#shoutout to escaped and sat

[stxph-artist]

anyways, here’s wonderwall /j

inspiration: this post

[espinosaurusrexex]

Forever, of course.

SteveRogers x Female!Reader

summary: Steve has a crush on you but your flirty character isn’t making things easy for him. Now he even has to marry you to please a 6-year-old superfan of his. Whether that’s a good plan or not, isn’t quite clear for Steve yet.

a/n: I think this will be the last AI-adaptive story but it was a lot of fun! Shoutout to @RandomTingsForFun on beta.character.ai for having created the character that helped me write this story (and the Bucky one).

Word count: 4k

warnings: a Stevie in love, an attempted funny reader, and a super excited 6-year-old (she carries the story tbh), this is really just super fluffy

･ﾟ✫* 𝒎𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕 ｡✭･ﾟ

Steve shook his head at the sight of your chat history. It wasn’t too long ago when he didn’t even know how to listen to music on the device he was holding in his hands, let alone write a text message in less than 30 seconds. Now, he was bickering with you, and he had to admit it was even a little fun to wait for a response from you. Of course, Steve didn’t do anything else in the time he waited for your reply. He just stared at the screen in his hand and willed his heartbeat to slow a little. 

*ping* Why would that be important? So? Maybe I have been talking to Sam about you. Have you been talking about me with Bucky?

Steve: No I haven’t! And it is important because if he’s badmouthing me, then you’d believe him. What has he told you anyway?

You: Just the usual. Save the world this, Captain America that. I stopped listening when he started obsessing over your shield again.

You: Wait. Did you seriously think Sam would say something bad about you? That guy is obsessed with you.

Steve just laughed at your antics. Sam loved the shield for some reason, but every time Steve would give it to him to ‘throw it one time’ Bucky would intervene and ‘show him how it’s done’. 

*ping* Anyway what I actually wanted to ask is if you’d come to my niece’s house with me this weekend. She’s a huge Avenger fan and I might have promised her to meet one as her birthday present 😬

Steve: Of course, I will! I would feel bad if you made such a promise and I wasn't able to make it. And I bet she'll know who her favorite Avenger is after a visit from The Cap 😉

You: ugh please don’t call yourself that. ever. 

You: I’ll pick you up Saturday at 1:30? 

Steve: Yeah, sounds good! I'll make sure to clear my schedule. How old is your niece by the way? And what’s her name?

You: You can call her Izzy. And she’s turning 6 this Thursday. Be nice. And make sure to talk me up a bit, will ya? I mean, I’m already her favorite aunt but just making sure...

Steve: How could she not love you? But I’ll do it anyway. I’ll talk you up so much you’ll never be able to escape my praise! What’s her favorite food?

You: weirdly enough it's carrots, that child is strange. Says vegetables make her a superhero or something. 

Steve: I mean she’s not wrong. Carrots are great for your eyes! What does she think of Iron Man? I need to know my chances against the competition.

You: I just asked her and she said she doesn’t care about Tony because you are her one true love. 

You: I told her that’s not possible because you are already mine. Now we’re in a big fight so thanks for that.

Steve: why would you say that?

You: I like to see her freak. Don’t worry about it, captain. It was just a joke 

You: ...or was it 👀

Steve: I don’t believe you. You’re lying.

He got a little nervous. But it was a good nervous.

You: why? Do you want me to? 

You: Am I making you nervooouuus?

Steve could practically see you wiggle your eyebrows with a grin. A silly idea flashed past his mind, and he felt like grabbing it.

Steve: You need to stop before I accidentally propose to you.

Nothing - just a second, though. Then:

*ping* you have a ring?

Steve: I can get one in less than an hour. Meet me at the chapel on main and I’m all yours. 

You: I’m stunned. I’ve taught you well. 

Steve: 😊 I’ll see you Saturday, doll. 

Steve sat back on his sofa. That girl is really something. A smile broke loose on his face at the silly thought of marrying you. Honestly, he wouldn’t mind if it happened. Out of all the people he knew, you were the only one he’d want to spend the rest of his life with. You were fun and you made him loosen up. He was a whole new man around you and he loved it. Because being in your presence was easy, and comforting. There was nothing to worry about.

He sighed before putting his phone down and staring at the ceiling. He couldn’t wait to see you again.

❁ ❁ ❁

Steve stepped out of the door and smiled upon spotting your car. You were already waving at him, a beautiful smile adorning your face and Steve felt his heart skip. Car rides with you were nice. You always had some soft music playing. Always making sure it was nothing too funky so he felt comfortable. Still, he was a little nervous. It wasn’t every day that he go to meet someone who looked up to him - well, actually, it was every day - but this one was different. Because it was your family and Steve needed to make a good expression. 

It wasn’t long before you pulled up to your sister's house. But before you could even reach the front door, a little girl jumped out of the door and ran toward you with wild screeches. 

“Auntieeee!!!! OH MY GOD, you really did it! You invited Captain America!” The girl jumped up and down beside you and Steve couldn’t help his smile from spreading. Izzy was adorable - very loud - but adorable. Concentrating on it made his nervousness subside a little.

Then she turned around and stared up at him with wide eyes. He could have sworn there were little stars sparkling in them when he crouched down to her height and extended his hand.

“Hey there, little lady. It’s so nice to meet you, I’m Steve.”

“I know that!” The 6-year-old giggled as Steve shook her hand. But when he was about to let go, her tiny fingers grabbed onto his wrist and dragged him up the driveway. “I want to show you something! It’s soooo cool!” 

Steve was still a little cautious as she dragged him to her room. His only experience with kids came from Sam’s nephews and prior he had only gotten to hold a couple baby’s for pictures. He didn’t know how to navigate the situation, but he decided he would just rock with it.

Your niece pushed the white door with her name brightly colored on a sign hanging on her eye level open and revealed a tornado aftermath of action figures. He was able to spot most of the avengers laying scattered around a dinosaur toy but the overwhelming red, white, and blue covering her room was undeniable. There was a poster of Steve hanging by the desk and a bunch of her own drawings framing the magazine shot. Izzy appeared next to Steve again, holding a small action figure of himself in her hands. 

“My aunt gave me this one. It’s my first one.” She reached up to Steve and barely passed his hip with her little arms. The figure was well loved - he could see it from here. And when he bent down to retrieve it, your niece pulled him down further and whispered a giggly ‘you’re our favorite avenger’ into his ear.

His heart swelled at the excitement presented in front of him. It was adorable, and he could see a little of you in the little girl nervously treading beside him. 

“I’m your favorite, huh?” He said, his voice full of affection. Steve usually wasn’t the kind of person to get mushy over an adorable child, but the way her face lit up was too cute. The little Cap figure in her hands was pretty cute, too. “My, my. I must be pretty special then.” His thumb stroked over the blue helmet in her hands.

Lost in thought and seriously flattered by being the hero that inspired this impressive collection, he almost didn’t notice how Izzy threw her hands in the air. “So special! My mom says I will marry someone as special as you one day, but my aunt says there is no one like you. That is so mean!” Her little chubby cheeks puffed with a pout and Steve had to hold back his laugh. The 6-year-old had no idea what you implied with that comment, but he still felt more pride from being called special by you and your niece than from any medal of honor he had ever gotten.

“Well, a girl your age shouldn’t worry about things like that. But who knows, maybe I will be part of your family one day.”

“Really?!” Wide eyes stared back at him and Steve could practically feel the floor vibrating when he nodded with a laugh. Izzy held out her finger and then she exclaimed a rushed ‘stay here’ before zooming past him and out the door.

Steve stayed a little longer and admired Izzy’s room before he heard an excited ‘Captain America said I can marry him!’ Which made him instantly rush to the source.

He spotted her clinging to her mother’s leg, giddy and jumpy. But your sister just shared a laugh with you over the kitchen counter. “I don’t think he meant it like that, buttercup.” Steve watched your sister explain before his eyes got stuck on the little frown on your face. Was that a hint of jealousy, he was detecting? “But if he marries your aunt, he will be your uncle and just as much part of the family.” A little fire hushed past your older sister’s face. It was a look of mischief he had seen you hold all too well. Steve’s cheeks heated when you caught him leaning in the doorway, scratching his neck at the slightly awkward situation. 

“That works?”

“That’s how it works, baby.”

Izzy turned with excitement and within a second she was before Steve again. “You have to ask my aunt to marry you! Right now!!” She ordered with a stomp of her foot. “Then you can be my uncle and we can hang out every day!”

Steve’s eyes wandered from the six-year-old to you and his heart picked up its pace at the laugh you shared with your sister. There was no harm in a little play pretend, right?

So, he knelt down in front of you and when your name traveled past his lips softly, he almost imagined a grasp coming from you. “Will you,” his head tilted with a wink, “marry me?”

You hid your laugh behind your hands as they covered your mouth in feigned astonishment. But Steve caught the little glimmer in your eyes at his little show. He continued to take your hand as he threw together a little speech for Izzy to hear, and when the child began excitedly jumping up and down beside him, your face softened. 

“Oh, Steve! This is so unexpected!” You clutched your chest and your sister chuckled beside you. Steve felt a tinge of nervousness wash over him then, but he would be okay with a fake rejection - he wasn’t sure if Izzy would, though. “Of course, I’ll marry you! Come here you big, hunky, handsome superhero!”

And as if he hadn’t been prepared for you to agree so quickly, Steve felt his cheeks heat up. He couldn’t deny that the words you described him with had his stomach tingle with excitement, and before he could help himself, he leaned forward and kissed our cheek.

“That was the easiest marriage proposal ever,” he mumbled beside you to which you just slightly pulled from his embrace. 

“What? You’ve done that before? Are you already cheating on me, Rogers?” You raised your brows suspiciously, but Steve was only able to shake his head with a smile before Izzy blared into his ear again. 

“A wedding! A wedding!” She swirled by him like a tornado, immediately collecting things around the house. “Mom, get all the stuffies, ready! We have to do a wedding!!!” And then she was off to prepare the quickest wedding in history. 

Steve shook his head as his arm remained around your waist. “What did I get myself into?” He mumbled to himself before turning to you. “Do I dare ask what a six-year-old’s idea of an official marriage ceremony looks like?”

“I think Paddington Bear will be your best man and if I’m lucky, my sister gets to be my maid of honor, but who knows.” You shrugged with a laugh that warmed Steve’s heart all over again. 

❁ ❁ ❁

Not even ten minutes later, Steve found himself kneeling beside a makeshift altar with a bunch of toys and stuffed animals as wedding guests. Action figure Cap had made best man and was neatly propped up behind him. Your sister had officially been crowned the ‘disco machine’ along with a lengthy speech on how important the right song was for the bride’s entrance. Steve had fought hard to keep his face steady, but when Izzy had suggested ‘Party Rock Anthem’, he’d lost it. When really, he was just proud, he knew the song because you had shown it to him the other week - it was Izzy’s favorite. 

You had been instructed to wait behind the couch until the music started to play, and Steve felt himself get a little nervous. It was silly, but somehow his desire to have this wedding according to your niece’s wishes was a lot more important to him than he had initially thought. 

“Now what do we do?” He asked as he leaned over to Izzy, but that was when the girl gave her mother the ‘sign’ - which was the chicken dance, of course - and his eyes immediately swerved to you. He could see the amusement in your gaze as you bit back a laugh.

Izzy wasn’t wasting any time, as soon as you had reached the altar, she put your’s and Steve’s hands together and immediately began talking. Steve had had barely any time to wipe the sweat from his clammy fingers before they connected with yours, but you didn’t seem to care. He smiled as he watched you listen to your niece’s little speech.

“We are gathered here today, to make Captain America my uncle,” she started, and both you and he struggled to keep it together. It was cute though, and something about becoming this little girl’s uncle excited Steve like nothing had in a long time. “Mr, Captain America, will you take my aunt as your wife?”

Izzy’s eyes were serious as she waited for Steve’s answer. And when he didn’t do so fast enough, she leaned over and whispered the answer to him.

“I will,” Steve chuckled and gave your hands a small squeeze.

Then Izzy’s eyes wandered to you. “Do I even have to ask?” She said with her adorably high voice and everyone started laughing. 

“Yes, I will take Steve as my husband,” you answered with the same squeeze of your hand as Izzy imitated the audience cheering.

“You are now husband and wife. Now, kiss, kiss, kiss!!!” It was a little awkward, but Steve leaned in, anyway, to press a gentle kiss to your cheek. He looked at you again and the spark in your eyes was a little brighter as that smile lit up your face again. You looked beautiful, Steve thought, and his heart jumped in his chest at the realization.

“Wohooooooo!” Your sister cheered loudly and ripped Steve out of his trance.

“This is so awesome! You have to come to every family dinner and we can be best friends forever!!” Izzy must have eaten a bag of gummy worms with the way she was vibrating to the song coming out of the little pink CD player. Steve was sure he’d never seen such a hyper six-year-old before. 

“Every family dinner?” He asked her as Izzy swayed his hands to the music. When his eyes caught yours, you just shrugged. "Forever?"

"Of course!" Izzy exclaimed as Steve spun her around. His eyes stayed locked on you, however. Forever didn't sound so bad...

“Looks like you’re stuck with me.” You laughed, but Steve didn’t mind that in the slightest.

❁ ❁ ❁

The evening had come sooner than anyone had anticipated. Steve had been so occupied with Izzy all day, he had forgotten all about the time. It didn’t bother him too much, though. He had fun, but exhausting as well. And now that he was finally sitting in your car again, his head leaning against the headrest and enjoying the silence for a moment, he felt how much energy it had really cost him. He would do it again, though - especially if it meant marrying you over and over for eternity. 

His eyes opened when you sighed beside him. You hadn’t so much as bothered to start the car just yet, and Steve was kind of happy about that. 

You smiled at him when his head turned to you, still leaning back with a dreamy smile himself. “Who would have thought that we would get married today?” You chuckled with a shake of your head. “And you didn’t even give me a ring. I should reconsider my standards.”

“A ring, you say? Well, you are married to the greatest superhero in the world - according to your niece - so I think we’re going to need something pretty special...” Steve joked as he turned in his seat to look through the car, and when he spotted the right thing, the smile returned got his face. “Should I do the honors?”

And then he took the lid off his water bottle and popped the plastic ring off to place it on your finger. 

“It’s perfect, blue like your eyes,” you laughed watching the big plastic ring hang from your finger. “I’m gonna have to get that resized, though. You must think I’m fat.” You shook your head. “Wow, not even a day in, and I already have things to tell my therapist about.” But the mischievous glimmer in your eyes told Steve that you were only joking. 

“Do I really need to say it, doll?” He took your hand in his before spinning the plastic piece. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world,” He whispered, secretly meaning every word.

You laughed it off but Steve didn’t miss the stutter in your smile at his words. It made the butterflies in his stomach go wild. 

“So what should our first act as a fake married couple be? Celebratory drinks at the Stark Tower rooftop bar?”

"Stark Tower... that sounds good to me.”

The engine roared to life and soon, the faint music was playing in your car again, the streetlights passed him by and the full moon shone above the New York City skyline. But Steve didn't care, he had more beautiful things to look at. 

❁ ❁ ❁

“You’re what now? Married?! And I wasn’t invited?!” Sam’s shocked face yelled across the bar, making few agents turn their heads with intrigue. 

You chuckled before leaning your head against Steve’s shoulder. The second Martini seemed to already work its wonders on you, but Steve loved how close you were. 

“Married by a six-year-old. Count that as you will, but I have a ring on my finger and I’m not telling you how much it cost.” You stretched your hand over the counter to show off the blue piece of plastic and Natasha just laughed at the cute story.

“So, how is the newlywed life?” She leaned on her hands to play along while Sam still tried to get over his non-invitation to a fake wedding. “You guys talking about kids yet?”

That startled Steve a little but he tried his best to keep a straight face - he failed. The thought of having a family with you did things to him he couldn’t explain if he wanted to. The warmth in his stomach spread to his heart and his arm almost instinctively came up to press you further into his side. 

“Who knows, I wouldn’t mind a couple mini me’s.” He shrugged with a low smile. He loved this little game more and more. It just got harder and harder to remind himself that it was just that - a game.

“Hold your horses, now. You’re not the one squeezing them out of your body, Mr. Rogers.” You patted his chest and sighed theatrically. “I can already see that I will be home alone with a bunch of kids and you’re working late every night. Our life will fall apart!” Your hand brushed over your forehead as your head fell back like that of a damsel in distress. 

The group laughed at the little performance, but Steve was a little quieter now. Somehow, he couldn’t rid himself of the feeling that he needed to tell you how much he really cared. He’d never let your life fall apart - not when he was able to prevent it. And while he sat there with his friends, laughing about something as ridiculous as Captain America settling down, he contemplated in silence, if all this life had really been worth it when he would end up alone in the end - giving up the dream of an easy life he’s had for a century. 

❁ ❁ ❁

It was about 12am when Steve and you stopped before your door in the hallway. His eyes were glued to you, his mind racing with scenarios this could go. He had decided to tell you about his feelings about two hours ago, and ever since, he had tried to come up with the best thing to say. But even though talking to you was the easiest thing he’d ever done, and even though you were already married - fake married - he didn’t have a single idea. Not one word that seemed fitting enough to describe the exciting fireworks in his chest whenever he saw you, to somehow tell you how bad living without you would be. 

He must have been staring for a while because you began to shift from one foot to the other before finally clearing your throat to kill the silence. 

“So... uh... that was an eventful day...” You started, fists nervously opening and closing beside your body. “Thank you for playing pretend. You made a little girl very happy.” You smiled and Steve’s heart skipped another beat. 

He caught the small shimmer in your eyes just in time to give him confidence. Your body kept moving forward as if you willed it back again and again, and Steve gathered all his bravery to open his mouth.

“You know what,” Your name tumbled over his lips like a song he’d sung a thousand times. But the effect it had on you still excited him every time anew. “Today... it’s not going to be pretend.”

And before you could even react to his weirdly vague statement, Steve leaned forward and pressed his lips to yours. Full of love and affection, his hands moved on their own - one to your hip and the other onto the wall behind you. There was a moment of panic settling in Steve’s brain, but then your arms came up to sling around his torso and he leaned further into your touch. You pulled him even closer, your lips melting with his, tongues gently stroking soft skin until air got scarce. His whole body felt electric with you so close to him - finally. And when he pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours, eyes still closed and thoughts swimming in the moment you had just granted him. 

“I... I love you.” He whispered against your skin, and he felt his warm breath bouncing back. Your chest was still rising and falling beneath him, a subtle reminder of how breathtaking all this was - Steve couldn’t get enough of it, of you.

Your hand came up to stroke over his cheek, making him open his eyes to find you already looking at him. 

“I love you, too, Steve.” You bit your lips, and it made Steve just press his mouth to yours once more.

Wanna be added to the taglist?

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a/n: I have to say I was pretty impressed at how much it adapted to my writing and I really liked the last part, so I put it in here. I hope you enjoyed it :)

[gunnerfc]

Did it Hurt? (When You Fell From Heaven) | Hayley Raso x Matildas!Reader

Summary: Your girlfriend spends the entire day telling you terrible pickup lines after you jokingly said she was bad at flirting.

Warnings: bad pickup lines from google! 🥴

WC: 1.6K

AN: currently down bad for her (shoutout to all the tiktok edits I’ve watched 😩), so more fics for her are coming soon I fear 🥴😩

Waking up this morning, you were thankful you weren’t allowed to room with Hayley during camp. You had decided to tease your girlfriend about her ‘bad flirting’ last night during a small team bonding session. The mandatory curfew had saved you last night and you didn’t have to be questioned by the Real Madrid player. 

That is until you were up and ready to head to the team breakfast. Hayley had been waiting for you, still in disbelief that you said she was bad at flirting. When you opened your hotel room, you were greeted by your girlfriend impatiently tapping her foot with her arms crossed.

“Good morning, babe,” you sang as you exited your room, hoping you could get Hayley to focus on anything other than your previous comments.

“Yeah, yeah good morning. What do you mean I “can’t flirt”? Hayley questioned as you walked side by side towards the banquet room at the end of the floor that the team was staying on. 

“Umm..” you started, your voice higher than normal as you felt the glare from the winger. “I was just joking, baby. Don’t worry about it,” you laughed nervously right as you reached the opened doors. You could hear most of your teammates already eating and you hoped that maybe Ellie or Teagan would call Hayley over to their table and you wouldn’t have to explain further.

Ellie was your saving grace, shouting Hayley’s name the moment she spotted the shorter of the pair. You let a sigh of relief escape your lips as you fixed your plate and found a seat with your three Arsenal teammates.

“Rass still upset about your little comment,” Caitlin teased when you sat down. You sent the forward a glare, not bothering to respond as you started eating.

“What little comment,” Steph asked from her spot next to you. She had opted out of the bonding session last night in favor of calling Dean back in England. 

“Y/n/n said Hayley was bad at flirting,” Kyra said with a mouth full of food. Her actions earned an eye roll from you and Steph and a laugh from Caitlin.

“Why’d you say that,” the older of your tablemates questioned, having zero context to the conversation that took place without her.

“I was joking… for the most part. I don’t think she’s bad at flirting now, I just think her pickup lines were a bit cheesy when we first started dating,” you answered before continuing. “She’s way better now, but no one let me finish my sentence last night before they started making jokes.”

Caitlin and Kyra took it upon themselves to repeat some of the jokes they made last night, giggling even more each time they said something. You shook your head at their words, knowing you would have to make it up to your girlfriend sooner rather than later.

While you were recounting the events from last night to Steph, Ellie was still teasing Hayley at their table. “I need to know what some of the things you say are,” the blonde laughed, ignoring the glare your girlfriend sent her way.

“I don’t know what Y/n considers “bad at flirting” so I don't know what to tell you,” the winger groaned, trying to rack her brain for what she could have said that made you think that.

“Well, why don’t you just make your flirting extra bad, that way Y/n can see that whatever you were saying before isn’t actually terrible,” the defender offered even though she changed your wording. 

Hayley didn't respond but was considering what Ellie was saying. If you thought she was bad at flirting, then she’ll show you bad flirting. You split after breakfast, everyone heading back to their rooms to get their things for training. You didn’t see Hayley again until she got on the bus and took her usual seat next to you. 

“Did it hurt?” your girlfriend's voice pulled you from your thoughts as she sat down. You sent her a confused look, having no idea what she could be talking about. “When you fell from heaven,” she continued, a teasing grin and a raised eyebrow gracing her features.

You took a deep sigh knowing you had started something you were going to regret. You just shook your head at Hayley’s words, not knowing how to respond. She didn’t say anything else for the rest of the bus trip to the field and you thought she had just made a one-off comment.

You were proven wrong as you sat in one of the cubbies in the locker room with Hayley to your left. As you were trying one of your boots, you felt Hayley lean closer until she was almost level with your ear. “Y’know even if there was no gravity on earth, I’d still fall for you,” the winger whispered in your ear, a bright smile on her face as she held back a laugh at your shocked face.

“My god, rass..” you groaned quietly, knowing she was saying the worst pickup lines she knew to drive you crazy.

Hayley is normally extremely focused on training, always wanting to do her best even if it wasn’t a game. Except today, she was on a mission to annoy you and so far, she was succeeding. Though you weren’t entirely annoyed, you found her cheesy pickup lines cute.

Tony had started training with some stretching and a few light jogs around the pitch to get everyone ready. During each activity you were told to do, Hayley was right beside you with something cheesy to say. Her bright, teasing smile never left her face.

You found a moment of hope that you wouldn’t have to hear anymore when Tony split everyone into small groups to play a few scrimmage matches. You weren’t in the same group as Hayley which for a moment meant no new cringe pickup line being sent your way. Until your two groups were facing each other and your side got a corner. 

As you stood inside the box waiting for Steph to send the ball your way, you felt your girlfriend move to defend you. With your focus solely on the ball, Hayley took the opportunity to distract you. “I hope you know CPR because you’re taking my breath away,” the winger mumbled so only you could hear her just as Steph sent the ball into the box.

It was a perfect ball for you to head into the back of the net if you hadn’t been shocked by your girlfriend’s words. Hayley laughed as the ball was cleared by her side and patted your side as she ran past you. You shook your head to refocus and took off towards the other goal in defense. 

Training ended soon after and you couldn’t have been more grateful. You were mentally preparing yourself for more lines the entire time you changed before heading back to the bus but they never came. You thought that Hayley might have decided she had said enough cheesy things to you to last awhile but you were once again mistaken when the winger took her seat next to you.

“Aren’t you tired, baby?” Hayley’s voice was laced with what seemed like genuine concern as she sat down. 

You went to answer that you were feeling fine but she beat you to it. “You’ve been running through my head all day,” the teasing smile made its reappearance. You groaned with an eye roll at her words, knowing she wasn’t going to give up that easy.

The ride back to the hotel was spent with numerous teasing lines from your girlfriend that didn’t stop until you were back inside your separate rooms. You were rooming with Charli at this camp and she graciously offered you the shower first. You quickly took a shower so Charli could also have time to take one before team dinner. 

You offered to wait for the blonde but she knew you and Hayley were inseparable and would be walking to dinner together and she didn’t want to hold you up. Just like this morning, Hayley was waiting outside your door though this time in comfortable clothes and with wet hair. You didn’t comment on the fact that she was wearing your Arsenal hoodie. 

“Your hand looks lonely, baby. Can I hold it for you,” she giggled while holding her hand out for you to take. All you could do was laugh softly as you intertwined your hand with hers.

“Y’know… you never let me finish what I was saying last night,” you stated with a raised eyebrow as you two walked hand-in-hand down the hall.

Hayley didn’t respond verbally, but you saw the questioning look on her face. “I was saying that you were bad at flirting in the beginning, when you were too nervous to speak to me, and instead made up cheesy pickup lines. But now, you’re better because you aren’t nervous anymore,” you explained, pulling her to a stop in front of the doors.

The look on Hayley’s would have made you laugh normally but you found it adorable in the moment. Her eyes closed as her cheeks had a dark tint of red coat them. With your hands still intertwined, you pulled her smaller frame into yours, giving her a quick kiss on her lips.

“But even if you were absolutely terrible at flirting, I wouldn’t care. I’d still love you the same,” you whispered against her lips when you pulled away. 

“I would’ve made up for it in other ways,” Hayley winked as she backed up, her words meaning something way more inappropriate than anything she’s said all day.

You playfully rolled your eyes at her words, your cheeks heating up this time. You let her pull you into the dining hall, bright smiles gracing both of your faces. She might have annoyed you a tad bit with everything she said today but you wouldn’t actually complain. You meant what you had told her, you would have loved her regardless if she was the best at flirting or not.

[moonit3]

yandere x fem reader whos super chill about being kidnapped. it goes a little something like

"im sorry, you wont get to see your friends or family ever again, all you need is me"

"...kay. you got any snacks down here?"

a chill reader? damn, i wish i could be like that…

ᯓᡣ𐭩 yanderes with a chill! reader

➽ context warnings: yandere themes (of course), past kidnapping, mentioned manipulation, gn! reader, female clothing in adeline part, rope (but not much).

➽ word count: around 680.

➽ synopsis: after realizing you won’t escape, the yandere seems happier with it.

➽ yandere! multi x reader

➽ a/n: so you haven’t specified which yandere you would like me to write, so i picked three: max, leonard and adeline as i wasn’t in the mood to create a whole new character for this one. also shoutout to @.cafekitsune for the amazing heart divider used in this post! enjoy the headcanons my dear readers! an even isn’t speak out loud, the reader is gn! in max part, m! in leonard and f! in adeline part.

MAX

➽ the walls are too thin at his place and his failed attempt to wrap your limbs to the headboard made him think that you are going to leave soon, especially after he almost forget to close the door before leaving to work. max knows he is a lost cause in trying making to stay at his apartment without escaping, but the important part is that he is trying his best.

➽ so imagine his face when he came back home to see you sitting at the couch watching some movie. he almost passed out right there, it was like he saw a ghost instead of you. he could only stutter when trying (and failing) to reprimand you into submission and when max realized that he couldn’t do much about it, he just sat next to you to watch the rest of the movie.

➽ initially, he felt like a disappointment when seeing that you easily got off from the many ropes and chains that he placed you on the bed (maybe he shouldn’t have skipped the knot class when he was a scout). however, he is extremely happy that you haven’t left him when you could easily have done when he was away.

➽ knowing that you won’t leave him, max asked if you would like to continue with your college education as long you move to his place. of course, you accepted it and a big smile grown so big at his lips. he is so happy with the love of his live living with him and he can’t wait to show you off to everyone at college.

LEONARD

➽ the security system that he has at his manor is deadly. cameras all over the place to watch you, motion sensors to catch the slightest movement of you and the highest walls around the property to prevent you from leave. leonard wasn’t playing around when making all those security measures to keep you inside, even hiring guards to stay at the entrance as an extra protection.

➽ he knows that you don’t have any chance to escape from him, leonard would torment you if you dare to voice your concerns about it. instead, you appear as you don’t care about being trapped inside his manor. in matter of fact, you are enjoying your time inside.

➽ taking long bath full of bubbles at the jacuzzi in the main suite, eating the unique meal made by his personal chefs and even requesting if he can afford your old hobbies now that you have time to do anything. and of course he can’t deny your wishes.

➽ gifting you the best supplies to help you with that hobby of yours in exchange that he will join you. leonard is wants to learn more about you and spending time doing something that you enjoy is a bonus to him.

ADELINE

➽ she dreamed of seeing you acting so sweetly and so relaxed after being taken away of society, but adeline never expected to see it happening in real life. so she becomes suspicious when you show no sign of reluctance nor fear when she tells you won’t leave her place anytime soon.

➽ now that you live under her roof, adeline makes sure to make sure to everyone who either works there or visit her that you belong to her only. now you only get to wear those dresses made of silk when someone comes over to discuss business with adeline and she always makes you wear those that have a split on the side. alternatively, if you prefer wearing pants over dresses, then she makes you silk pants and long sleeve shirt that often match her dresses always.

➽ and when there is no one around, she makes you wear the most expensive set of lingeries that she buys for you or the most comfortable nightgowns depending on your preferences. either way, adeline will make you pose for a few photos to her personal collection. one that contains pictures of you dating back to months prior you have known her…

@moonit3 writings

[potofstewie]

Reward Me

The Lowdown: Kyojuro is a really good boy! He fights evil, helps those in need and is forever at the feet of his Mistress! But, OH, won't she reward him for a job well done?

The Things to know: dom!fem!reader, whiny kyo, orgasm denial, handjob, teasing

Pairing: Rengoku K. x dom!fem!reader

W/C: >1k

A/N: Hellooo, everynyan, how are you? Fine, thank you. Oh my gahh. This is a late Birthday Gift to the ever so lovely, ever so dom, @vampcubus. Huge shoutout to @renhoeku for being the partner we all aspire to be, your love and care for Ashi is absolutely inspiring and I enjoy seeing you guys act like lovebirds on the dash lmao. Happy Birthday, Ashi! I hope you enjoy this and that your birthday is/was a spectacular one! I'm so sorry this is late, assignments were and still are riding my back

“P-please, y/n..lemme, lemme cum..” The whiny plea your boyfriend gave did nothing but evoke a dangerous smile from you. Kyojuro finally came back from a month long mission and instantly wanted to be rewarded for his job well done saving civilians and being an effective soldier in the war against demons. But you, on the other hand, wanted him to work a little bit more for his reward. Cooing softly, you slowed your hand down that was pumping Kyojuro’s needy and leaky cock, relishing in the protesting whimpers that escaped his throat. 

“Mm, mm-mm baby. Not yet, I wish to see how long you can hold out for..” You purred, eyes watching as his hips twitched upwards into your warm and precum covered palm. A nervous shiver traveled down his spine as he realized the grave mistake he made. You didn’t want him to fuck your hand. You didn’t want him to disobey your very clear order and yet that’s exactly what he did. As clammy hands gripped the sheets besides his legs, Kyojuro’s ears perked at the soft tutting from your mouth. “Oh, Kyo, I thought you were a good boy. Good boys always follow orders. We’re gonna have to fix that…anomaly, of yours.” 

Before Kyojuro could plead once more for his long awaited release, your hand stopped moving, finding its place right at his reddened tip. With a swift motion, your thumb languidly ran itself over his leaky slit; thumb lightly pressing down in intervals. Choked out whimpers and moans tumbled from the flame hashira as you tortured his cock, eyes deliriously looking everywhere as the pleasurable feeling took over his body. “Y/n, fuck- please, I won’t do it again j-just, lemme cuum..” His slurred words ended in a drawn out moan as your tongue ran itself over his tip, the sweet yet salty undertone precum settling on your tongue. With a moan you lifted your head, lips gently touching his tip.

“You really wanna cum, Kyo?” You teased softly, Kyojuro immediately reacting with his head shaking lazily. Humming in approval, your hand began to pump him once more but faster, mouth encasing and sucking on his rusty pink tip. Kyojuro’s head craned back on the sweat drenched pillow as his moans grew louder; hips subconsciously bucking up into your hand once more. You made a mental note to yourself to reprimand him of his action, but for now you’d allow it. Hollowing out your cheeks, your pussy throbbed at a loud groan that rumbled from your delirious boyfriend. 

“I’m gonna, fuck, I’m gonna cum. Don’t stop…don’t, don’t stop baby please..” Kyojuro begged, the overwhelming feeling of his orgasm teetering on the edge. Just before he could finally taste the moment he’d been waiting for, you stopped your actions; hand and mouth leaving his cock entirely as you sat up and chuckled. Furrowed and knit eyebrows dawned on his face as he soaked in your clear mocking. A whimper caught in his throat as he finally realized your plan. You were never gonna let him cum this early, you were above that. As if in slow motion, he watched as your devious smile grew bigger and hand hovering mere millimeters from his cock. 

“C’mon, baby, you still have a long way to go.”

ᴘʟᴇᴀꜱᴇ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴛʀᴀɴꜱʟᴀᴛᴇ, ꜱᴛᴇᴀʟ, ʙɪɴᴅ ᴏʀ ʀᴇᴘᴏꜱᴛ ᴀꜱ ʏᴏᴜʀꜱ. ᴀʟʟ ʀɪɢʜᴛꜱ ɢᴏ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴏᴛᴏꜰꜱᴛᴇᴡɪᴇ™ 2023

[nylwnder]

lake house

a/n: HELLO SWEETIES!!!!! welcome to my first 2024 fic n series! i started it off with ryan cause if you know me, you know he was everything to me for the 4 months we had him. also, HUGE SHOUTOUT to @shoot-the-puck for in a way co-writing this and the others with me i love you so much scoob thank you for being my asylum roomie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! anyways, enjoy and dont forget to tune in to the other drops <3 mwah!

pairing: ryan o’reilly x fem!reader

warnings: SMUT, its giving soft sex (unprotected), lowkey body worship, lowkey exhibitionism, childhood friends to lovers, use of “snook” and ryan being such husband material. gawdamn.

word count: 1.9k

taglist: @11livpangburn , @domi-max , @boqvistsbabe , @sweetiet , @p1tstop , @occasionallyaurora , @laurenairay, @fallinallincurls

series masterpost

the drive to the lake house was as calming as ever. although it was a couple hours, it was a trip you knew all too well. one you were dying to take every june the minute the last bell rang for summer break.

sometimes it was just you, your parents and your brother. most times, it was you and the o’reilly family. a lot of kids shared between two vans, snacking on chips and freezies from the coolers at the back of the cars.

the tradition never stopped when the lot grew older. you escaped to the house every time your winter term ended, then after your internship finished, and then when you could use up all your saved vacation time from your new job. ryan always followed when his nhl duties came to an end. both respective families coming in to stay in between.

that being said, this was the first time you drove to the lake house with ryan in the driver's seat and with you in the passenger's seat. it was the first summer since he came back home to toronto. but more so, to you. officially.

he was sick of waiting until your usual shared break, and you were very much sick of coming home to a cold bed.

before any headline could find you, ryan called you that night. and it was as if the 100 ton weight was being lifted off of your desperate shoulders. because it was. after ten years of long and needy facetimes, one-night lustful visits, and the best stanley cup celebration you two could possibly have imagined, you were going to have him, at your full disposal, “whenever you fucking want” as ryan had told you.

ryan put the car in park and you couldn’t help but smile about the fact that this would be the first time you’d be stepping into that house, as a proud pair. the “finally” ’s already shed by your parents who were following in behind the two of you.

—

the first night was spent with take out, laughs, pjs and movies and it always makes you grateful for growing up with a group with such a tight knit bond. your heart was full when you heard inside jokes from circa. 2006 running through the house — which are still ever so applicable, presently.

the next day, you didn’t wake until you heard the cars drive off in the late afternoon. it had been a while since you had the time to sleep in, so it seemed your body pranced at the chance. after heading to the bathroom, you couldn’t find ryan in the rooms or common areas. he always made sure you get as much sleep as you need, not only because he knows how grumpy you get if you don’t, but also because he always wants the best for you.

as you made your way to the kitchen, you looked out the windows casing the large lake. you saw the large figure of the man sitting at the edge of the dock and didn’t do anything else but make the walk over to him.

you sat beside him as he turned to face you with a toothless smile. you smiled at it, you always told him he looked cute like that, and he started listening to you. “sleep good, sweetheart?” he asks as he looks down to cut the leaf caps off the pack of strawberries between his legs. “wonderful” you emphasised before you reached for the strawberry he handed you. “i’m glad. you deserve it.”

you took a bite out of the soft strawberry, the juices from the flesh spilling into your mouth. you couldn’t help but let out a little innocent moan. the first time you tried these, they were immediately the best strawberries you have ever had in your entire life. and they just so happen to be locally farmed near the lakehouse.

ryan giggled, “had to stop by the market and buy you a few packs during my run. wouldn’t be a lake house summer without these guys right here.”

“this is why i love you. thank you.”

he only responded by handing you the bigger piece between the two in his hand. you put your head on his shoulder as you two looked out in front of you. the sun was bright but not exhausting, as the wind from the water dismissed the heat.

“the folks went to gather some things for this week's meal plan.”

you hummed a response. but it got you thinking. and so you didn't waste time.

you turned yourself around in order to lay your upper body on ryan’s lap. he placed the knife and strawberries safely aside as he smiled. you gave him a small smile before shutting your eyes for a bit.

you reached for ryan’s hands from his sides. you played with his big and thick fingers for a bit, before taking his hand and placing it on top of your shirt. then you moved his hand under the hem. as you began to move it further up, the material of your shirt wrinkled with your movements and began to expose your skin.

ryan kept his hand in your grip and his eyes firm on you. you kept moving it up, reaching the curves of your boobs. “take it off” you mumbled as he obliged. taking off the tshirt and throwing it on top of the other items he had set aside.

you didn't reach for his hands again. he knows what to do. he always knows, ever since your first kiss.

the sun shined on your supple flesh. his calloused hands moved back to your curves. pushing down your pants a tad, in order to squeeze your love handles. later, his fingers lightly trace up the soft line marks found upon your hips, and the ones on the sides of your breasts.

your cheeks begin to mimic the berry blush as you open your eyes to look at ryan. you loved how comfortable you are to be vulnerable around him. you always felt adored, and safe.

he pulled you up swiftly, allowing your legs to straddle him. your arms naturally wrap around his broad shoulders. you look into his gentle eyes, “i love you, snook.” you lean in for a tender kiss but his hands push your body tight into his. “i love you more, sweetness.” his lips finally meet yours and he envelopes you perfectly. “always have. always will.” he whispers.

his lips meet your cheek as he leaves wet kisses on your jaw and neck. you let soft moans escape your parted lips, your body melting into his figure. ryan often joked that his body was made for you specifically, with the way you fit against him so perfectly.

“gorgeous.” he whispers into your ear as his beard scrapes against you. you bite your lip at his words. one he's been telling you since you grew butterflies in your stomach every time you saw him. “want you snook” you plead, your pussy twitching as his hands squeeze your bust. you grind down on him, and he huffs outs. “just had you yesterday morning, honey.”

“dont play with me, ry. you know i always need you.”

he hums in response. “thats true. i can never say no to my girl.”

he lifts you once again, getting to lay you down on the thin throw ryan had brought out with him. your eyes close again as the sun hits your face, but you feel kisses pressed all over your skin. ryan’s lips trace from your lips to your cheeks down along your jaw, and onto your neck once more. he sheds a few soft nips while he makes sure your panties and shorts are discarded.

its not long before he nips on your nipples, noises escaping your exposed body. your fingers pull down his own shorts and you feel his cock against your skin.

two digits slip smoothly into your damp cunt as ryan cups your face. you bite up a cry. but before you know it, he’s lined up at your entrance and you're pleading for him to move.

you let out a lewd moan as he pushes in. ryan followed with a low groan and you clenched around him immediately, “that’s my sweet girl. so divine.” he says as he gives kisses on the edges of your collarbone.

his thrusts are a blend of slow, long and quick, hard movements. his hands held your hips as he didn't let his lips leave your body. his hair tickles your chin as he gives your breasts some love once again. you felt yourself reaching the goal closer and closer. the all too familiar feeling of your wet walls stretching around ryan’s thick length driving him crazy.

your effect on him was always so strong. right from when you both were young. the minute you got hurt, it broke ryan to see you cry. it was his dire mission to help clean you up or provide you with the necessary pick me up. oftentimes that was bringing you your favourite snack or sometimes a kiss on your cheek was all you needed. when you laughed, ryan laughed. and even when it seemed like ryan and your brother were picking on you, he always made sure to give you a hug later on. he would never hurt you. and he'd never let anyone hurt you. that was for sure.

you were pleased that there were laughs, screams and talk from the surrounding residents that can help drown out your shared sounds. at the same time you couldn't possibly care if they heard either. your mind was far too fuzzy.

“make me cum snook. make me cum all over your cock” you were desperate and needy, i think that was already established. ry smiled at your words, pulling your body up into him once again.

your arms were so tight around him, you stuck to his body like gum on a shoe. he pumped into you as you also began riding his length. the way your body swayed with your hips helped bring ryan even closer to his climax.

your head fell back as you felt the wave of pleasure overcome you. ryan continued your movements for you until your whines dyed down. once you both finished you kept yourself on his lap “don't move, ry. still need you there.” you mumbled.

“till they come back?”

“please.”

a smile appeared on both of your faces. droplets of sweat trickled down his chest and you crushed them with your finger as your head laid on his shoulder. his hands rubbed the sides of your body as his face was cuddled on top of your head. his nose tucked into your thick hair. your smell, your weight, your breathing and your warmth calmed him. his mind never wandered off. he was the most present, the most grounded with you, like this.

“why is it that every time we have sex you’re so quiet?” you asked ryan as you looked up at him. it was a thought you had often so you figured you’d ask. “sometimes you used to make me feel as if i did something wrong…” you said with a little titter.

he scoffed, “no honey, you could never.” you smiled. “you just take the breath out of my lungs”

you both start laughing. “you’re a pro hockey player and i’m the one who can kill you? i’ll take it.”

ryan lets out a chuckle again. “all i know is words cannot express how i feel when i’m with you, but i want to experience it till my dying days.”

your heart warmed. you grab his face and eagerly kiss him. “and so you will.”

[ enjoyed reading? join my taglist! : click here <3 ]

[girlsneedff]

Tetris player!Chosou x f!reader (NSFW!!)

Minors and ageless bios please dni

Mating press, slight Tetris! babble, established relationship, breeding (slightly)

Author’s yap: ok ok so I basically sat and watched this Tetris tournament on TikTok and I got inspired… possibly one of the more unserious things I’ve written, but that’s ok!!

————

Tetris! is boring as shit.

How could someone sit there in front of a rickety old 8-bit, shitty quality game and have fun for hours? It was stupid.

Well, that was before you started dating an 8-time Tetris! champion. Now the game is absolutely amazing- a Heaven sent.

Chosou Kamo’s a man of few words. Even when he finally mustered up the courage to ask you out (you were in the same humanities class), it went like this:

“Hello, we- ………date?” The blush saturated his cheeks as he twiddled his thumbs while remaining eye contact.

Oh, those thumbs.

He’s cute, and you’ve been ogling him a bit (a lot) during class, so of course you took up his offer, regardless of how ill-planned it was.

Next thing you know, you’re at his place- always watching him prep for a tournament he’s competing in. Whether it’s an actual controller or on his pc- he practices for hours- at least 3. His hair is in his usual messy pigtails as he chews the inside of this right cheek.

Next Tetrimino is an O- he moves that to the left-most end of the field. Then it’s a T- he flipped it so it fits nicely into this little slot he had created with some past pieces. He gets an I- his face lights up as he gleefully moves it to the right-most end of the field, sliding it into the perfect position and boom: Tetris!

A line of 4 disappears with this completion, and the game continues, his fingers moving at rapid paces to keep up. His eyes flicker to you, to make sure that you saw his victory, then back to the game.

You must admit, when he first told you he was a multi-time Tetris! winner, you damn near laughed at him. You wouldn’t do it in his face- but you definitely have scoffed thinking about it before.

“Hi- oh yea this is my boyfriend. Oh what does he do? Well he’s a Tetris! Champion!”

Your peers would look at you sideways.

But you couldn’t give a rat’s ass what they think now. You’d scream it from the rooftops actually. He’s made you scream a lot more embarrassing things than that.

You owe Tetris! your sex life. Truly. In your vows, you might give Tetris! a shoutout. Because the way that this man knows how to work his fingers- it’s unnatural. How he works his everything- jeez he’s Heaven sent.

————

“Baby, I need an opponent.”

You sit up to look at your boyfriend. He’s sitting in his gaming chair, still working away at Tetris, while you lie on his bed, scrolling on his phone.

“Why don’t you call up your frien-”

“Play with me.”

You freeze. This was the first time he’s ever brought this up. You’ve been coming over for 4 months now, and never once had he asked you to play with him.

“You know I don’t really know anything about Tetris!, right?”

“I’ll teach you. I just need to practice for tomorrow against somebody. It will help get me in the mood.”

It sure as hell did help him get in a mood. Sitting in his lap, he hands you his other console, makes sure you’re ok, and presses play. His console rests on your lap, while you hold yours up a bit.

…

And he lost.

…

Because how the flying fuck did you two end up on the bed?

Lock down: When a Tetrimino is put into a place where it’s no longer moveable. Kinda like how you are now.

Choso supports himself on your bent thighs with knees damn-near touching your ears as he towers above you, sweaty strands of hair still sticking to his face as he keeps eye contact. There’s no possible way you could escape this- even if you wanted to.

Then, he does his next signature move: Hard Drop. When a player drops a Tetrimino right into Lock Down from its starting position- no alterations.

Well, save for the fact that he had you line him up with your cunt, he’s by the book.

Who knew that Tetris! players would be so good at multitasking? With every stroke, he plays with your clit like he’s moving pieces- this Tetris!-junkie really doesn’t quit. He keeps it at a steady pace, steady force. All the way to left field- down. In the middle- he lets it wait for a little bit before he moves it to the right and down. It’s dizzying.

The way his dick is stretching you, and how his lithe fingers work to bully your clit into submission, you felt like you were levitating.

Then he starts fucking drawing the Tetriminos on your clit. You swear you’re actually in Heaven, the angels singing choruses of Tetris! hymns and praises while perched upon fluffy white cumulus clouds. Your mouth is in a permanent “O” position.

He definitely felt you clench around him- he lets out a breathy moan- louder than the noises he was already making. He has an airy type of grit in his voice every time you have sex- one of the many things that you love about this man.

Chosou leans close to your right ear, deepening the position as he speaks:

“Z, I, L, O, J…”

Before you know it you’re creaming- babbling random nonsense that you definitely don’t remember, but definitely know it was embarrassing. Cumming from him saying letters? How pathetic. But you don’t give a goddamn fuck.

You dig your fingers into your own flesh, since you were propping yourself up properly.

Chosou kisses your cheek and your neck as he continues to fuck you through your high.

He finally succumbs to his own desire, pumping everything that he has inside you with a soft, yet kind of whiny moan.

From that moment onwards, you vowed that you will never disrespect Tetris! again.

[urbancowboyjoel]

Bite The Hand | Joel Miller x f!afab!reader

Bite The Hand: Chapter Two

Chapter One | Read on AO3 | Series masterlist | Bite The Hand Playlist

After confronting Joel, he sets out to find Tess. Someone learns of your pending departure, and Joel becomes paranoid.

Word Count: ~5.7k

A/N: Rainy day vibes heavily inspired this chapter so shoutout to the weather. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far, I haven't been able to think about much other than it lol. I'm really trying to honker down and pump out quite a few chapters so we can get this ball rolling. | I didn't proofread this much before posting, but I was eager to get it up. Any corrections will be updated tomorrow (updated as of 02/12/24). Hope you all enjoy the new chapter! :)

Warnings/Tags: reference to suicide (refer to masterlist for complete series warnings & tags)

Bite The Hand: Chapter Two

The rhythmic tapping of your finger, synchronized with the second hand's precise movements, echoed in the quiet apartment. Each tick of the watch seemed to stretch time, intensifying the anticipation for Tess' return. Joel’s soft inconsistent snores and occasional creak of the floorboard beneath your own feet took over the atmosphere of the dark and dreary apartment. The longer you sat at the table, the line between optimism and pessimism blurred, leaving you in a state of emotional turmoil. 

Not long after you arrived, the sun from earlier vanished, replaced by a strong downpour on the QZ. You watched the rain stream down the two large windows in the living room, the view of the world outside blurring into swirls of various shades of blues and greens; the motion was nearly hypnotizing.

You glanced around the living room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. The room was actually quite small. A table with a large radio sat up against the wall between the two windows, accompanied by a lone book with its spine facing outward. Narrowing your eyes, you mouthed the title word by word: Top 80’s Hits. In the center of the room sat an oversized coffee table, much too big for the room. It was covered in various nameless books and loose pieces of paper were scattered messily upon the surface. The glass of the empty liquor bottles seemed to reflect the rain streaming down the windows, drawing your eyes to the motion. Across from the coffee table, against the wall, was a sagging and torn beige couch, which honestly wasn’t much to look at. 

Resting your cheek against your hand, you allowed your gaze to focus more closely on the items scattered across the cluttered table. Aside from the pills, there were several map books, varying in size from large to small. As you straightened in the chair and leaned over the table, the wood creaked beneath your movement, prompting a subtle crinkle of your nose. Your eyes briefly flickered toward the bedroom; from the angle you were sitting at, all that was visible were Joel’s motionless feet. He hadn’t bothered taking off his boots before falling asleep. A near sigh of relief escaped you as you realized he hadn't stirred. It was preferable for him to remain asleep while you waited, having decided that his company might not be particularly enjoyable.

To pass the time, you grabbed the first four in the stack of maps, setting them before yourself and spreading them out: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Colorado. What an interesting collection, you thought to yourself, mentally taking note of each state. 

As you opened up the map of Wyoming, it became evident just how extensively marked it was. Either Tess or Joel was particularly interested in it. Lines, circles, and X's adorned the surface, accompanied by some illegible notes scrawled off to the sides of certain marks. Your eyes followed one of the highways, tracing it with an arrow that pointed towards Nebraska. The sight of the heavily marked map sparked a plethora of questions in your mind. What could Tess and Joel possibly be seeking in Wyoming? The journey seemed far too extensive for a simple trade if that was their intention. Perhaps they were contemplating a permanent departure from the QZ, which would make more sense. While Tess had never mentioned such a drastic move before, it occurred to you that she might have been cautious in keeping such plans to herself—a precaution you understood all too well.

The sudden crack of thunder jolted you, prompting an instinctive jump in your body. "Jesus," you muttered quietly to yourself, recoiling from the unexpected noise. With a soft sigh, you restacked the maps and slid them to your left. As if in response to the thunder, the rain intensified, its soothing sounds on the roof growing louder. A flash of lightning soon followed, illuminating the room for a fraction of a second.

Beneath some clearly reused plastic baggies you assumed were intended for the pills, lay a disorganized pile of thin pieces of paper. As you started sifting through them, a twinge of guilt crept in. It felt almost illegal; acknowledging the invasion of Tess and Joel's privacy. Morally, you recognized that it was wrong, but really, what else was there to do with your time while you continued to wait for who knows how long? You were well aware that you had no intention of doing anything with the information. The demands of your current dealings were challenging enough to manage, and delving into Tess and Joel's affairs was a burden you had no intention of taking on.

Once again, you cast a cautious glance towards Joel, ensuring he remained deeply immersed in his drug and alcohol-induced slumber. After observing his unmoving feet for a few moments, you began spreading out the papers. As you glossed over them, you realized they were precisely what you had thought.

Takes 15 min. For patrols to switch shifts. - Joel, don’t forget the pill deliveries need to go out ASAP. Donovan in the West End District, and the others to your cronies. (I know what you're thinking, weak as shit delivery. Bill promised he’d do better next shipment.) - Robert has shipments come through the southeast tunnels in Area 5 twice monthly. Got one of the kids in the slums to spill, the last shipment contained shit like clothes, liquor, frozen meat. He’s on the lookout for a pill supplier so keep a cautious eye out on deliveries, you know how he is. –Tess

Among the other papers were supply lists, run dates, and a compilation of names belonging to various smugglers in the area—some familiar, others not. One name that stood out was Bill. While you were acquainted with a few individuals with that name, you were certain they were not involved in smuggling or supplying. Suddenly you found yourself to be quite intrigued with Tess and Joel’s records.

While returning everything back to its original place so as to not raise any sort of suspicion—the notes mixed messily into a pile with the baggies on top and the maps flipped face down into a pile—a thin-lined piece of paper slipped out from between two of the maps, slowly floating to the ground.

You quietly got up out of the chair, ensuring the legs didn’t scrape against the wood, and rounded the edge of the table to the opposite side. Another soft snore escaped Joel as you bent down to retrieve the paper, flipping it over to reveal the date: August 20, nearly a week prior.

Joel, I’m heading out to do the run I told you about, the one up in Richmond. Don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine. I need you to get the pills delivered and recover the trade with Stephen in Area 2, you know where to find him–same spot I showed you the first time I traded with him a few months ago. I’ll return with a huge payout, so be ready to make some additional runs. Also, I want to talk to you about looking for Tommy, so don’t leave on me before I get back. I shouldn’t be gone for more than a couple days, doubt you’ll even realize I’m gone with how you’ve been lately. –Tess

A deep, unsettling realization settled in the longer you stared at the note. You read it once, then again, and once more. Your heart pounded wildly within the confines of your chest, the pulsing of your blood resonating in your throat, and a nauseating sensation quickly overwhelmed you. She left for the run the same day she assured you she would reconsider. More alarmingly, she should have returned by now. Even accounting for potential delays, the likely reality sank in, leaving your throat dry and your head spinning.

Setting the note down on the table, your hand rose to your forehead, which felt cool and clammy. Panic took over as you mindlessly looked around the apartment with its peeling wallpaper, cracks, and holes in the walls. A sense of helplessness overwhelmed you, and the question echoed in your mind: What are you going to do? The unsettling thought lingered—something must have gone wrong with the run. The promised payout seemed too good to be true, but facing the reality of the situation left you paralyzed. It’s been nearly a week, who knows where Tess could be, who knows what they could’ve done to her by now.

Your gaze shifted once more to Joel, who lay sprawled on his stomach across the bed. A surge of anger pulsed through your body, propelling you towards him. Heat flushed your cheeks, radiating down your neck towards your chest. Nails dug sharply into the palm of your hands as you clenched them into tight fists, the frustration and helplessness pushing you to your limit.

As he started to snore, frustration driving you, you pressed both palms firmly against his back and pushed. He barely shifted, muttering something unintelligible under his breath. You watched, waiting for any sign of awakening, but his closed eyelids only twitched slightly.

"Get up!" You yelled as you grabbed the back of his collar and pulled forcefully. He emitted a low, choking sound, struggling to prop himself up on his arms. You stood by the side of the bed, observing the slow awakening from his deep state of sleep.

He continued mumbling softly, his hand finding its way to his throat, rubbing it gently. As he flipped to his other side, your eyes locked. A flicker, deep within him, ignited a fire in his intense brown gaze. Before you could utter a word, he was out of bed, and on his feet. In one swift motion, his arm barred across your throat, pinning you against the cracking wall. A knife seemingly came out of nowhere in his other hand, its sharp tip pressing against your stomach through the thin fabric of your shirt. You squirmed under his strength, but he held firm, refusing to yield.

“You’re fucking nuts,” you gasped, struggling to articulate the words under the pressure of his arm. Your fingernails dug sharply into his skin as you clawed at his arm, desperately attempting to break free from his hold. Finally, you gave up, resting your head against the wall and meeting his gaze, which bore a violent intensity that sent a shiver down your spine.

His breathing was rapid, his chest rising and falling quickly. "Who the fuck are you?" His voice, dark and hostile, was now clearer than when you first spoke. You attempted to reply, but no sound emerged from your constricted throat.

For a moment, only strained breathes lingered between the two of you. Joel shifted the angle of his approach, loosening his hold just enough for you to pivot. The steel tip of your shoe connected with the side of his knee. His legs buckled, and the knife fell to the ground, sliding just barely out of his reach.

“Fuckin’ Christ,” Joel groaned, collapsing to the ground, his hand clutching his injured knee. Taking the opportunity while he was still distracted, you kicked his knife further away. If he intended to reach for it, he'd have to go through you first.

"If I wanted to kill you, don't you think I would have done it while you fucking were asleep, asshole?" you spat at him. Still, on his knees, Joel glared up at you with nothing short of pure hostility and anger burning into your soul. If looks alone could kill, you'd be long dead. "You said Tess was at some job?" you pressed, watching as Joel put his tongue in his cheek, the muscles in his jaw twitching as he refrained from responding. After a few tense moments, he gave you a subtle nod in confirmation. You raised your eyebrows, questioning his certainty. "You sure about that?"

Confusion spread across Joel's face, his eyebrows furrowed deeply as his gaze darted around the room. When he refocused on you, you strode out of the room and back to the table. The sound of him getting up from the floor accompanied by a loud groan reached your ears. Without needing to be told, Joel followed you to the main area of the apartment.

As you retrieved the note, a fiery rage surged through your entire body, how could he have not known? Turning to face Joel, you held the note up. "She left you this, dated August 20th," you spoke, attempting to keep your words as calm as possible, though anger still seeped through. Joel walked slowly over to you, a slight limp evident, stopping when he was about a yard away. "Tess left for Richmond that day and you had no fucking idea." you accused, the frustration and resentment heavy in your tone.

“Let me see that," Joel's voice was quieter but still held the same gruffness as before. The words Tess wrote came out in a mumbled whisper as he read to himself, his eyes darting quickly back and forth across the page. By the time he reached the end, his fingers nearly pierced through the paper. “ Shit,” he muttered, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

In an instant, it was as if you ceased to exist to him. Joel paced the apartment, grabbing things from different cabinets and shelves, and throwing them onto the table—maps, weapons, food, water. For a fleeting moment, he disappeared into the bedroom and emerged holding a backpack. The realization struck you: he was going after her. If he was going, so were you.

As Joel started to pack his bag with everything he needed for the rescue mission, you interjected, "I'm coming with you, I need to—" before being abruptly cut off.

"The hell you are," Joel growled, not sparing a second to even look at you as he threw the final items into his bag. As he reached for his brown jacket hanging off the back of one of the chairs at the table, you swiftly snatched it before he could lay a finger on it. His breathing hitched, shooting you an intense glare. Every muscle in his body went still as if he were holding back from lunging at you.

A moment of tense silence lingered as you locked eyes with Joel. Another crack of thunder broke the quiet, the tension somewhat easing as Joel flinched at the sound. "If it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have realized she was gone," the words escaped barely above a whisper, your chest tightening. "I'm either coming with you, or I tell FEDRA, and they'll find you before you can even set foot out of the building. I know every tunnel system, every weakness in the walls. You won't even have a chance."

Joel swiftly ran his tongue across his lips, exhaling a weighty sigh that resonated with both frustration and contemplation. “I’ll kill you before you can do that,” his words carried a forceful determination.

"Yeah, that worked out real well for you earlier, didn't it?" you retorted, without skipping a beat.

—

You made Joel walk ahead of you just by a few steps. It didn't take much persuasion for him to agree to let you come along, though he made it abundantly clear that he was not pleased about it. Between grumbling to himself and shooting you nasty glances, he held nothing back in displaying his discontent. Blackmail wasn't typically your go-to, but you knew its effectiveness when necessary.

As the two of you walked through the QZ, you kept your head down, avoiding any conversations or eye contact.  It was urgent for you to get your apartment without any trouble. The closer you got to Area 1, the tighter the knot in your stomach became. While you were well-known around Area 1, Joel, on the other hand, would undoubtedly be seen as an outsider. Even at this time of day, with most soldiers on patrols and assigned duties, there would be some hanging around the living quarters.

As you watched the heavy rain droplets hitting the concrete, Joel came to a sudden stop, and you almost collided with him. He looked back at you as if you were crazy, his facial expression twisted. "You live here?" he asked quietly, his tone monotonous but still conveying a hint of skepticism. You met his question with a blank stare, eventually giving a subtle nod before stepping around him and tugging at his backpack strap. Joel resisted, pulling away, almost dragging you back with him. If he didn't stop, he'd attract the attention of the soldiers, and you knew he was well aware of the consequences.

"Stop it," you hissed at him, pulling him aside against one of the fallen brick walls.

"You're one of them," he hissed back, leaning in so close you could feel the warm exhale of air leaving his nostrils.

You sharply inhaled, quickly surveying your surroundings to ensure no one was within listening distance. "I'm not. It's a long story, and I'd rather not get into it with you because, quite frankly, it's none of your business," the words rushed out, blending into each other. "What do you fucking want? Something to hold against me in case I betray you? Isn't this enough?" You gestured between both your bodies and then towards the building, referencing FEDRA.

"What do you even have on Tess?" He ignored your previous statement, prompting a confused expression from you, which seemed to confuse him in return. "You want her back so bad, what is it?" he pressed further.

You didn't respond immediately, reflecting on your own reaction to Tess's endangerment. "No—nothing. I just care for her. I'd hate to see something happen to her," the words emerged slowly as they formed in your mind. Joel's eyebrows shot up quickly; he didn't seem to believe you. You rolled your eyes almost immediately, the steady rain's coldness now seeping deep into your bones, realizing your toes had become entirely numb. "The longer we stay here doing this, the less time we have to find Tess alive."

Your final statement seemed to strike something deep within Joel, his entire facial expression softening. After a final stare down, he relented, jutting his chin out toward one of the apartment buildings as a way of indicating that you should lead the way. Despite not entirely trusting him to follow, you did.

As the two of you walked the halls of the apartment building, some of the soldiers on your floor gave Joel testy stares. Should you have said something to ease their concerns? Probably. However, just as it was none of Joel's business why you lived in Area 1, it was none of their business why he was with you. With each passing stare, you could feel the tension radiating off Joel. When you glanced over your shoulder every few seconds to ensure he was still with you, his face did not hide what he felt. His careless display of emotion made you nervous; soldiers could interpret any citizen's actions as a threat, be it a look, a gesture, or an action.

The jingle of your keys echoed through the hall as you inserted them into the lock, turning it to unlock the door to your apartment. Joel was careful not to get too close to you, his posture stiff and unmoving. When the door swung open, you gestured for him to go in first, and he passed by you without giving you a single look. You observed him as his fingertips brushed against the faded green paint on your door, his head swiveling back and forth, taking in your apartment.

Tossing your keys onto the small table next to your door, you closed it, locked it, and put the door guard in place. The cringe-worthy sound of metal scraping against each other made your teeth grit together.

The rain-soaked clothes sent a shiver down your spine as the warmth of the apartment engulfed you. Your first priority was to change into warmer, dry attire. Joel, equally drenched, was the least of your concerns—that’d be something for him to worry about himself. After changing, your next priority would be gathering the items you need to take with you. You had never ventured out for anything like this before; the only times you left the zone were for planned trades, usually not going much further than a few miles out. The last time you went to Richmond was several years ago, and your father was by your side. Richmond was a very, very different place back then—nothing like how it is now.

The sound of one of the chairs at the table scraping against the floor made you snap your head in its direction. Joel was already making himself at home, pulling out a map and spreading it across the table. He began marking it with a short, stubby pencil near the end of its life, his face twisted into a deep state of concentration. Not wanting to interfere, you quietly slipped into your bedroom, carefully shutting and locking the door silently.

Slipping out of your wet clothes and tossing them into a pile on the floor, you began to rummage through your dresser drawers. You grabbed the first pair of pants you could find—a loose fitting pair of army green cargo pants, versatile enough for the uncertainties of your trip. Before zipping them up, you slipped a black long-sleeve shirt that hugged your body, tucking it into the pants. Layering would be the key, suitable for cold weather but easily adaptable for warmer conditions as well. The last two items you grabbed were a random t-shirt, which you quickly pulled over your head, tugging it down over your waistline, and a pair of socks.

The mattress lying directly on the floor sagged as you took a seat on the bottom edge, your toes still numb as you slipped the thick wool socks over your feet. Lost in deep thought, the many uncertainties of the trip haunting your mind, the sound of someone trying to enter your bedroom startled you, a high-pitched gasp escaping you. Immediately, you shot to your feet, striding to the door, and unlocking it with urgency. Joel stood smugly on the other side.

"Do you make it a habit of barging into people's rooms?" you spat at him, brushing past and into the living room.

"I've figured a way to Richmond that'll get us there in a day or two. We should get goin' soon," Joel immediately cut to the chase, keeping on your heels as you crossed the room. "So hurry up, get packed. We’ll leave when you’re done."

As you leaned down, opening the doors to a cabinet used for storage, you looked back up at him. "Wouldn't it be best to leave after dark?" you asked. "We'd have more coverage that way, less chance of getting caught. In the last few months, they've cut back on the number of soldiers on patrol at night."

Joel pressed his lips into a thin line, completely ignoring your suggestion. "What did Tess tell you about this run?" His words came out harsh, demanding, and full of blame. You scoffed before returning your attention to the cabinet, pulling out a backpack as well as a pistol you stole from your father.

“She didn’t tell me much. I—“ 

"What did she tell you?" Joel cut you off, his voice loud and booming, making you flinch. You cringed, remembering how thin the walls supposedly were, your chest tightening, and your stomach twisting.

"Can you keep it down? The walls are thin," you hissed, pulling yourself up to your feet and slinging the backpack over your shoulder, glaring at Joel simultaneously. "She told me it was in Richmond, that whoever she was trading with was gonna give her some guns, and then she was gonna trade the guns with someone here. That’s it."

He let out an audible sigh heavy with frustration. "Seriously?" His tone was defeated, his voice barely above a whisper. Running your tongue along your lips, you nodded, acknowledging that the information was not a lot to go off of and likely didn't help.

Crossing over to the kitchen area, you placed your backpack on the counter and started filling it with the remaining food items in your apartment. Meanwhile, Joel stayed in the living room, his head hanging low and his hands on his hips. While your back was turned, filling a canister of water from the blue jug on the counter, the sound of heavy footsteps approaching caused you to turn around. Joel stomped toward the table with darkened eyes. He grabbed onto the back of one of the chairs, angrily pulling it back, his breathing now rapid and loud. The wood seemed to crack under his touch, sending a shock through you. Your grip on the plastic canister tightened, water spilling over the lip.

"Hey, don't destroy my stuff!" You shouted, taking a step toward him. As you spoke, his attention snapped toward you, his chest puffing outward. Joel let out a dark laugh, one that made the hair on your arms stand straight.

“We might as well just fucking shoot ourselves, this is a suicide mission,” he beckoned to his head with a finger, shaking his head once he was done. “You come to me about Tess, and you don’t know shit?”

In an instant, anger consumed you, causing your eyebrows to knit tightly together. You dropped the full canister of water to the ground, the liquid spilling all over the floor. Without a care for the wasted resource, you stormed over to Joel until there was not but a foot of space between the two of you. He seemed to lean into you, looking down with challenging eyes. His breath warmed your face as he cocked his head.

"Maybe if you weren't so drugged up and drunk, you would know more about this deal. Tess told me she went to you first," your tone was hauntingly calm, which seemed to throw Joel off. "She's your partner. She probably told you more than I got told, and yet you still were too oblivious to realize she's been missing for fucking a week. So you don't get to blame this on me. If anything, you should be blaming yourself. If she ends up dead, that is entirely on you, Joel— not me, you."

The longer you spoke, the redder his face became. By the time you were done, it seemed like he would explode from anger at any given moment. As his lips parted, ready to release his words, a knock echoed at the door. Both you and Joel went still, your heads snapping toward the front door.

An uneasy breath escaped your nostrils, the anger inside you turning into pure anxiety. You guys were too loud, and now you'd face the consequences. Whoever it was, you'd make up some bullshit excuse and hope they'd take it as fact. Your mind raced as you cut through the living room to the door, your thoughts a scrambled mess, not a single excuse making sense.

Turning the doorknob slowly, you glanced over your shoulder at Joel, who was firmly gripping the back of one of the chairs, blood pooling beneath his fingertips. He kept his head down, but it didn't hide the somber expression he displayed. Maybe you crossed the line telling him it was his fault, though it wasn't entirely a lie.

As you swung the door open, the safety chain still in place, a wave of relief swept over you upon seeing Roman. He offered a warm smile, his hands clasped behind him. Briefly closing the door and releasing the chain, you opened it wider, though not enough for him to see inside.

"Told you I'd stop by," your eyes melted into his as he smiled at you; he was still in his FEDRA uniform, indicating that he likely just got off from duty. Joel quietly cleared his throat, bringing you back to reality, your small rush of relief now disappearing. "I can't stay long, I gotta cover for Randall tonight," you opened your mouth to interject, but he continued, "We'll have a few hours to ourselves at least. Better than nothing, right?"

As he took a step forward, you closed the door a little bit. "It's not a good time," you said quietly in an apologetic-sounding tone; Roman's face twisted into confusion. He shook his head, however, and before you could stop him, he was inside your apartment. "Roman—"

Roman audibly took in a breath, tension swiftly filling the room. When you faced the living room, both men had fixed stares on you. Joel appeared unpleasantly annoyed, while Roman seemed perplexingly hurt.

“Are you going somewhere?” Roman questioned, nodding towards your and Joel’s backpacks Avoiding eye contact, you moved towards him, taking hold of his arm and guiding him into the bedroom. Before you entered, you gave Joel a warning look; he rolled his eyes, catching the implication, and took a seat, returning his focus to the map. You eased the door closed, leaving just a crack so you could hear if Joel tried to make an attempted escape.

"You can't come around here for a while, Roman," you said before turning to face him fully. Roman chuckled in disbelief, placing both hands on his hips and glancing down at his feet. "I'm being serious. Look at me." His eyes shot up to meet yours. "I'll come find you when things are... fine."

Roman didn't respond immediately, taking a seat on the edge of the mattress. He rested his elbows on his knees and ran the palms of his hands over his face. You hated putting him in this position, but you were now put in a tough spot; at the end of the day, he was a part of FEDRA. He let out a defeated sigh, looking up at you through his brows.

"Can I help? If you’re in trouble, I—" His eyes were wide, gazing at you with an almost worshipful admiration; as if he would do anything for you.

“No, Roman, you can't get involved in this.” You took a step toward him before pausing. “The less you know, the better. If anyone asks about me, you have to play dumb... tell them you don’t know anything about where I am.” He continued to stare at you, giving no indication of his thoughts. “I need you to do that for me.” Your words came out harsh, finally provoking a reaction from him.

He nodded. “I just don’t get it.”

"I don't expect you to, but this is what I do, and you were aware of it from the beginning," he stood up as you spoke, towering over you and wrapping his arms around you, his thumb rubbing circles into your back. "And I knew what you were too; I thought we had a mutual understanding of that." Roman's eyes scanned the room as he absorbed your words, clicking his tongue.

"We do," he nodded as if he was trying to convince himself of this understanding. "We do. Just be safe, please," you replied with a pitied smile. A part of you thought about asking about tonight's patrol schedule, the words stuck in your throat. You decided not to cross that line, genuinely wanting to leave him out of this.

Roman was the first to exit the room with you right behind him. In an instant, Joel had him pinned against the floor, Roman squirmed beneath his strength. Though he tried to yell out, Joel kept a hand firmly against his mouth, ensuring the struggle remained unheard outside the apartment. Simultaneously, Joel's other arm secured his chest to the floor, and his knees restricted Roman's leg movements.

You gasped. "Get off of him, you fucking psycho," you said through your teeth toward Joel, coming up behind him and shoving him. Unsurprisingly, he didn't budge, barely granting you a glance as he continued to hold Roman against his will.

“Fuckers gonna tell on us,” Joel uttered between rapid breaths, his gaze unwavering from Roman, who continued to struggle, his face reddening. Roman’s eyes moved to you, pleading for help.

You grabbed Joel’s face, forcing him to look at you as he attempted to pull away from your grasp. Your fingertips pressed into his jaw, applying a level of pain that seemingly went unnoticed by him. Joel stared deeply into your eyes with an intensity that made your stomach drop. “Get off of him,’’ you whispered firmly, but gently. A few seconds passed, but Joel eventually got up. 

Roman, visibly infuriated, rose to his feet in silence, fixing a piercing gaze upon Joel. His brow furrowed deeply, lips tightly pressed together, his chest heaving with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. With heavy steps, he began to make his way towards the door, only to halt abruptly, pivoting back to face you and Joel. “If you lay a single finger on her, I’ll fucking kill you,”  he warned, pointing a finger at you as he spoke. Before departing, he cast a softened glance in your direction and left without another word.

The moment Roman departed, Joel erupted without hesitation, not even waiting for the door to fully close. “You’re fucking a FEDRA soldier?” he spat in your direction, his forearm muscles tensing as his hand clenched into a fist. "That's gotta be the dumbest thing I've ever heard someone do. Tell me, is the dick that good, darlin’? Is it worth dyin’ for?"

You let out a scoff, feeling a flush of embarrassment. “Oh, fuck off. It’s none of your business, old man,” you retorted, brushing past him, your shoulder bumping solidly into his. The impact made him grunt, but he turned alongside you, staying close. "You're lucky if yours even works anymore. Touchy subject?"

Joel chuckled darkly, the sound reverberating through the room. "Works just fine," he shot back immediately.

Glancing over your shoulder at him, a touch of amusement flickering on his face urging for you to go on; you rolled your eyes before focusing on the map. Observing the path he'd sketched out with the pencil, you figured it was best to disregard him for the moment. "Tell me the plan," you demanded.

Bite The Hand: Chapter Three coming soon...

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[vargskelegore]

i want you around. || hbcu!shuri x black!reader

author’s note: big shoutout to @erensslut for this idea! i had a lot of fun writing this, between getting the perfect music to go with it and overall imagining myself as reader while i did this. truly a fun experience and i hope y’all enjoy this :)

requests: slightly slow on getting to them since i’m getting sent so many. apologies!

warnings: smoking.

word count: 1,185

you were doing one of your many nightly study sessions. your roommate was out for the night yet again, on a date with some dude that wasn’t even from your school. nonetheless, you had the dorm to yourself, and you used it to have a study and smoke session.

you had the place exactly how you wanted it. led’s on red, music playing as loud as you wanted, smoking a blunt you got from your roommate for the evening-- it was all so lovely. calm. you actually were getting your work done for the first time in a week, and you were glad.

there was so much going on this school year you couldn’t even focus. one of those things was shuri. since she arrived, your attention had only been on her. you didn’t even realize it until your roommate pointed it out.

you definitely thought about it while you studied. was it seriously that obvious? i mean, you definitely had a crush on her, but why would shuri ever like you back? she was the princess of wakanda, and seeing all the attention she got on campus definitely taught you that she could have anyone she wanted and not just some broke college student who probably won’t get a job with her major since that’s the way society was.

but you kept studying. you didn’t want to overthink on a good night where you could chill.

but then there was a knock. and this knock just contradicted everything from before, because once the person on the other side realized the door was unlocked, they let themselves in.

it was shuri. who else would it be? she walked in, looking down to see you on the floor.

“y/n? i tried texting you earlier and you didn’t respond.” a cough escaped her lips shortly after her sentence. realizing you were smoking, she hesitated a bit, not wanting to ruin anything for you.

“oh-- hey shuri, i didn’t realize you texted, i was.. studying.” you muttered, realizing you weren’t dressed properly. but it wasn’t new to shuri at this point. she thought you looked pretty regardless.

shuri smiled at you before she sat down, crossing her legs in apple sauce style. you’d be lying if you said she didn’t look good right now. sweatpants and a tank top. it was so basic but it showed off her physique. she wasn’t lying when she said she got a lot of exercise back in wakanda, even if she was more of a brains kind of person.

as you two sat there, it was pure silence. just the sound of music filling the room. the playlist would go from summer walker, to the internet, to solange, erykah badu, sza, and so on.

it was silence until shuri suddenly asked you, “..can i help you with your homework? i’m interested.”

you agreed since extra help was lovely. shuri was a big help while you felt yourself getting more and more zoned out.

it was all fun and games until shuri began just staring at you. you didn’t even notice how her glance was so lustful. so deeply full of emotion. her eyes went in a rotation from looking at your neck, to your jawline, and finally your lips.

your lips had her in a trance. the way you inhaled and exhaled what you were smoking. it was mesmerizing.

after twenty minutes, she suddenly spoke up. she was definitely gaining the courage to ask, because her palms began sweating and getting clammy.

“..can i try?” it was obvious what she was referring to. the blunt in your delicate fingers. it almost looked like you were too innocent to have something like that in your hands, and she adored it.

you turned to look at her. your gaze towards her was so obviously woozy. but you looked pretty to her regardless.

you stared at her for a while before smirking, an idea in your mind.

“mm.. you wanna try something with me? i’ve been wanting to do it for a while, but never had anybody to try it with.” you smiled, and watched as shuri smiled back, excited with a nod.

“of course.. what do you want me to do?” shuri was adorable, always ready to do whatever was requested of her. you could feel that loyalty trait that was just embedded into her.

“whenever i release this smoke, i want you to inhale it. can you do that?” you were so bold whenever you were high. shotgunning? you were always too shy to do that, even with your ex boyfriends from freshman year. what made shuri so different?

not like that question mattered enough to ask, because before you knew it, you were beginning to inhale.

she watched you like a hawk. the gaze she was giving you was more than a friendly glance. but when you finally exhaled, she almost immediately inhaled as soon as she saw one puff of that smoke. she exhaled through her nose, the sight being gorgeous because of the way she was staring at you.

the staring between you and her was getting to be so intense, and you two just continued this wordless but still talkative conversation through smoke.

the space between you two was closing faster than y’all realized, because before you knew it, you two got so close from this continuous smoking, that your bottom lips were touching.

this contact lasted for a while. there was a part in both of your minds that was sending sirens to back away because the other was straight-- that was far from the truth.

then it happened.

your top lip met with hers, and you two began to move in sync after that.

both of you had moisturized your lips before this-- whether it was just pure coincidence or a subconscious plan, it didn’t matter. you two were finally kissing after all this time and couldn’t even stop.

you could feel it getting heated, but she pulled away before you so she could take a breath.

you stared at her long and hard after that. it was awkward for a moment, before shuri spoke.

“..i take it you enjoyed it?” she was a bit nervous and you could tell, but you nodded and that gave her reassurance.

“i uh.. yeah. yeah i did. thank you for.. well, that.” you laughed a bit, and so did she.

the room was only filled with music again. you two stayed that way until she spoke up again.

“it’s getting late.. i’ll definitely see you after your class tomorrow, right?” the hope in her voice- how eager it was, was enough to get you excited.

“yeah! i mean.. um, yeah, of course. i’d never miss a day.” you calmed yourself down as you watched her get up and walk over do the door.

as she got to your door, leaning on the frame yet again (it was common for her at this point and never failed to make you weak), she smirked at you.

“let me know when you wanna do this again.”

and without another word, she was gone.

-

taglist (it’s very short right now, please comment if you want to be in my taglist for shuri imagines and headcanons!): @lovelyaliengirl​​

[cc-horan28]

Be My Valentine - 2

When I'm Fat and Old

(G) 750 words

Louis Tomlinson x Harry Styles

“I’m just in awe. And we’re only just getting older, but we’re not even that old, yet. And I just- we’ve still got so so much to do. No one I’d rather do it with,”

OR

Louis shares his dreams of them growing old together <3

No warnings!

A/N : Once again, Thank you Akeyla for these amazing prompts and this fest! Shoutout to the lovely people in the 1DLibrary server for helping me figure not only this, but all the fics out and sprinting with me!

Title from 1D’s ‘Act My Age’

“You’re such a soppy fool,” Harry giggled, lightly swatting Louis’ bicep.

“I mean it,” the older man said sincerely, forehead furrowed with how intensely he was staring at him.

When he had sat down with Louis at 5pm, the latter saying he just wanted to watch the sunset, Harry had known what was on his mind. 

Or he thought he did.

He hadn’t expected for Louis to be 3 drinks in, not even properly drunk yet, but making statements that rivaled those he had made cuddled up in their bunk beds at the X factor house.

“Haz,” Louis whined, pinching the chub by his hips as he draped his arm over him, chin on his shoulder, “I really do mean it. We’ll be… what was that song- we’ll be fat and old, yeah.” He hummed, nose brushing over Harry’s skin, lips trailing kisses. “You’ll be fat, and old and so will I. And we’ll still sit here, and I’ll still watch the sun wash over you, and I’ll still have a drink in hand, and I’ll still tell you how much I love you.”

Louis did his best to hide the slight tremor in his voice, but after all these years, he might as well have just not bothered. 

“I love you too, Lou. But where’s all of this coming from, so suddenly?” Harry’s voice was low and soft, laced with concern, all traces of teasing long gone.

Louis was silent, looking up at Harry, head still resting on his shoulder and he was a bit surprised when he saw his blue eyes shining, tears pooling in them. 

“Baby,” Harry coaxed gently, lacing his fingers with Louis’, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “What’s on your mind? Y’know you can tell me anything, Lou. If there’s anything you know, these many years later, it’s that,”

Louis chuckled weakly, “ ‘M not sad, love,” he offered Harry a watery smile, “But that’s just it. It’s been so long and sometimes I look at you- at us and I’m just…” His tongue quickly darted out across his bottom lip, and he sat up, crossing his legs as he faced Harry. 

“I’m just in awe. And we’re only just getting older, but we’re not even that old, yet. And I just- we’ve still got so so much to do. No one I’d rather do it with,” he squeezed Harry’s hand, tracing the tattoos up his arm and resting it on his shoulder, leaning in for a kiss.

“It gets a little overwhelming, sometimes. I just wonder how I got this lucky,” he breathed out when he pulled back, eyes tracing over Harry’s shirtless figure. 

Harry felt his tears prickling as he smiled back at his husband not bothering to blink them away, a comfortable silence settling in. He folded his knees, hugging them to his chest, eyes tracing over the contours of Louis’ face as he had been for well over a decade now. Not yet and knowing that he never would tire of it, no matter how many mornings he woke up next to him.

“I wonder about that too, trust me,” He tried to hide the sniffle that escaped him but Louis was quick on the uptake, brushing Harry’s hand away from his face and smiling gently, nodding at him to continue.

“If someone had told me- 16-year-old me- that this is where we would end up-” he laughed through his nose, tilting his head back against the couch. “You’re going to make fun of me,” he said, bashfully glancing at the man sitting beside him.

“When have I ever?” Louis quipped, biting his lip

Harry rolled his eyes fondly, moving closer to him nonetheless. “He would probably have said we were soulmates,” he paused, waiting for Louis’ reaction. There was none, and he smiled to himself before continuing. 

“It’s like those cheesy quotes I used to read on pinterest.” he said tentatively, “In every world, you’d have been mine. And I’d have been yours. Even if we hadn’t placed third- even if we hadn’t even auditioned; we would have ended up here. Or some version of here. But we would still be us, growing old together,”

Harry heard light sniffles and quickly turned to meet Louis’ gaze. 

“Who’s the soppy fool now?”

A/N: Reblogs are always appreciated 💕

[photogirl894]

@clonexreaderbingo

Square: Kix

It's been a bit since I've posted a bingo one shot; I had a slight block with this one, but now it is complete! Shoutout to @l-lend for helping me with the idea 😊 Love you, bestie!!

"Kix, you've got to take a break. You're gonna work yourself to death."

Your best friend, Kix, who was a medic of the 501st, had been dealing with so many patients in the past couple weeks. You weren't even sure when was the last time he'd slept. He'd been practically living at the Coruscant med bay and you had barely seen him pretty much until now. He'd only gotten back to the apartment you two shared to pick up some more medical supplies. 

"I can't, I've got too many patients," he told you. 

"You know there are other medics in the GAR that can take care of things for you," you told him. 

"I'll be fine. I have to help my brothers," he replied, digging through a case of vials. 

You put a hand over his to stop him from grabbing more vials. "Kix! You're not the sole medic of the entire Clone army!" you scolded him. Being closer to him, you could now see the dark rings under his eyes. "When was the last time you even got any sleep?"

He sighed. "I don't know…but I'm fine."

"Kix…!" you groaned, irritated. 

He collected all the supplies he'd gotten into his pack and called over his shoulder, already halfway to the door, "I'll be back later!"

You groaned aloud again. You were getting worried about him. If he kept this up, he was either going to get himself sick or worse, but he was a stubborn one. When he set his mind to something, he stuck with it. Some days, you loved that about him; other days, like this one, it infuriated you to no end. It didn't help that you secretly held deeper feelings for your best friend, not wanting to potentially ruin your friendship, so when you worried about him, it only doubled because of that. 

"Medics are the worst…," you mumbled to yourself. You yourself were a technician who'd been hired by the Grand Army and by now, it was time for you to go to work. You had an appointment to make, so you got your datapad and other tools needed and left the apartment.

Over an hour passed and, just as you were finishing up with your work for a client, your commlink chirped, followed by a voice you knew, saying, "(Y/N), it's Captain Rex. You need to get to the med bay. Kix has collapsed."

Kix's body ached, his head throbbed, his throat was on fire, he felt hot and cold at the same time and he had shivers. His eyes heavily fluttered open and he realized the ceiling didn't match the med bay's. It looked like…the ceiling of your apartment. How did he end up here? The last thing he remembered was getting a med patch for another injured Clone and then things got fuzzy. Why was he back here and not with his patients?

He attempted to move and his whole body and head twinged in pain. A moan escaped his mouth as he tried to push himself up, noticing his armor was gone and he was only in his black undersuit. 

"Oh no, you don't. You are not getting out of that bed."

Your voice sounded from a few feet away and, with another groan, he turned his head to see you coming towards him with a steaming bowl in your hands. The look on your face was a mix of relief and immense irritation. He recognized your surroundings and realized that he was indeed in your apartment somehow. 

"How did I get here?" Kix asked you as he forced himself to sit up and put a hand up to his head. 

"We had to bring you here on a stretcher. It wasn't easy, but luckily, Rex and Jesse helped me," you told him. 

Kix sighed, trying to push aside the aching throughout his body. "What are you talking about?" Then he let out a startled yelp as you pulled out a pain relief stim from your pocket and injected it into his neck without warning. 

"You collapsed in the med bay, you idiot!" you exclaimed as you put the stim down and sat on the edge of bed, carefully handling the hot bowl you had in your other hand. "I got a comm from Rex telling me to come get you because you had passed out. I told you that you've been working too hard and look at what happened."

Kix rubbed at his neck where you had just injected him and said while shivering, "I'm sh--sure it was j--just coincidence. If I…get back up and moving, I'll be f--fine."

"You're really still going to argue with me about this?" you asked back. 

By this point, he was attempting to move his legs to the edge of bed while still moaning from aches. "I h--have patients to attend to. They n--need me," he said, almost slurring his words as he got over the side of the bed and stood up shakily. 

You spoke up, "What about me, Kix? Don't you think I need you?" When he looked back at you through heavy eyes, you said to him, "I need my best friend and if you keep this up, he's going to slowly disappear. I've been charged by Captain Rex to take care of you and keep you here until you've regained your health."

His lips curled down, unamused. "Are you...s--serious?"

"Yes. So get back in this bed and eat this soup. That's an order."

"You can't…give me orders."

"I can when I've been ordered by your Captain to look after you. Now get back in bed right now before I have to sedate you."

The firmness and authority in your voice right then was strangely intimidating to Kix. It was almost scary. He knew you could be tough when you wanted to be, but you'd never gotten this way with him. He was going to respond, but he could feel his legs shaking and his body was weak. He lost his balance, but you stopped him. You moved quicker than he'd ever seen you; putting the bowl down on a table at the end of the bed and jumping up to catch him around his waist.

"You medics really are the worst patients," you commented to him as you pulled him back and helped lower him back onto the bed.

As you turned him, got his legs under the covers and sat him up against the wall, he said back tiredly, "You technicians are the worst doctors."

Picking up the bowl and scooping some soup into the spoon, you replied, "Yet I'm the one doing a better job at taking care of you. Now, shut up and eat." 

You held the spoon up to his lips and he reluctantly opened it, letting you feed the hot soup you'd made into his mouth. It was savory and tasty and the heat helped the soreness in his throat. You had figured Kix would resist staying here, but he was really giving you a run for your money. Luckily, once the first bite of soup went down, you could see him physically start to relax against the wall and sink just slightly into the bed. It seemed like he was now allowing himself to relax. You got another spoonful of soup ready, held it up and fed it to him. 

After a couple more bites, Kix said your name in a weak voice that made your heart swell with pity for him. You looked up and found him looking at you with exhausted eyes and a tired smile. 

"Thank you…," he said through an exhale. 

You smiled back. "Of course, Kix."

His head began to fall forward and you could tell he was going to succumb to sleep at any second. You urged him to lay down flat on his back and pulled the covers up all the way to help keep him warm. Almost immediately, he was out. As he lightly started snoring, you ran your hand over his buzzed, tattooed head.

"You idiot," you said affectionately before softly kissing his forehead.

Fortunately for you, you didn't have anymore clients for work for the rest of the day or the next day either, so you were able to just stay home and be there for Kix, if he needed you. Though, you could tell that the Clone was incredibly sleep-deprived because it wasn't until the afternoon the next day that Kix woke up. His rest had been a bit fitful from time to time from aches and chills, but you had given him medicine and helped lull him back to sleep each time. 

When he awoke, he took a moment to assess his situation. It appeared his fever had broken and he no longer had chills. There were still slight aches in his muscles and he still felt a bit weak, but it was already a vast improvement. He slowly sat up, grunting loudly enough for you to hear him waking up in the other room.

A few seconds later, you walked into the room and quietly greeted him. When he looked up at you, you had a sweet smile on your beautiful face that made him feel warmer than any of your homemade soup ever did, which only prompted him to smile back. In your hands, you held a cup of steaming tea and you brought it over to him. 

"How are you feeling?" you asked him as he took the cup. 

He heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm still a bit weak and will need more time to properly recover, but all things considered…I feel much better. Especially with you here."

You grinned timidly. "You definitely seem better," you commented. 

He took a sip of the tea and then asked, "How long was I out?"

Your eyebrows shot up and you answered, emphasizing each word, "Twenty. Whole. Hours, Kix."

His eyes widened and he nearly spit out the second sip of tea he'd taken. "What?"

Nodding, you said, "Yeah…you haven't slept in days, so I'd say you needed every second of that very long rest."

Kix looked down into the dark tea, catching a glimpse of his tired reflection. "I really have been bad about taking care of myself lately, haven't I?"

"You're dedicated to your work and to helping others and I admire that about you," you said, laying your hand on his shoulder, "but sometimes, you get too caught up in what you do. You try to take on the entire workload of the whole Grand Army all on your own, it seems, sometimes. It's okay to take a step back when you're feeling overworked and take a break."

He sighed, closed his eyes and nodded. "I know you're right. I just hate feeling like I'm letting my brothers down if I do."

Your hand came up to his cheek and you gently urged him to look at you. "You know none of the Clones would ever think that of you," you assured him, your thumb rubbing his cheek. "Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. Taking care of yourself makes it so you can still continue helping others, which is what you're best at." Then you worked up what courage you had and placed a kiss on his other cheek. 

At the contact of your lips on his skin, Kix froze up slightly in surprise and turned to meet your eyes when you pulled back, reaching up and grasping your hand on his cheek. Something about the look he could see in your eyes was stirring up a wave of emotions within him that he hadn't felt before. 

"I don't know if I'm still delirious from being sick or not…and you don't have to say 'yes', but…can I kiss you?" he asked of you. 

For a moment, you wondered if you were now getting sick because there was no way you'd heard him right…but the way he was looking at you and the fact you could feel him ever so slowly leaning towards you told you otherwise. 

In a shaky whisper, you replied, "Kix…I've never wanted to say 'yes' to you more than I do right now."

Kix's eyes went wide a little, shocked at how quickly and how positively you responded to him. Then, with a relieved smile, he closed the distance and pressed a sweet, chaste kiss to your lips. You felt a small shiver go up your spine, hardly believing this was actually happening. 

When he pulled back, he said hesitantly, "I know you're not supposed to kiss anyone when you're sick…but I couldn't help myself."

"I don't care," you said back. "I've…actually wanted to kiss you for a while. I was afraid to because you're my best friend and I was worried it would ruin our friendship."

"Honestly…I had thought the same thing," he admitted. 

"Wait, really?"

"Yeah, really."

You smiled again with giddiness and nuzzled his nose. "We're both pretty hopeless, I guess. Now, keep drinking that tea, soldier."

He looked down at the tea and then back at you. "I don't know. I think that kiss helped cure me and I feel a lot better."

"Mmm nice try," you said, smirking knowingly. 

"Ah, really thought I was gonna get away with that," he said with fake disappointment.

"It's like I said: medics really are the worst patients," you responded. 

He grinned back. "Well, I have to be in order to get someone like you to take care of me."

Even though you couldn't deny the butterflies you got in your stomach at his statement, you just smiled at him and replied, "Flattery is only going to get you so far with me." Then you kissed him again before ordering him, "Drink your tea and I'll get some more medicine for you."

"Yes, ma'am."

Clone x Reader Bingo 2023

[ali-r3n]

Ride on the Wild Side

Nikki Sixx x Female!Reader

Y/N takes a ride on the wild side (her husband’s thighs)

A/N: You can think Nikki for this. He posted a photo of his dressing room couch and it got me thinking.

Shoutout to @youlightmeupfinn for being amazing and writing the actual smut. I love you so much!

Part One Part Two

Smut

Nikki dropped Y/N on the red leather couch that sat in his dressing room.

With pupil blown eyes she looked up at her husband as he pulled off his shirt. She bit her bottom lip and watched him toss the black fabric over his shoulder, carelessly.

“Wait!” She exclaimed.

He stopped as he started to undo his leather pants.

“What?”

“Leave ‘em on.”

A grin spread on his face and he moved his hands away from his fly.

She gave a pat to the leather cushion next to her.

“Sit down, Baby.”

Nikki flopped down on the couch and rested his arms on the back of it.

“C’mere, Y/N/N.”

Y/N climbed into his lap and straddled one of his thighs.

~~SMUT~~

Hiking her dress up, she swept her tongue over her lips as she settled down on his thick thigh. Nikki could feel the difference between when she had panties on versus when she didn’t.

“No panties?” He asked. She shook her head, earning a delighted growl to drop from his lips.

“My dirty little girl…” He groaned.

The feel of the leather brushing into her heated core made her insides quiver. Nikki gazed up at his wife, seeing how undeniably turned on she was at the simple mounting of herself against his leather-clad thigh.

“Geez, baby… My thighs did turn you on, didn’t they?” He hissed.

She nodded her head and allowed a whimper to escape.

“Hold my hips?” She asked him quietly with a batting of her eyelashes.

Nikki wasted no time. A slick smile spread across his gorgeous features, green orbs blown wide with lust for this amazing girl that he claimed as his.

His hands rested on her hips, he tightened his grip around them as he began to feel his wife moving back and forth.

His eyes fluttered into the back of her head as she stared at him, her eyes widening with pleasure. Nikki sank his teeth into his lip.

“Oh, look at you, baby,” He growled intensely. “Getting off on daddy’s thighs,”

Her mouth fell open as she continuously moved back and forth, her slick gliding roughly aaginst the leather fabric. She moaned as Nikki leaned up ever so slightly to kiss her collarbone. Her hands weaved through his jet-black strands as she cried in pleasure.

“F-feels so good, Nik,” She spoke with a breathy pant.

Nikki smirked wildly.

“Let’s give you more,”

Before Y/N could register what was happening, Nikki repositioned them. Using his foot, he started to tap his foot up and down on the cement floor beneath him. He watched for the reaction – Y/N’s beautiful eyes squeezing shut.

“Nikki!” She cried his name. With each bump of his leg, her clit was being rubbed into by the top of his thigh.

Nikki used his hands to hold her shoulders down as she ground her mound harder and deeper against the leather.

“Atta girl, come on,” Nikki cooed. “Daddy wants to feel his baby get off on his thigh.”

She could feel the knot forming in her belly, her high building. Nikki gave her a few more bounces – ones that hit her right where she wanted him. Her cries growing louder, Nikki leaned up and kissed her deeply. His tongue pressing into her mouth drove her insanely wild as she worked to grab her high and chase it.

“S-so close, Nikki,” She informed her husband.

Nikki knew he had to get her to finish. He expertly rolled his leg, increasing and lowering the tempo. “Squeeze a little harder, kitten,” He instructed her. “Just squeeze yourself around daddy. You’ll come. I’ll make sure you come.”

Y/N listened to his instruction and tightened her legs around his thigh as she rode him faster. Nikki smirked and watched as she gasped for air, her hands bracing his shoulders.

“Good girl, that’s it… Look at you, coming on daddy’s thigh. Love you, Y/N/N,” He cooed. She quieted her moans as she finished her ride, her entire body shaking from his thigh.

~~ @youlightmeupfinn is amazing ~~

She rested her sweaty forehead against his collarbone as she caught her breath. Nikki cradled the back of her head and he rubbed her back.

“Fuck, Y/N/N. You don’t even know how hot that was.”

He pressed a kiss to her temple. He grunted when she shifted and her knee brushed against him. A very prominent tent in his leather pants.

“Give me a minute and we can take care of you,” she stated, weakly.

“Don’t worry about it, Y/N/N.”

“I want to,” she replied.

A small smile spread on his face. “Well, how can I say no to that.”

Taglist:

@buckysimp101 @youlightmeupfinn @hallecarey1 @rocknrollsoul76 @leatherandheels

[solongdaisymayy]

Cocoa

written for #WeasleyWeek hosted by @thethreebroomsticksfic. – Day 1: Molly & Arthur Weasley here's a dose of Molly and Arthur during their Hogwarts years, just some early relationship fluff and stuff. shoutout to @annabtg for beta reading and being the loveliest! ☺️

Read it below or on AO3!

Shadows dappled and danced across the castle floor as she sprinted through corridors, one hand clutching his, the other pressed against her mouth – a weak attempt at muffling the laughter that threatened to spill over. She could feel errant strands of hair escaping the plait she’d tucked it into that morning.

“Quiet,” Arthur reminded her as they climbed up another staircase, grinning. “Someone will hear us. Oh, we’re going to be in such trouble.”

“Only if we’re caught,” Molly pointed out, unable to bring herself to worry. The castle was deserted, and really, they weren’t even making enough noise to stir the dozing portraits, much less attract the ire of meddling professors.

Nevertheless, a part of her couldn’t help thinking how absurd this was. Her, Molly Prewett, sneaking out of the common room with none other than Arthur Weasley. A month ago, she’d had no idea she would soon be roaming Hogwarts hand in hand with the boy who sat quietly at the back of her Charms class but who never missed a single Muggle Studies lesson, even when he was recovering from a nasty bout of flu.

That night, they had left the Gryffindor tower in search of the Hogwarts kitchens, hoping for a cup of hot cocoa and, more importantly, a precious few moments without the rest of the house — her brothers, mainly — hovering around them.

How absurd, indeed. But also, how novel, how fantastic. Magical, one could even say.

“Wandering the castle this late at night, it’s not a good idea,” the Fat Lady sniffed disapprovingly as they came to stand, out of breath, before the portrait hole. She was peering at them from one bleary eye. Molly rather thought her sour mood was more likely due to being woken up from a deep slumber than the fact that two students had been out of bed well past curfew. Over the years, Molly herself had sneaked out of the common room far too many times to believe the Fat Lady cared about trivial things like curfew.

“Oh, er,” began Arthur, the tips of his ears turning bright red with impressive haste.

Biting back a smile, she turned back to the Fat Lady. “We just went out on a stroll. Good to get some fresh air after dinner, you know? Diricrawl,” she finished, hoping the portrait door would swing open at the mention of the latest password.

The Fat Lady arched an eyebrow, shuffling. Evidently, she was full of questions tonight, for she continued, “Fresh air? At this hour? Do you know what time it is, even?”

Molly had, in all honesty, lost track of time. They might have just been gone for fifteen minutes. Or perhaps it had been five hours. She couldn’t be sure, and much less cared, not when Arthur’s warm fingers were still wound tightly around hers.

Unfortunately, someone did care about the lateness of the hour, it seemed.

“Aha!” a voice called from behind. Molly and Arthur spun on their heels, hearts leaping into their throat at the sight of that aging enemy of every Hogwarts student: the scrupulous caretaker, Apollyon Pringle.

Pringle wagged an accusatory finger in the pair’s direction as he hobbled over. “One in the morning! One! Students aren’t supposed to be out of bed this late. This means punishment. No, shh, shh,” he pressed a finger to his mouth as Arthur and Molly began protesting, his head shaking in obvious rage. “I’ll have you in detention, I will. And it won’t be no lines, mind you. It will be more painful than that. Only way to deal with the likes of you - you delinquents…”

What with the caretaker’s dire promises of hanging Arthur by his wrists and endless mutterings about rulebreakers and suspensions and disgrace, their mood was noticeably less jovial when she and Arthur finally slipped back into the now empty common room. A few dying embers glowed in the fireplace, their smoky, crackling presence the only other sound as he kissed her goodnight and they parted ways for the night.

And yet, in spite of the detention awaiting her in the coming days, Molly couldn’t help but grin as she ascended the stairs, giddy at the thought of seeing Arthur again in the morning, and the following day, and the day after that. Wondering, as she tiptoed into her dormitory, where else they would escape to next.

[formyloveoflove]

Drink Up, Baby (Okoye x Attuma)

Part two of my Security Guard! Attuma x Stripper! Okoye Modern AU. Part One can be found here! Part Three can be found here! Shoutout to all the bad biddies in the discord for helping. Tagging those ideas that I took inspo from @pilesofpillows @xblackreader @sphinx81

Summary: Okoye has never been a stranger to handsy customers, but after Owner Ramonda warns her about her violent methods of discipline, Attuma makes sure to keep an extra eye on her as he tries to keep his hands to himself.

NSFW | Very sexual content and mature language | Minors DNI

"If I got to tell you one more time to keep your hands to yourself, I'ma do more than break your wrist, baby," she whispered into the customer's ear. One of the new girls had beckoned her over, quivering as she explained how he tried to untie her bottoms. Within her years at The Milaje, she grew tough skin and a fierce protective spirit for the dancers younger than her, much like Mama Ramonda did for her.

Her first week here had her crying in her office. Running away from her abusive ex-boyfriend, a man that looked similar to him in the front row, and she lost it on stage. Her breath hitched, and she stumbled like a baby deer in her heels, scrambling to get away from him. Ramonda had snatched her from backstage and sat her on the couch in her personal office. A box of tissues ready for her to go.

Once she calmed down, Ramonda held her under a stony gaze. Her gold teeth glowed in the darkness, and she held her neck straight. Regal, she was. If she wasn't wearing fishnets and pasties, she would've been mistake for a queen.

"Okoye, I'ma tell you this once," she said, rubbing her hands up her arm. "The Milaje is a special place. It is for us. Our refuge. I'm gone keep you safe. I'm gone help you fly, and baby, you can cry as much as you like. But," and she let her words linger in the air. "I don't raise no bitches. If you ever see that motherfucker walk up in her, up in yo' house, you send him back to his ancestors, you hear me? You took this freedom. You better fight for it everyday."

From that day one, Okoye didn't let a single person try her. Not the cheap customers, not the new girls who thought they were too big for their pleasers, not the straight-laced housewives who tried to run up on her in the parking lot. She robbed folks, and beat bitches up, and Attuma laughed when she told him.

Her car had broken down and been in the shop, and he offered to drive her home after work. When they passed a Waffle House, Okoye reminded him that even though he took her to lunch, and dinners, and movies, he still owed her breakfast.

"You really are handsome," admiring him even in the bright yellow fluorescents.

He breathe a laugh as he opened his mouth to take the piece of pancake she offered from her fork. "You've said," he chewed, darting his tongue out to catch the syrup from dripping on his chin. A small moan escaped her mouth as her eyes singled in on the action. "Don't look at me like that, Ko-Ko. I'd fuck you in that bathroom."

She bounced in her seat. "They bathrooms nasty as hell. Fuck me in the backseat." Attuma downed his orange juice like it was a shot of tequila, slamming some twenties on the table to cover the bill with a hefty tip.

Her feet pressed against the window. She moaned as his tongue pushed flat against her clit, twisting her nipple between her fingers. "Attuma," she cried, gripping his hair and pulling his mouth closer. His tongue darted inside her, and her body retreated. When he groaned against her, he tightened his hand around her thighs. He kept her firm in place.

"Don't run from me, Okoye," he demanded as his fingers danced inside her. Her voice raising in pitch told him that he found the spot he was looking for her. His tongue met her clit again, and she screamed like she was racing down the last hill of a rollercoaster. "Come on, baby. Come on!"

Come, she did. Her last moan of pleasure started in the base of her throat as her toes curled and her thighs pressed him in place. She felt like she was falling, and the rough calluses of his hands from years of fighting brought her gently back to Earth. She finally released her grip on his head, and he looked up at her with a dazzling smile that revealed the rising sun. His lips wet with her juices, he was the most gorgeous man that she'd ever seen.

"Hi, Attuma," she said.

"Hi, baby," he crawled up her body like a lion on the prawl. When their lips meet, she tasted herself and a hit of orange juice.

The pained groan of the man underneath her brought her back. "I said, 'Alight, bitch!' Let me go!" She twisted harder, and he sends another scream into the air.

"Now, what's going on here?" a husky voice said in her ear. "Some trash need to be taken out?"

She slid from in-between the two mean before answering, "If you don't mind," in her sweet, sultry voice. Attuma nodded as he pinned the customer's arm behind his back, escorting him out the dance room.

Before he exited completely, he said, "Ramonda wanna see you in her office." Rolling her eyes as she walked the shaken new girl back to the back, she made sure she was settled back at her vanity before making her way farther back. She knocked on the owner's door and entered when she heard, "Get in here."

Sitting on the corner of her desk, Ramonda crossed her arms over her barely cover breasts with the devil in her eyes. "Sit your ass down," she motioned towards the couch, and Okoye had a feeling that this wasn't going to be about her roughening up the customers again.

A week ago, during the three hours between when The Milaje closing and the cleaning crew coming, Okoye had her fingernails digging into the back of the seat as she bounced on top of Attuma's thickness. The sweat pooling on his forehead was driving her crazy. His eyes were glued to where they were connected. Him disappearing inside of her warmth had him growling loudly as he thrusted his hips up, pulling a moan from her soft lips.

"You're driving me fucking crazy!" he yelled in her face. He matched his speed with hers, sending her breasts dancing against his chest. She wrapped her hands around his throat, and she loved the way his eyes lit up and the smile that graced his lips. She slowed her hips, wiping them around in a circle, rotating like the Earth around the sun. "Goddamn, you're so warm. Fuck me."

"I am, baby," she laughed as his breath tickled her neck. She saw his fingers twitch, and she slammed down on him, earning a loud, "Fuck!" and his hands into fist. "Don't touch me, Attuma. Customers cannot touch the dancers. House rules, baby!"

"I ain't no damn customer," he growled as she settled into a rhythm. Quick, then slow, then slow. She leaned back forcing his cock into a new position in her, and he banged his head on the wall behind him. "You're so goddamn evil."

She pressed her fingers harder into the slide of his neck, and the moan that he released so soft that it surprised her. She wonder if that’s what he sounded like when he went home at night. In the security of himself, would he fist his dick and let that gentle breath run from his throat to his lips. Her pussy spasmed, and she knew his nails were cutting into his palms.

"I'm following the rules," she moaned, tossing her neck back as she did. "You are a customer." Her hips were starting to ache, but she was obsessed with the way their stomaches jumped in unison. "I dance for you." She goes faster. "I suck your dick." Faster. "Let you eat my pussy." He whimpered as his eyes started to water. If looks could kill, baby, she would be halfway to the morgue by now. "Baby, I ride you like a damn bull."

He couldn't keep his moans in. The veins in his neck were popping, and spit splattered when he yelled. She abruptly stopped. She stared him in his eyes as he caught his breath from his almost climax.

"Do you know how you pay me?" she asked, caressing his face.

His foot tapped underneath them, and his voice cracked, "Okoye, please." She slapped his hand away from her waist.

"Mr. Customer, you pay me in meals, in flowers, in movie tickets-" she listed slowly.

"That ain't payment," his eyes rolled into the back of his head before he focused on her. She knew that he knew what she wanted from him. Last week, laying on his chest as they watched tv at his house, she had asked him a simple question.

"What are we, Attuma?" she had said. His eyes widened, and he said nothing. She laughed it off, hiding her hurt feelings as she tried her best to focus back on the show, but she couldn't hear anything but her heart breaking in her chest. She went home shortly after that, feeling dirty under her shower water.

His dick pulsed inside of her, "Then what is it, Attuma?" Say it, she silently demanded it. I need to hear it.

"They are gifts for my-" he was struggling to keep it together. Okoye shifted in anticipation. His silence at that moment as scary as it was on his couch.

"For who?" she forced him to look at her. The desperation was clear in her eyes. She had been the sugar baby, the side piece, the fantasy before. She couldn't handle it again.

"For my girlfriend," he said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I told you this."

"What?" she bounced in surprise, and he gritted underneath him. "When?"

"Last week," his voice was hoarse. A hint of annoyance laced with patience as he quickly explained to her that when she had asked him what they were, he thought she was adorably oblivious. Of course, he liked her. Of course, they were going out. She was as gorgeous as she was smart, as funny as she was kind, as talented as she was perfect.

"Oh, baby," she said, capturing his lips in hers. "I'm so sorry." They stayed for a moment. Their wetness mixed wonderfully as she guided his hands to her waist. One second she had her cheek pressed against his, and then the next, her cheek pressed into the velvety cushions of this very couch with Attuma hollowing her out behind her. He stretched her so deliciously that the sounds of her pussy clinging to him filled the room.

"You wanna apologize?" Attuma groaned. His hips snapped against her, and the roughness of it all made her clit bounce. She reached underneath them to rub herself to release, but a slap to her ass stopped her in her tracks. He snatched her wrists in one of his hands, and kept her pressed to him with a wrapped around her waist. "Look at that ass."

Her wetness dripped down her thigh, leaving a stain on the purple couch. Attuma was pumping her fast and hard, growling behind her in rage and arousal. "Come here!" he dragged her up to his chest. Wrapping his arm around her, he squeezed her breast, sucked on her neck, and fucked her in wanton. The couch creaked underneath them as Attuma fucked her upwards. When his hand found her clit, she bit her lip so hard that it bruised the next day. She held onto him like she never wanted to let him go. Her name on his lips he emptied out inside of her, adding his own stain right next to hers.

They had deeply cleaned the couch afterwards, so she knew there was no stain. There was no way that she could know. Yet that didn't stop Okoye from shaking in her boots.

"Ko-Ko, I love you like you are my own," Ramonda started, "but you can't keep beating niggas up in here. I don't like dealing with cops, but next time they come sniffing around her with some assault charges, I'm sending them to your door."

Okoye sighed a breath of relief, nodding her head. "And I saw what you did tonight. Find another one to protect them girls now."

Okoye nodded again, avoiding her gaze. "And one last thing, the bathroom was fine, the parking lot a little risqué, the stage is just kinky as hell. But," she heard her press a button and the sounds of her and Attuma's moans filled the speakers. Her eyes shoot up to see three different angles of her riding Attuma, and she was absolutely horrified. "Next time my cameras catch y'all horny ass fucking on my shit, I'm throwing both of y'all out. Understand?"

Okoye couldn't apologize fast enough. Ramonda dismissed her with a tight smile, telling her that as soon as they buy her a new couch it can be water under the bridge. On the drive to her house, she told her boyfriend the terrifying news, and he laughed before producing a flash drive.

It wasn't until they got home, and he hooked his computer to her tv did she realize three things:

it was labeled "Highlights"

It was up to four hours long

Attuma had absolutely no shame

I hoped y'all like this installment! It's longer than I thought, but I felt like y'all deserved it. I think I got another part for this AU in me.

AO3 Link

[someone-who-loves-kpop-saranghae]

It's okay!

!Lee: Y/n

Ler: Seonghwa

Relationship : Friends

Genre: Ateez Fluff, Ateez tickle

A/n: Sooooo I'm excited to write this fic bcz it's one of my big dreams that someone in my rl is like this 😭 like Seonghwa at all I love him sm

Warnings : This is a tickle related Fanfiction, so if this is not your type, feel free to scroll my dear

🖤-🧡-🖤-🧡-🖤-🧡-🖤-🧡-🖤-🧡-🖤-🧡-🖤

'Y/n was laying in his arms, being tickled to death but she liked it soooo much! And he did too!!! But she will soon regret that she told him she is t-wordish. He now began to-' "Y/NAHHHHHHH!!! COULD YOU IMAGINE TO HELP ME COOK TODAY?! THE OTHERS ARE TOO LAZY AND-" "STOP SHOUTING SEONGHWA I CAN CLEARLY UNDERSTAND YOU" you shouted back and rolled your eyes.

You looked back at your laptop and continued writing the fanfiction for your Tumblr T-word blog. This time it was a TXT fiction about Kai. You loved your blog but it was a dangerous job because anyone can find out you're a Lee... You were praying that nobody will find it. "Hey! You didn't hear me?! C'mon please could you help me?" Seonghwa suddenly came into your room. You flinched and closed your laptop. Very fast and very loud. Way TOO fast and loud. Seonghwa got curious.

"Wait what were you doing there?" he asked. Silence. "Y/n?". Silence... "Hey?! I'm talking to you!". Still Silence. Because you would never lie to Seonghwa. You loved him as your best friend and don't wanted to make him feel dissapointed. So you just said nothing. You were silent. And gone weak. Literally weak. I mean it! He came to you and grabbed your laptop.

He managed to take it without you fighting back. He opened it and you saw his eyes moving. He read the fiction. His eyebrows lifted the more he was reading. He saved the writing and looked at your for-you-page. Scrolled through it. Looked at your Like-history. Then he looked at you. You were curled into a small, embarassed as hell ball of yourself. "What's a Lee?" was the only thing he asked. After all it was kinda surprising.

You did not answer, you just stood up quickly and ran out of the door. You ran through the whole appartment with tears in your eyes. You were embarassed. As hell. Goshhhh it is so freaking shitty that he saw it! You did not want him to think bad about you. Especially not to think you're a paranormal girl who liked twording. Nobody does. (A/n: Okay shoutout at the Community I LoVe YoU!!! Feels like home here 🫶🏻 I first though I was like sick, but then I found you guys, thank youuuuu) (A/n: PS: The Community is big! VERY big! It's kinda scary bcz you know nobody in person and you don't know if u know them in person...)

You ran throug the whole appartment, through the living room where Honjoong and Mingo were. They asked what was wring but you didn't answer. Ans they let you. You ran through the corridor where you bumped into Wooyoung. He pulled his arms around you and hugged you thight. You only cried more and you hear Seonghwa behind you. So you escaped from Wooyoung's hug and ran into the bathroom, where you locked the door and sat down in the shower.

*Seonghwa's POV*

"What the hell is a Lee..?" Seonghwa said. He was searching through your account if there was a description. Then he finally found something in her likes.

'A Lee is normaly a person who liked to be tickled or is the victim of the Ler, who likes to tickle others. Lees in fictions are the tickle victims who are getting tickled, Lers are ones who tickle the Lee. A person can be both, both meanings or Lee and Ler.

Credits to everyone who is new in the community

#Leemood #lermood #ticklecommunity #whatareyou #tword #twordcontent #leeexplaining #lerexplaining'

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" Seonghwa understood. He understood her completely. His good brain remembered every action in the past of Y/n. He often asked why she did something. Now it made sense. And why she ran away... She was embarassed. But it was completely okay to be a Lee! It's nothing bad to make other people laugh! And he actually was a Ler. He just found out! He knew why she didn't tell anyone bcz he wasn't going to tell anyone either. He was sure she thought he would think bad about her now. She always thought this. She thought he would tell the other. Would use it against her. But he would never! Never ever would he do something she wouldn't like. He loved her! They were best friends and he was her favourite oppa! They were confident in each other!

Seonghwa stood up and went out of Y/n's room. He saw Honjoong and Mingi being at the sofa in the living room They must have seen her! "Hey! Have you seen Y/n?" Seonghwa asked. "Uhm yeah... she ran through and bumped into Wooyoung..." Honjoong said. "What has come over her?" "I'll maybe explain later" Seonghwa answered. "WOOYOUNG!!!" Seonghwa heard a "Yes" out of Sans and Wooyoungs room and he went toe them and opened the door. "Woo, where's Y/n?" "She ran into the bathroom, all crying... what's with her?" he asked and sounded worried. "I'll maybe explain later..." Seonghwa said. "Thanxxx Woo!"

*Y/n's POV*

*Knock Knock* "Y/n are you in? Please open the door." it was Seonghwa. He surely wanted to talk about your friendship and why he did not wanted to live with you anymore. "It's okay I understand why you don't like me anymore..." you said quietly. He heard it. "Y/n I love you and you know that! It's okay! Please let me in" he begged. You slowly went to the door and opened the door. He was fast. He had wrapped his arms around you in two seconds, holding you in a big, strong Seonghwa-hug. You had missed him. So much. You hugged him back and he stroke your head. "It's okay it's okay calm down" he whispered as you started crying again. He closed the door with one hand and held you then woth both of his strong, muscular, Seonghwa-like arms. You cried your eyes out and he was just there for you, always whispering "Shhhhh.... It's okay......shhhhhhh.... it's okay Y/n it's allright shhhhhhhh...." you calmed down and your tears stopped.

"You know what? It's fine to be a Lee! I'm a Ler btw" Seonghwa said out of all sudden. "Ehm Seonghwa ...." you tried to form a normal sentence. "Yeah?" he asked. "You're so random. But thank you...~ I love you" you said and hugged him again. You two were now sitting on the floor in the bathroom. "No It's real! I really am, sometimes! I love you too~" he said and hugged you back. "You know what? Do u want me to be your Ler?" he asked. Again out of all sudden. "Wha-What? Do you mean it?" you were confused. Very confused. "Yes! I mean for now. Or should I say, do u want me to tickle you?" he explained. And you blushed. Hardly. But then you bravely nodded.

His eyes sparkled. You saw how happy he was. He tickled you before, so he knew what was effective on you. But he decided to start easy on you. He lightly moved his hand under your hoodie and spidered over your side. "Ahhhhahaah Seonghwahaha I love youhahah" you giggled. "I love you too Y/nah!" he said and smiled happily. Then he spidered over your tummy and ribs too. He began scribling over these spots too. Your laugher went a few octaves higher. He layed you down on the fury floor and used the other hand too. "Ahahahahah Seonghwahaahhaa it tihihiihckles so bahahahd" you tried to say. "I know Sweetie~" he teased. Then he clawed over your whole midsection too. You sqealed. "AAHHHhahaahaha gohoohohd hehahahalp" "Aww you're so cuteeee" he teased again. Then he wanted to go rough on you. He suddenly squeezed your sides mercylessly amd you went crazy from the ticklish surprise.

"AHHHHHAHAHHAA SEONGHWAHAHAHAHA NAHAHAHHA" he moved fast over your sides, upper and down... Under your ribs and over your hips. The spot directly over your hipbone made you go crazy. He hit a nerve. "AAAAAAHAHAH SEONGHWAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHHAHA" "Awwww weak spot right cutie~" "But I know you can scream louder~" he said. Saying that, he placed his hands on your hip, digging his thumbs into it. Directly at your hipbone, you went crazy. "NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA HEEHEHEEHAHAHHAHAHLP AHAHAHAHAH" you screamed. In fact, like he just said, louder than before. He seemed satisfied. But not too satisfied to let you go. Then Seonghwa moved up to your ribs.

"How many ribs does a human have? Ohh I don't know.... Maybe I should just count?" he said.... And he did........ He scribbled, clawed and poke all over your lowest rib. "Oneeee~". Then the second. "Twooooo~" he teased. Then the third, fourth,....He continued tickling you until you were exhausted and your laugher went silent. "I'm sorry Y/n did I go too far?" he looked worried.

"Nohoh it's allright I'm fine Seonghwa..." you said. And there was something else to say... But you weren't brave enough to say. "You were pretty good... Thank you Seonghwa... I loved it..." you shyly said. Well, you were brave enough. (A/n: Just Imagine I would be brave enough to talk about being a Lee😭 I am definetly NOT and it'll always be my secret🥲) Seonghwa seemed happy, proud, lucky and in awe at the same time. "Wow thank you Y/nahhhhh! I loved it too... And I love you!" he said cutely. You smiled. He did too.

He hugged you again and then he asked if he should tell the others. He knew they wouldn't make a joke about her. You knew too. And you nodded. YOU NODDED! Proud of Y/n now! Seonghwa was too. You two went to the other seven Ateez members and told them to come together. They all came, looking worried. Seonghwa told them since you didn't want to tell them yourself. They all said that it's completely fine. They hugged you and said that you'd always can come to them if you had the mood. And with any other problems. You knew, they'd always be there for you. You loved them all so much...

~End~

A/n: Ahhhhh I like it... I love Seonghwa and the other members sooo much ahhh. And I know that I'll never be brave enough to tell anyone so I'll just imagine it, that'll satisfie me. So it's in the middle of the night here and my neighbors are partying and listening to extremely LOUD and BAD music and I just wanted to sleep😭 but I wrote this fic because I was not able to sleep at all... It's so late now and I'm tired, I hope they'll be silent now... They won't but I'll try to sleep. Good night Guys🫶🏻

[whimsicallyenchantedrose]

The Girls’ Trip Fairy Tale Ending

Summary:  This is my combined birthday gift for Joni ( @jrob64 ), Marta ( @snowbellewells ) and Krystal ( @kmomof4 ).  Happy birthday ladies! Four fandom friends are nearing the end of their annual girls’ trip when they’re suddenly visited by Isaac, the author before Henry.  He gives them an each a gift--an opportunity to jump into any scene in the storybook they want and fix it.  Large focus on CS, although other characters and relationships will be explored.  A big shoutout to @hollyethecurious and @winterbaby89 for betaing!

Word Count: 1123

Other Chapters: (2) (3) (4)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 1

“Does anyone remember what we used those puzzle pieces for in the escape room?” Krystal asked, looking up from her laptop at the kitchen table of the Pigeon Forge cabin.

“It had something to do with that map of France, didn’t it?” Joni answered from one end of the couch.

From the other side of the couch, Jen looked up from her laptop where she was busy editing.  “Yeah, it led us to that big map on the wall I think.”

“Oh, that’s right,” Krystal said, going back to her typing.

Across the room, Marta sat in the armchair, trying futilely to keep her eyes open.

It was the last day of their second annual girls’ trip, during which they’d crammed as much into the first three days as was physically possible.  This last day had been more relaxed.  They’d spent the entire day writing what was turning out to be an epically long fictionalized version of their adventures.

Now, it was closing in on midnight, and though they were all tired, no one was quite ready to call it a night.  After all, tomorrow morning they had to check out of the cabin and head back home.

For long moments all that could be heard was the clacking of laptop keys as Krystal finished writing her scene while Jen and Joni continued with their editing.

Marta lost her battle with the sandman, and her hands relaxed after which her laptop clattered to the floor.

“You can go to bed if you want,” Joni said.

Marta shook her head. “I don’t want to miss out on anything.”

Jen grimaced.  “At this point, I think all you’d be missing out on is the loud music our neighbors seem to be intent on blasting. An hour and a half past the noise ordinance.”  As though to emphasize her point, there was a loud cheer from the neighboring cabin followed by even louder music.

Marta chuckled but shook her head again.  “I don’t know what it is, but I just have this feeling, if I went to bed now, I’d be missing something.  Something big.”

No sooner had she stopped speaking than there was a crackling, fizzing sound and a formless puff of grayish smoke in the center of the living room.  When it cleared, the ladies found themselves face to face with none other than the smirking face of Isaac, the author before Henry.

For a moment no one spoke, mouths hanging open, brains trying to catch up to the fact that the impossible had just happened to them.

Finally, Jen spoke. “Seriously?  Of all the OUAT characters who could have visited us on our girls’ trip, it had to be you?”

“Could be worse,” Krystal said.  “It could have been Neal.”  She spat the name as though it was the foulest of curse words.

“Might as well be,” Joni pointed out.  “After all, the author is the one who made Neal the way he is.”

Isaac rolled his eyes.  “Everyone’s a critic.  Look, is anyone actually interested in what I’m here for, or do you just want to sit around criticizing my life’s work?”

“I’m interested,” Marta said, raising a hand.

Meanwhile, Joni mumbled “Why can’t we do both?” under her breath.

Isaac rolled his eyes dramatically once again.  “So here’s the deal.  Every writer emits a…for lack of a better word…energy, and fanfiction writers are no exception.  When someone works with an author’s original source material, that author can feel the energy.  Normally, I feel nothing but a ripple, but you, ladies, have been working together ALL DAY on your story, and to keep it brief, I felt a tidal wave.”

“Sorry?” Jen said.

“You fanfiction writers!” Isaac continued to rant as though she hadn’t spoken. “Always so critical of little things like plot holes and timelines and character development.  Always so sure you can do my job better than I can.  Well, I’m sick of it!  It’s high time I put you all in your place.”

“By… monologing us to death?” Joni deadpanned.

“No,” Isaac said, glaring at her, “by letting you try it if you think you’re so smart.”

Four confused looks met him.

Isaac reached into the messenger bag he had slung over his shoulder and pulled out what appeared to be a copy of the storybook.  “I’m giving each of you an opportunity to dive into the story at one key moment you would like to change.  You get to interact with the characters, tell them whatever you want, lead them in whatever direction you want.  Hell, you can even make one of them fall in love with you if you want.”

“But… won’t that change the whole trajectory of the story?” Jen asked.

“It may,” Isaac said, “but that’s the whole point.  If you change one thing, you’ll see the ripple effect–and just how difficult it truly is to do my job.  Don’t worry, though, once you return, all will be returned to the way it should be as though you’d never been there.”

“So, let me get this straight,” Krystal said, “you’re letting us, what, jump into the book and interact with our faves?”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing,” Isaac said with a nod.

Krystal’s excited shriek echoed through the entire cabin.

“Sorry to be a bother,” Marta piped up, “but… won’t it require a lot of explanation to the characters why random women just happened to show up in their lives?”

“Ah, exposition,” Isaac nodded sagely, “the scourge of writers everywhere.  Don’t worry, I’m trying to get all of that out of the way in this first chapter of your adventure.  For the purposes of this exercise, all the characters know you and believe you have been a part of their story from the beginning.  No need to pull attention from the narrative to explain your presence.”

“But how does that work?” Jen asked.

“Because…” Isaac sputtered, “because….magic, okay?”

For several moments there was excited murmuring among the ladies as they discussed the relative merits of various scenes they’d like to “fix”

Finally Krystal addressed Isaac once again.  “We’ve only got one more question: How do we get there?”

“That’s where this comes in,” Isaac said, tapping the storybook. “Think of the scene you’re interested in visiting, step up to the book, and in you go.  So who’s first?”

“I know exactly where and when I want to go,” Joni said, getting to her feet and stepping up to the author. “Let’s get this fix-it underway!”

The book fluttered open, the pages flipping until they rested on a drawing of the beanstalk.  Joni placed her hand on the drawing, and suddenly there was a bright flash of light, and then she was gone.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Notes:

--When I was thinking about what I wanted to do for @jrob64, @snowbellewells, and @kmomof4​ for their birthdays this year, I thought about our girls’ trip to Pigeon Forge in late May.  We wrote our favorite characters into our trip, essentially, so I thought, what if I write us into their story?  So I asked each of them this question (without explaining the context): If you could go to one scene from OUAT and fix it, which scene would it be?  In order to avoid arousing suspicion, I started the ball rolling by giving my own answer to the question.  What follows will be the results of their answers!  I find any kind of writing involving IRL people as characters to be very difficult, so hopefully this works!

--This first chapter, of course, is basically just a set up chapter containing, as Isaac warned, quite a bit of necessary exposition--but hopefully, as he suggested, most of that will be out of the way now!  Just as a point of general interest, This chapter was nearly word for word what happened to us on our last night at the cabin--well, up until Isaac showing up at least, lol.  The photo I used is the living room of our cabin...where this story starts.

--Up next on August 3rd, we start with Joni’s story!  What if Joni convinced Emma that she really wasn’t wrong about Hook and she could trust him?

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