sister, Bee,” the girl said. “We were told to pick out rooms. Is this supposed to be your room?”

“…no, but it belonged to my tia avia at one point,” the woman replied. She wiped the tears from her eyes and the girls could see that she wasn’t that much older than them—her late teens, most likely. “I just got kicked out of my room by that… that… drippy man…”

“Trebol? Yeah, he’s pretty gross.” Lami walked over to the bed with help from Baby 5 and they joined the newcomer. “What’s your name?”

“Viola… but… I just joined the Family… so I guess my name is Violet now…”

“Why did you do that?” Baby 5 asked. “You’re able to run away, aren’t you?” Viola shook her head.

“My father is the king who was in charge only two days ago,” she explained. “If I didn’t agree to work for Doflamingo, he would have been executed in the Coliseum already.” She then looked at the pair and frowned. “Why are you here?”

“We were found, like anyone, and Doflamingo gave us a place to stay,” Baby 5 said. “We were separated from our big brother a while ago and we’re just buying time until we can go back for him… or he finds us…”

“You two are so lucky to at least have each other.” Viola sniffled and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket to dab at her eyes. “My sister died in the take-over and her daughter—my dear neboda—is missing.”

“Don’t you have a brother?” Lami asked, tilting her head to the side. “I remember the Officers saying how there was a guy that they needed to watch out for who wasn’t the King…”

“Must have been one of the guards,” Viola replied, shaking her head. “I wish I knew the man who had won my sister’s heart—if that was the case, then maybe he could be someone on the other side who could help… like your brother…”

Yeah. If only they had their brothers… then things might really be different.

-_-_-_-_-_-_-

Lami was getting worse with each passing day they spent in Dressrosa. The warm, dry air should have been good for her—it really should have—yet she seemed to be deteriorating faster than she was on Spider Miles. It was so bad that Baby 5 barely left her side, knowing only that her sister was dying and she wanted to be there for her. In fact, Baby 5 knew her sister needed her—ha, it felt like it wasn’t that long ago that she would bend over backwards if she thought someone new needed her. Now? Now no one could rip her from her sister’s side without breaking her arms and legs first.

“I thought she had five more years,” Doflamingo frowned. He was standing by Lami’s bed in the palace sickroom, where both girls were sleeping peacefully, Lami snug under the blankets while Baby 5 was passed out next to her atop the bedding. The Elite Officers were there as well, all three some level of curious about their boss’s continued interest in the dying child.

“A brat’s still a brat,” Trebol sniffed. “He could have given a misdiagnosis.”

“This won’t do.” Doflamingo leaned over the bed and traced his finger over Lami’s forehead, down her cheek, then jaw, flicking up off the underside of her chin. “You’re an important part of the Family, Lami, and I take care of my Family.”

“With all due respect, Young Master,” Diamante frowned, “she’s yet to go on a mission… hasn’t proven herself…”

“She will once she’s better. Those who have been with us as long as she are going to be the core of our empires.”

“…but she left,” Pica mentioned.

“He’s right,” Diamante added. “She ran away once before—who is to say that she wouldn’t again?”

“Where would she go? Even if both of them work together, they’re still children in the New World—neither of them are going to escape. I’ll make sure of it.”

“How do you propose that, Young Master?” Trebol wondered. Doflamingo simply smiled.

“I’m going to make sure that she doesn’t remember she was even sick at all.”

[shiningwonderland]

Ren Jinguji (Repeat)

Translator: Mimi (twitter: _mimisaurora)

February - February Elegy

I'm summoned to the principal's office shortly after the beginning of February.

Haruka: I-I’m so nervous…. I wonder what it could be….

I take a deep breath and step inside.

Haruka: Please excuse me. …Ah.

Jinguji-san’s brother is here….

Seiichiro: Hello.

Haruka: U-Um, I'm terribly sorry for turning down the offer on such short notice.

I bow to him repeatedly.

I know it must have been a huge inconvenience to have canceled my study abroad so abruptly.

Seiichiro: There’s no need, I acted rather hastily as well. Please don’t worry about it. More importantly, I came here today to ask a favor from you.

Haruka: A favor… from me?

W-What could it be...?

Seiichiro: Yes. I would like to hire you to write a commercial single for our upcoming new product release.

Haruka: A-A commercial single? From m-me!?

Shining Saotome: Hahaha. What a great opportunity! You should give it a go!

H-He may be saying that now….

But I’m still a student….

I couldn’t possibly….

However.... I am grateful that despite having turned down the offer to study abroad, they're still wanting to work with me. 

And most importantly, I think this is a good opportunity.

Seiichiro: George has told me about you. It seems that Ren speaks very highly of your music....

Oh….

Jinguji-san has talked about me…?

Seiichiro: He rarely gives out compliments. And yet he went so far as to say that you are the perfect person to become a composer....

…Actually, I do remember him telling me I “really ought to continue pursuing becoming a composer” some time after the school festival.

Seiichiro: I've only had the chance to listen to your songs during the school festival, but even so, I can tell that they are wonderful.

Haruka: B-But they… Um…. Well, thank you.

Seiichiro: Your humility is also admirable. I would like to take the opportunity to develop a strong relationship with you before your graduation.

Besides, if we grow closer, I might finally be able to get a better understanding of what goes on in the mind of that unworthy little brother of mine….

He mutters something to himself under his breath.

Seiichiro: Would you be willing to accept this job?

Select the phrase!

Yes! (+0 Love +10 Music)

Seiichiro: Then I look forward to working with you.

He extends his hand for a handshake and I firmly take it in mine.

Haruka: Absolutely! I will do my best.

And so, I landed my first job through Jinguji-san's older brother.

Ren: Hey, Lady. You sure took your time. It’s rare to see you be late.

As I walk into the recording studio, Jinguji-san welcomes me cheerfully.

In his hand is the sheet music I had written, and words were scribbled onto the pages of a notebook nearby.

I wonder if he had been writing lyrics up until now.

I peek down at the notebook.

There I found numerous phrases written in snippets.

“The passion of a newfound romance”

“It wasn’t supposed to be like this”

“My heart feels like it's going crazy because of this”

“It’s too precious to touch

I want to embrace you and this dream of yours”

“Allow me to fulfill this dream for now”

“You are a patch of sunlight that tenderly opens my heart”

“I really wish I could gather you in my arms”

Ren: It’s not polite to peek like that. I'll show you the completed version when it's ready, so just hang tight and wait until then.

Jinguji-san took the notebook away while I was still looking at it.

Even so, what was written in it is what one would expect from Jinguji-san.

He's very passionate….

Haruka: …Okay. Oh, right. Um… Actually…. I was called up to the principal’s office…. And… um….

Why am I acting like this after taking up the job so readily...?

Now that I think of it, Jinguji-san and his brother have a rather complicated relationship....

I wonder if mentioning his name would make him upset....

But I’ve made that same mistake before, and not telling him back when I was going to study abroad only ended up offending him…. I need to speak up this time.

Haruka: I got a job offer from your brother, he wants me to write a single for a commercial.

The moment I bring him up, Jinguji-san's complexion changes.

Ugh… I knew it….

Ren: And you… took it?

Haruka: …Yes. Um… I figured it was a good opportunity. B-But, I’ll still be putting all of my effort into the graduation audition!

T-that's right. Taking on this job means I'll have less time to devote to practice.... That is worrying.

....I might be able to get away with it if I cut back on sleep or something.

In any case, I'll do everything I can to make sure I don't cause any trouble!!!

Ren: Of course. I know that very well. You’re a hard worker, my Lady. …Truthfully, that’s why I’m worried.

Jinguji-san places a hand on my cheek and slowly traces the skin underneath my eyes with the pad of his thumb.

Ren: Being a girl, it’s no good to let yourself develop dark circles.

He gazes into my eyes, and I gaze back into his.

Jinguji-san flashes a bittersweet smile, carefully kisses the tops of my eyelids, and lets go.

Haruka: Ah! What… was that just now??

Ren: It’s a charm to prevent dark circles.

Haruka: S-Seriously?

Ren: It's a joke. You were so defenseless that I just had to tease you. You need to start being careful, or else some wolf might come along and eat you up.

Haruka: Defenseless…?

What did that mean?

I tilt my head, not quite understanding.

Then….

Jinguji-san flicks my forehead.

Haruka: Ow!

Ren: You're a professional now, so you can't leave yourself open or act so carelessly. ... This is all for the sake of your dream, right?

Saying that, Jinguji-san lowers his gaze.

Haruka: Um… Jinguji-san….

What did I do wrong?

Did I say something rude?

I grow worried and peer into Jinguji-san’s face.

Ren: That's why… I'm telling you to not make that kind of face.

Jinguji-san pats my head with a wry smile.

Haruka: I’m sorry….

Ren: I don't like the client, but... You're a professional now that you've taken the job. It'd be a problem if you don't pull yourself together.

His smile brightened as he spoke, but…

Huh?

Something still seems to be weighing on his mind….

Haruka: Um…. Are you… upset with me? Ren: Of course not. …Why do you think that?

Select the phrase!

Because I made the decision on my own (+25 Love +0 Music)

Haruka: I should have talked to you about it before I decided anything. I’m sorry…. It was just a spur of the moment….

Ren: A spur of the moment, huh…? You don't have to ask me for advice on every little thing, but.... I suggest you think through things a little more.

I admire your willingness to do what is asked of you and your commitment to working hard. You do, however, have a tendency to get easily carried away in certain situations.

Haruka: I-Im really sorry. I’ll be more careful….

Great.

I think he’s right….

Ren: What upsets me is the way my brother is going about getting you involved….

Haruka: I don't think it's like that....

Ren: In any normal situation, it would be unthinkable for a student to be handed a job so suddenly.... Well, with talent like yours, it's not impossible, but.... That's not what matters....

Knowing that the person who offered you the job is my brother.... I just have a suspicion that there's something behind it. And if that's the case....

Haruka: I don’t know if that's true, but maybe, don’t you think it’s possible he might be worried about you?

Ren: Him worried? About me? …Please….

Haruka: I figured that he might be using me to try and find out how you're doing....

It also sounded like George-san was asking about Jinguji-san too.

They're probably trying to learn more from me.

It's what I wholly believed.

Ren: If so, then... It's to surveil me.... I bet they're testing to see how useful I can be. And this is the reason why I don't like the way they are doing it!

I really…. don’t think they’re trying to surveil him.

Why is he being so negative about all of this?

Haruka: Do you not like your brother?

Ren: …Who knows? If anything, I’m the one who’s disliked.

Haruka: Is that… so?

I didn’t perceive it to be that way at all.

His brother seems kind.

Ren: We have an age gap and our faces look nothing alike.

Haruka: Ah, b-but… They do when you both smile.… At least that’s what I think.

He frowns when I say that.

Ren: Don't feel compelled to try to make things better.

Haruka: I’m not feeling compelled to do anything. I’m being serious.

Besides… I thought he was a good brother. He gave me the impression that he really cares about you.

Ren: …I see. If you feel that way, then maybe it's true.

He smiles softly for a moment.

Ren: If there is an ulterior motive behind my brother's actions, I’m ready to do all I can to protect you, but.... If he's being completely genuine about this job offer….

It's not my place to interfere. You should be able to handle it professionally. The only thing I can do is... Ah, yes.

I can give you time. Starting tomorrow, I'll just be working on my own, at least until your work settles down.

It’s a good opportunity. Let's agree to not meet for a while. We should fight on as individual professionals, on our own.

Select the phrase!

But… (+20 Love +0 Music)

Haruka: Um… I can do my best at both!

Ren: This is not something to be done half-heartedly. It's better that you finish one thing at a time. Particularly given your clumsy nature. You can't possibly pull both off at once, can you?

Maybe Jinguji-san is right.

This is my first time doing anything like this, and I don't even know how much time it will take.

I have to give it my all given this is something I can't slack off on….

Haruka: Alright. Ah. B-But… I’ll try to finish it as quickly as possible so that we can get together again.

Ren: There’s no need to rush. Go and make a good track record for yourself. We can worry about the audition later.

Jinguji-san pats me on the shoulder and offers some words of encouragement.

I start working on the commercial single soon after that.

I sought advice from a teacher who had actual experience composing them, and listened to many commercial songs for reference.

I visited the company building and met with them many times, discussing things like the product concept and idea for the song.

The staff in charge of product development weren't familiar with how composing music worked, so oftentimes they had no response when I would ask them what they thought about a certain vision for the single.

There were many questions I wanted to ask that I simply didn't know how to, and it wasn't like they knew what to answer back with either.

So, we continued to go back and forth.

In the end, I received several song references and the product proposal.

I gather as much information as I can come across and begin forming my own image of the song.

I consider my first impression of the product and the key point I want to convey, packing sounds into a few dozen seconds.

I then create it, submit the rough draft, and check to see their reactions.

“This is a little different from what we imagined. Please try writing a different jingle.”

Receiving the e-mail back, which read more like a request to rework the whole thing rather than revise it, left me feeling dejected.

It's not easy to make something perfect the first time.

I'm very aware of that, but it's still discouraging having to retake it.

Still, I get myself together and begin making the single again from scratch.

Before, it had a slightly fast tempo and sounded quite pop, so I decided to try writing something more mellow this time around.

I give it everything I've got to try and make it as good as I can....

I focus on the part that will be played in the commercial while also considering the overall structure of the song.... Think....Think.... Think....

Thin....

Ah.... I feel dizzy....

My vision... is getting blurry....

Haruka: H-Huh?

That’s strange. I was in the recording room just a second ago….

Tomochika: Ah, you’re awake. Good morning. …Your face is still red. You should rest a bit more.

Haruka: Um…. Why am I here?

Tomochika: You don't remember? You ran a fever and passed out in the recording studio.

Thankfully, Jinguji-san happened to find you and bring you here....

Who knows what would have happened had you stayed passed out in the recording room that whole time. Make sure to thank him later.

Haruka: Of course….

Jinguji-san….

I wonder… if he worried about me….

Tomochika: ...Did you overthink yourself into a fever?

Haruka: Huh…?

Tomochika: You've been sitting at your desk, groaning and mumbling to yourself over the past couple of days.

Haruka: …Yeah….

Whenever I would be in my room, I spent a lot of time contemplating a lot of things while listening to all kinds of music.

Tomochika: I get that you're excited about working on your first job, but you won’t be able to accomplish anything by overworking yourself.

Haruka: But….

Select the phrase!

I was asked to retake it (+0 Love +5 Music)

Tomochika: Believe me, I know how it feels to agonize over someone's requests being too ambitious or too vague.

My partner tends to get these fixed ideas in his head, but.... He's terrible at conveying what they are. He'd always whine about how what I’d do is not what he wanted.

Hearing that all the time gets exhausting. When people constantly deny you, you start to shrink back and lose the ability to fully express yourself.

Anyway, you should hear out what could be improved upon, but don't let it eat away at you too much, okay?

When in doubt, try asking around instead of dwelling on it all by yourself. You may come up with some good ideas that way.

Haruka: Ah… but the NDA….

Tomochika: Well, yeah, but…. It's still worth asking for as much input as you can get on what it is you can share.

Haruka: You’re right… Thank you.

I wake up early the next morning and, despite my fever, end up feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep.

I decide to make my way to the recording studio first thing in the morning, but....

Of course, nothing comes to mind, so I reluctantly leave and go to class.

My heart was once full to the brim with music.

Now, not a single sound can be heard.

I feel lonely.

Consumed with anxiety.

Haruka: …Sigh. What should I do…?

Ryuya: Hey, Nanami. What’s wrong? You look upset.

Haruka: Ah… Sensei.

I run into Hyuuga-sensei and Tsukimiya-sensei as I walk down the hallway.

Ringo: By the way, how's that new job coming along? I'm still so impressed that you landed one while still being in school. But of course, if anyone would, it’d be one of Ryuya's students.

Ryuya: ...All this praise isn't going to give you a bonus.

Ringo: Gosh, you’re so stingy…. Hey, Haru-chan. But really, are you doing okay? You’re looking pale.

Haruka: I am. I'm feeling fine, but… The song isn't coming out right….

I caught a bit of a fever yesterday, but after getting some good sleep, I was feeling better.

Ryuya: What is it? Are you in a slump? That's pretty unusual to hear, coming from you.... Now that you mention it, didn't they ask for a retake?

Haruka: Yes, they said it didn't fit the image they wanted for the product. The singer's vocals were also in a different key than from what I was initially told.

Ah, but that wasn't the main issue.... The problem is the idea they have is too abstract... It doesn't even sound like they know what they want.

And so, it leaves me a little confused. Do they want something passionate? Pleasant? I can't quite make out what the song should sound like.

Ringo: Hm. I see. Well, when dealing with corporate clients, things do tend to change from time to time.

I remember filming a commercial once, and at first they wanted me to take on this girly fashionista type of role, but when I arrived on set....

I was at a loss finding out they wanted me to be more of a mature, handsome older brother type of character instead. 

Haruka: What do you do when that happens?

Ringo: Oh, well. I've learned how to be adaptable nowadays. If you are too set on an idea from the start, it becomes difficult to adjust quickly....

It’s better to decide on a general direction and then work out the rest onsite. That way, it’ll be a lot easier to work with.

Haruka: A general direction….

Ryuya: It's not something you'll get the hang of any time soon because it comes with experience.... You're the type to only do things once.

I would take a guess that handling retakes is hard for you because your music tends to come practically complete. The slightest change would throw it all off balance.

There are those who write music by exploring and adjusting it through multiple takes, and others who are more black-or-white. It's either all or nothing for them. I'd say you're more the latter.

Of course, when it clicks, the impact and artistry of your creation is extraordinary, it becomes something that no one else can imitate.

The odds of you creating something of that caliber are in your favor. That's why, if it's something not immediately speaking to you, don't even bother messing with it again and start over from the beginning.

Haruka: B-But… They did mention they liked the chorus.

Ryuya: I see… In that case, you might be getting overloaded with information.

You're humble by nature and because you tend to cater to others a little too much, you waste time trying to listen to all of their requests.

And yet, you are so self-indulgent when it comes to the music you write that you go on to compose excellent songs so unique to you.

You may not be aware of it now, but you're struggling with this conflict in the back of your mind.

It's both your desire to listen to what the company wants, and the desire to stay true to your own musicality. That's why the music is not coming to you as it should.

At least that's what I imagine is going on. In my experience, nothing will help in that kind of situation.

The deadline is coming up, so you can't afford to take too long, but go somewhere, clear your head, and try resetting your mind.

Ringo: I agree. That sounds like a good idea. Since you're already partnered with Ren-chan, you should ask him to take you out.

I'm sure he knows lots of wonderful spots, and he's very considerate towards girls, so why don't you go have fun and forget about work for a while?

Haruka: But I don’t want to be a bother….

Ringo: It’ll be fine. I'm sure Ren-chan would have a harder time knowing you're feeling too upset to write a song.

He’ll definitely help. Alright? Now, go on.

Haruka: Alright… I’ll give it a try.

Ryuya: Exactly. A proper partner is one who lends a hand in times of need.

And well, if it still doesn't work out, come and talk to me about it. It's a teacher's duty to help his students.

Haruka: Thank you so much!

Tomo-chan, the teachers, and even Jinguji-san too....

Everyone is so kind.

This isn't the time to throw myself a pity party.

I have something I have to accomplish, no matter what it takes.

Ren: Hey, Lady. Good morning. Has your fever gone down?

Haruka: Ah, yes…. I’m sorry. I know I've given you a lot of grief….

Ren: You really have. Had you needed to be hospitalized, it would have put your client at a loss, and had you needed to resign from the job because you failed to fulfill your obligations….

It would have damaged the academy's reputation. Who knows how many people would have been affected.... This isn't some kind of game.

Haruka: …I know.

Jinguji-san is absolutely right.

This is something I really need to work on....

I keep my head down and he gently strokes my head.

Haruka: Jinguji-san….

I lift my head and look at Jinguji-san, who's faint smile looks a bit sad. He then sighs and composes himself.

Ren: Lady, you are sincere inside and out, always on the straight and narrow. That in itself is not a bad thing.

He removes his hand from my head and looks me straight in the eye with a dead set expression on his face.

Ren: I would even go as far as to say that they can be considered some of your strengths. But you have to realize that sometimes, that alone is not enough to overcome barriers.

You shouldn't just take them at their word, but also learn how to read between the lines.

The parts that are not visible on the surface. That is where the truth is hidden. It happens sometimes. But you may not be able to see it yet.

Haruka: Read between the lines….

Ren: If that term is not to your liking, you can call it being "perceptive". Try putting yourself in their shoes.

Right now, you're focusing solely on the product and the client. But what is the client focused on?

Haruka: What the client is focused on….

Select the phrase!

The future? (+10 Love +10 Music)

Ren: Well, broadly speaking, yes. But first, you need to look at the bigger picture.

Haruka: Bigger picture…?

Ren: What is the purpose of the commercial? What does the company ultimately stand to gain from it? Who is the message intended for?

These are all things you should think about a little bit more, Lady. You can't tell what someone really wants just from looking at them.

Even after hearing what Jinguji-san had to say, I still couldn't come up with a clear answer for myself.

Time continued to tick by.

I couldn't produce anything of quality that I could deliver on time.

I soon noticed that the originally intended deadline had long since passed.

Shining Saotome: You understand why you were called here, right?

I'm called to the principal's office a few days after the deadline.

Haruka: Yes.

I failed to submit a proper response by the end of the deadline, causing the client a great deal of trouble.

Shining Saotome: Now that you've taken on a professional job, claiming you’re a student is no longer an acceptable excuse.

Haruka: I understand.

“It's because you're a student....”

“I want you to show me what you can do because you have no track record.”

That's what the client had told me.

They don't trust me much because I'm not a professional.

That's the reason why.

The deadline allotted to me was shorter than usual.

If I couldn't finish the job within that window of time, they would drop me and ask someone else to do it.

If I failed to deliver good quality work within that window of time, it would be as if I had never done the job at all.

The company took measures to ensure they would minimize any losses to themselves, but still dared to take a chance on me.

If I were to quit now....

I will likely never become a professional.

Shining Saotome: Both people and money are already in motion. There is no turning back the clock now. Do you understand?

Haruka: Yes.

If it were April or May, the story might have been different.

But it's February now. Graduation is just around the corner, and many students will soon be making their debut.

For a whole year, students are trained to be successful in their field.

That is what the academy likes to boast, but if I turn out to be useless....

I would tarnish the academy's reputation.

I absolutely could not let that happen.

Shining Saotome: One week. You have one week to show us results. Otherwise, I'll have to ask you to leave the academy.

Haruka: ….

The principal's words are harsh but....

Given his concern for the other students and the school, I believe it's a reasonable measure to take.

Shining Saotome: This is all I have to say. You can’t quit halfway through. You're a professional now.

Haruka: I understand.

Haruka: …What am I going to do? I can’t think of anything.

I have studied the client's email with corrections over and over, reviewed the proposal, looked at the product, and listened to the music I borrowed for reference.

I've cycled through all those steps countless times.

But I can't bring myself to write a single note.

Nothing comes to mind.

My heart is a void.

It's as if I were a child with an empty toy box that once used to be full of fun toys, and now I don't know what to play with anymore.

I'm at a loss.

Haruka: I have one week.

Before, that would have been enough time to draft out four or five different songs.

Now it feels like not enough time.

I find the day goes by without even a single phrase being written....

I stare at the sequencer, unable to motivate myself to type anything, and time simply passes by.

Haruka: I should… ask Jinguji-san for advice….

He's probably practicing in a recording studio somewhere at the moment....

I stop by the staff room to check and find the recording studio Jinguji-san is currently occupying.

Ren: My lady…. What’s wrong? Finish the song already?

Jinguji-san questions me with concern when he sees my face.

Haruka: No… Not yet….

Ren: Then that means you shouldn't be here. I heard how you missed the deadline.

He sighs and softly pats me on the shoulder.

Haruka: I did….

Ren: If I could take your place, I would. Unfortunately, though, I'm a singer, not a composer. So I can't step in for you. Isn't that right, Lady?

Haruka: …Right.

Jinguji-san gently and calmly explains to me.

And I think he's certainly right....

Ren: I have no more advice to give right now. ....You're only wasting your time here.

Haruka: ….

Am I… really wasting my time?

I stare straight at Jinguji-san.

I felt like I might be able to figure something out simply by sharing this space with him, and it made it hard for me to leave….

Ren: … It’s best if you leave now.

Jinguji-san puts on a gentle smile, places a hand on my shoulder, and urges me to head for the exit.

And then, he carefully opens the door to the recording studio.

I automatically catch onto the edge of Jinguji's clothes at that moment.

Haruka: Um… Just a little longer…. Please, just let me stay a little longer….

The hand on my shoulder grew firm and held me for just a split second.

But he soon quickly lets go, grabs me by both of my shoulders and pulls me away from him.

Ren: …No. You can't do that, my Lady. You have work to do.

His eyes are cold, piercing.

A gaze that shuns me.

Haruka: ….

Select the phrase!

It’s… hard. (+10 Love +0 Music)

Ren: Is there such a thing as an easy job? There will be challenges to some extent. Running away from them is simple. But….

The second you make that call, it will all be over. And I won't stop you if that's what you want to do.... Will you… let go?

My arm falls limp to my side.

Ren: …Thank you. I'm glad to see you didn't disappoint.

He flashes me a small and faint smile.

Ren: There's nothing else I can do for you in the coming week. It's up to you to overcome this barrier, not me.

It will mean nothing if you don't recognize and work through it yourself. Don't you agree?

Haruka: …I do.

Ren: I'll wait for you on the other side. But keep in mind, I'm not a very patient person. 

If you make me wait too long, I might just leave. Do you think you can make it back to me while I'm still here?

Haruka: …I will. Without a doubt. I’ll finish this and we will both debut together….

I have no confidence that I can do it.

It's a total bluff.

But I felt that if I didn't put up a front right now, I would break down at any moment.

Ren: I believe you can do it. I trust you.

Jinguji-san looks me straight in the eye.

Haruka: Thank you!!

Jinguji smiles kindly and strokes my head as I respond.

Upon returning to my room and staring at the blank monitor, the tears I have been holding back begin to spill down my cheeks.

I know if I ask for help, I'll get it.

They would treat me kindly.

But no one can ever take my place.

I have to fight the battle on my own.

The same applies to my partner.

I am the one who writes the music.

I am the one who accepted this job.

Despite the overwhelming doubt and anxiety, I push to cheer myself on.

This is not the end.

There is more to come.

And there, Jinguji-san is waiting for me.

I know he's being hard on me because he believes in me.

It's precisely because he's so kind that he's displaying such tough love, so that I can do my best.

I have to somehow make this happen while he's counting on me, waiting for me....

If I fail now, he'll surely be disappointed.

After finally gaining his trust, I would lose it.

I can't let that happen.

No matter what....

Mini Game

Ryuya: The graduation audition is coming up soon.... So? Is the song ready to go? I won't have many chances to give you pointers from this point forward.

But since this is one of the few opportunities I'll have, I'm going to make sure you’re set. Come on, let's hear it. 

I know it's going to be a little more difficult to play now that the song has been completed a little more, but be sure to make every note count.

All right, let's begin. Music, start!

S Rank

Ren: Don't let yourself be satisfied with a performance of this caliber. The professional world is unforgiving. You need to aim higher. Don't let me down.

Haruka: I won’t!

Jinguji-san….

He recognizes me as being a professional.

I need to live up to his expectations.

I must make this project a success, at any cost.

Chapter End

[fasterthanmydemons]

[ Speedster of the Galaxy ]

Pietro’s sudden shyness was a surprise to Rocket. This was why he didn’t compliment people. Immediately they started thinking Rocket was soft or whatever bullshit they wanted to believe about him. But if he thought Pietro had done a good job, he didn’t see a reason why he shouldn’t tell him. Eh, whatever. Rocket did his best to shrug it off and patted Groot’s back.

“Groot – what do I always tell ya? Breakfast first, video games later. Come on.”

“Fine,” Groot grumbled as Rocket guided him into the kitchen, but he turned and waved at Pietro, smiling. “Good morning, running old guy!”

As Rocket started explaining that not everyone with white hair was old and Groot pointed out how that didn’t make any sense, Mantis giggled, amused by their gentle bantering. If she was being honest, Pietro’s reaction surprised her a little, too. The way he blushed was endearing, though unexpected. But she understood him. Mantis wasn’t used to receiving compliments, and her awkward reaction to them discouraged people from complimenting her more often. It went against everything she had been told about herself for most of her life. Mantis pushed those thoughts aside, wanting to focus on reassuring Pietro.

“I mean it. You did a good job! Your help is appreciated.” As Pietro wondered if she had ever impressed Rocket, Mantis just shrugged. “I suppose. When I first joined the Guardians, I was invested in proving myself to them. I would overexert myself even when the Guardians told me not to do so. It took me a while to realize that they cared about me… regardless of how useful I was,” she said with a fond smile. When Pietro said his stomach was eating itself and explained what that meant, it actually made her laugh. “Oh, that is such a humorous expression! You should eat something, then. By the way, did you sleep well? Did my powers help you get rid of the nightmares? Oh, and how is Mr. Dibbles?” Mantis smiled at the thought of the tiny, sweet creature. She was glad Pietro had found a cute friend.

(Aww Pietro just wants to belong T^T Since you said I can weigh in, yeah, regardless of which ship it is, I write Mantis as very emotionally independent, inevitably it’s a result of her upbringing. At times I’ve wondered if this was OOC, but her choices in Vol. 3 actually proved me right. Pietro himself doesn’t make her self-conscious, her logic is: “if being a good sibling is the most important thing to him and I couldn’t save my siblings from our father, then I am a terrible sister, so if Pietro learns this, he’ll hate me”. Because she doesn’t see herself as a victim of Ego. She was forced to normalize very fucked up things, so it’s easier for her to accept loneliness than love. The idea of romance frightens her because she’s scared of losing that independence. And yesss hurt/comfort is excellent, also found family. That’s why I like the GotG. Shipping is not required to make me sob over how much characters love each other. And omg yes! Mantis could reassure Pietro that Wanda is okay via their bond and Wanda herself can also feel that as we saw in AoU, I love that.)

___________

{ He doessss... Listen, Pietro is a pretty confident guy, but he does have some self-esteem and “I’m not enough” issues that stem from his childhood as well as his undiagnosed ADHD. Which... actually might have been diagnosed by now because he was evaluated for the Avengers, but I digress. So when he gets genuine approval from people he really wants that approval from, it kindof strips away all the bravado and silliness and he has a genuine moment, heh. It’s sweet but also a little sad that he has to look for validation in others.

It’s interesting that Mantis comes away from Pietro thinking that being a good sibling is the most important thing to him because... it’s one of the most important things, certainly... to him. That’s just it. He doesn’t hold other people to the standards that he holds himself. If he wrongs his sister even slightly, even just a perceived wrong, or even just not doing enough for her... then in his mind he’s done something really horrible and should be ashamed of himself. But if someone else did the exact same thing? He’d tell them oh it’s okay, you tried your best, or you didn’t meant it, don’t beat yourself up over it. So in no way was he implying that he’d hate anyone who wasn’t a perfect sibling, it’s just that that’s his own personal standard for himself. But it’s so interesting how they miss each other by a mile with that. I love when psychology and misunderstandings complicate character relationships, it’s fascinating.

Yessss found family is a good one too. That’s huge with a lot of my muses. SO many, heh. People who had terrible parents who never validated them being adopted/accepted by others, bands of misfits coming together and bonding themselves into a family through their experiences... great stuff. *chef’s kiss* And yes, exactly, there are so many things that make me scream about characters other than romantic shipping!

I just had a thought... Wanda probably felt Pietro feeling really good about himself just now when Rocket and Mantis praised him. She’s probably smiling to herself, even though she misses him, because she hasn’t felt that sort of feeling from him in a long time and she’s genuinely glad. }

Pietro grinned as Groot got yelled at by Rocket - kindof, anyway - for diving right into video games before he’d had any breakfast. His own stomach was growling, so he envied those who didn’t have to think about food all the time. When Groot greeted him, he waved back. “Good morning, adorable tree person,” he returned. He really didn’t mind that Groot called him old. Rather than take it as an insult or some indication that Pietro was somehow feeble, he instead just assumed that Groot was the kind to either be very visual with his associations, or to just stick with the first thing that struck him about a person. He wondered what Groot called some of the Guardians when he first met them.

He was still grinning, half-listening to Rocket and Groot’s continuing banter regarding his “old” status with the tiny tree creature, when Mantis repeated her praised. Pietro nodded humbly, his grin returning back to his shy soft smile from earlier. Hopefully it wouldn’t be the last time he did something right and proved to them that he wasn’t just a fast-moving pretty face. There was a brain in there too. “Yeah...” he said then, immediately identifying with how Mantis felt when she first joined the Guardians. He wasn’t so sure he’d be accepted the way she was, however. “I guess I am kindof doing the same thing,” he admitted. “But... I do need to show how useful I am. Otherwise why let me on the team, right?” At least, in his mind, that’s how things worked around here. There was limited space on the ship, and there was no point in growing the team to huge numbers full of people who didn’t bring anything to the table... right?

His grin returned as Mantis laughed. Something about it really made him happy. Maybe it was because she’d been so nice to him, so considerate and understanding, and so he was glad to give her any small happiness in return. Even if it was with a phrase about his stomach eating itself. Hey, whatever works. He was about to head off to breakfast when she asked about how he’d slept the night before. “Yes! Yes, I did! If I had any dreams, I don’t remember what they were. I definitely didn’t have any bad ones. And I feel pretty well rested today, so you very much helped me. Thank you, really. “ It truly was an amazing ability she had.

“Mr. Dibbles is doing well so far. I should try to make him a home in my room soon, though. A place to sit to dry off, a place to get wet... and I have to get food for him. Is a lot of responsibility, but hey, he deserves it for being so cute, yeah?” Pietro said, smirking at the thought of the adorable and animated little turtle. “He is very smart too. Sometimes I swear he is paying attention when I speak. He turns his little head like he is listening,” he said with a chuckle. It seemed like Mantis really enjoyed small creatures, especially if they were cute. “Hey, um... if you ever want to see him, feel free to drop by my room, even if I am not there. I really don’t mind. You can take him out and play with him anytime. I trust you with him.” Better that the turtle have more friends and wasn’t lonely, rather than being shut away in his room all day long. That was important to Pietro.

[boldlyvoid]

Million Dollar Man | chapter two

18+

summary: Spencer's therapist recommended he branch out and meet new people who don't want to talk about his work... she didn't expect him to sign up for a Sugar Daddy website.

Content warnings: sugar daddy!spencer, age gaps (14 years), daddy kink, blow jobs, kissing, drinking mention, lowkey perv!Spencer, cum play, praise, oral (female receiving), grinding, love confessions, arrangements, Spencers anxiety, (more to add)

word count: 3.4K

a/n: updates on Wednesdays and saturdays at 2 pm est

Chapter Two | Masterlist

She sat on the subway with an anxious pit in her stomach and her purse held close to her chest. Her laptop in her bag, she didn’t want to lose it on her way to the most important meeting of her whole life.

Her story was becoming a book, she was almost done the final draft, they were making touch-ups to the cover and picking the type of paper today.

Her dreams were coming true within the next month, soon she’d have a physical copy of her book, her pre-sales were showing that she’d be on the bestseller list, and her name was finally going to be on the cover of this one.

She sighed and reached for her necklace, holding it between her fingers as she took a few deep breaths. She was doing so much better today than she was last year and it was all because of Spencer, he was the best thing to happen to her. To think she complimented his sweater vest and now he’s the only person in her life she can count on.

All she can think about is him for the rest of her journey, through 4 more stops she keeps her eyes closed as she thinks of all his little facts and his cute laugh. She smiles to herself and the anxiety slips away, she loves him and she knows that for sure, but she just doesn’t know how she loves him.

She’s never had a sibling, her best friends are all women, her previous boyfriends were all shit and her other sugar daddies were never this wonderful, and her parents are lesbians… she doesn’t know what her feelings really are for Spencer, mainly because she’s never known any other men to compare him to.

But she does know the exact moment she realized she fell for him.

He booked a hotel room in DC after a local case, asking her to meet him in there at 10 pm. She was waiting in the bathtub when he arrived, bubbles galore, her hair up and arms open, “welcome home, honey.”

He laughs, “you want me to get in there with you?”

She just nods, “let me take care of you, daddy?”

He takes off his blazer, pulls his tie off and starts to unbutton his shirt. She watches patiently as he gets undressed, and it’s not sexual to her. He’s her person, her best friend, the only human being she would ever share a moment like this with and that’s when it hits her.

She doesn’t accept it just yet.

It’s not until he’s lying on her chest, between her legs, cheek resting on her boobs as she runs a sponge over his back while he gives her a little run down on his terrible week. His co-worker almost died, his mom is stressing him out, the only good thing he has left is her and she knows that.

“And then I get to my moms facility and she’s had a really good day, she knows me and she knows all of my childhood again and she’s all right there in front of me and yet she’s so far away. I’m never going to get all the time I want with her and it’s really hard to accept.”

He shares things with her that he doesn’t even tell his therapist. Because his therapist doesn’t hold him like a child against her chest and tell him he’s okay when he get’s upset.

Y/N loves him, so she kisses his forehead, “I’m so sorry, I have 2 moms if you’d like to have one?”

“It’s okay, I would love to meet them sometime though,” he wraps his arms around her waist a little tighter under the water. “Thank you for tonight.”

“Did I mention my leg is 44 inches from hip to toe?” She asks in the middle of the silence, quoting pretty woman, knowing he hasn’t seen that far into the movie yet. “So basically we’re talking about 88 inches of therapy for the bargain price of $800 dollars a week.”

Her legs wrap around him and their naked bodies are closer than they’ve ever been and yet it’s completely platonic, “I’d spend a million dollars on you if it always meant feeling this good after.”

She runs her cheek along his wet hair as he snuggles into her neck, “mmm, I like the sound of that,” she teased. “My million dollar man.”

Her stop rolls around and she pulls herself out of her day dreams to get off the train and head to her meeting. She smiles as she walks through the station, up the stairs and onto the busy downtown streets when she gets a text with Spencers special chime. She opens it when she gets to where she’s going, safely inside and in the waiting room.

It makes her laugh in the waiting room. People look at her but she doesn’t care, he’s so special to her she feels butterflies in her stomach even when he’s not around.

“Y/N!” She hears her name being called by her editor, he’s over ecstatic as he comes running out to get her. “Come, come we have so many choices to make!” He jumps up and down as he holds her arm, like a child in a candy store.

“Andy, chill man,” she laughs at him and plays it cool, “It’s just the cover being finalized.”

“It’s our baby!” He teases back, pushing his glasses up and tugging her behind the glass doors of the office.

She’s surrounded by people and paper and huge versions of her book cover. She has a sharpie as she fixed mistakes and jots down final ideas. “And I wan’t Phil to look more human and less like data from Star Trek?”

“But Dorothy looks okay?” The artist asks, nervously and Y/N can tell.

“She looks beautiful! You really brought her justice,” she smiles, “really she looks the same in my head! It’s just Phil and I’m sure it’s tough getting a drawing to look like a robotic human, let alone human.”

“I have some ideas?” She opens up more, taking her iPad out and sliding it across the table, “I wanted to give him more of a Sophia feel? His face is silicone but his joints and everything are more like an Elon Musk crash dummy.”

“That’s perfect!” She’s shocked, “why didn’t that go in the first draft?”

“I was worried it was too much,” she’s a little older than Y/N, and yet her anxiety is that of a teenage girl. “I’m going to get working on the final, do you want some emailed versions tonight?”

“Yes please,” she smiles.

“So we’re done?” Andy asks, “we’ve made all our final calls?”

“I believe we have,” Y/N closes her laptop and takes her phone out, taking a photo of the final rough sketch of her book cover on the table to send to Spencer before he comes to pick her up. She can’t wait to see him now.

—

They’re sitting side by side in matching spa robes, he’s getting a pedicure while she gets her nails done. Leaning back in her chair with a face mask and cucumbers on her eyes, she’s never felt more relaxed in her life. And just in time too, her back was killing her from writing, her knuckles hurt and she just needed a break.

Spencer did too, he was genuinely not having a good time at work anymore, every case made him spiral and he always looked to Y/N on days like that. They met more than once a week now, she got $800 every Friday and she didn’t even really need it anymore. He was coving for so much of her bills and lively hood that her savings account was growing and growing because of him.

For the first time in her life she thought she would be okay if a man left her. As terrible as it was, as much as her moms tried to raise her differently, she fell down the daddy issues rabbit hole and she’s never going to find her way out— however, luckily for her, Spencer is down here too, and he brought a flashlight.

He understands her, more than anyone else on earth. He knows all her secrets, every crush and bad grade and snide remark she’s ever kept to herself. He didn’t judge her, he could actually listen to her issues and tell her why she had them. He gave better advice than a therapist and he was able to get information for her if he didn’t know the answer to what she was going through.

He’s absolutely everything to her and yet he’s 14 years older than her, he’s still traumatized beyond belief, he’s sad and ashamed and recovering… but he’s the best man in the whole world and she wishes he could see that. If he just looked at himself from her eyes, if he felt how she did in her soul when they were together, he’d love himself.

They’re too relaxed to drive home, and Spencer knew that would happen beforehand, bringing her a change of clothes (lingerie) and that robe me mentioned. He books a hotel above the spa and takes her to it. Arms linked as they enter the suite, she’s amazed to find more than one gift bag on the bed.

“How many gifts is this now?”

“We’re at 5 out of 24.”

She laughs as she wraps her arms around him in a thank you hug, “this is what you consider 4 gifts? Spencer there are like 8 things on the bed, let alone the massage and manicure?”

“If you think this is too much I guess you’re going to get really mad next week,” he teases as she looks up at him with a surprised look on her face.

“Spencer, I am so busy next week, I cannot be galavanting around with my sugar daddy,” she tries to act like she doesn’t want to go on an adventure with him again.

The last trip they took was the best week of her life. They went to all the historical sites in the UK that she and Spencer had talked about. Mainly old churches and castles, strange poets graves, random art and most importantly; stone henge. It was a trip of a lifetime and he took it with her.

“I watched the rest of Pretty Woman the other day,” he smiles, “and I thought I’d pull an Edward Lewis and really surprise you because you deserve it.”

“You know how the movie ends, right?” Her heart beats really fast in her chest and she wants him to love her so bad but it’s also terrifying now that she’s this close.

“He lets her choose,” he whispers.

“He rescues her,” she corrects him.

“And she rescues him right back,” he really did watch the end of the movie.

It makes her heart skip a beat as she swallows sharply, “what does this mean for us?”

“I have a whole plan, a whole sequence of events I want to stick to. I wanted to make you fall in love with me this week and ask you on your birthday, can we still do that?” He pleads with her, he’s so serious. He’s clearly put a lot of effort into this.

“Absolutely,” she smiles, “but if you’re going to make me wait that long for you to ask, you still can’t kiss me till then. No matter how much I already love you.”

“Really?” He’s so soft with her, she knows he’s not reacting to the teasing. He’s never had someone tell him they love him and then stay after.

“I would never lie to you about that, spence. I know what love means to you, I know how scared you are and I’m scared too. But I know there is no one else in the whole world I’d rather be scared with than you,” she holds him tighter and rubs her nose against his, “so what’s in the bags, daddy? Finish your surprise.”

She plays along perfectly, stepping back and hauling him towards the bed. “I got you some outfits and things for the next 2 weeks, we have a few things planned. We’re going on a flight soon, I have new luggage being delivered to your apartment this week and we’re going to see your moms for 3 days.”

“No,” she shakes her head, “there’s no way, Spencer, I haven’t seen them in 5 years, I’m going to cry.”

“I know,” he cups her jaw with his hand. “They’re really excited to see you.”

She hugs him tight, kissing his neck as she holds him. “Thank you, daddy, do you want me to put something on for you now?”

“I’m just going to take it off you, plus, what your wearing is sexy enough, he whispers back. “You’re always so beautiful, baby.”

“I thought you were saving the best for last?” She asks as she pulls back, overly eager and he can tell.

“I want to repay the favour from the other night.”

She doesn’t mean to gasp and yet she does, “please?”

He pulls on the tie of her robe, opening it enough to snake a hand behind her back and draw her in with a hand on her bare back. “Please what?”

“Please, daddy?” She looks up with her best begging eyes, perfect pout and all. “I want you to touch me, I promise I’ll be a good girl.”

He steps away from her to swipe all the bags off the bed before picking her up and laying her back against the pillows. He kisses down her body, hand on her lover back as she arches, he drags his bottom lip from her belly button to her cleavage. Nipping and sucking at the exposed skin on her chest, pulling her breasts out of the bra to suck on her nipples, she moans and it’s louder than she expected.

As she plays with his hair, he marks her, bruising small little love bites all the way down as he makes his way between her legs, “take me, please?”

He’s been dreaming of this for so long, he can’t even give you an accurate number of times his mind has drifted to the thought of how wonderful she would taste, how beautiful she’d sound…

“Tell me how badly you want me?” He asks as he spreads her legs and kisses her left thigh.

“I haven’t had sex in 10 months while waiting for you. Daddy, please you’ve owned me for so long, just take what’s yours already for gods sa- OH!”

With a broad lick, his tongue flattens against her core and it shuts her up. She gets what she wants, holding into his hair as she tosses her head back, taking it all in and enjoying it. He’s been on her mind for months, every time her vibrator was where he is now, she thought of him. he’s been the man of her dreams longer than she’s known him, and he was proving it.

“Right there, daddy,” she speaks through shallow breaths, “do you know how much I’ve thought of this?”

“You know I don’t,” the vibrations of his voice against her skin are glorious, he looks up at her through his lashes as his tongue flicks over her clit and she shakes a bit.

“Fuck,” she gasps, gripping his hair tighter, “better than I thought you’d be, fuck, too bad you— Jesus, don’t have the stash anymore…”

He stops and looks up at her, the smirk on his face glistening with her juices, “the stash?”

She nods, “I’ve thought about calling it the pussy tickler,” she teases, running her hand down his cheek and swiping her thumb across his bottom lip before bringing it up to her mouth to taste, “I want more of you.”

He kisses back up her body and she reaches for his robe the second he’s close enough. “Just grind against me? I know you’re waiting but we can still feel good together?”

He kisses the side of her mouth and she takes that as a yes, wrapping her legs around him so his hard cock is pressed right against her core as they move their hips in synchronicity with each other. His breathing is heavy as he kisses her cheek and jaw, her nails scratch down his back, he feels absolutely amazing against her.

She feels so empty, she wants him so bad she’s clenching around nothing as she squirms against his cock and wishes she was full.

“I wish I could move time,” she whispers. “Fuck, why can’t it be my birthday?”

He laughs against her, grazing his teeth over her neck and drawing another moan from her but then he stops moving his hips, “why are you so impatient?”

“Remember I said I stopped enjoying everything? Well, taking a 10 month break from sex and thinking about you every time I got off has made me desperate,” her hand cups his cheek, “I’d wait forever for you, but a girl needs to be fucked hard every once in a while.”

Only she could find a way to make something both profoundly beautiful and whorish at the same time, he loved her for it and she knew that now. He smiles and leaned in to rub his nose against hers and it takes everything in her not to kiss him. The same way it was taking everything in him not to slip into her as he began to grind against her once more.

She’s so close, the accidental edging has added a whole new level of desperation she’s never felt before. She wants to cum for him so bad, but more importantly she wants him to cum for her.

“Take my bra off,” she whispers, Spencer’s hands travel behind her back to unclasp it and he helps her out of it before tossing it to the floor.

“Cum for me daddy,” she whispers in his head with a hand in his hair, gripping him tightly as he bites at her neck, “cover me with your cum like you’re marking your territory.”

“Shit,” his hips sputter against hers.

“Say it, I know you want to,” she teases, so close to the edge but it’s too good of an opportunity. She loves seeing him fall apart like this and she can’t wait to see it again. “Who’s am I?”

“Daddy’s girl.”

He grinds down on her harder and faster and she’s so close, the bubble in her gut is reaching a fever pitch and with a gasp, she’s cumming and then she feels it. His load covers her stomach as he pants against her neck and grips her hips tighter as he comes down.

She wraps her arms around him and holds him as close as humanly possible, her breathing still heavy as he rises and falls on her chest. He’s heavy but she doesn’t care, she just kisses the top of his head and thanks him.

He brushes his nose against her neck, nuzzling her like a cat, “do you really mean it?”

“What, honey?” He remembers so much, this could be a question about something she said 2 months or 2 minutes ago and she has no clue.

“You’re not just playing along with my kinks right, you genuinely want to be mine?”

For being her million dollar man, his heart sure was broke. This is why he wasn’t ready, he still didn’t understand why she would want to stay without anything in return, he’s gotten so used to paying her for her time now that his anxiety has managed to convince him that she’ll leave when he stops being worth it to her.

“What does my necklace say?” She asks, knowing how close he was to it. “Read it to me, I forget.”

“Daddy’s girl,” he smiles again.

She soothes her hands over his back, “I would do anything with you because I love and trust you, but also because everything you do is sexy… you could read me the dictionary and I’d still want you to pump me full of cum after.”

“It sounds so crude after,” he laughs, “speaking of, we really need to have a shower.”

“I’ll wash your back if you wash mine?” She teases as he gets up.

“Only if you let me wash the front too?”

She smacks his bare ass and races him into the bathroom, turning on the water and getting in with him while still laughing and carrying on. He’s her best friend in the whole world, there’s no one else she would rather do this with… there was no one she has done this with. No one has made her feel this good, before during and after sex.

Spencer Reid was an anomaly, but he was hers.

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[shotorozu]

hello !! I'd rlly like to request Monoma if that's alright! I've had a huge soft spot for him for a while now and I'd love to see more content of him ;v;

anyway! we all know that superiority complex of his is definitely hiding some insecurities, but I also feel like he'd be quite touchstarved too bc of his peers seldom physically interacting with him due to his quirk, yknow?

with that in mind, I'd love to see how he'd handle an s/o who has "physical touch" as their main love language. they can give verbal praise/comfort, but they always get so shy abt it that they prefer giving physical affection to show their love. and maybe combining that with "quality time" being their second love language, they love to just cuddle him or toy with his hands/hair during quiet moments uwu

if you wanna do multiple characters, I'd love to request Shinsou, Midoriya, and Amajiki (separately) for the same idea, but if you'd rather do this with just Monoma then I'm okay with that !! no worries if you don't wanna do all four ♡

thank you if you do this request, and make sure to take care of yourself !! ♡

physically affectionate s/o

character(s) : monoma neito, shinsou hitoshi, midoriya izuku (i cut out tamaki for this one, sorry :[ but i’ll do another part if anyone wants it)

legend : [Y/N = your name] they/them pronouns used, strong quirk but the details aren’t specific, reader is a part of 1-A

headcanon type : fluff (and if you squint, then crack)

note(s) : yes i do agree :,) monoma should be getting a little bit more content, and i’m sorry that this came out so late! i was multitasking with other requests (because i took a 2 day absence,,) but this doesn’t mean i don’t read people’s requests

»»————-　♡　————-««

monoma neito

monoma 🤝 bakugou “the pros at sending mixed signals”

if there’s one thing he’s known for— then it’s for the persistent teasing, and his quite obnoxious attitude (especially at 1-A)

but he’s not a terrible person, he sure does have his reasons. and by now, people either choose to ignore him, or they simply knock the wind out of him

so, he was not prepared to encounter someone that was tolerant of him, AND also his type— like.. huh. that’s.. odd

and he was even more surprised when they accepted his wild love confession. there must be some catch to it, right?

so like i’ve said— monoma sends a lot of mixed signals. it’s either he’s complimenting your existence, or teasing you in various ways.

so— it’s just another normal day of monoma mouthing off to you, teasing you in a playful way, while you guys are hanging out this is way of making you remember him

but then, you just.. leaned forward and placed your hand on his head— not exchanging any words at all.

monoma’s first reaction is (・・?) because what?? someone is touching him right now.. wait.. someone is touching him!

honestly really shook, and at a lost for words— because everyone has refrained from coming into any physical contact with him? what a surprise! what even is this?

after said incident, you decide to speak “you had something in your hair.” and for once, monoma is the one that’s sitting in silence

“R-REALLY, Y/N? DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT WAS GOING TO W-WORK ON ME OR SOMETHING?” he questions in his usual mocking tone, but his cheeks are accompanied in a flushed red

he’d only experience field day when he realized that touch was basically your love language, with quality time in the second lead

so whenever you guys are spending time together, you’d,, actually go closer to him! this has never happened before, let him be

he doesn’t really like the idea of getting his hair touched, so you usually choose to fiddle with his hands— sometimes observing his details, and other times you’ll be comparing hand sizes

he’ll ridicule you for being so touchy— but he’ll ask if he’s “that irresistable?” while also moving you closer to him. he loves it a lot, okay?

don’t let class 1-b see this, he will flex on them because when he starts getting annoying again, they’ll use you as blackmail.

“monoma, i swear— if you do that, we’ll tell Y/N-”

“HAHA— ok, i’m sorry.”

shinsou hitoshi

he probably has the most chill reaction out of the bunch

again— another person that has been antagonized because of their quirk. he’s been perceived as villanious ever since his middle school days

kids have been told to keep their distance away from him at a young age so.. you’d bet that he’d be really touch starved

he never had any serious experiences with dating, and he never had any real friends— that weren’t cautious of his quirk

that was until he met you, which he just assumed you were another highkey stuck up person in the hero course

but, you were basically the opposite, and you were a real pleasure to have around. one thing lead to another, and now you guys are dating

he thought it was really cute whenever you got too shy to just sit in silence during dates, or to even give out words of affirmations

but hitoshi was surprised at first when he felt you pull yourself closer to him— resting your head on his shoulder. the concept of someone wanting to be in his presence is still sinking in for him

lucky for you! shinsou knows how to adapt to situations quickly, immediately slinging an arm around your shoulder, as he listens to you talk

he’ll be surprised when you start touching his hair, because golly!! are you guys close

but do it more pls, he loves it a lot— it sometimes makes him really drowsy.

if you play with his hands omg, his heart will do somersaults. he’s lucky that he’s able to keep himself composed.

loves watching you choosing to cuddle him, after briefly giving up on trying to form coherent words of affirmations.

it’s something he brings up quite often, but not in a teasing manner!

sometimes he’ll pat the free spot beside him, basically begging you to come closer to him.

eventually, denki notices on how touchy he’ll get whenever you’re around— but hitoshi will just shrug it off

“it’s always been that way.” he simply says, but he’ll turn around with this big ass grin on his face 💀

he’s whipped for your touch. so please, do it more

midoriya izuku

he’s also touchstarved. actually, all of them are really touchstarved, and for different reasons 💀

well.. it’s not like he had a choice from the getgo. he was born quirkless, and that lead to him becoming an outcase— and also the victim of bullying i wanna hug him

and being told constantly that he won’t ever be enough, or he won’t ever be a hero— it’s obvious that he doesn’t have any dating experience

but he didn’t think he’d be dating anytime soon— especially since he was ‘just’ pinning over you. he was convinced it was going nowhere

until you confessed. he’s surprised that he didn’t pass out

ever since you guys started dating, he noticed that you’ve been a little timid— not in the way that you feel awkward, more like,, you wanted to say something

or do something, because when you guys were studying together, you just suddenly sat closer to him— and started counting his freckles

he short circuited for a second.

he was reduced to a stuttering, and blushy mess— and you just laughed, telling him “you should continue what you’re doing!” as you ran your other hand across his shoulders

that night, he was wide awake in his bed— recalling your gentle and loving touch, running his hands along the parts of his hair, that you’ve touched

he loves quality time, because while he does like to ramble a lot— he does enjoy spending time with you in silence, but it’s the touches that makes him flustered

despite him being quite shy to initiate any sort of touch, you— on the other hand, were shy with saying praises. so you coped with physical touch, and quality time

man, izuku never gets used to it. no matter how much he tries to— he’s just.. needy, touchstarved.

he doesn’t realize how lost he looks when you’re sitting beside him, and not touching his hair or hands for once. please feel free to do so

oh, and since we’re on the topic of hands— he’ll tear up if you start playing/fiddling with his hands, and especially when you start tracing his scars. it makes him feel so warm.

okay but,, please give him a heads up if you’re going to act touchy in public. he’ll start stammering and blushing hard you might have to put him in rice or smth

the dekusquad talks about that quite a lot, especially when they accidentally witnessed it in the common room (for the first time)

in short— he adores it. sometimes he’ll initiate it, by asking you if you want to sit beside him, to play with his hair. he’s so inlove

»»————-　♡　————-««

likes and reblogs are appreciated, thanks for reading!

i do not own bnha/mha and it’s characters. boku no hero academia/my hero academia belongs to horikoshi kohei. i only own the writing, and i do not profit off of my hobby

do not plagiarize, repost, translate, or use my works for audio readings without my permission :))

[luvyanfei]

with a short & insecure s/o (hcs)

ft. xiao, kaeya, zhongli, & xingqiu requested by anon

this,,, this is me

xiao. 

he’s appalled when he finds out people actually tease you for your height. xiao has always known how terrible humans can be, but to think they would attempt to tear someone down, specifically his lover, just because they’re considered small irate him to no end. you might want to hold on to him tightly before he can storm off and declare war on the bullies who dared to torment you in any way. 

he honestly doesn’t care if you’re short or tall, ugly or pretty - your appearance isn’t what’s important here. he fell in love with you for what’s inside of you, don’t forget that, okay? xiao may not outright say all that because he’s embarrassed of showing his soft side to you, but if your insecurity gets the better of you, he’ll at least lend an ear to you as you rant to him while stargazing together. 

however, what xiao despises more than others treating you poorly is you belittling yourself. he has zero tolerance for that kind of attitude and will react quite aggressively, gripping you by the shoulders and shaking you. he can’t help himself. it hurts him deeply, dare he say more than a stab to his heart, seeing you wallowing in self-hatred. he’s harsh, but he means well. xiao would much rather see a content smile on your face than having you look disconsolate. 

“have you finally stopped your wailing yet?” xiao peers at your face drenched in tears in disinterest, but really, he’s pretty concerned on the inside. your sobs have been reduced to quiet sniffles, but your body won’t stop trembling. he looks away for a minute, sighs heavily, and pulls you into his arms, a blush coating his cheeks. 

he stays silent the whole time, too nervous to do anything really, as your palms press against his chest lightly and will yourself to calm down. xiao clears his throat and brings a finger down to brush away the glistening tears from your eyes. 

“look, just because you’re short, it doesn’t mean i don’t like you any less,” he whispers only for you to hear, and presses his lips to your forehead, letting it linger there for a few seconds. “even if you, or anybody else, don’t think you’re worthy enough, i at lease still care about you, so don’t let others’ opinions get to you.”

kaeya.

not to be blunt or anything, but kaeya being, well kaeya, he’s probably going to relentlessly tease you. he doesn’t do it because he harbors any ill-intent towards you. it’s just, kaeya is very fond of your flustered expression. if you happen to end up crying from his words, he’ll immediately stop and apologize guiltily. the last thing he needs is for you to abandon him too because of a fault on his end. 

kaeya really does love you a lot, despite your flaws and silently admires you for your empathy and altruism. one good thing about being shorter than your boyfriend is that you can wear his clothing on and he’ll be a gushing mess in no time. he’ll purposefully place his jacket somewhere for you to find in hopes you’ll put it on. he may be doing this just for the purpose of having fun, but he likes knowing that it means you're comfortable and accepting in your relationship with him. 

he likes patting you on the head when you pass by each other at random times, his lips curling in a knowing smirk. if you ever need help obtaining items that are out of your reach, kaeya will conveniently be there to lend a hand. it fuels his confidence how you always go to him for help instead of seeking support from someone who might be more reliable. it goes to show that your trust in him is deep. 

“having difficulties, [name]?” kaeya hollers to gain your attention as you look down from the ladder to glance at the knight, your hand outreached to grab at the material you need with failed attempts. “allow me to be of service~” 

he gestures for you to climb down and gets up the ladder himself, easily grasping the object in his fingers. once his feet has touched the ground, he lowers his hand to give it to you, but before your fingertips can make contact with it, he pulls it away from you. "ah ah ah~ shouldn’t i get some kind of a compensation for helping my dearest?” you stare at him in confusion before an idea plants itself in your head. ah. so that’s what he wants. with a roll of your eyes, you stride up the ladder till your eyes meet and kisses him on the lips. 

as you push your body away from him, he gives a closed-eye grin and nods in satisfaction. “that wasn’t too bad, now was it?” kaeya finally hands you the item, but he grips your free hand in his and guides it to press against his warm cheek. “you should realize by now what you’re capable of doing, stealing my heart like this. you’re so cruel [name], but perhaps that’s why i’ve grown to love you.” 

zhongli.

zhongli is an honest and good-natured man. he’ll immediately tell you that he doesn’t think to care about your height, so there’s no reason for you to worry about it either. he’s not an idiot though. he’s aware that your self-deprecating thoughts won’t disappear so easily with his consoling words alone. actions speak louder than words, after all. 

if anyone ends up insulting you for your size, zhongli won’t hesitate to politely stand up for you. although, if they stubbornly persist in demeaning you, it’ll push him to the brink of indignation, but he’ll still attempt to keep up a courteous manner for your sake as he calmly tells them to back off. like kaeya, he loves it when you wear his clothing! he’s lived for a long time to see many things, but witnessing you cuddling him while his jacket is draped snugly over your body has got to be the cutest thing he’s seen yet. 

ever the supportive individual, zhongli will help you come out of your shell and build up on your self-esteem. he’s there with you every step of the day, so if you ever slip and feel like you’re about to fall into an abyss of despair, he’ll take your out-stretched hands in his and guide you back into the light. 

“[name], is something the matter? you look as if you’re bothered by something.” zhongli questions innocently, studying your face carefully. your eyes droop slightly, but you reassure him that you were pondering how it would feel like if you were as tall as him. he nods in understanding and brings a hand up to his chin in thought. 

before you know it, he’s turned his back towards you and kneeled down. perplexed, you stare at him, unsure of what he’s doing. “you said you desired to know what it’s like to be around my height, so this is the only thing i can think of.” hesitantly, you place your hands on his shoulder blades to balance yourself and he makes sure to hold onto you tightly as he stands up slowly. you smile in appreciation at zhongli’s consideration over your feelings and presses your body closer to his. 

he beams back at you, sealing a kiss to your lips. “if you ever feel down, remember that there’s at least one person in the world that loves you - one of them being me, of course.” 

xingqiu.

he also reacts similar to kaeya, although his teasing is slightly toned down and less vocal. like, if you wanted to give him a kiss on the cheek, he might lean away from you and probably use a stool to make himself taller, but he’ll stop after a bit of fun and laughter. it’s not funny unless both of you are smiling, right?

he finds your short stature to be one of your charm points and will compliment you for that, calling you adorable and such. it’s kind of perfect for him because he likes being the big spoon, embracing you from behind and nuzzling his face against the back of your neck. if you’re around the same age as him, it’s alright! there’s still time for you to grow. he’s sure the both of you will be tall soon. there’s no judgement when you’re with him, so don’t be afraid of being yourself around xingqiu, alright? 

if he finds out your confidence is still lacking, he’ll scribble down a list of all the things he loves about you for you to read to lift your spirits up! although, that might prove to be a challenge considering his handwriting is infamously known for being illegible. 

“hmm... isn’t that the picture we took at liyue harbor together?” xingqiu observes the photo in your hand, reminiscing the fond memories. his honey irises flicker to you. “hey, what’s with the frown?” 

you shake your head and tries to change the subject, but he presses on to persuade you into explaining. when you finally do, he bursts into a fit of laughter, wiping away the tears pricking the edge of his eyes. “i apologize for my behavior, but [name], you shouldn’t have to concern yourself with such a trivial matter.” he tucks away a stray strand of your hair behind your ear, his index finger ghosting over your lips. 

“have i ever told you that you’re cute?” xingqiu murmurs, a sense of genuine compassion laced in his tone. “don’t stare at me like that, please. i’m quite serious, so there’s no need to compare yourself with me. no matter the height difference, i’ll always love you - if you’ll allow me too. 

tagging. @liliisacutieowo, @scarymoosh

[seita]

the contract girlfriend | semi eita (m.)

˒ pairing: semi eita/reader ˒ genre: angst, fluff, smut ˒ wordcount: 𝟺𝟹𝟹𝟷 ˒ tags: friends2lovers, fake dating, musician!eita ˒ cw: dirty talk, loss of virginity, virgin kink if u squint: sweet talking, pet names, mean girl ex, mutual pining, unrequited love(?), angst with a happy ending, UNEDITED

+ note: this is a collab along with the other writers for the kkc! i would also like to thank @bokutobabie​ 𝖿for her help with this plot bc it was kickin’ my ass.

˖˖ summary: when he was an unknown musician, his girlfriend left him. now that he’s made it, he wants to make her jealous at a fancy party so he can get her back.unfortunately, he asks you to be his fake date. the downside? you have a very real crush on him.

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collab masterlist!

© all content belongs to seita 2020. do not modify or repost.

“I have a proposition,” is never a sentence you want to hear when you sit down to lunch with your best friend. Especially when that friend is Semi Eita. 

“What..?” you ask apprehensively, taking the cup of coffee he’d obviously gotten to bribe you. You took it regardless, not willing to pass up the offer of free coffee.

“Nana is gonna be at the party this weekend,” he muttered, swirling his fingertips around the rim of his cup. You felt your heart drop into the pit of your stomach at his words, “I want you to come and pretend to be my date.”

Just as you’d expected. Not something you wanted to hear.

Nana was Eita’s first love, his first serious relationship, really. They got together when he was fresh out of highschool, the two of them spending almost all of their time together. 

It was when his career as a musician was just beginning, he was playing small gigs and there was nothing really successful. But he was happy. And he thought she was too.

Until she dumped him in favor of a much more famous man. He was a big movie producer and offered her a leading role in an upcoming film. Of course, she took the offer. 

She would much rather be mingling with the rich and famous than be hanging out with “a nobody like him”, as she put it. You remembered the hurt Eita felt, the tears and heartbreak it took almost 3 years for him to get over. 

“Why?” you finally asked with a sigh, “What will that accomplish?”

“Well if she gets jealous, she might want to get back with me,” he grinned impishly, shrugging his shoulders like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

You recognized the look in his eyes, one of determination. So you sighed, nodding your head, “Alright, I’ll be your date.”

He beamed, uttering out endless thanks to you as you went on with your lunch until he decided to go back to the studio. He slipped his hat on low, making sure his mask was in place before hugging your goodbye and leaving you sitting alone at the table. 

You sighed, downing the last of your coffee. Your spirits were low; you had no idea what to expect from this party. 

Would she fall for it and run back into his arms now that he had had his big breakthrough and became mainstream? She surely must have known by now; his band was already breaking records, wracking up fans by the thousands, his songs were being played on the radio. 

Maybe now that he was famous enough, she’d actually want to be with him. Not that she deserved him. And he didn’t deserve someone like that, either. He was too good for her, too good to be treated like that. 

You let out another sigh and stood up, grabbing your purse from the back of the chair.

This was going to be painful. You weren’t sure how you would cope with pretending to be his girlfriend all for the sake of him getting back with her. 

Surely your heart wouldn’t be able to take it.

Because as much as you tried to hide it, you were irrevocably in love with your best friend.

The entire getup was supplied to you by Eita; from the jewelry to the dress itself. You felt like a different person. Despite the fact he was your best friend, you hadn’t attended one of the big parties since his band’s breakout single. 

This particular party wasn’t in celebration of his band, but he was invited regardless so naturally he went. He was still enjoying the high life and was getting used to tasting fame. You were glad it hadn’t actually affected his personality. 

“You look nice today,” Tendou complimented with a breezy smile. He was nursing a glass of champagne, which was uncharacteristic to say the least. He had always been more of a whiskey kind of guy.

“Thanks,” you shrugged, “I’m not really a fan of this kind of thing.”

“I know,” he grinned, “You look terribly uncomfortable, that’s why I came over to be such a good pal and keep you company while your darling boyfriend is off galavanting with the people!”

You rolled your eyes, “He’s not my boyfriend, Satori.”

He giggled, taking glee in your embarrassment, “But you wish he was.���

“Are you already drunk?” you raise a brow, making him snicker.

Someone called his name from the crowd and he flashed you a knowing grin, “Eita may be too dim to see it, but the rest of us aren’t!”

You pout and find yourself alone once again. Looking around, you search for your ‘boyfriend’. Suddenly, a heavy arm falls across your shoulders and the familiar scent of his cologne reaches your nose. 

“Hey, babygirl,” he coos, making your heart skip a beat at the pet name. He sounds so fond and you feel yourself smiling before he busts out laughing, shaking his head before letting his arm fall from your shoulders, “That’s just so weird. I dunno if I’ll be able to get through this tonight,” Ouch. “Anyway, Nana just arrived so…” he takes your hand but you can’t bring yourself to smile as you feel the ache in your heart at his words.

If he takes note of your deflated behavior, he doesn’t say anything, merely leading you over to the balcony. You breathe in the fresh air and feel the ache in your chest dull.

“Eita? Is that you?” a perky voice makes you cringe. 

“Nana,” Eita breathes, tugging you against his side as she breaks through the crowd to stand in front of the two of you.

Her smile promptly disappears at the sight of you crowded in Eita’s arms.

“Eita...who’s this?” she asks, a smile returning but you can tell it’s plastic. 

You remembered everything you had gone over with him before the party; the two of you had sat down for a few hours to sort out your story and rules. It had felt like you were making a binding contract with him when you told him no kissing on the lips. It was your only stipulation and you swore you saw a brief downward tug of his lips when you told him before he beamed and readily agreed. 

Maybe you were imagining that disappointment in his eyes too. 

“This is my girlfriend, _____,” Eita introduced, giving your arm an affectionate squeeze.

“Oh,” she gave you a strained smile and held out her hand for you to shake. When you slipped your hand into hers, she gave it a tense squeeze that made you flinch, “I’m Nana, Eita’s ex.”

“I’ve uh…” you cleared your throat and pulled your hand away, “I’ve heard stories about you.”

“All good I’m sure,” she replied flippantly before setting her sights on him once more, “We should totally catch up, you know? Reminisce about the good old times~”

The sultry, flirtatious undertone made your skin crawl. Even if you weren’t really dating, she thought you were and for her to not respect that made you angry. But still, Eita pulled away and placed a kiss against your temple that set your heart ablaze.

“Sure, why not?” he grinned and gave your hand a squeeze, “You go have some fun, sweetheart. I’ll catch up with you later.”

You gave him a hollow wave as he quickly vanished into the crowd without a second glance your way. You knew this was the end goal but still, to see him walking away hurt. A sense of rejection was seeded within you and you felt your spirits slowly being crushed. 

It took all your power to continue on with the party until it felt acceptable to leave. Throughout the party, you kept getting glances of the two of them. 

Eita wore a serene smile, his eyes sparkling as he looked at her. Whenever she looked at him with a flirtatious smile and a subtle caress, you felt jealousy pool in the core of your stomach. You wanted to march over there and scream “he’s mine!”. But you couldn’t, because he wasn’t really yours. 

He was only pretending to be yours so he could have her. 

Your phone vibrated as you downed your final glass of wine, making you look at the screen with a frown.

“I’m heading to Nana’s apartment for the night! See if Satori can give you a ride home, thanks for the help!!”

Your jaw ached from how hard you were forcing yourself to keep from crying. When you tried to find the elusive redhead, you found he was drunk and dancing with two girls so you decided to leave him be and simply call an Uber. 

For just a short time, you had simply been a contract girlfriend for him to use. Though you knew it was fake, it still felt so nice to be called his. 

So you went home, removing your expensive clothing like Cinderella after the ball and decided to relax on the couch. It was only a little past midnight when you got out of the shower, turning on the TV to watch whatever late night nonsense was playing. 

Eita thought that being with Nana again would be everything he wanted. But as he laid beside her, her head resting on his naked chest, strangely all he could think of was you. 

When he asked you to pretend to be his date, he hadn’t thought of the possibility of how it would really feel. Sure, he had touched you before, naturally. Sometimes he hugged you and held your hand. But that night, when he placed the kiss against your head, the way your eyes lit up in response had his heart stuttering when he thought back to it. 

Truth be told, when you told him he couldn’t kiss you he felt so...disappointed. He had thought of assigning the same rule but decided against it at the last moment, secretly thinking about how nice it may feel to kiss you. 

He had quickly dashed that though because of how wrong it was to think of you like that. 

Yet there he was, thinking of you with his ex girlfriend back in his arms again.

“Eita?” Nana asked, lifting her head to look drowsily at him, “Are you okay?”

“Um...yeah,” he clears his throat, “I should probably get going.”

“Why?” she whines, “Don’t worry about her.”

“Huh? Who?” he asks, confused.

She giggles and clings to his arm, “Your girlfriend! She doesn’t have to know!”

His heart ached at those words -- true, you weren’t really dating but he felt like he had done something wrong. And for some reason Nana’s blatant disregard that he had cheated with her made him nauseous.

“I...I just want to see if she made it home safely,” he gave her a tight lipped smile and picked up his phone. 

She rested against the pillow, head propped up on her hand as she watched him dial you. When you didn’t answer, he gave a frustrated sigh and dialed Satori instead. 

It rang a few times before the slurred voice of his best friend answered, “H-Hey man, what’s up?”

“Satori, did you drop _____ off okay?” Eita asked.

The redhead made a confused sound over the line, “What’re you talkin’ about? She never asked me to take her anywhere.”

“What?” Eita frowned, “Did you see her leave the party?”

“Gotta tell ya, man, I wasn’t watchin’ her,” Tendou replied, a feminine giggle in the background making Eita frown, “Wasn’t that supposed to be your job?”

Eita sighed, shaking his head, “Alright, dude, just...let me know if you hear from her.”

“Hah? Why would she call me?” Satori chuckled, “Why don’t you just check on her? Better safe than sorry...I mean, she’s a cute girl, you never know what kinda scoundrels were eyeing her in that pretty little dress tonight. If i was a less honorable friend, she would be the one in my bed right now!”

Eita scoffed and hung up as his friend started cackling gleefully over the line. Eita stood up, shaking off Nana’s grabby hands as he slipped his jeans back on.

“You’re not going back to her, are you?” she pouted.

Eita sighed, “I gotta check on her. No one knows where she went off to.”

“She’s a big girl, c’mon Eita~” she purred, letting the sheet fall from her bare body as she crawled towards him.

He shook his head and threw his shirt on, grabbing his keys off of her dresser before moving to the door, “I gotta see her.”

He ignored her obnoxious whining as he bolted out the door. Any sleepiness that was in his system had evaporated at the worry he felt over you. 

The drive to your apartment was quick enough, it went by in a blur. He took two steps at a time up to your place on the 3r floor, not patient enough to wait for the elevator. 

The knock on your door made you jump. Throwing the pillow you held in your lap aside, you checked through the peephole to see a familiar head of sandy blonde hair. 

Pulling the door opened, you looked at him with wide eyes, “Eita? Aren’t you supposed to be with--”

“I couldn’t get a hold of you,” he breathed, stepping past you to enter your living room.

“And?” you laughed, shrugging your shoulders.

“I got worried! Why didn’t you go home with Satori?” he sighed, sitting on your couch with a huff.

You chuckled again, though it was humorless, “He looked like he was having fun, I didn’t want to impose.”

He sighs and relaxes against the couch. As you sit next to him, for a second things feel normal. 

You almost feel okay, as if you could forget about everything happening. It’s so easy to forget your crush on your best friend and the fact he wanted to be with another woman. 

It was easy to forget it all until it came rushing back into your face in the form of Nana. 

You and Eita were having a lunch date, as was normal for the two of you. Unfortunately, amid his retelling of a story you had heard a million times over, she showed up with an obnoxious screech of his name.

“Eita!” she squealed and rushed over to him, throwing her arms around his shoulders. 

You let out a soft sigh, your eyes falling to your half-finished plate.

“Nana…” he greeted, eyes wide in shock, “H-How did you find me? What’re you doing here?”

“I wanted to see you, silly!” she chirped, taking a seat in his lap in a way that was far too comfortable. Suddenly, her gaze shifted to you and the smile vanished off of her face, “Oh, you’re here.”

“Nana…” Eita sighed but didn’t make any move to get off of him.

“What? I thought you were going to break up with her?” she whined loudly, making your cheeks burn as people looked over at the two of you, “You said you were going to dump her!”

“I--” Eita started.

“You should go,” Nana grinned at you, shrugging her shoulders as she hugged Eita closer to her, “Seriously, he’s mine now. He was fucking me at that party instead of you.”

Although nothing about your relationship that night was real, the humiliation you felt at that very moment was. She was smug that she had gotten your boyfriend to cheat on you and was making a spectacle of her victory. 

Biting your lip, you reached behind you to grab your purse, “I-I’ll see you later, Eita.”

“______ wait!” he called but you were already rushing towards the entrance. 

You had no idea that he was hot on your heels until you reached your apartment. You went to close it only for the foot to intercept it. Looking over your shoulder, you found Eita panting before he was pushing the door open completely.

“_____ I--” he paused, “Why are you crying?”

“I am?” you wiped under your eyes and frowned when you felt the moisture there, promptly wiping it away, “Sh-She completely made a fool of me, Eita. I don’t know what you ever saw in her and I don’t know why I helped you get back with her.”

“I know, look…” he ran a hand through his already messed up hair, “I feel the same, alright? I’m sorry I pulled you into all this, _____, I really am. Alright, I told her to get lost.”

You sighed and took a seat on your couch, “She only wanted you back because you’re famous now. You know that right?”

He chuckled and sat down, nodding his head, “I guess I was just...hoping for something I guess.”

“What?” you asked.

He shrugged, “I don’t really remember anymore,” he confessed. 

“Well,” you didn’t quite know what to say, simply leaning back on the couch to appear relaxed, “I always wondered why you didn’t date after her anyway.”

He shrugged once more. How was he meant to say that he didn’t want anyone impeding on his time with you? 

“I guess...no one really came along, you know?”

You nodded, “I guess it’s the same for me.”

He snorted, “You’ve never even dated anyone before.”

“You don’t have to bring that up!” you whined, playfully shoving his shoulder.

He laughed, melodic and pretty, “I think it’s cute. What’s your story then?”

“Eita, we’ve been friends since high school, you know everything about me,” you smiled, feeling your cheeks warm at the soft look he was giving you.

“Yeah but…” he bit his lip, fingers inching closer towards you, “You’re...pretty and sweet. There’s plenty of good looking guys around me that have tried flirting with you before. Hell, Satori even said he was into you.”

You smiled and shook your head, “No, none of them are right…”

“Who is right then?” he asked, unable to hide the hopefulness in his voice.

“Eita…” the smile falls from your lips, your heart hammering in your chest as he moved closer towards you, “I…”

“Hm?” he hummed, his nose brushing against yours, breath fanning over your lips.

“I...I won’t regret this, will I?” you asked. 

His breathing stuttered against your skin and he shook his head, bringing his hand up to cup your cheek, “You won’t.”

After those words left his mouth, he brought your lips to his in a sweet kiss that was perfect for a first. You could tell he was experienced, knowing exactly how to move. 

There was something sweet lingering on his tongue that you found utterly addictive. 

You wish you could find it strange or even scary to wind up in bed with your best friend. The fact your entire relationship was going to be changing should have concerned you but all you felt was anticipation. 

He hovered over your body, the two of you stripping your clothes with unhurried ease. His body was firm from working out, a habit he never let go of from his time as a volleyball player. 

His hands were calloused and warm as they touched your body, caressing your breasts in a way no one ever had. The feeling of him thumbing over your nipples had your back arching in arousal, your panties becoming soaked embarrassingly fast. 

He was hard and throbbing in his jeans, the constricting material almost painful but all he really cared about in that moment was seeing all of you. 

Hooking his thumbs into the band of your panties, he pulled the material down. He cursed under his breath at the strings of slick that attached to the fabric. 

“You’re so wet,” he breathed, licking his lips as he tossed your panties over his shoulder to be lost somewhere in your room. 

“Sh-Shut up, don’t tease me…” you mumble, feeling embarrassed by your body’s own reaction to him.

He smiles, pressing a soft kiss against your knee, “I’m not, baby. It’s sweet...I love knowing you react so honestly to me.”

“Eita…” you whined, reaching up to cover your face as he spread your legs.

“Hmm?” he bites his lip, sliding two fingers between your folds to spread them apart. 

Your hole clenched around nothing, drooling more slick for him to gather on his fingertips. He used it to rub smooth circles around your clit, the sweet moan that fell from your lips at the pleasure he so easily gave you. 

“I’ll get you nice and prepped, baby,” he cooed, the nickname making your heart soar. 

You were so wet, making it easy for him to slide two thick fingers into your pretty cunt. You clamped down tight around the digits, making his cock throb at the mere thought of what that would feel like around his hard cock. 

Twisting his wrist, he crooked his fingers up to hit your sweet spot, his thumb coming up to circle around your clit. The inexperience of your body made it so easy for him to bring you to the edge. 

You had never felt this, no one had ever touched you so intimately so your body was more reactive than ever. 

Reaching down, you wrapped your hand around his wrist, meeting his gaze with wide eyes. He smiled, capturing his bottom lip between his teeth.

“You cumming?” he asked, though he could very easily feel your walls spasming around him. 

Still, you nodded, mouth falling open but no sound escaping, “E-Eita…”

“C’mon, baby,” he groaned, fasting his pace to fuck your dripping cunt. The sounds were wet, lewd and if you were with anyone else you would have been completely ashamed. But it was Eita, the person you trusted the most in the world. He groaned as your body began to quake, “Let it go, pretty girl. Cum for me, that’s it.”

At his encouragement, you released with a shrill whine of his name. He eagerly fucked your gushing cunt through the high, only slowing when your back met the bed again. 

Pulling his fingers from your hole, he was mindful of your sensitivity. He still couldn’t resist placing a fleeting kiss against your throbbing clit before sitting up to meet you for another heated kiss. 

Your body was still trembling as you wrapped your arms around his neck, your thighs spread open around his waist. His clothed cock hovered above your sensitive core and he made sure the rough material of his jeans didn’t make contact.

“Please, Eita, c-can we…?” you asked, biting your lip, too embarrassed to utter the words.

He smiled and nodded, brushing some hair behind your ear before sitting up to discard the remaining clothing on his person. His skin was pretty, tanned and built. His cock reached his navel, dripping precum down the length which he used to easily slick his cock up with his fist. 

The sight of your best friend jerking himself off over your naked, trembling body felt beyond taboo. But it only made you more eager to have him. 

“Please, Eita...I want you,” you breathed. 

He flashed you a smile and sat up on his knees, sliding the dripping tip between your folds. Brushing past your clit, you whined at the sensitivity. 

“It might hurt a bit, pretty baby,” he whispered, positioning himself at your entrance. 

You had already guessed it. He was big just by looking at him. But nothing compared to when he began to sink into you -- that’s when his size really became apparent. 

“Ah, Eita!” you whined, digging your nails into his shoulders.

He hissed but didn’t stop you, eyes falling to where his cock was steadily stretching you open. When he got halfway in, he pulled back until the head remained within your clasping walls. With an experienced roll of his hips, he pushed his cock back in, this time easily bottoming out. 

“Fuck!” you squealed, back arching. 

He could feel you gushing, dripping down his balls. There wasn’t a single sign of pain in your features so he quickly began to move, the both of you riled up and eager to have each other completely. 

Everything felt so right, so sweet. Having him in your arms made you feel so happy. 

“You’re mine now, baby,” he groaned, burying his face in your neck, “All mine. N-No more, fuck, of this friend shit...I love you.”

“Eita,” you whined, tears pricking your eyes as you hugged him tightly against you, “I love you too. P-Please make me cum.”

“Fuck, I’ll get you there, baby,” he promised, reaching between your bodies to find your clit. Your walls immediately clamped tight around him as he played with your little bud, “C’mon. Cum for me. I wanna feel you cream, pretty baby. Can you do that for me? Show me how good this cock makes you cum.”

His filthy words, whispered in his sweet, deep voice were enough to throw you over the edge. As you squeezed around him, trembling and gushing through the amazing orgasm, he spilled within you. A soft whimper of your name fell from his lips as his balls throbbed, cock spitting out load after load until you were so filled, it dripped from your cunt. 

Finally, the both of you stilled. He leaned back to look in your eyes, tucking some damp hair behind your ear before pecking your lips. 

“I meant it, you really are mine now,” he said.

You nodded, “You’re all mine too.”

“Well,” he gave you a teasing grin, “You have to share me with my millions of adoring fans.”

“Don’t be so full of yourself,” you giggled, biting your lip as he pulled out, “You have thousands at most.”

“Oh, way to bruise a guy’s ego,” he laughed.

You were grateful to have him, everything with him was so easy. Everything between you was fine, perfect even. And you didn’t have to worry about ever losing him to another girl again.

[rwprincess]

Head Over Feet (Brian Johnson x Fem!Reader)

Masterlist

Word Count: 4.8k

Synopsis: What’s that sound? It’s another anachronistic Brian Johnson songfic! (Based on Alanis Morissette’s Head Over Feet) You’re one of Bender’s trash-punk friends and things change drastically when he brings the scrawny brain from detention with him to meet you all. Set up in snippets, your relationship develops with Brian, even if you weren’t really looking for a relationship.

CW: Teenage smoking (including reader), swearing, parental abuse (being being kicked out), sexism, angst and fluff

“This is Johnson,” Bender indicated the boy he brought along to your group’s spot under the bleachers.

“Brian, please.” The kid corrected. You eyed the gangly youth from top to bottom; in his sweater over a crisply-ironed collared shirt and khakis, he definitely didn’t fit in here with you all. You’d be called grungy punks at best. You didn’t think any of you even owned an iron and crisp definitely wasn’t your style. You blew out a puff of smoke, exhaling the nicotine from your lungs and shifted your gaze to Bender, wondering what he was at with this. He wasn’t the best guy, but pranking this preppy little nerd by bringing him down to your hangout? That seemed beneath him.

“You, uh, running some kinda charity here, Bender? We’re not exactly Make-A-Wish material, kid.” Scorch told the blonde dweeb and you snorted at the thought.

“Shut the fuck up,” was all Bender said in response. The rest of the twenty minutes of Brian Johnson standing there was of course, incredibly awkward and it was clear to everyone that he didn’t fit in. But that didn’t stop him from coming back a week later. And again a few days after that. And again and again until, well, that dork had grown on the lot of you. While he didn’t partake in cigarette smoking like most of you, he did take Bender up on his weed on several occasions and was actually really funny while high. He did weirdly spot-on impressions and had a sense of humor that none of your group had anticipated.

And, as much as you would vehemently deny it, you liked him when he was sober, too. He was incredibly smart and helpful and while his jokes were different without marijuana in his system, he could be amusing. That first awkward encounter was back in March, maybe April. But now you spent time with him without the convenience of school pulling you together. Now it was June and you sought to spend time with him, even without the group. Tonight, you were laying in a field not far from the high school, just the two of you. You liked to listen to him ramble on about the constellations and the myths about why they were named as they were. You remembered liking that as a kid, but you didn’t remember most of the stories. You knew you could ask him questions about the actual stars, too. Like, the science of it, and he would know. But you’d rather let him ramble and tackle one subject at a time. Even though he focused more on science and math, he was a pretty good storyteller, and right now that provided you with more of an escape than talking about the chemical composition of a star. When he finished his retelling of Ursa Minor’s story, however, he remained silent and didn’t start up a new piece of lore. After a moment, you looked at him to see what the hold up was, but you just caught his eye as his gaze was already fixed on you. Your heart started pounding in your chest because you knew what was coming.

“You know, we could go on an actual date some time.” Brian suggested, breaking the silence. You closed your eyes, almost wincing at the words. He was generally more subtle than this, but the same idea had been brought up before. It wasn’t that you didn’t like Brian. In general, you did, and in the honest depths of your soul, it was as more than a friend. But, every time it came down to this subject, you panicked. You had never been serious with anyone and the thought of dating was completely foreign to you. You had messed around with some guys before but you never had feelings for them. You didn’t know how to depend on another person, to have an actual relationship with them.

I had no choice but to hear you

You stated your case time and again

I thought about it

You sighed, your eyes still closed. You didn’t know what to tell him. Before, he always left it as more of a hint and it was easier to dodge. Now he was just coming out and saying it. Basically asking you out, so you would actually have to turn him down this time. The terrible thing was, you didn’t really want to. The conscious side of you wanted to agree and go out with him, on a proper date. But your subconscious kicked you into fight or flight mode and if you weren’t in the middle of a field, you might have picked flight and walked away. But that didn’t seem to be an option.

“Look, Johnson. It’s not that easy. Just...don’t waste your time on me.”

“I’m already wasting my time on you.” He pointed out, but when you took a peek at him, he didn’t seem upset about it. He was actually grinning about it. “We’re already wasting our time out here. Or at the library, or under the bleachers… So why not like, a movie theater or dinner, or my house?”

“Oh yeah, your mom would love having me around.” You joked, humorlessly. The smattering of times you had met Brian’s mother hadn’t gone swimmingly. You could read the derision in her voice and knew she did not approve of her good little baby hanging out with a ne’er-do-well like you.

“She’d come around. You’re different once someone actually gets to know you.” He meant it as a compliment, but you took it as your out.

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” You leapt up, indignantly and he just gaped at you like a fish out of water.

“I didn’t mean anything bad by it, I swear!” He put his hands up defensively as you looked down at him. “Forget it, I’m sorry.” You had victory, he dropped the subject and your friendship could last another night and you could try to pretend like he wasn’t right, that you two weren’t meant to be something more.

*~~~~*

You treat me like I'm a princess

I'm not used to liking that

You ask how my day was

For the most part, working at Bert’s auto shop felt worthwhile and valuable. Other days, it chewed you up and spit you out. It was hard being in such a masculine environment and not fitting into that type. Customers (mostly men, but even the women too) thought that you were less knowledgeable and handy than your cohorts. Bender’s teasing didn’t help that image, either.

Now you slid into the booth at Gino’s pizzeria utterly deflated and defeated. Of course, Brian took notice right away. “Rough day?” He inquired, pushing a menu towards you even though he knew you ordered the same thing every time.

“That’s not even the half of it. Why does Bender hafta be such a dick all the time?!” You asked, incredulously but sincerely, diving right into your problem.

“I don’t know. I think he thinks it’s part of his charm? Maybe it is. I mean, we’re still friends with him.” You nodded at his point, but clenched your fists just the same.

“I just wish he knew when to back off sometimes. Like, he never realizes he’s taking it too far and digging you further into a shithole.”

“What did he do this time?” Brian’s gaze on you was unbroken; it made you feel important, like your opinion, your story, was the only thing that mattered.

“So we got this old guy in the shop today. Beautiful car, so of course he was hesitant with me touching it.” You began and his eyebrows furrowed, already not liking the direction this was going. “And I’m trying to prove myself worthy to work on this car, even though I would just be doing an oil change, which isn’t like a big deal anyway, right? Simple stuff.” You looked to him to get acknowledgement to move forward.

“I mean, I guess. I don’t really know about oil changes or anything about cars. But I know you do.”

“Right, so Bender has to go and make a crack to the old guy about how they won’t let me near it and I’m just the secretary for the shop or whatever. Just a total dick move. But of course the guy believed him and laughed with him and sent me to go get him a cup of coffee? I mean, what the hell is that?”

“That’s not right. And you wear a mechanic’s uniform at work, why would he think--?”

“Because macho man Bender told him I was! He was more believable than me.” You sank back and put a hand up to brace your forehead as the waitress approached the table. You prepared to order your drink when she set down exactly what you would have ordered in front of you and walked away, promising to come back in a few minutes. You blinked at the cup as if it magically had appeared.

“I uh, figured you’d get the usual and you’d need it when you got here, so I ordered for you. I hope that’s okay.” Brian said and then looked away, suddenly embarrassed by the idea. Since he wasn’t looking at you anyway, you allowed your lips to twitch up into a smile threatening to break out on your face...but only for a moment.

“Yeah, whatever. So anyway, Bender…” you carried on, pretending nothing happened, but secretly cataloguing his gesture in your memory.

*~~~~*

The only thing worse than arguing with Brian or him pissing you off was him making you laugh. There were times that you would go home with sore sides and itchy eyes from the tears that formed while laughing so hard. Then you would always, always reflect on the hours you just spent together, feeling the warmth and butterflies tickle your insides and a nervous heat would prickle your skin as you thought about how happy Brian made you. He never pushed you to do anything; he liked you the way you were. Sure, he would drop hints here and there about how you should stop smoking or give you advice when you had a particularly bad argument with one of your friends, but overall, he just accepted you. And you knew how hard that was to find.

You had never been popular and when junior high rolled around, you accepted that you never would be. You found your own little group of outcasts who understood what it was like to be kicked down time and again, and now he had somehow joined that group too. You knew he understood how it felt. Even though he looked different and came from a very different social circle, he had been looked down upon by his peers all his life. You were guilty of judging him the same way when you first met him, but now you couldn’t imagine life without him. He was cut of the same cloth and you could see yourself in him, which is why you just clicked. And he was so kind and so patient with you. You tried to push him away dozens of times, to put up the barriers and the walls that worked so well for everyone that came before him; you couldn’t be hurt if you never got attached. Where most people gave up and only saw the cold, distant bitch you gave them, Brian always saw something more. He didn’t give up in breaking down those walls, and even accepted just being your friend. That made you love him even more.

Shit, wait. Did you just think about loving Brian? A crush is one thing. Having a buddy to fool around with is one thing. Being in love was quite another.

You've already won me over in spite of me

Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet

Don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are

I couldn't help it

It's all your fault

*~~~~*

Mercedes Johnson was all about keeping up appearances, but that didn’t mean you couldn’t hear her arguing with Brian on the other side of the door, about you. Again. You had known from the second you met her that she didn’t like you. She was instantly worried about the influence you’d have on her son; it was a common reaction from parents based on the way you looked and the company you kept. You would think you’d be used to it by now.

However, it truthfully bothered you more because this was Brian’s mother. You were hoping that she would be different and see the person underneath like her son had, or at the very least, that she would eventually warm up to you. You had no luck with either.

“I’m not comfortable with having her over at the house right now.” You could hear her tell Brian.

“She’s my friend, ma. Of course she’s going to come over--”

“I’m aware of that but you know I wish she weren’t. I would prefer that you keep the company of other friends.” The formality of her sentences while she was still cruelly putting you both down made you cringe.

“You don’t know her because you won’t give her a chance. She’s not that different from my other friends.”

“You have friends in the Physics Club, from Knowledge Bowl, Honor Students. You don’t need the association with a hoodlum like that or John Bender and I don’t know why you keep insisting on bringing them into my home when I have repeatedly told you no. I don’t want them around your sister, or even you!”

“Fine. Then we’ll leave.” You heard the door swing open harshly and Brian was motioning for you to follow him out of the house.

“Brian Ralph Johnson!” You heard his mother cry after the two of you. Brian held open the front door for you and you looked at him cautiously before rushing out. You knew you weren’t wanted there, but you were worried that he wouldn’t come with you. You were even more worried that he would. “You are not leaving this house.” Mercedes put on the most intimidating tone you had witnessed her use.

“No, I am. We are. I’ll see you later.”

“Don’t bother coming back tonight if you walk out of this house!” She was now pink-faced and losing all of the reserved, polished look you had seen her have. She had never been so...uncomposed.

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” Brian said and grabbed you by the elbow as he escorted you down the driveway to your car. He immediately got into the passenger seat and as you sunk behind the steering wheel, you glanced at him.

“Brian, this is stupid. You don’t have to---you shouldn’t do this.” The whole situation reminded you of the many times you had been kicked out of your house. This was just another home you weren’t welcome in.

He clenched his jaw in response. “Let’s just go. I’ll figure it out later. Please, just drive.”

Your love is thick and it swallowed me whole

You're so much braver than I gave you credit for

That's not lip service

“Your mom gave you a choice, you know. It’s not like she told you to get out. She actually told you not to leave.” You said as you both sat on the trunk of your car, looking out across the field that was slowly turning to a golden hue, both from the afternoon sun and the change into autumn. Neither of your houses were really an option to go to, so you just chose the empty field that you would look at stars in during the summer.

“It’s not like it was really a choice though, was it? I’m tired of her trying to control every part of my life. I need to start thinking for myself, doing things for myself. She needs to understand that I’m going to do what I want, and like who I want to like.” He looked at you meaningfully for a moment, but you looked away quickly. It was too heavy for you to process right now.

“That’s a big step. I’m really impressed with you for standing up for yourself.” You told him, and he gave you an appreciative, heart-stopping smile in return that caused your cheeks to flush. Your parents had shouted at you to leave so many times before, any time you were ‘inconvenient’ for them, that it was hard to relate to someone who chose not to stay. But you wanted to support him and you did feel proud of him today. You thought back to the most recent event in which you had been dismissed from your family, and how you had tried to take it out on Brian:

You slammed your locker and watched him almost jump out of his skin. “I don’t want to talk about this.” You growled at Brian.

“I understand that, but you need to. You can’t just--”

“Just what?”

“You can’t just act like nothing happened or run away from it...run away from here.” You had been disciplined at school yet again and your parents had had enough. You had a big fight with them the night prior and did not sleep in your own bed. The tiredness racked your body today and you were stiff from sleeping in your car. If it weren’t for the social aspect, you wouldn’t have bothered coming to school. But you quickly realized you weren’t in the mood to talk to anyone, and you were only making the situation worse.

“Like hell I can’t.” You stated, quickly turning to walk away.

“Y/N, don’t. Come on, talk to me. Tell me what happened. We can figure it out together.”

“There’s nothing to figure out, bucko. I’ll be fine. I’ll do this on my own. I’m used to that anyway.”

“But you don’t have to be alone, Y/N. That’s what I’m saying! That’s my whole point: I’m here for you!”

“I didn’t ask you to be, Brian.”

“No, because friends don’t have to ask.” His words scared you. Nobody had so adamantly offered to be a safety net to you before.

“Yeah,” you scoffed, “we’re great friends. We’ve bonded so much in the, what, four months you’ve known me?” You rolled your eyes, trying to make him feel uncomfortable, to drive a wedge between you. You only knew how to put up walls, how to run.

“You know we are.”

“Yeah, sure, right. Friends. Not like you want to sleep with me or anything.” You tried to drive another knife into him, to play it off like he was following you only because he had a crush on you, one you tried to pretend wasn’t reciprocated. “It’s not going to happen, Brian. So just accept that we’re not friends.”

He let you get about three steps away before you heard him say, “No. I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work. Sure, part of me wants something more, but...I care about you, Y/N. And if we can just be friends, I am happy with that, I swear. But don’t do this to me. Don’t try to shut me out or walk away or act like you’re fine. I know you well enough to know you’re not.” When you turned around, you could see that he had tears rimming his eyes, threatening to fall, which made your own tears spring up as well. “I am your friend. I’m not going to just let you go and do something stupid. You are going to talk about this. If not to me, then someone else. But you can’t just run away or sleep in your car or, or…”

“Okay.” You said, softly.

“Okay?”

“Fine, let’s talk about it. I screwed up again and my parents kicked me out. So what do I do?”

“Y/N, I’m so sorry. I...we’ll think of something.” He began to tell you, but you bit your lip and drowned him out in your own sobs. Everything crashed in on you at once; you hadn’t escaped in time. You slid down your locker wall and sat on the floor. Brian joined you and put his arm around you tentatively.

You are the bearer of unconditional things

You held your breath and the door for me

Thanks for your patience

After that day, you knew he wouldn’t let you go. You tried your best to brush him off, to hurt him, to land irreparable blows. But it was all in vain; he stuck by you. You admired how he stood up for you, for your relationship, whatever that meant. He didn’t back down, even though you knew he genuinely cared what you thought. He was willing to put everything on the line just to be with you, in whatever capacity you would allot him. And today, he had chosen you again. He had picked a fight with his mother and chosen you. He placed you above being safe and comfortable and at home right now.

“I’m sorry, this must seem so stupid to be complaining about. I know I don’t have it that bad, it’s just that--”

“No, your problems are valid, too. Your mom sucks.” You told him and he laughed, “But I would be lying if I said it wasn’t...weird to have someone be given the choice to stay instead of being yelled at to get out and that you’re worthless and---I’m sorry. I don’t mean to make this about me.” You said softly, looking down at your hands.

“No, I get it. It’s gotta be on your mind a lot, the uncertainty. Plus, I don’t mind talking about you.” He nudged your shoulder with his own, trying to be playful but you knew he meant that. He always put you first. You couldn’t help your next impulse as your hand shot up to cup his face and you leaned in and kissed him roughly. You weren’t entirely sure why you had done it. It would probably change everything and you couldn’t tell if you were doing it selfishly to feel like someone cared or to keep him around or because you truly wanted to. Of course, he kissed you back, and the feeling it gave you pushed a lot of those doubts from your mind.

You're the best listener that I've ever met

You're my best friend

Best friend with benefits

What took me so long?

*~~~~*

The kiss in the field still didn’t mean you were “together.” Realistically, it complicated things for a while. You avoided Brian for a couple of days and didn’t discuss it when you finally caved in to your desire to see him. He didn’t bring it up either, even though there were many times he would look at your lips like he wanted to make a move again, but you never talked about it. Things began to look “normal” after about two weeks. You spent time at the record shop, or under the bleachers with your friends or in the library with his friends. He nagged you about giving up smoking and you finally listened, much to his surprise.

“What made you finally decide to quit?” He asked, looking at the nicotine patch on your arm. You shrugged, not wanting to tell him the truth.

“I guess I just finally got tired of you being a broken record, mother hen.” You teased him, but he just smiled because he was happy with your choice. The truth of the matter was, you had done it for him. While you weren’t with him, you wanted to be. You didn’t want to keep doing something that bothered him so much, but you also knew that eventually, your habit of smoking would cost time with him and you didn’t want that. You lied to yourself that you didn’t want a relationship and weren’t thinking about a future with Brian, but you were. Every time he helped you study or encouraged you to do your best, the time your parents were out of town so he had made you his “specialty” of spaghetti in your kitchen, when you drove him around singing songs together on the radio...you thought about doing those things with him forever and instead of the fear you used to feel at such a thought, you felt happiness. You anticipated a future with him, something to look forward to.

I've never felt this healthy before

I've never wanted something rational

I am aware now

I am aware now

*~~~~*

“It’s kind of weird, yeah. But they’re cute together, I guess.” You had just returned from a movie with Bender and Claire. You were surprised at how long their relationship had lasted, especially since you had hated Claire at first. You assumed she was dating Bender as a statement, but it had been over six months and they were still together and it just seemed to work.

“It must be nice to have someone like that. Even if they don’t make sense, they care about each other. It just must be a nice thing to have a relationship like that.” Brian looked at you for a moment before backpedaling, realizing he must have made it sound like he was guilt-tripping you. “Don’t worry, I won’t ask you out again. I really just was complimenting them--”

“Well, maybe you should.” You cut him off.

You realized how rare a find like Brian truly was. He always put you before himself; he listened to all of your problems and knew when to offer solutions and when to just listen. He was endlessly supportive, and kind. He kept taking giant risks just to be with you, to show you that you mattered to him. You knew, without him saying it, that he loved you. Why else would someone go to the lengths he did, just to make you happy? You had tried everything to shake him, to get rid of him so neither one of you would be in too deep to get hurt. But he stayed, and now, you wouldn’t want him to go anyway. It was too late; you were both already in too deep.

He just blinked at you, sure he had heard incorrectly. “Wh-what?”

“I said, maybe you should. Ask me out again.”

“Y/N, do you want to go out with me?” He asked, unsure. It felt like a setup, but he knew you wouldn’t do something so cruel to him.

“Yes.” You replied, softly.

“Why?” He asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“I don’t know. I guess you won me over.” You chuckled, but he failed to see the humor in it, so you changed to a more serious tone. “Brian, I thought that these feelings would go away, that you would go away. Lord knows how hard I’ve tried to push you. But...you didn’t and the feelings didn’t. I-I love you. And I’m pretty sure I’m going to keep loving you, I don’t want to waste my time with anyone else. And...And I think that you love me.”

“I do.” He breathed quietly, with zero hesitation.

“So, why fight it any more? I was afraid that I would hurt you, but I think I’ve already done that and you’ve stuck around.” He nodded in confirmation of that fact. “And I was scared that I would get hurt but...but I’ve realized that you won’t do that to me, either.”

You've already won me over in spite of me

Don't be alarmed if I fall head over feet

And don't be surprised if I love you for all that you are

I couldn't help it

It's all your fault

He took your hands in his, “You’re serious? You really want this? Because, you know how I feel. How I’ve always felt.” You nodded in response, tears quickly filling your eyes, which was a rarity for you. He leaned in towards you to kiss you, for the first time since your conversation in the field over a month ago. He waited for you to be ready in every aspect of your relationship and you had never known so much love and respect before. It took some adjusting to, but he had pulled you in and made you fall for him again and again.

Just gonna tag my buddy...

@90sinequity

[celestialrry]

I wish you would write a fic where...

the main character is the daughter of a really important producer harry is working with and he has a major crush on her but 1) he doesn’t want her dad to feel like he’s taking advantage of her 2) she has a rule of not dating musicians

too young

OOOOOOHHHHHH

HIIII GUYS..... i started school again and honestly for the longest time i've had no inspiration to write but then i got this ask!!! (thank you for your patience anon ily) and was like i love this prompt but then i wrote the first part and had no idea how to continue it,,, but I finally finished it!! ε(♡'-')з (this is me giving you all my love and affection for sticking with me) 

(NOT EDITED)

2k

warnings: alcohol consumption

Harry was in a dilemma.

Usually, he could sweep all his issues under the rug, save them for another day, but this one... he couldn't do that. Not because he didn't want to, but because this problem was more than just a dust bunny on his hardwood floor.

Y/N was the problem.

Or to be more precise, his feelings for Y/N were the problem.

Harry had confidence when it came to his crushes. He was smooth, flirty, and snagged almost every single person he's caught feelings for.

But not Y/N.

No, she was almost unreachable, for quite a few reasons.

One, the only reason he knew her, met her, was through a producer he had been working with the past few months. Arlo was massive in the industry and Harry was flattered when Arlo approached him with interest in collaborating. And only a month into working together, he met Y/N.

Harry's head snapped towards the door that had just burst open, a girl barging into the studio that he had never seen before. She was gorgeous, he had to admit, but he couldn't ignore her blatant disrespect for coming in and making a scene while he, Arlo, and a few of his bandmates were working annoyed him to no end.

"Dad! Oh my god, you will not believe what just happened, I was on my way over here and I fucking bumped into Zach," The girl began ranting, approaching Arlo and huffing as she stood next to Arlo's chair. "Of all fucking people I could see just walking down the street, it had to be him. The world is against me today I swear. Anyways, I brought that drum pad you wanted."

She dug into her big brown bag that was slung over her shoulder and pulled out the music board, placing it on the table in front of Arlo.

"Where'd you see him, Y/N? We're about to go on break and I can leave and go kick his ass in," Arlo checked his watch. "7 minutes."

Y/N, Harry now knew her as, sighed and crossed her arms. "He's long gone by now, think he shit his pants when he saw me walking near him."

"Atta girl, thanks for bringing my board too," Arlo smiled up at her from his chair. He then turned to see Harry, and Mitch staring at the two of them. "Oh sorry guys, this is my daughter, Y/N. Y/N, this is Harry and Mitch."

She turned to look at them and smiled wide. "Nice to meet you!"

"You too." They both said in unison, looking at each other with a smile, before focusing back on Y/N.

"We'll be done soon, if you wanna go out and get lunch." Arlo said, turning back to his daughter.

"Sounds good, just text me," Y/N replied, giving him a smile before turning back to the boys. "Nice meeting you guys, again."

And before they could even respond she was gone.

Two, Y/N was younger than him. 6 years younger to be exact. It didn't seem like much, but when put into perspective, she was 21, only just being legally allowed to drink in the States, and Harry was 27. Practically 30, if you ask him, and he was positive Arlo would have his head if he found out Harry liked his daughter. 

And three, she doesn't date the people her dad works with. 

He had found this out one night when he, Arlo, Y/N, Mitch, and a couple other writers were hanging out at the studio, drinking some wine (she had even exclaimed that this would be her first time drinking red, and Harry was yet again reminded of her age) and chatting after a long day of working. 

Harry and Mitch were laughing with Arlo about the first time they met Y/N, and her comments about this “Zach” guy. 

“He’s my ex, and had worked with my dad on one shitty song that never got far because he’s just so-- music is just not his thing, to put it nicely. But he was an absolute asshole and after him I made rule to never date anyone Dad works with. It would just go terribly.” She explained, letting Arlo take a few more jabs at the guy before stopping him.

So yeah, Harry was in a dilemma. 

In all the time he’d known Y/N, he just kept falling for her. She was kind, funny, beautiful, lit up any room she walked into, and treated Harry like fine porcelain. 

She was just fucking perfect. 

｡:°ஐ

Y/N had probably been in a lot of worse positions than the predicament she was in now.

For example, that time her dad walked in on her and her ex making out in the studio, or her 21st birthday when she got completely wasted and almost got into the wrong car instead of her uber, and the next day found out that the man driving that car was actually a convicted criminal.

So there’s worse things that could happen than her liking Harry.

But it doesn't mean it wasn’t bad.

The thing is, Y/N didn’t fall for anyone easily. Her one and only ex Zach treated her like a queen until he could officially claim her as his. The flowers he gave her before every date remained at the shop and the consistent compliments turned into insults and muttered claims of discontentment. 

Hence why he was her ex. It took Y/N quite a long time to work up the courage to end things with him. He was her first kiss, first time, and first boyfriend. She was yet to find her first love, she never really loved Zach. The way he used to treat her in the beginning, she thinks she loved, but him? No, she would never call him her first love. 

So when Y/N’s time crush on Harry began to develop into real feelings in such a short span of time, it terrified her. She had really never felt this way about someone before; butterflies would erupt in her stomach every time he shot her a smile and her mind would erupt into pure chaos when his body brushed up against her own. 

So yeah, it could be worse, but it certainly wasn't good.

｡:°ஐ

Y/N enjoyed spending time at the studio with her dad, and surprisingly, spending time with her dad’s “co-workers”. Even though she didn't usually hang out with the pop stars and spent time mostly with the backing band/producers (they were usually 50 year old men, but they were pretty nice) she enjoyed herself fully, having lunch breaks and talking about where their children when to school and whatnot. 

Sometimes though, every blue moon, Y/N would hang out with a super star her dad was working with. Usually when most stars are at the studio all they did was record, which was understandable, but she never had the chance to meet a lot of them.

With Harry though, everything was different. It wasn’t just lunches at the studio, or dinner at someone’s house, no, tonight they were going out to a bar. 

It was completely unexpected too, they had just wrapped up a song, and Harry, being in a particularly good mood had yelled out about going to a bar to celebrate. Of course, Y/N ignored his shout, knowing she wasn’t invited, and after Arlo had said something about “not being able to party as much as I used to”, she gave her dad a hug good night and waved a little goodbye to the band. 

“Wait!” Harry had exclaimed, chasing after her in the hallway. “Where are y’going?”

Y/N’s eyes widened and she looked behind her before looking back at Harry. “I was just gonna head back home.”

Harry’s head tilted, and looked at her questionably. “Y’not comin’ to the bar with us?” He practically pouted.

Her brows shot up in surprise. “Oh! I- yeah I’ll go out with you guys.”

Which lead her here, decently tipsy, and sitting in a booth between Harry and Sarah, laughing at a story Adam had been telling. Every now and then she would glance over to Harry just to find his gaze already on her.

Her heart fluttered every time, and if Harry’s cheeks weren’t already flushed from the alcohol, Y/N would have noticed him blush every time they locked eyes as well. 

“M’gonna get another drink, does anyone want anything?” Y/N piped up, a resounding chorus of “no, thank you’s” answering her question. Except for Harry who spoke softly, “A beer? Go ahead and put it on my tab.”

She shook her head at him as he stood up to let her out of the maroon leather booth. “Can’t make you pay for that, I offered.” She said, standing to lock eyes with him yet again. 

“Nope,” He grinned. “You can, and you will.”

“But-”

“No buts.” He chuckled, giving her a dimpled smile.

Accepting her defeat she nodded and squeezed his arm with a murmured “Thank you.” before making her way to the bar.

Harry sat back down again, eyes trailing her figure as she walked away before looking back at the table to be met with knowing eyes. 

“What is it?” He asked, glancing around at everyone.

“You’re whipped, mate.” Charlotte grinned, everyone else nodding in agreement.

“What?! I am not.” Harry pouted, eyes flicking over to Y/N, who was making her way to the table, one drink in each hand, before back to everyone else. 

“She’s really sweet H, you should go for it.” Mitch said.

Harry shook his head, eyes now on Mitch. “I’m not interested in her like that, she’s way too young for me, anyways.”

Just then did he hear the soft hit of his beer and her cosmo land on the table. His gaze trailed up her hands to see Y/N’s shattered face. “Here.” She practically whispered to him.

“I just remembered I have an early class tomorrow, so I should go, but thank you guys for inviting me out.” Y/N explained in lighting speed as she leaned over Harry to grab her purse and toss is over her shoulder. 

Words of confusion were tossed around the table but she was already booking it out of there, leaving Harry just as devastated as she was.

“I think she heard you, H.” Sarah said, frowning. 

Harry let out a muttered “Fuck!” before taking out large bills from his wallet and tossing it on the table. “For my tab, m’sorry, I gotta go.” And he left just as fast as Y/N did, weaving through the tables and people before bursting out the door to see her standing on the street, arm wrapped around her waist and another holding her phone.

“Y/N!”

Her head whipped around to see Harry bustling towards her and she quickly wiped her eye as he approached.

“Wait, don't go,” He said, struggling to find the words. “We all want you to stay, I want you to stay.”

“I have to get to class Harry, plus, I’m too young to be staying out this late anyways.” She grimaced at her own words. 

He sighed, eyes flickering from her own to her lips then back again. “I-fuck, you know I didn’t mean it like that.”

This time, she fully turned to face him, brows knitted in distress. “Then how did you mean it? Because honestly I don’t think there is another way to mean it.”

This was his only chance, Harry knew it. 

“I just, I tried for so long to tell myself it was wrong to feel this way about you because you’re so much younger than me, and m’pretty sure your father would have my head if he knew but m’fucking infatuated with you, Y/N. M’so sorry I said that earlier, age is my only excuse for not asking you out and it’s not a good enough excuse anymore.”

With this her mouth was gaped like a fish, and her face was akin to a deer caught in headlights. In a flash her arms were wrapped around his neck and he was holding her waist, reveling in her touch. 

“Oh, Harry,” She pulled away. “I really like you too.” And with that she pressed a swift kiss to his cheek, leaving him a blushing mess. 

“Good, thats... thats good.” He stammered.

“So,” she nudged his arm. “Y’gonna ask me out now?”

[brattyfics]

Like That

Pairing: Rio x Black!Reader

Summary: You and Rio get to know each other better. Loosely based on ‘Like That’ by Doja Cat. 

Warnings: Smut.

Word Count: 3.5K

Installments: Say So | Like That | Talk Dirty

And baby, I want it, and I'll just be honest 'Cause I just can't front when I look at you

About six weeks have passed since Rio declared himself your man, and you quickly learned he took the title very seriously.

He was busier than usual with ‘flipping his game,’ and you were busy preparing to transition your shop, but you saw each other often despite time constraints. You agreed date nights at least once a week were a must, but when you couldn’t see each other, Rio made sure to end nights with a phone call. Virtually falling asleep next to him gave you butterflies, reminding you just how exciting new relationships could be. It took prodding, but he told you made-up bedtime stories and the boring details of his day. In return, you shared things about yourself— childhood memories, the crazy things your mom did to embarrass you. He was sweet and attentive, and you found it refreshing to be with someone who was just as infatuated with you.

On your second date, he took you to his favorite restaurant, a fancy sushi place with expensive rolls. He taught you to hold chopsticks the wrong way the way he did and even fed you across the small table, a couple of unfortunate rolls falling apart due to his prodding. You tried your best to hide your amusement at the pensive look on his face. For whatever reason, Rio thought of himself as a sushi connoisseur, but it was clear to you that he was still learning.

“You’re no better than me!” He admonished when he noticed the way you held your chopsticks. Like his technique, it was incorrect, but it worked for you— sort of. “I never said I was.” You couldn’t keep the amusement off your face any longer. “You’re the one who comes here weekly. I thought you were a professional, and we’re in the same boat.” He folded his arms on top of the table as he insisted you were wrong, but secretly he found your teasing endearing. Later that night, he called and gave you a cheesy line about loving to see you smile.

The following week, you had lunch at a mom-and-pop soul food restaurant that served the best cornbread and peach cobbler in the city. The owners, an adorable older couple, Donna and Gene, and servers alike stopped by your table to meet Rio. Donna gushed over Rio, showering him with compliments and extra cornbread. “Girl, he is cute!” She told you, failing miserably at whispering. He smirked as you rolled your eyes, but he handled the attention well, being friendly and personable even when Gene kept going on and on about changes to the menu, one chef to another.

A few days later, he called you up randomly and asked you to get ready and ride with him somewhere. “What should I wear?” You asked, hoping for a hint. You could hear him smile as he said, “It doesn’t even matter, ma. You always look good.” The occasion had turned out to be ‘Foodtruck Friday.’ Barbecue, kebab, taco, ice cream, and other miscellaneous food trucks were parked in a spacious lot in Downtown Detroit. You settled at a picnic table and shared several plates of food as you discussed the possibility of your own mobile ‘Mad Batter’ shop somewhere down the line. It got you thinking about the future.

“Where do you see yourself in five years?” You asked the dreaded question in between bites of a colorful Korean fusion taco. He stiffened as he considered the answer. “What is this, a job interview?” Sometimes you saw peeks of bossman Rio rather than the Christopher Castillo you were getting to know. It happened seemingly out of nowhere when you asked questions he felt were invasive.

You looked up from the panko-fried shrimp, red cabbage, shredded carrots, and tasty orange sauce wrapped up in a flour tortilla with a frown. You had two choices: respond in the way he had or make light of the situation. So, you said, “Kinda. You’re auditioning for a spot on my roster, so...”

He stopped chewing the half-eaten dumpling and swallowed hard. “That’s not funny.”

“You better start taking the interviewing part of the audition more seriously then.” You wiped your fingers on a napkin, and he gathered your hand in his own, wearing a look you couldn’t decipher. “You got it, ma.”

You played a game of mini-golf at the local arcade. Rio stood tall behind you, holding you by your hips as he corrected your stance. You purposefully arched your back, brushing against him just slightly. “Like this?” You looked over your shoulder with the most innocent look you could muster, but his eyes were glued to your ass. “Yeah, just like that.” He answered in a low tone without looking up. You giggled as you took your swing, adding a wiggle for his benefit. You pretended to care about the ball as it glided across the bright green tarp towards the hole. “How was that?” You chirped, looking down the lane.

“I can’t even lie. I don’t care about the game right now. I just wanna watch you.” Your aim was terrible, and the ball never went in the hole without several attempts, but he insisted you finish playing the course. You teased him about it for days after despite his claim that he actually enjoyed the game because it was one of Marcus’ favorites.

“Stop lying! You just wanted an excuse to openly watch my ass.”

“Why you always gotta call me out?”

You shopped a cozy health and wellness store with hundreds of cool little trinkets for sale. Neither of you had been there before, so you took your time exploring, stealing unexpected kisses from the other. Rio took full advantage of the size of the store, pulling you by the hand and holding you close to his side.

He frowned at the large collection of shiny crystals. “A rock, really? What does anybody need with a rock?”

“It’s not a rock!” You hissed, head whipping around as you hoped the owner didn’t hear him.

“What is it then? It looks like a rock to me.” He picked one up, turning it over in his hands.

“It’s a crystal!”

“What’s the difference?”

“It has healing properties...” Rio snorted but strung his arm across your shoulder and listened intently as you read the info cards to him. When it was all said and done, he bought an aventurine stone to apologize to the owner for prosperity, well-being, and good luck.

The next day, he disappeared with no warning. You had been worried sick until Mick let you know he was busy handling something. It would have only taken a minute to tell you that, so you were (understandably) pissed. He showed up at the shop several days later like nothing had ever happened. “What’s up, mama?” The greeting that usually melted you grated on your nerves. All of your feelings about the situation bubbled up to the surface. It was hard to find the right words— you were still getting to know each other, so how mad could you be? At the same time, how little did he think of you to not say anything? Finally, you settled on, “I can’t do the disappearing act.”

Rio wasn’t used to answering to anyone, not even his child’s mother, about his whereabouts, but he put his palms up in surrender when he saw the serious expression you wore.

“You’re right, mama. That’s my bad. It won’t happen again.”

And it hadn’t.

But knowing ahead of time only made it a tiny bit easier, especially when he didn’t have a set return date. You were going on day seven (the longest you had gone without seeing him since you started dating) when he called to say he made it home and wanted to see you. Your heavy heart swelled with relief. You missed him way more than you probably should have, so you insisted on a night in at your place, wanting him to feel relaxed and at home instead of on guard somewhere public.

It had been a long six weeks without sex while he romanced you with delicious food and beautiful words. It wasn’t an easy task, but you knew as soon as sex was thrown in the mix, you would be done for, either destined to be his or ruined by him. It was a scary thought, but distance had indeed made the heart grow fonder, and you cared about him enough to take a chance.

He was set to arrive within the hour, but you were still unsure of what to wear, frantically rummaging through the dresser for something cute and comfortable. You let out a frustrated groan when your phone started to ring, thinking Rio might have come early, but when you look down at your phone, you see your best friend’s name and face. You swipe quickly, accepting the FaceTime call. “Hey, girl!”

“Hey, stranger!” You pick up the phone, so you can look at her. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” She replies with just as much sass. “I haven’t talked to you in what— two weeks?”

“We talk—“

“—text.”

“Okay, fine. Text. We text every day. What are you talking about?”

“That’s not the same.” She insists even as you remind her of the ridiculous amount of time you spend trading memes and food pictures with her.

“Anyway, what are you doing?”

“I’m trying to decide what I’m going to wear between this, this, or this.” You move the camera around, showing her the different options. A black-and-white tank and short set with ‘Being cute is not a crime’ in a cute font. A fuzzy grey sweatsuit set with hearts, or a simple cream hoodie with matching shorts.

“Um, what’s the occasion?” You giggle at the look on her face, knowing she thinks none of the above are appropriate for wearing outside of the house.

“Movie night in.”

“You need help picking an outfit for movie night with yourself?” Her face scrunches up in confusion. “Wait, is it movie night with yourself?” You try to be casual about it, shrugging your shoulders in response. As usual, she sees through your bullshit and goes straight into an interrogation. “Oh, bitch. You been holding out on me!” She asks you five questions in a row without stopping to breathe before settling on one. “Who?”

You gnaw on your bottom lip. “...Rio.”

“Rio?” She frowns. “Like the guy we work for, Rio? With the eyebrows and the neck tattoo, Rio?”

“Yes, that Rio.”

“Wow.” You wince but decide it’s best to get it over with. “What? I know you, so I know there’s more where that came from.”

“I don’t know what to say! From what I can tell, he’s a decent dude, I guess, but you know what he does. You definitely know what we do for him! You don’t think that could be a problem?”

“It’s messy, for sure, and I can admit that, but I’ve been thinking about getting out anyway...” She nods. “Then, I guess there’s nothing else for me to say about that. You’re both grown, and you know what you’re doing.” She was your best friend, which meant she’d always give her honest opinion, but wouldn’t berate you about your choices. Just like that, you return to your regular discussion topics, everything from warehouse gossip (yes, even in the business of crime, there’s a rumor mill) to new music releases. Before you knew it, forty minutes had passed, and Rio was calling your phone. You promised to call her more often before hanging up.

You sing your ‘hello’ into the phone, hoping Rio can’t detect the shakiness in your voice as you clumsily pull on your bottoms.

“Hey, mama. You about ready? I know you’re sensitive about your space and all that.” He was referring to the fact that he had never been past the doorway of your home. Your home was your sacred place, so you were extra careful about who came in and what energy they brought. It was always nerve-wracking to let somebody into the space that you cherished so much.

“Yeah.” He picks up on the hesitancy in your voice. “Are you sure?” You nod your head as if he can see you before telling him yes with a giggle. “Alright, well, I’m outside. Can I come in?” You bite your lip, butterflies fluttering in your tummy. “Yeah, I’ll come unlock the door.” He whispers his thanks, and you take a moment to force yourself to relax. When you meet him at the door, you do so with an open mind and heart, taking in his appearance with a goofy grin on your face. As usual, he’s dressed in all black, wearing a well-fitted t-shirt and sweatpants. He’s casual but still so high quality and attractive.

“Hi.” You breathe out like a dork when you realize you’re staring. It helps that he seems just as mesmerized, stepping forward to envelop you in a tight, warm hug. He sways you from side to side before pulling back, his hands resting heavily on the top of your ass. He settles for a quick peck on the lips because he has something to say. “You’re as pretty as ever, darlin’.” He says earnestly, shaking his head as he steps back to look you over once more.

“Kiss me again.” His hands cup your ass as you devour each other in the open doorway. You forget your surroundings. “Damn, ma. Can I at least get inside before you jump my bones? I don’t mind giving your neighbors a show if that’s your thing, but…” You turn to hide your embarrassment, leaving him to close the door behind you as you gesture around the room as if you’re in an episode of MTV Cribs. “... here’s the living room. The kitchen’s through the arch. The bathroom’s over there...” He follows you with his red as you point.

“And the bedroom?”

You snort. “The tour stops here for now. Sit down.” Your tone leaves no room for argument. He settles into the soft couch while you grab the snack tray from the kitchen. Homemade popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, and dried fruit gummies are on the menu.

“All this for me?” His arms snake around your waist so that you can curl up into his side. “What we watching?” You grab the remote. “I saw a trailer this week that caught my attention. I’ll play it for you.” He didn’t care what you watched as long as he got to be close to you, so it didn’t take long for you to get the movie started. He stole glances at you when his knuckles brushed against your bare knees under the blanket. You’re embarrassed at how wet the small action makes you, so you stretch out across the couch and place your bare feet in his lap, silently planning your revenge. The movie may as well not be playing because you couldn’t be less interested in the plot as you lightly stroke him through his sweatpants with the balls of your feet.

“Ma...” He warns, watching you in the low lighting. He’s come to learn you like to tease, but he doesn’t think he can take it, not tonight. “Hmm?” You hum innocently, loving the strained look on your face. He doesn’t move even as you sit up on your haunches and kiss him. It’s slow and long in the best way. He pulls you to sit in his lap. His hands roam your body as you grind down onto him, relishing in the feeling of the soft skin on your tummy. He sighs into your mouth as one hand finds your bare breasts.

He pulls away to talk shit. “No bra? You just knew I was gonna put out, huh?” He pushes the cotton material up so he can see you properly. “Perfect.” He murmurs into your skin. You let him kiss and lick and suck on your nipples until the pressure you feel below is too much to handle. You’re a quivering mess when he finally helps you pull the cotton material up and over your head. It lands on top of the television behind you, but neither of you notice.

You nudge him until he removes his own shirt, and then he lifts his hips to help you when you begin tugging on his sweats. They puddle at his feet while you spread your legs wide, desperate to get your hands on him. “I could cry right now.” You admit honestly when you finally see him, biting your lip. He arches a brow. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing, darlin’?” His hips jerk when you take him into your hands, the cold temperature surprising him.

“It’s definitely a good thing.” You whisper excitedly, staring with wonder as he hardens in your hands. He barks out a laugh, stunned by your ability to make him laugh, even with his dick in your hands. “That’s really nice, ma. I feel real special.” Your eyes meet, and silent promises of all the filthy things you’re going to do to each other are exchanged. “You should. I’m about to change your life.” He throbs in your hands, loving that you find small ways to challenge him.

“Come on. Let’s go to bed.” He wraps his arms around you in preparation to get up, but you stop him with a shake of your head. “I don’t wanna.”

“No? What you wanna do then?”

You answer him by slipping to your knees. You spit on his dick, stroking him up and down slowly. He watches you closely as you lower your mouth, wrapping your lips around the tip. It takes a lot of restraint, but he lets you do your thing, slowly working him deeper into your throat. He closes his eyes as he concentrates on lasting, but he can’t turn his ears off, the obscene smacks painting a vivid picture for him. When you swipe your tongue across his balls, he moves to stop you, grabbing your shoulders. Fire dances in your eyes as you realize you got him where you want him. “I don’t wanna.” You repeat.

“You are a brat.”

You release him with a pop. “The biggest.” You admit, swallowing him once more. He groans, thinking he can’t believe you’re the same sweet girl who bakes in a frilly pink apron and begs him to tell her bedtime stories.

“I want you to fuck me now.” He stops you before you can bend over the couch. “Slow down. I want you on your back, darlin.”

You throw his earlier words back at him. “That’s nice. I feel really special.”

“You should.” He mocks you, instructing you to hold your legs wide. He wastes no time licking and sucking you as enthusiastically as you had done him. “You’re so pretty. I could eat this pretty pussy forever.” He compliments as you squirm in his hold. “You’d let me, huh?” You shake your head frantically. “No! You’d drive..me crazy!” Payback is a mother, especially when Rio’s the one dishing it out. “Wait, wait—“You whimper, clawing at his shoulders.

“What?” He cajoles. He almost wants to laugh at the distressed look on your face. “I want you.” You pout, trying to sweet-talk him.

“You have me.”

“Not like this. Inside.”

“Yeah? You sure?”

“Mhm.” You swallow, watching as he fumbles around with his pants searching for a condom. He opens the golden foil packet with expert fingers, positioning himself in between your spread legs. “You don’t have any pointers for me now?” He drags his tip up and down your slit, slowly pushing his way further. Teasing. You shake your head. “No. Just fuck me.”

“That ain’t polite. You gotta say please, mama.” You scowled, but he didn’t budge. “Please.” You pleaded with the sweetest tone you could muster, sighing as he gave in. You cursed at the stretch, him at the way you squeezed him. “You feel…” He couldn’t find the words, so he buried his face in your neck, trying to gain some composure. You caressed the back of his neck sweetly. “You feel good too, baby.”

His hips stuttered forward, and you gasped as he worked himself deeper. You grasp his shoulders tightly, your nails embedding themselves into the soft skin.

“Yes!” You squeal.

“Like that?” He grits out, struggling to keep his rhythm.

“Yes, just like that!” You cry, moaning as he pounds up into you. His lips find yours again, and it’s bliss. Then before you can stop yourself, you’re calling him Daddy like it’s his given name. He groans into your sweaty neck like he’s in pain.

“You’re so nasty.” Overwhelmed and breathless, you whine your protest, “You’re nasty. Look at what you’re doing to me.” His eyes shift to where you’re connected. You’re creaming all over him and leaking down onto the couch, but you can’t bring yourself to care about anything other than coming. You do just that, mewling as you make an even bigger mess between your legs. He whispers filthy things into your ear as he finishes, grunting at the way you seem to be sucking him in even deeper.

“That was—“

“—unreal.”

“Yeah.”

Neither of you can bring yourself to move. Your sweat-covered skin sticks together. You swipe your hand against your forehead while he pants.

“I wanted to ride you at least once tonight, but after that, I’ll be lucky to make it to bed.”

GENERAL TAGLIST

@woahitslucyylu @briannab1234 @sheeshgivemeabreak @breakingnewsin-no-oneasked @angelreyesgirl @blessedboo @glimmerglittergirl @apantherinmypastlife @brownsugarcoffy @marvelmaree @starrynite7114 @scuzmunkie @thewarriorprincessxo @sadeyesgf @pearlkitten33 @imanerdychubbyqueen @literaturefeen @ourlittlesecretsoveragain @everyhowlmarksthedead @yourwonkywriter @trulysuccubus @sparklemichele @luckyharley1903

RIO TAGLIST

@xsweetdellzx​

[multific]

Wine

Dacre Montgomery x Reader

Summary: After spending months of crushing on Dacre, all you needed is a little courage to speak up, or alcohol. 

  His handsome face caused you more confusion than any math problem ever could.

The way he smiled made you feel fuzzy on the inside. And it was harder and harder to hide your feelings for him. You were sure some of your co stars noticed it by now.

You had a crush on him from the moment he walked on set and introduced himself as the actor who will be playing Billy.

And ever since, you were lost.

Lost in his eyes, in his smile and in his incredible physique. You forgot your lines whenever he was also in the scene with you, because you were so nervous. You felt like a teen again. A love-sick teen.

And in a way that helped you build your character for the series. Which was a bonus at least.

But now, you were lost, in a different meaning of the word. 

You were expected to go to a dinner with the cast, however on your way there you must have took the wrong turn, because you were now in a completely different side of town. And the best of it all? Your rental car decided to breakdown. You did manage to call a recovery and a taxi.

You were very late for the dinner. Because when you finally got there half of the group already left and the other half was drinking.

“I’m so sorry. My car broke down. I tried to call,  but someone didn’t pick up.” you said shooting a glance to Finn. Finn was the only one you had as a contact since you two were great friends. “I’m starving.” you said as a waiter handed you the menu.

“Good to see that you made it.” Dacre said beside you and this is when you noticed that you took a seat next to him. You offered him a smile before you ordered something for yourself.

“I took a wrong turn, because the GPS in the car was terrible, then after driving around for about fifteen minutes the car decided that it would break down.” you told him as the waiter left to get your order ready.

“Ah, I was starting to think that you wouldn’t come.”

“No, I wouldn’t miss it for anything. But now, I’m without a car, and hungry.”

“I can drive you back to your hotel. Shouldn’t be far from mine.”

“I actually have a rented apartment...” you say trying not to sound like a spoiled teen. “But I would appreciate it if you could drive me home, thank you, Dacre.”

“Of course.” he smiled.

That damn smile of his. Cute yet sexy at the same time. Innocent yet somehow kinky.

Maybe you were going mad.

You took a sip of your drink before you looked back to your right were he sat, he gave you a wink before he went back to his conversation.

You were definitely going mad.

***

Perhaps drinking multiple glasses of wine wasn’t the best choice. But it was so delicious. And who could have thought that you would end up tipsy when you even ate a lot?

You just hoped not to be a burden to Dacre and the others. Or you hoped you wouldn’t say something you shouldn’t.

Slowly everyone left, one by one, leaving you and Dacre behind. He was telling you stories, making you laugh. And you did the same.

“Maybe we should leave too. Tomorrow you have the day off, no? You will be able to sleep.”

“Hmm.” you said nodding your head as your hand unconsciously moved to the part where his shirt was open. Not as low as his character, Billy would have, but it still had his delicious skin show.

“What are you doing?” he asked with a laugh as he watched your hand move from his neck down until his open shirt let you.

“Your skin. I needed to know if it is as smooth as it looks.” You grabbed your glass, which was now filled with water.

“And? Is it?” your drunken mind was too focused on anything else to notice how his voice lowered and his eyes darkened. And he didn’t push you away. 

“It’s even better than I imagined.” you said as you looked around. “Where are the others?” you asked with a confused expression.

“They left. And we should too. I have a feeling you will have one hell of a headache tomorrow.”

“I never do. I can drink as much as I want, but no headaches.”

“Lucky you.” he said, laughing as he stood up from the chair. You did the same but you wobbled a little. He had to grab you so you wouldn’t fall.

You moved your nose closer to his neck and smelled his perfume.

“Tom Ford Black Orchid.” you said as you grabbed your purse.

“You know your cologne.”

“I used to work in a perfume store. I know most.” you said as you ran your hand through your hair and made your way out of the restaurant.

You quickly got into Dacre’s car as he started to drive.

You knew you were staring, you felt it. And if you did, so did he. He took a quick glance at you before turning back to the road.

“What?” he asked with a laugh.

“How can you be real? Handsome, funny, smart, talented, kind and your killer smile. Just not fair.” you were pouting, the fact that you practically confessed to Dacre completely went over your head.

“Well, thank you. I think you are also very nice and beautiful and talented.”

“You are just saying that because I complimented you.”

“No, I truly mean it.”

“Sure.” you said letting out a long yawn.

You watched as the buildings passed before you closed your eyes.

***

The next morning you woke up in your bed. You were confused as to how you got there in the first place, but not the weirdest place to wake up after a few drinks.

Thanks to the alcohol, you forgot most of what happened. You remembered being late, talking to Dacre, Natalie, Joe and Charlie. Then you remember eating and drinking, but nothing more.

You assumed the images in your head about talking to Dacre were just your imagination.

As you walked out of the bedroom into the living room, you noticed a few things were misplaced, but you blamed your drunk self. You sat on the couch and decided to order some burgers. You put your phone down on the small table and this is when you noticed another phone there. It was definitely not yours. You picked it up and as the lock screen flashed you saw an image of a beach.

Did you steal someone’s phone? OR was someone else in the apartment with you? As you turned around you saw Darce standing in the hallway, looking in the mirror, fixing his hair. Then you looked back to the table in front of you and back to Dacre who was now standing behind you.

“Morning! You sure sleep a lot it’s almost 11 am.” he said. But why was he there?

“Hi. Umm...sorry but why are you here?”

“Oh, right. So, I drove you home, but you fell asleep in the car, so I carried you in.”

“And you changed my clothes?”

“No, you did that, half asleep. And you said I could stay since it was late, so I did.” he said as he sat down beside you on the couch. “Look you said something yesterday.”

“Oh no. Did I make a fool of myself?” you asked, feeling embarrassment creep up in your stomach.

“No. You didn’t just...I was so afraid to ask you out. I thought you are going to reject me, but now I’m a bit more confident.” you didn’t know what he was referring to, him? Afraid of rejection from you? How? You could only stare at him as he ran his fingers up and down his chest with a smile. “Would you be open for a date with me?” he asked and just as you opened your mouth to answer, your doorbell rang.

“It’s my food. I’ll be quick.” you stood up and walked to the door. Hoping that on your way to the door and back, you would be able to make sense of what was happening. Did Dacre really just asked you on a date? And what did you say that encouraged him to finally open up.

You walked back into the kitchen.

“I ordered some burgers, would you like some?” you asked him and he accepted. “I’m not avoiding your question by the way.” you said as you handed him his plate and sat down once again. “I’m just confused, you thought I didn’t like you?”

“Yes. I didn’t want to make it awkward between us, so I just didn’t do anything about it.”

“Well, Dacre, I would love to go on a date with you.”

​“Cool.” he said smiling.

“That’s not fair! You smiling like that is. How would I ever be able to say no if I know that you will smile like that when you are happy.” Now he was laughing as you smiled yourself.

“Guess then I can do whatever I want, Babe.”

You shook your head before you turned the TV on to watch something while you ate.

Out of the corner of your eye you saw Dacre looking at you.

You were extremely happy that your feeling were reciprocated. And also the fact that he asked you out on a date, you would never have imagined things to turn out that way.

Perhaps you should drink wine more often.

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Feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank You for reading my story!~

[shingia]

✗ QUIET HAIKYUU BOYS FLIRTING

here’s how the introverted/quiet haikyuu boys would try to flirt with you (most of them being encouraged/forced by someone else)

-> sakusa, kenma, yamaguchi, ushijima, akaashi, suna, kita

— SAKUSA

sakusa had never felt the need to initiate any kind of contact with anyone ; sure, you looked breathtaking under the bar lights, but never in a million years would he risk getting out of his comfort zone. at least not without a little (big) push from komori. when he finally agreed to go sit next to you at the counter, it actually took you a few minutes to notice him, when he half-heartedly asked about your drink.

« how is it ? »

« pretty good » you smiled, a bit taken aback by this unannounced stranger. « um... do you want a taste ? »

he looked down at the glass you were handing him before letting out a disgusted “fuck no”. but after seeing komori desperately wave his arms from the other side of the counter, sakusa thought he could try to make an effort and proposed to pay for your next drink, still looking as uncomfortable as ever but also lowkey proud of himself.

— KENMA

kuroo was a pain in the ass, and kenma knew he wouldn’t know peace unless he gathered the courage to finally make a move after months spent daydreaming about you. and so he did, but definitely not as kuroo expected.

« hi, um... my friend over there is harassing me to come and talk to you so can you please pretend i just said something funny ? »

he looked very fidgety and you noticed he was nervously chewing the inside of his cheeks.

« sure, i got you » you smiled before tipping your head back and letting out the most realistic laugh you could fake. but it turned out that your laugh was actually very communicative, and next thing you knew, you two were actually laughing together at the stupidity of this situation, while kuroo was proudly watching from afar.

— YAMAGUCHI

to say that yamaguchi had rehearsed would be an understatement. he had his script memorised and really hoped that your answers would be the ones expected. the last period of the morning had barely ended that he was already heading to his locker with a determined yet terrified look on his face. he knew your locker was right next to his, and that he needed to seize upon the little timespan he had before you left.

« hi... yourhairlooksnicetoday » he blurted out without any emotion in his voice but pure panic.

you looked at him with your eyebrows lifted, taking a few seconds to process his words before flashing him a bright smile. « oh thank you ! i really like your hair too ! »

oh. that wasn’t planned. yamaguchi’s thoughts started to race, yet his body remained frozen. and after a few seconds spent awkwardly looking at each other, you finally revived the conversation. « we should eat together someday ! see you later ! ».

poor yamaguchi’s heart was definitely pounding in his throat when you waved at him before walking away.

— USHIJIMA

sure, ushijima wouldn’t have minded getting closer to you, but flirting was something he definitely wasn’t comfortable with. however, he thought he could give it a try and began dropping subtle hints. but so subtle that they were absolutely unnoticeable. for example, he considered complimenting your new school uniform the utmost form of flirting.

and when you finally realized what he was trying to do after several months, you decided to make his job easier by creating perfect opportunities for him to make a move.

« i don’t have anything planned this weekend, i’m probably going to bore myself to death... »

« don’t you have a test to study for next week ? »

well, he was certainly more oblivious than expected. but that doesn’t mean he didn’t accept your proposition to study together during the weekend. gladly accepted actually.

— AKAASHI

it drove bokuto crazy to know that akaashi had a crush on you but had never ever tried anything. so he considered it his responsibility to prep his friend for the moment he’d finally make a move.

fukurōdani had just won their first match of the season and akaashi was waiting for you outside the locker room, already a bundle of nerves. after congratulating him, you handed him his jacket that you had kept with you in the stands. « it kept me warm while i was freezing up there, so thank you », you smiled.

ok, now seemed like the perfect opportunity to put bokuto’s tips in practice. even though he knew they were terrible, they seemed like his only option. as calmly as he could, the setter took a deep breath before letting out something he never thought he’d ever say : « maybe because it’s made of boyfriend material »

as much as you didn’t want to shake his confidence, you couldn’t help but facepalm at this awful pickup line. and akaashi didn’t need your reaction to realize how terrible it was.

« i... apologize for that. let me do this my way : would you like to go out with me someday ? »

bonus : years later in your relationship, neither of you ever had the courage to tell bokuto that it wasn’t thanks to his pickup line

— SUNA

« wow, i didn’t think ya’d be such a wimp... it’s been two hours, just do something already ! »

« i’ll do it when i’ll feel like it », suna shrugged atsumu’s teasing off. it was true that he’d had his eyes on you ever since the team entered the restaurant to celebrate their victory in today’s match. but suna did not want to bother with the whole “flirting thing” that atsumu tried to talk him into. however, he stayed true to his words and, indeed, came to talk to you when he finally felt like it.

near the counter, you were waiting for your friends to get out of the bathroom when your eyes laid on the intriguing boy that was walking towards you. behind him, his entire table was staring with impatient faces. but like i said, suna didn’t want to bother with flirting and cut to the chase. very nonchalantly, he grabbed a pen from the pencil pot next to the cash register and started scribbling something on your receipt.

he handed it back to you a few seconds later, faintly shrugging « here. i usually reply fast ». your eyes lowered on the receipt, where you could read the eleven digits of his phone number. and just like that, he went back to his table.

— KITA

no one in their right mind would ever have dared to tease Kita about how long it was taking him to make a move on you ; simply because everyone knew he had already rigorously thought about how and when he’d do it. and they were right, he wanted to be prepared. but talking to you face to face was much different than training in front of his mirror.

he had thought about complimenting your appearance, but it was the last thing he cared about. kita was a man of few words, and he wanted you to know exactly why he liked you in the least complicated way possible. and it took him a lot of courage to do so, even with so much preparation.

«  i don’t know if someone ever told ya that but... » he started, fiddling with the straps of his bag. there was no going back now, you were all ears.

« ...i really enjoy talking to you. with some people it can feel like a waste of time but... you’re always relevant and uh... well, i wouldn’t mind going out with you someday. if you’re ok with it of course »