#so if you’re reading this and you have read language of thorns please give it a shot i highly recommend

[yutahoes]

Polarity

Teaser -Chapter One - Chapter Two - Chapter Three

characters: mafia boss! Yuta Nakamoto x innocent! florist! reader

summary: While running away, you seemed to be moving closer to the man you were avoiding. Are you even heading to the right direction?

chapter word count: 3.5 k words (I am truly sorry 🙏)

chapter genre: fluff (?), suggestive (?)

chapter warning: super innocent main character, language, alcohol, nightclub, suggestive, Yuta (you'll know if you read this)

There are a lot of triggers that don't sit well with minors so please keep in mind that some scenes are disturbing and purely fictional. Please drink in moderation. Inspired by Koi no Dangan.

taglist: @sourirensoleille @kyuprincess @nuoyipeach @anonjyxd @a-bts-world @a-place-filled-with-random @smolbeanieee @yumilovesavocado @imnotsureokay @dhaly-g @spicyryujin @doodoodove @blueeyedlove-blog1 @kosmoreads @joepomonerof @calipsou @yutadae

You needed to pay the debt to the Nakamoto group.

hat would lessen the guilt you’re feeling from lying to your dad. That would diminish the fright you're feeling. That would keep you at ease. 

But you knew it wasn't that easy. 

You needed another job. A high-paying job. Maybe, you can keep bugging Sophie when she comes back from her trip. She has connections, and she can definitely help you. 

Maybe Jaehyun could help. Ask him if he knows some high-paying job. Or maybe sell yourself to him? You played with the white card on your fingers, debating whether to call him or not. But what will you say? You might just sound stupid. 

The chimes of the door can be heard and you beam a smile at the old couple coming inside the flower shop. "Can you recommend a flower for the fiftieth anniversary?" Wow, you thought, that's a long time. It's so admirable. It would be nice to celebrate anniversaries with the person you truly love. Maybe your parents would celebrate their anniversaries with lots of flowers. Dahlia and honeysuckle would be nice to put in a bouquet since it conveys the meaning of commitment and everlasting love. “Aren’t you the daughter next door?” the old lady asked and her husband nodded while exclaiming that you are. “I didn’t know you work here.” You also didn’t know that they’re your neighbors. “Does your father visit you here?” 

You gave her a curious look. How can your dad visit you at work? He can’t even go outside his room without whining in pain. You only shook your head while smiling, handing her the bouquet of flowers you carefully packed for her. The older man paid for the flowers while smiling then tilted his head as he went out the door of the shop, “He’s always out. Why wouldn’t he visit his daughter?” 

He’s not referring to your dad, right? That would be impossible. 

Ever since his leg was shot, he had difficulty walking. You can even hear him crying in pain on cold nights. You honestly didn’t know how it happened. You just saw a red dot on his leg followed by the sound of a gunshot and then blood. You even refused to look at him while he screamed in pain when the doctors amputated his leg inside the hospital room. 

Maybe the couple mistook you for another daughter from a different house. Are they even your neighbors? You decided to shrug it off and just focus on your job for now. 

If ever you did find another job, you hoped you don’t have to leave the flower shop. This is something that calms you. Something you enjoy. The only thing you enjoy, perhaps.   

The colors and the smell of flowers always keep you calm. And nothing can ever disturb the peace that the different kinds of flowers can give you. 

Since it’s already afternoon, you decided to water some of the plants to maintain their freshness. Sales aren’t that good today but that’s alright since flowers are not even a commodity. You were crouched down to remove some of the roses’ thorns when the door opened. “Welcome to…” You stopped then lightly coughed, “Sophie’s Flowers.” You stood up then bowed at the familiar brown-haired man in a light blue dress shirt, wearing glasses, standing in front of you. A young girl wearing an orange sundress holding his hand. “How can I help you?”

The little girl started moving her hands and you only stared at the older man she was with. He looked so different than when you first saw him. He looked so serious when he was next to the mafia boss, so matured that he seemed older than the latter. But now, he looks so young. Like a college kid. "We'll order a basket of white chrysanthemums, with purple hyacinths, and forget-me-nots." 

You were startled at the order. Normally, customers would ask what flowers are best for the occasion but this person knows his flowers. Certainly a first. But that combination? Are they funeral flowers? "Of course." You then headed to get the chrysanthemums in the bunch. He started moving his fingers as a way to communicate with the little girl. 

You arranged the ordered flowers in a basket, wrapping a black ribbon as the guy asked you to do. All the time you were working, the little girl was looking at you with her doe eyes as if curious about what you were doing. The guy, who you remembered as Mark, paid for the flowers. Before leaving, the young girl waved at you and Mark smiled timidly, making him look so much like a young boy. Well, he's adorable when he's smiling like that. 

But what is that situation? And what's with the flowers? Is this about the mafia boss? 

You shook your head. You shouldn't be thinking of that. You shouldn't even be thinking about him.

You knew Sophie wouldn't be back for a week but you were still surprised when you came into the flower shop one morning and she was giving you a warm hug, claiming that she missed you. You marveled at how tanned her skin looked, how glowing and happier she looked. "Hawaii is really pretty. It's a must-visit place for sure." You only smiled. You can only dream of going out of the country. She gave you lots of souvenirs from the trip that startled you. Didn't she already spend so much on this trip? 

"Don't worry." she shrugged. "A friend of mine shouldered all our expenses in Hawaii." You raised an eyebrow. Is it a guy friend? She must be lucky to have dated that guy. "She earns at least ten thousand a night." 

What? That is huge money. "Where does she work?" Maybe this is the answer you were working for. 

Sophie gave you a concerned look before gasping as if realizing that she made a mistake. "You still need another job?" You nodded. You need it now more than ever before. "She works as a hostess at the nightclub." 

"A hostess? Nightclub?" You asked innocently, “What does she do?” 

The older one held your hair, brushing the strands while sighing hard. “Honey, I’m not saying you cannot do this. But this is a complicated job.” You only gave her a confused stare. “You have to sleep with guys to earn a lot of money.” 

“When you say sleep with guys…?”

“Have sex with them.” You covered your mouth in surprise. There’s a job like that? And when Sophie said to sell yourself, she means the same thing? Oh God, and to think that you even considered selling yourself to Jaehyun. “But I can help you find a different job that doesn’t have anything to do with ruining your innocence.” 

You were thankful. Sophie is indeed the older sister you wished you had. She had always been someone who helped you whenever you are in trouble. You were also grateful that she never asks where you needed the money. That would just make her hate your father even more.  

With the help of her friend named Aeri, you were introduced to Fortune Club. It was a luxurious establishment, gold and silver splashes of color furnished the inside which showed its regal and classy vibes. Voluptuous girls, in different colored high-end dresses and thick make-up, swarm the lounge and chat to themselves in a classy way. “The pay isn’t as huge as a hostess but you can still earn a thousand per night, depending on the customers.” She explained and you nodded, following her like a lost puppy. 

You cannot be a hostess but the club is hiring waitresses which made you take on the job. Aeri, or Giselle in the club, explained that your job is to serve drinks to the customer and talk to them while they wait for the hostess they booked for the night. She also made sure that the patrons are very much aware that they cannot touch a waitress. “But VIPs are a different case. They take waitresses in a private room but I can assure you that Mama will take care of you.” That made your worry at ease. 

The other waitresses helped you recognize the different drinks that the customers would always ask for. Since it’s your first night, you just watched how the others do it. Aeri, even if she’s a hostess, took real care of you and even introduced you to some of her patrons who promised to ask for your services when they come back. 

You knew your shyness would be your ultimate problem in this job. As you watched the other waitresses, you saw how dynamic they are, how lively they are so the customers would ask for them always. The worry came when one of Aeri’s patrons did ask for you to serve their drinks. You were nervous as he was your first customer as a waitress but he made sure that you are comfortable. He liked to talk about himself and you were thankful that he has a knack for talking too much so you just listened to him. 

When Aeri came out of one of the VIP rooms, he thanked you for keeping him company and even handed you some bills as a tip. A wide smile escaped your lips as you got hold of your first tip. This way, you can save to pay for your father’s debt. 

You didn’t know what happened but every night, you will get one customer after another which earned you your first hundred thousand in just three days. At first, you thought it was Aeri’s work. Surely, she said something to the customers. But when you came on the fourth night, the top hostess of the club named Lexi greeted you. “What’s your name, newbie?” You dropped your bag and politely bowed at her, stating your name. 

Rumors about Lexi had been circulating around the hostesses and waitresses. She’s the most booked hostess and you are not surprised. She is really pretty, with fair skin, plump lips, and a curvaceous body. But she earned undesirable hate because of her attitude toward the ladies in the club. “Do you want to be a hostess?” You shook your head. “Why? Do you think so little of us?” 

What? “No, that’s not true.” You mumbled, “I’m not fit to be a hostess…” You cleared your throat and in a soft voice added, “Ma’am.”  

A smirk can be seen on her face. “I’m glad we’re clear on that.” She crossed her arms against her chest, emphasizing her breasts. “No one can defeat me here.” You nodded. Of course. 

But why would she tell you that? 

“Oh, Lexi.” You heard a female voice call and both of you turned to the owner of the nightclub. Everyone, even the customers, calls her Mama. She seemed like a typical image of a Japanese Geisha with her bright patterned kimono and the eccentric accessories on her neatly bunned hair. “You should get ready for your customers.” The younger just gave her a nod before walking away, her heels creating click-clacking on the floor. “It’s like watching your child rebel in front of you.” There was hopelessness in her voice. She does feel like a mom. “Can I talk to you, Y/N?” 

Wait, how did she know your name? And what is there to talk about? You followed her to her office, Aeri watching you with worry written on her face. Once inside, she offered you a seat and some tea. It was your first time coming inside the office and it was so homey, so quiet, unlike the nightclub. “How are you liking work here?” She asked after sipping her tea. 

You smiled, sharing how much you enjoyed the company of the girls and meeting a lot of people. “You’re becoming quite famous lately.” Huh? What? You? She showed different colored cards with different names and phone numbers written on them. “A lot of customers had been asking for you.” Asking for what? “Do you want to be a hostess?” 

It was the same question as Lexi’s. Why are they even asking you that? “I don’t think I fit well with being a hostess, ma’am.” 

“Please call me Mama.” She whispered in a soft voice. “And I think you’re the most fitting to be a hostess.” You’re not. Aeri and Sophie say so, even Lexi already showed you that you are not qualified to become one. How can you even compete with those pretty girls? “It’s a prejudice against us hostesses but not all hostesses are required to sleep with their customers. Some customers just want someone to talk to, women that could listen to them.” She gave you a warm smile. “And Y/N, they kept on asking for you because of that exact thing. You listen to them. You hear them. You understand them.”     

Maybe it was because of the fact that you grew up with your dad. He talks a lot and you just find yourself listening to his stories all the time. Maybe because you have never been that much of a talker. That you would rather listen to another person instead of sharing with them what is running in your mind. No one cares anyways. 

But being a hostess is different than just being a waitress. There is a fine line between selling your services and selling yourself. An idea that Sophie had been emphasizing to you for some time now. Before you could form an answer to Mama, a knock can be heard on the door followed by a bouncer announcing the VVIP is here. A VVIP? That was the first time you heard of a VVIP coming into the club. 

“Lexi is still with a VIP. I’ll introduce you to our VVIP.” Mama said as she helped you stand up from your chair. She put a clip with a white flower on your hair before smiling, “Maybe he can convince you to be a hostess here.” 

A VVIP? But why you? You’re just new here. 

You gasped in surprise when Mama stopped in the middle of the lounge and welcomed the man coming out of the stairs. A very familiar black-haired man with piercing black eyes. Yuta Nakamoto is the VVIP? The mafia boss is the VVIP of this nightclub? How often does he come here to acquire that title? 

And you thought Jaehyun was the playboy. 

“This is Y/N,” the older woman greeted as his eyes shifted on you, the side of his lips turning up. “She’s a new waitress here,” She started then held your shoulders. “But I hope I can convince her to be a hostess instead.” You forced a smile on your lips, eyes wandering around as your hands profusely sweat at the man’s gaze on you. Why is he looking at you like that? Is it that amusing for him? 

To think that it was his fault why you’re here in the first place. 

You didn't even know why you were in the VIP room, seated next to Yuta. It just happened. The high ceiling, the majestic chandelier, the comfortable velvet couch, and the table full of liquor made you so mesmerized. A curtain can be seen behind the couch and you wondered if it opens to a window revealing the city lights outside. “You’ve never been here, aren’t you?” You shook your head. This was your first time inside these rooms and it is way different from the set-up of the lounge. 

Yuta pulled the curtain. There is indeed a window and the city lights can be seen but it’s still a few meters away from where you are sitting. In the middle was a poster bed that startled you, and a tub and shower area boxed by transparent glass can be seen. There is something like that here? It looks like a luxurious hotel you can only see in magazines. “When things are heated up, the couch is not even enough.” He shared, leaning his back on the couch. “I think this is the only VIP room with a bed.” And Mama reserves this room for a VVIP like him? He might have frequented the nightclub. 

Not only is he a ruthless man. He’s also a playboy who enjoys spending nights with girls. To top it off, he’s a mafia boss. The reddest of all red flags of all. He really is a dangerous man. 

“Do you want this job?” 

You sat properly then pouted, looking for a correct way to answer his question. It’s not bad. But you cannot find yourself doing this for a long time. “I need this job.” You claimed then pouted once again, it was his fault why you were here. “It’s so hard to earn money these days. The flowers aren’t even selling too much.” You sighed. “But here, money is given like a breath of air. It’s funny how a lot of men are spending too much money in this place when there are others who have to work their asses off to earn that much money.” 

You stopped and then gasped at what you said. Why are you blabbering so much? “I’m sorry. It’s not…” 

He shook his head, the sides of his lips curled up. “Do you drink?” He took a bottle of what you recognized as tequila. You tried to take it from him but he was already pouring contents into the glass in front of you. You’ve never tried it before. Normally, the customers would offer you cocktail drinks. 

The other waitresses had warned you not to reject the drinking offers even if you don’t like to drink. That would make the customers annoyed or angry and you don’t want that. With the mafia boss, who you saw shot someone twice, the last thing you want to do is get him angry. You downed the whole glass of tequila, hissing at the burning of your throat. It’s on fire. Why would they make alcoholic drinks like this? 

Your eyes were tearing up at the pain when you heard a hearty laugh beside you. The ruthless mafia boss is laughing at you? He must really be a sadist. “You should have rejected my offer if you don’t know how to drink.” What? He handed you a lime telling you to suck on it. 

You wrinkled your face, eyes squinting, as the sour taste stayed on your tongue. His laugh echoed in the room once again but you didn’t know whether to feel happy or disappointed that you managed to amuse him. While gulping your saliva that tastes sour, you can feel the easing of the burning in your throat. So that is why tequila is served with lime? “Then why is there salt?” 

You didn’t know that you said that out loud if not for Yuta taking the small dish with salt. “I’ll show you how to drink tequila properly.” He asked you to hold the lime as he poured tequila into his shot glass. He took a pinch of salt then poured it on the back of your hand which is holding the lime.        

Yuta leaned closer to you and you stopped your breath. He licked the salt from your hand, took a shot of the tequila, then sucked on the lime. A gasp escaped your lips that you let go of the lime and retracted your hand from his hold. What was that? “That, Y/N…” he claimed, removing the lime from between his lips. “...is how you drink tequila.”  

You just blinked at him, your mind whirring but remaining blank. Your heart thumped so fast in your chest that you can hear it drumming in your ears. “You seemed to like flowers.” He claimed then fixed the hair clip on your hair, “Is there a flower that means innocence?" 

"Lily." That was the only thing running through your mind. The white flower design on the hair clip. 

Yuta smiled at you. A handsome smile, you should note. He looks different like this. "If you were to become a hostess, Lily would be a great name for you." You knew that the hostesses use different names to hide their identities but if you become one, the customers already knew who you are so there’s no use in using a different name. But Lily is a nice name. "And if that time comes, Y/N…” He tucked your hair behind your ear, “I want to be your first customer." 

It felt stupid. You knew you look stupid blinking at him in surprise. Yuta stood up leaving wads of cash on the table then patting the top of your head, “Still, the decision is all yours Y/N.” 

He fixed his jacket and you stood up in reflex. He’s leaving already? “Aren’t you meeting Miss Lexi?” 

A smirk can be seen on his lips. “I have enough amusement for today.” He turned to you, making you freeze. He was smiling once again. “I’ll see you around, Y/N.” 

Your knees gave up on you as he left the room. Why do you feel so hot? Why does your heart thump louder against your ears? Why do you feel so tingly? 

This is crazy! The mafia boss is making you crazy. 

Yuta Nakamoto is a really dangerous man. 

Chapter Four

[inej-the-wraith-ghafa]

let’s talk about about Leigh Bardugo’s book titles may sound pretty but uhh most of them don’t actually make any sense

1. Shadow and Bone - Okay, it sounds cool, and this one,,,kinda makes sense if you squint a little? the darkling has shadow powers so that where the shadow comes in, and the bone part can be referring to the antler amplifier. bit weird that alina’s light powers isn’t referenced at all because that’s the main part of the books, but overall not too bad i guess.

2. Siege and Storm - There may be a siege at the end of the book, but uh far as i’m remembering there wasn’t any storms, certainly not any with actual plot relevance. i get what she was going for with alliteration, and yeah it sounds like a pretty title but doesn’t really make sense in the context of the book.

3. Ruin and Rising - I really don’t have much to say here, it’s a pretty vague title in the first place. it’s another example of alliteration and it sounds cool, but it could to applied to almost any fantasy book and it would work as a title

4. Six of Crows - i think this may be the best title, there’s six of them and they’re part of the dregs gang who are repped by crows. no real problems here except that matthias isn’t technically part of that dregs but we ignoring that

5. Crooked Kingdom - look i adore crooked kingdom but to this day i could not tell you what the title means at all. i mean what kingdom are we even referring to? Kerch isn’t a kingdom, and that’s kinda where the whole book take place. the most sense i could make of the crooked part is that our main characters are all crooks, so maybe it’s alluding to that? idk man this book slaps anyway

6. King of Scars - this is the one title that actually doesn’t require any critical thought behind it LMAO. it’s about nikolai, he’s the king of scars. my issue lies with the next book however, bringing us to:

7. Rule of Wolves - “rule of wolves” sounds badass . but in the context of the book it doesn’t make that much sense? like yes it’s referring to Fjerda’s power, but,,Fjerda isn’t the only player in the novel. The key plots of the book is not just Ravka’s conflict with Fjerda but also with the Shu Han, and a even a little with the Kerch. so just making the title about Fjerda doesn’t really add up?? i feel like it would be better for the book title to be referring to ravka somehow since they are at the center of the novel

8. Language of Thorns - so language of thorns is a collection of short stories, and after thinking this one through its,,actually really clever? that is if i’m understanding this right - so in the first story there is this thornwood, where you are required to speak the truth. this is reinforced by the words in the back cover “love speaks in flowers. truth requires thorns”. So the title language of thorns implies honesty, meaning that all these fairy tales in the book are the “truth”. considering that a lot of the tales seem to start out with the premise of ordinary fairy tales but have darker/unusual twists from what would be a cookie cutter stereotypical ending, this makes a lot of sense and is actually pretty cool. i set out to critique it but nevermind, this one is an exception.

if you made it this far thank you, this post was made entirely in my head in the shower, (i was randomly thinking, huh. what does the title shadow and bone even mean? and it just spiraled from there) i mostly wrote it down to get all my thoughts sorted LMAO.

[ragingbookdragon]

We Only Get One Love, I Want To Make It Count, Honey, Come On Now And Take My Hand

Barry Allen x Reader Story

Word Count: 7.4K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: I've been writing this for like a week. Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

Barry handed the file over to the detective next to him. “Tox screen came back negative. He wasn’t using, but the cocaine was laced with another complex chemical compound we’re still trying to break down and identify.”

“Most dealers don’t use their goods,” he countered, flipping the file open to read it. “But he wasn’t the dealer. He’s just a mule.”

The forensic scientist frowned. “The amount of cocaine he was carrying wasn’t even a quarter of a gram. It doesn’t make sense that he was a mule. A buyer, maybe, but not a mule. Something else was going on at the drug deal.”

“Nothing can ever be simple with you, can it, Allen?” the detective asked. “Kid was in a drug deal gone wrong, that’s it.”

“I don’t believe that,” Barry argued, one hand clenching at his side. “He was a straight A student and ran track. He had scholarships lined up through the doors. Good kids like this don’t fall into drug deals so dangerous that they end up dead.”

“So, what? You’re gonna go scour the streets and ask around the local dealers to find out?”

“It’s as good a plan as any,” he retorted. “I won’t let this become a col—”

“Barry?”

The two men paused, turning their heads to the side to see a young woman, no older than Barry, with a look of surprise on her face, quickly shifting into excitement. “Barry Allen!” she greeted, and Barry hadn’t even realized she had her arms around his waist as she hugged him and swung him slightly. “Oh my God, I haven’t seen you since senior graduation!” She pulled away and placed her hands on either side of his shoulder. “You look fantastic!”

Barry blinked, mind flashing back to high school, which felt so long ago, and oh my God, he was only thirty-four; realization hit him like a train, and he offered her a bright grin. “(Y/N)!” he pulled her back into a hug, squeezing her tightly. “Wow!” he shifted back to take in her features only to pull her in again for the third time. “You look fantastic!”

She laughed and leaned back, giving him a once over. “I see you made good on your dream of becoming a forensic scientist. I bet you’re the best CCPD has.”

His cheeks warmed and he brushed it off with, “No, there are definitely others here that are way better than I’ll ever hope to be.”

“Still as humble as ever,” she humored, turning to look at the detective who was staring at her like she was made of gold. “Good morning.”

“G—good morning,” he breathed. “Holy shit, you’re (Y/N) (L/N).”

“I am,” she smiled.

“Can I take a picture with you?” he asked, suddenly dazzled, and pulled out his phone. “Please!”

(Y/N) laughed and gently pulled from Barry, leaning into the detective’s side as she grinned towards the camera. The shudder flickered and they separated, him gazing at the screen in adoration. “Thank you, Miss (Y/N).”

“Of course!” she chirped. “I’m always happy to take photos with fans.” She leaned close and whispered, “Just don’t post that until I leave CCPD or else you’ll see a swarm of people come in here.”

He chuckled. “Detective’s word, I won’t until you’re back in your limo, Miss (Y/N).”

“Thank you.”

Barry looked between them, blonde brows furrowing. “I must be missing something. Are you famous now or something, (Y/N)?”

Before she could answer, the detective gave him an offended look. “Are you serious, Allen? Like, seriously?”

“Uh…yes?”

He blinked. “(Y/N) (L/N) just signed with Wayne Enterprises like a year ago. She’s the newest model to enter the real big leagues. She makes bank, dude. And I mean like, Kendall Jenner, Bella and Gigi Hadid bank.” He winked at (Y/N). “Don’t take it personally, Miss (Y/N), Allen’s always out of the loop with the newest shit.”

She giggled as Barry’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, he’s been that way since we were kids. I wouldn’t have suspected any different.”

Either Barry was tired of being embarrassed or he had the sudden realization that (Y/N) wasn’t here because she wanted to catch up, because he asked, “(Y/N), what are you doing here at CCPD?”

Immediately, her smile dropped, and an uncomfortable look came over her face. “Oh…well, you see, someone broke into my apartment last night while I was asleep.” (Y/N) looked away. “I woke up to someone rummaging through my drawers and well…”

Barry’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, were you hurt or anything?”

“No! no!” she replied hurriedly. “I screamed and managed to scramble into my bathroom and call nine-one-one.” (Y/N) turned and pointed into the squad-room. “One of the detective’s was tasked with casing my apartment and checking the security footage to see how they got in.”

Understanding he was in a private conversation, the detective slapped Barry on the shoulder. “I gotta go take this to my partner. Don’t think too hard about the case, Allen. Some things are better left alone.” He winked again at (Y/N). “Thanks again for the photo, Miss (Y/N).”

“Absolutely!” she smiled and waited until he walked away to turn back to Barry and gripe, “Your detective there sounds like a real dick.”

Barry almost choked on his spit at her insult and quickly said, “He’s a hotshot detective. Thinks he can power through everything. He just got the award for most cases closed this year.”

“Well, cutting corners like that is going to get someone hurt or worse,” she retorted, gazing at him. “Justice is deserved by all, no matter how much it takes to prove it.” (Y/N) cleared her throat and waved a hand. “Sorry, you didn’t stay here for a sermon.”

He smiled. “Don’t worry about it, (Y/N), I feel the same.” Her smile made something bubble in his chest and suddenly he was struck by how beautiful she was. Quite a lot different from the high school years, but didn’t everyone mature ten to fifteen years after? Obviously, she wasn’t dressed up like she was going to a glamorous party, but she did look like she was going to host a luncheon for other models. Barry blinked. “Your apartment though, how long until you’re allowed to go back in?”

“I’m not sure,” she shrugged. “Detective Reisse said it’d be a few days to thoroughly go over everything. They think the intruder is a stalker who knows my movements and locations.” A brief expression of worry so heart-wrenching came over her face and Barry felt for her as she said, “My boss paid for me to stay in the hotel across from here, but…I don’t exactly feel safe in a penthouse that big and lonely.” She shook her head. “It’s weird I guess, but that’s how I’m feeling right now about it.”

Before he could comprehend that his mouth was moving, he was offering, “Why don’t you come and stay at my house for the time being?” her face must’ve given away her surprise because Barry flushed for what seemed like the hundredth time and scratched the back of his neck. “I mean, it’s just a suggestion. I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything, but I just think you’d feel more comfortable somewhere familiar. I mean, the house isn’t going to be familiar to you, but we’ve known each other since we were kids, and I—”

“Barry, I’d love to take you up on that offer,” she said over his rambling, halting him in his tracks and (Y/N) grinned. “But I do hope you know that I take long, hot showers and make cookies at three A.M. when I’m stressed.”

He gave her a pearly smile. “Are they the double chocolate cookies you used to make in Home EC?”

“Actually, they’ve become triple chocolate because I coat the tops in chocolate ganache.” His mouth started to water, and his stomach grumbled causing her to laugh as he prodded it with a blush across his nose. “I guess I’m going to be making some tonight.” Her eyes widened. “Unless I’m not coming over tonight but tomorrow?”

“Tonight is okay,” Barry replied. “Do you need to get your things from the hotel?”

“Yeah,” she started, giggling when his stomach grumbled again like a starved whale. “But first I think we should get you some food before you keel over.” (Y/N) turned, intent to walk away then paused and looked back. “When is your lunch break?”

Barry smiled. “Right now.”

She grinned and held out her arm for him to take. “Then let’s go to the conference room in this place and order DoorDash.”

As she pulled him off, he asked, “What’s DoorDash?”

***PART TWO***

“I haven’t been down this street in at least a decade,” she murmured from the driver’s seat. “It’s changed so much and yet not at all, y’know?”

Barry hummed bemusedly. “The Homeowner’s Association came in and forced everyone to get picket white fences and cut their grass every other day.”

“God forbid human beings do manual labor,” she laughed and glanced at the GPS arrow coming closer to Barry’s house. “Should be the next house on the left, right?”

“Yeah, the dark gray one right there,” he said, pointing across the dash.

(Y/N) turned the wheel and pulled into the driveway, shutting off the engine; she got out of the car and popped the trunk, pausing to look over his home. “Your house is gorgeous, Barry.”

He nodded. “It’s small and kinda quaint, but it’s home.” He glanced at her. “We have to share a bathroom, I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t,” she answered, trying to yank her suitcase out of the trunk, but Barry gently took the handle from her and lifted it with ease. “Is that not heavy to you?”

Barry laughed. “I’m stronger than I look, (Y/N). I’m not a beanpole like I was in high school.”

She tipped her head back and cackled, grabbing her smaller carry-on. “Oh my God, you were so tiny in school. I could’ve looked through you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I was skinny. Now I’m not.”

(Y/N) cocked a brow and prodded his side. “You’re not skinny, Barry, you’re fit.” Reaching up, she squeezed his bicep. “How often do you work out?”

“I, uh…whenever I can?”

“Look, either you’re a total gym nut or you’re on steroids.”

“I am not on steroids!” he retorted. “I run! A lot!”

She grinned and waited for him to unlock the door before entering behind him; she paused in the doorway and inhaled. “Reminds me of Darryl’s house back on the other side of Central. Vanilla and cinnamon wall plugs, right?”

Barry glanced at her. “Good nose. You remember Darryl?”

(Y/N) offered him an almost offended look. “I’m hurt you thought I wouldn’t.” she set her bag on his couch. “You act like we didn’t spend the night over at each other’s house all the time.” Suddenly she forgot her hurt and laughed. “Do you remember the time that Darryl worked late and came home to the two of us watching Alien in the blanket and cushion fort we made?”

“I do,” he chuckled and set her suitcase down. “You were too afraid to go home that night even when he offered to drive you back, so he called your mom and asked if you could spend the night.”

She smiled. “We didn’t sleep the entire night and ended up camping on Darryl’s floor because we were so scared.” (Y/N) gazed at him, voice turning solemn. “I’m sorry I haven’t kept in contact with you, Barry…I feel horrible about the distance between our friendship.”

Barry’s frown was short-lived as he nodded and gave her a soft smile. “If you’re to blame, then so am I, (Y/N). Contact goes both ways.” He tipped his head to the side. “We’ve both been busy with our lives, but look at us,” he said, gesturing to them. “It’s been what, three hours since we reunited and it’s like nothing changed.”

(Y/N) almost melted and she looked away with a smile, whispering, “You’re always so sincere, Barry.” She laughed quietly and glanced around towards the kitchen. “Mind if I see what I can make for dinner? I’m feeling like I’m going to be owing you some dinner for a few days and maybe some rent.”

“Dinner, yes, rent, don’t even think about paying me,” he snorted. “You’re staying here because you’re my friend, not a tenant renting my guest room.”

She looked back as he picked up her carry-one and started towards the guest room. “You say that now, but just wait a few days and you’ll be asking for a grand or two in reparations for all the inconveniences.”

“I’ll wager you fifty that I won’t.”

“Deal!” she called out as she wandered into the kitchen and he the bedroom.

***

She curled her feet up on the couch and perched on the end of the sofa, him the other end; both had bowls of spicy, enchilada soup in their hands, eyes glued to the TV. “God, would you look at those graphics,” she muttered. “Hello, hottie blondie.”

“Shh!” Barry directed in her direction. “Belmont and him are about to start fighting!” he shoveled a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

(Y/N) blinked. “He’s kind of a twink,” she said, putting her spoon in her mouth. “Technically by definition, you are too.”

“I thought twinks were in their twenties?” he questioned. “I’m thirty-four.”

“It’s the thought that counts,” she replied, not taking her eyes off the TV, though she scooted closer and dug her feet under his thigh, jumping slightly as the whip cracked through the speakers. “Ouch! That would hurt.” She was quick to laugh though and add, “Ha, stone the fuck up.”

“Whips crack faster than the speed of sound. You’re actually hearing a mini sonic boom when it does,” he noted, watching the scene unravel before them, snorting as the vampire said, ‘Please, this isn’t a bar fight. Have some class.’

“See, usually when a guy sees a crotch-shot, he cringes, not laughs.”

Barry glanced over to see her staring with amusement, and he replied, “One of my friends is known to do that to people.”

“In bar fights?” she asked, and he snorted.

“Bar-fights, fights in general, all of the above.” Barry looked at her. “He’s a…man, y’know?”

“I got it,” she laughed, eating more of the food before her. “Do you have a lot of friends, Barry? I know back in high school you were kind of a wallflower.”

“I was not!” he retorted. “I was just—quiet and anxious.”

(Y/N) blinked. “Barry, that’s literally the definition of being a wallflower.”

He flushed and glanced at the TV. “I had you.”

“You did,” she agreed. “The lonely wallflower and his outgoing best friend. What a stereotypical pair we were.”

Barry smiled and eyed her. “To answer your question, I don’t have a lot of friends, not like you do, but I do have a good group of friends.” He shifted his bowl into his left hand and fumbled in the pocket of his sweatpants for something, pulling his phone out moments later; he swiped at it for a few moments then showed her the screen. “This is me and my best frie—” he cut himself off with a cough and restated, “This is me and my good friend, Hal.”

(Y/N) took the phone and looked him over. “Good save on calling him your best friend. We were going to fight about it if you said otherwise.” Her eyes flowed over the man’s features. “He’s good looking. Let me guess, full of himself, takes women and men alike to bed, and has major commitment issues?” She glanced at him when he didn’t respond at first and she smirked when she saw that his eyebrows were hitting his forehead. “Right on the money.”

He tried to take his phone back, but she lifted it from his reach to keep looking at it. “How’d you know that? You’re dead on.”

“You’re not the type of person to gain friends like this guy looks,” she replied. “He’s wearing a bomber, probably a pilot’s given the patches. He’s wearing dog-tags, so military, and combine that with the bomber, I’m more than sure he’s a pilot. Most pilots go for Air Force or Navy, I’m betting Air Force since the bar sign behind you says Coast City and Coast is near Edward’s Air Force Base. Pilots are typically cocky, self-centered, and this guy looks like he swims in issues.” (Y/N) looked at him over the phone. “How much of that did I get right?”

Barry’s stunned face made her laugh and he said, “He is a pilot, he’s also a Captain in the Air Force, and he has major commitment issues—seriously, he’s got an on and off again girlfriend that hates him more times than she loves him.”

Her smile dripped of self-satisfaction. “And the (L/N) Readings win another.” She handed his phone back. “What about you Barry?”

“What about me?” he replied, pocketing his phone.

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Barry choked on a spoonful of soup, liquid splattering the blanket across his legs and probably the table from how forceful the coughs were; (Y/N) reached over and slapped his back a few times. “Jesus, don’t die on me. All I asked was if you had a girlfriend.”

“You can’t just ask someone that!” he retorted hoarsely, cheeks flushed from either the embarrassment of the implications of a girlfriend or from coughing so hard. “That’s personal!”

“Is that a yes or a no, because it’s not very clear which it is.”

Barry’s cheeks twinged warmer, and he looked away, dabbing at his lap with the napkin. “I’m not seeing anybody right now. I’m—busy.”

“Busy or unable to get yourself out there?” (Y/N) countered, putting her half-eaten bowl on the coffee table. “You know I can give you pointers, right? Do you want some?”

“No, I do not want pointers,” he muttered in exasperation. “I’m fine. I can get a date on my own.”

“Uh huh,” (Y/N) replied dubiously. “And when’s the last time you went on a real date?”

Barry cleared his throat and focused back on the TV. “Last January.”

“Barry, it’s February. Of the next year. It’s been a full year.”

“Why is it important that I go on dates?”

She snorted. “Maybe so you don’t end up lonely and bent over a microscope forever.”

He cocked his head to the side and glared at her, though was heatless, more defensive than anything. “Well, when’s the last time you went on a date?”

(Y/N) blinked. “Romantic interest or work function? Because Bruce Wayne was my date to the annual gala last month, and my ex and I broke up like three weeks before that, but we’d gone on a date to Sicily.” She grinned at his crestfallen expression. “Barry, in my profession, it’s expected that I’m supposed to have eye candy on my arm or at least a date to hang around with.”

“Well in my profession, it’s not,” he shot back, shoveling the soup into his mouth whilst glaring at her. “Fi’me flofley fand fi flike fit.”

“I didn’t understand a word you just said,” she deadpanned.

He swallowed. “I’m lonely and I like it.”

(Y/N) merely grinned and wiggled her toes under his leg. “No, you don’t.”

***PART THREE***

He pulled the key from the lock and pushed the door open, setting his briefcase beside the shoe rack as he toed his loafers off. “I’m home!” he called, tugging off his sweater.

A grin came over his lips as he heard, “Welcome home! I’m making chicken and mushroom soup with rice!”

Barry appeared in the entrance to the kitchen, pausing to watch her squat in front of one of the drawers, rummaging through for what he assumed was probably a spatula. “Did you use the—”

“Yes, I used the good rice,” she griped, shooting an annoyed look in his direction. “You know this only tastes good when you use sticky rice.”

“I was just making sure,” he chuckled, coming to stand beside her as she mixed the soup with the rice, stirring until she was content to place the chicken breasts in with it. “What’d you do today?”

(Y/N) hummed, turning the knob to the oven onto the temperature she needed. “Made some calls to Mister Wayne and asked about the shoots I was supposed to do this week.”

“What’d he say?” Barry asked, pulling a bottle of water out from the refrigerator. “Do you need to fly to Gotham?”

“Actually, he’s pushed all shoots back for five months, given me paid time off, and told me to just worry about recovering and probably look for a new apartment while this all settles.” (Y/N) glanced at him. “He’s a lot more generous than I’ve heard some other bosses in this industry be.”

“Indeed, he is,” he agreed and as if. “I talked to Detective Reisse.”

Her eyes widened and she turned to him. “What’d they say?”

Barry smiled and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “They found the guy who broke into your apartment. Turns out he’s a serial intruder who’s been doing it for some time now, but you’re the only one who managed to see him in the act. Admitted that he stalks the women before breaking in so he can know when they’ll either be asleep or out.”

(Y/N) let out an exhale. “You mean there were other women’s apartments he was breaking into?”

He saw the worry come over her expression and he pulled her into a hug. “There were, but (Y/N), you managed to lead CCPD to him. He won’t do it again. Your apartment is safe to go back to. Or if you want to look for a new one, I’d be happy to come with you.”

“Oh…” suddenly relieved, she softly lifted her arms underneath his and wrapped them around his back. “That’s good,” she murmured, and Barry shifted when he felt something damp on his shoulder.

“(Y/N)?”

She shook her head, still leaving her face in his shirt. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, voice laced thickly with tears. “I don’t mean to be so upset.”

Barry pulled away and gently took her face in his hands, thumbs wiping under her eyes. “(Y/N), you have every right to be upset. Someone violated your home, security, and safety.” He gave her a serious look. “It’s okay to be upset about this. To feel hurt and disgusted and scared.”

Despite the wiping of her tears, more just seemed to flow down her face and she swallowed thickly, nodding her head as best she could in his hands. “I know,” she said quietly. “I know, I’m just…I don’t know what I am.”

“Relieved? Worried?” he offered. “All of the above?”

She couldn’t fight the corners of her lips going up and she huffed a soft laugh. “That sounds about right.” (Y/N) gazed at Barry and murmured, “Thank you, Barry, for all of this.”

“What do you mean all of this?” he asked, brows furrowing, but not in confusion, more of fondness than anything.

“Barry, it’s been at least fifteen years since we saw each other, and you didn’t hesitate to open your home to me.” She gave a sad smile. “You’ve let me stay for the past two weeks, and I—”

“You’re here because you’re family,” Barry interrupted calmly. “(Y/N), no matter the distance or time between us, it will never change the memories and love that we have for one another.” He gave her a smile, that Barry Allen smile that made her heart flutter. “You’ve always been my best friend, (Y/N), and nothing will ever change that.”

She stared at him for a long moment, then deflated in his palms. “Barry Allen, you certainly know how to make someone feel loved and belonged.”

That smile only became toothy as he grinned widely. “I’ve been told by a few people that I’m good at it.”

“Yeah? Anyone as special as me or are they meh?”

His eyes crinkled around the edges. “Compared to you, they’re meh.”

“So that makes me the most special then?” (Y/N) giggled, edging a bit forward in his hands so their faces were closer together. “What makes me most special to you, Barry?”

He hummed low in his throat, intent to start leaning towards her too when the oven beeped, startling the two; they pulled away like lightning had struck them and (Y/N) turned around to put the casserole dish in the oven.

She stood back up and closed the over, glancing over her shoulder. “You must be tired after working all day. Why don’t you go change into something comfortable and relax on the couch?”

“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” he agreed, stretching his arms above his head, letting out a grunt as his shoulder popped. “If you need anything—”

“I’ll let you know,” she laughed, shooing him from the kitchen. “But I wouldn’t ask for your help to cook if my life depended on it.”

“WHAT’S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!”

***

She was awakened by a groan, something that sounded torn between pain and struggle, and she glanced across the hall to Barry’s bedroom, the shut door only worrying her as she got out of the bed and tiptoed to the door. “I’m going to die,” she breathed out. “I’m going to die, I’m going to die, I’m going to die.”

(Y/N) hesitantly stuck her head an inch outside the door frame and peered into the darkness; a shadow passing by the hall had her sucking in a breath and looking towards Barry’s door. She glanced back towards the hall, seeing the shadow fall somewhere behind the couch and she hurried to his door, opening it, and slipping inside.

Moving to his bed, she hissed, “Barry! Barry get up! Someone’s in the house!” she squinted in the darkness of his room, placing her hand on his bed to find it cold and no Barry inside it. “Oh, come on!”

(Y/N) looked around the room for something to defend herself with, eyes falling on the wooden baseball bat sitting in the corner; she cheered quietly, “Thank you, Nora Allen for encouraging baby Barry Allen to play sports.” She grabbed the bat and silently slipped from Barry’s bedroom, creeping down the dark hallway and into the even darker living room.

The grunt sounded again, and she stepped behind the couch, seeing someone crouched down, a man from the broadness of his shoulders. (Y/N) didn’t think twice, turning to the side as she swung the baseball bat with all the force she had in her body. She hit him square across his back, his shout of shocked pain escaping him as he collapsed to the hardwood floor, limbs sprawling out.

(Y/N) kept her eyes on him, the bat pointed at him as she fumbled with the other to pull the light chain on the lamp; light filtered through the room and she squinted at the sudden brightness, taking in the crimson suited man. She held the bat out again as she sidestepped, pointing it at him as she neared his head.

“Who are you!” she shouted, hands shaking around the bat, and he turned his head.

“I’m the Flash.”

She blinked, looking over his suit one more time and she gasped, dropping the bat. “Oh shit, I—I am so sorry, I—" (Y/N) bent down and helped him sit up, eyes widening as she exclaimed, “You’re bleeding!”

“I’ll be fine,” he muttered, prodding the healing wound in his side. “My back won’t be though. I think you dislocated one of my shoulder blades, (Y/N).”

“Well, I’m sorry I thought you were—wait, how do you know who I am?” He gestured to the cowl, and she cautiously reached up, pushing it down from his chin before shifting it from his face and her expression bled shock as she breathed, “Barry?”

He smiled, one twinged with pain. “Sorry for waking you up. I was trying to be quiet, but I stumbled into the coffee table.”

She merely gaped at him, too stunned to say anything other than, “Holy shit.”

“Oh, come one,” he muttered. “It can’t be that mind-blowing.”

“But you’re you!” she blurted out. “Quiet, shy, Barry Allen! This is—you’re a freaking superhero!”

Barry was quick to push his hand to her mouth and hush her. “Shh! My neighbors have ears, (Y/N)!”

“Well, I’m sorry,” she griped from behind his hand. “I’m just coming to terms with the fact that my best friend is a goddamn superhero by night and a forensic scientist by day!” she looked away. “Thank God, you don’t look up newest models because you did not need to see the Justice League lingerie shoot.”

“See what?”

“Nothing!” (Y/N) looked back at him. “You really go out there and save the world?”

He smiled. “I do.”

She reached up and brushed back the blond hair. “I’ve seen videos of the JL fighting. You’re always up there in the action.” She frowned. “You’ve unleashed a whole new level of worry upon me.”

Barry took her hand and squeezed it. “I promise that I won’t make you worry too much.” She must’ve not seemed convinced because he laid her hand flat to his chest and rested his hand above hers. “(Y/N), I can’t stop being the Flash. I have to do it. I can’t promise that I won’t get hurt, or that things will always go right. But I can promise you that I’ll do everything in my power to come home whole and safe.”

“Pinky promise?” she asked, lifting her free hand and Barry grinned, looping his free pinky to hers.

“I pinky promise.”

(Y/N) gazed at him for a moment, then let out a calm sigh and pulled her hands away. “C’mon, let’s get you up and to the bathroom. You’re sweaty and bloody.”

“I’ll be okay,” he replied, trying to get to his feet, only to stumble as his upper body weakened.”

She caught him, one arm curling under and around his waist. “Quit trying to be a hero right now. Let me help you.”

“I’m going to heal, (Y/N),” he whined embarrassed. “You just have to give me a minute.”

Ignoring him, she helped him through the hall and into the bathroom, flicking the light and vent on before leaning him against the counter as she turned the shower knob on; she stuck her hand under the water waiting until it ran between hot and warm, then she turned to Barry. “How does your suit come off?”

Immediately, Barry flushed as red as his suit. “You don’t have to help me take my suit off.”

“Barry, I hit you pretty hard across your back. Let me help you,” she begged, popping her bottom lip out. “Please.”

He looked away in embarrassment, gesturing to it. “It’ll stretch when I generate thermal energy.” He started doing so, body and space around him heating up considerably and she hurried, stretching the fabric from his neck and down his shoulders to his waist, freeing his arms and torso. Barry pushed her hands away when she grabbed the fabric at his upper hips, with a hurried, “I can pull them down.”

(Y/N) rolled her eyes. “Barry, you know I’ve seen you naked before, right? Like you’re not hiding anything. Unless you’ve got a tattoo?”

“I don’t have a tattoo and I don’t want you to see me naked! It’s not proper!” he spluttered.

“You’re such a Midwesterner, Barry Allen,” she snorted, rolling her eyes. “Jesus, you should spend a day doing photo shoots with other models. I’ve seen more goodies in one hour than you’ve probably seen in your entire life.” She shot him a grin. “Want me to strip too so you can feel comfortable about being the only one not nude?”

“GET OUT!” he cried, trying to sound angry, shoving her out the door, but (Y/N) knew that the blush on his cheeks and down his chest betrayed him.

“I’m going!” she snorted. “But don’t fall or I’ll have to come in and help you up. And I might see your goodies~”

“STOOOOOOOOP!”

***PART FOUR***

“Wow, it’s already gone,” she noted gently tracing her fingers across the expanse of his pale back no longer marred by the black bruise she’d given him the night before. “You do heal fast.”

Barry glanced back at her and pulled the shirt back over his shoulders. “I’ve healed broken femurs in less than five hours.” His voice sounded almost prideful. “I can take hits and they hurt, but they heal quickly.”

(Y/N) laughed, turning him around just as he finished his last button, and she took the ends of his tie and firmly knotted it at the base of his throat. “Sorry I hit you.”

“It’s okay,” he replied, looking at her. “I’m sorry for worrying you. Last thing you needed was to be reminded of the incident a few weeks ago.”

“Well, at least I got to hit the supposed intruder this time and not run into my bathroom.” She smiled, still not taking her hands away from his chest. “I found an apartment near the police department. Security is much better.”

He frowned. “When are you leaving?”

“I was going to leave in the morning.”

“Now?” he asked, eyes widening, and she immediately backtracked.

“No! Tomorrow morning!” (Y/N) smiled nervously. “I wasn’t just going to leave with you gone at work. I was going to make dinner and we could have a…a y’know…”

“A y’know?” Barry inquired confusedly and she felt her cheeks warm.

She looked into his eyes. “A home date. You and me? Wear our best and eat here?”

His eyes went wide, jaw starting to slacken, and he couldn’t form a sentence, merely stutter out her name and, “I, uh, I mean—”

“Barry,” she calmed, placing her hand on his arm. “If you’re not comfortable with it, it’s okay, I’m not going to be upset if you don’t want to take this step.” (Y/N) smiled. “If you say no, we’ll have dinner tonight and pretend nothing ever happened.” She simply smiled, awaiting his answer.

His shoulders slumped, a dopey grin crossing his lips as pink twinged his cheeks and he expressed warmly, “I’d love to have dinner with you tonight. The date kind.”

She laughed and pulled away, only for Barry to pull her back in, long arms curling around her waist as he buried his face in her hair, trying to hide the grin on his lips. “Barry?” she laughed again, wrapping her arms under his and greedily feeling up the muscles on his back. “You’re gonna be late for work.”

He jerked away at that, eyes wide as he glanced at his wristwatch. “Ah crap,” he muttered, speeding around the room to get his jacket and briefcase.

A whirl of lightning spread around the kitchen and living room and the door opened and slammed shut, then moments later it repeated, and he zoomed back to her, cheeks hot as he fumbled with his hands before leaning in to kiss her cheek and then he was gone again with a, “See you tonight!”

***

“Are you almost done in there?” she asked, a goofy smile crossing her lips as she heard him trip and probably whack his nose from the ‘Ow!’ she heard inside his bedroom.

“Almost!” he replied. “I chose the other shirt! But I had to resew a button on it, and I don’t really know how I lost the button?”

The doorbell rang and she snorted, pulling from his door. “I’m going to get that while you sew your buttons back on, Rapunzel.” (Y/N) crossed through the living room through the front door and pulled it open, smiling at the stranger on the front step; he looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him right at the moment. “Good evening, can I help you?”

He was surprised to see her, and his brows furrowed as he leaned to the side and peeked over her shoulder into the house. “I’m looking for Barry but,” he drew his gaze back to her and cocked his elbow above her head on the door frame and smirked. “I’m more interested in looking at you right now.”

She drew her eyes down to the name on his left breast side of his brown jacket and suddenly, it clicked as she greeted, “You must be Hal.”

“I am,” he replied. “You got a name gorgeous?”

(Y/N) snorted and glanced behind her. “Barry, your boyfriend’s here!”

“BOYFRIEND?!” both spluttered and she saw Barry come around the corner, brows drawn together in confusion until he saw Hal and he said, “Hal? What are you doing here?”

“Well, I was coming to mooch off my best friend like I always do when I’m in Central,” he retorted, putting his hands on his hips. “I’m hurt you didn’t remember.”

Barry rolled his eyes. “You show up whenever you want, Hal, it’s not like you’re on time every month.”

“Well, it’s obviously a good time now,” he joked, grinning cheekily at (Y/N) and she merely smiled in return, not oblivious to the very obvious flirtation in his voice.

She blinked. “Barry and I were just about to go out for dinner. Why don’t you join us?”

“Sounds good,” he agreed, and Barry looked at her with confusion.

“But the food is already—”

(Y/N) winked and laced her arm with his. “Save that for lunch tomorrow, Barry, now come on,” she said, snatching her keys from the key holder by the door. “Hal do you like diner food? I love some pancakes for dinner.”

“Ah, sweet tooth,” he cooed, opening the door for her only to tip his head down and add, “After you, beautiful.”

“Thank you!” she smiled, tugging Barry behind her, who scowled at Hal the entire ride to the diner.

***

Hal had managed to squeeze himself beside (Y/N) in the corner booth, Barry sitting on the other side away from the two and boy, he was not happy. He was glaring at Hal, especially when the man curled his arm behind her shoulders and leaned over, whispering a joke in her ear that had her snorting into the large chocolate milkshake.

“So,” (Y/N) started, glancing over at Hal. “What do you do for a living, Hal?”

“I’m a pilot,” he murmured, over the rim of his soda, setting the cup back down. “Captain in the Air Force.”

“Oh?” she wondered. “You wear a uniform?”

“Something tells me you like a man in uniform.”

She smiled and popped one of Barry’s fries into her mouth. “Do you fly often?”

“As often as I can.”

“What’s it like being up in the air above all us humans that probably look like ants?”

Hal grinned. “Like nothing you’ve ever seen before.”

(Y/N) tipped her head to the side. “My ex was actually a pilot. Not for the military though, just a hobby. I’ve seen it up there.”

He glanced at her with a heated gaze and flirted, “You’ve never flown with me.”

“Wonder why anyone would, date stealer,” Barry muttered, stabbing his fry in ketchup and Hal looked at him.

“You say something, Bar?” Hal asked and he frowned.

“Nothing.”

His expression darkened and then he felt something brush against his foot and up his pants leg; a high-heel pressed to his skin and his knee jerked up, smacking the underside of the table, startling Hal and (Y/N) pretended to be concerned. “You okay, Barry?” she inquired, watching as his cheeks flushed. “Everything alright?”

“I’m fine,” he excused hurriedly. “I just had a—a shiver.”

Hal cocked a brow. “Pretty jumpy shiver, Bar.” He looked at her. “Whenever Barry gets super hungry, he gets skittish. Like a newborn deer.”

(Y/N) snorted and bit into another fry. “Ah, the wee babe,” she hummed, and Barry’s cheeks darkened, forcing him to eat his food so he didn’t say anything stupid.

Hal turned his attention back onto (Y/N), slinking deeper in the booth so his arm brushed her back. “So, (Y/N), about flying with me…”

***

“Mind if I crash on your couch, Bar?” Hal asked as they walked into the living room and Barry sighed, grabbing a blanket from the hall closet before tossing it at him.

“Might as well, you don’t go home after we eat.” He glanced at him. “Do you want a pillow?”

“Nah, I’ve got the pillows,” he replied, gesturing to the decorative pillows on the couch.

(Y/N) merely watched the tension slowly start to boil over and she cleared her throat, finally done with the charade. “Well, it’s been quite a night of laughter and good food.” She smiled. “I should go to bed since I have to get to my apartment tomorrow morning for a meeting with Bruce Wayne.”

“Bruce Wayne?” Hal repeated. “You know Bruce Wayne? How?”

She grinned. “He’s my boss. I’m one of Wayne Enterprises top models.” Walking over, she leaned and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you for being a good sport on Barry and mine’s date.”

“Good sport?” he said, paling and (Y/N) turned to Barry.

She took his tie in one hand and gently but firmly pulled him forward, free hand looping around his neck as she pressed her lips to his. Barry started flailing but got with the program as he put one hand on the small of her back, the other reaching up to brush his fingers against her chin, like he was hesitant. She pulled away slightly and he chased her, the hand at her chin suddenly firm as he tipped her head back and sealed their lips again. (Y/N) gasped whenever his grip on her back tightened and she let go of his tie, curling her hand in his jacket, crumpling it. Eventually, air caught up with them and they pulled away, just enough to see each other’s faces and while Barry’s was crimson, hers was the picture of satisfaction.

(Y/N) smirked and purred, “Can I call you tomorrow when I get to my place?”

Barry was still panting slightly, cheeks flushed as he nodded. “Y—yeah, I’d like that.”

She tipped her head up and kissed him again, softer and then pulled away, starting her way to the guest bedroom; she turned as she got to the doorway and smiled at him. “Goodnight, Barry, see you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, (Y/N),” he breathed, waving weakly at her and the door shut behind her.

He swallowed thickly, still staring at the door when Hal griped, “That’s the first time I’ve ever laid it on thick to one of your dates and they didn’t go home with me.”

“Yeah,” Barry agreed, still staring.

“You’re in love with her, aren’t you, Barry?”

He grinned like a goober. “Yeah.” Barry blinked, coming back to himself, then he looked over at Hal and smiled. “Yeah, go pout. I win for once.” He didn’t wait for Hal’s response, starting to his bedroom; he glanced over his shoulder. “Night, good buddy.”

Hal huffed a laugh of disbelief and shucked his clothes down to his boxers and crawled onto the couch. “Night Bar. Now remember, if you need to have the birds and the bees talk, I can help—”

“OH MY GOD, SHUT UP! I DO NOT NEED YOU TO TELL ME ABOUT THAT!” Barry shouted and (Y/N) opened her door, poking her head out.

She grinned evilly at Hal then to Barry and promised, “Don’t worry about that, Hal, if anyone’s going to give him pointers on how it goes, it’ll be me.”

“AYE!” Hal cheered and Barry let out a howl.

“THIS IS WORSE THAN HAL STEALING MY DATES! YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BECOME BEST FRIENDS! NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!”

She merely winked at Hal and turned to Barry, “Night again, Barry. Sleep well…with dreams of me.”

His cheeks tinted crimson and he glared at her as he disappeared into his room with a firm, “Goodnight!”

(Y/N) snorted and glanced at Hal who was watching with amusement. “Goodnight, Hal. It was good to meet you. I hope we become good friends in the future.”

“Oh, we’ll be the best of friends in no time,” He winked as she closed her door, and Hal reached up, pulling the chain to the lamp on the side-table, turning out the light.

[dark-mnjiro]

crown of thorns .06.

Author’s Note:  Here it is, the final part of Crown of Thorns. I'm so happy everyone has enjoyed reading this! I really appreciate everyone's time and comments and likes and reblogs... everything. I'm debating if I want to go through a sequel but another story that furthers a bit of Miyu's story (at least until I decide if Im going to continue) please check out Shinsotired and their newest fic. Thank you again everyone. I really appreciated it.

Warnings: sukuna x f!original character, king of curses!sukuna, dubcon, a dash of noncon here and there, slavery, human trafficking (in a sense), sexism, master/slave relationship, explicit s*xual content, oral s*x (female and male receiving), explicit language, murder, torture, blood rituals, marking, angst, rough s*x, sukuna using his multiple mouths, manipulative relationship (both sides), eventual queen, choking, extreme violence, a very realistic (and not nice) sukuna.

===

Part Six

Her eyes fluttered open as the sun spilled into the room. A dull pain immediately struck between her legs and Aruna knew that she had given into Sukuna once again. She shifted in the bed before trying to get up but weight around her waist seemed to tighten and only anchor her in place. Confusion filled her eyes as she managed to find Sukuna slumbering peacefully next to her. 

Her eyes went wide in surprise. She had never known him to sleep with her after having sex. His hand moved in small circles in the small of her back. Aruna couldn’t help but watch him sleep, having never seen him so peaceful. 

She watched his chest slowly rising and falling with each breath. Her hand reached out and traced the dark marks on his skin. It didn’t seem to wake him but she noticed goosebumps trailing behind her touch. Her eyes scanned over the marks, following the patterns over his chest before a hand snatched her wrist. 

“Aruna?”

His voice was low and gruff causing her face to flush at being caught admiring him. She pulled back just enough to catch the smirk growing on his face. 

“Enjoying the view?”

Aruna scowled. “Shut up.”

“Hm… is it morning?”

“…yes,” she whispered.  “Why did you stay?”

“Well this is my bedroom,” he said flatly. 

Frustrated, she rolled her eyes. “Then why was I allowed to stay?” 

“Perhaps,” he said, stretching. “I wanted a change.”

“You’re insufferable… why can’t you just give me a straight answer?”

Sukuna merely chuckled before rolling onto his side to get a better look at Aruna. “I do love to aggravate you,” he replied, threading his fingers through her long locks.

Swatting his hand away, Aruna sat up in bed before using the white sheet to wrap around her nude form before walking around the room in search of her clothes. She noticed Sukuna sitting up in bed, observing her movements as she slowly began slipping on the kimono he has discarded on the floor. Cursing under her breath, she knew she would struggle to tie it well without Kaede here to assist.

“Here,” a gruff voice she recognized said from behind her.

Sukuna grabbed the small rope-like fabric and tightened it around her waist, earning a small gasp from Aruna. His hands moved to rest at her waist before slipping to her thighs. She felt his claw brush against the fabric before pulling her back against him. Her cheeks flushed at the small display of affection before she noticed his chin resting on her shoulder. 

“This looks much better on the floor,” he commented.

“...you’re insufferable,” Aruna groaned, tugging herself away from him.

His chuckle was low as it rumbled from his chest while he watched her turn to face him. A playful glint glittered in his crimson eyes causing Aruna to mirror an expression of annoyance. He mentioned he felt he deserved a little extra playtime for all the work he was about to endure for her… exterminating her family. Aruna could not understand why he deserved playtime for doing something he enjoyed, what a nuisance. 

“Do you need to eat?”

Sighing, Aruna glanced at the window. “...yes.”

“Go on,” he commented. “I’ll meet you to eat later.”

Aruna turned and exited out of the bedroom as she made her way down the dark corridors. It was strange how she had learned the layout of the home she once looked at like a prison. She found the double doors that led into the banquet hall as she watched all the other girls from his harem gathering to eat breakfast.

Once again, they all stopped and looked up at her. The silence was deafening. Aruna’s eyes fell to the floor before she made her way to the table to usually frequented as a servant brought her meal to her. She sipped her warmed, mugwort tea (at the insistence of Kaede) before a smile tugged at her lips. She glanced down at the meal, wondering if she could eat it all. After all, she really didn’t have much of an appetite after the ordeal from the night before.

She couldn’t believe what she had done. Still couldn’t wrap her brain around her actions. Was she truly that calloused, that much of a monster now? “What do I do now?” she mused mostly to herself as she started taking small bites of her bowl of rice. “Shit…”

“Miss Aruna?”

Her ears perked up at the sound of Kaede’s voice next to her before motioning for her to sit across the table from her. “Be quick,” Aruna said softly. “He’s on his way.”

“I made it extra strong,” Kaede commented. “So you drink quickly.”

The smile on Aruna’s face couldn’t help but widen at her servant’s joke as she took her advice, quickly downing the specialty tea. A sigh fell from her lips, despite the bitter taste, the relief was worth it.

“Is it true?”

“Is what true?”

Kaede leaned in. “About Miss Hoshi-”

“We don’t have to use polite speech when speaking of her,” Aruna corrected. “You know to speak freely with me.”

Kaede’s lips cracked into another smile. “...Hoshi did you-”

“Kill her?” Aruna questioned, tilting her head. “...yes.”

Sitting back, Kaede’s face paled a bit in shock at her lady’s actions.

“Believe me,” Aruna whispered. “I wasn’t exactly myself. He’s done something to me since that night. I think I’m becoming more like the queen he wanted.”

Kaede reached out and touched Aruna’s face with a ginger touch. “You are still you, despite what he’s done,” she said. “You have been nothing but kind and gentle to me and many of the other girls adore you. Only a few seem to hold grudges for the fact they weren’t chosen-”

“He said he picked me because I had the same vengeance in my soul that he does,” she whispered.

“I imagine anyone who has been through what you have gone through,” Kaede interjected. “Is willing to do anything and everything for justice and there is nothing wrong with that-”

“Aruna-”

Her eyes widened as she heard Sukuna’s voice approaching their table. “Go… before he catches on,” she whispered before discreetly handing Kaede the empty cup that had contained the mugwort tea. Kaede merely nodded before hiding the cup away and making her leave. Aruna turned to glance at Sukuna over her shoulder. “Yes? I’m eating,” she commented, keeping her tone even. “You should be thrilled.”

Smirking, he took a seat next to her. “Of course I am.”

“And you’re going to eat all of that?”

“Bloodshed does make me rather hungry,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders.

Her eyes scanned the plate filled to the very edge with massive piles of food and Aruna could not imagine how anyone could eat that much in one sitting. But perhaps, he was right. Murder must take a lot out of an individual - and slaughtering an entire clan, well she could only guess would need a lot of energy too.

“Would you care to join me tonight?”

“...you want me there?”

“Perhaps I love noticing the evil look in your eyes when you commit such heinous acts.”

She grimaced at the thought of her committing another murder, but at the same time, she could rationalize that it would be rather satisfying to witness her abusers suffer and then perish. Maybe she could compromise with Sukuna. She could join him and perhaps not commit any acts of murder or violence, just witnessing the bloodshed she so desperately wanted from her family. 

“Do I have to murder anyone?”

Sukuna tilted his head. “Only if you wish.”

“...you won’t trick me?”

“I’ll save your father for last,” he suggested. “If you choose to make the final blow to him… I’ll allow it, otherwise I will destroy his bloodline.”

“No tricks?”

Sukuna sighed, clearly annoyed with her questions. “No tricks, my pet.”

“May I think about it?”

“Of course.”

===

It was a strange sensation as the screams rang out into the midnight air. Aruna could spy fire bursting from the inside of the different structures littered along with her clan’s land. The screams only grew louder as she watched men, women, and children scurrying around in fear as Sukuna’s maniacal laughter almost drown out their pleas. Some looked to her for mercy as fear filled their eyes and yet, Aruna felt nothing.

She would merely tug away from her kimono away from their greasy fingers and found herself almost smirking at their agony. A loud crash caught her attention as she noticed fire spouting from one of the buildings, causing the roof to collapse. “The library…” she mused before taking a step closer to the burning buildings, curious to see exactly what was happening.

“My queen…”

A sigh fell from her lips. “Uruame. You don’t need to worry. I won’t get too close.”

“But Master Sukuna-”

“...when have I ever listened to his suggestions?”

Uruame frowned. “Please stay away from the flames.”

Smiling, Aruna patted the young monk on the head before standing in front of the main building of her clan’s land. Fire erupted from the roof. Her lips cracked into a smile as she watched her family’s legacy beginning to crumble around her. Seemed fitting enough.

“You she-devil!”

Her ears perked up at the sound of her father’s voice approaching her with his fist raised, ready to strike her. She wore a bored expression as she merely stepped out of his way, causing him to misstep and fall to the ash-covered ground. She approached him as he scrambled to sit back up so he could face her. The wind caught her crimson lock, causing the natural curls in her hair to move just as wildly as the fire that surrounded them.

“Hello to you too, father.”

“You brought the devil himself to us!”

Sighing, she crossed her arms. “Father. I did what I had to to survive,” she explained. “No thanks to you. But today, all those horrible things you made me endure - come to a fiery end.”

“You red-headed demon! A curse among this family!”

“Is that all?” she asked, tilting her head curiously as he continued to spew insults at her. “I’ve heard much worse now, father. You have to do better than that. You can’t just ship me off and sell into prostitution anymore, can you? You don’t scare me anymore. I’ve seen much scarier monsters since then.” A hand came to her waist, tugging her closer as she felt lips brush against her throat.

“I suppose,” he whispered. “Like me?”

“Of course like you,” Aruna replied, making a sour face at Sukuna which only earned him to chuckle in response. “Master… meet my father.”

His crimson eyes darted to the ground before smirking again. “Hm… not much when he’s squirming beneath you, is he?”

Looking up at him, she couldn’t help but smile. “Not at all.”

Raking his fingers through her hair, Sukuna turned his attention back to Aruna. “What would you like me to do with him, my queen?”

It was tempting to make his death quick but bloody, between her father’s screams and insults still echoing from the ground as she stared back at Sukuna. But at the same time, she wished this horrible man would suffer more. Suffer more than he had ever wished on his ungrateful daughter. Another strange sensation of happiness rushed through her veins when Sukuna allowed her to have control in the situation. Though it was rare he allowed her any control, it was obvious in this moment… she needed it. 

And he was happy to oblige.

“Aruna,” he probed again, tugging her closer to his body. “You haven’t answered.”

“I’m deciding-”

“You evil, little bitch!”

Sighing, Aruna glanced down at her father before looking up at Sukuna again as she tilted her head to the side in a playful manner. “It’s hard to concentrate when someone keeps screaming… How do you expect me to think in these conditions?”

“I love how you think sometimes…”

Sukuna let go of Aruna before turning toward her father as he continued to cower on the ground. He grabbed him by the throat with one hand before using another to hold out his tongue. A third hand came up as his dark nails elongated again before pressing the sharpened nails against his tongue. Her father paled as the realization of what was about to happen before the claw sliced through the tongue. Blood gushed from his mouth as Sukuna dropped him to the ground. Her father scrambled to his knees, grasping his throat as the blood pooled around him in puddles.

“And now you will never breath another horrible word about me ever again,” Aruna commented. “Will you?”

Her father’s eyes widened in horror as he stared up at her with tears beading in the corners of his eyes. The blood continued to ooze from his mouth as she took another step toward him before leaning over. Her eyes flashed a bright red color for just a moment. He tried to speak but only gurgles managed to escape his lips before coughing as he started choking on the blood seeping down his throat.

A giggle bubbled from Aruna’s throat. “This family is going to burn with their sins…” she stated. “To ashes.” She raised back up to stand upright. “How does it feel, father? To know your daughter, the one you threw away, is now a queen. A queen that brought nothing but ruins to god-forsaken family.”

Her gaze snapped up to look at Sukuna once again. A proud gleam flashed in his dangerous eyes before her lips curled into a smile. “He’s suffered enough.”

“I thought you would never ask…”

“Kill them all.”

Sukuna chuckled before moving to stand inf front of Aruna. “Stand behind me,” he instructed. “Or you’ll die instead.” She watched as Sukuna muttered a few strange phrases before she noticed her surroundings change for a split second before he muttered the word “dismantle”. Aruna quickly shielded her body, knowing what entailed with this technique as she had watched him slaughtered several people in her captivity with this.

Blood splattered the ground as her father’s body collapsed at their feet in several pieces. A sigh fell from her lips, knowing he could no longer haunt her nightmares. “Master, I-”

His demeanor changed as a growl rumbled from his chest. “Sorcerer,” he hissed. “Uraume!”

Uraume appeared behind Sukuna, awaiting orders. “Yes, master.”

“Take Aruna and leave,” he snapped. “Sorcerers are arriving… and fast.”

“Of course,” Uraume said, bowing before grabbing Aruna’s arm.

“But-”

“But nothing,” Sukuna snapped at her. “If there was ever a time to listen to me, this is that moment. They will murder you. I’ll handle it. Take her home.”

Aruna felt her blood run cold as his words. Would these people kill her that easily? No questions asked. And Sukuna, it was strange to hear him seem worried about her well-being even if he put it in such rude phrases. 

“...Alright,” Aruna said softly. “Be-”

“Oh please. I’ll be fine.”

Sighing, Aruna shook her head before following Uraume. It was strange that she felt a small pang of worry in her chest about Sukuna. Grimacing, she shook her head trying to force the thought from her mind, knowing that it had to be impossible for anyone to cause him harm.

“My queen?”

Aruna looked at Uraume and smiled. “I’m fine.”

“Of course,” Uraume commented gently before tugging Aruna through a path to dodge falling pieces of the building burning around them. The heat was becoming unbearable for Aruna and she prayed they would escape soon. A beam fell from the ceiling, causing Aruna to scream. Uraume quickly shoved Aruna back to keep her safe as the beam fell between them. 

Wincing, Aruna forced herself up onto her feet as she tried to look over the flames as she heard Uraume calling out her name. “Shit,” she mumbled, looking around her surroundings for anywhere she could go. She spied a small passage between buildings that didn’t seem engulfed in flames yet as she quickly took off. She stayed close to the wall, straining her ears to see if she was growing closer to Uraume. Sukuna would be furious if he knew they had been separated. 

“My queen!”

A sigh of relief moved past her lips as Aruna managed to squeeze out of the small passage and rejoin Uraume. “Are you hurt?” she asked.

“No. I’m fine… you have a burn on your arm. I’m sorry I didn’t react quick-”

“Uraume,” Aruna replied. “I’ll survive. I’ve had much worse.”

Nodding, Uraume managed to pull her away from the burning building and a safe enough distance that their attention could return to Aruna’s injuries. Uraume placed a hand on her arm before using a reverse cursed technique to heal her just enough to take away the pain. 

A smile curled over her lips before she gently touched Uraume’s head. “Thank you-”

A scream echoed into the night air as Uraume practically jumped back from Aruna. Her body lurched forward as blood began to spill out of her mouth. Her eyes fell to her abdomen as she witnessed a sword mixed with cursed energy piercing through her body. The pain was unbearable as she looked over her shoulder. “Uraume…” she sputtered out. “Runaway.”

“But-”

“I order you,” Aruna managed out before grimacing in pain. “Runaway.”

“Of course, my queen.”

Uraume disappeared.

Aruna turned to face the sorcerer who had managed to stab her.

“What are the odds that Sukuna’s little queen would be so easily caught?”

The corners of her lips dipped into a frown. “He’s going to slaughter you… just wait.”

The pain was becoming unbearable again as she began to feel woozy from blood loss. Just how long could she survive with this injury, even if Sukuna were to appear? She knew he could heal her, even Uraume could heal her. But, at the same time, was it too late? Her eyes fell to the pool of blood surrounding her and grew larger by the second. She was certain vital organs had been pierced by the blade as well… How long could she hold on? Was she okay with dying now? Perhaps, it was perfect timing. 

An escape she always prayed for…

The sorcerer merely cackled. “Oh please… there’s no way-”

His words were silenced as his body was sliced in two as Sukuna appeared behind him. “Fucking piece of garbage-” he growled before his gaze fell on Aruna’s body. A weak smile spread over her lips as she slowly pulled the sword from her abdomen and tossed it aside. His rage was evident as he rushed to her side before weakness began settling in. He cradled her body as she winced again.

Her hand came up and touched his face. “It’s alright.”

“Shut up,” he growled before placing a hand on her stomach. “I can heal-”

Aruna shook her head. “Don’t…”

“Aruna!”

“Sukuna,” she assured him as blood spilled from her mouth again. “It's okay. Perhaps it’s perfect that I die along with my family.”

His eyes narrowed at her. “I didn’t say you were allowed-”

She forced herself to giggle at his bizarre display of hurt. “I don’t think you get much of a choice,” she whispered as her voice became weaker. “Not this time.”

His grip tightened around her before pulling her into his chest. “I’ll bring you back.”

Aruna took in a deep inhale of his scent, wanting to imprint it in her mind. “I know you will.”

“Rest, my queen.”

Her hand rested on his face as she traced the markings along his cheek before her eyes turned glassy and lifeless. Her touch grew limp before her hand fell back to the ground as her body succumbed to her injuries. Her last breath moved past her lips as Sukuna stared at her now lifeless form.

He wasn’t sure what to make of his feelings or how to rationalize what had happened. He had calculated everything so perfectly, and yet… this was still the outcome. He had lost his queen. The only one he had deemed suitable to stand beside him, the only woman filled with as much vengeance as his dark soul.p

“...rest now, my queen.”

He gently laid her body down, gently posing her hands in front of her body. His fingers threaded through her crimson hair before bringing it to his lips. He took one last inhale of her hair, his favorite feature… before standing up. He would order his servants to retrieve her body quickly before the other sorcerers would try to steal her away from him. And in order to bring her back, he would have to preserve her soul by keeping her physical body in his possession for as long as humanly possible.

At least until Aruna could find a viable vessel.

A blood relative.

He knew what he would have to do.

His eyes snapped up as he caught a glimpse of a sorcerer running away from the flames as several others were trying to save the property. A child was with him… the same dark and stormy eyes of that of his lover. Sukuna smirked before realizing perhaps everything had worked out better than he could have hoped. 

A direct relative, her brother had survived along with his child.

“Soon, Aruna,” he whispered, turning away from the burning building. “I will see you soon.”

===

She had lost track of time as the years ticked by as she stayed close to her brother’s descendants, despite being dead. She was unsure how her soul had decided to linger, but assumed it was some sort of doing thanks to Sukuna. He was long since gone and now she was stuck in limbo, tormenting her brother’s female descendants over the next one thousand years.

Had it really been that long?

Aruna’s eyes watched as another female had been born into her family. She had taken it upon herself to stop a suitable vessel for her to be born. She knew Sukuna would never just lay down and die so easily. He was waiting, just waiting patiently for his next move. She had heard rumors spoken by her family members regarding his whereabouts, that his soul was split among twenty fingers scattered around Japan.

And yet, here she was, bringing nothing but illness on any female born into this cursed family.

As the years ticked onward, Aruna became more and more bitter. She wasn’t sure why she was so angry at Sukuna for allowing her brother to survive that night. She had begged him to slaughter every, last member of that family. And yet, here they all were, surviving and thriving.

“Ignorant fool,” she grumbled as the newborn infant began crying out.

She snapped her fingers, causing the woman who had just given birth to immediately have complications as the doctor and nurses gathered around her to try and assist her. The newborn’s father frowned, cursing under his breath and she swore she heard her name just barely move past his lips.

“It’s what you deserve,” she growled at him as she moved around the delivery room.

It was a perk to being a cursed spirit now. No one could knowingly see her and she was free to torment her family without restriction. She always wondered why they never sought out a sorcerer to try and kill her, but from what she had gathered several larger family’s in power refused to accept that she was ever a cursed spirit.

Her lips curled into a smile. No one would try to exorcise her because there was no proof that she was a cursed spirit. She wasn’t in the books they spoke of so often. She was merely a superstition that the Hana family cried and whined about and she was free to do as she pleased to torment them for the rest of their days. She wondered if that was also Sukuna’s doing, that he had managed to keep his workings toward making her a cursed spirit quiet even after his death.

But at the same time, she was never a sorcerer. Even after the deal, Sukuna had made with Kenjaku and perhaps that was why she was never recognized as a possible threat. She was merely known throughout history as Sukuna’s queen… his favorite whore as her family seemed to dub her, more often than not.

“She’s coding!”

The smirk on Aruna’s face grew wider as the infant’s mother was slowly dying on the table. The infant’s wails were growing louder, aggravating Aruna. She slowly walked toward the infant, staring at her. “Little one, do not worry… You’ll join your mother soon.”

“She’s dying!”

“Oh please… just let the bitch die already,” Aruna huffed, crossing her arms. 

The father placed the infant back into the bassinet before walking back toward his wife. Tears brimmed at his eyes as she was beginning to lose consciousness. “Aruna, you witch,” he hissed, grasping his wife’s hand. “Spare her. Please.” Tilting her head, Aruna wondered just what type of bartering technique this was if all he was planning to do was insult her. “Don’t take my wife… I’ll give you anything.”

Sighing, Aruna walked back toward the wailing baby in the bassinet before her eyes narrowed. She spied crimson-colored hair barely peeking out on her scalp. “Red hair,” she whispered. “The first girl in this family to have red hair since I was born…” She turned her attention back to the sobbing husband as his wife continued to hemorrhage more despite the doctor’s efforts. She slowly made her way toward the husband before leaning into his ear. “Look at her hair…”

The husband stiffened at Aruna’s voice before moving away from his dying wife to look at the baby in the bassinet again. “R-red hair,” he stammered. “A demon child… an omen!”

“Get rid of the child,” Aruna whispered again. “As far from Japan as possible and I’ll spare your pathetic wife.”

“We have to get rid of her,” he said quickly. “Put her up for adoption. We can’t care for her!”

Aruna giggled before snapping her fingers and allowing the mother to survive.

“Perfect…”

And before she knew it, Aruna found herself intrigued as she followed the little redhead to America after she was adopted. Her birth family had managed to organize a private adoption allowing the infant to start over in America. After she was born, Aruna had noticed the infant was mistreated similarly to the way she had mistreated herself. Miyu, as she was named, was often ignored and neglected by her biological family.

Perhaps America would be a better place for her.

And over the years, Aruna watched Miyu grow into a child. And as a child, Miyu was able to see her. She couldn’t place her finger on it, but Aruna had grown interested in the young girl’s life and wellbeing. While she hated she had grown a soft spot for the girl, she found herself still protecting her even as her adoptive family would throw her into psychiatric institutions not completely understanding that she was a sorcerer, that she curses existed.

Little Miyu was told over and over again that she was nothing more than crazy, given the diagnosis of schizophrenic by several doctors. She was sent off for months at a time to residential psychiatric hospitals and despite that, she never once shook her “delusions” of curses and of Aruna.

And despite being told over and over again, Aruna wasn’t real, Miyu disputed it at every turn. Even as her birthday approached. She was turning fifteen. She was growing into a beautiful young woman, and Aruna had vowed this sweet girl would need to be protected.

Aruna, over time, had grown softer, speaking and mentoring the poor girl as she began to take pity on her. She would advise her not to take her medication as she was not mentally ill. She was just different than other children. This would cause much discourse between Miyu and the staff at the hospitals and would often end with Miyu being forced to take injections that would knock her out for hours at a time. 

“You little brat,” her mother would snap at her. “There are no such things as curses! These monsters are all in your head and you’re doing this for attention!” Miyu would flinch at the tone of her mother’s voice, causing her mother to reach out and grab her by the upper arm and jerk her around. “You have brought nothing but problems to this family since you were brought here! We should’ve known something was wrong with you when your biological family gave you up so easily!”

Aruna would frown as she would watch Miyu retreat to her bedroom, curling up on her bed in the fetal position as the tears would begin to flow from her eyes. Aruna would sit at the foot of her bed, petting the girl’s long, crimson hair trying to comfort her. “Little one… there is nothing wrong with you,” she would tell her over and over again.

Until her brother would open the door…

Miyu’s face would pale as he would step inside. “Please go away,” she would cry out.

And despite her protests, her brother would not leave. He would often take advantage of the girl, knowing that no one would believe her, that they would just brand it as another crazy girl’s delusions. And as Miyu grew older, her brother became more inappropriate until Aruna would no longer tolerate his actions and snapped her fingers and took over Miyu’s small frame before using her cursed energy to shove her brother back and slam into the wall on the opposite side of the room. 

“Little pervert,” Aruna hissed as she still had control of Miyu’s body. “I’ll kill you…”

He scrambled to his feet before rushing out of the bedroom trying to get his mother’s help.

Aruna sighed, before allowing Miyu to take over but told her she needed to make a run for it. It was odd that she easily took over the girl’s body and began to wonder if she was the perfect vessel Sukuna had spoken of so long ago. They were almost exact copies… even down to the birthmark on Miyu’s wrist that mirrored the mark Sukuna had placed at Aruna’s so many years ago. 

Miyu took Aruna’s warning and made a run for it before her mother would harm her again. She ran until her chest tightened and she could no longer breathe as she stepped into a dark alley. Miyu leaned against a brick wall, trying to catch her breath before she started hearing screeching noises growing closer… The screeching then turned into slashing noises and before she knew it she found a curse slashed in half at her feet. 

Her eyes went wide as she looked up and met the gaze of an older woman. She was not from America as when she spoke her English wasn’t perfect but enough for Miyu to understand. Luckily, being adopted by a Japanese-American family, Miyu had managed to learn Japanese as she introduced herself to the older woman. 

“Did you kill that thing!”

“...you can see them?”

Aruna watched carefully. A sorcerer…

“Yes,” Miyu admitted, wiping her eyes. “All my life. I have no idea what they are!”

The woman frowned. “My name is Hayami… This is a curse. I’ve been sent here from Japan to exterminate them though they typically aren’t found outside Japan.”

Miyu blinked. “I’m…I’m adopted. My biological family gave me up. I was born in Japan.”

“I think we have much to talk about Miyu,” Haya explained, offering the terrified teenager a soft smile. “Come with me.”

“Are you,” Miyu frowned before pausing. “Are you going to hurt me?”

“I would never do that,” Haya said, gently petting the girl’s hair. “I believe I’ve found the source of the cursed energy here… You’re not crazy Miyu. These are very real things.”

A wave of relief washed over Miyu’s face as she followed Hayami. “So what now?”

“We need to get you back to Japan and get your cursed technique under control.”

“But my parents…” Miyu sighed. “What about them?”

“I will handle it,” Haya explained. “But first. We must talk.”

Aruna was silent as she watched Miyu interacting with this woman. She could sense the woman had no ill intentions toward Miyu, perhaps she could even save her. Her hands moved through Miyu’s hair, offering her some comfort and letting her know that she was fine with this decision. Especially because deep down, Aruna knew that she was the reason Miyu had been placed there, to begin with… 

“She will keep you safe, Miyu,” Aruna whispered to her, causing Miyu to smile.

Perhaps, it was finally time to fix it. There would be no way Sukuna would ever find her again, even though a part of her craved his touch and attention. He would only torment this sweet girl and she would never allow that to happen. Miyu would be much safer in a place that would  harness her cursed techniques and teach her proper control. Perhaps, Japan would be the safest place for them both.

It was time to go home.

[notnctu]

haechan: the cocky | vol 2

━ welcome home to the housemating smut series :)

☆ click the link above to read background info about this housemate!

☆ GENRE: smut, pwp ☆ DETAILS: fem!reader, college!au, housemate!au ☆ WARNINGS: explicit language, dirty talking, nicknames, dom!hyuck, penetration, oral (giving & receiving), slight degradation?, mentions of exhibitionist kink? ☆ WC: 3.6k  ☆ SYNOPSIS: after receiving haechan’s text messages, you hurry up to his room and the sexual tension is thicker than you can ever imagine. 

☆ AUTHORS NOTE: read vol 1 here if u havent already :) theres no plot yall its just smut,, this one a filthy one ha ha skjdhfgieas

When you enter Haechan’s room, his back faces you as he sits comfortably in his expensive gaming chair, clicking furiously at his mouse and practically abusing the poor device. “Why are you so worked up?” Your voice causes him to perk up, removing an ear from his headset. 

“Mark fucking sucks at this game.” Haechan rolls his eyes as he speaks directly into his mic and Mark’s tiny muffled voice shouts back at him. 

Leaning into Haechan’s face, his eyes leave his monitor momentarily to intently watch your actions. Your fingers grab hold of the built in mic and speaking lowly, you greet the other boy through the receiver. “Hi Mark.”

Haechan raises an eyebrow at your seductive tone and the happy smirk on your face when you hear Mark stammer back a faint, “h-hello, y/n.” 

“Mark, I gotta go.” Before even letting Mark protest and throw a fit, he’s hanging up the call and forfeiting his winning streak to finally finish what you two had started. You’re laying on Haechan’s bed with eyes that eat him right up, a look of lust and desire. 

His gaze bounces between the open door and the way your thin shirt does absolutely nothing to hide how erect your nipples have become. His signature face of disbelief: tongue in cheek and rolling his eyes, paired with a small scoff. 

“What? Are you cold or something?” He snickers, getting up to close the door.

“No... I’m just..” Propping up on your elbows, you glance briefly down at your shirt and then, away at the ground shamelessly. 

“Aroused? Turned on?” Haechan taunts as he leans down to hover above you, his fingers toying with the ends of the thin fabric. As much as you’re trying to avoid eye contact, he doesn’t allow for you to shy away for long.

“Maybe.” You gulp the pooling spit in the back of your throat, the tension rising in the room. “I came upstairs like you told me too.” Pouting, he finally has you fixated on him with a thumb on your chin. 

Making eye contact with him is not only incredibly intimate, but there is something mesmerizing and comforting in the way Haechan looks at you. “Right, my good girl did what she was told. How much longer can she keep that up?” His whisper is hot against your skin, but he doesn’t lean in any more. 

“Don’t test me, Hyuck.” You snap back gently, crossing your arms across your chest and almost immediately, Haechan pushes you lightly onto the bed. You yelp at the boldness, knowing that your bratty side might have edged him on.

“Hyuck....? Baby, we haven’t even started yet.” He smirks, and you wish for nothing more than to wipe it off his face. He has the absolute confidence to play with you all night if he wanted to. Cocky motherfucker. 

“Do something, please.” The whine in your voice catches his attention, only fueling his ego more than it has already inflated. 

“What does my pretty baby want me to do?” Haechan has the full audacity to sit back in his chair, legs spread wide and arms resting behind his head. He’s left you on the bed practically untouched, yet the moment you sit up, a small pool of wetness rushes in your panties.

He’s done nothing, but your body reacts to him too strongly for you to admit. “I want you to give me a kiss.” You mumble.

However, Haechan leaves no room for a pause. “Speak up.” His voice is low and dark as he watches you squirm in your shorts, your legs rubbing together for some friction. He just loves how needy he can get you to be.

“Give me a kiss.” A little louder this time, all the while being mindful at how thin the walls are. Haechan patiently waits for you to finish your beg, “please.”

He pats his lap for you to come sit, then opens his arms to invite you into his embrace. Your legs fall on either side of his thighs and his hands rests on your waist. Haechan peers up at the pout that hasn’t left your face and gently smiles. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

There’s a sense of rivalry when he uses that nickname, holding less of a soft implication than when he calls you baby. “You’re taking forever.” You groan, rocking against him with a frustrated whine.

However, he holds you steady by your hips and chuckles mockingly, “it wouldn’t be fun if I just gave it to you. I’m giving you more of an experience to remember the next time you want to rub one out.”

“Trust me, I’ll be fast forwarding these parts in my brain.” Rolling your eyes, your hands find themselves lightly on his chest. He feels rather solid through his black shirt, “you’ve been bulking up?”

“Yeah. Can you tell? Johnny has been waking my ass up early in the morning to go to the gym with him because Jaehyun has class.” Haechan presses you up against his torso and you’re impressed at how sturdy he feels.

“So that’s why we have two jugs of protein powder taking up counter space. Doyoung and I were concerned at how much the other two were consuming, but I guess the portion includes you now.” Your hands wrap around his neck to pull him unbelievably closer, the tips of your noses touching now.

Haechan stares at you with hooded eyes and breath mixing with your own. “What does it taste like?” Your question seems to hold a sexual innuendo, or it could be the tension in the air as you both try your hardest from devouring each other’s lips right then and there.

“Mmh, tastes like shit. Rather taste something else instead.” Haechan licks his lips and tilts his head only slightly. His mind is clouded with lustful, heavy thoughts of feeling your plushy lips against his own. And the possible taste of your tongue lapping with his brings him much excitement as well. 

“Should I try some?” The power has slightly shifted into your hands as Haechan seems to be in a trance from your proximity and sensual drop in tone. But you’re both wrapped up in each other’s scent of shampoo and it’s enough to drive you both hungry for one another. 

“Want your lips around something else.” His thumb pulls your bottom lip down just gently before slipping it into your open mouth. Your tongue circles his finger, slowly sucking to mimic the feeling of his cock. It sends tingles down to your lower abdomen and a small moan erupts from the back of Haechan’s throat. 

Something pokes at your inner thigh and without needing to look down, you already know how turned on Haechan has gotten. He won’t be able to wait it out anymore. “So pretty.” Haechan coos as he drops his finger from your lips. “Do you still want your kiss, baby?” 

“Of course.” You lean in thinking that Haechan is going to finally give you a good smooch on the lips, but he picks you up and tosses you onto the bed. He’s discarding your shorts and underwear, peeling it off your legs and tossing it somewhere in a corner. 

He spreads your legs wide open, “holy fuck, you’re dripping.” And you’re so close to telling him to stop exaggerating until he gathers slick from your hole and it unleashes a small waterfall cascading onto the bed sheets. “Since when were you this easily aroused?” 

Before you can retaliate, Haechan softly kisses your clit and slowly licks a long strip up your cunt. You arch into him, his lips pressing against you just a bit harder than the first time. Eyes are locked in on yours as he flicks delicate licks at your bundle of nerves. “Good girls get the best kinds of kisses.” 

He will never be able to get enough of your taste or your legs squirming at the jolts of pleasure that run down them. The fact that stands is that Haechan inexplicably loves pleasuring women and performing cunnilingus, that’s undeniable. But there’s something very special about the way your body reacts to his smallest gestures and sensual words, so responsive and almost like, your body knows how much it wants him. 

And if you two hadn’t been so cordial and polite about living with each other in the beginning and considerate of your other housemates, he would’ve fucked you a long time ago. It always felt as if Haechan was walking on thorns around you, making sure he didn’t cross the lines of making you feel uncomfortable. 

Nonetheless, your pajama shorts do a terrible job at covering you up or the small moments when your shirt would ride up your stomach, he always found his stares to linger. And not to mention, all the moments he has walked by to catch a glimpse of you masturbating. Truthfully, he’d been masturbating to the thought of you too and only to find out that you shared the same interest in him. 

You suppress your moans with your hand, afraid to risk the chance of getting caught by your other housemates. Nevertheless, your muffled moans encourage him to lick harder, building a quick rhythm. “Hyuck, please fuck me.” 

It’s agonizing the more he edges you closer to your release. Haechan is addicted to lapping your endless flow of juices that he almost chooses to ignore your breathless plea. He lets go and the knot of pleasure in your stomach dissipates for the time being, your chest rising and falling rapidly to catch your breath.

“I thought you lost your ability to speak for a second.” Haechan doesn’t mean it as a joking statement, it’s meant to instill slight humiliation in you and with a bit of a teasing tone in his darkness.

You don’t take his words to heart, “I can speak and I know what I want.” Your voice is brighter than before, until Haechan’s grin turns mischievous and he’s plotting his next few words carefully. 

“Use your smart words and tell me what you want then.” Taking off his clothes, his shaft slaps against his stomach with an angry red tip leaking precum.

The sight of his dick has you clenching around nothing and it’s obvious where your focus has shifted to. You mindlessly take off your shirt, “for a computer science major, you sure like words a lot.” 

“For someone who’s ruining my sheets, you sure like to verbally under compensate how much you want me.” Haechan rubs his tip at your entrance to gather lubrication, a small whine escapes his lips as he’s trying his best to hold back from ramming into your wet cunt.

“Hyuck, please. I want you to fuck me speechless.” A sparkle catches in his eye as he’s gleaming at how the dirty words spill from your pretty mouth. Pulling you up, he holds your head steady and lightly taps your lips with his tip.

“Speechless? I guess you won’t be able to whine with my dick in your mouth.” And slowly, you invite his hot shaft into your warmth and the saltiness hits your palette. A long string of profanities fill the air when you lick the underside of his tip and hollow your cheeks to suck more of him.

“Do you think you can take the whole thing?” He moans and it shocks you how raspy his voice suddenly got. His hand is rests on the back of your head lightly, patting and smoothing your hair lovingly. If it isn’t for that lost lustful look in his eyes that represent an innocent curiosity, you wouldn’t have awarded his request. 

Opening your throat, he slowly guides you further down his length. Haechan’s reactions are ungodly satisfying as he throws his head back toward the ceiling and instantly tightens his grip in your hair. 

“Fuck, fuck. Okay, I’m done messing around.” He manages to chuckle playfully, pulling you off his dick as a string of saliva draws from the disconnect. Pulling you by your hair, he tilts your head upward at him and he leans down to kiss you: open mouth, tongues lapping, spit mixing.

The kiss ignites a flame in your chest being that it’s probably one of the hottest kisses you’ve ever experienced. Haechan’s dominance is caring, yet strong enough to remind you just how rough he has the ability to be. 

“Lay on your side.” You do as you’re told as Haechan unravels a condom to slip on. A feeling of excitement bubbles up in your core, you’re finally getting fucked. It’s not the first time you and Haechan have done penetration, but it’s definitely not enough times to satisfy your lust for him.

With your body facing the door, Haechan lays down behind you, a hand on your hip to press your ass against his shaft. “How cute. We’re spooning.” He taunts menacingly and reaching around to rub your swollen clit. 

You yelp and Haechan covers your mouth instantly. You’re a moaning mess in his hands as his fingers work magic stimulation down below. Every squirm has you bumping your ass up into his hard on. 

Just as his tip enters your wet hole, a knock on the door has you both halting your movements. Your heart is racing at the interruption and it’s not going to look too good with Haechan’s dick barely up your cunt and hand hovering over your clit. There will be no lie that can get you two out of this naked situation.

“Haechan, can I borrow your speaker?” It’s the voice of Jaemin. Of all the times that he actually comes home, you’re midway having sex with Haechan. 

It doesn’t seem to bother Haechan though, maybe a bit agitated that someone interrupted the tension, but overall he doesn’t seem phased. Then, you remember all the times you’ve knocked on the other boys’ doors during their hookups and it’s gotten to the point that no one really cares. “For what!?” 

“To use in the shower.” A jiggle on the doorknob panics you, but Haechan is lifting your leg in the air and enters you fully without a warning. You bite back a moan as Haechan buries his face into your neck. The initial stretch from his girth stings with pleasure and you relax into him when you adjust to his size. “Why is your door locked?” 

“Fuck, is this making you more wet?” Haechan whispers lowly into your ear and a smile grows against your skin.

“Shut up.” You mumble, clenching around him every time Jaemin tries to open the door. He starts moving his hips into you, long thrust that jolt your body every time he enters. 

Haechan laughs, “it’s in the bathroom already, leave me alone! I’m with someone.” He’s looking down at your eyes rolling to the back of your head and the tight grip you have on the sheets. You feel all of him, his cock fills you up to the brim, grazing upon your sweet spot. 

Jaemin scoffs on the other side, “okay. Use protection, kids.” And his shadow disappears from under the door. Haechan removes his hand and his hot moans fill your ears.

“No wonder why you leave the door fucking open. You want us to see you, don’t you?” His hips ram harder into your pussy, rougher and faster than before. The soreness begins to occupy your lower regions from how much Haechan stretches you. His dirty words aid you closer to your release. “Imagine if I didn’t lock the door and Jaemin saw me balls deep in you. You’d like that, huh? What a slut.” 

Your legs feel like jelly as a familiar exhilaration surges through your limbs. “Speechless now, aren’t you?” Haechan smirks and drops your leg. Hands hold you by your waist as he bottoms out, his balls slapping your thigh slightly. Once he’s nestled in deep, he starts rubbing circles on your clit once again and you’re squeezing around him so well that he doesn’t need to move. 

The added sensation brings you to your edge, along with the feeling of fullness. Without a fail, he always makes sure he takes care of you first. “I’m gon-- cum.” Words are jumbled in your scattered, empty brain. The release is on the tip of your tongue, the tips of your toes, Haechan’s rhythm on your bud doesn’t falter.

“Cum on my dick, baby. I want to feel you lose control.” His final encouragement leads you to your demise as your pussy clenches around him sporadically and your legs shaking from the pleasure. But it doesn’t stop, Haechan starts fucking you through your orgasm, so fast that it almost has you crying out of the intensity. His nails dig into your skin. 

“Oh-- shit! Hyuck, I--” Haechan slams your hips down to match his and you’re holding onto the sheets for your life. The toe curling pleasure overwhelms you and you can’t tell, but you’re cumming again. It just never seems to stop.

With a last grunt and full thrust, you feel his dick pumping inside your walls. He kisses your shoulder tenderly and smooths over the moon crescents he left, “shit. I’m sorry for calling you out like that.”

“It’s fine. It was hot.” He pulls out and an emptiness disappoints you. Turning around to face him, you latch on and give him the biggest hug. “But I really just am forgetful! I don’t leave it open on purpose....”

“Baby, you say that, but do you also forget that you live with five other horny men?” He kisses your temples and sits you both up.

“That’s why I do it when you guys aren’t home.” Getting up, you start putting on Haechan’s shirt and slipping on your panties. “Do you think Jaem is done showering?”

“Probably, that guy uses 2 in 1 shampoo and body wash so he just lathers and rinses.” Haechan ties the condom and tosses it into the trash can. He slips on a pair of fresh briefs and starts removing his soiled bed sheets. “Come back and help me make my bed when you’re done.” 

Nodding, you slyly walk out of Haechan’s room. You turn the knob as quietly as you can and shut the door softly. When you spin around, Jaemin walks down the hall with a towel around his naked shoulders and his black hair wet from his shower. His toned body is glistening with droplets as his sweatpants hang low on his hips and the waistband of his underwear peek out. 

You’re so distracted by his appearance that you don’t realize he’s caught you leaving Haechan’s room. “Is that Haechan’s shirt?” He quizzes you, a smirk twitching his lips automatically at your doe eyed expression. “And are you not wearing pants, y/n?” 

“I see you’re done with your shower.” You say quickly and you dash away to the bathroom. The moment you shut the door, you’re surprised by a random girl on the toilet.

“Sorry!” You both yell, covering your eyes at the sudden intrusion on both ends. 

“I didn’t realize there wasn’t a lock on the door.” She says and you turn to face the door to give her some privacy.

“Yeah, it’s been broken for awhile now. We usually just put a sticky note on the door to show that it’s preoccupied.” You don’t even question who she is, denoting that it’s either Jaehyun or Johnny’s lady friend. “I’ll just wait outside.” 

“Wait, do you live with Johnny?” She asks and truthfully, you’re not ready to go back outside in any chance that you’ll bump into Jaemin again. The bathroom is where you intended to hide until enough time is passed, while also doing your business. 

“Yeah. We’re housemates.” 

“Ah, that’s comforting to know that there’s another girl here. I thought it was just a house of guys, so I was a bit worried coming over.” Her voice sounds reassured and you’re exhaling out all the anxious air you had pent up since seeing Jaemin.

“That’s good. Men, am I right?” You try laughing to lighten the mood and surprisingly through the steamy suffocation, she giggles back. 

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve never seen so many bottles of AXE body spray in one bathroom.” Living in a house full of men, you realize you slightly miss the bathroom talks with your girl friends. 

“Look in the tub, there are four bottles of men body wash, yet they always use mine! It’s a hoax.” You announce excitedly, despite still facing the door.

“I have the same one! I fucking knew Johnny smelled like white strawberries and mint, but I couldn’t tell if the scent was from me or him.” 

Maybe sometimes, it isn’t so bad living with a group of attractive men. You get to laugh with their hookups in the bathroom! And before you know it, Johnny is knocking on the bathroom door to the fit of giggles and questioning why there are two voices. 

“I thought you had left without saying goodbye.” He says.

“Damn, the sex was that bad.” You joke and Johnny fakes a laugh through the door.

“Let me know if Haechan is any better, y/n.” You gasp at his statement, but don’t respond. The flushing of the toilet and the sink running being the only noises in the room. You’re stunned. Knowing Jaemin’s big mouth, he can’t keep a secret to save his life.

“It’s nice meeting you, y/n.” Johnny’s hookup gives you a warming hug before leaving and when she opens the door to join him, you give Johnny the middle finger as your form of response. 

“Nice meeting you too!” You yell back to her and shut the door to finally do your business. 

Great, now everyone knows you fucked your housemate. 

[fredshufflepuff]

Can you do one about young Sirius Black or young Remus Lupin please? Thank you!😊

why so serious, sirius? || s.b ✧˖*°࿐

summary: sirius is a jerk towards you, showing you how he really feels without shame. what happens when he goes too far?

a/n: i got wayyyy too carried away with this omg.

series partially inspired by @hxlyhead-harpies ‘s congratulations weasley fic <3

warnings: fem!reader, young!sirius, platonic remus!relationship, language, angst, enemies to lovers, part one to a two(three?) part series.

word count: 1,316

“good morning, my loves!” you sang, approaching the gryffindor table with a smile on your cheery face. lily and james returning the gesture as you took a seat next to them.

remus wasn’t up yet, probably still shit faced in his room while everyone else was at breakfast.

sirius on the other hand...

“why’re you always so damn loud?” the dark haired boy growled, his eyes darting to yours as he took a bite of his toast.

“why’re you always so aggressive?” you spat back, your mood immediately souring at his bitter attitude towards you and you only.

“snappy now, are we?”

you ignored his comment and grabbed a plate, not wanting him to ruin your morning. how could sirius have so much anger in him? especially it being so early.

“sirius, mate—leave the poor girl alone” a familiar voice spoke, the groups heads turning to see remus standing behind the boy with a tired grin.

a smile came to your face as you ushered for him to sit next to you, remus accepting as he plopped down next to you—immediately asking you how you slept.

sirius couldn’t help but sink back into his seat, his jaw clenched and eyes darted towards the pair as they talked about upcoming classes.

“mate, you’re staring” james whispered, nudging his stubborn friend in the side as he snapped out of his thoughts.

“i wasn’t staring” he snapped, turning to a skeptical james and a grinning lily. of course the red head girl knew what was really going on, when it came to the bickering pair lily was always there to read what was going on. “what, lily?!”

“you know what” she drawled out, her head titling to y/n as she took a sip from her pumpkin juice, “i’m not blind, sirius.”

“neither am i, i’d never stare at something as repulsive as y/l/n” he spat, his voice loud enough for you to hear. and of course you did, that’s why your heart clenched, but you didn’t give him the reaction he was pushing for.

instead, you continued your conversation with remus like nothing had happened—despite your stomach twisting as the cruel words replayed in the back of your head.

breakfast was over and you said your goodbyes to the group, everyone except sirius. there was a game later versus slytherin and everyone decided to meet up after classes.

“by the court yard, right?” you checked, lily nodding and reminding you that they’d all leave from there.

“great! see you then” you chirped, spinning on your heel and making your way down the corridor.

you heard footsteps approach you from behind, remus coming into view as he threw his arm around you. “didn’t think i wouldn’t walk you to class, did you?”

“i didn’t forget...” you trailed off, remus mumbling a ‘rubbish’ as you giggled at his response.

you’re relationship with remus was nothing but platonic, you’ve known the boy since first year—it would be impossible for you to feel anything other than friendship for him.

and he felt the same way, he saw you as a sister to him; he was your big brother in a way. he protected you from harms way and would hex anyone that talked bad about you—especially sirius. but you and him both knew the boy wouldn’t stop anytime soon with his constant teasing, so you told remus to lay off. you loved him of course for being so caring and thoughtful, but you didn’t want anything to escalate.

“potions with slughorn?” remus asked, completely forgetting what your first class was. you gave a tired sigh as you nodded in response, practically dreading to enter the room.

“have fun with that” he teased, pinching your side before opening the door for you, “i’ll see you at the courtyard.”

“thanks, rem” you smiled, ruffling the boys hair before entering the student filled room. it was loud and noisy, signaling to you that slughorn wasn’t there yet. no one would dare laugh nor talk if that dreadful man was around, he always sucked the life out of everything.

“was wondering when you’d get here” sirius said, watching you with narrow eyes as you took a spot next to him.

it’s not like you wanted to, slughorn assigned sirius to be your partner for the entire year, which also included sitting next to the irritating bastard.

“you were waiting for me?” you teased, your eyebrow cocking as he scoffed in annoyance—mumbling a quiet ‘yeah right.’

“zip it! class has begun!” slughorn announced, cutting your conversation with the boy short as he entered the room. his robe swayed back and forth dramatically as he cleanly yanked up the sleeves, his sharp eyes scanning the pairs of students.

“today we will be brewing amortentia” he drawled, walking around to his desk before crossing his arms, “does anyone know what the amortentia does?”

your hand shot up grabbing his attention, his head nodding for you to go on.

“it’s a powerful love potion sir, amortentia smells different to everyone, according to what attracts them,” you explained, slughorn’s lips turning into a thin line of approval.

“very good, y/l/n. 10 points to y/h.”

you heard sirius scoff from next to you, mumbling a ‘show off’ under his breath—but loud enough for you to hear.

“fuck off” you snapped, voice low so snape couldn’t hear as he rambled on about the potion and how to not mess it up.

you had two hours to perfect the assignment, which could be hard considering how you had sirius as your partner.

“get the cauldron and we can begin” you waved him off, his eyes rolling as he mumbled something ONCE AGAIN—under his breath.

this was going to be a long two hours.

“powdered moonstone, sirius! not moonstone powder!”

“what’s the difference?!”

“crush the pearls into dust.”

“rose thorn, sirius, not just the rose!”

“you bitch too much.”

“just shut up and grab the ashwinder egg.”

“done!” you announced, a tired smile coming to your face as you watched the potion turn into a vibrant pink color.

“is that so, y/l/n? black?” slughorn asked the two of you, his figure looming over your work area as he narrowed his eyes towards the cauldron.

“yes, sir.”

he hummed quietly to himself before ushering you to smell it, tell him what scent it gave off and write it down.

“go first, just in case it blows up” sirius said, your eyes narrowing as you shoved him to the side. you leaned over the cauldron and stared into the pink liquid, a smell of smoke and sugar filling your scent.

“odd” you mumbled, stepping back and grabbing a quill to scribble it down. “well, what did you smell?”

“none of your business, black” you snapped, his eyes darting daggers into you as he bit the inside of his cheek.

“not like i cared anyway, y/l/n” he mimicked, leaning over the cauldron himself and waiting for a smell to emit.

“pressed flowers and rain.”

“pressed flowers? that’s awfully specific” you said, rolling your eyes at his claim. who smells pressed flowers? that’s like you saying ‘dark black smoke,’ way too descriptive.

ridiculous, you thought.

“you can never not be a bitch can you?” he snapped, your stomach twisting as you glared at him.

“cut the chatter! clean up your stations” slughorn barked, the classroom going quiet as you quietly moved to get the cauldron.

man, sirius was a dick.

“amortentia?! what did you smell?” lily asked, eagerly wanting to know who you desired.

you had to desire someone, you couldn’t just be alone forever. but you made it painfully clear that you fancied no one here at hogwarts. at least, that’s what you kept telling yourself.

“smoke and sugar” you hummed, your eyes wandering around as you waited for the rest of your group to show up, “odd isn’t it? i mean, who smells like smoke and sug-”

“sirius!”

[ifeelsotiredbuticantsleep]

This post will contain spoilers for the end of The storm of echoes, the 4th book in the mirror visitor series. So please, don't read if you haven't finished it!

I know that book 4 will soon be released in English, so many readers will be able to discover the ending that French readers had 2 years to process (and I think that the book has already been published in Italian and a few other languages).

And many people will probably be disappointed. So I'd like to give Christelle Dabos' point of view, for those who haven't heard it, and then my point of view. 

First, I'd like to remind to some people that Christelle Dabos is allowed to do what she wants with her books and characters, and insulting her on social medias like some French people did is a shitty thing to do. It won't give you another ending 🙃

Then, in a few interviews in French, she explained her choice for this ending, and she knew it wouldn't be popular. So I'd like to remind you that she's someone who got into writing thanks to fanfiction (that could make another great analysis of her works!). She knows what it's like to use someone else's charcters to create your own stories. She knows what it feels like to wait for years to get the last book of a series, and reach the last chapter to read what the author decided would happen to your favorite characters, and how readers will take canon and throw it aside to write their own ending. She knows what it's like to interact with other readers and spend hours discussing theories. She made friends through fanfiction. Some of the people who beta-read the mirror visitor books are people she met while writing fanfic (and the people who encouraged her to submit her first book to Gallimard's competition are people she met thanks to fanfic). The artist that made most of the drawings on her website is a person she met thanks to fanfiction. The Mirror visitor books kinda exist because of fanfiction. She knows what it's like to be involved in a book, to do more than just read it and leave it on your shelf after that. 

And she said that she choose this ending as a gift for us, readers. She knew that no matter the ending, some people would be disappointed. With this end, she's giving us an empty box as a gift, like Farouk used to do. We can do what we want with that. Maybe you'll decide that they find each other right away. Maybe you'll decide that it takes them months or years to find each other, and they'll have to deal with trauma. Maybe by some twist, they'll be able to have children. Or maybe they won't. Maybe they'll decide that they don't want kids and babysitting Victoire is enough for them. Maybe they'll visit all the Arches, maybe they'll settle in Anima and open a bookshop. 

She said that she won't write another mirror visitor book, she won't come back to this universe (She's working on other books now). But she wants the readers to keep it alive, in our own way. She interacts a lot with readers (there are a lot of meetings with her on discord for example, she gives interviews to booktubers...), she answers our questions, but she said that what happens to all these characters after the last chapter is for us to decide. 

And personally, it took me some time to accept that. I was devastated and mad after I finished the fourth book. But now, I love it. Because the gift worked. I couldn't leave this universe, and I had to imagine what would happen to them. And I wrote thousands of words to do that. In my version, they're happy together and Thorn makes hot chocolate for Ophélie. For some people, they have a child together, for others they solve new mysteries. Each fanfic set after the fourth book is a new ending and you can choose which ones you accept as your own canon. 

So obviously, you're allowed to dislike the end. I hated it at first as well. But my advice is to go read a few fanfictions. Look at all the art people made. And maybe, after some time, re-read the books. Now that I took some time to process it, I'm not even sure if this is an open ending. They're both mirror visitors. Ophélie went through a mirror to look for Thorn. And that little sentence "somewhat more than that, even" (or whatever the exact translation used in English is), it doesn't feel like an open ending to me, at least not anymore. 

[lag1995-fics]

Hii. Can I request anything with pre- cult Kai and fem reader with a reader that's really happy and bubbly? It could be a fic, headcanonns, literally anything lol. I love your writing 💙💙

Of course you can love, I hope you enjoy this ❤️

Crushing

Pairing: Pre Cult Kai/ bubbly reader

Words: 1506

Warnings: POSSIBLE TRIGGER WARNINGS ⚠️⚠️⚠️ This will contain sexual harassment and assault it isn’t graphic but some may feel uncomfy, this fic also features heavy language

Summary: Kai and Reader have both had crushes on each other but have consistently brushed their feelings off they both felt the other was simply unattainable. A bad experience ends up bringing them together.

Masterlist

///::::///

You had always been a bubbly person, the type that usually had a grin spread across her face. You had the biggest crush on your friend Winter’s older brother. You were one hundred percent positive that you were not his type. He was sarcastic and a little mean at times, you were an absolute giggle box who always had a kind word and a smile for almost everyone.

What you didn’t know, was that you were not the only person with a crush. Kai had been mesmerized by the way you floated through life like you had a bubble to protect you from all the grubby thorns that were society. You never caught him but he would stare at you when you came to visit Winter. The entire family loved you actually and Kai’s father would often tease him about you when you were out of the room.

You never expected anything to come out of your silly little crush and neither did Kai for that matter. He had actually put you up on a bit of an unfounded pedestal in his own mind. You were too pure for anyone himself included. He didn’t want to see anyone crush your spirit it was something he loved about you.

Kai couldn’t control the world though, and the world was a dark miserable place that was full of dark miserable people. You were someone who was remarkable though, you seemed untouched by the dark miserable world in his mind. The darkness of the world affects everyone sometimes though and it did eventually catch up to you.

***

You had been walking home from work in the rain, face tilted to sky as the soft drops of water tickled your skin. You hadn’t noticed the strange customer who had been watching you at the coffee shop where you worked. You also hadn’t noticed him follow you out of the shop too busy watching your bright yellow converse splash happily in the puddles on the grubby side walk.

It hadn’t taken him long to act when you had turned onto a fairly deserted road. He had caught up to you and began to walk in step with you. Red flags went up immediately in your head but you as always held out hope that maybe this person was just being friendly.

“Hey baby girl,” his tone was slippery and disgusting. You couldn’t help the trill of fear that went down your spine.

“Hey, please don’t call me that,” you muttered, probably more politely than you should have.

“Oh so you’re a frigid bitch that can’t take a fuckin compliment!” His tone had shifted from slick to intimidating in the span of a few seconds. This man was everything your mother had taught you to fear. You also wished you had started carrying personal protection like Winter had suggested, weapons made you uncomfy though.

“Excuse me I need to get home people are waiting for me” you babbled picking up your pace to try and put distance between himself and you. Before you got very far his large hand reached out wrapping around your forearm with a bruising tightness. You yelped, reaching into your pocket with your free hand to hit your emergency dial.

“I wasn’t done talkin to you bitch don’t think I didn’t notice you ignoring me at the stupid little coffee shop” your fear level was almost maxed out now and you could faintly hear Winter screaming in your pocket from where you had emergency dialed her.

“Please I don’t want any trouble, I haven’t done anything to you,” you tried to reason with the mad man. Before the man could utter another word a car screeched to a halt in the middle of the street.

Kai had been driving down the road on his way back home when he saw a familiar polka dot rain jacket being assaulted by some grubby asshole. He had slammed on his breaks and jerked his old beater of a car into park. He flew out of the car dashing to your side.

“Get. Your. Fucking. Hands. Off. Of. Her.” He hissed as he stepped between you and your assailant. The man released her arm like it shocked him as Kai glared at him with angry brown eyes.

“Sorry man, I didn’t know she had a fuckin boyfriend she should have said something,” the man backpeddaled.

“It shouldn’t matter if a person has a boyfriend or not! No means no asshole!” You shouted the fear draining from you being rapidly replaced by righteous anger.

“If I ever see you again I’ll be the last person you’ll ever see fuck face” Kai spat angling himself rven further infront of you as the man ran off.

As soon as the man was gone Kai spun so that he was facing you. His eyes ran down your body looking for any possible injuries. Water dropped from his wild brown curls as he checked you over. He was careful not to touch you but you weren’t having any of that, you launched yourself into his arms your own wrapping around his surprisingly muscled middle.

“Thank you, you saved my ass,” you mumbled into his soaked t-shirt, happy that the rain was hiding your tear stained cheeks.

“You scared me to death, let’s get you home,” he brushed off your thank you. Like he could let someone try to hurt the only good thing in his world. He guided you to his car that was still parked in the middle of the road with the engine running.

Once you weee safely inside and he was driving again he turned to you. You couldn’t help the heat that filled your cheeks at his pointed gaze. You had never been alone like this with Kai before and it was frankly overwhelming.

“Why were you walking home, I know you have a car?” Kai asked his tone still full of worry. He would personally pay to have your car fixed if it was out of commission.

“I always walk when it’s raining, rain is my favorite” you blushed at how childish it sounded coming from your mouth. He let out an exasperated chuckle.

“Of course you do! Your a living breathing chick flick!” His tone was exasperated but lighthearted in a way.

“Hey! I resent that!” You shot out indignantly, “if I were a living breathing chick flick I would get the guy.”

Kai couldn’t help but look at you like you were dumb his brown eyes scanning your face to make sure you weren’t pulling his leg.

“Y/n you could literally get any dude you wanted, you’re freaking adorable” He sounded stunned that you would think such a thing. You rolled your eyes you didn’t need your best friend’s older brother blowing smoke up your rear.

“Adorable girls don’t get the guy Kai-Kai, hot girls get the guy” you rolled your eyes elbowing him gently. You didn’t know it but you were the only person in the world allowed to call him Kai-Kai. He pulled into your driveway still looking at you like you had grown three heads.

“You’re not serious y/n” Kai asked incredulously running a hand through his wet brown curls.

“Kai-Kai you don’t have to be nice to me just because I’m your sisters best friend” you rolled your eyes, moving to get out of Kai’s car.

“Give me your pinky” his voice sounded strange. Still you flashed him a goofy smile holding out a painted pinky. He linked his pinky with your own his was much larger and warmer.

“You know how a pinky swear works right?” He asked and you nodded still confused on where he was going with this.

“Yeah you can’t break a pinky swear” you replied.

“Well I pinky promise to tell you the brutally honest truth no sugar coating” he declared.

“Okay” you replied still a bit confused.

“Y/n I have wanted you from the moment you opened your mouth and that perfect giggle floated out. You ate everything I’m not. You’re a happy go lucky girl and I’m just some internet troll that enjoys getting a rise outta people,

“You’re way to good for me and I would never even bother to think that you would ever be interested in me. But you gotta stop this self deprecating bullshit. You are the most beautiful human I know inside and out” he ranted and you could only stare at him in shock, floored by his revelation.

“You like me?” You questioned your voice soft and squeaky.

“Hell yeah! How could anyone not like you y/n?” He too sounded surprised.

You unlatched your pinkies trying not to overthink what you were going to do next. You stared into Kai’s piercing brown eyes gathering your non existent courage. You leaned forward pushing forward with your hands on his console. Your lips connected in a searing kiss his lips scorched your own as he kissed you back with a fierceness, his hand burying itself in the back of your hair.

Sorry this took so long I was exhausted and time got away from me ❤️❤️❤️. Much love and thanks for reading.

[cher-writes]

Silver Screen / Silver Pole | Robert Sheehan x Reader (18+)

Summary: A night of celebration in a LA strip club takes an interesting and unexpected turn when a contrarian actor winds up offending the wrong stripper. But night is long and the possibilities are endless, where will it take them?

Word Count: 7.3k

CW: Mention of sexual harassment, Consensual slapping, NSFW smut

A/N: This one is surprisingly not bloody at all and the smut isn't wild either so like most everyone can read it. Although it's emotionally very heavy. So, get ready to feel some shit. Hopefully you'll enjoy.

Special thanks to @crisis-of-joy for being there for me the whole month I took to complete this emotionally taxing fic and also for being my kind beta reader & editor.

Burning on it’s way down, the third glass of whiskey finally gave her some life she desperately needed. Deafening music throbbed throughout her veins, drowning the club in the background. She wanted to drown with it too but she couldn’t, she was there to work and rent for the month was already due. The fourth glass was on the verge of meeting with her bitter mouth when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t drink so much, you’ll trip on the stage,” Coco practically shouted in her ear. Coco was the only friend she had in that goddamn place and It wasn’t a very rare occurrence that Coco had to drag her blackout drunk body out of the club. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say she had a problem. Considering that she was already on her third strike of the month and the third drink of the night, Coco knew better than to let her get drunk this early.

 “I can’t stay here and be sober at the same time,” she shouted back at Coco, “especially after...nevermind,” but decided against talking about it and instead focused her energy on finishing the fourth glass, which was gone just as quickly as the words stopped coming out of her mouth.

 She could read the concern on Coco's face and sense the questions brewing behind it as Coco spoke up, “I want to know what the fuck is up with you but I have to go now, Caleb came home from school hours ago, it’s pretty late and I have to cook him dinner.”

“What happened to Larry? Can’t he take care of the kid? He’s fucking jobless anyway.”

“He got in a bad fight again. I can barely afford Caleb’s school fees and now the medical bills.”

“If only you had divorced him, you wouldn’t need to worry about it.”

“And if only you had been less violent towards customers, you wouldn’t be on the verge of getting fired. But, here we are.”

She furrowed her brows at this sudden sharp stab of truth by Coco and dealt with it the only way she knew how to, by ordering another drink. Coco crossed her arms letting out a deep sigh and said, “Look, I'm only trying to help you, (y/n). Sam wanted me to go up. You see that group seating in the fifth VIP booth? Up there. They are celebs and celebrating something so, ya know, good money. I said no cause, as I said I gotta go home, but I convinced him to let you go up there. It was hard given your recent less-than-favorable behavior, but I managed to.” Coco snatched the already empty glass from her hand and continued, “So stop drinking, go up there and get that money. And for the love of God, behave yourself or this might be your last night here.”

Giving her hand a quick but tight squeeze, Coco got up then soon after disappeared into the crowd. She thought to herself about how a last night there wouldn’t be so bad if she could afford it, and wanted another drink immediately to kill that thought, but Coco's words haunted her ears. She looked over her shoulder to see three men sitting in the booth, laughing.

------------

Her head was in a violent swirl, vision blurry. She was way too drunk to be spinning around the pole, but she had an audience to entertain and had no one but herself to blame.

When you walked around your house wearin' my sky blue Lacoste, the song was thudding against her skull. Pulling herself together, she counted every second, waiting for the song to end. She could feel the eyes on her, sticking to every bit of her, just as invasive as it was the very first day yet, she couldn’t care less. She had to live through it if she wanted the money and she needed the money if she wanted to live. The room was dancing circles around her as the tips came flying in, she kept counting the seconds, sliding down the pole, and your knee socks.

------------

She was swaying dangerously on her way down from the stage. If the song didn’t end when it did, she would have thrown up without a shadow of a doubt. At that point, she didn’t even know how or what she danced, only the awful sickness in her stomach let her know that it was more than she could take.

She needed to chat up the men, try and convince them to buy a champagne room before the next song came on, which she feared was way too soon for her liking. Nevertheless she tried to steady herself but the big glass platforms messed with her earnest efforts, nausea kicking her in the stomach once again, letting her know of her limits. 

She didn’t ever really look at the men who sat in front of her, leering at her, they all looked the same, smelt the same and talked the same. So she followed the same old routine, bending down just enough to give them a view up her tits. Pressing her arms closer, she slurred, “What are we celebrating, gentlemen?”

 She absolutely hated how she sounded pandering to men, two pitches higher. “My friend over here landed a role in a Spielberg film!” the middle one spoke up and pointed to the one sitting on the right side. The one in question grinned in response and repulsion licked the back of her neck at the sight of that. Yet she needed to please him, “That’s amazing! I’m sure I’ll be seeing your face on the billboards everyday now while driving,” she said and fantasized about having enough money to burn down all the billboards in LA and maybe LA with it too.

 “Hell yeah you will!” the one in the middle spoke up and broke her reverie so she pretended he was supporting her fantasy instead. “Oh please! Speak for yourself!” the one on the right perked up in his seat and continued, “He’s literally working with Fincher AND he got engaged!”. The one in the middle gave a revolting smirk at the very humble revelation of his accomplishment and it was enough to turn her stomach or maybe it was the alcohol, she couldn’t really decipher.

 “Oh really?” she looked at the man, tilted her head and said, “And you came to a stripclub to celebrate your engagement?”, her face deadpan. Notes of contempt stuck out like thorns from her voice, making her sound way more intense than she intended to.

 He tensed up visibly at her sudden razor-edged tone and, even though she didn't want to, she had to ease the situation. I can’t piss off these bastards again, she kept repeating to herself like a mantra. “Boys will be boys!” she said, not being able to think of something better that wasn’t inherently insulting, and laughed the most disgusting laugh of her life. If she could she would pour gasoline down her throat just for uttering those words.

 She couldn’t bear to linger at that conversation point anymore so she turned her attention to the man sitting on the far left. He looked distant and foreign, staring but not really looking at her. There was a peculiar absence behind his distinct green eyes, which she would even call beautiful under different circumstances. And that, something about that absence, made her want to zero in on him.

“And what about you? Did you win an Oscar or something?” mockery ringed clear in her voice, which brought his attention back to the presence. Startled slightly, he straightened his posture while saying, “No, not really... not yet at least,” he smiled sheepishly and continued, “I’m just here with them”.

“Come to think about it, I’ve never really seen you anywhere,” she said without thinking too much. In fact, she didn’t really pay enough attention to how he looked to recognize him even if she did. 

Something intense flashed his eyes for a brief second. She couldn’t quite put her fingers on what it was but she could feel the energy shift very quickly between them.

“Oh I’ve been in things but I’d be surprised if you did see any of them,” his voice now stripped of the delicacy it previously held. She could feel the air between them getting unusually heavy, his words penetrating through her skin a bit too effortlessly, a bit too swiftly that it was unsettling.   

“And why exactly would you be surprised?”

“You know...cause people like you don’t usually watch the kind of films I do.”

“What do you mean by ‘people like me?’”

“You know...people of your...stature,” he trailed off. Blood rushed the back of her neck as soon as the words hit her ears. She could feel her vision burning, a hot wave washed the crown of her skull, something unruly building at the base of her being. Clenching her jaw so as not to let it take over her, she said, “Stature huh? Fancy! I reckon from your accent that, wherever the hell you’re from, people get a kick out of looking down on others with such wispy language.”

 She could sense the same unruly substance dancing behind his chest, but he was far better at keeping it on a leash.

“I wasn’t looking down upon you. What I was merely getting at is that some people aren’t cut for apprehending particular types of films,” he sounded snarky but calm, the type of calm that’s tainted with scorn, which only sent ripples of rage down her ribs.

  “Oh so you think just because I’m a stripper by profession that I wouldn’t understand your low-budget dumb indie movies?” she was getting visibly worked up now. Traces of her seductive posture vanished long ago but there was a new hostile energy flowing through her stance.

“I didn’t say that -”

“No, of course you didn’t say that, you only meant that. You meant what you think and every one of you think that we aren’t people with brains and emotions. No, no, we’re just sacks of meat to ogle at in exchange of money, and then grope when you can’t keep it in your pants.”

“I think you're trying to put words in my mouth, this is -”

“God! you think you’re fucking better than me, don’t you? You contrarian little shit!” she could feel it in her bones. She knew what was coming. There were people behind, or maybe beside, her, trying to talk to her, probably. She could hear no one, not even the previously unbearable blaring music. She had tunnel vision and it was fixed on him. The air she breathed chafed her nose. Her nerves thumped as her heart leapt at irregular rapid intervals.

  “Excuse me! but i neve -” he said as his body went alert. Posture anticipating something violent, flight or fight.

  “You think you're better than me because I'm a stripper and you got enough money to buy me?” her voice was icy as she spoke, “You LA people are all the fucking same. You get a little money in your pockets and you think you own the world and anyone who isn’t jerking off to your pretentious bullshit isn’t worthy enough to deserve basic fucking decency. Huh is that it?” she quickly jumped on top of him, straddling him.

He was frozen under her as she leaned in and murmured, “Well then allow me to show you”, she pulled away, her left hand clutching his shoulder as right fist rose the air, “HOW FUCKING BETTER THAN ME YOU ARE!” then her fist crashed on the side of his mouth with all the force she could muster, releasing a knot built in her chest since she checked in with the manager in the evening. Hot, sweltering adrenaline was coursing through her veins.

 The impact resulted in him burying his face in his right shoulder so she grabbed a fistful of his hair and forced him to face her. His lips were starting to swell up so she decided to help it. His eyes went blank as her fist met his face once more.

 Involuntarily, her hand was raising in the air again when she felt a strong pull from behind. The security guard, twice her size, yanked her away from him. People gathered around them staring at her, the music stopped to her relief. The guard twisted her arms behind her back, enough to leave bruises that’ll sting for days to come. She couldn't move, her sight went hazy yet she felt this strange cool serenity soothe her tensed muscles. His friends were crowding him, probably consoling him. She could neither hear them nor make out their faces from her almost closed eyelids. She was pretty sure she was falling asleep in the guard’s painful hold until she heard a certain voice and the hair at the back of her neck stood up. 

“What the fuck! She’s at it AGAIN? Sir, I'm so sorry -” Sam, the manager’s voice pierced her ears as he rushed into the booth. As he was talking to them, commotion rose in the background. She could feel blind rage beating with every thump of her heart. If it wasn’t for the guard holding her in place, she would have skinned him alive by now. She was struggling to free herself when Sam turned to her and said, “You! That’s it!” pointing his left index at her. “I’ve had just about enough of your drunkass assaulting fine gentlemen. You’re fired. Get out right now! And be grateful we’re not reporting you to the police.”

Suddenly everything went quiet in her head. She smiled, nothing behind her gaze. Grinning ear to ear like a maniac, she said, “I’m fired? Aww what’s gonna happen to you now Sam?”. She cooed, ''Whose tits and ass are you gonna grab from now on? Stella? I wonder if she’ll compare to me though.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Sam almost hissed at her.

“Ohhh right! Of course, you don’t know what I’m talking about,” she said while still tussling with whatever little strength she had left to loosen herself from the guard’s excruciating grip. “You don’t know anything about how you sexually harassed me day after day, how your disgusting, slimy little hands grabbed my body against my will at every chance that you got. You knew how much I need the money from this job and you used that against me to keep me silent, threatening to fire me every time I made even a sound. But guess what fucker? I’m fired now! And I’m gonna tell everyone about HOW YOU TRIED TO -”

“Take her to the staff room!” Sam cut her off, “NOW!” And, as soon as the words left Sam's mouth, the guard put his palm over her mouth and started dragging her back. The hand over her mouth muffled her screams and she glanced at the man, now with swollen lips, looking at her with eyes filled with, what looked like, concern.

As she was getting dragged, she finally managed to sink her teeth into the guard’s palm resulting in him withdrawing his hand just enough to give her a small window of time to scream at Sam: “YOU MOTHERFUCKER I’LL BE BACK AND I’LL PEEL THE SKIN OFF OF YOUR SCALP FUCKING SON OF A BITCH I’LL -” Before she could finish, her voice got cut off again and she faded into the dimly lit passageway at the back of the floor.

------------

The cherry of her fifth cigarette shone brightly in the shivering cold as the smoke drifted up in the air and sluggishly faded away. Mouth agape, her eyes meticulously followed the faint trails left after their disappearance. She wondered where they went, where she’ll go. If it wasn’t this late, and the water wasn’t so cold, maybe she could have gone for a swim in the ocean. If the water wasn’t so cold maybe she would have let it swallow her even. She was calculating the probable temperature of the hypothetical water she’d marry someday when the sound of slow approaching footsteps entered her field of perception. She would have preferred to ignore it but the, somehow already familiar, voice spoke up, “Hey erm...” and left her no choice but to look. And there he was, the foreign man with the swollen lip, looking culpable. There were distinct imprints of guilt in his voice as he continued, “I saw you across the parking lot…um I was actually just leaving with my friends,” he pointed at a black Mercedes parked at the far end of the lot. “They’re waiting in the car anyway so I decided -”

“So you decided now that she’s fired from being a stripper, she's probably a hooker! Lemme go ask the price she’s selling at,” her gestures and voice was comical, “you know, dude if you’ve got a kink of getting beaten up non-consensually then you’re really good at getting it cause I might just be up for round two.”

He stared at her for a good few seconds with a perplexed face, as if trying to process her stream of logic. When he started speaking, he sounded genuinely hurt, “No! Jesus Christ I came to apologize. Can you just not be defensive for one second? I’m not a monster ya know!”

His sincerity caught her off guard. She had about five thousand ways of dealing with assholes prepared and ready to go but an actually decent person? Now that was rocky territory for her.

“Well, uh, that’s a first. Go ahead I guess?” she shrugged her shoulders.

“I apologize for saying what I said back in the club. I shouldn’t have insinuated that you aren’t intelligent enough to understand my films just because of your choice of profession. It was really shitty of me to say that, and nothing can justify it either. And I feel like I caused you to be fired, that’s also weighing heavily on my soul and I don't know how to make it up to you. Just, I hope that you can forgive me and, again, I apologize, earnestly. Please tell me how I can make it up to you,” he said and looked at her with a rueful expression.

She was at a loss of words. It had been years since anyone apologized to her, let alone that sincerely. After a considerable amount of silence, she gathered her fragmented thoughts and spoke up, “Whoa, whoa man, chill. You didn’t murder my family or anything so calm down,” she held up her open palms, the cigarette almost at it’s end. “Apology accepted, okay? And don’t feel bad, I would have been fired sooner or later given my questionable behavior ever since I joined, so it’s not on your conscience. And I’m sorry too,” her index and middle finger holding the cigarette gestured at his lips, “for, um, punching you so let’s call it an even.”

“Okay,” he nodded, “yeah okay,” sounding clearly more relaxed than before.

“You know it’s a miracle how long it took for me to get fired,” she mused, “oh no it wasn’t a miracle it was sexual harassment, ah I see now. Wonder what Sam saw in me though that was worth not firing me for this long even though I pulled so much shit,” she took a long drag of her weary cigarette. “Maybe I've got a talent for getting harassed or something...who knows?”

His face tensed up again as he said, “That’s...not right,” eyes pooling with the same worried look as before.

“I was joking, chill. Humor is an excellent way to deal with most everything really, especially trauma.”

“I am sorry for what you had to go through, it’s gut-wrenching. Can’t you lodge a complaint to the police?”

“Going to the pigs? As a sex worker? Who just got fired for being drunk and punching a man in front of many eye witnesses? Now that was humor, you’re quite good at it actually.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Besides, that’s like one of the first things you gotta learn to put up with if you’re working in this business. As unfair and grim as it is, men, no actually, people don’t see sex workers as human beings and I’m just too obstinate to accept that simple fact, or maybe too much of a pussy, depending on where one’s priorities lie.”

“I…don’t know what to say.”

“There is nothing to say.”

 It was just setting in for her how beautiful he actually was. His crestfallen face was graced by two stunning green eyes, lush unruly curls sticking to his forehead, sharp jawline kissed with a  scruffy goatee and the swollen lip throwing off the symmetry just right to make him look captivating, to say the least. In the chilly December ambience his face was a soothing sight to her eyes, his sweet voice kind to her drudging ears, his presence warm to her existence. And she wanted to hold onto the warmth, just for a bit longer.

   “You said you wanted to make it up to me, right?” she said as the cigarette fell on the ground then died out under the crushing embrace of her cruel heels.                         

------------

“Well I'm Ro -” he said leaning against the passenger seat window, sitting half facing her.

“If you’re trying to say your name then don’t,” she cut him off quickly without averting her gaze from the road.

“Why?” he asked, staring at her intently yet without any emotion in particular.

“‘Cause it doesn’t matter. It’s better if we don’t know each other’s name. Names individualize people and that’s not necessary for tonight,” she answered nonchalantly as the neon lights of a passing by road sign illuminated her face and then faded into the past just as nonchalantly. 

“Okay.”

She could feel his eyes on her, but it didn’t bother her, it wasn’t tainted. There was this unusual tranquility in the atmosphere of the car, this obscure but consistent serene rhythm. She felt a bizarre comfort in his presence and she could drive like this forever, on a never-ending road spiraling towards heaven or winding down pandemonium or just dissolving into the ether, with him sitting lazily on the side.

    “Do you ever feel like that?” he spoke up absentmindedly, breaking into her almost fever dream.

“Huh?”

“The song, I feel like that often.”

She didn’t realize the radio was on, playing at quite a significant volume. She wondered if he had turned it on at some point and how long she was driving for without being present mentally.

This place will be the end of me. Take me out, LA. Take me out of LA, the voice from the radio filled the car to the brim.

 “I don’t feel like that, I know that. I know I'll die here, kinda intrinsically...do you hate this place?”

“No, not hate. I just feel like I don't fit in here. It’s the way of life, it’s quite significantly different to what I was used to. The people and the city, it all feels hollow sometimes and every now and then i catch myself yearning for what I left behind me.”

“I see. Beautiful people and their beautiful problems.”

    Silence fell in the car again. Except for the voice through the radio, Well this place is never what it seems.

 “You don’t have to make small talk, you know. I'm fine with silence,” she said, finally looking at him for a brief second.

“Oh I know,” he was looking right into her eyes, unruffled. “I wasn’t making small talk, I just wanted to talk to you. That’s all.”

------------

The bleak fluorescent tube above buzzed in solidarity as the fatigued clock on the chipped convenience store wall dragged its hands and finally managed to tick at 2 am. The attendant was leaning on the counter, trying not to fall asleep when her voice echoed in the store: “$20 on pump 2.”

“I’ll pay”, he cut in, reaching for his wallet. “Okayyy...” she replied, narrowing her eyes at his benevolence and looked around the store which was significantly emptier that other nights. She closed her eyes for a second and the memories flashed behind her lids. She used to come here frequently, around this time, with someone when everything in her world was right, just right enough for her to not to seek out falling stars every night and wish for death over and over again. When she opened her eyes a shiny pack of Parliaments caught her gaze and she quickly gestured behind the counter, “Since you’re paying, can I get a pack of those also?”

“Sure”

“I remember surviving on those alone while writing my thesis papers,” she said wistfully, “good times.”

“You went to college?”

“University actually, but yeah.”

“Good lord.”

“But I had to drop out so I couldn’t complete my Master’s in Biochemistry.”

“Why?”

“Life.”

“I flunked out my first year of college so you did way more than I did in that regard.”

“Welp, look where that got me.”

“Don’t say that!”

“What?” she scoffed.

“Anything else?” the attendant interjected, visibly tired and clearly annoyed at their conversation.

She swiftly grabbed a lighter, “Can I get this too?”

“Yeah, absolutely.”

“That’ll be all,” she tossed the lighter towards the attendant and continued, “You’re clearly doing way better than me in life.”

“Are you being sarcastic?” he replied, raising an eyebrow.

“No. I meant that seriously. I’m the one who fucked up my life and that’s a fact. Say, how did you know what you wanted to do?”

“That’ll be $30”, the attendant interjected again.

“I don’t know. I started acting as a kid and it just seemed right. It’s all I've known really and I can't see myself as anything else,” he said as he passed the money to the attendant.

“I envy that.”

“I do sometimes ponder what I would have been if not an actor.”

“Wondering too much isn’t good,” she grabbed the goods and shoved them in her coat pocket, “It might make someone into me.”

She stopped right before the glass door, pulled the lighter out and flicked it on, “I’ll use it later,” she leaned in close to him with a frivolous smirk and whispered, “to burn this city down.”

He chuckled at her sudden gaiety, “I’d gladly assist.”

Pushing the door open, she continued as he followed behind her, “Did you see the way that dude rolled his eyes to you? He definitely thought you were with a blabbering hooker and to be honest, my make up probably didn’t help either. Oh well it's not like -” her voice slowly evaporated into the gloomy gas-station lights. 

------------

“So beautiful,” he said with awe looking over the vast and apparently endless ocean which the full, eternal moon bathed with its silver glory.

She clutched at her coat sleeves as the chilly wind sent shivers down her body and said, “I know right? I’ve always found the sea to be peaceful during this time of the night.”

“It’s lovely, I’ve never been to this beach before.”

“It’s my favorite spot actually, I used to come here pretty often,” melancholia dripping from her voice. She paused for a little while as if going over a mental checklist and said, “let’s go sit down there,” and pointed towards a vague place in the distance. 

They walked down the beach for a bit side by side, knuckles occasionally brushing against each other’s, making them want to hold hands, feel the warmth of another being. But the hesitance of the yet to be known, the uncertainty of a nameless stranger clouded their minds and prevented them from reaching out.

She stopped, sat down and gestured to him to do the same by tapping the cold sand beside her. He sat a bit too far for her liking so she huddled up closer to him saying, “You blaze right?”

“Sure.”

“Cool,” she said, taking out a small bag from an inside pocket of her coat, “keep an eye out for me while I roll it.”

They sat in silence as she rolled a joint meticulously. The waves kept crashing on the shore as if fulfilling some ancient duty. Wind rustled through the empty beach. Sand glimmered sporadically under the warm light of the moon, creating a transcendental atmosphere.

He sighed and thought out loud, interrupting the intoxicating stillness of the night, “Where do we go from here?”

“Other than plotting the murder of Sam, I don’t know about me,” she replied without looking up from the task at hand, “Don’t really wanna think about it tonight. That’s why I took you along with me. I wanted someone to keep me distracted from my thoughts and I had no one to go to...then you came to apologize, like my knight in shining armor.”

He smiled wryly and said, “I see.”

“What about you? What are you gonna do about your not fitting in or what was it?”

“I don’t know either. I just miss my people. I’m not meant for here, I think.”

“So can’t you go back there? To your home I assume?”

“I can...”

“Then go. Why the fuck would you stick around if you had the option to go back?”

“Maybe.”

“Huh! I wish I had a home to go back to too.”

She could see him from the corner of her eyes, clenching his knees tight with his fingers at her words, bringing them closer to his chest. She looked up to see him staring at her with his big, beautiful, hurt-puppy eyes.

“Did that make you sad or something?” she asked, almost amused. 

“Yeah...yeah it did.”

His apparent empathy for a literal stranger who also punched him not so long ago struck her as odd and oddly enticing. He looked unreal to her in the strange moonlight, as if a remote but vivid memory. She felt as though if she reached out and touched him, he’d turn to dust and drift off with the wind. Those intense eyes and his fey beauty were getting too much for her to bear so she averted her gaze towards the ocean and said, “There’s no use for your or anyone’s sadness. You see, sadness changes nothing. Unless you can start a capital R revolution tomorrow, everything will be the same. It’ll be the same day with slight variations over and over again, things will repeat and go on and on and on until one day humanity just goes poof somehow and then the universe will go on as if we never even happened. There’s no significance of our lives, there’s no point in feeling sad about anything in this set up. One must always imagine Sisyphus happy.”

“That’s quite pessimistic, isn’t it?”

“Kinda absurdist actually, but It’s hard not to be pessimistic or defensive, when you have to lead a life like mine.”

“I understand.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do, “Glamour Boy,’” she said, licking the rolling paper.

He put his hand over his chest and feigned being hurt which made her laugh; a clear, hearty laughter. The beach echoed with a faint sound of the laughter of two stray souls as he joined in.

The joint hanged from her lips, sensual and reckless like an erotic magazine model, burning bright as she took a long drawn-out drag.

“Say, do you think the water is cold?” she said, passing the joint to him.

He took in a drag, inhaling some of her used up smoke with it too, tasting her cheap but obscenely sweet fruity lip gloss at the filter tip, “Yeah...very much so”.

She huddled up even closer to feel the heat of his body as he passed the joint back to her. Taking in another drag, she leisurely put her head on his shoulder.

The sedating smoke sank into their lungs as the sand anchored them from floating off in the elating static of the enveloping darkness.

------------

“Is this it?” she said, pulling up to a posh apartment complex, something she wouldn’t be able to afford even after paying off her debts. 

“Yeah, that’s me,” he replied absently and unbuckled his seatbelt. 

She was looking ahead at the road, expecting him to get out of the car, but he sat in silence. She looked at him and saw him laid back on the seat as if being consumed by it, tracing the edge of the left air vent softly with his fingers. He sighed and said, still looking at his busy fingers: “I feel strange and fucking awful.”

“It happens sometimes after coming down a high.”

“It’ll be a pain in the arse going to bed feeling like this.”

“I know,” her eyes travelled down the flow of his posture, giving birth to an urge of some aboriginal origin in her loins, “but you don’t have to.” 

He turned his head towards her slowly, lethargy clear in his slow breathing pattern, “What do you mean?”

“Push your seat back.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

He furrowed his brows, alarmed by her sudden gratuitous command. He looked at her; motionless as if not even breathing awaiting his compliance and her eyes glinted with expectancy. He pushed his seat back, as far as it could go then parted his lips to say something but before the words could get out, she virtually jumped on top then sat astride him.

 A deathly stillness engrossed the car as her previous bellicose energy returned to the atmosphere, only this time rather ardent in nature. His heart, instantaneously racing, almost audible to her. 

“You know,” she said taking off her top, “dopamine is a hormone and neurotransmitter that’s an important part of your brain’s reward system, and it can elevate your mood and make you feel really good.”

Eyes wide with surprise, he struggled to keep his gaze fixed on her face as she unbuttoned his shirt. Her fingertips snaked up and down his smooth chest as if caressing a sumptuous painting one is not allowed to touch. She felt his taut muscle tighten at her touch, veins kindled with a hot rush pulsing under. Burying her face in the hollow of his neck, she felt the heat of his body as she pressed her chest against his. His breathing picked up it’s pace even more at the contact with her flushed skin.

“Do you ever get lonely?” she spoke up letting her lips skim over his bare shoulder.

“Terribly,” his voice breathy as he placed his hands on her hips hesitantly, not possessively, but affectionately.

“I do too.”

“What do we do about it?”

“Maybe we don’t do anything.”

“Maybe.” he said resting his right cheek against her head, “or maybe we keep each other company.”

“But for how long?”

“However long we need to.”

A mirthless laugh rippled from her lips then through his skin. She pulled back to look him in the eyes, curious green mixed with an unfamiliar kind of sorrow, a sorrow too costly for her. “Lust and attraction shut off the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which includes rational behavior,” she said, knocking softly on his temple.

“Makes sense.”

Cupping his face, she stroked his swollen lips with her rough thumbs, making him wince in response. The purple bruise steadily forming on the side of his mouth marred his flawless complexion yet his allure only enhanced. Her thumb rubbed on the bruise with reckless abandon, his flinches testifying to that. Withdrawing her hands from his face, she left a light peck on the bruise and said, “Slap me.”

“What?”

“Slap me, come on, I'm giving you a chance to get back at me for earlier.”

“No!”

“Prude!”

“Hey! I just don’t want to hurt you, especially not as revenge or what not,” he sounded genuinely offended.

She leaned in, “But I want to get hurt, silly,” her lips ghosting over his as she whispered, “Endorphins are our body’s natural pain reducer and it so happens to increase when we engage in reward-producing activities, such as eating, working out, or having sex.” She pulled away and continued, “So hit me. Hard.” His adam’s apple bobbed up then down as he searched at her face, as if trying to find some sort of sign. His fingers dug in her hips, indicating the upcoming crude impact. Her palms laid flat against his chest as his left hand rose then crashed against her face. Her fingers curled in response as she gasped weakly, eyes shut closed but the tensity clear in the lines on her eyelids and forehead. 

“Ah... that was good,” she said as if talking to herself, caressing her cheek. When she opened her eyes, she found him staring with uncertain eyes, the doubt readable in the way he bit his lips. 

“Just like that, once more,” her firm voice ringed in the vehicle. His hand cruelly collided once again with her face, leaving her face warm and red. 

“Good boy,” she cooed as the sharp sting eddied on her cheek and then through her whole body, easing her off some unknown yet intrinsic discomfort. Her chest pounded in sync to his as she spoke up, “Do it for me once again, won’t you?”

Pressing his teeth even deeper into his lips, he struck her once again, with as much strength as he had. A white light flashed before her eyes, her ears ringed as she sat in silence for a bit. When her vision became clear, she held his face between her palms. Leaning closer, she rested her temple against his and murmured, “Such a good boy.”

Sweat dripped down as her nose grazed up the side of his neck, she could feel him growing hard through his pants. She buried her face in his curls and breathed in. He smelt sugary, sweet to the extent of almost making her nauseous. She whispered against his ear, “You’ve got a boner...it turned you on this much to hurt me?”

“It’s, um, n-not really that part it’s the -” he stammered in embarrassment.

 “Ugh men,” she cut him off and rolled her eyes playfully. “But since we’ve got a situation at hand, and you’ve been so good to me, I think you deserve some relief for yourself,” she said, tugging at his waistband. To which he responded eagerly, elevating his hips just enough so she could slip his pants off as much as possible. His head sank back into the headrest as her hands wrapped around his cock. Her hand gilded up and down his length as her other hand ran through his hair, pulling lightly. Resting his forehead on her shoulder, he quivered and moaned softly as she lovingly yet mercilessly worked on him. His breath hitched sharply as she stroked the tip of his cock with her thumb, making him groan and twitch under her touch. She was about to pick up the pace when he grabbed her wrist abruptly. “Wait!” he rasped, “I wanna...feel you.”

He panted, trying to catch his breath and said, “Let’s take this inside, there might be people around.”

“Why? Are you afraid of getting photographed with a hooker by the paparazzi, Mr. Actor?"

“No”, he answered, the same hurt as earlier could be heard in his voice, the type of hurt when one is misunderstood by someone they love, “I just - I just want it to be nice.”

“Let’s not make it too nice lest you fall in love with me,” she said sternly. “Besides, you should be more concerned about getting STDs. There should be some condoms in the glove box and also tissues for later.”

He brought his face closer to hers, looked at her lips and said, “You’ve got such a mean mouth, you know that?”

“And you like it?”

“Perhaps”, he replied then kissed her, deeply. Holding her face in his head, he bit her lips which made her moan in his mouth. After running out of breath she pulled away, still tasting his saliva on her tongue as he reached behind her and rifled through the glove compartment. Having found what he wanted, he turned on the radio then returned his focus to her; she was hiking up her dress and awkwardly slipping off her panties in the short space.

Heavy bass filled the car, I wanna be your vacuum cleaner breathing in your dust, as the sky started to light up with shades of azure and tangerine. Her tongue blended with his as she took his cock in her. Their bodies pressed and flushed against each other as a steady rhythm flowed through them. Her nails scratched his nape, as he kissed her neck, nibbling at her collarbone. Her head shot back as he thrust up into her, frantic and keen. His groans muffled in her chest, her moans melting into his hair as their hips clashed against one another.

Maybe I just wanna be yours.

I wanna be yours.

------------   

The sparkling rays of the breaking dawn illuminated his face as he cleaned himself off and got dressed. She marveled from the driver’s seat at the magnificence of the sight of him in afterglow. There was something in him, something innate, that made him stand out from anyone she ever came across. He was made for the screen, he was made to shine, and she wondered whether or not he’ll remember her afterwards. It was for the better if he didn’t, she thought to herself, as this was probably one of the lowest points in his life, while that night was most definitely one of the highlights of hers. The sheer dichotomy was glaring at her soul when he spoke up, bringing her attention back to the present, “I was wondering if you’d like to -”

“Look if you want my name or number, then that’s just not gonna happen,” she said with a sigh, “It’s the oxytocin flooding your brain. Increased levels of oxytocin facilitate attachment and bonding and shit so, like, don’t be fooled.”

“But it’s not that, I feel a connection between us...something I haven’t felt with anyone here before.”

He averted his eyes from her and looked out the window. His hand lingered on the door handle for a second before he stepped out of the car. Turning his back towards the car, he walked into the apartment complex, without saying anything further. Her foot pressed on the accelerator, as the car drove past the buildings. A Parliament washed out the leftover taste of him in her mouth as she rolled down the window to let the nauseously sweet scent dissipate into the cold morning air. 

“It is that. Believe me, I know. There is nothing between us. Whatever connection you feel is your hormones doing bullshit things.”

“You’re just evading me”

“I’m not. I do actually know. Okay, for instance you feel really tired and sleepy right now, right?”

“Yeah”

“That’s the parasympathetic nervous system down-regulating your body and a shit load of vasopressin coursing through you”

“But that could also be because we stayed up all night and got high and just had sex”

“Why don’t you understand? It’s all chemicals, everything! There is nothing called love and whatever the fuck people feel is just their chemicals doing somersaults. There is nothing between us, we don’t know each other. There can be nothing either, look at the circumstances. People like you shouldn’t have to do anything with people like me unless it requires a monetary transaction.”

“But i can help, with whatever you’re dealing with”, he said reaching to place his hand over hers, “we can help each other”

“and what exactly do you think i’m dealing with?, she asked, withdrawing her hand, eyes narrowed at him.

“I don’t know yet”

“Exactly. You don’t know anything. I’m not some sad little girl who went to college then got depressed but in a sexy way so maybe she did drugs or whatever and dropped out and now strips for fucking aesthetic reasons probably. No honey, I’m involved with shit that can drag you down faster than a meth withdrawal and my life is a living testimony of that, take my word for it. So, go get some rest. Sleep out your saviour complex and live out your promising life when you wake up.”

[limitlessgojo]

Blood Bound: Blackened Bond (Ch 19)

Warnings: Action, Coarse Language, Fighting, Graphic Depictions of Blood and Violence, Death, Gore, Japanese Mythical Folklore, No Major Character Death, Slight Horror, War

Previous Chapter: 百鬼夜行 - Hyakki Yakou

Next Chapter: Home with My Heart

Word Count: 3.96k 3.97k ish like rounds up to 4K

Tags: Kamo Noritoshi x Reader, Soulmates AU, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Fem!Reader

Notes: If you want to be tagged for every update, and specify if you're okay with NSFW posts or not, please mention it in the comments below ty ❤

Extra notes: Long. I suggest rereading the last chapter if you need a refresher. This is like more than twice the length of my first chapter lol.

Chapter 19: Stay With Me

You remain silent.

"No answer, hmm??" The Kitsune grinned. But deep inside she was pissed. Another technique of hers lies in knowing who you'd prefer to save and manipulating you into hesitating so that you’d lower your guard down.

You are the largest threat to them here in Kyoto after all. But you didn't trust so easily. Especially the words of a Special Grade curse who obviously has something planned.

You carefully took in a deep breath. And in less than a split second, you turned and ran towards Noritoshi, with one hand pointing behind you towards your cousin.

Your barrier activated around Hiroki while you moved to position yourself in front of Noritoshi. You whipped out your blades, ready to parry her thorns.

As soon as your feet moved from position, the magic circles flared and activated their sequence. 

Both boys realized what happened after a few seconds, the Kitsune's attack and your movements were too fast for them to follow.

She had launched her thorns in your direction. You tried to block as much of them as you could, but some got through your openings.

There were too many, and it was much faster than you expected. It was hard, not fighting with a guard around you.

You numbly stared down at your open wounds, feeling the pain in a distant manner. She had cleanly pierced through your ribs. While her other large set of thorns had bounced off your barrier, protecting your cousin.

The magic circles beneath both boys disappeared, as did your warp around Hiroki.

“Y/N!!” Noritoshi stared in horror. Your back was still to him, but he could see the protruding blood-stained thorns. Time slowed down as blood gushed from your lips. 

He catches you as you fall towards the ground. An insane heat spreads throughout your body. Something was very wrong. 

She laughed maniacally at the scene unfolding before her. "Jujutsu Sorcerers are so weak. So easy! You all crumple at the sight of your most beloved ones in danger." 

It's scary isn't it? Putting your life on the line for your comrades. Will you die today? 

The Kitsune launches an attack at the both of you, but Hiroki quickly steps and defends against her. She is forced further back as Mechamaru shoots out a laser beam from a distance.

You were trying to use your reverse cursed technique, with no avail. Your hands and legs can't move. It's a temporary paralysis. So you couldn't pull out the thorns and then heal your wounds.

"Love! Talk to me! What's wrong?"

You couldn't even answer him or move your mouth. Blood continued seeping out of your wounds.

You slumped as Noritoshi gathered you in his arms. How unlucky. There were barely any curses anymore and yet this had to happen. But you had no regrets. 

You looked up at Noritoshi with so much love in your eyes. But his own were filled with agony, screaming at you to hold on while blood was pouring down the side of your mouth.

Tears streamed down your face. You were happy, because you had the power to save the ones you love this time. 

But you really wanted to grow old with Noritoshi. See the wrinkles line his face. Experience everything with him. You'd take him back in a heartbeat and tell him that he owned you and your heart since the day you met. That you loved him even when you thought he put on a farce to be with you.

Even if he were to love or be with another woman. Even if it pained you to think of him as a distant person in your life, being by his side was the happiest you've felt in your entire life. 

He pressed his lips against yours, trying to give you more air. His hands trembling against the thorns embedded inside of you. Your blood was spilling everywhere, and he didn't want to look down to see his hands covered in red.

'There's so much blood,' he thought to himself, panicking. It was staining both of your clothes, dripping onto the pavement.

"Your reverse cursed technique! Use it!" He yelled hoarsely. In smooth movements, he ripped out the thorns one by one and applied pressure onto your wounds.

His heart plummeted as nothing happened. But he didn't lose faith. If you were paralysed, it was up to him to save your life.

Noritoshi did some quick thinking, remembering the content in the Gojo family records of Soulmates. He bit his thumb and forced his blood into your mouth. 

"Drink my love, please drink it." Turns out you didn't have to do much. The blood hit your tongue, and he activated his technique on your blood. 

Usually this would be impossible. Blood Manipulation only works on the user's own blood, but the power of soulmates isn't one to be taken lightly.

He read through your vitals, RBC (red blood cell), platelet, and WBC (white blood cell) count, and saw the rising blood pressure and temperature. He did his best to stabilize your vitals.

It worked. Your head cleared, and even while paralysed, you quickly managed to seal your wounds. You continued activating your reverse cursed technique, not stopping for a moment.

If it was any minute longer, you would have died. But Noritoshi worked way too fast out of desperation to keep you alive. 

"Stay with me, angel. Good, your wounds are finally sealing." He leaned down and continued applying pressure onto the open punctures.

He continued to scan and manage your blood pressure, and found something. It was a foreign substance in your blood. Something like a black tar, attacking your insides and messing with your nervous system. Alongside with it was a poison slowly seeping through your blood.

"What on earth is that? Is that the technique of the Kitsune?" He furrowed his eyebrows. 

But with complete hold over your blood, he was able to manipulate it into leaving your body by going outside one of your wounds.

It was so painful, more tears fell down the sides of your face, while you were still in paralysis. 

"This will end soon, I promise. Hold on."

Noritoshi blocks out everything else. Completely ignoring Todo and Mechamaru who are facing the fox behind him.

As soon as the black substance was out, you finally could move, trembling and heaving out more blood. 

"No, calm down. Calm down! Y/N!" He pressed you back down onto his lap as you tried to sit upright. “Love, please!”

Hiroki was fighting the Kitsune with tears running down his face, screaming bloody murder as he striked and aimed at it. 

It seems as though the magic circles require a ton of cursed energy. The Kitsune doesn't seem to be activating them anymore. She was now on the defensive, not having expected reinforcements. Still, it was clear she overpowers them all.

A red symbol appeared on your right eye, a cross identical to Noritoshi’s red flowing scale mark. You bent over to the side and started puking out a blue substance mixed with your blood. Moving to kneel down on all fours, while Noritoshi held you. 

“Get it all out, love, faster.” He was frantic like he’d never been before. Pressing a palm against your neck and forcing you to remove this new poison right away. 

An alarming amount of blood came out of you and pooled on the concrete. Even though he knew you needed to force it out of your system, you were still losing blood fast, and it wasn’t good. Your skin slowly turns into a sickly pale shade.

Thank goodness for Noritoshi, who could help push out the poison with brute force. If you were stuck with anyone else, you'd be dead right now.

As soon as the poison is completely out, he pulls you up and away from the bubbling blue liquid on the ground. “Close your wounds. That’s enough. Anymore and you’ll lose too much blood.”

The mark on your eye disappears.

Noritoshi cradles you in his arms. Both of you were drenched in blood, the blood of the enemy and your own, but he didn't care as he held you close. 

“Steady darling. Stay steady. You’re okay. You’re with me.” Tears continuously fell from his eyes. You tried to reach up, wanting to comfort him, but your arms could barely move. 'Don't cry Toshi. Please don't' You thought.

"I love you, please don't leave me alone. I can't live without you." He choked. With one hand on your wounds, Noritoshi did his best to ensure you didn’t lose any more blood. He tried to make it stay within your system, circulating properly.

You looked up at him with blood and tears running down your face. 'I love you too, Noritoshi, it's always been you. It has to be you,' you thought out loud. 

You took deep breaths, grunting at the pain. The pounding headache you’ve had for a while slowly started to clear. You were now able to completely seal your wounds, trying to do it carefully to prevent scarring. 

Noritoshi placed a hand over yours as you healed yourself. You turned to look at the Kitsune that was preoccupied with other sorcerers. They were going to die at this rate.

You feel light-headed and your eyes keep fluttering. It was hard to stay conscious at this point. Noritoshi slowly lifted your hand to kiss your knuckles ever so softly. “Stay with me, my heart.”

You will. If it was the last thing you’d do, you’d do anything to stay with him.

The reverse cursed technique activated and the wounds sealed tight and clean.

“I think I’m good now..." You tried to sit upright, breathing heavily. He worriedly looked over at you.

"You saved me, so I now owe you my life. Not that it's never been yours in the first place. Thank you for that Toshi," You heaved yourself up to stand, spitting out another mouthful of blood onto the ground.

“You saved MY life, darling. And what do you think you’re doing? You’re still hurt. Let’s bring you to the clinic. Come.” He beckoned you there.

"I didn't lose THAT much blood. It just looks really bad. Maybe a pint or two at most. I'll manage."

"No, you stay back. You need rest." He tried to push you to the direction of the clinic but you held fast.

Noritoshi stared into your eyes. They reflected the light of the fires behind him, making them look like glowing orbs of flame. You were his Phoenix, he realized. And he was utterly entranced by your charisma.

"I can still fight."

You knew your limits well, having trained all your life for a situation like this. Even now, your reverse cursed technique was activated in the background, simultaneously with your combat techniques.

Now that all the poison was out of your system, you only had to worry about the physical injuries.

"I don't want to lose you," Noritoshi whispered, broken.

"You won't. Because I'm much stronger than this, I promise you." You grabbed his wrist, "So stay with me. You said that just now right? I’ll stay with you, I promise."

“I can’t ever keep you down, can’t I?” He bitterly smiles to himself as he presses his forehead against yours. Eyes filled with pain, because he knew you were right. Jujutsu sorcerers always fight to surpass their limits.

“No, you can’t. But you already knew that since before, didn’t you? After all, you’re the same as I am.”

Noritoshi couldn't do anything else, but to kiss you. You returned it with just as much passion. It tasted of dirt and blood, but to both of you, it was like a breath of fresh air.

Both of your red strings slowly crept out into the open, invisible to everyone else except the two of you. The broken ropes reattached and you felt your mark burn for the first time in weeks.

But there was no time to celebrate.

"I've got this bitch to kill. Just watch the other curses in the area. I've got her." 

He let out the biggest sigh you’ve ever heard. “Okay. I’ll be right here. Cleaning up the rest. Right behind you.”

Your eyes zeroed in on the Kitsune who turned to you, shocked that you had survived her poison.

She quickly pushed out another palm with the same insignia flashing in blood red. But you were faster, moving past Noritoshi's arms and in an instant, shoving both of your blades into her gut.

“Get back!” You yelled to everyone else. There was a reason as to why you were most effective when you did your missions alone. 

She tried to pull away. Flames suddenly engulfed the both of you. But it didn't matter, because you've got a hold on her.

You didn't hesitate to choke her and wrap your legs around her waist.

"Fucking bitch," You spat out.

Her eyes flashed a brighter gold and the flames surrounding the both of you went even hotter. Burning the lamp posts and pavement in the vicinity. The ground warped and started flowing a bright red.

Noritoshi was forced back from the insane heat. The other curses and poor unprepared Jujutsu sorcerers closer to the both of you burst into flame and disintegrated. 

You couldn't see anything at all. Just the Kitsune, and a wall of fire. You thought about the damages distantly, and automatically used your technique to fly high up in the sky with her still in your chokehold.

"We curses deserve to rule this land. Just as we did thousands of years ago during the Heian period. What makes you think you're any better than us? You pathetic Jujutsu sorcerers are slowly dying out while ignorant weak humans stay protected by their ignorance. What are you doing this for?" She hissed.

"I don't care about any of you curses," your throat closed up, anger rising at the thought of innocent sorcerers dying in the middle of combat.

"You could join us and be stronger!" She pleaded.

Fury was evident on your face. You gripped her throat tighter, your fingers wrapped in your spacial barrier to prevent you from her fire. 

"Or you can shut up and die right here." You snarled.

The Kitsune saw that you were going for it. She raised her hand and the flames turned blue. If you weren’t fast enough you’d melt. This flame was far more than what you were used to handling.

What is stronger? Flame or ice?

You set Niflheim to the lowest setting you could.

"Absolute Zero."

Immediately the flames extinguished and turned to cold smoke. Ashes and steam billowed in the air, making it hard for anybody to see anything.

The Kitsune under you screamed as she slowly froze over. But she was still moving. Not enough?

You released your technique and the both of you did a free fall from the sky. 

You took a leaf out of Satoru’s book and slammed her down hard on the pavement, simultaneously releasing Goldenrod with a proper activation at over 3000 volts. You've been perfecting this attack with Hiroki for weeks. 

A loud crack of thunder with a flash of lightning shot out of your hands, incinerating her on the spot. Not a trace left as the curse disappeared into black smoke. The remnants of her final screams echoed in your ears.

You placed your palm against the still hot pavement and activated Niflheim to cool things down within the area. Steam fizzed out as the flames were put out.

You crouched down low on the ground to catch your breath, those last two attacks took a lot out of you and you were running low on cursed energy.

You have a lot. But it wasn't unlimited, unlike how Satoru could regulate his to an insane extent. Even now, you can feel some pain in your chest and try to heal yourself further. 

You felt omnipotent. There's no other way to describe it. You say you hate fighting, but the rush of defeating a powerful opponent is like no other. 

This side of you that enjoys beating down curses is rising, you couldn't stop smiling. But you felt a soft hand bring you slowly back down to earth. 

"Darling?" 

You looked up at him, still grinning. Ignoring the blood running down one side of your face.

"Darling."

Ah. That steady presence. The beautiful person whom you live for.

"My love, let's clear up the remaining curses. Celebrate later."

"Mmmm." You smiled at him, feeling yourself come back down.

You squeezed his hand. Noritoshi could feel your elation. It was almost electric. That ego rising up too high. Pride.

He didn't mind seeing you like this, but you tended to get overconfident in battle sometimes. Not that you didn't have any good reason not to be. This side of you was very much Gojo Satoru like, he thought to himself. 

You helped clean up the remaining curses. Not much stronger ones were left. Noritoshi watched every movement of yours, staying right beside you to support you. 

You staggered after seeing that your areas were clear. Noritoshi quickly wraps his arms around you, “You’re coming with me to the clinic. And I am not accepting any answer other than Yes.”

“Yes sir.” You leaned into him as he lifted you in his arms. Some of your wounds had reopened, due to your reverse cursed technique weakening. The adrenaline coursing through your body was too much that you failed to feel the pain. Which means you failed to realize that some wounds were still bleeding.

He entered the clinic and quickly put you down on one of the empty beds. One of your uncles came to check on you. Running over with an IV stand in hand. They hooked you to one of their regular Balanced Saline solutions to help with your blood loss. 

Hiroki came in, battered with a bruise on one temple, but still very much alive. He was now off combat duty and on healing duty. Quickly coming over to press a hand against your chest to activate his reverse cursed technique.

Noritoshi sighed in relief, seeing your bleeding come to a halt. He winced upon feeling a sharp pain in his right arm, turning to look at the nurse that was dressing his wounds. He didn’t even notice them, being too focused on you.

He had fewer injuries than you did.

“Hemorrhagic shock sis. You scared the life outta me back there.” Hiroki groaned as he let his head fall forward. 

“I would never have forgiven you if you died on me too.”

“You’re such a loser bro. I won’t die.”

“Keep talking shit like that and you might,” he pinched your side making you hiss at him.

“No fighting with the sick!” Your uncle smacked him upside his head.

“We need Hiroki! Life support emergency please!” A nurse from the other side of the ward yells. Your cousin worriedly looks down at you, “I’ve done what I can. Can you manage?”

“Yep. Go. You know how I’m fine now.”

He nods and leaves you with Noritoshi, who was still staring at you. Now with his wounds fully dressed and cleaned.

He kneels down in front of you, looking up with such a soft expression. He stayed like that for a while, feeling your vitals stabilise further. His technique was still linked to your blood somehow, which gave him a deeper sense of relief, knowing he can help you if anything else were to happen.

You felt absolutely horrible. The man had shown you time and time again that he loves you and you doubted that. 

"I'm sorr-"

"Are you-"

You both spoke at the same time, eyes widening. 

He motioned you to go first, but you shook your head and let him go first. 

"Are you feeling okay?" He whispered.

You smiled. "I am. Just need to sleep it off. It's not the worst I've had."

He ran his fingers through his hair, seemingly distracted, before reaching over to link your right hand with his left one. "Good, good."

“Are you okay Toshi?”

“I’m fine. Hardly a dent in me today. Thanks to you.”

You gave a shy smile, quietly relieved. 

“Toshi… thank you…” you whispered. 

Noritoshi shakes his head, “You save me and I save you. That’s how we work. As soulmates.” He holds up your hands, marks burning brightly.

He could feel your emotions once again. It used to be this numb feeling, where you once were. But now, he can sense all the negativity in the back of your head.

Regret. A lot of sadness. Guilt. But also, a deep love for him. You never stopped loving him.

"Toshi," You started again with a bit more confidence. He looked back into your eyes, smiling and nodding.

You have to apologize. Go do it. The words were on the tip of your tongue, but somehow you were still tongue-tied.

"Noritoshi, I really owe you a proper apolo-"

"Hey," You both looked to the right to see your mom approaching you. 

"Mom!" 

Noritoshi jerked into a standing position, body stiff as he bowed a full 90 degree angle towards your mother. 

"Ah, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kamo Noritoshi and I'm y/n's- " He froze, not knowing what to say.

You weren't dating anymore. As of now.

"Soul-"

"Boyfriend and soulmate, mom. He's my boyfriend." You smiled up at both of them. 

His heart warms itself at your words. A humongous invisible weight lifts from his chest and shoulders.

She smiled and reached up to pull him into a hug. "You've made my baby girl so happy. Thank you. Call me 'Okaa-san' too."

He felt his throat tighten, "Not at all. She's been such a blessing to me. Uh- Okaa-sama." 

“I need to bring my baby girl home now. Do you want to come back to the Tsuchimikado estate with us? We can oversee your recovery as well.” She offers.

Noritoshi’s eyes widened. “Ah, I’d love to. I just have to check on with my father-”

“I’ve already talked to him. A pleasant man he is, the head of the Kamo clan. More than I thought.” She had a bit of a wary expression when she said those words. Clearly still unfamiliar with Noritoshi’s family.

“If he said so, then yes please. I’d like to stay with her.”

After that, it was a blur of activity. Your mom makes sure you’re both stable enough before bundling the both of you in a car back to the estate. Noritoshi quickly shoots a text to his father to confirm things, and was actually surprised to see a jovial reply. 

No doubt trying to help him patch things up with you. He closes his eyes. For now, he’ll take this as a solid win. It was working in his favor anyway for his father to so strongly support your relationship.

You squirmed uncomfortably against him, patting him to get his attention. 

“Do you need anything, love?” Noritoshi nearly tosses his phone away in his haste to turn back to you. But you shook your head.

"I love you so much, Toshi. And I’m sorry for hurting you." You whispered. You were unsatisfied; it was far from a proper confession. But for now, exhaustion overcomes you. His eyes widen, but you fall asleep against him just as you see him open his mouth to reply.

He looks over the top of your head and checks your condition. You had fallen asleep. It was a miracle that you even stayed conscious for this long. Noritoshi was prepared to catch you in the middle of battle, but you held on the whole time.

Still, he was happy to hear those few words, not bothering to hide the biggest smile on his face as he tucks you into his side.

Authors notes: Guess whose form the Kitsune took on when Noritoshi looked at her as he was put under hypnosis.

Blood Bound: Table of Contents

Taglist: @lessie-oxj @rizzo-nero @whoreuc @fkngkumiko @isl3t @gojoussunglasses @onepotatostand-blog @s-t-f-u-b-i-t-c-h @sunaswife @lordguameow @track5enthusiast @nayydoesthings @a1hina @r-rose08 @cherriesanwine @felicityforyou

[d3lphiro]

☀︎︎The Rise and Fall☽

c!Wilbur x gn!reader

Song mentioned- Soldier,Poet, King by The Oh Hellos

Warning ⚠️ SBI dynamic, mentions of violence, some rough language

Current- Next

From the very beginning you have been in their history, from the moment L’Manburg was created till the very moment it was destroyed. Those who are new don’t yet know your story but those who do either idolize you are hate you. This is your story...

One day you were lounging around reading a bookshelf you got a knock on your door. As you weren’t expecting visitors you were very curious. You cautiously opens the door to find Tommy. You had always had a soft spot for the young child and his bestfriend, thus you allowed him to enter your home.

“Y/N, will you come help us?” He asked rather shyly for once “Help? With what?” You asked confused, as you stay away from others. “Me and some others have tried to start a new nation, L’Manburg, but Dream has waged a war on us, he and the rest of them are constantly trying to kill us, I had to go alone to get you, please come help us!” He explained desperately.

Having simpathy for the child you agreed, packing up your best weapons and armor and some extra food in case any of them needed some. With that the two of you went off into the night back to L’Manburg, where your destiny awaits.

What Tommy didn’t tell you was that his older brother would be involved. You had met Wilbur once before when he first started the drug caravan, though that would be a story for another day.

Once the other notice you are there Tubbo runs up to you and hugs you. “Y/N I missed you so much, I can’t believe you’re here to help!” You chucked softly and hugged him back, “Of course I would help my favorite boys.” After a moment of hugging Tubbo you looked up, “Hello Wilbur, it’s nice to see you again.” He walked up to you took your hand and brought it up to his lips.

“It is lovely to see you again Y/N.” You became slightly flustered and tried to play it cool. “So what exactly is going on, Tommy only briefly explained it, Dreams trynna kill you all?” You asked looking Wilbur in the eye. As if a light bulb went off he began to explain the story. Of how the drug caravan evolved into L’Manburg.

The part that threw you off the most was when Wilbur said they won’t fight with weapons and won’t wear armor. He claimed that being diplomatic would be better than violent. “But you are going up against Dream, that’s not gonna work as well as you think Wilbur.” You explained to him how Dream and the others will have top of the armor and weapons. Wilbur only argued back and said none of us will fight with weapons and definitely no armor. You both argued enough that Wilbur agreed to only wear the armor when you all fight Dream.

When you all walked out of the caravan in your new outfits you could see Dream and Sapnap on top of the walls. “Hello gentlemen, do you like the view of our nation?” Wilbur yelled up to them. “I thought this was a trailer park.” Dream had replied back causing you to let out a small huff. Wilbur yelled back, “We will meet you on the filed on our own terms!” “YEAH!” Tommy randomly yelled causing you to chuckle at the young boy.

You all geared up and began to walk to the meeting spot. Tommy began to talk to Dream and the others. You looked around noticing Sapnap making towards the ground and not at one of you. “Everyone get back! Now!” You yelled while distancing your self. When he fired tbt began to go off of where you all were just standing.

You all ran into another building while getting shot at, Tubbo had managed to get a hit in Punz before running inside. You shot a fire hitting Dream in the shoulder, then ran inside because they all shot at you at the same time. You stood back trying not to get hit from inside, watching as Wilbur did his best to help his men, although he was at a disadvantage against Dream, he still did his best.

You couldn’t help but to admire him, his optimism of this battle and how hard he is working to make sure his men are okay, warmed you heart. Wilbur than ran out to be a distraction while the rest of you shot at Dream and the others, you managed to get 2 hits on Dream and one on Sapnap.

“RETREAT!” Dream yelled out while they all ran to Ponks tower. You all ran to Punz’s tower and shot at them, causing Dream to retreat once more. Eret had led you all back into L’Manburg, but something felt off to you. He claimed it was a secret weapon that he had been working on. You looked at Wilbur confused just to see he also had no idea about it.

You all followed him into the room title, The Final Contorl Room. There was a button on the floor which was very suspicious to you. Eret than hit the button and arrows shot out you quickly ran over to Wilbur to help him get out as he was the furthest in the back, everyone ran out as quickly as they could. “TRAITOR!” “Down with the revolution boys, it was never meant to be.” Eret said with a smirk on his face.

“Eret listen to me and I mean this in the nicest way possible. You fucked up.” Tommy said in a chilling voice. “Farewell Gentlemen.” Eret said leaving you all to join Dream and the others. You all ran back to the caravan, Wilbur went out to go speak to Dream the next morning.

When Wilbur came back with Dream he stated the dream had given us an ultimatum. “Gentlemen I want you to stand along side me here, Independent or death, if we get no revolution then we want nothing, we would rather die, then give into you and join your smp, Dream, you can blow up one piece of TNT in our door all you want it means nothing to us.” Dream then lit the tbt on fire and Wilbur told us to back up and to not let it hurt us.

When it exploded, more tnt had gone off under us. We all ran inside the half blown up caravan and hid in Tommy’s hidden bunker. The 4 of you decided to stay there for the night. The boys were becoming restless so you grabbed Wilburs guitar that was conveniently in the room, and begun to sing. Looking at Tommy first.

“There will come a soldier

Who carries a mighty sword

He will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord

Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord

He will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord”

You then turned to look at Wilbur looking into his eyes while you sang the words,

“There will come a poet

Whose weapon is His word

He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord

Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord

He will slay you with His tongue, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord”

And finally you looked at Tubbo,

“There will come a ruler

Whose brow is laid in thorn

Smeared with oil like David's boy, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord

Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord

Smeared with oil like David's boy, oh lei-oh lai-oh Lord

Oh lei, oh lai, oh lei, oh Lord

He will tear your city down, oh lei-oh lai... oh”

The two you see the boys looked tired so you kept strumming softly while humming the rest of the song. Eventually the three younger boys feel asleep leaving you and Wilbur to be awake.

You looked at him only to find he was already looking at you, he walked over to you and sat next to you taking the guitar in his on hands and setting it aside. “Thank you for helping us, really, I know you like your solitude, if you want, when this is all over, you can go back as if nothing happened.” You chucked, “I don’t think that is an option for me anymore, I always loved those two boys, and I promised to protect them as best as I can, I have a bad feeling that something will happen to this, our war isn’t over Wilbur, and I’m scared for the both of them, they are to young to be dealing with everything on their own. Fundy can hold himself but he still needs someone there for him as well.”

Wilbur took your hands and pulled them around him, forcing you into a hug. Your head in his chest arms wrapped around his middle, his own arms wrapped around you. He used one hand to lift up your chin and leaned closer he looked at your lips than into your eyes, you closed the remaining gap between the two of you moving your arms up to his neck, he kept one hand on your cheek while the other laid on your hip. Eventually the two of you separated, you laid your head back on his chest, he laid back so the both of you were laying down his arms wrapped around you rubbing circles on your back.

“I promise I won’t let anything happen to those two boys, for as long as I can help it.” That was the last thing you heard before you fell asleep in his embrace that night.

You woke up hearing snickering causing you to snuggle into your pillow, until you felt it vibrate. Causing you to shoot up, looking around you realized you spent the night laying on wilbur and the others had seen it, you flushed and looked away from everyone causing them to laugh.

We all left the room, Wilbur sticking close to you more so than ever to ensure that you don’t get hurt. You all meet up with Dream and negotiated having a duel between him and Tommy. They met on the wooden path, got their bows ready stood back to back, each step was counted by Wilbur until they hit 10, “10 paces, fire!” The two shot at each other until Dream managed to hit Tommy, you felt you heart sink as you realized this meant that you lost the independence the boys wanted.

That is until Tommy went to speak to Dream. “I secured our independence Will, I gave him the disk.” You all begun to celebrate and Wilbur wrote out the continuation of the Declaration of Independance. Once he was done you pulled him into a kiss causing the other boys to freak out. When the two of you pulled away you kept eachother close.

This is only the beginning of your story it is far from over, on to a new day, a new plot.

This is only part one! But thank you all so much for taking the time to read this! I have more plans for this in the future and plan on making it about a 4 part story though I may make it more, you will have to wait and see.

[ragingbookdragon]

Friends To Arranged Marriage To...Wait, How Many Kids?

Bruce Wayne x Reader One-Shot

Word Count: 3K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: Y'all ever write a self-indulgent Friends To Lovers fic? 'Cause that's what this is. Enjoy! -Thorne

It wasn’t unusual for her to suddenly appear in his office. She did it most days. Okay, it was more like every day but that’s not important. The fact is, she showed up and he wasn’t at all the least bit surprised when she barged through the office door and slammed it behind her.

“Morning,” he murmured, taking his eyes off the screen but a moment to lock them with hers.

“Good morning, Bruce,” she responded with a polite smile. “We need to talk.”

That wasn’t unusual either. When she came to the office it was because she wanted to either complain about something going on or because she was bored and didn’t have anything to do, so badgering her best friend seemed like the best option. It wasn’t, but he wasn’t going to tell her that.

“What do we need to talk about?” Bruce questioned, clicking at the mouse until his screen loaded.

“Something important. Something especially important.” She replied and with one hand reached behind her and flipped the lock on his door.

Now that was unusual. And Bruce saw this going one of two ways and he hoped it wasn’t the first way that involved her pulling a gun.

“Okay,” he said and watched her out of the corner of his eye as waltzed around his desk and perched herself on the corner. “Am I in trouble, (Y/N)?”

“If you disagree with me, you will be,” she retorted and she started fumbling in her tote.

“You sound serious,” Bruce noted.

(Y/N) harrumphed. “I am quite possibly the most serious I’ve been in years.” She pulled out three manila folders and handed them to him, watching as he opened the first and started reading through it.

He didn’t say anything as he opened the others and read them but frowned when he set them aside and went back to his computer.

“I’ve already planned on a new secretary, (Y/N).”

She watched him with careful eyes and explained, “Those aren’t secretary files, Bruce. They’re marriage candidates.”

At that, his entire body went rigid and ever so slowly he drew his gaze from the screen back to her, staring her straight in the eyes.

“I…beg your pardon?” he asked as if not understanding what she’d just said.

(Y/N) rolled her eyes and picked up the files. “Each of these women are successful elites from either Metropolis, Star, or Central City. You have arranged marriage meetings with them Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to decide which one you want to marry.”

This was happening way too fast, and he still didn’t know what “this” was.

“I’m not opposed to marriage, (Y/N), but why?”

She pointed to the picture on his desk, and he briefly glanced at it. Him, Dick, and Alfred on Christmas morning last year.

“Dick needs a mother.” She was never one to mince her words. “A father can raise a son, but the boy needs a mother’s love too, Bruce.”

“I think you’re a bit out of line here.” He remarked, brows pulling together. “We’re fine at the manor.”

“Bruce…please don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not a soft man. You’re hard edges and firmness, and while that isn’t a bad thing, Dick needs a mother who can be the parent that isn’t firm. He needs a mother’s guiding hand.”

She handed him the files again. “I’ve met each of these women. They’re good women who will make wonderful wives and even better mothers.” She stared at him. “You should know how important it is for a boy to have a mother.”

Bruce was on his feet in an instant, in front of her, eyes narrowed into a glare as he bit out, “(Y/N), now you’re out of line.”

“Really?” she challenged, not at all threatened by his towering figure. “Look my in the eye and tell me which parent you miss more. Thomas…or Martha?”

“I miss both of my parents. Every day.”

“And I don’t doubt that. But I know you miss Martha the most. Isn’t she the one you promised to save Gotham for?” (Y/N) questioned and his mouth snapped shut, jaw clenching tightly as he averted his eyes because he knew she was right.

She reached out and rested a hand on his forearm, forcing his eyes to hers once more; her gaze softened and she murmured, “You miss your mother more than the world, Bruce. How do you think Dick feels every night when he goes to sleep? Fathers are the protectors for their children, but mothers are the comforters—there are going to be things that you can’t help him with, but a woman can.”

(Y/N) gazed at him and pulled her hand away. “At least go and meet them,” she requested and when he didn’t say anything, she sighed and picked up her tote, making her way to the door.

She flipped the lock and paused, glancing over her shoulder to say, “At least think about what I’ve said, Bruce. For Dick…and for you.” He met her eyes and she added, “I think getting married would be good for you too.”

He nodded, and since that was all they could hope for, she left the office and Bruce collapsed into his chair, turning around to stare out the window.

***

His theory that she would show up Friday evening proved true when she waltzed into his office and took a seat in one of the leather chairs in front of his desk, delicately crossing one of her legs over the other.

“How’d the interviews go?” she asked, not even bothering to ask him how his day was or how his week had been.

“My day was great, (Y/N), thanks for asking,” he mocked with a glare and she waved it off.

“Interviews, Bruce. How’d they go.”

He let out a sigh. “They went well. Each of them was polite and kind.”

“And?” (Y/N) gestured for him to continue.

“And nothing. That’s it.”

She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Seriously? You just met them for a singular purpose and all you’ve got it, they’re polite and kind?” She glared at him. “What’d you talk about?”

Bruce sighed again and reclined in his office chair. “Humanitarian works, college days, high society—you know, the usual.”

(Y/N) gave him an unamused look. “Did any ask for a second date?”

“All of them in fact.”

“Did you agree?”

“No.”

Her head lolled back, and she glared at the ceiling. “Did you even think about what I talked about a few days ago?”

“I still am.”

“Then why didn’t you agree to see one of them again?”

“Because there wasn’t anything we had in common.”

“Most people who have arranged marriages don’t, Bruce. That’s why you go on dates and get to know them.” Her eyes were still on the ceiling. “What’s the real reason you said no?” She always knew when he’d lied to her.

After a moment, he murmured, “…I didn’t think any of them would be suitable to be Dick’s adoptive mother.”

“I guess that’s…fair,” she agreed and they both fell silent.

A couple minutes later, he said, “I’ve been thinking about what you said though, (Y/N). About finding a wife who would be a good mother for Dick.”

“Uh huh.”

“I think you’re right. I do offer Dick everything a father could. Support, protection, guidance…but he is missing that love only a mother can give a son.”

“And how’s that making you feel?” she questioned softly.

His voice got quiet. “Like how I was when I was growing up without mother. (Y/N), I…I don’t want Dick to feel that way.”

At that, she drew her gaze from the ceiling to his eyes and she reasoned, “Then I think you should call one of the girls back and agree to a second date. You won’t find perfection in one day, even with how intuitive you are.”

Bruce shrugged. “I just want to find someone closer to Gotham. Someone who is familiar with us already.”

(Y/N) grunted. “I purposely moved away from Gotham because no one is.”

“That’s fair,” Bruce chuckled, and they fell into a silence again.

Suddenly, a thought flashed across her mind and she sat up. “Us.” She blurted out and he looked at her.

“What?”

(Y/N) gestured between them. “Us, Bruce. You and me.”

“I don’t follow,” he replied with a confused expression and she huffed, rolling her eyes.

“You’re an idiot,” she griped, then she stood and planted her hands on his desk, leaning over to get in his face. “You and I are the closest to Gotham as you’ll get, and I’m familiar with you and Dick.” She smiled. “Marry me.”

She could count on one hand how many times she’d ever stunned her best friend silent and that was number two because his jaw went slack and his eyebrows shot up to his hairline, steel blue eyes wide.

(Y/N) frowned. “Oh, come on, you can’t tell me the thought didn’t cross your mind at least once.” Silence. “Oh my God, are you serious? You didn’t even think about it at all? Like ever?”

He shook his head, mouth still hanging open.

“Oh, for God’s sakes, close your mouth and wipe that stupid look off your face. It’s not a completely inconceivable idea, you moron.” (Y/N) held a hand up, counting off her fingers, “I’m of acceptable status, I dress well, I’m thoroughly educated, I do humanitarian work all over the world, I love your son, and I’m probably the one woman that doesn’t make you wanna stab yourself in the eye with a fork.”

She grinned at him. “You’re not going to find anyone better than me here in Gotham, Brucie-boy. Besides, I think (Y/N) Wayne has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Finally, he managed to make himself speak and he blurted out, “I stopped thinking like five minutes ago. I’m not even sure how to do that anymore.”

(Y/N) pulled a face and griped, “You’re an idiot.”

“I am not,” he retorted with a glare. “You can’t just propose to your best friend out of the blue and expect them to function like it’s normal!”

“You’re Batman,” she whispered. “Figure it out.” (Y/N) pointed at him. “There’s another plus on my side! I already know your deepest secrets! See, aren’t I a catch?”

“Was this your plan all along?” Bruce suddenly questioned and she gaped at him for a second before shaking her head.

“…No.”

“(Y/N),” he drawled, and she sighed.

“Alright, it crossed my mind a couple times but that’s why I started with the other women first. I was kinda hoping you’d pick one of them.” (Y/N) looked at him. “I really don’t see anything wrong with us getting married though. We’ve been friends since we were babies, we have a lot of the same interests, and we both care for Dick.”

She shrugged. “I mean we might not be in love, but our marriage doesn’t have to be. We’re stepping up for a greater good. For a young boy who deserves to have two parents.” (Y/N) reached out and held out her hand. “So? What do you say?”

Bruce gazed at her for a long time, longer than she was comfortable with because she knew he was mentally pulling her mind apart. After a few moments he stood and walked around the desk to stand in front of her.

She pulled her hand back in and gave a curious look. “Bruce?” His hands gently took hold of her cheeks and he leaned forward, even as her eyes went wide and she whispered, “Bruce, what—”

He softly brushed his lips against hers and (Y/N) all but melted against him, her hands pressed flat against his chest. They pulled away a moment later and he rested his forehead to hers.

“I think we can make it work, (Y/N).”

She couldn’t fight the giddy smile that came over her face. “Yeah?”

Bruce matched her smile. “Yeah.”

***

“So, you’re tellin’ me,” he started dubiously, looking at him. “That you and Ma only got together because you guys wanted to make sure Golden-boy had two parents instead of just you?”

Bruce didn’t even take his eyes off the screen as he responded absentmindedly, “That pretty much covers it.”

Jason threw his hands in the air. “There’s no way! There’s no way that shit was arranged! You two make googly eyes at one another when you think no one is watching and you kiss Ma before you go to work every day!” he looked at his brothers. “Y’all know what I’m sayin’ right?”

Tim nodded. “Jay’s got a point, dad. For an arranged marriage, the two of you are really in love.”

Dick placed a hand over his heart and smugly admitted, “You’re welcome everyone, for bringing mom and dad together in real love.”

A chorus of “Fuck you’s” echoed from Jason and Tim, and Damian placed his hands on his hips.

“When did you know you loved Umi, Father?”

Finally, he pulled his gaze from the Batcomputer, and even behind his cowl, they could see the love he had in his eyes and in his voice as he said, “Your mother and I dated for a year before we married, but the night of our wedding, we spent it at the manor and Dick crawled into our bed and spent the night wrapped in our arms.”

Bruce smiled. “I woke up early that morning and saw him curled in (Y/N)’s arms and all I could think was that I’d never loved a woman more than that moment then.” His eyes shifted to all of his sons. “And I’ve only fallen deeper in love with her with each of you that’s come into our home. You make us better parents every day and I wouldn’t change what I was given for anything in the world.”

He barely had time to breathe before all four of his sons were crashing into him, squeezing him as tears spilled down their cheeks.

Bruce huffed a quiet laugh and took a moment to brush a hand through each of his sons’ hair. “I love you, boys.”

A chorus of “I love you too’s” came back at him and before anyone could speak, they heard someone coo, “Aww, that’s so sweet!”

They spun around to see (Y/N) with her phone out, a mile-wide smile on her face, eyes shining with tears.

“Ma…what are you doing?” Jason questioned and she clicked something on her phone.

“Oh, nothing, my sweet boy,” she smiled, and all of her sons started pulling away from Bruce.

“Did you just record that?” Tim asked and she took a step back.

“I would never!” and she stared them down for a split second before spinning on her heel and hauling off towards the stairs. Her sons sprinted after her and she let out a squeal as she skipped the steps two at a time to get away from them.

“Ma come back here!” Jason shouted.

“Umi! Our dignity is on that phone!”

“I dunno, I think it’s sweet!”

“It’s not going to be sweet when she sends it to the group chat that every superhero is in, Dick! We have reputations!”

“Oh…that’s a good point, Tim. Mom! Come back here!”

(Y/N) gasped as someone’s arms wrapped around her waist and she came face to face with Bruce—well, Batman, and she yelped when he pulled her phone out of her pocket.

“Bruuuuuuce!” she whined. “Please don’t delete it!” (Y/N) reached for the phone and he held it out of reach. “Darling, my sweet darling, Bruce, please,” she plead. “If you love your wife and mother of your children, you won’t do that.”

His gaze darted to hers and she pouted, sticking her bottom lip out in the way that she knew he’d crack. “Please, my heart. Let me have a reminder of my beautiful boys.”

“You won’t send it to the chats?” he asked, and she crossed a finger over her heart.

“Cross my heart, darling.” He handed her back the phone and she smiled, leaning up to peck the corner of his mouth. “Thank you, Bruce.”

He cupped her cheek with his gloved hand, thumb brushing over her cheekbone and he pulled her into a real kiss, ignoring the exaggerated gags behind him.

“I love you,” he murmured as he pulled away from her lips. “More than you know.”

(Y/N) hummed, her eyes still closed, and she whispered, “You might love me more, but I love you most.” She opened her eyes and gazed at him. “All my boys.”

Suddenly, her phone started dinging like crazy and he stared at her, his Batman voice coming out as he surmised, “You sent it to the chat, didn’t you?”

She gave him an innocent smile and giggled, “I might’ve.”

“You’re going to pay for all the teasing that Hal and Barry are going to give me, (Y/N) Wayne,” he warned, and she scoffed.

“Oh, boo hoo, I’m so scared of what the big bad Bat is go—” a gasp escaped her when he hauled her up against his body and she stared at him with wide eyes.

A siren went off down in the cave and he looked towards the boys. “Go.” They all hurried off, complaining about the various texts they were all getting.

Bruce looked back at her, voice lowering as he growled, “After patrol I’m coming up to the bedroom and you’d better be ready, because I’m not going to stop ravishing you until you’re begging me for release.”

Something hot, tight, and fierce shot through (Y/N)’s gut and she could only flounder like a fish as he pulled her into another searing kiss before he spun on his heel and descended into the cave.

She gathered herself and called out after him, “You can’t just say something like that and then leave! That’s not fair, Bruce! Bruce, are you listening to me!”

Only his laughter echoed from below.

“Bruce!”

[thomaslightwood]

Blackthorn Detective Agency - Part 1

KitTy Sherlock AU!

It's set in 1930s, slow burn & will have a few parts!

I'm not 100% sure where this is going but I'm already writing the second part, so we will see

Words: 3 862 (I know it's long, sorry, this part is more about the plot and the surroundings)

Kit looked at the grey sky above his head and frowned. It was going to rain. Of course.

He hasn't been in London for over a year now but he wondered how he could forget that. The bad weather, the noise, (and true to be told - very dirty) streets, the men in suits and cylinders, the women in pretty dresses, sometimes with pants. He wondered what happened to the few closet shops he was passing by. One of the many mysteries of life.

And talking about mysteries…

Kit saw at the other side of the street what he was looking for. A grey showcase, thorns all over the frame with a few simple words in the middle - "Blackthorn Detective Agency". There was a small bee on its left.

Kit fastly crossed the street, holding his hat. Some man angrily shooted, cursing the sudden wind that scattered many leaves, newspapers and even a few hats. Kit laughed. He missed London even though it wasn't the most awesome place.

He stood up in front of the agency, hesitating. He knew the guy who ran it is young, very good at what he does and known among people as Sherlock Holmes. Kit didn't know almost anything about him. What if he was a criminal? Or another kind of dangerous person?

But he remembered the look on his father's face. The empty package. Kit needed the money, no matter what kind of guy was this Sherlock.

He quietly opened the door and looked around the room as he was entering. It was kind of a lobby but a lot smaller - there was space only for two comfortable-looking armchairs, mahogany mass and a portrait hidden behind a curtain. The walls were in nice, warm colors, mainly grey and brown, a turned off radio on the desk. In the right corner, almost unnoticeable was a polished ajar wooden door.

Kit cautiously stepped towards it but then he heard voices. He stopped, grateful he was quiet while coming inside.

“... think so?” this was a woman's voice, perhaps a girl's.

“Look. All I know is that my friend disappeared a few days ago,” this was definitely a woman's voice, probably older than the first one. “He didn't show up for our meeting the next day. He didn't send a note. And…” she hesitated.

“What is it?” this time it was a male's voice.

There was a minute of silence, then:

“The only reason I come here is not because I can't do investigation on my own. It's because…” she sighed. “The last day we saw each other, exactly the day before our appointment, he told me there is a secret that was passed to him to protect. And he told me about it. Not everything, not enough details, but I'm sure he told me because he knew he may be… attacked. I think his… attackers may know about me and this would impede the investigation.“

“I understand,” the male voice again. It was a nice voice. Melodic. Kit could listen to it for hours. “I suppose you can't tell us this secret.”

“No,” she said firmly. “I definitely can't. It's not mine to say.”

After this no one said anything but Kit thought he heard a pen writing fast on a paper.

“Is there anything further you want to share?” asked the male voice.

“I don't think so,” the woman said. “Just… be careful. Find my friend. The money is not a problem.”

Kit swallowed. Money. This woman had money. Kit should get the job at all costs.

“Thank you, Miss Loss. We will do everything we can to help.”

This was followed by silence and noise of moving clothes. Tracking of heels. Kit jumped off the door, hoping he wouldn't be caught eavesdropping.

A woman with blue skin and white hair came out of the room. A warlock. She suspiciously looked at Kit but didn't say anything. She walked past him and frowned at the sky.

“London's weather is terrible, isn't it?” Kit chuckled. “Sometimes I forget.”

A shadow of a smile crossed the woman's face. “It is, indeed. That's why I brought an umbrella.”

“Lucky you. I always forget and I'm supposed to live here.”

Then a real smile appeared on her face. But she didn't say anything - just put on her gloves, took out her umbrella and went outside. As she opened her umbrella right in front of Kit her skin and hair became darker and she wasn't warlock anymore - just a regular woman in the rain.

Kit watched after her for a second then turned around. On the door's frame was leaning a girl. Not much older than Kit probably, with bright blue-green eyes that was watching him curiously. She was wearing gloves, white shirt with puff sleeves and coffee brown wide leg pants, almost as dark as her curly hair. Her arms were crossed in front of her chest. Kit noticed a necklace around her neck, with a gold chain and a slim disk of metal on it. On the front was a wreath of thorns - probably the family symbol.

“How can I help you?” she asked politely.

“I'm here for the job. I heard that… Sherlock… is looking for a partner.”

“Yes, that's right,” she said. “Very well. Come in.”

She turned around and got back into the room she and the other woman were in. Kit followed.

It was an office. The shelves on the walls were filled with books - some of them about mathematics and the morse code, about the body language and animals, others - mysteries and classics, fairy tales and mythology, most of which Kit didn't recognize. It was surprisingly cozy - the room was warm and smelled like ink and paper. There were a few maps on the walls - of the world, of England and of London. Three armchairs like the ones in the lobby and surprisingly many tables (at least three) on which were a few little toys and tons of well organized paper - on one was even a disassembled watch. Right against the door, no more than 5 meters away, was a big desk - it was a little messy, with a rotary dial telephone and two chairs on both sides. Probably for the clients.

There was also a board, standing close to the desk - big, see-through board on wheels with paper and written things on it. A young man was cleaning it right now.

As Kit saw him everything around faded a little and his gaze was focused only on him. How beautiful.

This was probably the most good-looking man Kit has ever seen. He was tall, taller than Kit, with messy black hair which showed he probably runs a hand through it a lot. His eyes were grey like the sky outside, carefully reading a piece of paper. He was wearing gloves, a silk white shirt, a little loosened on his neck and black trousers with braces.

This should be Sherlock, Kit thought. He didn't expect him to be so young. Hell, he probably wasn't much older than Kit.

“We have a job candidate," the blue-greened girl said and sat on one of the armchairs.

The young man lifted his gaze to look at Kit. Kit felt embarrassed. He was wearing his favorite overcoat and cap - he wasn't as elegant as the two of them.

“Hello,” he said, trying not to sound too nervous. Or desperate. “I'm here for the job. I heard that Sherlock is looking for someone helping him.”

None of them said who Sherlock was or if the guy in front of him was Sherlock. The black haired one just nodded.

“You can sit if you want.”

Kit sat. The boy took a notebook from one the piles on the desk and a pen.

“My name is Livvy. This is my brother, Ty. We run this place. Nice to meet you.”

They, Livvy actually, asked him a few basic questions - his name, age, occupation. Kit came here prepared to lie for them all. But watching the boys' - Ty's - face while he was writing down the information, he couldn't make himself tell all the lies he had prepared. Kit ended up telling them the truth. His father would be disappointed in him. Well, if he knew his son was here.

“So, Mr. Rook,” the girl started.

Kit shivered. “Please, Mr. Rook is my father. You can call me just Kit.”

“Kit, it is,” she smiled. Kit had a feeling the serious questions begin now.

After almost 30 minutes the interview was at its end.

“Final question,” Livvy said. “Tell us Kit, why do you want to work in this agency?”

Kit paused. “True to be told, it's mainly because I need the money.”

“Oh,” clearly this wasn't the answer she expected. Even Ty looked up. “Really?”

Kit shifted uncomfortably. “Well… I want to help my father and for this I need to find a job. And when I saw the inquiry in the newsletter… I told myself this is what I want to try to work.”

It wasn't the greatest answer, really. But it was the truth.

“Very well,” Livvy said. Ty wrote something in his notebook - he was doing it the whole interview. “Please, leave us alone for a few minutes.”

Kit nodded and got up. He smiled at them and turned around.

When he got out of the room the door closed tightly after him.

•

Livvy turned to him with a playful smile.

“What do you think about him?”

Ty looked at the notes he had made during the interview. Christopher, also known as Kit Rook.

“He looks like he can do the job,” Ty said.

“Oh, come on!” Livvy stepped away from the door and approached Ty's desk. “I know you liked him.”

It was true. Ty did like him. He had a nice smile.

“You're not wrong,” Ty said. “But.”

“But?” Livvy raised an eyebrow.

“I don't think he'll keep up around for long. You heard him. He's here only for the money. When he is financially stable again he'd quit.”

“Ty,” Livvy sighed. “We talked about this. We're looking for someone who will work here, no matter how long. We can't find a full time worker that fast.”

Ty ran a hand through his hair. He closed his eyes and breathed. He looked at the empty board. He already imagined how he filled it with paper, the possible connections and people, places and details, the web of the case - could this stranger help him solve the board?

“I know you don't like strangers,” Livvy said quietly. “But at least give him a chance. From all the people that came, he is… I don't know. Most reliable-looking, I suppose. He would talk with people and he's smart. And I have a feeling he may know a thing or two about London's criminals.”

Ty looked suspiciously at the door, even though he couldn't see Kit through it. “Do you really think he would be helpful?”

Livvy sat on the chair in front of the desk, looking amused - Ty wasn't sure why. “I think he is worth a try.”

Ty looked at his notes one more time, tapping with the pan on them. He looked at Livvy. Sighed.

“All right,” he said. “Let him in. He must hear the good news.”

Livvy smiled at him and got up. Ty almost didn't hear their conversation. Still tapping with the pen on the papers, he read again all the information Catarina Loss gave him. He should talk with some people. Check some places. To think about it.

“Ty?”

“Yes?” he looked at Livvy.

“When is Kit starting?”

Ty thought about it for a second. “Right now.”

•

Well, Kit thought. These guys are intense.

He watched, sitting on a chair, as Ty and Livvy together "prepared" for the case. Ty cleaned up one table, while Livvy moved the London's map closer to the see-through board. At some point they were finished and Livvy sat on the same chair she was sitting on during Kit's interview, while Ty remained standing.

“Let's retell get the case from the beginning,” Ty said and grabbed his notebook. “Before four days, on 10th October Ragnor Fell arrived in London, around 2 p.m. After that, around 4 p.m he and Catarina Loss met on George Street, in a restaurant whose name is unknown. They sat there no more than three hours and left between 6 and 6:30 p.m. This is the last time Catarina sees Ragnor. The next day, 11th October, they should have met at Arthur Street at 11 a.m. but Ragnor never appears.”

He looked up from his notebook and said, “Do I miss something?”

“I don't think so,” Livvy, who had written fast while her brother was talking, shook her head. She turned to Kit as she was handing the paper to Ty. “This is the 'skeleton' of the story. The very basics we know. The details come after this.”

Kit nodded, fascinated by the team they were. What was Kit even doing here? It was obvious the twins worked well together - they didn't need a third wheel.

“Now,” Ty said slowly, looking at the paper with the information Livvy wrote on. “Ragnor told Catarina the secret during their meeting on 10th, correct?” On another list, which he pinned next to the first one, he carefully started to write what he just said. He was making a timeline, Kit realized.

“Correct,” his sister said. “Also, in the same conversation he mentioned he's going to meet with a person named Raphael Santiago, but it's unclear when and where.”

Ty wrote that too.

Then he stared at it, tapping the pen on his hand.

“Do we know when he comes from?” Kit suddenly asked.

They both turned their heads at him at the same time. A little creepy but impressive.

“What do you mean?”

“I was talking about Ragnor and his train. Do we know where the train started from? Or from where Ragnor was before arriving here?”

Ty intensely searched his journal. “I don't think so.”

“It's probably not important anyway…”

“It may be,” Ty just said and took one more paper, wrote something on it and pinned it on the other side of the list with the 'skeleton'. “This is the first thing we're going to check tomorrow.”

For a few more hours they discussed the case. It was Ty mostly and Livvy. Kit was only following their conversations (and Ty's monologues), adding some little details time to time.

He was amazed. After spending a few hours in their company he could understand why "Blackthorn Detective Agency" had this reputation.

Kit looked at the clock on his hand and stood up. “I'm sorry but I have to go.”

It was almost 6 p.m. His father would wonder where he was.

“All right,” Livvy said. “Come here tomorrow morning. Nine a.m. Or earlier.”

Kit shivered. So early. But he only nodded and left.

•

Kit was running down the street. The wind was blowing in his face, his lungs were burning. He could barely stop in front of the door of "Blackthorn Detective Agency". Kit took one deep breath and entered.

Ty was in the lobby, sitting on one of the armchairs. He was reading his notes, in one hand holding a calabash pipe and in the other - his journal.

He glanced at Kit. “You're late.”

“I'm sorry,“ Kit said. It was his first day - it was a bad impression to be late, wasn't it? “I didn't correctly estimate how long it would take me to get here. I promise it won't happen again.”

“Good,” Ty said, closing his notebook. He got up from the armchair and grabbed the overcoat that was on the other.

He was as tall and handsome as yesterday. Under the overcoat he was wearing clothes similar as the day before - only the shirt was green. The braces remained the same.

“Let's go.”

“Shall we not wait for Livvy?”

“She is not coming with us.”

“Oh. All right.”

Ty eyed him as they were leaving the building. “Are you disappointed?”

“Well. No. Just surprised I suppose.”

Ty seemed like he accepted his answer. They walked side by side on the street.

“Where are we going? To the train station?”

“We shall,” Ty said. “But our first stop is Ragnor's apartment because it's closer. Then we'll take a taxi to the train station.”

“Sounds good.”

They walked together in the chilly London. Kit could see his breath in the air. The streets were rather empty. Maybe it was because it was too early? Anyway, he liked it this way. It was calm.

“So,” Kit said. “Why do you choose to call yourself Sherlock? Where does it come from?”

“Livvy came up with it,” Ty said, glancing around the street. Maybe he was searching for Ragnor's apartment. “And I'm not Sherlock.”

Kit was so shocked he stopped walking for a second. Then he caught up with Ty and asked, “Wait, you're not Sherlock Holmes? Then who is it?”

“Well,” Ty said and turned towards the street on the left. “It's Livvy and I. Although she probably will disagree.”

“Interesting,” Kit said absently. This explained some things. Like why no one could tell how Sherlock looked or his age. Even if he was male or female even though most people thought it's a man.

“This is it,” Ty said and they stopped in front of a tall but narrow building, reminiscent of a tower. “I believe Ragnor's apartment is on the third floor.”

Instead of entering the building from the main entrance, they went around to the rear entrance. While they climbed the stairs (because around the elevator too many people would see them), Kit asked, “Do you have a key to the apartment?”

“No,” Ty simply said.

“You say we're going to break in?”

“Well, technically, yes. But Catarina Loss said we should do everything we can to find him. Even if this includes "some not so legal actions", in her words.”

“Dear god,” Kit murmured. “So, we, kind of, have her permission to break in her friend's apartment?”

“That's right.”

Does he know how to do that? Kit thought but didn't say it. He probably knew. This was Sherlock Holmes (or at least half of it).

They quietly sneaked throughout the floor, until Ty stopped in front of room 66B.

He frowned at it.

“What is it?” Kit said.

“It seems that the lock is not... what I expected it to be,” Ty sounded deeply displeased when he said it.

Kit signed. He didn't want to seem like a criminal but desperate situations require desperate measures.

“Have you brought some instrument to open the door?” Kit said, already looking at the lock. “Small screwdriver perhaps? Or something like it?”

“I did,” Ty said absently, tapping with his foot. He was probably thinking of other ways to open the door without breaking it. Well, with a bit of luck Kit was going to do it for him.

“Can you give it to me? I want to try something.”

For a second Ty just looked at him but did as Kit asked.

Kit took the little object and kneeled in front of the door. The lock was better than he expected from a place like this but nothing unbearable.

After a few minutes, a few clicks and pressure on the mechanism Kit unlocked it. He stood up and gave the screwdriver back to Ty.

Ty was looking at him with amused eyes. “Unexpected but very helpful. Thank you.”

Kit felt warm and smiled. He wasn't used to people complimenting him. Shyness he didn't know existed in him woke up and he just said, “Nothing special. You're welcome any time.”

Ty gave him a thoughtful look for a second but didn't say anything.

They walked in the Ragnor Fell flat. It was a rather simple room. Pale red wallpapers, boring green sofa. A dresser and a desk with a few books about Spanish language on it. Bookshelf and a few plants. In the end of the room was a door, as boring as everything else here, that was probably the bedroom.

“This doesn't make sense,” Ty said, looking around the room. He approached the desk and looked at the books.

“What? That this flat is awfully boring for a warlock to live in? If so, yes, you're right.”

“No. I mean,” Ty ran a hand through his hair. “You have a point. I suppose. But I meant that such a warlock as him would protect his own flat at least. We get into it too easy. There were no spells, no protection, nothing. This is strange.”

Kit closed the door to the apartment and stepped in it. “Maybe he just didn't have the time?”

Ty shook his head, opening a drawer in the desk. It was empty. “Between his meeting with Catarina and his arrival in London are two whole hours. After that too, if we guess he hasn't been kidnapped right after meeting her.”

“Fair point.”

Kit looked around as well, approaching the door. There really wasn't anything interesting. Most of the books were classics, the sofa looked old but unused. Kit opened the door to the bedroom which creaked quietly.

This room was even simpler. One big bed, two nightstands on both sides of it and one more wood door, probably for a bathroom or closet. At one of them though there was a frame. As Kit took it in his arms he saw it was a black and white photograph. In the middle Kit recognized Catarina Loss - she was smiling quietly with crossed on her chest arms. On the right was a tall guy with cat eyes and a big smile, maybe a little drunk.

Kit decided the man on the left was Ragnor - he couldn't imagine a guy like the other one would live in place like this. Maybe-Ragnor looked grumpy and annoyed but Kit could see in his sparkling eyes that he was happy. He probably loved his friends but would never admit it.

On the right corner with a thick pen was written 'Peru,1890'.

“Did you find something?”

Kit looked a little startled at Ty. He almost forgot they were here to investigate. Almost.

“Something,” Kit repeated. He handed the frame to Ty and watched as his grey eyes were running through the photo.

“Peru, 1890,” he said thoughtfully. “This photography is from more than 40 years ago.”

“It's the only personal piece here. Probably in the whole flat, except the Spanish books.”

“You have a point,” Ty agreed. “But this is not his-”

A sharp sound interrupted him. It was the front door. Someone was trying to break it.

Kit breath stopped. Before he could do anything Ty grabbed his arm, opened the wood door and dragged them both inside.

Ty closed the door to the narrow dark room. Kit couldn't see anything. The only material thing was Ty's body against him. A moment later they heard how the stranger broke the lock and their steps as they came inside.

To be continued...

[iclaimedtobethebetterbard]

sweet as sugar (and twice as sappy)

Fandom: Sanders Sides Characters: Logan, Virgil, background Remus, Janus, Roman, and Patton Rating: Teen & up Relationships: Analogical, background Dukeceit (getting together), background Creativitwins Warnings: Language, tooth-rotting fluff Word count: 1779

Read on AO3!

My writing masterpost

Starlight Universe masterpost

analogical week 2021 start - previous - here - next - masterpost

Summary: Virgil never imagined he'd graduate college with a hot boyfriend, let alone one who asked him to give a speech in his honor at the LGBTQ+ commencement ceremony—but he's not complaining.

Notes: Day 6 of Analogical Week 2021! @analogicalweek  Remus uses he/they pronouns; at this point, Janus uses they/them and Patton uses he/him. Takes place in my Starlight Universe, does not need context to read.  

 There was a loud blast of honking from outside, at the same time as Virgil’s phone buzzed with a text from Janus. Please tell me you’re ready to go, it read.

From outside, Roman’s voice shouted, “Come on, nerds! We’re graduating!”

Roman had taken Janus to pick up Remus and Patton, leaving Logan and Virgil in the apartment Roman, Janus, and Logan shared, to finish preparing for the university’s LGBTQ+ commencement ceremony. But now, evidently, they were back, and it was time to go.

Logan opened the living room window and leaned out. “Technically, we will not graduate until the schoolwide commencement ceremony this evening, Roman,” he called.

“Shut up, gay graduation is better so it’s the offical one, now get out here and get in the car!” Roman responded.

Logan shut the window and turned to Virgil. “Ready, dear?”

Logan hadn’t stopped grinning all day. He looked oddly at home in his graduation robes and cap, wearing a simple button down and pair of slacks underneath. (He’d let Virgil paint stars in accurate constellation shapes on his cap, but had resisted all other forms of decoration; not for lack of suggestion, from Roman especially.) He had four different sets of cords around his neck: honors society, rainbow cords from the stint he’d spent as an intern at the university Pride Center in their second year, a set from participating in the school’s team at an elite engineering competition last year, and another set reserved for people with GPAs above 3.75. If Virgil didn’t know Logan so well, he’d be kind of concerned for his health, looking at all that. (Honestly, he still kind of was. He’d seen the stress Logan put himself under to achieve so much. But it was over now.)

He himself didn’t have nearly as much to weigh himself down around his neck with as Logan did. He did have one set of cords himself, from a major-specific program he’d participated in after his favorite professor invited him. (They were purple cords, a coincidence that pleased Virgil greatly.) He’d painted his cap himself, with a quote Logan had picked out for him surrounded by purple roses and red thorns, and while he’d begrudgingly let Logan talk him into wearing graduation robes, he’d refused to dress up underneath them, and stubbornly stuck to an old black t-shirt and jeans with his favorite purple converse.

“I’m ready,” Virgil said, taking a deep breath, and put his hand in Logan’s. They descended down the stairs out of the apartment and climbed into the backseat of Roman’s car, where there was just enough room for them.

The drive to the ceremony wasn’t too long—traffic was mostly going in the other direction. The venue turned out to be a public garden, with tents set up over the area and a bunch of small tables scattered throughout.

The group claimed a table close to the podium where the ceremony would, presumably, take place, and Remus promptly situated themself in Janus’s lap, wrapping their arms around him.

“Gross,” Roman commented.

“Shut up or we’ll make out in front of you,” Remus threatened playfully.

Roman wrinkled his nose and shut up.

Virgil leaned his head on Logan’s shoulder and folded their hands together under the table. “How are you feeling?” he murmured.

“Excited,” Logan said, after his usual pause to think about it. He squeezed Virgil’s hand. “You?”

Virgil exhaled. “Jittery. But kind of good.” He leaned up and kissed Logan’s cheek. “We did so good.”

He could feel Logan’s smile against his lips, even if he couldn’t see it from this angle. “We did indeed,” Logan agreed, turning his head to peck Virgil on the lips.

Not long after that, the ceremony began. There was a keynote speaker, and then the graduate recognitions, in order of surname. Each graduate and one person they’d selected were called up to the podium, and their person gave a speech and presented them with a stole. The stoles looked very nice, made of lavender satin with rainbow stripes on either end.

Roman and Remus gave each other’s speeches. (Remus held it together, only barely, while Roman was speaking; Roman was outright sobbing by Remus’s third sentence, and they held each other very tightly for a long moment when their speeches were both over, which prompted “aww”s and a round of thunderous applause from the audience.) Patton’s mother had come in to do his speech, and when they were done he went to go sit with his family for the rest of the ceremony; Janus had a favorite teacher from the Queer Studies department speak about them.

Then Virgil’s name was called, and Logan helped him to his feet and followed him up to the stage.

“Virgil,” Logan began, carefully adjusting the microphone. “There is so much I want to say about you. You are a wonder and your quiet dedication has been an inspiration to so many. But you specifically requested that I, and I quote, ‘keep it snappy, none of that sentimental stuff, you hear me?’”

Virgil snickered; he had not said “stuff.”

Logan gave him an arch glance without otherwise acknowledging the interruption. “So, out of respect for my boyfriend’s wishes, I will simply say this: Virgil, you are one of the smartest, bravest men I have ever met, and I’m sure everyone who knows you would agree. I am honored to have been part of your college journey, and I am beyond excited to see where you go in the future. Your world is lucky to have you in it.” He took the stole and came over to Virgil to drape it around his neck; Virgil caught him by the front of his graduation robes and drew him closer for a brief, chaste kiss.

“Love you,” Virgil whispered, cheeks warming in response to the applause that had only gotten louder at the kiss.

Logan smiled. “I love you too,” he whispered back, and the two of them made their way off the stage for the time being.

Several more people were called, some who they knew and some who they didn’t, and then it was Logan’s turn, and they both climbed back onstage.

Virgil took a deep breath, heart pounding in spite of himself, as he took the podium and adjusted the mic. “It’s us again,” he said with a chuckle. “Uh, hi. Okay.” He took another breath. “Logan. The day I met you, we ditched our friends at the skate park because they decided to embarrass us by making out in public.” Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Remus guffawing and pulling Janus close for a smack on the lips. “Ever since then, you’ve blown me away with your sheer brilliance. From pretending we don’t know the guys kissing each other six feet away from us, to, you know, graduating magna cum laude, you’re creative and a problem solver and you always have the coolest ideas. You’ve accomplished so much—I mean, all your honors and awards really speak to that, but even aside from academically. I’ve watched you grow from a guy who barely talks to anyone beside his professors, to the president of the astronomy club, with friends everywhere you go, and I think that’s just as important as any academic achievement.

“You’ve got an amazing brain, and you’re definitely the smartest person I know, but what you never give yourself enough credit for is how big-hearted you are, too. You always made time to study with me. You apply your talents to help others at every opportunity you get. When our friend—” he looks over at Patton “—needed help with his sick puppy, you volunteered your time every evening while he had classes. When I’ve struggled with school or my mental health or any number of things, you’ve always supported me. You’re really the core of our friend network—it’s you that holds us all together and makes us what we are.

“And, okay, I know I’ve kind of been dancing around the academic stuff, because that really speaks for itself, but of course you have tons of accomplishments to be proud of there too. You’re—well, you’re absolutely brilliant, as anyone who knows you will definitely agree.” He listed off a few of Logan’s awards and accomplishments. “You’re just—you’re a really cool guy, Logan. And this is super sappy, but I just—you’ve changed my life, and so many lives, and I honestly couldn’t be happier about it. You’re amazing, and I know you’re going to go on to do great things.” He took a deep breath, stepping back from the mic and picking up Logan’s stole as the audience began to applaud.

“Hey,” he breathed as he tenderly wrapped it around Logan’s shoulders, his hands shaking slightly with leftover adrenaline from the speech.

Logan was looking at him with tears in his eyes and an expression like Virgil had given him all the stars in the sky on a platter. “You—oh, my god,” he said, choked up and tender.

Virgil smirked, even though he felt a little teary too. “Guess it was good, then?”

“Can I kiss you? Really kiss? Right now?” Logan asked in response.

Virgil chuckled. “Sure,” he said, and Logan caught him around the waist and kissed him so fiercely he actually dipped Virgil, a couple of his tears falling onto Virgil’s cheeks.

Virgil couldn’t even find it in himself to be embarrassed, only grabbing Logan’s hand with a grin and leading him back to their seats with his head held high.

It occurred to Virgil, with a sudden, startling clarity, that he wouldn’t mind being at Logan’s side, holding his hand like this, for the rest of his life. He tucked that realization away to bring out and examine more later. Perhaps that evening, when he would be inevitably snuggled in Logan’s arms after the conclusion of the long day.

The ceremony concluded soon after, and a gigantic rainbow cake was brought out. Roman and Remus brought back plates for everyone. Virgil, once again leaning on Logan’s shoulder with his arm now wrapped around Logan’s waist, lazily ate bites of cake from one layer at a time, saving the purple layer for last.

“We did it,” Logan said with a delighted laugh.

Virgil grinned and leaned up to kiss his boyfriend. “We did it,” he agreed with a soft chuckle.

Logan grinned back even more exuberantly, caught Virgil’s face in his hands, and dragged Virgil back in for more. “I love you so much,” he announced between kisses.

“I love you, Lo,” Virgil whispered back, and it was the truest thing he’d ever said.

Taglist: @fivehargreeves05

[a-cupof-jo]

Set Up My Heart Pt. 9

PT.8 - PT.9 - PT. 10

College volleyball player!Johnny Suh x reader

Rivals-to-lovers

Fluff and angst

Synopsis: Ever since that fateful day Sophomore year of high school, Johnny Suh had been an insufferable thorn in your side. Once you made it to college you thought the two of you would never have to see each other again. That is, until a sudden school transfer has the entire university buzzing.

Warnings!!!: Mentioned divorce and adult topics. Some strong language. Please don’t read if any of these make you uncomfortable or may be detrimental to you.

~~

We’ve been seeing Y/n’s story in college, but how did she and Johnny become so combative with each other? Will Johnny’s high school story tell all?

Second half to Johnny’s side of the story.

~~

“Nervous?” Johnny asked as he leaned over the wall separating the court from the bleachers.

Y/n grunted as she continued warming up, “Why would I be nervous?” A ball flew her direction as the opposite team started on warm up drills. She swatted it back toward the girl who chased after it. “I’ve been to a state championship before."

Johnny shrugged, "But with a completely different team, with a completely different record. Plus, this time you’re going against said team."

Y/n set the ball to herself as she mulled over Johnny’s words. Johnny couldn’t help but watch her. If they asked him, she was the strongest player on the team. A true all team player. It wouldn’t matter where they placed her, Y/n would thrive in any position, "I don’t think that’s going to be a downfall for us. If anything, that makes me more confident.”

“Oh,” Johnny raised an eyebrow.

Y/n grinned, “I may have moved schools, but they didn’t change teams.” She gave him a slight wave as her coach called everyone in. He sighed as she ran away. He had full confidence in the team, but something didn’t sit right with him. Why were you so confident? Did you know something about RVHS that maybe no one else did?

Johnny watched as the RVHS team sent looks to his school’s team. More importantly, he noticed that the glances landed on Y/n a majority of the time.

“It’s going to be an interesting match,” Kun slid into the seat next to him. “RVHS has been undefeated for the past 3 years.”

“They are a foundationally strong team,” Johnny nods as he watches the teams serving balls across the net. “But they don’t take risks. They only play well because the opposing team plays well.”

“Meaning,” Kun handed a camera over to Johnny.

“Meaning, that when they come across a team that doesn’t always play to perfection,” he took a picture of the net trying to focus the camera correctly. “They can’t make strong plays, which then leads them to not being able to convert points."

"So,” Kun hesitated. He tapped his pen against the notebook sitting in his lap as he watched the court. “We actually have a chance at winning.” Johnny nodded his camera clicking. “All because we play less fundamentally?"

"Not just because of that,” Johnny flipped through the pictures he’d taken. “but also because we are able to take fundamentals and convert them into scrappy plays."

"What? How?” Kun furrowed his eyes at Johnny. Johnny set his camera on Kun’s lap shrugging before standing and stating he was going to the bathroom. Kun looked down to see a picture of Y/n shining up at him. She smiled at the camera through the net. He grabbed the piece of paper sitting on the bench next to him. If they were going to win, then everyone was going to want to know about the prodigy that is, Y/n.

~~

He held his breath as the ball came down the side of the net. The setter lunged for it getting it in the air so the libero could set it to the outside hitter. Johnny felt a little disgruntled. The play was messy, but in a way that could have worked to the team’s much needed advantage. Had they set it up for Y/n or the libero to kill there is a higher chance that they would have won the point. Instead, the volley continued.

The fourth set of the match had Johnny on edge. He could see the tension stirring through both teams. RVHD had won the second and third set, but SJHS had won the first and now had a two point lead and was about to take the fourth. Johnny had watched the entire time trying to write down and follow plays as well as take some shots. RVHS was playing just how he thought they would. With precision and not taking unnecessary risks. It seems that SJHS was following their lead, and it wasn’t working greatly for their benefit. A cheer went up from his bench as SJHS scored the final point. Johnny cheered as he watched the score change and teams switch courts. Whoever won this set was going to be named state champions.

Johnny glanced over at Kun staring at the court, “It’s going to be a miracle if we pull this off.” He scratched a note onto the paper sitting in his lap.

“There’s still a chance,” Johnny noted. “If we can take this set then we win.”

“What are the chances we take this set?”

He watched as the team captains were called back to the refs stand. The clock read 3 minutes before the next set. “If we start playing like we should then,” Johnny plopped down in his seat, “If we were playing to our ability and strengths, we would actually have a chance of winning. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen.” He watched as the teams settled on their respective sides of the court. Johnny trailed off and the stands went quiet as RVHS’s setter served the ball. “They are really going to have to find something deep down inside of them, fast. Skills alone are not going to allow them to win.” He scoffed as RVHS put a second point on the board.

Kun shrugged his eyes not glancing away from the court, “It’s hard to believe that we could come so far after all the years of never even making it to the final tournament.” He tapped his fingers on the bench watching as SJHS scored a point and was finally moving up on the scoreboard.

Johnny narrowed his eyes, “Are you feeling okay?” He tilted his head trying to get a clear view of Kun’s face.

“Yeah, why,” Kun jolted as Johnny came into his line of view.

Johnny shrugged, “You just seem a little jittery. Is the game that exciting to you?” Johnny glanced at the court noticing that SJHS had caught up to RVHS at 5 points for each team.

Kun crossed his arms across his chest, “I’m just trying to figure out how we got this far. Just because we got Y/n L/n? She is a great player, but a team is only as strong as their weakest player. So it doesn’t make sense. Plus, nobody even knows why she transferred here.”

Johnny frowned at him, “At this point, I don’t think that matters right now.” He couldn’t help the way his words came out harsh and short, “Y/n has obviously become a big part of the team and pretty much everyone at school likes her.”

“I didn’t say that she wasn’t,” Kun hissed. “I’m just saying it’s weird.” He rolled his eyes, “Let’s just watch the game.”

Johnny let out an exasperated sigh and tried to focus on the game. The teams were in a 30 second timeout and Johnny could see the heated discussion coming from SJHS’s bench. Y/n had her hands on her hips listening as the coach was waving his clipboard around. The ref blew the whistle as the time out ended and the teams were back on the court. Johnny narrowed his eyes as he watched Y/n say something to the setter. The setter looked confused and apprehensive, but nodded along to whatever she said. Johnny felt himself getting antsy as the ball was served to the other side of the net. With a score of 10 to 11, there was desperation to make up those points and win this set.

He held his breath as the opposing teams setter dove for the ball but missed it as it hit the outside line. SJHS only needed 5 more points to go to take the set and win the state championships. He would be lying if he said that he wasn’t surprised that the next 2 points came easy. RVHS had seemed to give up. They were not moving as fast and they hesitated before making an attack. Another point was scored off a deep float server, and excitement rose in his chest, they were going to win this set, they were going to win the State Championship.

The ball flew over the net and the opposing team finally made an attack. Y/n dived for the ball and watched as it shanked away from the setter. Johnny pulled his bottom lip between his teeth as the outside hitter set the ball up to the center  of the front row. The outside and opposite attackers jumped at the net as the setter hit the ball over the net. The other team scrambled as it shot towards them, landing at the corner before bouncing out of the court. Johnny was on his feet as he listened to the ref announce game point. He watched as the setter moved to serve the next ball. It flew over the net with precision, but instead of landing on the floor or shanking off an arm. RVHS’s libero delivered the served ball directly to their setter. The middle hitter was in the air before the ball left the setter’s hands and they sent the ball over the net, trying to convert the point.

SJHS’s opposite hitter dove for the ball as it clipped the tips of the blockers fingers. “It’s up. Go ten!” Y/n backed up the court as the setter drove the ball to the middle of the court.

Johnny’s breath caught as she jumped through the air. The ball connected with her palm before shooting back across the net. The team dove for the ball putting it up in the air before the SJHS defense sent it down just out of reach of RVHS’s front row.

Johnny jumped up with a cheer as the ref called the point and the teams dispersed. He watched as the teams shook hands before turning to cheer or slouch back to their locker rooms. He grabbed his camera snapping pictures of the excited team. His lens landed on Y/n as a teammate scooped her up in a hug. He could help but grin at the sight as his camera clicked. Her eyes looked up and again her gaze caught his through the lens. Johnny snapped another picture before pulling the camera down and sending her a thumbs up. She smiled at him before jerking her back head towards the locker room. She gave a motion that said 15 minutes and he nodded in agreement.

“Well this was unexpected,” He couldn’t stop smiling as he turned to where Kun was sitting. He froze as he noticed Kun, along with all of his stuff, was gone. “Kun?” He glanced around the stands not seeing the shorter boy anywhere. Gathering his things he rushed out of the gym and down the hall. He wandered the halls for 5 minutes before moving back towards the locker rooms.

Voices met his ears as he turned the corner to the back hallway. “Her parents were going through a nasty divorce. She was talking to lawyers every week, sometimes multiple times a week. Her mother was the one making all the money. Her dad was laid off from his job and spent all her mom made on alcohol and porn.” Johnny’s eyes widened as he saw Kun standing across from a shorter girl. Her hands dropped to rest on her hips the letters RVHS flashed down the dim hall. “Her mom got custody and the two of them moved here to get away from her dad.”

Kun nodded as he scribbled down words on his pad of paper, “That’s it? What about Y/n’s volleyball career? Did any of this affect the season last year.” Johnny leaned closer as Kun’s voice dropped off.

“None that I know of. Y/n was always a private person. She never spoke to us about her home life. I don’t even think she had very close friends,” the girl sighed obviously done with the conversation. “It doesn’t really matter. Ask her about it if you’re so curious. Make sure you don’t mention my name.”

“Of course,” Kun closed the notepad. “Thanks for your time.” she gave him a nod before turning into a room behind her. Kun sighed and walked down the hall towards Johnny. “Oh,” he stopped as he came face-to-face with Johnny. “Hey, going to get some comments from the team?”

“Yup,” Johnny fiddled with his camera. “It should only take a few minutes.” Kun nodded before stepping around him.

“Great try to get your articles to me by Monday evening so we can release them on Wednesday.” Kun called from his place down the hall.

Johnny sat outside the room. He could hear laughter and excitement from inside the room. He heard the door click before it was pulled open and laughter spilled into the hall. “I thought you said 15 minutes?” He teased as he stood from the bench watching as Y/n slipped out of the room. He glanced down at his watch, “It’s been 17 minutes.”

“I’m sorry that you can’t be patient,” she grinned at him as she combed a hand through her hair.

Johnny smiled back as he pulled out his small pad of paper, “I’m on a tight schedule. You see, I have to interview this girl that just led her team to their first state championship in over 5 years. I don’t see why it’s so important but.”

“Get on with it, Suh,” you give him a light shove before sitting on the bench he had just stood from. “What do you need to pick my brain about?”

“You were great out there,” he threw her a smile before clicking his pen and resting the tip on the paper. “I just need some remarks on the game.”

Y/n leaned back against the wall, her head tipped sideways to watch him write, “I’m really proud of the team first of all. We worked really hard this year to make it to the state championships. I am so lucky to know all of them and to be able to grow with them. Every team is unique and has their own stories and personalities. I am blessed to have such an open and welcoming community with these girls. Initially we did not fit together very well. Coming from a team that is very fundamentally based to a team that really does play to have fun was such a big change. I didn’t enjoy it at first, it was all so new, but the team really helped me out!”

Johnny nodded along as he tried to jot down her words as she spoke them, “Great! And then do you have anything to say about the tournament or the game?”

“I really loved playing all these great teams. They all worked so hard and played so well. I look forward to competing against them again.” She smiled at Johnny as his hair flopped in his eyes. Johnny would have never thought that having to write for the school paper sport section would make you two closer. Both had been skeptical when Johnny started to follow the team around to games, but the two found that it worked to their favor as they started to work on Chemistry together and eventually other classes. Johnny helped Y/n with english, while Y/n carried his geometry grade. The two fell into a rhythm outside of school, but in school, peers would think the two hated each other. “My dad tried to call again.” Her voice changed tones. It went from happy to timid. “He left a message saying that he wanted to see me and congratulate me on the state championship.”

Johnny closed his notepad, “Would you like some advice? Do you need me to talk to him?”

She shook her head, “Just sit here until the team comes out.” Johnny nodded leaning back to rest beside her.

~~

“ With a Successful Season, Volleyball Prodigy Turns Out to be a Fraud” by Qian Kun and Johnny Suh

Johnny had to reread the sentence over and over again. “What the hell is this.” He turned sharply to the editor sitting at the large table sitting at the front of the computer lab. “I never allowed you to put my name on this.”

Kun glanced up to peer at Johnny’s screen, “Oh we were running out of room on the sports page. Between your article on the volleyball tournament, Wooyoung’s on the soccer tournament, and my own summarizing the two seasons we had to condense. So we took bits and pieces from each article and made four articles. Two on the tournaments and two on the season summary. So some of your articles replaced mine.”

“But why didn’t you tell me,” Johnny pleaded with him. “And how did you even come to this conclusion. Absolutely nothing I said ever pointed to that and I didn’t give you permission!” Johnny could feel his face heating up as spoke to Kun’s uncaring figure.

Kun glanced at him through the glasses perched on his nose, “Johnny, this story is what the paper needs. It’ll get people reading and we can get permission to do the paper again next year. I thought you of all people would want this.” He sighed as he shuffled a couple papers next to the computer screen, “Besides the teacher approved it. If they thought that it wasn’t okay they would have said something.”

“Kun,” Johnny threw his hands up. “We both know that they don’t care about the student body. They are just trying to look out for themselves. If this comes back to bite us, you know they will throw us under the bus.”

Kun didn’t look up at him, “That’s not going to happen.”

“We are spreading false reports.”

“No, we are telling people the truth.”

“About someone’s private, personal life. We can’t do that, Kun. She never agreed to sharing that information.

“She did,” Kun gave Johnny a once over. “She shouldn’t have told a reporter her secrets if she didn’t want them told. It’s our job to find the skeletons hiding in people’s closets.”

“I can’t believe you,” Johnny spun as he heard the small voice. Y/n stood in the doorway to the lab her phone clutched to her chest. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, “You were using me for some shitty story in a HS paper.” Her face darkened as she stormed into the room, “I trusted you. I told you things that no one else in this school knew, and you turned and blabbed it for the entire school to see.”

“Y/n I never-”

“Save it,” she held a hand up. “You’ve said your piece. You’ve said what you think loud and clear. You twisted my words. Made me sound like a stuck up bitch. ‘Y/n spoke briefly on the season stating, “Every team is unique and has their own stories and personalities. Initially we did not fit together very well. Coming from a team that is very fundamentally based to a team that really plays to have fun was such a big change. I didn’t enjoy it.” Y/n showed contempt for her teammates and school as a result of her parents recent splitting and her forced departure from RVHS.’ Believe me I get the message.” A tear slipped down her cheek, “I hope your happy and you get whatever fucking promtion this article was for.” Johnny reached for her arm as she pulled away from him. “Don’t you dare.” She sent a glare at him before turning out of the room and storming down the hall.

Sadness and anger coursed through Johnny as he turned to Kun, “Take my name off of that article, now.” Kun rolled his eyes as he watched Johnny race out of the room after Y/n.

Jonny had almost caught up to her when a group of his teammates stopped him. They had agreed to a friendly tournament against the girls volleyball team. They said that the competition would be fun and that it would boost student morale. Johnny didn’t feel convinced and he tried to listen as they told him about other events they were trying to set up. He glanced around trying to find Y/n, but she had disappeared and so did his chance to make things right.

~~

The cafeteria was busy the next week as the school buzzed with gossip, drama, and the upcoming student council events. Johnny was trying to weave his way through crowds of students as he searched for the table his friends were sitting at. As he caught sight of them he felt a body run into his as his tray flew up landing square in his chest.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Johnny looked up into the eyes he had been wanting to see all week. Y/n stood in front of him, hands raised with napkins sitting in them. Her eyes hardened as she realized who she ran into. “Here,” she shoved the napkins into his hand before spinning on her heel and walking away.

Johnny followed after her, “Wait, Y/n, can you let me explain.”

“Explain what, Johnny?” She turned to him, fire in her eyes, “Why you used my story for your personal gain? Why you let me think that you actually enjoyed being around me? Why everything I told you in confidentiality was just stewing for the enjoyment of our peers? Why you let me start to like you?” Johnny gaped at her as she yelled at him. “I don’t want to hear excuses. I don’t want to hear an explanation from you. Any respect I had for you, is gone.”

Johnny felt anger course through him as she spewed words at him. She never let him speak. She thought she knew what was going on, but she didn’t. He did not work so hard to get Kun to let him release a new article refuting the previous statements, for her to yell at him and doubt his actions towards her. “You’re right. You won’t listen so I won’t talk. We’ll just forget all about everything that happened before. You are a stranger to me.” His voice was cold and his words clipped.

“Perfect,” he could see her walls grow higher and higher. She turned away from him and stepped up to her own table. “Just so you know,” she turned to look at the food staining his shirt. “Food isn’t a good look for you.” Johnny scowled as she rolled her eyes and turned to her table of friends. He brushed the food off his chest before turning away from the table, turning away from Y/n. If she didn’t want to listen to him, he was done trying to make her. His heart gave a tug as he glanced back and she stared back at him, but instead of her face falling into a small smile it tightened into a familiar glare.  

~~

@beyond-gethsemane, @lanadreamie, @michplusb @qianinterprises @stayctday @jaxminskale @infnteen @nanascupid

~~

*Reposted from previous blog*

[cherry-gemz]

Healing Hands: Chapter One

Summary: You find yourself abroad in London as the Chief of Pediatrics. Everything has been running smoothly until you are faced with an undiagnosed case and the doctor assigned is anything but willing to face defeat. Will you be able treat the child's unknown disease in time, along while facing uncharted waters with love in the workplace?

Parings: Henry Cavill {Dr. Cavill} x Y/N {F!Reader}

Rating: Overall series 18+ only, Chapter is PG

Word count: 2200 +/-

Tags:  @evansamericanass @meowpurrbooks​ @lilithpaijiee @pterodactylterrace 

A/N: Trying something new at writing Henry fanfic. IDK if it’s any good, but either way wanted to start writing. LMK if you're interested, comments and tags welcomed! 💜

P.S. I am no means in any medical field or sorts, so if I get something incorrect on a term or process, bear with me xo.

----------------------------------------------------

You knew that it was a gamble moving to the UK for the Chief of Pediatrics position. But it was time for a change. You needed to leave Eugene, Oregon. Start fresh. There was too much pain there and you had to get away. So when your cousin, who was a nurse from Brighton informed you that there was a need at her hospital for the highly-visible role, you thought why the hell not? You'd score a free round-trip to England of anything and actually see some family you've never met if it didn't pan out. 

Little did you know that you'd fall in love with London: the weather, the people, the imagery of it all. Oregon weather wasn't all too different, so you acclimated well. It had been a few months of you settling in: understanding more of the language barriers despite it still being English. Knackered, cuppa, trollied. 

That is until you had a run in with the division chief of Pediatrics, Dr. Cavill. The staff adored the renowned and painstakingly handsome doctor. And while you could appreciate the view as well, you never were on the same page with his ideals. His defiant behavior of undermining your direction of the unit was becoming a thorn in your side. 

But this time, this time you'd had enough. He mentioned to a patient's parents, while with the speciality case, the hospital could take on their son's situation as priority and receive around the clock care. You threw down the patient's file on your desk and pinched the bridge of your nose. It was a lost cause, you had looked into the patient ever since you started the role.

The child seemed perfectly healthy and lab tests may show no signs of illness. But the chronic pain and fatigue were unexplainable. You empathized, but the poor child has undergone so many tests that at this point it was about providing facts to the parents. And right now, there was no cause of alarm. You weren’t a Dr. House, this wasn’t television. You didn't have the staff to dive into any research or clinical studies. You had a hospital to run, employees to pay, other lives needed saving. 

You picked up the phone to the case nurse on the pediatric floor. 

"Hello? Yes, this is Dr. Y/LN. Can you please remind Dr. Cavill of our 5pm? He's late. Thank you." 

Slowly hanging up on the phone, you turn back to the patient's file. The boy, Jon Foulger, was just shy of his ninth birthday. No positive results for Lupus or Guillain-Barré syndrome. But This case had been bothering you, poor Jon had been in the hospital for three months and still no progress on a diagnosis. While you were never known to give up on a patient, you knew giving false hope to the parents was detrimental not only to the family, but to the same of the hospital's integrity. You were in a high esteemed role now, you knew that you had to discuss further with Henry on his actions. 

Twenty more minutes passed by and you checked your watch. Fuming, you stood up from your desk and headed down to the pediatric floor by the lift. 

As you briskly walk down the hall corridors you can't wait to give Cavill a piece of your mind. You turn the corner and ram right into a brick wall, or so you thought.  Your hands instinctively pick up and see placed on the doctor's firm chest. You immediately flush and lose composure. 

You knew he was a good-looking man, but this up close and personal was a whole other level. His dark hair and curls were fluffy and good enough to touch. His piercing steel blue eyes looked at yours and made immediate contact. His bone structure made the Michaelangelo's David blush. 

"My apologies, Dr. Y/LN. Didn't see you there," his voice was like butter. 

You straightened out your white coat, "Ahem, yes. Well I seemed to have been lost in thought. My apologies as well."

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, almost an hour ago…" you shifted your weight to stand a bit taller. He towered over you with his muscular frame and height. 

"Patient...Jon Foulger. We must discuss the repercussions of your current actions."

"Jon-Jon," he replied stoic. 

"Excuse me?"

"He likes to be called Jon-Jon."

"Well yes, let's go to my office and discuss further, please Dr. Cavill."

"As you wish," he replied and pivoted his heel to the nearby lift.

The rise up to the 12th floor was a quiet one, awkward overall as you knew you had to give a coaching and hated the notion. You missed practicing medicine; while you enjoyed the administration of your position, the thrill of helping others and using your hands were erased with cases of employee performance reviews, reports, budgets. 

He coughed into his fist and then held his strong hands in place in a clasp. 

He finally broke the silence, "Enjoying London?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Have you had any time to take a holiday?"

"Um, no. Been too busy."

"It might do you some good," he replies as he looks to check his watch. 

You huff, "Somewhere you need to be, Doctor?"

"No, just checking the time."

His arrogance irritated you and now you weren't feeling as badly to give him his coaching. 

The lift opened as you arrived at the floor and he held out the door for you to exit first. You nod and walk to your office, your kitten heels clicked on the hospital's linoleum floor and the sound echoed through your ears. 

As you both enter your office you stride quickly to your desk to assume dominance of the room. 

Henry stood near the doorway, admiring your photos and certificates on the wall. 

"I knew you were American, but Stanford Medical? Interesting, thought you were from Oregon. When will you be returning?" You can't read him if that was a compliment or sarcasm. 

"Dr. Cavill, would you be so kind to shut the door," you state firmly and sit down, ignoring his comment about your return to the states.

His brow peaks and he nods, turning to close the door. 

"Please, have a seat," you say. 

"I'd rather stand, thank you," he replies and you know this is going to be a difficult conversation. 

"Well this will only take a moment then. Your recent behavior with the Foulger family, while I commend you for your dedication, has been slight askew with the hospital's protocols."

"Is that so?" His voice dropped and his brow arched. "In what way, Dr. Y/LN?"

You cough as the drawl of his mouth turns upward and you can swear there's a smug smirk across his face. 

"Well...for one...you've promised around the care of the child. Now simply put, we've exhausted all efforts for a diagnosis and until Jon...Jon-Jon…shows any new symptoms, we are at liberty to provide him comfort care for the remainder of the evening, but he will need to be discharged in the morning. We've exhausted him enough with MRIs, blood tests. I'm at a rock in a hard place, Dr. Cavill."

"The rock or the hard place where you give up on a child's well-being simply because you haven't thought to see him as a person? Rather as a number on your statistical analysis of how functioning this hospital is?"

His eyes pierce through you and make your knees grow weak. The nurse staff usually talks about him being a cuddly bear, always making the children laugh and smile. But this man before you, why he's no cuddly bear. He was a beast of a man. A grizzly in fact. 

"Now see here, I will let you know that this case is very important to me. All the children are. But what you fail to see is that for whatever reason you've gravitated to this particular case, you're chasing something that doesn't exist." 

His broad shoulders and strong neck tense at your words. He blinks methodically, as if he's scoping out his prey. No, don't let his charm and rugged good looks distract you. This is a man who is used to getting what he wants and you are a woman who knows perfectly what to do with that.

"And I believe you're blind, Doctor."

"Excuse me?" Your voice was shrill and short. "This is borderline insubordination. I'd be careful with your next words, Cavill."

"Pardon my frankness, Dr. Y/LN, but I've been here longer and know these patients in and out," his voice raised and you could see the hint of a vein showing on his thick neck. "Some of the children come from very poor and debilitating environments. We can't just cast them off once a diagnosis doesn't stick simply because we need the bed or we're done trying!"

"DR. CAVILL," you exclaim and let out an exasperated sigh. His demeanor changed and his upper lip curved slightly. 

“Dr. Y/LN. With all due respect, I think you’re making the wrong judgement call here. Things are not adding up with Jon-Jon, if we just give it a few more days...I feel like we’re making progress and I’ve labored enough research into it-”

"Again, while I appreciate your passion...”

“Passion which you need to show for the patient-”

You raise your hand to silence him, “This is not up to you, Dr. Cavill. As Chief of Pediatrics, this is my call. We will discharge Jon tomorrow if he does not show any new symptoms. If you disobey any further protocols, I will have no other choice but resort to disciplinary action. Do I make myself clear, Doctor?"

You press your hands on your desk and lean inward, portraying your stance. 

"Perfectly," he responded. 

"And another thing, I -" you start, but he turns and abruptly walks out of your office, leaving your door open. 

The nerve! Did he really just do that? Where does he think he's going? Didn't I just tell him I'd resort to disciplinary action?!

You rush out of your office and you see him striding through the hall. His strong posture, shoulders back eluded to years of boarding school perhaps or military. You noticed his fists were clenched and it gave you slight satisfaction that you chipped away ever so slightly at his ego.

It was going to take a lot more than that to send you packing, you thought. 

----------------

The next day came and went. You had confirmed that Jon-Jon was discharged with the floor nurse and while you were relieved to have handled that quite professionally, you knew it did not bear well with the rest of the staff.

You were still getting your feet wet and learning more about your team. It was solid overall, many years of expertise collectively, but they treated you like the outsider you were. No requests to meet for lunch or drinks after work. No camaraderie birthday cards seeking your signature or date night advice. Just the normal days in and out, pulling many late nights in your office, up to the point of exhaustion. You'd collapse in your double bed after work, stare at the ceiling of the small room you rented from your cousin, Laura, and try to drown out all the bustle of seven people in the same 3 bedroom flat. 

Just like any other day, You sat alone during lunch. But that never really was ever a bother being used to it now. You were excited about an audiobook you were meaning to dive into and right when you were about to use your airpods, that's when you noticed him enter the cafeteria. 

His presteen, crisp white lab coat was tight around his build. You could tell he took fitness seriously and wondered what he was hiding underneath it all. You unknowingly licked your lips as you watched him search for a fruit out of the bowl off the commons counter. Curious to know what he fancied: was he into a sweet apple or something more tart like cherries. 

He picked up a peach and squeezed it with his massive hand, making it look quite comical considering his size. His eyes met yours and you quickly looked away, trying to now draw any attention to yourself. You fumbled with your phone as you connected to the audiobook and heart his footsteps approached your empty table. 

"Good afternoon," he said. His voice was deep, smooth, and inviting. Not at all like the day before in your office. 

You play coy and don't bother to look up, fidgeting with your sandwich. 

"Hello," you reply distantly. He made you nervous. Would he bring up yesterday's conversation? Will he continue to look that delectable each day?

He smirked and took a bite of the fuzzy peach. There was a slight crunch as he dug his pearly whites into the rounded fruit. The velvet and thin layer of skin eased off and entered his mouth; he chewed slightly and let the piece swirl around with his thick tongue. 

You peered to look at him and his stare hadn't relented. He took another bite. This time the luscious juice slips out of the white-yellow fleshed fruit and down slightly on his chin. Oh, to be that piece of fruit and have him ravish you that way.  How he’d expertly use his hands over you and taste you with those lips.

He can tell you're still distant, however he notices you're unable to tear your eyes away from him. 

He walks over, closer to you now, and you can smell his cologne: a woody aromatic scent tied with a hint of suede. It's downright delicious and with the mix of the peach, your senses are in overdrive. 

What is it with this man and his ability to excite and anger you all at once? You not only want to put him into his place, you want to do so right here on the cafeteria table and have your way with him.

"Lovely day, isn't it?" He smiles devilishly and places the half eaten fruit on the table next to your phone and walks away. 

Your cringe and use all your might to not look back at him. He's going to make this very hard for you, very hard indeed.