#the nurse is just entirely unimpressed

[swiggity-swexual-i-am-asexual]

Gotham Academy was no stranger to odd teachers, mostly due to the turnover rate in Gotham not sparing them in the least.

Still, this new out-of-towner school nurse from Absolutely Nowhere Amity Park was by far the weirdest.

[theostrophywife]

dress.

pairing: lorenzo berkshire x reader.

song inspiration: dress by taylor swift.

author's note: can't stop thinking about that anon that called me out on being feral for theo yet soft for my baby boy cutie pie sweetie enzo. they were so right, but can you blame me? enzo is the pretty boy. he invented baby girlism.

“How do I look?” 

Beautiful. 

Breathtaking. 

Devastating. 

Enzo blinked away the words that materialized in his mind, shaking off the thoughts that he had no business thinking about his best friend. His honey eyes darkened as you descended the winding staircase, the billowing skirt of your ball gown kissing the checkered floor of your family’s mansion. 

The pretty lilac shade complimented your complexion, making you glow underneath the crystal chandelier. Every curve draped in luxurious velvet fabric, like temptation wrapped in a pretty little bow just to torment him. 

“Earth to Enzo,” you teased, poking at your best friend’s shoulder with a gloved finger. “Have I lost you?”

Enzo sucked in a breath, relishing in the sight of you. “Sorry. You look…” he trailed off, searching for the right words. “You look stunning, Y/N.” 

Your smile nearly took his breath away. The action lit up your entire face, crinkling the corner of your eyes in the most endearing way. Enzo was entranced as you straightened his tie, pinching his cheek because you both knew that he secretly loved it.

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Berkshire.” The playful tone of your voice made his heart skip a beat, the steady rhythm echoing in his ears as Enzo offered you his arm. “The girls will be envious of my handsome escort.”

“I think they’ll be more envious of that dress,” Enzo murmured softly. The smooth, low cadence of his voice flowed through you like honey. “I don’t think anyone will be able to keep their eyes off of you tonight, love.” 

Including him. 

The ballroom was filled to the brim with guests from the sacred and influential families, the women dressed to the nines in silk, lace, and velvet, their ears and wrists and necks dripping with diamonds. The men wore impeccably fitted suits with watches and family heirloom rings that cost more than a year’s worth of wages. 

All around the room, attendees nursed their cocktails and indulged in the impressive spread of hors d'oeuvres, whispering excitedly about the grandeur and opulence of the ball your family hosted every year, but he barely picked up on their conversations. Enzo smiled and nodded politely, but his attention wasn’t on any of them. 

Instead, the entirety of his focus fell on you. Enzo watched as you chatted and charmed the crowd, even going so far as gaining a slight smile from his surly uncle Lucius, who was notoriously unimpressed by anything and everything. Your best friend was entirely convinced that you could’ve charmed the feathers off of a hippogriff. 

“What a delightful girl you are. Exactly the type of lady young Lorenzo should be courting.” Lucius drawled. “Draco would do well to follow his cousin’s example.” 

Narcissa smiled. “I’m afraid our son is too late. These two are quite smitten with each other already.” 

Neither one of you corrected the couple. There was truly no use. Despite the countless attempts at clarifying the nature of your relationship, the adults still assumed that the two of you were together. Sometimes it was just easier to play along. Enzo had no complaints. Especially not when you placed a kiss on his cheek and nodded in agreement. 

“Can you blame me, Mrs. Malfoy?” You teased, winking at Enzo. “Lorenzo’s quite the catch. Anyone would be lucky to have such a perfect gentleman by their side.” 

Enzo tried not to blush as Lucius and Narcissa nodded in approval. Luckily, his aunt and uncle moved along, allowing you to greet the other guests. Throughout the night, Enzo stayed by your side, chiming in when needed, refilling your drinks when you ran out, and feeding you appetizers in between breaks. The rest of his friends teased him for it, but Enzo was perfectly content with playing the part of escort. 

“Mother was right. Y/N has every male in here eating out of her hand,” Draco said, looking over at you in appreciation as he took a sip of champagne. “Can’t blame them. That dress is something else. She looks proper fit.” 

“You don’t stand a chance, Malfoy.” Mattheo scoffed as he popped a bacon wrapped fig into his mouth. 

Theo nodded in agreement, eyes glazed over from the smoke break that he and Mattheo took in the gardens earlier. “Blondes aren’t Y/N’s type.” His mouth quirked as he glanced over at Enzo. “Isn’t that right, Berkshire?”

“You lot are insufferable,” Enzo said with an eye roll. 

He glanced over the top of his champagne glass, smiling softly to himself as he watched his mum fawn over you. She often joked about taking her engagement ring out of the Gringott’s vault despite the fact that Enzo repeatedly told her that the two of you weren’t in a relationship. Along with everyone else, his parents seemed convinced that the two of you were meant to be. 

“What’s the matter, cousin? Jealous that Y/N might take a liking to me?” 

“She’d sooner snog a rat,” Enzo replied sarcastically. 

“A ferret is close enough, isn’t it?” asked Regulus.

“Malfoy might stand a chance after all,” was Tom’s deadpan response. 

Mattheo chuckled. “Good one, brother. Come on, lads. We should let Enzo get back to his date.” 

With a sigh, Enzo downed his champagne glass before rejoining your side. You were in deep conversation with his parents, but broke out into a goofy grin the minute you caught sight of him. 

“There’s my handsome date,” you exclaimed. “I must say, you raised quite a gentleman, Mr. and Mrs. Berkshire. I couldn’t have asked for a better escort. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he looks quite handsome in a suit.”

Enzo flushed as you straightened his tie. His father smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “I reckon Lorenzo gets that from me.”

“No doubt, Mr. Berkshire. All the ladies seem to think so. Perhaps I should stop hogging him to myself and give the others a chance.”

“Try as you might, Lorenzo only has eyes for you, dear.” Enzo groaned, blushing at his mum’s embarrassing statement. “What? It’s true. You two make a beautiful couple.”

Enzo was about to correct his mother for the millionth time, but you simply slipped your gloved hand through his elbow and smiled. “Thank you, Mrs. Berkshire. We clean up rather well, don’t we?” 

You giggled as Enzo turned red in the face. Completely unaware of his desire to melt into the marble floor, his mother flashed you a pleased smile. “There’s no need for formalities. I insist that you call me Helene. You’re practically family at this point. Though I do hope my son will add you into the Berkshire brood soon enough. Speaking of which, what is your ring size, dear?”

Never in his life had Enzo felt so mortified. It was one thing to have the adults mistake you for a couple, but to have his mother imply marriage was an entirely different beast. One that Enzo had no plans of tackling tonight. 

“That’s our cue for a dance. I think you’ve kept our gracious host long enough, mum.” 

His mother started to protest until his father placed an arm around her shoulder. “Now, now, my love. Let the children be. Plenty of time to discuss serious matters during Y/N’s next visit, which we hope will be soon. Our grand piano has been feeling a bit neglected lately and we have missed your lovely rendition of the classics.”

“Well we certainly can’t have your Steinway sit idle for too long. I promise to come by for tea before term starts.” You kissed both of his parents on the cheek. A friendly gesture that he had never seen them engage in with any of his friends. “It’s always a pleasure, Helene and Henry. Now if you’ll excuse us, Lorenzo and I are about to put those waltz lessons to good use.”

Enzo’s father clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t let this young lady get away, Lorenzo.”

The tips of Enzo’s ears went positively red as his parents departed. “Sorry about that. I’ve tried to tell them that we aren’t dating, but as you can see, it’s fallen on deaf ears.” 

You grinned, reaching up on your tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “It’s alright. I truly don’t mind. Your parents are quite charming. Clearly you inherited that trait.” You rubbed at the kiss print you left behind and giggled. “Now, I believe you promised me a dance, Mr. Berkshire.” 

Enzo smiled, his arm already circling around your waist. “I always keep my promises, Ms. Y/L/N. Prepare to be swept off your feet, love.” 

Time seemed to still as Enzo escorted you onto the dancefloor. You beamed at him, curtsying with a silly grin while he bowed in return. The two of you waltzed together as the live musicians played a soft and slow tune. Enzo couldn’t help but admire you as you twirled around in your pretty lilac dress. A few curls fell out from your updo, sweeping against your rosy cheeks while you fell into step with him. As he held you tightly against him, Enzo hoped to Merlin that the music was loud enough to drown out the rapid beating in his chest. 

Deny it as he may, Enzo knew deep down that his heart only beat for you anyways. 

The rest of the night passed by in a blur. Ever the gracious host, you personally said goodbye to each guest until the last person left the manor. Given the late hour, you insisted that Enzo stay the night, a request that was quickly turned into a command by your parents. They adored Enzo as much as you did, perhaps even more. Though he doubted that their affection would remain the same if they knew the filthy thoughts that plagued him every time he stayed over. 

“C’mon, Enz,” you said, tugging at his hand. “Last person up the stairs has to pick up croissants in the morning!”

Enzo chuckled before breaking into a sprint. You squealed as he gained in on you, gathering your dress up in your hands while slipping your heels off and making a run for it. You nearly tripped on the taffeta, but luckily Enzo caught you around the waist and hauled you over his shoulder. 

“I guess we both lose, honey.” 

You giggled as Enzo marched into your room before discarding you gently on the four poster bed. He smiled as you sprawled out on the mattress and dragged him down beside you. Scooting up against the pillows, Enzo traced the initials that the two of you carved against your bedpost when you were ten. 

“Do you remember the day we carved those in?” 

Enzo nodded. “The summer before our first year at Hogwarts.” He smiled as he recalled the memory. “We were both so scared of being sorted into different houses, but you said that if we carved our initials together, then nothing would be able to separate us.” 

“Mum and dad were furious,” you said with a chuckle. “But it was worth it. Ten years later and it still stands true. If we’re lucky, it’ll last for an eternity.” 

“Luck has nothing to do with it,” Enzo declared. “I’d still be by your side even when the carvings fade.” 

You smiled softly and turned over to face him. Enzo brushed a stray strand of hair behind your ear, those honey eyes flickering with emotion. “Do you really think so? What about when we both get married? I don’t think your wife would appreciate me hanging around, Enz.” 

“That won’t be a problem,” Enzo countered confidently. 

You traced over his dimple, memorizing the feel of his skin underneath your fingertips. “How can you be so sure?” you teased. 

“Because you’re the only one I could ever picture myself marrying.” 

The gravity of his words settled between you. Enzo almost wished he could take it back if not for the relief that flooded his entire body now that he had spoken his true feelings out loud. After years of silence and patience, of pining and anticipating, of hands shaking from holding back from you, Enzo felt like a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. 

Whether or not you returned the sentiment mattered very little to him. All Enzo knew was that he loved you and he could no longer sit here and pretend that you weren’t carved into his heart and soul like a golden tattoo. 

“Lorenzo,” you whispered softly. If it were anyone else, Enzo would’ve loathed hearing his full name, but the moment you said it, everything just stopped. “I don’t want you like a best friend.” 

His heart stopped beating. “Do you mean that, Y/N?” 

“Of course I mean it,” you affirmed. “You’re my favorite person. You’re not only my best friend, but you’re my lifeline. We’ve seen each other through the best and worst of times and somehow we haven’t grown sick of each other and I don’t think we ever will. You’re the only person I see myself marrying too, Enzo. You’re my one and only.” 

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear that,” he whispered softly, noses brushing close. “Though it’s not nearly as long as I’ve waited to do this.” 

You held your breath as Enzo leaned forward, closing the gap between you. The space that signified the boundary of your friendship was nearly nonexistent now, filled with longing looks and shaking hands. Your eyes fluttered close as soon as your lips met. 

With a shaky exhale, you melted into Enzo’s arms as he clutched you close. One hand weaved around your waist while the other cupped your jaw. You sighed into the kiss, relishing the feel of his lips against yours. Enzo tasted like champagne, making you dizzy with the sweetness as he deepened the kiss. You giggled as Enzo tugged you into his lap, tracing your fingers over the initials on the headboard before tangling them in his hair. 

The feel of Enzo was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time. This was your best friend. You knew every scar and mole and freckle by heart, but the soft sighs and plush lips were an entirely new experience that you longed to explore. 

“I wish you hadn’t waited so long,” you whispered against his lips. “We could’ve been doing this all along.” 

“We have all the time in the world to make up for it, my love.” Enzo caressed your cheek with such tenderness that it made your heart ache. “Do you even know how hard it’s been to hold myself back? How many times I’ve had to physically restrain myself from kissing the breath right out of you this night alone?” 

“You’re not alone in that. You look so damn good in that suit, it should honestly be considered a crime.”

Enzo chuckled as you straightened his lapel. “If this suit is a crime, then that dress would land you a cell in Azkaban. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you the entire night.” 

“Good,” you said with a cheeky smile. “I only bought this dress so you could take it off.” 

Those innocent honey brown eyes darkened as Enzo toyed with the strap of your dress, kissing every bit of exposed skin available to him. “Allow me to do this properly, then. Now that I have you, I intend to savor every smile, every touch, and every kiss you give me.” 

Anticipation hung heavy in the air as Enzo tugged at the laces of your dress, carefully unraveling you like his own personal gift. He helped you wriggle out of the purple fabric, sliding the dress down over your body with such gentleness and care. Your lips met once more as you slid off his jacket, your fingers making quick work of the button shirt underneath as well. When both of your clothes were piled up on your bedroom floor, Enzo lifted his head up to properly look at you. Butterflies erupted in your stomach as he drank in the sight before him. 

“You’re so fucking beautiful.” Enzo breathed, his voice full of awe and wonder. He tugged at the ribbons in your hair, setting your curls free. 

Tenderly, Enzo laid you back on the mattress and captured your lips with his. As promised, he took his time exploring every inch of your body. Slender fingers caressed your skin, eliciting satisfied sighs while Enzo lavished you with kisses. He groaned as your fingers tangled through his hair, pulling him impossibly close until you couldn’t tell where you began and he ended. 

You moved as one, the trust and care evident between you and Enzo. He knew you better than anyone. Knew all the quirks and flaws and oddities that made you you. Enzo knew how to touch you, how to kiss you, how to look at you in a way that made you feel like he truly saw you. 

Enzo pressed his forehead against yours. “We don’t have to rush. I’m perfectly content to wait until you’re ready.” 

It was sweet and such an incredibly Enzo thing to say. Even after waiting all this time, all he cared about was that you were comfortable. 

“I think we’ve both had our fill of waiting.” You smiled up at him, cradling his jaw. He leaned into your touch like he was savoring every bit of affection he could get. “I’ve never felt more ready for anything in my life. I trust you more than I trust myself. I love you, Lorenzo Berkshire.” 

The smile on Enzo’s face was blinding. It was like feeling the sunshine on your skin after years in darkness. It was golden. 

“I love you too, Y/N.” Enzo confessed. “I think I’ve loved you even before I knew what love was.” 

“My one and only,” you whispered, peppering kisses along his jaw. “My lifeline.” 

With heartbreaking gentleness, Enzo wrapped your legs around his waist. Honey eyes latched onto yours as he hovered over you, his astute gaze flickering over your face as he eased into you. Enzo was slow and gentle, giving you time to adjust to his size and brushing your hair out of your face while lavishing you with luxurious kisses. You moaned into his mouth as his hips met yours, feeling full and content, like joining your bodies together in this way was the most natural thing in the world. 

“Look at me, honey. I want to see those pretty eyes.” 

Your eyes opened to the most beautiful sight. The candlelit room cast a hazy glow over everything, bathing Enzo with its soft golden light. Your chest tightened as you admired him, fingertips grazing the curve of his jaw, the angles of his cheekbones, the cheeky dimples that you loved so much, the perfect aquiline nose, and the dark lashes framing those mesmerizing eyes. In the dim light, they looked like pools of honey and you felt like a fly swimming in liquid gold. 

“You’re beautiful too, Enzo. Like a work of art,” you beamed as he flushed. “My pretty boy.” 

“Don’t say that, sweetheart. Not unless you want this to be finished quicker than it started.” 

You chuckled. “Is that so? Have I found your weakness?”

Enzo groaned, shifting his hips in a way that had you moaning underneath him. “You are my weakness, my love.” 

“Yeah?” You asked, wrapping your legs tighter around his waist and rolling your hips against his. “Show me how weak I make you, pretty boy.” 

The precarious thread of self control that Enzo was desperately holding onto snapped. With a roll of his hips, he set a pace that had you clawing at the sheets. He chuckled darkly as you clambered for control, nails raking at his back before finding purchase in his hair. You tugged hard, desperate for more. 

“Oh god, Enzo.” You moaned as he slammed into you, feeling boneless as he silenced your sounds with a filthy kiss. 

“You wanted to see what you do to me?” Enzo teased, gripping your hips to hold you in place while he slid all the way out. The head of his cock barely brushed your cunt and you ached to feel all of him again. You whimpered in response as he teased you, taunted you. “You drive me fucking insane, Y/N. I think about this, every second of every day. You’re all I want. You’re all I need.” 

“So have me,” you breathed. “Have all of me, Enzo.” 

You groaned as Enzo slammed back in. It felt good to be full of him. It felt right. You murmured as much into his mouth, canting your hips to his as he raised your arms above your head and twined your fingers together. In that moment, there was nothing in the world but you and Enzo—the boy you loved making love to you. 

Despite the lust swimming in his eyes, something softer reared from underneath the surface. A look that Enzo had given you countless times over the years. A look that was pure love and adoration. Your heart swelled as you squeezed his fingers. 

“I love it when you look at me like that,” you whispered.

“Like you’re my whole world?” Enzo murmured against your lips. “You are, you know.” 

You kissed him, slow and deep. “You’re mine, too.” 

“Don’t take those pretty eyes off of me, honey.” Enzo said as he pushed your body to the brink of pleasure. “I want to watch you come apart for me.” 

“Together?” you asked, brushing the hair out of his eyes. 

“Always,” he responded. 

Enzo pressed your forehead against his, slipping past the edge with you and indulging in the sweet ecstasy of your bodies fitting perfectly together. The orgasm rocked over you first and you panted into Enzo’s mouth as he watched in awe. His own pleasure took over after a few more thrusts, your name falling sweetly from his lips as he chased the high. 

Neither one of you made any indication of moving. You were content feeling the full weight of Enzo’s blissed out body on top of yours, smiling to yourself as you ran your fingers through his hair. He sighed happily against your neck and cuddled closer. 

Enzo took your hand and kissed your fingertips. He intertwined them through his, squeezing gently as he examined your hand. 

“Four and a half.” 

“Hmm?” 

“That’s your ring size, isn’t it? I’ll have to tell mum. We’ll need to get her engagement ring resized.”

You chuckled. “Engagement ring? You haven’t even asked me to be your girlfriend yet. Now you want to jump to being my fiancé?” 

“Well, girlfriend is certainly not strong enough to describe who you are to me,” He said, kissing your ring finger. “I prefer the love of my life. My future wife and the mother of my children. Though I suppose I’ll settle for fiancé.” 

“Will you at least let me get used to calling you my boyfriend first?” 

“Fine,” Enzo huffed, rolling his eyes dramatically. “You can call me your boyfriend. For now.” 

“How generous of you, Mr. Berkshire.” 

You grinned and pulled him in for a kiss. Enzo nuzzled his nose against yours, looking down at you with those innocent honey eyes. “I’ll show the future Mrs. Berkshire how generous I can be. Then you’ll be calling me your husband in no time.” 

“I like the sound of that, pretty boy.” 

[vivwritesfics]

SOFT BOBBY PLEEEEEAAASE LOOKING AFTER A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS 💕💕💕

@nurse-sainz (i rly hope this is your one ik you said you forgot to add your url)

ngl i've been looking for soft requests rn (aka send them in for legit anyone I write for) ALSO LOOK AT HIM!! LOOK AT THIS PICTURE OMG

Was this guy waiting for her outside of the bathroom? Shit, he must have been.

The moment she stepped out of the bathroom, the man pushed himself away from the wall. "Hey, pretty lady," he said as she looked towards the bar.

Even though she couldn't find what she was looking for at the bar, she went to take a step forward, to move away from this fucking guy. But then he stepped in front of her. "Can I get you something to drink?" He offered.

She gave him a look, one that showed just how unimpressed she was by him. "No thanks," she said quickly and looked around. Where the hell had those assholes gone?

"C'mon, sweets."

Well, she was really starting to get pissed off now.

But she didn't get a chance to. Suddenly, an arm was around her shoulders. One she knew all too well. "Hi, Honey," said Bob as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. He wore one of those blushy smiles that she was so in love with as he did so.

They didn't much do public displays of affection. But, when it called for it, Bob was happy to deliver. He looked towards the guy that had been irritating her. "Mind if I steal my wife away?"

The guy's face fell. "You led me on," he said as he looked down at her.

"No, I didn't," she said and Bob stood up to his full height. Bob, at his full height, was rather tall. Just like the rest of his fellow aviators, he was tall and he had muscle. The guy got the hint and walked away, face flushed with embarrassment.

With his arms still around her shoulders, Bob led her towards the back of The Hard Deck, to where the rest of the Dagger Squad were playing pool. He didn't remove his arm from around her, not even when she was sitting in the bar stool.

Immediately she turned her body into his. "Thank you, Bobby," she said and wrapped her arms around him.

His lips met the top of her head. "Anything for you, Honey," he whispered and squeezed her closer to him.

Bob didn't let her go for the entire night. He kept looking around, keeping an eye out for the asshole that bothered her. If she wanted a drink, Bob was getting it for her, leaving her under the watchful, protective eye of the dagger squad.

[the-kr8tor]

Crossed Stitch

Pairing: Hobie Brown x fem! Reader/ Spider-Punk x fem! Reader

Word count: 3.4k

Tags: use of Y/N sparsely, no specific physical description of the reader (except for her clothing), brief mention of fainting, cw injury, drinking, description of illness, reckless driving, cursing.

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Thread the Needle Masterlist

CHAPTER 7 >>> CHAPTER 8

Hobie lied to you.

He absolutely does not feel well. Shutting off his engine, he weakly waves to Ned, smoking outside the pub. The place is packed, loud voices and music can be heard.

Ned scrunches his nose at Hobie, "bruv, you don't look too good" He offers Hobie a cigarette, he declines it, thinking it might make him feel worse.

"Yeah, I know" Hobie wipes his sweat off his brow, he feels a fever coming. Maybe he should've listened to you.

"What's wrong with you? Flu?" Ned flings his cigarette onto the street, the light flickering out.

"Spider bite"

"What the fuck" Ned laughs, patting his shoulder. "Fucking hilarious, bruv. Go get it checked"

"I'm fine, I'll just go show my face and leave" he huffs, almost breathless.

"You sure? I'll get you some water then, c'mon" Ned leads Hobie by his sagging shoulder.

Entering the pub, everything seems to be brighter and louder than before. Hobie hears glasses clinking everywhere, loud laughter ringing in his ears. He scrunches his nose, Yuri and James spots them from their booth.

"Oof you look a little green there, Hobie" Yuri schooces to give Hobie some room to sit on.

The leather squeaks when he sits down, groaning at the bright lights. Hobie rubs his eyes using the heel of his palms.

"Did you pregame or somethin'?" James asks, nursing a pint.

"He's sick, poor Hobie," Ned chuckles, handing Hobie a glass of cold water.

"Shut up, you bloody tosser" Hobie grumbles.

"How'd it go with y/n?" Yuri questions Hobie.

He doesn't have time to answer her question when Hobie touches the cold glass, it feels weird in his hand, wincing, pulling back his hand like it burnt him. "Fuck" the glass falls in slowmotion, he catches it before it shatters into the hard floor.

The group looks at him surprised and amazed at his fast reflexes.

"Yoooo" Ned exclaims. Yuri acts unimpressed, checking her nails.

"How'd you do that?" James watches as Hobie gulps the entire drink, glass thumping against the wooden pub table.

"I've got to go" Hobie's eyes are blown out, senses overwhelmed. He still feels thirsty and hungry, very hungry.

His friends call out to him in concern, Ned tries to follow him but too many people block his path in reaching Hobie. Ned tries to get his attention by yelling Hobie's name.

Wobbling on shaky legs, Hobie bumps into someone. Lacey turns around to smile at him, fluttering her lashes.

"Hobs! You made it!" She tries to offer him a shot of vodka, the smell wafts his senses.

"Not now" he grimaces, declining. Hobie continues walking towards the exit. Clambering on his bike, he speeds off.

Hobie hears Ned and Lacey call out to him, ignoring them. Wind nips at his bare arms as he rides away.

He dodges cars on the road, some angrily honking at him. His eyes seem to open up to everything, aware of every little movement on the road. Heart thumping loudly in his chest, Hobie follows the road back to his place. If he heads to yours, you would force him to go to the ER. He's stubborn, thinking a good night's rest and some ibuprofen would knock this sickness off him.

You, he smiles at the simple thought of you. Hobie's glad he took that chance in the museum, judging from how you kissed his cheek and your goofy smile you made right after, it's safe to say that you feel the same way. He can still feel the ghost of your lips on his cheek, lingering on his skin like your perfume.

Distracted, Hobie almost collides with a van, gasping, eyes wide, he swerves away last minute, avoiding a collision. "Shit!" He screams, sparing a quick glance at the driver he almost hit.

You're right, he should drive carefully, especially now that he finally told you how he feels. Hobie feels like he should've been more blunt, deciding to be more direct tomorrow when you meet. He wants to spend more time with you, more than excited to see you again.

Hobie finally reaches his houseboat. Opening the front door, tugging his boots off, tossing it haphazardly. He takes his sweaty clothes off, leaving him in only his boxers. Exhaustion claims him before his hunger did, landing harshfully on his bed, he sleeps like a corpse.

—

Hobie wakes up weird, not like 'I woke up on the wrong side of bed' weird, but a 'I feel like I climbed Everest while asleep' weird. He groans at his blaring alarm clock, the sound seems to be amplified in his sensitive ears. Shielding his ears with a pillow doesn't help with the loud ringing sound.

Frustrated, Hobie turns to shut it off, shattering the poor alarm clock with his fist. He looks at his hand like it grew an extra finger in his sleep. The clock beeps sadly before it shuts off completely. Hobie sits up, extremely aware of his surroundings, he can see everything like his eyesight improved a hundred times more. From the dust bunnies in the corner of his room, to the lone ant skittering on his floors. The sound of dripping water from the faucet is annoyingly loud. The hum of his radiator stings his ears.

Goosebumps appear on his arms before a draft whooshes past him. Maybe he has a fever? Hobie feels at his forehead, finding it to be a normal temperature. So not a fever? He wipes at his sweaty forehead, moist clinging to him like glue.

He stands up, seeing his mattress covered in his sweat, leaving a Hobie shaped mark on his green sheets.

"I need water" he says to no one, smacking his dry lips. Hobie's starving like he hasn't eaten in days, stomach gurgling at the thought of food.

Opening the bedroom door, he accidentally breaks the doorknob right from its socket. "What the fuck?" Hobie's sure he's not that strong. The metal doorknob falls harshly on the wooden floors, the sound banging at his eardrums.

Grabbing the hole where the doorknob should be, he pulls it open, unaware of his new found strength, ripping it right off its hinges. "Fuck?!" The door sticks to his hand, unable to shake it off even with all his fingers letting it go. Shaking the flimsy wood, he has no other choice but to bang it on the side of the wall, it shatters effortlessly. He looks at the shards of wood with shock and confusion.

Hobie breathlessly looks at his hand where a piece of the door is still stuck on his palm. He tries to shake it off while heading towards his bathroom. More aware of his strength, he carefully pushes the door with his hip. Stepping inside he opens the faucet to wash off his supposed sticky hand. Hobie, forgetting about his unusually strong grip, flings the metal right off the sink, water splashes his face in a rush.

"No!" He splutters, water hitting him right on his face.

Panic settles in his chest, he grabs whatever piece of cloth he has inside the small bathroom, tossing it to the gushing water, trying to stop its flow. His ear perks up when he hears your footsteps getting closer to the door. He has no idea how he can hear your shoes hitting the floor of his boat.

"Shit" Hobie can't let you see him like this. Glancing at himself in the mirror, he looks like a mess. Water dripped from his face to his torso, hair sticking in different angles, lips dry from dehydration. Not to mention he's only wearing his boxers.

Rushing out of the bathroom, he slips on the wet floor, sliding around his boat, hip hitting his rickety table, the landline and answering machine falls harshly on the ground. He falls on his ass trying to save it from falling.

The phone's dial tone beeps loudly. His answering machine lay open on the ground, the speaker letting out bits and pieces of what sounds like Lacey's last voicemail.

"Hey, Hobs– are you…Hey, Hobs– here?... can…Hobs?" Her voice annoyingly continues in a loop, speaker unusually loud and clear for an old machine, Hobie has no time to silence it when you knock again, voice muffled, asking if he's okay. He looks like he's in an episode of looney tunes, slipping on the floor comically while his hands stick to everything he touches for support.

"I'm fine!" he yells back to you, forgetting you can't hear a thing from outside. Hobie groans in pain, wincing, hand nursing his sore ass. Breathless from sliding all over his boat. At least the piece of wood isn't stuck on his palm anymore, landing somewhere he wouldn't bother to look for. Hobie almost slips again when he reaches the door, using the wall to stop his fall.

He flexes his fingers, trying to control his strength, opening the door a little too harshly for his taste (good thing he didn't rip it off this time) your concerned face greets him. He licks his dry lips, trying to look semi presentable.

Seeing his jacket on you in the morning light makes him speechless, it hugs you comfortably, sleeves too long for your arms, yet you don't fold it so that you don't damage its leather. Hobie holds the doorknob harshly, trying to stop himself from kissing you right there and then.

The world grows dim around you, bathing you in a spotlight, you're the only thing that matters to him at that moment. He can't believe it took him this long to tell you how much he—

"Hobs?"

Lacey's voicemail loops again, cutting his words before it leaves his lips.

Hobie watches your face turn from concern to anguish in a matter of seconds. Your lips quiver, turning harshly from him. He tries to grab you by the shoulder, fingertips grazing his jacket.

"Y/n! Wait!" He tries to follow but he literally can't move, feet sticking to the floor like he's trying to wade through maple syrup. "Fuck! What the fuck!"

There's a sharp pain in his chest as he watches you run away from him. "Y/n!" He tries again, futile.

—

Hobie sits on his lumpy settee, still in his boxers, eyes staring blankly at the open front door, cold seeping inside. He clutches the cursed answering machine in his hands, wanting to slam it against the wall. Alas it still works no matter how busted it looks, he's sure he can still fix it. Answering machines are damn expensive anyway, even if they are cursed.

He jumps when a mosquito buzzes inside his living room, the bug's wings flapping clearly in his vision. Hobie chokes on air.

"What the fuck is happening!" He screams into the void of his empty house boat.

His first thought is you, if anyone could help him with his affliction it would be you. But it doesn't seem like you're in a chatting mood. Hobie curses the answering machine again, he should've at least said goodbye to Lacey before leaving, if he did, she wouldn't have left that voicemail. Or better yet, he should've tried harder to run after you, hold you in his arms and explain everything. Public indecency be damned.

"Stupid fuckin' machine" Hobie places the machine on his sofa, reflecting in the what ifs.

The annoying buzzing sound from the mosquito gets closer to him, he has had enough of this bugger. jumping immediately when the bug stops right above him, intending to squish it, Hobie finds himself jumping higher than before, like an astronaut leaping in low gravity. He yelps, panicking, reaching towards the ceiling.

Instead of falling on the hard wooden floors, his hands and feet stick to the ceiling like velcro. The mosquito mockingly flies past his head and onto his hand, making Hobie look at his fingertips closely, seeing tiny spikes all over his palms and fingers.

"What the fuck?" He whispers, Hobie tries to wiggle himself free. Grunting, he figures if he relaxes, his hold would loosen. Exhaling, the stickiness loosen, fingers slowly unsticks to the ceiling. He begins to fall, landing hard on his bare back.

"Argh!" He yelps a pained yell. "My back!" Reaching behind to rub his sore muscle. Hobie stands up, stretching his torso, testing his shoulders for any pain.

Hobie limps towards the sofa, sitting back down, feeling every thread under him, overwhelming his senses. Trying to tamp down his panic, relaxing on its lumpy cushions. He broods in the weird situation for a few minutes.

"I'm a mutant," Hobie says in bewilderment after a moment of reprieve. At the last word, he remembers one person who could also help him, someone who's into comic books that has superpowered mutants in it. But first he heads to his kitchen, raiding his fridge for much needed sustenance.

He could maybe try to get used to his strength, he can't ride his motorcycle like this, afraid he might accidentally break it. So Hobie spends the entire day bouncing around his boat, exploring his new found abilities, eating everything in his fridge, trying to find out where he got the abilities and most importantly, trying to call your dorm.

Hobie hopes you pick up soon.

—

Hobie bangs at Ned's door, "Ned! It's me!"

A few minutes later, a disgruntled Ned opens the door, wearing a fluffy bathrobe. "Hobie? What the fuck! It's seven am! What are you doing in Richmond?"

"She's not talking to me" Hobie pushes past Ned to get inside his new flat.

"Welcome, come inside" he sarcastically says, "Christ" shutting the door.

Hobie takes a few seconds to look around the sparse flat, boxes are littered around the place, a disassembled shelf sits in the corner, plates and pans placed haphazardly on the kitchen counter. He turns around to face a tired Ned.

"What the fuck are you wearing?" Hobie points at Ned's questionable fashion.

"Don't fucking mind that" Ned tries to cover himself up with his arms crossed on his chest, "What the fuck are you doing this fucking early? And what did you do now?"

"I think there's something wrong with me, Ned"

Ned looks at Hobie's disheveled state. "Clearly there is." Hobie rolls his eyes at his friend's quip "Wait hold on, why isn't y/n talking to you?"

"I told her" knowing exactly what Hobie meant, Ned has a huge grin, proud of his friend. "And she seemed to feel the same"

Ned dramatically gasps, "I could've told you that," rolling his eyes, "good on you. Continue"

"The next day, she knocks on the door with me answering half fucking naked and sweaty–"

"Way to lay it on her, bruv" Ned teases.

"Yeah, after that we had hot steamy sex–"

Ned plugs his ears with his fingers, "Nope! Can't hear you!" Regretting his joke.

"It's not fucking like that you wanker" Hobie huffs, "she thought I hooked up with someone, and she ran"

"Have you tried calling her?"

"Of course I did, she wouldn't answer. Her RA wouldn't let me in, said she's sick or somethin'"

"Mate, look you're one of my best mates" Ned pinches the bridge of his nose. "But it's seven fucking am! I don't have the energy to put up with your lover's quarrel!"

"I fuckin' know that, it's not just that. D'you think I would wake up this bloody early? I haven't fuckin' slept"

"What else then?"

"It's best if I show you" Hobie jumps high, stumbling a bit, hands sticking to Ned's ceiling. He dangles by his hand, long legs swinging from the momentum. "Remember the spider bite?"

Ned laughs loudly before his eyes roll back to his head, falling down like a sack of potatoes, unconscious body hitting the carpeted floor.

"Shit" Hobie says while sticking to the ceiling. It's gonna be a long day, maybe he should help Ned with unpacking while he explains. But first he needs to help his unconscious friend off the floor.

—

A few days later, Hobie tries again to contact you again, leaning against his bike in your campus' parking lot, waiting to see your familiar face. He flexes his stiff hands, unusually anxious to see you again.

Hobie reeled himself in from bothering you for a few days, busying himself with handling whatever that spider gave him. He stopped calling you, maybe space is what you need, even if it hurts him to do so. He will never admit that though, not to Ned, not to anyone, even you.

He feels like an absolute stalker standing in the parking lot, eyes darting around, he hates it. But Hobie misses you terribly. He misses your voice, especially when your hand is cupped in his, squeezing his hand, telling him you're still right next to him. He feels your absence right inside his ribcage, eating away at him like spilled acid.

He finally sees you come out of the building, a soft smile appearing on his lips. You clutch a heavy bag on your shoulder, stacks of books and notebooks in your arms. Hobie notices your downturned gaze, a frown in place instead of your usual smile. You don't see him in the lot, a sea of cars blocking him from your line of sight. You walk away from the doors, mind seemingly occupied.

Hobie weaves through parked cars, eyes fixated to your retreating form. Someone catches up to you before he does, He stops abruptly, watching as someone wearing glasses taps your shoulder getting your attention. Turning around, you smile sweetly at the man in a sweater vest, lips moving to talk to him.

You still haven't noticed Hobie.

From where Hobie's standing, he can't make out what you're talking about with the guy, but you seem to be engaged in the conversation, nodding at his words. Hobie waits for you to finish talking to the man, he needs to talk to you without an audience. Hobie has no idea how to start but he'll be damned if he doesn't explain everything to you. He can't let your ten year relationship go to waste just like that.

He can't lose you because of something so stupid.

Hobie shifts from foot to foot, impatient. The conversation looks like it's about to end, the glasses guy tries to hand you something, your hands full, trying to balance your stuff in your arms. The man offers to take your books for you instead, you sheepishly thank him with a smile, exchanging your books for the package he was handing to you.

Hobie watches as your fingers grazes the unknown man's hands, passing the heavy stationary to him. The man says something, making you giggle. You point at the direction of your dorm, he nods, following you, continuing the conversation.

Hobie isn't a jealous man, the guy looks like he has good intentions, he appears to be nice. You deserve someone nice, you deserve so much more.

He starts to walk away when a familiar woman who Hobie has probably seen in your class. She jogs towards you, pink hair shiny in the sun. You greet her with a timid smile, introducing her to the other guy, you three walk by, talking comfortably with each other.

You'll be fine, Hobie thinks. But will he?

Hobie swallows the lump in his throat, walking back to his bike with a heavy weight weighing him down. His chest feels like something's crushing it, waiting for him to keel over.

—

The boat rocks softly in the waves, he clicks his tongue in annoyance. Hobie tinkers with his invention, still a prototype, he screws in a canister with a screwdriver, entirely focused on the little gadget.

Goosebumps appear on his arms, hearing your familiar footfalls. He stands up immediately, Hobie needs to explain everything to you that it was just a misunderstanding, a very *stupid misunderstanding. He rushes towards the front door when he hears you running away again.

Opening the door, you're nowhere to be found. He gets out onto the 'porch' of his boat to look for you, nothing, just your perfume lingering in the air.

"Goddamnit" Hobie looks down at his feet, dejected. He sees a box wrapped in red sitting next to his front door. Bending down, he gingerly grabs it. His eyes go straight to the piece of paper taped on top of the packaging.

It's his favour card, Hobie frowns at it, flipping the card over, he reads your familiar handwriting, a single word scribbled on it: Please.

A/N: Me: i hate miscommunication tropes, also me: hehehehehe.

Thank you for reading! Please consider reblogging if you enjoyed it ❤️ reblogging encourages me to write more ❤️

[guess-my-next-obsession]

Peña’s Anatomy: Chapter Eighteen

pairing: surgeon au!javier peña x resident!reader (Lucky)

rating: E (18+ only, talks of pregnancy/not wanting a child, oral (m rec), just so much fluff, brief mention of sex/oral (fem rec), an AAHHHHHHH CUTE ending)

wc: 3.5k

series masterlist | javier peña masterlist

“First shift back at the hospital and I’m scheduled on fucking Christmas Eve,” Mickey sighed as she sat down at the nurses station in the ICU, her stomach now very swollen along with every other part of her normally lithe frame. You stood at the counter in front of her, scribbling notes from your patient who just got set up in their recovery room after an intensive hip replacement.

“Right here with ya,” you said, your attention fixed on the chart. “Is Richard here at least?”

“No,” she groaned, lifting her feet to rest on the empty desk chair beside her as she popped open a bag of chips. “He’s in Michigan with his parents.”

Your eyes lifted to meet hers, a look of disdain on your face at the mention of her consistently shitty fiancé.

“It’s not too late to leave his ass,” you said flatly.

“Honestly,” she sighed, shaking her head. “As we get closer to our due date, I’m starting to wonder if he’s even going to show up for us. He’s been so…selfish lately.”

“Lately?” you chuckled, closing the chart and setting it on the shelf. “He’s always been selfish. He missed your surgery, he missed Thanksgiving, now he’s missing Christmas. It’s not a big leap to assume he’s going to miss your delivery. But you know who won’t?”

“You,” she said, smiling at you.

“Exactly,” you smiled back. “And if he misses out on raising your kid, I’ll be there to take his place.”

“With Javi in tow,” she chuckled.

“Eh, I don’t want him getting any ideas. He’s had a case of baby fever ever since we went to Laredo to visit his family and see his cousin’s new baby.”

“You’re still not into the idea of having a little Javi running around?” she asked, shoveling a few chips into her mouth.

“Not really,” you shrugged. “I just don’t want to be pregnant. The thought of it just…creeps me out. But maybe adoption? Or fostering?”

“Javi seems like the type to want one of his own.”

“Well he can go off and make one if he wants, just not with me. This body will not be carrying any children.”

“Oop, heads up,” she tipped her head towards the elevator down the hall, Javi and Steve emerging with smiles on their faces.

“Aren’t you supposed to be dressed up?” you asked with a smirk as he made his way over to you, pressing a chaste kiss to your cheek.

Last week, the Chief approached the attendings asking for a volunteer to dress up as Santa for the kids stuck in the Pediatric Unit for Christmas, Javi being practically forced to take on the job after his colleagues refused.

“I’m not going around until tonight,” he said, leaning his elbow onto the counter beside you. “You gonna be my little helper?”

“I thought that was my job,” Steve joked, earning a laugh from you.

“No thanks,” Javi said, sticking his tongue out in playful disgust.

“Javi, do you think I should leave Rich?” Mickey asked with a mouth full of food.

“Has that not been obvious to you this entire time?” Javi chuckled. “He’s the worst.”

“They’re havin’ a baby,” Steve reasoned, earning a scoff from you.

“Please, this isn’t the 1950’s. A woman is fully capable of raising a child without a man. Especially a man like Dick Mann.”

“Dick Mann,” Javi chuckled to himself. “What a guy.”

“Javi-your Peñ-is,” you countered, a proud smirk on your face as he tilted his head at you and gave you a flattened, unimpressed look. “Fake a laugh, it’s Christmas.”

“Eve,” he corrected. “Tomorrow I’ll laugh at all your bad jokes.”

“Alright, I’m goin’ home to my wife and kid while y’all stay here makin’ dick jokes.” Steve smiled. “Lucky, page me if you need me.”

“Will do,” you said, turning your eyes to Javi who stood impossibly close to your side, his eyes watching with the kind of focus a predator had when stalking his prey, making you chuckle. “What?”

“On call room?” he whispered into your ear.

“Javi,” you giggled, feeling your cheeks heat. “Aren’t we too mature for that now?”

“No,” he replied, sounding almost insulted. “Come on. It’s Christmas.”

“Eve, remember?” You raised an eyebrow at him as you backed away from the counter before turning to head down the hall towards the elevator, Javi following you like a puppy.

“Where are you going?” he asked, catching up to you with ease thanks to his longer legs. “To the on call room hopefully?”

“To the cafeteria,” you smirked. “I’m hungry.”

“I’m hungry too thanks to that fucking red lipstick you have on.”

“I’m being festive,” you laughed.

“You’re being a tease,” he countered as you reached the elevator, his body coming to stand between you and the metal doors, his eyes locked on your lips. “Come on, baby. Let’s celebrate the holiday.”

“The Lord’s day, you mean?”

“You’re an atheist,” he smiled.

“Not today,” you laughed. “Today I’m a saint.”

“I seem to remember you and I doing some sinning just this morning,” he raised an eyebrow, turning around as he heard the elevator ding.

“What’s in it for me?” you asked in a purr as the two of you stepped into the elevator and pressed the button for the ground floor.

“Orgasms,” he said dryly. “A couple of them.”

“Fine, but can we please eat first? I really am hungry,” you pouted your lip out to him, enjoying the shake of his head as he stared at you with dark, impatient eyes.

“You’re killing me.” Javi lifted his hand to fit along the line of your jaw and neck as he leaned in to kiss you unhurriedly, taking his time with his lips moving against yours, the tip of his tongue swiping against yours to tease you before he pulled away and rested his forehead against yours. “How fast can you eat?”

You and Javi kept a watchful eye out as you made your way from the cafeteria, through the surgical department’s lobby, and into the hallway where the resident on call rooms were. Thankfully, given that it was a holiday, most of the nosier personnel had gone home, leaving the two of you to fulfill your sinful, and admittedly unprofessional, desires in peace.

Javi swung the door open to one of the white, clinical dorms with a giddy smile as he guided you in with his hand on the swell of your ass, locking the door behind him.

“Can you believe how long it’s been since we first—“

Javi silenced your nostalgia with a deep, hungry kiss, backing you towards the bed with one hand on your hip and the other splayed out over your jaw. You moaned into it, returning his passion and need tenfold as your hands slid down his chest to the button of his slacks. Javi panted against your lips as he pulled away to rest his forehead against yours, both sets of eyes trained on your hands as they unzipped him and pulled his stiff, angry length out.

“Fuck,” he moaned in a whisper, bringing his lips to your jaw and nipping you there before moving down to your pulse as you swiped your thumb over the precum dribbling from his tip.

“Can I taste you?” you asked, as if you didn’t already know the answer.

“Never have to ask,” he husked, pressing a soft kiss to your collarbone before lifting his head and stepping away from you to shed himself from the confines of his dress shirt and slacks before laying flat on the bottom bunk, his thighs spread slightly to give you room to lay between them.

You could feel yourself salivating at the way his cock laid so heavy and thick across the soft, barely there swell of his stomach, his strong thighs and broad chest only adding fuel to the fire burning inside of you. Stripping out of your scrubs, you let them pool on the floor before crawling between his thighs on the tiny twin-sized mattress, your fist wrapping around the base of him to give him an experimental tug. Javi groaned, just loud enough for you to hear, and bucked his hips up towards your teasing smile, the red on your lips now smudged.

“Come on, baby,” he urged, a smile of his own finding its way onto his face. “Taste me.”

“What if I want to tease you?” you purred, stroking your fist up slowly, swiping your thumb over his frenulum just to feel his cock twitch, and then gliding your hand back down to his base.

“I gotta be Santa in thirty minutes,” he reminded, biting his lip as you repeated your teasing strokes. “Please, baby.”

“Since you asked so nicely,” you smirked, lowering your lips to his thick head, kissing it before wrapping them around his girth. Javi sighed in relief, his eyes fluttering shut for a second before he regained his composure and opened them to watch you slowly take just his head in and out.

“Fuck, feels so good,” he praised, one hand gripping the cheap sheets while the other cradled your jaw, gently urging you to go deeper. “Those fucking lips…always teasing me.”

You smiled, pulling off of him to lick a stripe up the underside of his length, relishing in the deep, rumbling groan you pulled from him and the contrasting tenderness in the touch of his thumb as it stroked over your cheek.

Taking him in again, you worked yourself down his impressive length until you were kissing your fist wrapped around him. Your mouth and hand worked together, sucking and squeezing him up and down, over and over, until you could feel him start to swell and throb on your tongue.

“Baby, fuck,” he moaned as he warned, “You gotta stop or else I’m gonna cum.”

“Cum in my mouth,” you purred, lifting off of him to stroke him with your fist, the slick squelch of your skin against him filling the room. Javi’s eyes closed as you continued to work him, bringing your lips back onto him to help him reach the finish line.

“Shit, fuck,” he swore, keeping his voice to a whisper, though it looked like it was taking everything in him to not shout out his praise. “Baby, fuck. I’m—god. Fuck, I’m cumming.”

You moaned as you swallowed down everything he had to give you, even going as far as licking up whatever spilled out off his cock and thighs before sucking each of your fingers clean. Javi looked wrecked at the sight, his hands resting on both sides of your face to tug you up to meet him for a sloppy kiss, neither of you caring much about the messiness of it.

“Lay down, it’s your turn,” he husked after finally coming back to earth.

“We don’t have enough time,” you said, kissing his cheek before standing up. “You can repay me when we’re home in a few hours.”

“Baby,” he pouted with round, begging eyes.

“I promise you’ll get the chance to repay me later,” you assured, bending down to kiss his lips. “You need to get cleaned up if you’re going to be Santa.”

“We’re fucking at my dad’s house tonight, I don’t care,” he said, grunting as he stood up and walked over to the tiny en-suite. “That was so fucking hot, bebita.”

You grinned, coming up behind him and hugging his back.

“You’re telling me if this whole surgery thing doesn’t work out, I have a fallback plan?” you joked, kissing his shoulder before heading back into the room to grab both of your clothes off the floor.

“No, that’s a talent of yours you’re only allowed to show me,” he smiled, his freshly clean hands taking his clothes from your hands as he stepped out of the way to let you wash up. “You gonna help me out? Be my Mrs. Claus?”

“Yeah, I’ll help you. Are you gonna be carrying a sack of gifts?”

“Yeah, the Chief has the whole fucking costume in his office,” he chuckled. “Even got one you can wear.”

“Do I have to?” you laughed, drying your hands off before tugging your scrubs back on.

“I’d very much enjoy it if you did,” he grinned, his eyes taking over your freshly re-clothed form.

“Well since it’s Christmas,” you grinned back. “Can we take them home with us?”

“Fuck, I hope so.”

After a thorough brushing of your teeth and squeezing yourself into the ridiculous red velvet dress that Javi handed you, you were out of the locker room and pouting your way over to Javi who stood in the hall waiting in his full Santa garb, a white beard and all.

“Ho, ho, ho,” Javi bellowed dramatically, earning a laugh from you as you stood in front of him tugging at the furry white hem of your dress. “Have you been a good girl this year?”

“Shut up,” you laughed again, swatting the pillow he’d stuffed into his red coat to give himself a belly. “You know I haven’t.”

“I’ll make an exception for you,” he winked. “Since I talked you into most of it.”

“Does Santa get to be naughty? Who makes sure you’re being nice, huh?” you purred, fixing his hat.

“You do a good job of keeping me in check,” he said, his eyes traveling down your frame. “But I think you like me better when I’m a little naughty.”

“How many Christmas jokes are we gonna make?” you giggled, reaching for the velvet sack of toys on the ground beside him.

“Don’t grab my sack,” Javi playfully scolded, earning an eye roll. “But seriously, it’s fucking heavy.”

“Well, Santa, you can grab your own sack, then.”

After a handful more of Javi’s sack jokes, the two of you, along with Mickey wearing an elf hat, found yourselves in the children’s surgical unit, slowly making your rounds visiting each room and allowing the kids to pick out a toy of their choice.

You couldn’t deny that the sight of Javi being so playful and sweet with the kids made you imagine him with a child of his own, but it didn’t make you feel any different about not wanting to carry a baby of your own. Javi understood and respected this, though you knew a part of him secretly hoped you’d change your mind down the road, but there was simply no part of pregnancy or birth that appealed to you yet.

“Alright,” Javi sighed, plopping down in one of the chairs at the empty nurses station. “Let’s take these stupid costumes off and head home?”

“I thought we were bringing them home?” you smirked.

“I’m so sweaty in this shit right now, I think this thing should be burned,” he chuckled and stood up, pecking your temple. “I’m gonna go change, meet you in the lobby?”

“I’ll be right down, Mr. Claus.”

After getting home from your shifts at midnight on Christmas, a thorough fucking from Javi, in which he insisted he go down on you for a solid hour, and a good six hours of sleep, the two of you were up and running around the house gathering everything you needed for the night you were going to be spending in Laredo. Javi had just finished packing up the last of the gifts into the trunk of your car when he came in and spotted you posing McCartney by the Christmas tree, a polaroid camera pressed to your eye.

“Smile,” you chimed to the dog, swearing that he actually did it.

“Let me take one of the two of you,” Javi spoke from over your shoulder, his hands resting on your hips.

You smiled and whispered an okay before going over to sit with McCartney in front of the tree, it’s brightly colored lights and ornaments you and Javi bought together for the first year ever making you feel warm and happy in the kind of way that you hadn’t experienced since you were a little girl.

“Alright, on the count of three,” Javi said, holding the camera up to his eye with one hand while the other fumbled around in his pocket for something. “One…two…”

As you went to smile for the camera, Javi pulled a black velvet box out of his pocket and snapped a picture of your smile turning into shock, your jaw dropping.

“Marry me?” Javi asked, dropping to one knee and setting the camera aside to open the box, the glimmer of the lights of the tree behind you shining on the ring.

“Oh my god,” you chuckled through the tears that gathered in your eyes, your hand lifting to your mouth in shock. Javi started to get choked up too as you crawled over to meet him, the two of you kneeling on the floor together.

“I love the shit out of you,” he said your name. “You’ve made me a better man, even when I wasn’t sure it was possible. Just knowing you has changed me to my core for the better. I can’t imagine not waking up to you every morning, not chasing you around the hospital, not going to bed beside you with this ball of fur at our fucking feet every night. You are my best friend and the love of my life. I’m sorry it took so fucking long to do this, but…will you marry me and make me the ‘lucky’ one?”

Your tears were now freely flowing down your cheeks, something between a laugh and a sob ripping from your chest as you nodded at him and wrapped your arms around his neck, kissing him harder than you ever had before.

“Fuck yeah, I’ll marry you,” you giggled as you pulled back to look into his tear-soaked eyes. “How long have you been planning this?”

“I didn’t,” he admitted with a chuckle, his hand shaking as he lifted the ring out of the box and slipped it onto your finger. “Just seeing you in here telling the dog to smile for the camera…I couldn’t wait any longer.”

“It’s beautiful, Javi,” you cooed, eyes locked on the emerald cut diamond on your finger that looked like it cost more than your car. “The diamond is huge.”

“Well, after Dick Mann stole my idea, I figured I had to go big or go home,” he chuckled, watching you carefully to gauge your reaction. “If I went overboard, we can—“

“No.” You shook your head and lifted your eyes to meet his, a cheesy grin spreading across your face. “It’s so perfect I’m going to cry every time I look at it.”

“Yeah?” he beamed, his nerves seeming to calm at the sight of your wide smile and eager nod.

“Yeah. I love it, and I love you,” you croaked, a new batch of tears filling your eyes. “Can I see the picture you took?”

Javi reached for the now-developed polaroid, holding it up so that both of you could look at it, laughter filling the room at the sight of your look of pure shock.

“This is going with us to your dad’s,” you said, standing up to tuck the picture in your purse.

“He might cry,” Javi laughed, standing up. “I don’t think he ever thought the day would come.”

“You didn’t tell him you were gonna propose?”

“No,” Javi shook his head as he unplugged the lights on the tree before joining you and McCartney in the entryway. “He’s bad with secrets, he would’ve just told you.”

“Well, it’s going to be a very teary Christmas for the three of us, I think,” you smiled, looking down at your ring while Javi placed McCartney’s leash around his neck and did a double check for anything he might’ve forgotten. “I can’t believe we’re getting married. Who would’ve thought?”

“Definitely not us,” Javi laughed. “My dad said he knew from the minute he first met you.”

“Your dad didn’t like me then,” you said.

“No, but he knew I loved you. Even before I did.”

You poked your lip out and slipped your hands around his waist, hugging him close, your head nestling against his chest. McCartney joined in on the love, jumping up to rest his paws on both of your hips as Javi hugged you back, kissing the crown of your head.

“I love you, Lucky. More than anything.”

“I love you, Javi. More than everything.”

[ddejavvu]

Aaron Hotchner and I would love some sorbet, please, where he is pining for bau!reader. Workmates/friends to lovers please and thank you

you are formally invited to ddejavvu's 10K dinner party, now serving second entrées

my absolute favorite trope :')))

--

One peek at the sandwich you've been served reveals that your worst fear has been recognized: There are tomatoes on your food. You push the plate away from you like it's a bomb about to go off, though maybe the swelling of your face and tongue would feel like one if you ended up having an allergic reaction.

The rim of your plate hits the edge of Hotch's as you slide it away from you, and you apologize to him softly, trying not to draw more attention to yourself. But it's too late, he notices.

"Y/L/N," He peers concernedly at you, "Everything okay?"

"Tomatoes." You mumble, stomach churning at the fear of having a reaction, "'Can't eat it."

He frowns indignantly, reaching for your sandwich and pulling the face up. He scoffs at the tomatoes inside, "You specifically told them you were allergic."

"It's fine," You shake your head, somewhat used to the mix-up by now, "I'll grab something from the snack machine later, or-"

"No," Hotch looks almost offended that you'd sentence yourself to stale doritos for the rest of the day, "Here, swap with me."

He slides his salad, thankfully tomato free, over to you before you can protest, but you shake your head anyways, "It's okay! Really, it's happened before, no big deal."

"It is a big deal." He insists gently, "It's your lunch, and we probably won't get much of a dinner tonight. Just take it," He implores you, his large hand still curled around the rim of the plate, "Come on."

He's right, and you know it. Hell, you two were barely able to slip away from digging through records to find this little diner, and you had to be back within the hour. There were no other options.

The plate is extended like an olive branch, though you're not sure why he's being so insistent about it. He looks at you delicately, worry shining in his eyes as he drags your contaminated sandwich over to his own place.

"But you ordered the salad." You supply weakly, "You wanted the salad."

"Well you ordered a sandwich without tomatoes," He raises his eyebrows, "I'll enjoy the sandwich if it means I don't have to use this."

He reaches into the inner pocket of his jacket, flashing an epi-pen at you. The familiar item sends your stomach churning, less with nausea and more with butterflies, this time. You're flattered, endeared, and maybe a little embarrassed that he's got a nursing kit for you set up in his coat.

"You carry that with you?"

"'Course I do," He folds the sandwich closed again, fingers stained with the dressings used, "What if you were to go into shock around me and I couldn't find yours?"

"It's always in my bag."

"That's not the point." He levels you with an unimpressed glare for a split second, then points at your new salad, "Now eat, before one of the officers notice we're missing and tell us our entire profession is just guesswork."

[rookthorne]

⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂ 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐬

Christmas shopping was a dangerous mistake, Bucky realised, and all he could do was hope that in the end, he could rein you in, and you wouldn’t go home with the whole entire store. 

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 ღ Nurse!Bucky Barnes x F!Reader

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 ღ 1.4k

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 ღ Fluff

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 ღ Not going to lie, this is my version of heaven.

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 ღ @rookthorne's Merry Buckmas — Masterlist

𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

“Let’s get out today,” Bucky said earlier that morning, sipping placidly at his extra strong coffee — hair loose down his neck, and warm sweater snug on his broad shoulders. “I want to take you out.”

You looked out from your blanket huddle, eyes curious, and you met his gaze steadily. “Where?”

“There’s a stuffie store–”

Bucky had not even finished his sentence before you threw the blankets off with a flourish, and rushed to your feet. “Let’s– Whoa.” The blood pooled in your feet and you fell back down onto the couch with an “oof,” before you looked at Bucky, who, to his credit, simply looked unimpressed. 

“Hakuna your tatas, sweetheart.” 

You huffed, rolling your eyes. “Don’t use Disney puns on me, jerk.” 

Bucky shrugged. “Punk.”

With his help, you managed to make it to the bedroom and change your clothes — a favourite Christmas sweater of yours, while Bucky changed into the other of the matching pair. 

The air outside was chilled when you opened the front door of the apartment, but you dashed towards the passenger side door of Bucky’s car. “C’mon, lazy bones! I wanna go!”

“Alright, alright,” Bucky laughed from the doorway, shaking his head. “Have you got everything? Medications, snacks, all that?” You shook the bag that was strapped over your shoulder, and beamed at him. “Good girl,” he praised, and he shut the front door before he made his way over to kiss you on the forehead. “Now we can go.”

Once Bucky parked his car in a free space at the mall, you rushed out of the passenger seat and bounced on the heels of your feet. 

“I’m so excited,” you rushed, clapping your hands with uncontained glee. The shop that Bucky mentioned in the car was just visible from where you were standing, and you could see that it was lit up entirely — warm strings of fairy lights coupled with the rainbow bulbs of traditional Christmas lights offset one another perfectly. Two Christmas trees stood either side of the entryway. “It looks so pretty!”

“Not as pretty as my girl,” Bucky said, his smile soft; eyes even softer. 

The compliment made you squeak with embarrassment. “Bucky!”

“What?” he laughed, offering his hand for you to hold. “C’mon.”

You took it and hauled through the parking lot and into the mall. The warmth inside the mall made you sigh with relief. “Better?” Bucky asked, and you nodded. “It’s over here,” he said, walking sedately towards the entrance of the stuffie store. 

As the large doorway neared, you struggled to contain your happiness. 

Bucky noticed as much and gently swung your arm with his, all while grinning at you. “Never seen you so happy, Sugar,” he observed, and he walked closer to kiss your temple. “I love your smile so damn much.” 

The sweet action made you scrunch up your nose in embarrassment. “Stop.”

“No.” 

There were displays next to the Christmas trees, and you stopped abruptly to take them in. Numerous reindeer, moose, and all manner of creatures were wearing fluffy, red Santa hats. “Oh, my gosh, look at them all,” you breathed, “They’re so cute!” 

Bucky grunted with surprise as you tugged him into the store, your excitement now exceeding your ability to keep any semblance of normalcy.  

“Just hold on a second, baby,” Bucky rushed, laughing a little at your eagerness. You turned on your heel to look at him, and he hesitated slightly before he said, “Remember I can’t buy all of them–” 

He looked crestfallen — disappointed in his inability to provide all of what you wanted. 

“I am just excited, Buck,” you said happily. “I get to spend time with you and I get to look at Christmas stuffies, what more could I want?”

You watched as his expression softened into something that resembled relief. “Thank you, Sugar.”

“Of course,” you whispered, and you kissed his cheek. “Let’s go look at all the babies.”

The interior of the store was homely and rustic; a sense of whimsical, too, thanks to the use of fairies and mushroom stools dotting the space. Bears and teddies filled the shelves, bursting with soft coats and knitted coats and all manners of materials. It was a sight to behold, given they were all hand made by local crafters. 

“They’re really cute,” Bucky remarked, pointing at the box of cat plushies. All of which had Santa hats or reindeer antlers. He walked over and bent to pick up a fluffy, white cat with a giant set of antlers. “I’ll get this one, I think.”

“‘Cos it’s Alpine?” you wondered aloud. Bucky grinned, nodding enthusiastically. “You’re such a good dad.”

“Why thank you, baby,” he teased, winking. 

You snorted a laugh and walked towards a wall with all kinds of animal stuffies. Bucky came up behind you and rested his chin on your shoulder; his arms cradled you to his chest by wrapping around your waist. “What’re you thinkin’, cutie?”

“I’m thinkin’,” you parroted, looking at the row of dog stuffies, then the farm animals, then the wild, safari ones. “That I love them all.”

“Y’know, if I could, I would buy you all of them,” Bucky said wistfully, “but I also don’t think our apartment has the room for all of ‘em.”

“Details, shmetails,” you mumbled, waving your hand to dismiss the logic. Bucky laughed and wandered off to the more traditional festive teddies. “Which of you want to come home with me,” you continued to yourself a little quieter, still gazing up and down the wall. “Can’t take all of you home today.”

On the third pass over, you paused upon spotting a family of stuffies. They were reminiscent of the animals in one of your favourite movies, but these ones had an assortment of Santa and elf hats, reindeer antlers, and fluffy winter hats. You moved closer and looked at them, carefully brushing the fabric with a finger tip to feel the softness of the material, and you fell in love. 

“You are coming home with me,” you decided aloud. 

Carefully, you moved the teddies that were in front of the family out of the way, and you bunched them into your arms. They were big — big enough to be from your chest to your hips, and you grinned widely as you tottered off in search of your boyfriend. “Bucky? Where are you?”

An answering “Over here, baby,” sounded from the Christmas specialty corner, and you walked over to find him holding a ginormous teddy. He started to turn around as he said, “I thought of you– Oh, my god, Sugar…”

You beamed at him and shook the stuffies in your arms. “Look at them!”

He pointedly glanced at the stuffies, then up to your face. “Those are the ones?”

“These are the ones,” you affirmed. For added measure, you pouted and widened your eyes a little. “Please, babe? Please?”

Bucky sighed, shook his head, and then he grinned. “Yeah, you can have ‘em.” He held up the giant teddy he held. “And this one, too. He can wear one of my sweaters while I’m at work.”

You seemed to float to the counter where an elderly lady served you, her motherly smile charming in a way that you could only say reminded you of your own motherly figure. “Now, you dears get home safe, now, y’hear?” she said.

“You got it,” Bucky replied, and he grabbed the huge bag of stuffies off the counter. “Thank you—have a good Christmas.”

“You as well, my dears.”

When you finally arrived home, after bouncing in your seat for the entirety of the drive, the first port of call was to grab your new stuffies and bring them inside. Only, Bucky put a halt to that plan. “You’ve had enough excitement for the day,” he insisted sternly, and no amount of pouting changed his mind. “Go sit down on the couch and I’ll bring ‘em to you, okay?”

A frustrated huff from you, and a cup of hot chocolate later, you sat on the couch in the living room making grabby hands for the big bag the two of you had brought home. 

Bucky obliged, and he handed you your new family of stuffies, one by one. Each new friend made your smile stretch wider and wider, your heart soaring with the happiness of it all — the day had turned out perfect. 

The soft, fluffy, white cat Bucky had affectionately called Miffy sat perched on his lap, his hands running over the soft material of their fur. 

You looked at him, catching his gaze, only to stare into his eyes. They were so, so blue; the depths of them deep and churning with such a softness. 

“Can we make this a tradition? For us—of our own?” you asked quietly. 

His eyes lit up. “‘Course we can, baby. I was hoping you’d ask me that.”

And from that day onwards, you made sure to maintain it — even if you snuck in multiple trips per year.

⠈⠂⠄ 𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐱 | 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 | 𝐚𝐨𝟑  ⠄⠂⠁

⠈⠂⠄𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ⠄⠂⠁

[phantomphangphucker]

Phic Phight - Insomniacs Я Us

For: @pricklenettle

Where there’s something for every sleeper. So lie down, you little bastard, and go to SLEEP

Nocturne had gathered themselves a pretty extensive collection at this point. It was to the point where they could go shopping within their own supplies whenever they wished to aid, or force, someone to rest.

Tired College students, overburdened single mothers, homeless struggling to get comfortable on scraps, back-to-back shift nurses, children with their eyes squeezed shut and hands over their ears, pets going under for their final rest, people who just went ‘too hard’ at the gym, the drunk and the high fighting back against fatigue; the list goes on, the list was endless.

But there was always one being on that list that was endlessly frustrating. Endlessly fighting back against sleep and dreams, against rest and recuperation. That one was also the one major reason behind their now more extensive collection.

Nocturne grade sleep powder: the strongest sleeping powder in any realm

Ecto-suppressant: to tire one out by reducing their ecto-energy levels

Sniffing Spurelli gel: give even the toughest ghost enough and they’d be out for days.

Passionflower: amazing for smaller mammals, pretty good for those with insomnia.

Epson salts: to relax any muscles or just overpower the senses to ignore bad smells around.

Lavender in all its forms: truly one of mortal natures best gifts for sleeping and staying asleep.

Melatonin: not so great for getting to sleep but great to TRY and making someone go to sleep consistently.

Magnesium tablets, rubs, salts: great sleep booster, especially when combined with melatonin.

Valerian Root: was a good sleep aid but wasn’t the most effective even on someone who wanted to sleep.

Zzzquil and Benadryl: there were entire songs about the effectiveness of these to just go to sleep already.

Chloroform: not truly a sleep aid but unconsciousness is close enough in their books.

Cyclopropane and Sevoflurane: still standard Knockout gases to this day for a reason

Carbon Monoxide: was this technically something that kills? Perhaps. But needs be musts at times.

Many many sedation medications that various species across time and space had created; from midazolam to hotialnic to propofol to ëhßßûçaq.

So many different things, stored and refilled in so many ways… and yet that damn boy remains restless. Continues to skirt the Dreamscape. Even on the off chance he did fall a slumber he would never do so deep enough to truly sleep or dream.

It was frustrating.

No living or dead thing was ever meant to escape their lands of rest. It was unnatural. It was annoying. It was insulting. And the boy didn’t even seem to care! Not about his own health and certainly not about Nocturne’s annoyance or continued attempts at making him rest.

Granted, the boy had cared about the attempt with the Chloroform, but that was purely because he ‘objected’ to Nocturne ‘assaulting his face with a rag like this was a crap mobbed-up assassin movie’; Nocturne themselves had been perfectly content to hold down said ‘rag’ as long as needed just to get. him. to. sleep.

The boy set it on fire. Both of them were left unimpressed and just called it a day.

They’ve even tried slipping in more kale, beans, and bananas into the boys' foods to increase his glycine levels; oddly the LunchLady had been more than eager to attempt to help with that… far more aggressively than was really necessary in their opinion.

Sometimes Nocturne wondered if that boy realised that pretty much every ghost cared for him. Surely he must, though he likely would not admit to it. Nocturne just wanted him to rest, that was their type of caring; regardless of how much the boy shirked it.

At this point, they were half tempted to just illegally forge another Sarcophagus of Forever Sleep just to force that boy to nap for ten minutes even. The Observants and their fellow Ancients were likely to take issue with that…

However, ClockWork got to break the laws of temporal displacement for that boy; so surely Nocturne could break a law or two themselves. Besides, the Observants weren’t more powerful than them… unlike the boy, unfortunately.

Hmmmmm…

Yes. Surely they can.

And if they were to simply… put the Observants to sleep as well well… then all the better, no? The unconscious could neither interfere nor verbally accost them. And they know ClockWork well enough to know that that one would misdirect The Observant's sight purely to harass those beings; meaning they won’t see anything coming.

It certainly said something that knocking out the overseers of the universe was what it took to just get one overworked running on fumes prince to SLEEP. They still didn’t like it.

Needless to say, the Observants were mad at their impromptu mass slumber… they were also mad at Nocturne behaving like a dragon protecting its gold horde on top of the High Ghost Prince’s Mortal Realm lairs roof.

Amity park was very confused.

The ghosts were very confused… and intimidated.

Mayor Vlad had simply looked up from his newspaper and sighed when an underling came to tell him of the issue.

Jack and Maddie had been yeeted towns over, leaving just Sam, Tucker, and Valerie just kind of staring… confused; at least the sleep ghosts didn’t seem to be causing harm?

And Danny… Danny was GOD DAMN ALSEEP.

End.

Prompt: Nocturne just wants that annoying ghost boy to go to sleep already. He’s tried everything!

[kisskida]

Bleeding

-Megumi x reader/oc

tw: extreme angst, rape and non-con mentions, assault and murder

-Blood doesn't have to be weeping red liquids. We are all bleeding on each other in one way or another as we roam the earth, spending our entire lives searching for a purpose. We cry to know we are alive, and we bleed to know we are living. The tears we shed are our souls bleeding as we destroy ourselves and the blood we shed is our bodies telling us we have fought for our destruction

The darkness cannot possibly consume us all, or perhaps I used to think that way; I used to believe that. My eyes stung as lumps of dirt clung to my face, my skin rubbing raw against the isolated path. "Please, please let me just..." my muscles screamed at me as I scrambled to my knees, pleading to the heavy work boot in front of me, a leering snarl above it, belonging to an icy, sharp face twisted in rage, with a mop of dusty brown hair and cruel, narrow eyes. "Please, please no, no" I dragged my body backwards, skin shrieking as I groped around for something, anything to protect myself. Spots danced in my vision as a boot slammed into my sternum, shattering any cohesion I had left as my voice echoed hoarse screams, mocking shouts echoing back at me.

"And this happened when?" The officer in front of me looked entirely unimpressed as I sat bloodied and bruised, face filthy with dirt, tear marks leaving clean lines down my face, I cradled my wrist with the other hand, sitting on the edge of the offered chair, every part of my body cried out at the slightest touch.

The heaving in my chest made the thumping of my heart painfully aware to my aching skull and weeping joints "today, just earlier! in the back alleys! Please, please you have to believe me! please-" I reached to grab his hand, desperation evident in my tone and panic crossing my face as his thick pencil moustache twitched, beady eyes looking everywhere but me as he yanked his meaty hand back. Paperwork rustling as I clutched thin air. "Why...why would I make this up...please" I begged him, begging and begging, self-worth torn to shreds and thrown to the dogs.

"I think you need some supervision...these marks are clearly self-inflicted. That bruise around your throat has upward pressure, everyone knows strangling leaves downward pressure" Wasps buzzed in my head, droning noises drowning the rest of my thoughts as I frantically tried to explain it.

"He pinned me to the floor and was pushing up to-"

"Enough miss, officers call a nurse and-"

"He was lifting me by my throat!"

"Silence miss, officers have the nurse alert the psych ward we have-"

"Officer! Believe me! Please! I would never-"

""Shut up little girl! Sit back down and be a good girl, the hospital will come and take you to a place you can't pull any more of these stunts" He shouted at me, spittle flying everywhere as blood rushed to his face, likening him to a tomato, a bastardly one at that. The situation sunk in and the blood rushed from my face, I must have resembled a ghost as my bloodshot eyes began to weep again and my skin coloured the same as porcelain. The world was silent as the droning consumed all, blurring scenes flashing before me as hands grabbed me, pulling me up stairs, down stairs, between streets. My body swayed and my heart was thumping in my chest; one pump, two pump, three pump, four. One step, two step, three step, four. 

It was cold outside. It was grey outside. It was silent outside. The sun was  gone, hidden away from me and in hiding it had taken all comfort from my heart. The ache in my bones for the warmth and peace of basking in the sunshine was a ball and chain holding me to the ground, rooting me in place as the hands yanked on me again; I was not moving until the sun came out.

Inside the van was…odd. There were little scrapes where nails had scrabbled, scrambling to escape. Ropes on the sides, attached to hefty rings that you couldn’t pull down. It wasn’t as dark as I expected it to be either, for a van, it was despicably bright and hauntingly empty of anything but the driver's seat and a lone cushion. White walls and a white floor, bars between the driver and myself, I tried to rationalise the situation, to understand this from another perspective. If I was a nurse and this body the patient, how would I make her tell the story?

Okay, I started by asking her what had happened, how she had come to have such injuries. The story was harsh, the story was brutal and I fought to remain impartial as tears flooded her cheeks and she began to shake. Did she call for help, I asked her what she tried to do once she was cornered, did she even try, did she perhaps not do enough. But she did, screaming and crying her story to me until I could no longer stay outside it and I collapsed into myself. Curling in a fetal position as my lungs contracted, squeezing all the air out; I was wheezing and my nails scraped lines into my skin as I tore at the fabric on my chest, air was escaping me and my throat constricted, unwilling to cooperate, unwilling to save this fruitless life of mine.

I now found out the purpose of those ropes as my arms were strung across the van, holding my body upright and forcing them away from me. No crown of thorns lay on my head as the sins of my brutalizer became the suffering of my own. “Please” I croaked, the words scraping out hoarse, forced and shaky “Please let me die” No energy left to thrash and no energy left to scream, so clearly no energy left to persuade, to barter for the right to my own life, and the loss of it.

The sun was still away, gloomy and reclusive as I was walked into the building. Eerily empty again, stark white coating every surface and all furniture bolted to the floor, no shade darker than silver and no noise louder than a whisper. The glass was almost as thick as my arm, no chance to break it and no chance to escape it.

“Why are you dragging her like that? Can she not walk?” The voice was gentle, cold but refreshingly so in this silence.

“She's been…difficult”

“Uncooperative”

“We were told she has a difficult nature and needs strict watch”

A frown appeared on this stranger's face, his delicate face contorted with confusion “She’s so injured and you’re still rough handling her? I see no resistance from her even as you’re standing still”

“Look, son. We follow instructions from the police captain and he’s told us to be strict with her.” The guarding officer stepped in my line of sight.

“Please” I whispered, life returning to my limbs as I tried to pull myself free, to stand on my own “Let me go, I didn’t do this, please” I pulled one arm free from a nurse and tried to shake the other loose as I strained to have the stranger in my vision again. He was a beautiful contrast to the white void, dark hair, dark clothes and abyssal, dark eyes. 

“Let her go, I’ll take her to an empty room. I was visiting Geto to check on him since the incident but he’s lost it and kicked me out.”  Before anyone else could react he was between my quivering form and the guard.

His hands were indescribably soft as he led me through dark halls, no windows, only flickering greenish lights lending the halls an even eerier glow than the lonely hall. The bed in my room was somewhat soft, comfortably so but the stark white contrast from the glimpse of the real world outside the window to the little box room was depressing.

“You know…I didn’t do anything to end up here.”

“You don’t look like you would”

“They didn’t believe me because he was smart”

“Smart men get away with more than they ever should”

The micro-conversation was soothing as I sat and stared at the clouds, bubbly shapes rumbling around behind the loose wispy scraps drifting emptily through space. Shards of sunlight peeked out from the lumpy mountain like clouds but the sun itself never showed. Not even as the clouds darkened, the baby blue deepening through cerulean and turquoise before it tainted red and purple, the clouds mimicking their golden sun before they were shrouded in the darkness that was night. Engulfed in the loneliness as the cold moon cast her gaze down to me.

“I hate the moon” 

“Why?”

“Because it gets dark and cold and-”

“Don’t look down or away, finish your sentence”

His voice was unreasonably calming and gentle as he lifted my chin to look at him “That’s when those smart men get away with it all” I knew I was right, because that’s what always happened. In the dark of night, in side-alleys or sometimes even in main streets their boots would strike me. Their hands would grab at me and I just prayed the sun would rise again.

“I hate the sun”

It was my turn to look at him in surprise, what reason could you possibly have to hate the sun? It was full of warmth and provided life to everything around it, smart men didn’t dare act up when the sun was out. 

“Why?”

“People just pretend, they put on a fake self to present to society”

“And when the moon rises they’re real?”

“Exactly”

It was a foreign concept to me and I couldn’t understand a thing he was saying about the moon. It was a cold and lifeless piece of rock, the sun burnt bright and beautiful to provide for us. I sat there, staring at the moon through the thick glass, trying to see how he did, to walk in his shoes and understand his perspective. It was a cold rock with a little halo because it couldn’t shine on its own, it relied on the sun to give it light. The sun burnt so bright that even in the depths of night it still reached us through the moon, though it burned so aggressively it was burning itself out, still it continued to provide.

“I’m leaving now”

I flinched away as he reached out to me, shying away from contact “Sorry” I moved back to where I had been, letting him gently pet the top of my head

“You apologise too much, I’ll come back tomorrow. Go to sleep”

It felt lonely without him, the moon had almost been inviting, almost comfortable but as the door clicked shut, a tremor ran down my spine and goosebumps prickled on my skin. No amount of tossing and turning lent me warmth, the threadbare blankets I had piled on barely had any weight. I felt naked and disturbed under the watchful gaze of the moon, a chilling eye unrelenting and unforgiving no matter how I tossed or turned I could not escape.

The whine of the rusty hinges startled me upright, bracing myself in a defensive tuck, clutching blankets around me. The moon was gone now and the sun beginning to warm me but it was too early for visitors, I knew that much. “Who…who’s there” I couldn’t look, I couldn’t do that to myself as I called out to the figure, dark and hulking; not my boy from last night. 

Since when was he my boy? When did I use possessive nouns? I didn’t know his name either.

“Stay quiet missy and it’ll be fine” 

“No!” I screamed, but the walls were sound proof; so silent I became. Just enduring, I didn’t open my eyes, not once as tears as silent as I was, fell down my cheeks. It was silent in the room but in a very loud way as every creak of the bed and every rustle of the sheets tried to drag me out of my mind, pull me from my isolation. As his skin ran over mine, everywhere we touched I was burning up, a fearsome heat that made my tears flood faster. The sunlight burned my skin as it reached out, whether it wanted to help me or hurt me, I couldn’t tell but it was too bright and it burned. The same droning wasps were invading my skull and the noise would not go away, the noise was my comfort as he touched me in places untouched and ways I wanted to scream at. I longed for the cold and cruel darkness who didn’t pretend to hug me and didn’t soothe my nightmares.

He found me sitting behind the bed, out of reach from the sun, with blankets wrapped around my body and covering every inch of exposed skin.

“The sun is out”

I was silent.

“Did you sleep?”

Silence.

“Alright”

I recoiled as I felt him tug my blankets away from my face, sitting next to me. “I can wait as long as you need” the hushed tick, tick, ticking of the clock gave comfort in routine as I drummed my fingers against the floor with every ticking second; every minute spent silent was a minute more I had held myself together. I was proud of my resilience but the walls I built were becoming the prison that held me as comfort sat not even a metre away but I was unable to reach out, throat tightening every time I so much as aimed a glance at him. 

“Your name”

“You don’t know it?”

“You never told me”

I hadn’t, it was true but I assumed like everyone else he would simply call me girl, miss or whatever name the police had put on my report.

“What should my name be then?”

I faced him for the first time today, ignoring the shooting pain up my spine and the turmoil thrashing about in my stomach that made me want to heave and retch until my body was empty of anything and everything.

“Luna, you should be Luna”

I hadn’t expected a response.

“Your name?”

“Fushiguro, Megumi”

“Megumi”

“Yes?”

“I just wanted to say it”

His hand gently caressed mine as we sat, side by side, silent as the other but not silent in a loud way and not silent in a scary way. Silent in the way the forest is silent even as the day changes, silent in the way the ocean is silent even when the tides change, silent in the way that everything would be alright. The threadbare fabric of the blankets piled upon me felt hot, far hotter than they had last night against the cold moon and far more intrusive than they had last night as I cried. Sickened with disgust I flung the blankets off me and wrapped my arms across the scrapes on my body, trenches dug with my own nails as I silenced my screams.

“Who did this to you?” His face flashed dark, the calm and cold personality that had comforted me was now frigid and filled with venom “I’ll kill them”. His hands were still so gentle holding mine, even as he gently caressed my face.

“I didn’t look. I couldn’t make myself look”

“When”

“I’m sorry” my voice scratched at my throat, a lump forming as I tried to tell him more “the sun was up. I was wrong, I’m sorry” I threw myself into his arms, his cool skin soothing the flush that rose to my skin and made me feel like I had walked into the flames of hell. My sobs wracked my body as I was held, trembling, shaking and crying in his arms. The only other noise was the soft rustle as he combed his hand through my hair and rubbed my back, just between my shoulders. His hands never fell below my shoulders, like he was aware of the damage done and how fragile I was.

Da-dum, da-dum. Da-dum, da-dum. I rested my head on his chest, letting the rhythmic beating overwhelm the droning in my head, the wasps had woken up and begun to move but like a lullaby it soothed them, back to their slumber

“You did nothing wrong, okay? You are a victim” his voice was soft, so soft I wouldn’t have caught his words if the wasps hadn’t been silenced only moments before. “I never want anyone else to go through this. My dads have been in such a situation and now I’m down to one, permanently locked in his room. Not again, not on my watch” So he could relate my experience to someone else close to him, all anxieties soothed as I understood his motive, the reasons he held me so close and the reason he held so tight.

“I’m hungry”

“You haven’t been given food?” He let go of me, standing and scanning the room for something. “Lets go, I’ll take you to the kitchen and have them make whatever you’re craving”

I accepted his outstretched hand and trailed him like a duckling would its mother, all the way down to the main hall and then some more until we reached a place illuminated only by electric lights. No windows here. Keeping my body sheltered behind his he strode forward to the head chef, recognisable by the toque standing tall on his head as his peers moved around with just hair nets.

“She hasn’t been given food in almost two days, what are you doing if not your job?” Though his tone wasn’t abrasive, it was clear megumi was angry and his anger was clearly directed. “Luna, what do you want to eat?” he gently cupped my face, his tone doing a 180° as not to scare me. 

“Rice…sushi and rice” I nuzzled into his hand, meekly asking for my favourite foods.

“You heard her”

“Indeed we did, get to work boys! Get this girl the best sushi of her life or I’ll have you reassigned to clean the toilets!” The chef was boisterous, nothing like his stern expression had suggested earlier, he was rather friendly, chattering with Megumi as the other chefs worked. Megumi squeezed my hand as he moved out of my direct line of sight, letting me see the bustle in the kitchen.

“Was it any of these men?” he whispered softly to me, leaning down slightly so as not to arouse suspicion among the co-workers who placed their trust in each other on a daily basis.

I shook my head, no the man had smelled. The kitchen was not a place for a foul smelling, sweaty hulking man to work. “No…the smell is distinctive”

“The smell? So you can identify by smell?” He ruffled my hair affectionately, accepting the large bowl of sashimi, rice and little sushi rolls from a chef and leading me away. “That’s good, we have a lead, a clue. Good girl” the praise would have made me uncomfortable if another man had said it, instead little butterflies rustled in my stomach and a smile twitched on my lips.

The rest of the day was spent roaming the building. For a psychiatric hospital it was extremely quiet and empty, the air conditioning ran full blast in the hallways, making it resemble the Antarctic, an icy desolate desert. I wrapped my arms around myself, hugging myself to try and preserve at least a little bit of warmth, the scrappy gown they had dressed me in was okay to sleep in as it was light and it was okay in the sun because it was warm but roaming these halls I could feel every hair on my body standing on end as goosebumps raised on my shivering skin. 

“Don’t suffer in silence” A warm hoodie was dragged down over my head, smelling heavily like the boy next to me “If you’re cold, just say something” His grey hoodie hung loosely on my frame, squaring my shoulders so it fit better against me.

“Other than being long, it fits pretty well on you. You’ve got more muscle than me at least” he smiled down at me, petting my hair affectionately and adjusting the hoodie on my body so it sat snug rather than scrunched and awkward. I nuzzled into the hood, taking comfort in the warmth and smell.

“Won’t you be cold now” I looked up at him, fiddling with the sleeves.

“I have a long sleeve shirt on, and my clothes are better quality than those dodgy gowns” He took my hand and tugged me along further down the hall.

“Megumi”

“Yes Luna?”

“I just wanted to say it”

He laughed, for the first time since meeting, and it was a beautiful sound. A beautiful sound that captivated me and drew me closer to him. “You do this adorable thing when you’re talking to me. You tilt your head like a puppy might when it smells a treat.” once again he ruffled my hair “I can’t help just wanting to touch you, to hold you and pet you like I might a dog or cat”

“I can’t help it” a small pout formed on my lips as he tugged me around the corner and into a stairwell leading upwards.

“I’ll show you my secret but you have to promise not to come here without me” His face was stern now, and I nodded

“Pinky promise, sworn to secrecy” I held out my pinky finger, letting him interlock his with mine.

“Alright then” he popped the lock on the heavy wooden doors, forcing them open with his full body weight.

The evening was beautiful. The sun had begun to set and the sky was a kaleidoscope of colours and the clouds an array of shapes. The pale blue of midday was weeping into several hues of violet, indigo and lavender whilst the clouds had taken it upon themselves to defy the colour spectrum with vermillion shades threading between crimson and gold, speckling stars resembled diamonds upon a watercolour canvas with sprays of blood littering the delicate painting.

“Its beautiful”

“Wait until it gets dark”

And so we sat there as the reds, purples and gold sunk beyond the horizon and the omnipresent gaze of the moon became unmissable and the diamonds multiplied by the thousands, the millions of billions even. They shattered the darkness and gave the world a gentle glow, not even the moon and her shimmering halo could compare to the billions of stars spread as far as the eye could see, and even farther.

“Oh”

“Oh indeed” his arm snaked around my shoulders, just holding me gently against him. I nestled against his warmth and hummed a contented approval as he combed his fingers through my hair, massaging my scalp with nimble and cool fingers.

“Not even two days and I already just…feel like I can trust you” I snuggled into him, craving the feel of his skin and the sound of his heartbeat

“It’s like we’re bleeding on each other, the trauma we’ve been through and we’re trying our best to stitch each other up” He pulled me tight to his chest, murmuring against the top of my head “I feel like I’ve known you for a thousand lifetimes and it’s been us in every one”

“Do you think we’re this tragic in every lifetime?” a thousand stars shimmered in his eyes, forming galaxies of their own and I wished I could burn this memory into my brain, sear it onto the back of my eyes.

“I think we might be” His eyes never left mine, even as the reddish, rusted light flicked on and cast us into a crimson light. Glazing my eyes the same vermillion as the sky hours earlier. “It almost looks like there are roses in your eyes, the stars and light have combined in such a way”

“Your eyes have formed galaxies of ebony and indigo” I reached up for his face, cupping his cheek “You’re warm” I held onto him in that moment like a sailor might hold onto driftwood in a shipwreck, like a small child clinging to the hopes and dreams that their heroes inspire.

“The moon bids us to sleep Luna” He kissed the top of my head and guided me back to my room. “The moon will watch over you for me, until tomorrow” and just like that he had melted into the darkness and beyond my reach.

The night wore long as I clutched my blankets to me, hyper-aware and on high alert as the memories of yesterday morning burned fresh in my mind. I couldn’t sleep with that constant fear breathing down my spine; the pungent smell of his body on mine and his gravelly, domineering voice as he rough handled me. My tongue darted out, catching the little salty teardrops from my weeping eyes, my chest heaving as air got harder to suck in, my breaths shorter and sharper. 

The sun was an unwelcome sight as it heated my flushed skin and invaded the darkness I had come to love. The blinding rays forced me out of bed to try and hang a blanket over the window, which failed. I almost felt feverish as I stumbled back to my bed, headache pounding in my skull and a dry thirst aching in my throat with every breath I took. The maternal comfort I found in the daytime had vanished with yesterday, left was an eternal yearning for darkness, the love under the moonlit sky. I heaped all the blankets I could find onto the floor, alongside my pillows to create a little nest where the sunlight didn't directly reach

The whine of the rusty hinges startled me upright, recoiling back from my comfortable nest on the floor until my back hit the wall. I grabbed the closest blanket to me and hugged it to my body as my muscles seized, tension from the fear overriding my logical thoughts.

“Whoa, easy Luna…its me”

I knew that voice, my lower lip trembled as I tossed the blanket aside and scrambled towards him, throwing myself into his arms. Breathing in his scent, revelling in the cool comfort only he could provide.

“Megumi…” my voice was muffled as I buried my head in the hood of his jacket, up around his neck. The blessed darkness it provided soothed me from the sun burning against my back, the hot and cold flashes felt insignificant when I was in his arms as all my worries melted away.

“Luna! You’re sick, what are you doing up!” He scooped his arms under my legs, hoisting me into his arms and carrying me bridal style out to the hallway “I’m taking you to a room where there are curtains, you need a cool dark environment to get a good rest”

It felt good to be looked after and I couldn’t help relaxing in his arms, my subconscious trusted him far more than I must have believed as I wrapped my arms around his neck and nuzzled him affectionately. “I hate the sun, it's too bright…and hot, it's so hot” I murmured as he gently laid me on another, empty, bed.

“Hush, you need rest.” He caressed my face, gently brushing my hair from my face and placing a soft kiss on my forehead. As he went to stand up I grabbed his hand

“No…stay”

“Alright, alright then. Tell me, you suddenly hate the sun when you loved it just two days ago?”

“I thought the sun could protect me from the dark side of humanity but it doesn't do much” I let out a content sigh as his hand gently stroked my hair. “The sun is cruel, it burns up everything with no remorse. The moon is gentle and kind” I reached a hand for his face.

“The sun is gentle, it gives us light and warmth. All we need to grow and survive is provided by the sun” he grabbed my hand, holding it to his cheek and humming with contentment just as I had done . “The moon is gentle but it doesn’t give us much”

“We swapped. You like the sun over the moon now and I like the moon over the sun” I laughed, rolling onto my side and sitting up, witnessing his gentle smile from the best angle, right in front of him.

The day flew by with laughter and smiles as we talked about all the insignificant things in the world, sharing stories that you might believe crazy if we didn’t have the scars to prove them. I was still weak and feverish even as he tended to me, gentle as a gardener with his brand new flower bed, however weak I was he still looked at me the way a wolf looks at the moon, a tender affection ever present in his navy eyes.

“Did I ever tell you how much your eyes look like an abyss?” I voiced my musings out loud as I lay in admiration of him.

“You might have once or twice” my admiration was returned in his kind expression.

“Good. They’re like an eternal abyss but still so much deeper, like the universe itself, filled with galaxies and stars but ultimately an intangible cosmos of mystery and excitement”

“You can have them if you really like them so much” he poked my cheek “I really can’t stand how dark and dull they are. Unlike your eyes, glowing gold like the rising sun”

“Perhaps I’ll take you up on that offer” I threw a pillow at his face and yanked him down while his vision was obscured.

“If you wanted cuddles, you just needed to say” he snuggled up to me, swinging his legs up and tangling them with mine, resting my head on his chest and holding me tight. The steady rhythm of his breathing was a lullaby to the discord in my head and I settled into a state of serenity, a tranquillity I haven't felt since before the attack. My heartbeat settled into a duet with his, each beat syncing together as the waves synchronised themselves to the quiet after the storm.

“Maybe we aren’t as tragic in this life. Maybe all our lives could be this gentle”

“If all our lives were this serene, I would ask for nothing else”

The rhythmic motions of him finger combing my hair combined with his steady heartbeat and gentle, deep breaths resonated his soul with mine. Every living being resonates on a unique harmony but for now, we shared a note; soundwaves connected on the same frequency.

“Then let's pray to whatever gods exist, that we get our happy ending” I snuggled as close to him as I could, I wanted to exist as one entity with him, one being, one body and one soul.

I felt his smile against the top of my head “then please gods, let us have each other”

“I hate that word”

“Who said the word please that made you hate it so much?”

“I did”

The silence ensuing wasn’t one of discomfort though nor was it comfortable. I felt a small tear fall onto my face. “You deserve the world Luna, a world without any of this violence. Through the stars has your kindness bled through to me and through the moon, I hope mine can reach you”

“We don’t always get what we deserve Megumi” I kissed his jaw and rolled away from him, knowing if I saw him cry, I would start crying too. His hands softly kneaded my shoulders, massaging the tension.

“I have to go early today Luna. I came in early to make sure your morning didn’t repeat yesterday but I can’t stay till nightfall with you” he placed a soft kiss on the back of my neck “I’ll inform staff that I’ve moved you. My dad is two rooms down from you now as well, if you wanted to make a friend. Though he’s not in any state to socialise.”

“What’s his name?” I rolled back over to face him.

“Geto, Suguru Geto.” He placed another gentle kiss, this one on my cheek, before standing up. “I’ll get you some food before I go”

He came back after a few minutes with a large sandwich, accompanied by some vegetables, a fork and knife for cutlery. “Thanks Megumi” I placed the tray on the nightstand and sat up to hug him.

“Be a good girl until I see you again tomorrow, I’ll leave this here in your care” he slid his hoodie off and tossed it into my lap.

And then he was gone, the darkness of the room was still comforting but it just felt colder and lonelier without Megumi, the reason I loved the darkness so much. My eyelids were heavy as I lay staring at the ceiling, hot and cold flashes taking me through paranoid delusions and trippy dreams where everything was twisted and sickly. I clung to the hoodie like a drowning sailor to a piece of driftwood, it was a liferaft in the stormy seas that tossed me around and brutalised my mind.

I heard movements in the hallway and struggled to pull myself to a sitting position, a curious face with dark, narrow eyes and silky black hair, let loose down his back, watched me from my doorway. “Geto?” My throat rasped as I spoke, dehydration clearly getting the better of me.

“You’re Megumi’s girlfriend right?” He began to step through the doorway when a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. Another man appeared beside him, a mop of unruly white hair and unnaturally bright blue eyes decorated his features. 

“Sorry for disturbing you, just came to check on my husband” He pulled Geto away and I was left all alone with my thoughts again. That would be his other dad, they looked alike at least, though polar opposites in personality and colour palette. They had been a nice break from the darkness. As much as I enjoyed the dark, I couldn't help missing the warmth and light the sun brought; it was a struggle to get up and open the curtains and I almost quit twice but the moment the light hit my face, it was worth it.

I cuddled close to the hoodie, cutting a piece of the sandwich from earlier to quench my hunger and stabilise myself as my body swayed with fatigue. Megumi’s smell filled my senses, it reminded me of a forest in a storm, the fresh and energetic scent while the atmosphere weighed heavily with the weight of the electrifying rage it was bringing from the heavens to earth. At the same time it brought memories of the heartwarming moments shared between those I had been close with, laughter and smiles in an untouchable moment of kinship.

I didn’t bother to glance up as the hinges on the door squealed again, assuming it was just Geto being curious. “What’s up?” I had my back to the door as I basked in the sunlight, watching a butterfly flit past, bright and blue. I furrowed my brow as silence met my question, a low chuckle sounded and my body stilled. A pungent smell invaded my nose and I spun, grabbing the wall to steady myself, my head spun and memories violently tore through my mind, reeling from the horror associated.

“You seem much better” his voice was rough, aggressive and almost mocking.

“Get away…get away!” I flung a half drunk glass of water at him as he approached me, steady and smooth stride, confident in himself. “Stop! Please…don’t…please no, get away” I fell to the floor sobbing, collapsed in on myself as I struggled to suck in breath, the oxygen escaping me.

“Be quiet little missy or we’ll get-” a boot slammed into my shoulder, tossing me across the room “-caught” I let out a terrified scream, slamming my fists against him as he grabbed me and threw me onto the bed. His sweaty palm covered my mouth and I thrashed desperately, my limbs were heavy and I could barely land a solid blow; even when I did, he was unfazed.

Tears rolled down my face and into my hair as I squirmed, energy draining at a rapid speed. Sobs wracked my body and my muffled wails filled the air as he straddled me, his other hand undressing me with practised ease. I tried to get a closer look at his face, for Megumi, if I could help Megumi identify the man, I could get away, but tears kept flooding my eyes and everything was blurred. I dug my nails helplessly into the man’s arms and wrists, scraping and scratching, begging and pleading for him to stop. His leering grin watched over my vulnerable body as I frantically tried to save myself. “I’ll wait little miss. It's more fun when you’re still and if you misbehave, I’ll ruin your pretty little face so bad nobody will ever recognise you again”.

My voice grew hoarse and I could no longer wail and scream for help, I still whimpered and whined but my efforts were pitiful as the fever took its toll on my body and I lay unmoving, shaking in my skin perhaps but no more could I struggle “please…stop” my voice was brittle and shaky as I let out one more desperate plead for mercy, I put my hands to my face, biting down onto my arm to stop myself from crying out. His hands burned against my skin as they ran rampant all across my body. I couldn’t stop myself from screaming and thrashing as he slid between my legs, malicious intentions clearly communicated by his iron grip on my hips.

I flung my arm out, barely noticing as my knuckles slammed into the side table, fumbling for something, anything to end my misery. I felt the wooden handle of the knife on my plate, gripping it tightly “Let go of me!” I was screaming again and thrashing, though I could barely make out my own hysterical words. The sun had vanished from the sky and I saw the moon, regal and comforting in her beauty, offering her hand to take me away. His heavy hand grabbed at my wrist but my energy was renewed as I tucked my arm back close to me, slashing the blade across his face. I laughed maniacally as he reeled backwards, clutching his face but my relief was short lived as those sweaty, heavy hands redirected their iron grip to my arms. He caught my wrist mid slash and aimed the blade for my chest.

“I’ll fucking get you for that bitch” he spat globules of blood at me as he struggled to form words properly with his sliced up face. I couldn’t stop the laughter bubbling in my chest as he pushed the blade closer and closer to my heart. It was like ice on my skin as the tip pressed into me, blood welling up as my hand shook with the force he was applying. “Now die” my arm gave out and the blade sheathed itself in me, all the way down to the handle. 

My laughter had turned to screams again and I cried for help “Please no!” I could feel my heart tearing itself to ribbons on the jagged piece of metal “Megumi! Megumi! Help me! Someone please!”  blood bubbled up in my throat as my frantic heart only shredded itself. The crimson liquid seeping down my bare skin and staining the fresh sheets beneath me. My vision faded to black and my last thoughts were of Megumi’s sweet face. I hoped he wouldn’t cry at my death but I knew better, in our next life perhaps we could be destined for a gentler fate and a sweeter love.

A sharp pain twisted Megumi’s chest as he lay reading on the couch at home. His dad had come home not long ago, saying he saw Luna and Geto wanted to meet her. “Gojo-” he called out for his dad, worried he might be having a heart attack.

“You look pale Megumi, is everything alright” his voice sounded from the next room over

“My chest hurts can we-” the phone rang, interrupting him

“Megumi, it’s about Luna” Gojo’s face was solemn as he handed him the phone. 

The silence was heavy as he took it, dreading what might be said next. “What’s wrong with Luna” he demanded into the phone, courtesy be damned, they wouldn’t ring him if nothing was wrong.

“Megumi, there's been an incident. It seems she attacked a staff member and then took her own life with the blade you gave her. We’d like you to come to the hospital to give us your statement on this.”

“Bullshit! Luna would never!” he hurled the phone against the floor, shattering it on the ground and watching the screen go blank. His mind was thrown into turmoil as he felt his cheeks dampen, tears flooding them. His body trembled and his chest heaved as he grabbed the nearest thing and flung it against the wall, watching it shatter like the phone had. “Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck” he kicked the coffee table onto its side, breaking several mugs. Shards of glass covered the living room as he sank to his knees, desperately wiping his eyes as he struggled to breathe. He didn’t even register the sharp pain in his knees as the debris sliced into his skin. “no…”

“Megumi! What happened!”

“I’m going to the hospital” He shook off his dad’s worried look, slapping the concerned hand away as he ran between rooms, grabbing his keys and racing off. The laws didn’t matter to him as his wheels screeched on the road, foot pressing the accelerator to the floor. His speed climbed 50, 100, 150, 200, until he reached the hospital. Time nor space seemed to exist as he sprinted through the building, crashing into several walls in his haste around corners.

“Let me in” he screamed at the staff as they tried to bar him from her room. He took a deep breath, stilling his frantic body “Let me in while I’m asking nicely” his tone was murderous as he glared at them, abyssal eyes promising their demise if they refused him.

The murderous calm fled his body as he saw a knife buried in her chest, her clothes discarded beneath her, bare body on display for the world. There were shards of glass and ceramic from the plate and cup shattered on the floor and the side table had been knocked out of place. Her expression was gentle in death, she looked more peaceful than he’d ever seen her while alive. “This was clearly a murder. Look at the struggle, the way her body is and the downward angle on the blade” he tried to keep a tremor out of his voice as he observed the way her body was. “Where is the man who did this”

“He’s a victim in protective custody sir, you can’t-”

“My father is the police commissioner, I damn well can!” He almost felt bad for the poor girl he shouted at but he would bar nothing in his drive for justice. If he could not get her justice while living, he sure as hell would get her justice after death.

“Well if it isn’t the little police boy” the man smirked at him, a slimy grin accompanied by stitches across his face from a jagged knife wound. Blood matted his dusty brown hair and his narrow, cruel eyes leered menacingly at Megumi.

“You bastard. Handcuff this man” He turned to face the investigating officers, stony resolute now set in, the hysteria gone and in its place, a bloodthirsty need for revenge. He was obeyed instantly for fear of his father now that he’d made it clear who he was, the whole hospital staff snapped into action alongside the officers.

“Megumi?” The gentle voice of Geto broke him from his murderous glare and he barely had time to turn before he was wrapped in a tight hug “Don’t speak, cry” cool hands hugged his head tight to the mans chest and rubbed soothing circles on his back as the reality set in and sobs began to wrack his body. “Easy son, I’m here for you” he collapsed into his fathers arms, clutching the fabric of his shirt tightly in his fists, struggling to ground himself in reality as the world around him blurred, time flew by as he stood sobbing into Geto’s arms. People came and went, their words sounding foreign to his grief obstructed senses. Many hands patted his back, some ruffled his hair but he was only aware of the thumping of his own heartbeat and the gentle breathing of Geto, still holding him close.

“She…she-” his voice broke as his chest heaved and he struggled to even find words, his head thumped with a migraine and everything felt slightly surreal as Geto stepped back to let Gojo comfort his son.

“He’ll never leave prison, you got justice for her megumi, its okay.” he rested his hand in the mop of dark hair, bright blue eyes gentle with reassurance. Megumi trained his eyes to the floor as they left the building, Geto gave him a soft hug goodbye but he barely registered it as the flashing lights obscured the serenity of the moon, red and blue filling his vision. The drive home was silent, the normally pearly moon hung crimson between the stars, clearly mourning as he did. “A blood moon, happens once in a lifetime”

“Like roses blooming on her surface” he clutched his heart as the dull ache throbbed, a hole where her soul had fit, right alongside his. Two puzzle pieces meant to join now forever alone, on opposite shores of the river styx.

[gal-palanaeum]

a joint effort by gaybrial

Rated Mature, 5000 words, Cord/Rysn In a modern Roshar AU, Rysn teaches Cord how to smoke weed by the light of the party’s outdoor fire.

Teen-rated excerpt: 

Rysn groaned, laying her head flat on her notes.

“I understand,” Cord said, reaching over and patting her on the back. “This assignment is difficult, even for someone as smart as you.”

The presentation they were working on was a pain, but that wasn’t why Rysn was stressed. She had spent the entire semester nursing a crush on the cute Unkalaki international student in her econ class, and despite how much closer they’d gotten in that time—from sitting next to each other in class, to studying together, to chatting at the occasional party and spending more time outside of class together—she still couldn’t figure out if Cord was into her.

“Cord? You’re joking,” Talik had snorted when Rysn had finally spilled about her crush while they were hanging out, a bit high and very frustrated with her lack of progress.

Rysn winced. “So you think there’s no way? I knew it.”

“What? No,” Talik said, blinking slowly at her. “I meant, she’s obviously gay. Why is your gaydar so terrible?”

“Taliiik,” Rysn whined. “My gaydar isn’t that bad. She could just be one of those crunchy straight women who really like the outdoors.”

Talik gave her an unimpressed look. “I know plenty of crunchy straight women—the Reshi Isles are full of them—and Cord is not that. You should just ask her out.”

At the time, Rysn had just groaned and begged him to drop it, and while he had, the look in his eyes, to the extent that a thoroughly high person’s eyes could, said that this was not over.

Keep reading

[steddieassheg0es]

I Think He Wants To Be Gentle With Me

Steve had been through this before. Well, not this, the demobats and Vecna, but this Upside Down bullshit.  He’d been through more insanity in the past couple years than most people experience in a lifetime. He’s a pro.

So why is he absolutely NOT handling this well?

Even Eddie, the first timer, has made it through with his easy smiles in tact. He seems surprisingly unfazed by it all. He barely made it out of that place, but he seems so light and joyful. Maybe it’s that the whole town doesn’t think he’s a Satanic murderer anymore, maybe he’s just happy to be alive. Whatever it’s is he seems to be in good spirits. Which is great.

But Steve. Steve can’t sleep. It’s been months since he dragged Eddie’s body back through the rapidly closing gate back to the real world. Since the weird government hospital ran their tests and treated their wounds. And in those months he hasn’t gotten more than a few hours sleep at a time, none of it peaceful.

Eddie may be healing well, but god…he looked dead down there when they first found him and Dustin. Even when they felt a pulse, Steve wasn’t entirely sure if he was dragging him back to be nursed back to health or just because he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving his body in that place.

So now when he closes his eyes, that’s what he sees. Those huge brown eyes dull and lifeless. Sometimes he’s there with him, wrapped up in those vines watching Eddie screaming and begging for help and just can’t get to him. Sometimes he only gets there in time to watch his last breath. But he was always, always too late.

He tried to just avoid sleeping for a while. But Steve was pretty sure you could die from lack of sleep eventually. Or at least go crazy. And his friends were concerned, they could clearly see his exhaustion. The last thing he wanted was to burden them with unnecessary concern after everything they’d gone through. Especially the kids. So eventually he caved.

That night was the worst. That night he wasn’t in control of his own body. He wasn’t just unable to save Eddie, he was the one who killed him. Plunging a knife into him over and over. He woke up and felt like he couldn’t breathe. He could still feel the blood on his shaking hands.

So that is how Steve Harrington ended up in Eddie Munson’s doorstep at 2AM on a Tuesday.

Eddie opened his door clearly very unimpressed to be woken at such an hour. His hair was even more wild than usual, his big doe eyes blinking away sleep.

“Who the fuck—“ Eddie took one look at him and softened. “Harrington?”

And just like that, Steve could breathe again.

—

Eddie was surprised when it was all said and done that he seemed to have been adopted into this little found family. He was grateful for everything they’d done, everything they’d risked for him. He just figured once the danger was gone, they would be too.

Well, not the Hellfire kids, though they’re even closer now. Robin he wasn’t too shocked by either, kindred queers as they were (though neither had actually come out to the other, Eddie had figured her out in middle school and he’s fairly certain she did the same). Nancy Wheeler was a surprise. Even the Cali group welcomed him with no hesitation. Then there was Steve.

Steve…ask him a year ago and he’d laugh and say the guy’s a douche. But Dustin had been singing his praises all year long. He wasn’t sure then how much he believed it all but the kid had good instincts so there had to be some truth in it.

Then he met him, really met him and saw just how fucking sweet the guy could be. The way he took care of everyone. He may grumble about ‘always being the babysitter’, but he was fiercely protective of those kids. And anyone in need, it seemed.

He didn’t think the others knew it, but Steve had dropped by during his isolation quite a bit on his own. Not with supplies or updates. Just…to be there. When Eddie finally got the courage to ask why, he’d let out a hollow little laugh.

“No one should be alone all the time, man.”

Eddie couldn’t be sure, but he got the feeling Steve knew what that was like.

Shit. Eddie wasn’t dumb, he had eyes. He’d always known how fucking gorgeous the other man was. Now to have that paired with the charming, surprisingly dorky guy he’d gotten to know…Eddie’s heart never stood a chance.

Then everything was done and Eddie was prepared to get that heart a little broken. He did not for a second think Steve would keep on hanging around him once he wasn’t a damsel in distress. Sure, he now knew Steve was a genuinely good person. But that’s all he figured it was. Kindness to the freak in need.

Yet here he was.

He’d helped Eddie move in to his nice new house. Once the government had cleared his name they’d set him up with what he assumed was a “sorry you got blamed for a murder committed by our mistake of a monster, also keep your mouth shut about said monster” gift. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was a hell of a lot better than going back to the trailer where he watched Chrissy…

Steve even came to the first Hellfire Club meeting post not-pocalypse. He’d spent most of it looking adorably confused, but he’d stayed. He’d even given Eddie these looks that could only be described as fondly amused at his most theatrical moments.

Not a day went by in the weeks after it all that he didn’t see Steve. So Eddie watched the progression of exhaustion on his face. He couldn’t help the growing knot of concern in his stomach. He wanted to say something, do something, but he wasn’t sure if he was allowed.

The others saw it too. He’d overheard what sounded like the planning of an intervention. But it turns out to be unnecessary, and he doesn’t even have to do anything. There’s a knock on his door at 2 in the goddamned morning scaring him awake. He swings the door open, ready to inflict pain on whoever dared to disturb his slumber.

“Who the fuck—“ Steve? God he looks like a wreck, devastated and so tired. Eddie’s anger vanished and was instantly replaced by worry. “Harrington?”

“I-I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…god it’s so late, I’m an asshole, go back to—“

“Steve” he interrupts the rambling gently, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s stupid, I don’t…”

“Whatever it is, if it’s got you this upset it’s not stupid. Come inside. Please.”

Steve takes a shuddering breath then nods. “Yeah…yeah ok.”

Eddie opens the door wider and lets Steve pass. He hesitates before putting a hand on his back to guide him over to the couch. Eddie grabs a blanket off the back and wraps it around Steve’s shoulders without thinking. Then carefully sits beside him.

“Now…what’s wrong?”

“I know it’s crazy but I just…I needed to see you. To see that you’re ok.”

That…wasn’t what Eddie was expecting to hear. He’s not quite sure what to do with it. “Why wouldn’t I be ok?”

Steve curls further in on himself and closes his eyes like he’s bracing himself.

“I’ve been having nightmares. Since everything. And tonight I…you were…” tears leak from beneath those tightly closed eyes, “It was me who killed you. Vecna, the Mind Flayer, whatever, made me kill you. There was so much blood and I watched you die and it was all my fault I couldn’t stop it I couldn’t—“

“Steve, Steve! Breathe.” Eddie places a gentle hand on Steve’s chest and makes a show of his own deep breathing. “That’s it, inhale…exhale…you’re safe. I’m fine, I’m right here with you. Everything’s ok. Shhh.”

Steve was still shaking, but at least he wasn’t hyperventilating anymore. God, he looked so…small. Small and fragile, like the slightest breeze and he’d just break to pieces.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just don’t want to be alone right now. You can go back to bed, I’ll be fine, just…can I stay on the couch?”

Eddie remembers that hollow laugh. ‘No one should be alone all the time’ he’d said. Just how often was Steve left by himself in that big house of his?

“Come on sweetheart, look at me.” The endearment slips out but he’s pretty sure Steve was too out of it to have really noticed. His eyes finally opened and met Eddie’s. “Here’s what we’re gonna do. We are both going back to bed, I have plenty of space to share.” There was a wild, panicked look in those eyes now. “You’re exhausted Steve, you have to sleep. You can’t keep going like this. But I’ll be right there. You have another nightmare and I’ll be right there with you. I can remind you that I’m-that we’re all ok. We made it out of there. It’s over.”

With that he stands and tugs on the end of the other man’s sleeve. “Come on, up.”

—

At this point there was nothing left in him. He couldn’t fight as Eddie pulled him by his shirt down the hall towards the bedroom. Or as he was nudged towards the bed, then gently pushed down on it.

“I can sleep on the floor, it’s fine.”

Eddie shot him a glare. “Not happening Harrington. I have a king size bed I’m not making you sleep on the damn floor. You need actual rest.”

Eddie knelt down on the floor in front of him and his heart stuttered, still beating rapidly but no longer from fear. But then Steve’s shoes were pulled off and his legs were nudged up onto the bed. He scooted over as far as his body would let him as Eddie joined him and pulled the blankets up to cover them both.

“Alright now princess, close those pretty eyes of yours. It’s time for good little boys to sleep.”

“Mm what about you?” he mumbled drowsily.

“Aww are you saying I’m not a good boy? I’m wounded!” Eddie chuckled.

His tongue felt heavy in his mouth as he tried to form a response.

“Shhh, you can snark at me all you want later. Sleep.”

And somehow…he did.

—

Eddie wakes for the second time much later in the day, his brain fuzzy. He almost thinks last night was a dream but…There’s an unexpected pressure on top of him.

He looks down to see that in the night Steve had shifted, curled up around him with one leg hitched over his and an arm thrown over him. Steve’s head was resting just above his heart, which felt like it was going to beat right out of his chest.

Shit. Shit. His eyes shot back to the ceiling above. What had he been thinking, forcing Steve into his bed? With him in it? He was so utterly screwed.

But looking back down at the man resting peacefully, he couldn’t regret it. If by some miracle he made Steve feel safe enough to actually sleep…He could do this. He could let the extremely straight man he’d been pathetic enough to fall so madly in love with platonically share his bed. His stupid heart could take the abuse. He’d take an awful lot to bring Steve peace.

So he settled in as much as he could. No way was he going to get up and risk waking his sleeping beauty. Carefully, he lifted the arm under Steve enough to card his hand through that oh-so-famous head of hair. Soft.

It was another 30 minutes or so before the other man began to stir. Eddie’s hand froze as the head beneath it titled back. Pretty hazel eyes blinked up at him blearily.

“Wha-?”

“Hey there, welcome back to the waking world. How do you feel?” His voice was barely a whisper, like if he spoke too loud the safe bubble they were in would shatter.

“Eddie?” Steve’s brow furrowed with his usual look of adorable confusion. “What…huh?”

He couldn’t help the laugh that tumbled out of him. Fuck, this man was cute. And very clearly not a morning person. Or late afternoon person, as it was. “Take your time princess.”

A pretty pink blush made it’s way across Steve’s cheeks. “Princess?” He looks down,  then seems to suddenly snap into awareness of their positions because he rolls himself off of Eddie frantically. “Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Eddie shrugs easily like it didn’t make his foolish heart ache to lose Steve’s touch. “It’s not a big deal. You didn’t answer my question, though. How’re you feeling?”

—

Huh. He feels…well, not great exactly, but definitely better. He actually slept. Not enough to quite make up for all the sleep he’s lost, but still. No more nightmares plagued him last night.

“Wow. I can’t believe I really slept. Was starting to think I’d never get a full night again.” He looks up at Eddie with something like awe. “Thank you.”

“Eh it wasn’t like it was a hardship or anything. I’ve had worse bed partners.” Eddie shoots him a cheeky grin and he can feel his face heat up even more.

“Right…well, really, thank you. And I’m sorry for showing up like that. I’ll get out of your hair now.”

“Steve.” Eddie’s face is suddenly deadly serious. “Don’t do that. I know you’re the hero and the worlds best babysitter and all that, but you’re allowed to have needs too. You have absolutely nothing to apologize for.” Seemingly satisfied with his little speech, he once again lights up with a dimpled smile. “Also you can’t just run out of here without breakfast, man. They say it’s the most important meal of the day.”

Steve sees the pleading in those big doe eyes. Damn, Eddie must get everything he wants when he uses those things against people. Steve feels helpless to deny him, anyway.

“Yeah…yeah, ok. But I’m cooking.”

“Duh, Harrington. We both know I’m more likely to burn the place down than produce anything remotely edible.”

For all his joking, Eddie has a fully stocked kitchen. Steve makes himself at home in it while Eddie slides into a stool across the counter, resting his chin in his hand and observing. He grabs everything he’ll need and gets to work. Bacon, eggs, and French toast.

“Well damn, Steve, if I knew having you in my bed meant waking up to a full spread I’d have invited you over a long time ago.”

Eddie says these things so casually, like they don’t make Steve’s heart race and his face burn.

“Yeah…I’ve gotten used to fending for myself in the kitchen and it turns out I enjoy it. I don’t usually have an excuse to make anything special, seems like a waste for just me, so I take advantage when I do.”

He glances over and catches an emotion on Eddie’s face he can’t name before it quickly morphs back into a cheeky smirk.

“Aw Stevie, you’re worth spoiling all on your own.”

—

Eddie has to bite his tongue to stop from asking about Steve’s parents, how often he’s left to fend for himself...if he’s lonely.

He wants to know everything there is to know about the man across from him. He wants to find every pain and soothe it all away. He wants to find every joy and surround him with it.

But he also wants to keep this morning as light as he can after last night. He doesn’t think Steve is ready to dig in to his other baggage right now. And god does he just want this man to smile.

So he jokes and, like an idiot, he flirts. Delights in every blush he can make rise to the surface. Even more in every smile or laugh he manages to evoke. He’s not stupid enough to think everything is all better, but Steve looks more relaxed than he has since before this shit all started and he’ll take it.

Once they’ve finished eating, Eddie looks over at him and ponders how to stretch this little hang out as long as he can. Riding the high of Steve’s laughter, basking in his presence. He’s not ready to let him go.

“What? What’s that look?”

“Hmm so worried all the time. Don’t worry Steve, I won’t bite…unless you ask nicely.” He winks salaciously.

“I-I’m not worried. You’re not as scary as people think you are Munson.”

“Ohhh that sounds like a challenge. Think you’re tough there big boy?”

“No, I didn’t…never mind.” Steve looks off to the side, embarrassed.

“Hey man I’m only teasing you.” Eddie frowns, knowing he’s stuck his foot right in his mouth once again without even knowing how. He’s not sure what he said wrong, but he knows he did something to ruin the moment.

“No, I know. It’s fine. Anyways, you got any plans today?”

—

Steve isn’t ready to leave. He’s never ready to leave when Eddie’s around. But he doesn’t want to overstay his welcome.

“Not really. You?”

“I’m off today, but Rob’s working. The kids are all busy doing…honestly, I’m not sure but I don’t think I want to know. So no, I don’t have anything going on today.”

“Mmm, shame. I guess you’ll have to be stuck with me then.” Eddie’s smirking but there’s an almost…hopeful look in his eyes. Maybe he’s still welcome after all.

He had hoped for an opening to insinuate himself into Eddie’s day, but this is a flat out invitation.

“Oh yeah? I guess I can deal with that.”

—

They end up just lazing around Eddie’s place. He figures one night of rest isn’t really enough after everything so Steve probably isn’t up for too much. Eddie uses the opportunity to force some nerd media on him.

“Really? We’re gonna watch a cartoon about weird magic shit?”

“Hey if you’re gonna be hanging around Hellfire, you’ve gotta up your nerd knowledge man. Be happy I’m not making you read the books even though they’re clearly the superior way to get the story.”

He glances over and sees a pleased little smile on Steve’s face.

“I’m invited to your game nights?”

Eddie furrows his brow, confused by Steve’s surprise. “You’ve already been man, of course you are.”

“Well, yeah, I mean I was on babysitting duty so I drove the kids over and kind of just didn’t leave. S’not the same as being invited.”

“Steve.  Of course you’re invited.” You’re always invited anywhere I am, he doesn’t say.

Steve’s face is alight with a shy, happy glow. “Oh. Ok.”

Did he really not know? Eddie sometimes felt like he had a neon sign above his head that said “stupidly in love with Steve Harrington” and permanent hearts in his eyes, but even with his straight guy obliviousness he still assumed Steve would know he was wanted around. Everyone wants him around. Like, always. Anyone who meets him is drawn into his orbit.

“Yes. Anyway, The Hobbit is required viewing for any and all party members. Including observers.”

“Ok , ok, we’ll watch your nerd movie. I can’t promise I’ll understand any of it though.”

“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Stevie, that’s what I’m here for.”

—

Steve really doesn’t follow it, but he does enjoy listening to Eddie talk, trying to explain things and get him to pay extra attention to the good parts. Actually he probably follows it a lot less because he’s enjoying listening to Eddie talk.

Eddie’s just so passionate. Even when Steve has no clue what he’s talking about, just feeling the joy radiating out of him when he talks about things he loves is intoxicating.

It’s dangerous, really, because Steve would do anything he asked just to be a part of that joy in some small way.

“So anyway, we’ll watch The Lord of The Rings some time even though it’s kind of a mess. But now it’s your turn. What would you like to watch?”

“Hm? Oh. Uh…I don’t know, man. I mean Rob’s doing her best to get me educated since we work at Family Video but I guess I don’t watch a lot of movies. I’m fine with whatever.”

Eddie turns those Bambi eyes on him at full power. “Aww come on, I want to know what you’d pick. I mean we’re only picking from my collection so you know I’ll like it anyway. No judgement. Just take a look and find something that sparks your interest.”

He’s got to know what he’s doing. But intentional or not, Steve relents to it. He sits on the ground in front of the tv and searches through the tapes. He considers a few horror options, debating whether he could get away with clinging to Eddie in fright before decided they may hit too close to home for him these days.

Finally he settles on The NeverEnding Story. Partially because it reminds him of ‘Dusty-buns’ singing and makes him smile, but also because he thinks the art on the cover is pretty.

Eddie looks to see what he finally settled on. “Ah, good choice.”

—

They go back and forth picking movies until Eddie finally looks around and realizes it’s dark out. Has been for a while…

“Shit, it’s getting late.”

Steve’s face falls. He’s quick to cover it but Eddie sees it all the same. “Oh, yeah. Sorry for hogging your couch all day, man. This was nice. I should…I should probably get home.”

Fucking hell, what is it going to take for Steve to realize Eddie’s not kicking him out? Will never kick him out. “What? No. I mean…of course you’re not a hostage you can go if you want, I just meant that we should probably eat something.”

“Oh.” He ducks his head like he’s trying to hide his shy smile. “Yeah. Sure. What do you want?”

“I was joking earlier you know, I am capable of making food.”

“I’m sure you’re a culinary genius. But I wasn’t joking earlier when I said I enjoy cooking. So shut up and tell me what you want.”

Eddie raises an eyebrow “Can’t very well do both of those at the same time, can I? I’m not picky, so go wild. Me kitchen es su kitchen.”

The smile he gets in reply is enough to melt the coldest heart, he’s sure. He’d eat steaming garbage to see that smile.

Eddie watches Steve prep his chosen ingredients and feels his heart going mad in his chest. It’s just so domestic. He has to grip the counter he’s leaning back on to stop himself from sliding right in behind Steve and wrapping his arms around his waist. Pressing a biting kiss to his neck. Letting his hands wander…

“You good?”

He blinks away the little fantasy playing in his head and manages a shaky smile. “Yeah, all good. What’d you decide on?”

“Nothing fancy. Just a lemon pasta with roasted asparagus…if you don’t cook why do you have all of this anyway?”

“To lure pretty boys who cook into my kitchen” he grins at Steve’s blush. “I guess those suits had a lot of pity, they stocked this place full of shit. I mean I wouldn’t have picked out a king size bed just for little ol’ me, but hey I wasn’t gonna say no. And apparently that also included food. Like asparagus, another thing I wouldn’t have picked for myself.” 

“It won’t kill you to eat a vegetable.”

“Mmm, yes Princess. Whatever you say.”

Steve puts the pan in the oven and turns to face him. “What’s with that?”

“Hm?”

“Princess? You keep calling me Princess.” He looks torn between upset and…something else Eddie can’t quite decipher. Shit.

“I’m sorry. It’s not…I don’t mean anything by it. I’ll stop.”

“I didn’t say you had to stop. I’m asking why?”

Well that’s…interesting. “I uh…I don’t know. It just…it suits you, somehow. If you prefer King Steve…”

“King Steve was a douchebag.” His nose crinkles in apparent distaste for his past self. “I don’t…I don’t mind Princess.” He’s pink to the tips of his ears and down his chest. Eddie’s tempted to pull at the collar of his shirt and see how far down that color goes. “As long as it’s not a…you know, derogatory thing.”

A gay thing, Eddie’s pretty sure he means. Because he’s not gay. Fuck.

—

Steve feels like his whole body is on fire. A gay thing, he almost said. As long as you’re not mocking me for being…

“I’m not the expert but I’m pretty sure you’re supposed to stir pasta.”

“Shit!” He turns and gives it a stir, relieved to see he didn’t ruin it.

“Anyway, you don’t know, I may very well choke on that asparagus. A vegetable could kill me.” Something in Eddie’s smile is a little forced. He’s not sure why. Not sure where he messed things up.

They finally sit down to eat and miraculously Eddie survives. Enjoys it even, judging by the noises he makes.

When they’re finished and the dishes are all done, he knows he needs to leave. As gracious of a host as Eddie has been there no way he wants round two of Steve smothering him in his sleep.

At least he got some rest finally. Now he can keep going for a while longer, hopefully not force himself onto Eddie again in a week.

—

Eddie sees Steve grab his keys and his heart sinks. It was too much to hope that he could just…have this. Platonic snuggle buddies? Probably for the best, laying next to the source of his unrequited love every night would probably slowly kill him.

“Heading out?”

“Yeah I probably should. I could use a shower and some clean clothes, brush my teeth…”

Eddie hesitates, then decides <em>fuck it</em>. “Next time you should bring stuff. I mean I have toothpaste and stuff, but you know, clothes.”

“Next time?”

“Steve. Of course you’re invited.”

He thrills at the pleased little smile he gets. “Right. Well…next time then.” Steve says with a nod goodbye before stepping out of the door.

Eddie lays in bed thinking of Steve all alone in that big house. It must feel lonelier for all the space there is to be empty. He wishes he’d been braver, told Steve to go and grab his things and come right back. He has a spare room. He wouldn’t force the platonic cuddles. But maybe they could still fill each other’s empty spaces. At least some of them.

He’s on the edge of falling asleep when he hears a car pull into his driveway.

—

It seems that now that his brain has found the best tool to torture him with, it’s going to stick with it. He wakes screaming and trying to wipe the nonexistent blood off his hands.

He can’t do this. He can’t go back. But he can’t stay here.

So he gets in his car and drives aimlessly for a while. Luckily it’s late enough that he doesn’t see anyone else on the road, because he’s kind of zoned out. He’s pretty sure he’s aware enough to be safe, but he’s mostly just staring blankly ahead and trying not to think.

It works too well, because before he knows it he’s pulling up a newly familiar driveway. He turns the off the ignition and just…sits there. He can’t bring himself to go and knock. Maybe he can just sleep in the driveway, this can be close enough.

But then he closes his eyes and he sees the devastating look in Eddie’s staring back at him. The betrayal, the pain, the fear, all done by his hands. The light in those eyes fading.

Suddenly he’s in front of the door and Eddie’s looking out at him. With his wide, clear eyes still full of life. And Steve breathes again.

Eddie ushers him in, not even bothering to stop at the couch this time. “Come on, sweetheart, you’re ok. I’m here. Alright, go on. Into bed.” Steve does as he’s told, falling back into the pillows before throwing his hands over his eyes and sobbing. Eddie’s right there with him, curled up next to him and stroking his side like he’s a spooked horse.

“Shhhh. Oh baby, don’t cry. It’s ok. Everyone’s safe. You’re safe here.”

But that only makes Steve sob harder. “I-I’m sorry…I’m sorry I’m s-so pathetic I can’t go one night sleeping on my o-own.”

—

Eddie shifts to hover over him, gently tips his chin up until Steve’s hands fall away and those hazel eyes meet his own.

“Don’t you dare feel ashamed to need help. What we did? What we went through? That’s fucking traumatic. And you…God you take such good care of everyone else.” Steve’s eyes dip down and the fingers Eddie has on his chin grip harder and force his eyes back up. “For once let someone one take care of you. Let me take care of you. I want to take care of you. Please.”

“I can’t-I don’t….I’m no good, Eddie. I’m nothing.” Steve let out a broken little laugh. “I’m bullshit. And you’ll figure that out soon. You’ll want to leave like everyone does, only you won’t because you’re too good. And I’ll be too selfish to let you go.”

Eddie’s heart shatters. He wants to tell Steve he is everything, but he doesn’t need to deal with Eddie’s feelings right now. So he pulls Steve up to sit in his lap, wraps himself around him, and tries to surround him with as much love as he can.

“Oh sweetheart. That’s just not true. First of all, I’m never going anywhere and I’ll never want to. You’re stuck with me. Second, you are so, so good Stevie. I can’t even…there aren’t enough words. How could you possibly think you’re not?”

“Everyone knows it. King Steve.” He spits derisively. “What a joke. A hollow boy with a hollow crown.”

“Steve…that’s not who you are anymore. I’m not sure that it ever was, but it certainly isn’t now. You’re…you’re the world’s best babysitter. You’re a hero. You’re the protector, the caretaker, the heart of this little pieced together family. It kills me that you can’t see that about yourself.”

Steve starts struggling to get out of Eddie’s arms, to get up.

“I’m sorry Eddie. I shouldn’t have come. I shouldn’t be putting all of this on you.”

Eddie tightens his grip, refusing to let go. Scared of what will happen if he does.

“No, please. Stay. You cannot leave right now, I’ll lose my mind worrying about you. I want you to stay. I need you to stay with me.”

He sees Steve begin to cave. Of course he would stay for Eddie, not for himself. Eddie would feel guilty about using that against him if it didn’t mean keeping Steve safe. Keeping him here. He isn’t lying, if Steve walked out right now in his state of self-loathing and fear Eddie would go mad with worry until he saw him again.

“Ok, Eddie, if that’s what you want. I’ll stay.”

“Thank you.”

They sit quietly for a while, and when he looks down at Steve there is a far off look in his eyes as he stares at Eddie’s guitar.

“I could hear it, you know.”

Eddie jumps at the sudden break of silence.

“I could hear it, you know.”

Eddie jumps, unaware that Steve had noticed him awake.

“You playing. We could hear it from the house. When it stopped I think my heart did too. I was so worried about you two. It was really hard to stick to the plan. And then when I got back to you…Fuck, Eddie, I really thought you were dead. Dustin was sobbing and you were so still.”

“I’m sorry.”

Steve finally looks over to him. “For what? You have nothing to be sorry for. I hate what you did, but if you hadn’t you and Dustin would both probably be dead. You saved his life. How can I be mad at that?”

“You told me not to be a hero.”

“Yeah, I did. But I’m not mad. It just really fucked me up. To see you like that. I really thought I was bringing you back for a proper funeral. What I’m trying to say is…I’m sorry, Eddie. I should have never let you use yourself as bait like that. If I’d been better, faster, you never would have gotten hurt.”

“Jesus, Steve…You can’t save everyone all the time. We all knew the risks we were taking. You shouldn’t have had to go down there either, none of us should. But we did, and we’re here now. We both made it out alright. You saved my life, Steve, how can you still feel like you didn’t do enough?”

“It’s my job to-“

“No. It’s not. You’ve done an amazing job taking responsibility for your little ducklings and I won’t take that away from you. I’m happy to help, and I get it. They’re kids, they need to be looked after. But you and me? We can look out for each other. It is not your job to keep me safe. Sweetheart, you’ve gotta stop taking the world on your shoulders. Let me help you. Let Robin and Nancy and Jonathan help. Or it’s going to tear you apart. Please.”

Eddie reaches out to put his hand on top of Steve’s where it rests on the bed.

—

Steve feels hollowed out. A little numb. He’s so used to taking on everyone else’s problems, he doesn’t know what to do or how to feel about someone else trying to take on his.

“Yeah. Ok. I can try to do that.”

“Well I think you coming here the past couple of nights is good. It kills me that you had to get to your breaking point to reach out to me, but I’m glad you did. I mean it, Stevie. I want to be that person for you. If you’ll let me.”

He’s not sure he deserves this, but he’s going to hold on to it as long as he can.

—

It takes some convincing, but eventually they decide that Steve will spend his nights at Eddie’s.

While he’s off grabbing some clothes and things, Uncle Wayne arrives home from his visit to his mother’s. Shit. Eddie should probably mention this arrangement to him.

“What’s that look for, son?”

“Uhh…so how do you feel about having a house guest for a bit?”

“Excuse me?”

“My…my friend Steve. He’s not doing super well after the shit we went through. So I don’t really want him to be alone for a bit. His parents aren’t ever home, so…if you’re not cool with it I’ll go to his place, but I don’t think he likes it there much.”

“Oh your ‘friend’, hm?” Wait, you talking about the Harrington’s boy?”

“Yes friend. And yes, Steve Harrington. Why, is that a problem?”

“No, it’s just…Well the Harrington’s ain’t very nice people.”

Eddie scowls. “No, they’re not. But Steve’s not like them.”

“Alright kiddo, put your claws away. I’m not saying he is. I remember that boy sitting by your bedside for weeks in the hospital. He seems like a good kid. He can stay as long as he needs to. You’re a good friend.”

He can feel his cheeks heat. His uncle has always seen the best in him, no matter how much rebelling he’s done. Eddie tries his best to live up to it. He gives the old man a hug.

“Thank you.”

He perks up like a dog when he hears a car pull up to the house. Uncle Wayne snorts. “Mhm. ‘Friend’ my ass.”

Eddie flips him off as he races to the door, ignoring his uncle’s laughter.

—

Steve shifts uncomfortably in the Munson living room, not having expected Wayne Munson to be home.  He’d honestly forgotten about the man over the past emotional few days.

“I’m sorry, sir, I can go. I didn’t mean to just move in to your house, that’s incredibly rude of me-“

“Son. Breathe. This place has plenty of room. And I work nights so I’m happy for Eddie to have someone to keep him company during the day while I sleep. We have no need for a guest room anyway, so feel free to make it yours.”

They’d talked about him sharing with Eddie, but just being out of his big empty house and being close to Eddie is enough. Knowing he can creep across the hall to see him if he has a nightmare. 

“Ah…actually Uncle Wayne I think he’s gonna stay with me for now.”

Steve knows he’s bright pink, he watches Wayne shoot Eddie a look he can’t decipher, and Eddie glare in return. As if daring him to say something. But the man just nods.

“Make yourself at home, kid.”

“Thank you, sir. I don’t make that much at Family Video, but I’m happy to pay rent. And I promise I’ll clean up after myself, I can do the cooking too.”

“You’re not paying me anything. The house was free I don’t need no money for it. I’m not gonna tell you you can’t cook or clean, but don’t do me no favors. You saved Eddie’s life. You could burn this place to the ground and I’d still be grateful to you.”

He doesn’t know what to say to that. The Munson family seems to be great at rendering him speechless. And heaping praise on him that he doesn’t deserve.

“Oh. Well, uh…I like to cook, in any case. And my parents are…very particular, so cleaning I’m used to. I don’t mind it.”

“Well Eddie sure don’t clean so that’ll be an improvement.”

“Hey!”

Eddie shoves his uncle and they engage in a playful wrestling match. He’s a bit overwhelmed by the familial affection he’s only ever seen on tv. Eddie is clearly a nephew in name only, loved like a son. Like a son should be loved. He has a moment of envy before he squashes it. He’s happy Eddie has this.

Eventually they break apart with laughter. Wayne announces he’s headed to bed, and tells them to behave and stay safe with another significant look to Eddie that Steve doesn’t understand. Whatever it is has Eddie going bright red which is interesting.

Once he’s in his room, Eddie helps Steve bring his stuff into the house. He didn’t bring much, didn’t want to impose, so it’s a quick job.

“Hey, you know you can have the guest room right? I mean even just to put your stuff. A space of your own to get away from me sometimes.”

I don’t want to get away from you, he doesn’t say. Instead he shrugs. “I don’t need that much stuff, I’m fine. I mean if you don’t want to share I totally get it.”

“No! Not at all. I just…all you brought is clothes and stuff. I know you’re not into my music, you didn’t bring any books or anything like that. I want you to be happy here. I don’t want you to make yourself as small as possible to fit.”

He didn’t really realize that’s what he was doing until it’s said out loud.

“Oh. Uh. Yeah, I guess I could…I mean I don’t hate your music you know, it’s not that bad once you get used to it. I don’t think I ever want to hear the song you played in the Upside Down ever again, but yeah. I guess I could go get more stuff later. But to be honest, not much else is mine over there. I guess I’ve been…making myself small for a long time.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but even he knows it really kind of is.

—

God Eddie’s heart breaks every time Steve casually says something so devastating, like he doesn’t even realize how fucked up it is.

“Steve…you don’t have to tell me, and I get it if after everything we’ve talked about lately you don’t want to, but…You can talk to me about your parents. I just want you to know that.”

“It’s probably not as bad as you think. I mean they’re just…they just don’t care. They had a kid because that’s what you’re supposed to do, not because they wanted to be parents. The messy reality of a child was very distasteful to them. But it only got worse once I got older and wasn’t a perfect trophy kid to brag to their friends about. Too stupid. Too soft. Once I was old enough to reach the stove they started taking off for long periods of time. When they’d come back, there would always be passive aggressive comments about the state of the house or how it looks to their friends that I wasn’t doing this or that. Mostly it’s just…nothing. They just don’t care. They don’t love me, they don’t even like me. After a while I stopped trying. It was a relief that they were gone most of the time even if being in the big empty house on my own sucked.”

“Oh sweetheart…I’m so sorry. You deserve so much better than that. No wonder you don’t know how to ask for what you need, Jesus.” He reaches out and pulls Steve into his arms.

—

Steve melts into him. He doesn’t cry, doesn’t have any tears left in him. Suddenly he’s exhausted. It’s like Eddie shines a light on all of his darkest parts, drags them to the surface so he can’t ignore them anymore. It’s terrifying to be seen so clearly. Draining. But also a relief. Because Eddie doesn’t just see his worst parts, he soothes them. Takes the fragile pieces and holds them with such tenderness.

So he feels lighter, but also dead on his feet.

“Hey angel, you ok?”

“Mmmm, sleepy.”

“Yeah? Let’s go take a nap then. C’mon.”

Eddie guides him gently to his room, to their room, and he’s out before his head hit the pillow.

—

Things go smoother after that for a while. Steve’s nightmares don’t miraculously go away, but they do lessen. And now when he wakes Eddie can be there to comfort him.

Their friends notice a difference. They also notice Steve wearing Eddie’s shirts on occasion. Eventually they put the pieces together and Robin pulls Eddie aside.

“Hey, what’s going on with you two? Don’t say nothing I’m not stupid.”

“Why are you asking me and not your platonic life partner?”

“Don’t be cute, Munson, I’m serious. Steve was…not doing well. He’s a lot better now, and he’s also wearing your clothes and honestly I can’t remember the last time you two didn’t arrive somewhere in the same vehicle. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy he’s looking healthier, but…I also know he’s not as tough as he likes to act like he is. I like you Eddie, but if you’re not serious about whatever it is that’s going on between you two you need to end it now.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. It’s not like that.”

Eddie knows she’s coming from a place of love for Steve, so he tries to reign in the anger building in his chest.

“Then tell me what it’s like.”

“Like you said, he wasn’t doing well. He wasn’t sleeping. So he’s staying with me. To get out of that big empty house, and to have someone to help him sleep.”

She softens, her face falling. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

“I don’t know. You’d have to ask him.”

“I’m sorry, Eddie. I didn’t mean…I’ve just seen how you’ve flirted with him. And he can’t take some fling right now. I don’t think Steve really knows how to do casual. I just don’t want him to get hurt.”

“Robin…Even if he was into guys, into me, I wouldn’t do that. I would never hurt him.”

Now she’s looking at him with something like confusion mixed with pity.

“Oh. Ok. That’s…hm. Yeah I’ll talk to him. Sorry again Eddie, thanks for looking out for him.”

He feels like he’s missed something important, but for the life of him can’t figure out what.

—

It all changes after a particularly brutal nightmare. Steve wakes up screaming and flailing wildly until Eddie pins his arms down beside him.

“Shhh, baby, woah. It’s ok, you’re ok. Open your eyes, look at me. It’s Eddie, I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”

He feels one arm released, a hand trailing across his jaw. He does as he’s told to see Eddie hovering over him, and suddenly the nightmare is the last thing on his mind.

—

Eddie’s voice fails him as he realizes Steve has gone very still. He thinks this is it. The moment he’s stepped over that clear line. He said too much. He touched too much. He was too focused on calming Steve to remember to keep his filter up.

Then he sees the look in Steve’s eyes, those pupils blown wide. Oh. Oh.

It’s a risk. He’s balancing on the edge of a knife, one wrong step and he’ll end up bleeding. But he can’t help himself.

Gently, because god Steve deserves to be handled with care, he shifts his thumb to trail across his bottom lip. He feels the shuddering inhale as Steve parts his lips, opens up so pretty for Eddie.

And Eddie is hypnotized. Powerless to prevent himself from swaying in closer. He stops only an inch away.

“Can I kiss you?”

—

The words barely escape before Steve closes the gap. He feels the hand Eddie’s not using to hold him self up slide back to his jaw to cradle his face. Eddie’s lips part against his, tongue sliding in to meet Steve’s. 

Steve’s own fingers tangle in that wild mane of hair, pulling him down closer. He feels out of control, never thought he could have this. He isn’t sure how long he will. So he wants it all. He moves one hand down to slide up under Eddie’s shirt, desperate to touch.

—

Eddie pulls back, trying to hold onto his senses against the whirlwind beneath him. Steve may be into men, which is making his brain short circuit, but Eddie’s still pretty sure he’s never been with one.

“Easy, easy baby. Steve…I would be perfectly happy to spend the night kissing you. Hell I’m thrilled just to fall asleep next to you. We don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for.”

Steve slides both hands to his back, gripping his shirt desperately like he thinks Eddie’s going to make a run for it. “I want you.”

“I want you too. I want you so fucking much, you have no idea. But wanting something an being ready for it aren’t the same thing.”

“I mean it’s not like I’m a virgin—“

“Steve. Being ok with one thing with one person doesn’t mean you’re ok with anything else with anyone else. Listen” he presses a quick gentle kiss to Steve’s lips, trying to tamp down the rage he feels building at the though that no one had asked Steve how he felt, if he was ok, if he wanted things to keep going…”Baby I’m not going anywhere. We can take this as slow as you need.”

“This isn’t…I mean, we haven’t…how do you know you’ll want to do it again?”

Eddie’s heart aches when he sees the look on the face below him. Resigned, scared, hurting. Fuck, did Steve think this was some one off fling? As if Eddie could even think of walking away.

He’d do anything for this man, anything to wipe the pain from his eyes. So putting his heart on the line…well, he’d rather break himself than let Steve hurt.

“Oh sweetheart…don’t you know I’m so fucking gone on you? We could never do more than kiss and I’d still be here. This is about so much more than sex. What do <em>you</em> want <em>right now</em>?”

There was a look of awe shining back at him. Maybe his heart was safe after all. “Could we…” Steve’s face was pink as he looked away.

Eddie tips his chin up once more so their eyes meet. “I may not say yes, but you’ve gotta know nothing you ask for could scare me away from you baby. Just ask.”

“I want…I just want to feel you. Please.” He thrusts up to make his point.

Normally Eddie requires a bit more of a direct request, but he can work with this.

“That’s a good boy.” He grins as hears Steve’s breath hitch. God this man is going to be the end of him. “One condition.”

“Anything.”

“At any point you want to stop, you say stop. You want to slow down, you say so. Do not for a second put what you think I want above your needs. Because what I want more than anything is to take care of you. To make you feel good. Do you understand?” He needs Steve to know his consent matters too, that he matters. Always.

Steve nods.

“I need you to say the words baby. I need to know you really hear me.”

“I understand. I won’t do anything I’m not 100% sure I want to do.”

“So good for me, Princess.” He leans down to press a biting kiss to that pretty blush as it travels down his neck. Then he pushes Steve’s shirt up so he can finally see how far down it goes.

Steve is quick to sit up and remove his shirt entirely. But when he lays back down, his arms go across his torso and he looks ashamed.

“Hey gorgeous, why are you hiding from me?” He trails a finger down one arm gently.

“I just…scars. The bats…they didn’t heal good.”

“Oh Steve…you’re fucking perfect. Don’t for a second think any scar could change that. Look, we match.” He lifts his shirt and gestures down to his own side.

Steve glances down at the scar from the wound that almost killed him. One arm uncurls from its protective hold so he can touch. Eddie inhales sharply at the sensation. The hand jerks back.

“I’m sorry-“

“Shh babe it’s fine, it doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s just…sensitive. Feels nice, actually.” He grins. “Pretty sure you could touch me anywhere and it would feel good.”

Steve finally moves both arms, no longer hiding his body from view. And <em>oh</em> what a view it is. Eddie remembers the fleeting glimpses he took when Steve stripped his shirt off to check out Water Gate, but he had tried not to stare too hard. His memory pales in comparison to the gorgeous man beneath him. He feels fingers trailing up his torso as Steve bites his lip.

Taking the hint, he leans back to tug his own shirt fully off.

—

Steve is staring. He’s allowed to do that now. And he can’t help but be captivated by the man above him. It’s hard to hold on to his insecurity when he realizes how he feels looking at Eddie’s scars. It’s a complicated mix of emotions. Part of him feels sad seeing the evidence left behind from that night. There’s relief because he’s still here, those wounds got the chance to heal into these scars. There’s awe at the bravery. Eddie may feel like a coward for running before, but the second there was something he could actually do he was a hero.

Then there’s the other feelings. The fire in his belly. He’s never been one to find scars sexy and he really shouldn’t now. But Eddie is magnificent. And these marks on his skin do nothing to detract from his beauty. They enhance it. Show how strong he is, a reminder of all he’s overcome.

When he finally drags his gaze back up to meet Eddie’s, he’s faced with a predatory grin. It sends delightful chills down his spine. Oh how he wants to be devoured.

He pushes himself up, gets his hands back into that lovely mane of curls and pulls Eddie to him. He is on fire, could melt from the heat of the mouth that collides with his. The soft, gentle kiss from before is gone. Eddie kisses like his life depends on it, nipping teeth and curling tongue. Steve has never been kissed like this and it leaves him reeling.

He is gasping for breath, collapsing back into the pillows when those teeth trail down to his neck. His hips thrust up and he moans when he brushes against hardness. Eddie lifts his own hips up and away. “Oh god…Eddie.” His voice is barely above a whisper.

A biting kiss where his neck meets his shoulder is followed by a soothing tongue. “Yes, baby?”

“Please! I need…” He can’t find the words, he is lost.

“Mmmm, go on. Tell me what you need sweetheart. Let me hear you.” Steve whines in response. “That’s very pretty, but I need words.”

“Please, god, please…I need…just touch me.”

He is rewarded with thigh pressed between his legs, giving him a delicious pressure to rub against. It’s good, it’s so good, but it’s not enough. He fumbles with the button to Eddie’s pants, pausing for permission.

—

Eddie almost laughs and Steve’s hesitation, like he would ever say no to him. He nods his consent, then helps get his pants down his legs and kicks them off. Then reaches to do the same for Steve.

When there’s nothing but two thin layers of cloth separating them, it’s his turn to pause.

“Are you sure about this?”

Steve lets out another one of those delicious little whines. “God yes, please don’t stop.”

Eddie nips that pretty little pouting mouth. This man will be the death of him, he’s sure of it. But oh what a way to go.

He slips his hand beneath the waistband of Steve’s boxers, trailing across his hip. Steve lifts up, almost daring Eddie to slide them down. Eddie’s never been very good at resisting temptation. He gives in to the challenge easily, moaning at the glorious sight. Steve has the prettiest cock he’s ever seen.

Eddie’s known he was gay for a long time, and he’s had his fair share of hookups. He’s given blowjobs before and enjoyed bringing his partner pleasure. But he’s never been particularly into the act itself. So he’s a bit surprised at the overwhelming desire to get his mouth on the man below him.

He puts the thoughts aside to explore another time. For now he slides his own boxers off and rolls his hips down, finally feeling skin against skin.

—

Steve had worried, just a little, that being with a man would scare him. He wanted Eddie so bad, but he feared the reality of it would overwhelm him. It does, but not at all in a bad way. Eddie is undeniably masculine, all angles and hardness where the girls he’s been with were curves and softness.

Rather than being distressed, he is toe-curlingly turned on. When he feels Eddie take both of them in hand, he almost blacks out. He bites his lip to contain the noises that try to escape him.

“Don’t hold back, gorgeous, let me hear those pretty sounds.” He moans, unable to deny Eddie anything.

“Fuck. Eddie.”

Steve whines when Eddie lets go, only to sigh in relief when he licks his palm before getting them back in his hand. He seems to be doing his best to wring as many noises out of Steve as possible.

It doesn’t take very long for him to be close.

“Gonna come for me pretty boy? Go on, let me see you.”

That’s all it takes for him to be releasing all over Eddie. The feel of it seems to be enough for Eddie to follow him.

When he returns to his body, Eddie is already cleaning them both up. Gentle, he’s always so gentle. He’s also avoiding Steve’s eyes and looks nervous.

—

Eddie’s cursing himself for not talking this through a bit more before diving in head first. Robin said she didn’t think Steve knew how to do casual, but what if she was wrong?

It will destroy him to be a casual fling for Steve.

“Eddie? What’s wrong? Do you…was that bad? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, baby, not at all. That was amazing. You’re amazing. I just…we should probably talk. About what that means going forward.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean…what do you want, Stevie? What do you want from me?”

Steve furrows his brow and under normal circumstances he’d find the confusion adorable but right now it just makes his heart ache.

“I want everything.”

“Everything?”

“Eddie, I…I love you. It’s ok if that’s not how you feel but yeah I want everything. I want to be with you.”

He can’t stop the giddy laughter that explodes out of him. He tries to calm down when he sees the shocked hurt on Steve’s face.

“No! I’m sorry, I’m not laughing at you sweetheart. I love you so much it fucking hurts. I just…Jesus, Steve I thought you were straight. I thought platonic cuddle buddies was the best thing I could ever have. This is just…more than I could have ever hoped for.”

“I do like girls. Turns out I like both. Robin says I’m bisexual. I guess I’ve noticed other guys before but you…you’re the first guy I’ve ever wanted. Scared the shit out of me. Especially once I moved in here. You’re my person, Eddie. You’re so fucking important to me and I was terrified of losing you. I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Me either. Steve listen…I want to be with you, so bad. But I need you to know…no matter what I’ll always be here for you. I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life, but if that doesn’t happen I will always be your friend. Always.”

He means it, from the bottom of his heart.

—

Things aren’t magically perfect after that. Steve’s nightmares are fading, but they still happen. They get into fights, and Steve sleeps in the guest room. But so far each time one of them will crawl into bed with the other in the middle of the night, whispered apologies and they fix it. 

Steve still hasn’t told his parents he’s moved out, and they haven’t been home to notice.

They haven’t told their friends yet, haven’t even come out to them. But Robin knows and she helps them hide it until they’re ready to share it with everyone else.

So it’s not perfect, but it’s theirs. And they’re both happier than they’ve ever been. That’s all that matters.

[m1ckeyb3rry]

the silence of swans is such a pretty name, i'm such a sucker for things based around birds (i love h/h y/n's technique fr) so im really curious what that wip is about!! if someone has already asked about it though then i wouldn't mind knowing a bit about the kyoto au :D also are there any other characters you ever plan to write about in the future? i love reading your works!

thank you!! i love birds too HAHA if it isn’t obvious from how many bird-based stuff i have already. h/h y/n’s technique is so fun for me to write especially because i don’t think i’ve ever seen anything like it before so it makes me feel intellectual 😫 let me add a cut real quick because i’m sure i’m abt to ramble a ton HAHAH

the silence of swans is actually meant to be a version of my story “a ship in the harbor” set in a more fantasy-based world just because those characters are like. my beloveds but sometimes the aot world can be a lot for me. it’s a story told in three parts, with the first part being the mc (who is an elite soldier known as one of the cygnus atratus) finding an injured soldier from enemy territory with amnesia and begrudgingly nursing him back to health because she is so lonely that even his company is enough to make her happy and because she feels guilty about what she did in the previous war and feels like this is her atonement. the boy has zero memories of being a knight of the cardinal, which the mc figures out he is based on his uniform, and the only thing he does remember is his first name. they eventually fall in love as he stays with her, and the title comes from the fact that until the boy came, the only company mc had were the pair of swans that lived in the lake by her house. they were accustomed enough to her presence that they didn’t freak out whenever she went near them, and so the “tagline” of the story is suppose is when mc thinks to herself: “before i met him, the silence of swans was the closest thing to love i knew.”

however, it turns out that the soldier who shot the cardinal and made him lose his memories is someone that mc was lowkey in love with but can’t see anymore ever since the war due to only associating bad memories with him. he comes to visit her at some point and the cardinal sees him and gets his memories back. while mc is out somewhere, he writes her a letter thanking her and apologizing for leaving, as well as telling her his full name.

the second part of the story is essentially a flashback and tells the story of what mc did while at war and how she managed to help the army take over a small country. there’s also a lot of cygnus atratus lore in this part because they’re kind of superhuman?? they’re fueled by lapis lazuli which is also what the knights of the cardinals are powered by and what the bullet that mc’s cardinal was shot by was made of. it turns out that bullets made of lapis don’t even need to fatally wound someone to kill them, and the idea to make weapons out of lapis were mc’s idea and that’s how they took over the country of corvane.

the mc is from a country called svanin and the knights of the cardinal are from a place called roscello, which mostly has jurisdiction over the cyanocitta mountains, where lapis lazuli is found. svanin wants to take over roscello so they can have the cyanocitta for themselves, as at the moment they only have the few foothills they took from corvane and must trade for additional lapis. the third part of the story is the mc and her cardinal committing treason for one another and trying to figure out which side is right and who to actually fight for. that part of the story is the least thought out by me obviously HAHAH but anyways the parts in order are “pt. 1 — the cardinal”, “pt. 2 — the crow”, and “pt. 3 — the catbird”.

kyoto au is entirely unimpressive compared to this HAHAHA it was just a oneshot i started writing that was an au of this one megumi fic i never finished. in this au the main character goes to the kyoto school instead of tokyo and only meets megumi in that one ep where todo beats him up, so it’s mostly just comedy of her and megumi meeting for the first time and megumi lowkey hating her for being associated with the kyoto school meanwhile she has the most MASSIVE crush on him because he’s antisocial and described as a “loser” by his friends which is exactly her type.

awww thank you so much i’m so glad you like my stories!! i’m not sure what characters i’ll want to write for in the future 🤔 as much as i love choso i can never come up with any story for him so probably not him…i love kashimo and megumi more than anything but they both have fics already so idt i’ll write for them again either. if you have any suggestions or requests for characters lmk!! i don’t really do requests in the traditional sense but maybe inspiration will strike if someone tells me who to write for 😭😭😭.

[surajmukhis]

vegaspetemacau headcanons

aka a long episode of 'can two fucked up dudes and one school kid make up a healthy family? the answer is yes <3'

both macau and vegas hate hospitals with a burning passion. it reminds them of their mom’s illness so the instant vegas’ doctor says he’s improving they’re in the car, yelling for pete to get in. (pete does not get in. the doctor’s next sentence had been to specify they still need to keep vegas under observation. the brothers try protesting for exactly three seconds before they see how the smile falls from pete’s face)

this is not to say pete is indifferent to their discomfort. within the first week, the hospital room is filled with flowers and huge, gorgeous bouquets. the brothers breathe easier without the oppressive scent of hospital chemicals but there’s barely room to sit. when vegas points t out, pete insists they’re from his well-wishers. (yeah ok his bluffing skills are poor. there’s a reason he got his tattoo) ‘i have two well-wishers,’ vegas reminds him flatly. ‘and they’re both in this room.’ macau tosses a flower stem at his face and vegas clarifies: ‘the second one is this doctor.’

it’s not all sunshine and roses but pete does his best to make the most of their situation. mornings mean family breakfast before macau is packed off to university. afternoons crawl by till vegas discovers pete’s uncanny talent with girl group choreographies. those are simultaneously torture and heaven to spectate. evenings are spent watching the worst of thai reality television, something macau claims to hate till he’s yelling at the stupid plot lines just as much as the other two.

(‘oh come on, he’s obviously lying about them being cousins!’ ‘didn’t you say you’re not watching.’ ‘you can’t call it watching if i’m trying to gouge my eyes out the entire time, hia.’)

somehow, the nurses never wake vegas up at the crack of dawn for unnecessary blood tests, which is pleasant but still shocking.

(ok fine maybe pete had a nice, very sweet chat with the medical staff when they woke vegas up minutes after he’d finally drifted off in the early hours one morning. but it worked, so who’s complaining?)

(macau overhears him bc of course he does. he doesn’t interrupt. when pete returns to the room, smiling, with a terrified nurse in his wake, macau has his favourite dessert waiting.)

casual murder-threats aside, the three of them have a fairly uneventful time. a good thing for vegas’ recovery and a shit fucking deal for his attention span. it’s only a matter of time before cabin fever brings with it the fever of competition. 

see this is fun bc vegas is ten kinds of terrifying till you put him in a board game. there, he refuses to cheat, says something about morals and fair play which is unfortunate bc, as it turns out, he really fucking sucks at games. 

pete and macau don’t give a shit. they kick ass at game night and take no prisoners. macau cleans vegas out so bad in the first few rounds that by the time pete flexes his skill at card games, he’s already irritable and betting on stupid shit like going to bed on time. 

(he loses that one too��️)

when the competition threatens to tear their family apart, all three decide to take a break.

the peace doesn’t last. macau comes back from uni one afternoon, stars in his eyes, smiling all wide. ‘it’s true love,’ he says, dazed. pete and vegas exchange looks. it’s some girl who doesn’t know macau exists.

their amusement dials down to zero fairly quick when macau asks for dating advice, though. 

‘p’pete come on! you work fast! how did you get hia to fall for you?’ 

‘p’pete told me i need therapy.’

pete is affronted. ‘i also said you don’t suck!’ which, really—not the best improvement.

macau gives him a witheringly unimpressed look before turning to vegas.

a very unprepared vegas. taking a leaf out of pete’s book, he goes for honesty. ‘oh uh. my approach was a bit. hands-on. won’t be your style, buddy.’

pete, who has never missed a chance in his life, jumps in immediately. ‘oh yeah definitely not your thing, macau. he called my grandmother up to ask if we can go on a trip three minutes after we spoke properly for the first time.’  

macau frowns, wants to know why but vegas is quick to mumble some nonsense about blessings for their relationship.

neither of them are sure why macau seems to believe this excuse. vegas doesn’t exactly have the best track record, but hey whatever sticks, right?

by the time the doctor is finally ready to clear vegas for release, the entirety of their medical staff is on the verge of quitting, macau has had his heart broken (he ignored their advice and composed a song for the girl bc chay said it works 100% of the time—it didn’t) and vegas has lost a little less than a million baht to both of them through their nightly game sessions. 

‘and you’ll lose a million more,’ pete says cheerfully, helping him into the waiting car. ‘once we’re home.’ 

vegas can’t bring himself to complain. not when ‘home’ sounds so lovely coming from his love. 

macau, getting increasingly good at interrupting their private moments, manages to seat himself right between the two of them. it mends something in all their chests, the quiet moment of togetherness, shoulders brushing as they squeeze into backseat together, driving home.

(the serenity doesn’t last long. macau captures the aux cord and insists on playing them his latest songwriting attempt.)

[raddocwrites]

SNW drabbles

Fab FIVE

Una shifted in the uncomfortable seat of the shuttle and leaned forward slightly. “So what did you think of your first contact situation, ensign?”

Ensign nyota uhura swiveled slightly to smile back at the enterprises first officer. “It was incredible.” Her eyes brightened and her grin widened. “When my grandmother spoke to me about Starfleet, this was the kind of thing she talked about.”

Una smiled warmly. “It really is the best part of Starfleet,” she agreed.

“It was fascinating to see how an entire society evolved, grew and are now thriving, from beings all genetically female,” uhura added.

Lt erica ortegas smirked next to uhura at the helm. “It didn’t hurt that the armetrians were all insanely good looking.” At the raised eyebrows, she continued. “I mean. Just objectively speaking. They were all really hot.”

There were a few snickers at this statement, because, while a bit on the (beautiful) nose, it was 100% true. It seemed as if every armetrian they laid eyes on was descended from a goddess.

“Yes.” Nurse Christine chapel playfully chimed in from where she sat in the second row of seats behind ensign uhura. “There were more than a few armetrians who thought you were quite attractive as well”.

Ortegas looked mock scandalized for half a second before she grinned and placed a hand on her chest as if asking ‘who me?’. Then her smile turned devilish and she shot back. “Like you can talk. I thought we were going to have to fake a medical emergency to get Teyha away from you.”

Chapel opened her mouth like she wanted to disagree, but then closed it again with a slight purse of her lips. “Fine. True. But I was hardly the only one.” She nodded her head to uhura. “What was their communication experts name? Talia, was it?”

Uhura tilted her head feeling her cheeks flush. “Yes. And she was a great COLLEGUE.” She stressed the last word, but no one was buying it.”

“Did she know that?” ortegas muttered not at all subtly under her breath.

“She was so smitten with you, I thought she might do something rash and romantic, like propose marriage.” chapel continued.

Uhuras jaw dropped open and for once she didn’t know what to say.

Una barely suppressed a smile and gave the ensign a stern stare. “Ensign, you are aware that permission from a superior officer, as well as medical clearance, are required before engaging in any sort of romantic relationship with an alien species?

Uhuras eyes popped and her tongue didn’t seem to work as she tried to force words out her mouth, but for once the communications officer seemed to be at a loss.

After several seconds ortegas couldn’t keep a straight face any longer and she burst out laughing. Uhura looked at her and then all the others before she crossed her arms with an unimpressed huff. “Still hazing the newbie?” She asked before saying several choice words in armetrian.

“No, actually that is standard operating procedure,” La’an, the chief security officer of the enterprise informed her dryly.

“Well regardless,” uhura continued. “It was an incredible experience and the armetrians were absolutely delightful.” The others could only nod in agreement. “They even loved lt noonien singh…” her voice died out at the instant glare from said lieutenant.

A beat of silence. “Are you saying that most people don’t love me, ensign?” La’an asked dangerously.

“I-no…um well I…”

As entertaining as it was to watch the panic racing across uhuras face, after several beats ortegas jumped in again. “She means youre terrifying. But like, in a good way.” Ortegas said with a slight shrug. La’an eyes narrowed but the corner of her mouth twitched as she suppressed a smile. She didn’t say anything, since a part of her had worked very hard at creating this intimidating impression of herself.

“But,” uhura bravely tried again. “There were several armetrians who…”

“Seemed ready to jump your bones?” Chapel offered.

La’an scoffed. “I barely interacted with any of them apart from security discussions.”

The others looked at each other in silent amazement. Had la’an really not noticed the longing looks, the gaggle of armetrians who always happened to appear wherever she was, the sudden interest in security matters and the dramatic increase in reported crimes?

Chapel opened her mouth to protest but the slightest shake of unas head changed her mind. Instead, she smiled slyly and shifted towards the first officer. “None of that compares to the commander.”

Una felt her cheeks redden slightly. “I…” she sputtered, taken aback.

“You had a trail of fawning armetrians following you like ducklings,” La’an stated wryly. She stared at una with an eyebrow raised, daring her to disagree.

Unas mouth snapped shut and she drew in a breath. “Yes. Well.” Una smoothed the front of her impeccable uniform. “They know quality when they see it. I cant fault them for good taste.” She winked at la’an.

Everyone burst out laughing at that because it had been hilarious watching una try to connect and include all of her admirer’s, without playing favorites or hurting anyones feelings, despite how uncomfortable all the attention had made her.

Una straightened slightly. “They were smart enough to recognize the incredible talent of each and every one of you. Because you are ALL, the very best of Starfleet. And I am proud to serve with each of you.” Una stared at each member of her away team in turn, letting them know she meant what she said.

When the silence stretched a bit longer than was comfortable, Una cleared her throat and reached down and pulled out her gift for the captain. Chris had been overjoyed at the prospect of a first contact situation. Then, when enterprise had been gently, but firmly, informed that only females would be welcome on the away mission, had been promptly devastated. But he had rallied quickly, wished them a safe journey and with a wink, instructed una to get him a gift.

She plunked the obnoxiously large hat on her head and took a moment to enjoy the soft velvetiness of it. It was a deep, forest green with a starburst of jet black feathers on top with honest to goodness jingle bells on the brim. And added about two feet to her already considerable height.

She stroked it gently and smiled as she thought about the look chris would have when he saw what she had got for him.

“I cant believe youre actually wearing that thing,” La’an drawled next to her with her arms crossed and her eyebrow raised.

Una smiled and tilted the hat slightly, giving it a roguish appearance. “What do you mean?” she asked innocently. She floofed up the feathers so they claimed even more space above her head. “The captain asked for a souvenir, so I am simply doing as he requested.” She held la’ans gaze with mock seriousness and couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth.

La’an snorted and shook her head.

“What, are you kidding?” Ortegas asked from where she sat in her place at the helm of their shuttle. “Hes going to love it!” she smirked.

“Of course he will,” una agreed, shifting the magnificently ginormous hat again. “Its glorious.”

“We could probably convince him that its customary to wear the thing for 3 days after receiving such an important and treasured gift from the armetrians…” chapel suggested humorously, sharing a glance with ortegas.

“Please don’t!” Una cried even though she couldn’t hide her smile. “I don’t think id be able to take him seriously on the bridge while wearing this. It was bad enough when he kept talking like a pirate after the whole captain angel business.”

Uhura grinned at the other women in the shuttle from her seat at the ops console. She giggled at the thought and then her eyes widened. “The real question is, what will spock say about his gift? And will he where it?”

“Oh, don’t worry.” Everyone turned to nurse chapel as she pulled out a sky-blue hat about two feet wide and neon orange feathers clustered around the side of the brim. “I will get him to wear it.”

She eyed it speculatively then delicately placed it on her head and clasped her hands in her lap. She lifted her chin and sniffed in a most Vulcan like manner. “This garment serves no functional purpose. Why would one don such a frivolous item?”

Still laughing, erica leaned over and snatched the behemoth of a hat from nurse chapel and dropped it on her head. It was so big that it sunk down and completely covered her eyes. She straightened and cleared her throat. She frowned in an imitation of spock. “Is this another example of a human practical joke? Is there no end to these trivial jests?”

Giggles and snorts filled the cabin. With a lopsided grin Ortegas carefully removed the insanely wide blue hat and with a small bow, handed it reverently to urhura, still seated next to her.

But before she could take it, the console in front of the ensign beeped insistently. She turned with a frown and pressed several buttons.

“What is it?” una asked, all business once more.

[boltupbitches]

Sliding in the DMs Part VI

Arty was on her third martini of the night as she leaned back on the sofa Chloe claimed earlier in the evening. After a bit of dancing, she returned back to their spot and was sipping away as she eyed up the crowd. 

No sign of Joey yet.

She sighed and checked her cell phone with her free hand, not paying attention to an approaching figure until the person took a seat directly next to her.

At the sudden movement, she looked up in surprise to see a bearded man sitting next to her with a smirk on his face. She recognized him immediately. He was Travis Kelce. The guy who talked some shit at Joey a few weeks back when the Chiefs played the Chargers. She also remembered that he commented under her post just an hour or so ago.

“Arty, right?” He asked, sticking his hand out.

“My friends call me Arty, but we’re not friends so you can call me Artemis.” She said smoothly.

She sat her phone down and shook his hand firmly.

“Oh?” Travis looked amused at her response and said, “Well Artemis, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. I’ve heard quite a bit about you from Chloe moments ago.”

Arty chuckled at that. “Yes, I’m sure she’s had plenty to say with how lonely she thinks I am.”

“Are you?” He asked.

“Am I what?” She asked back.

“Lonely?” He leaned back and stared at her. “I heard you got out of a bad break up recently.”

Arty gritted her teeth for a moment, cursing Chloe for being such a big mouth. “I did get out of a bad break up, but that doesn’t mean I am lonely.”

“Just heartbroken.” He finished for her.

She stared him down impassively for a moment or two, hoping to make him squirm before saying, “What is it that you want, Kelce?”

“Just a moment of your time. I thought we could get to know each other and become friends.” He grinned.

“Why do I have the feeling that your idea of ‘friends’ isn’t the same as mine?” She asked.

“C’mon Artemis.. There’s nothing wrong with meeting new people.” 

“Hmm..” She said with an unimpressed look on her face. “I’m not opposed to meeting new people. I’m just not looking to hook up right now. That’s not my style.” She lied. 100% because her entire relationship with Joey was one big hookup. 

“I can respect that.” He shrugged before taking a sip of his drink he was nursing in his other hand.

“So.. you watch football?” He asked.

“Sometimes.” She answered.

“Any team you support in general?” He inquired.

“Chargers usually.” 

“Hometown team?” He asked.

“No. It’s just the first team I got into since moving out here. I’m originally from Palm Beach, Florida.”

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow. “I love Florida. Beautiful place and beautiful women especially.” He flirted.

“You don’t say?” She asked sarcastically with a smirk. “You think I’m beautiful then you should see my sister.” She paused for a second. “Who’s taken so don’t ask.”

Travis raised his free hand to show his surrender at that. “I swear I wasn’t going to ask. You’re a tough one to crack, Artemis…”

“Thermopoli. Artemis Thermopoli.” She finished.

“Thermopoli… is that Italian or something?”

“No. Greek. There should be an ‘s’ at the end of it, but during immigration for my grandparents, the letter was dropped on official paperwork.” 

“Hmm. Funny how that happens. You know people have been pronouncing my family’s name wrong for years?”

“Oh? Do tell?” She said with slight disinterest as her eyes scanned the crowd again from her spot. Still no Joey.

As Travis starts explaining, she fills a ding on her phone and looks to see that “jbbigbear liked your story,” and suddenly she felt a burst of adrenaline hit her.

“Hey, Kelce?” She interrupts.

“Yeah?” He asked.

“Will you take a selfie with me? My dad is a fan of yours and he’d go crazy if I shared it and tagged him in my Instagram stories.” She bullshitted.

“Yeah? Of course, of course!” He sat his drink down on the table in front of him and leaned in on the sofa next to Arty, shooting a smile at the camera as she quickly snapped a selfie. “Good?” He asked.

“Yes! Thanks so much! I’m sharing it now and I’m going to tag him as well. You ok if I tag you?” She asked.

“That’s cool with me, Arty. Anything for a friend.” He smirked afterwards.

She shot him a look that said, ‘don’t push it,’ and finished sharing the pic on her Instagram stories.

True to her word, she tagged her clueless father and Travis in it with the caption, “look who I ran into on my night out! @killatrav” 

Satisfied, she sat her phone down on her lap and sipped her drink again before turning to Travis who was now checking his phone. “I think I’m going to get out of here and head home. I have an early morning yoga class to go to.” 

“Did you need a lift? I can call my driver.” He offered, getting up along with her.

Arty touched his arm and said, “Thank you, but I’m good. I ordered an Uber about 20 minutes before you came over. I was just waiting until I got the notification that they were out front and waiting for me.”

“Ah. Well, we’ll have to get together sometime for dinner.” He suggested.

“Sure, sure. Message me on Instagram or talk to Chloe and Kyle about it.” She suggested.

“Sounds good. Take care, Artemis. Have a good night.” He leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to her hand before walking off back towards the bar, a confident swagger in his step.

Arty rubbed her hand on her dress with a grimace. “Corny..” She muttered as she headed towards the door.

If Joey showed, she’d be gone and she just hoped he’d make it to her place afterwards. Or, better yet, he’d be at her house waiting for her already so they could talk.

Baiting him with Travis Kelce was not something she planned to do, but the opportunity was hard to pass up. With that in mind, she got in her Uber and leaned back with a sigh as the driver confirmed her location and started to drive off.

In the moments that her eyes were closed, she missed a black Tesla passing them and entering the valet. 

—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joey was boiling as he pulled into the valet area, tossing his keys to the valet worker and confirming his identity before heading in the club with two of his teammates flanking him. Surprisingly, one of them was Herb and the other was Dicker. Neither guy was who he intended to bring with him tonight. Sebastian was the obvious choice, but with the other dudes turning down the offer, he was surprised that Herb did text back and agreed to go out. Dicker wasn’t too surprising as he was just a kid that was happy to be hanging out with veterans on his team and chilling. 

Joey’s eyes scanned the room and he shifted nervously as he did.

He didn’t know what he would say to her, only that he wanted to talk out their problems and apologize to her for ghosting her. He wanted to show her that he did care and that he was remorseful for all of this.

Yet, the longer he pondered as he walked towards the bar, the more he started to get frustrated. 

Especially after the last picture she shared of her and Kelce together. That fucked him off so badly that he could feel his hands vibrating with anger as he was holding the steering wheel on the way to the club.

It was a good thing Herbert and Dicker were to busy talking about yesterday’s training session to know because Joey would have had a hell of a time explaining himself.

“What’s Kelce doing in LA on a bi-week?” Dicker inquired as they made it to the bar.

Joey lifted his head and turned to see where Dicker was looking.

Further down the bar was a flirty Kelce who was leaning into a brunette’s ear and talking, his hand on her waist.

Joey couldn’t make out who the woman was and in anger, he stomped over there. 

“Yo, Joey?” Dicker called as Herbert watched on silently with a critical eye.

Within moments Joey was behind Kelce and tapping his shoulder.

Travis leaned up and turned towards Joey with a confused look. “Joey Bosa? What’s up man?” He reached out to dab up the taller man who did not entertain him at all in return.

Getting a better look at the woman, Joey was relieved to see that it wasn’t Arty at all.

The woman stared in confusion at the situation and Travis, feeling the anger and tension of Joey, said, “You ok, man? I know the last time we saw each other wasn’t in good circumstances, but I have nothing but respect for you.”

Joey snorted and said, “Glad to know.. Do me a favor Kelce and stay away from my girl.”

Travis turned in confusion at the equally confused woman next to him. “She’s your girl?” He asked.

“No.” Joey said simultaneously with the woman. “Arty. I saw her post you and I’m telling you to stay the fuck away from her. She’s mine.” He said aggressively.

Travis stared at him again before realization set in. “Wait.. you’re Arty’s ex? You?” He asked incredulously. “Aren’t you punching above your weight there, Bosa?” He taunted.

“Listen. I’m here telling you to stay the fuck away from Artemis Thermopoli because she’s mine. That’s fucking it. I don’t give a god damn about your opinion on my relationship with her, but I will tell you that if I catch your ass making passes at her again then I’ll fucking make you regret it. Your nice guy act won’t work on me, Kelce.” He threatened.

Travis glared back at Bosa and said, “Man, go fuck yourself. I’ll talk to whoever I want. She was more than happy to spend time with me. She even invited me over, but I told her that I didn’t want to take advantage of her broken heart - the one you broke.” He lied.

Joey suddenly grabbed him by the collar, attracting attention around them as he got in Travis’ face. “Listen here you fucking punk ass bitch. I don’t give a fuck what you have to say. I know Arty and I know she’d never go for a shallow bitchass like yourself. Why don’t you go tap dance your ass into the DMs of an influencer before trying to slide in the DMs of my girl.��

Suddenly Travis swung at him and then all hell broke loose.

Dicker yelped loudly and ran forward to try and stop Joey.

Justin stood there a few more moments in shock at the uncharacteristic outburst by Joey - only hearing bits and pieces of the conversation before he too darted forward to grab Joey who as now holding Travis in a headlock, sporting a growing shiner on his right eye.

“What the fuck?!” Justin whispered to himself.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was around 11 pm when Arty decided to cozy up with a book and a cup of hot cocoa. 

She was engrossed in her book when she suddenly received a few notifications. 

The first was from Chloe and she opened it to see a text from her.

Chloe

Yo, Trav got in a fight tonight with Joey Bosa! Check this shit out!

Beneath the text was a link to a TMZ article that was titled, “Smackdown at the club! Joey Bosa and Travis Kelce trade jabs at a popular West Hollywood nightclub. Partygoers say Bosa approached Kelce and the interaction turned toxic quickly, leading to an all out fist fight between both men. Reps for both players and their teams were not available for comments at this time. Do you know anything about this incident? Contact us!”

Arty was shocked at that and reread the article again, watching the video as Travis swung at Joey and Joey in return tackling him onto the ground. The video was shaky, but she could clearly see two men - who she assumed were his teammates - raise over and break them up.

She just hoped there would be not charges pressed on either of them. Kelce was an idiot, but she couldn’t help but feel like her plan was the cause of this all. A stupid plan.

Just as she was contemplating the situation, she heard her doorbell ring.

Getting up, she placed her book and phone down, walking cautiously to her door.

Looking through the peephole, she was surprised to see a roughened up Joey at her door.

Quickly she yanked the door open and stared at him in shock.

Joey stared back, his eyes wide for a moment before narrowing again as he shifted his stance. “We need to talk, Arty.”

‘Fuck.’ she thought to herself. “Sure. Come in, please.” She moved out of the way and allowed him to pass.

She sighed quietly and closed her door behind them.

‘Tonight isn't over yet. That’s for sure.’ she thought to herself.

[moonpiemoonshine]

Dirt and Grime

( an expendables fanfic (Barney Ross mostly) idk why but Sylvester Stallone just won’t leave my brain so here’s this. I’m trying make my writing flow a bit better so stick with me here. I’m not great at battle senses so they will be brief, also Idk if I’ll follow the movies, I’m taking more creative license but I hope you enjoy. Italics mean Spanish. )

The bar was lit by the hues of purple and blue LEDs. The glow being vibrant on the woman’s black hair. Her eyes looking down at her empty bottle. Her dark flannel bringing her some sort of warmth. Her eyes roll from the drink to the wall hearing the sound of men coming into the room. She had found a door connecting to a room of similar aesthetics. Just a table and chairs a small tv in a corner of the ceiling and a small fridge full of booze.

The woman hangs out in the room. Drinking a new beer and looking through her phone. She hears the muddled talking of the men outside. She knew these guys, they were the “expendables” and their head quarters where their friend Tools tattoo parlor. Tool and this women knew each other, he had recruited her a while ago when she was just barley 17 when she wore the expendable signature tattoo.

“Look, you guys are gonna need just a little bit of extra help on this mission. I know you guys can dress your own wounds but this mission calls for someone with better and faster nursing skills along side a wild card” Tool says and this grabs the attention of Barney and the crew. Tool went to the door and knocked twice.

This heavily confused the men in the room. They weren’t aware of an impromptu recruitment. The door opened and some of the boys couldn’t help but let their eyes grow wide looking at the woman. She’s young but not a child. She has slight eye bags under her green eyes but it adds a weird charm to her look. Her expression one to think about, the men not knowing if she’s pissed or just stoic.

“Boys may I introduce Evangeline Honey, she is trained in close combat, stealth, and she can make and sorta drug for any sort of situation.” Tool introduced and all she did was tip her head in acknowledgment. The men crowed around the girl slightly wanting a better look at the new woman. Questions erupting at her from left to right, the clash of the mend voices making it impossible to comprehend.

“You sure she’s qualified, a little young ain’t she?” Lee Christmas asked finally catching the girls attention.

“Without me your buddy Tool would be dead, and I saved him when I was seventeen and didn’t finish my training. That was eleven years ago” Honey says cocking an unimpressed brow. Christmas looks at Tool not believing her but Tool reassures it’s indeed the truth.

This kinda cleared the uneasy air in the parlor, and the team went back to drinking and talking. Barney was super intrigued by Honey and he kept eyeing her the entire evening. Honey was going around talking to each member, her conversation with Toll being sweet, her and Christmas had small talk about knives, Gunnar and Caesar try to flirt with her but she seemed disinterested. She finally cycled through and got to Barney. For some reason he felt more confident to talk to Honey and he didn’t realize his tone was more on the flirty side.

“Any good with a gun?“He asks looking slightly down to her. She lets out a slight smirk and looks up at him.

“My finger is a little twitchy, I hear yours is finally catching up with that arthritis of yours” Honey says letting a flirty tone leave her lips. Snickers of the crew are heard and Barney rolls his eyes.

“Listen sweat heart, I can take you down with one bullet” he replies pulling him self down to get closer to her.

“And I can do the same, the only difference is you won’t be able to see mine coming” she ghosts her lips over his chin then steps away from the bar and throws her beer in the air, she quickly swiped his gun and shot a pipe on the ceiling and it ricocheted off the pipe and wall and finally collided into the bottle, shattering it to pieces. 

This shocks the entire room besides Tool and before anyone can say anything Honey places Barney’s gun back on the bar and says “Well, I’m heading out, see ya boys later” she leaves the parlor and heads to her Honda Rebel and heads home. The boys all turn their heads to Tool all thinking if she is real.

“What a woman” Gunnar says with a impressed sigh and Tool agrees.

“Hey Tool, you know what her deal is? How’s she so good but so young?” Christmas asked and some other nodded in agreement.

“Well her old man was a military man gone rouge and her mother was a nurse who made drugs for soldiers, they wanted the perfect warrior and they could only have one child so they did just that with Honey. She could sharp shoot with her right hand and patch up a man with her left” Tool explained and this made Barney think about the woman more. He was entranced and wanted to know more about the dark haired beauty.

The next couple days Honey was briefed over the upcoming mission in a jungle in Mexico. It’s a multi week trip with constant stopping and going and so she was told to pack lots of her medical supplies to help during the slower part of the trip alongside weapons she suits and thinks will be more beneficial to her in the long run. When the morning finally came to take off, Honey shows up to the hanger in black camo pants with a dry fit black long sleeve with combat boots. When she got on the plane she placed herself in a seat and laid down not wanting to talk she just thinks of what she needs to do in this. Barney tried not to stare at honey when getting into the plane, he can’t handle being distracted right now.

When they take off Gunnar and Caesar try to spark conversation with Honey but she is in no mood. She allows herself to fall into a light sleep trying to calm herself before the landing. Before they do land Toll wakes the girl up and she starts to prep her stuff. Barney tells the crew how they need to walk for about two days to reach the base they are looking to destroy. He lets them know they are most definitely gonna run into trouble on the way.

They start to track through the humid jungle. Honey insisted on staying at the back of the group. She’s so light on her feet, Gunnar barley even noticed she was behind him. After an hour into the walk she had split off from the group and walked the surrounding jungle around the men scoping it out and then she heard heavy foot steps and she climbed a tree, and saw a bigger group of men heading towards her crew. She quickly slid down the tree and kept her distance from the crew and climbed up another tree. She wanted to see how these “boys” would handle themselves, so she started to get her guns loaded and put a temporary paralyze meant oil on her needle knife. She watched the fight break out and saw some outliers in the enemy group and decided to take care of them. Using her stealth it took only two stabs at each men to get them onto the ground.

She got closer to the bigger fight and was taking men out left and right using her fast speed and agility to weave through the men and slicing them while passing buy. The ointment making them fall to the group shaking not being able to use their bodies no more. The effects could be reversed with their antidote but she doesn’t plan to give it to these men anytime soon. After a while she spots Barney in a standoff with a man and she sneaks up behind his assailant and stabs in the side and the man falls.

“I was about to deal with that” Barney says getting up.

“Your deal was taking to long to be settled” she replied helping the man up.

Once all the men where down the crew kept going. After a while Barney sees that it got late so he decided it was good to stop. Honey lays her stuff down where she decides to camp and climbed a nearby tree. The men impressed by the speed she exerted. Honey looks out and tried to listen for footsteps or men talking but all she hears is her own teams voices. Going down the tree she acts normal and sets up her tent.

“We’re all good, no men are coming no signs of animal distributions and no marching could be heard” she says setting up her tent. The men nodded at her idea.

The humid air started to bother Honey so going into her tent she takes off her shirt. Not really caring if the boys could see in. She grabbed a small knife from her bag and cuts the sleeves from the shirt and puts it back on. Heading back out to the fire she spots a few of the boys quickly changing the direction their eyes were facing leaving her sight and thinking the scenery was nice out of nowhere. Honey doesn’t say anything and started to wipe off her needle knife and this peaks Barney’s interest.

“Hey your knife, what’s on it that makes men freeze up” He asks and she looks over at him.

“There’s this ointment that can paralyze a man in a minute in injected into the body. I have a remedy for it but I don’t give out my goods unless their earned” she quips and puts her knife back in her bag.

“From what I saw you put your goods on display with no problem just a second ago” Gunnar basically drools and Barney smacks him in the shoulder.

“Hey, have some manners” he snaps and this makes Gunnar roll his eyes.

Honey didn’t know how to respond so she just rolled her eyes. She looked around the group and saw Toll with a gash on the side of his face. Honey scooted herself towards the man and flightless brushes her fingers over the injury and he let out a small wince and Honey grabbed her bag and pulled out a small paste and placed it on her fingers and and went to put it on Toll’s face but he moved it away.

“What is that? You’re not gonna paralyze me are you?” He asks in a small joking tone.

“It’s a paste that’ll take the edge off and help it heal quickly.” She lightly rubs it on the gash and Toll almost immediately relaxed.

“Woah that feels nice” Toll breathed out in relief. Honey let out a small satisfied smile and looked over his arms and put the leftover paste on her hands on his smaller cuts and scrapes.

“These should be gone by tomorrow, now you don’t have to sleep through the uncomfortable pain” Honey explained putting the paste back in her bag and this made Toll smile in relief.

“Hey I got ruffed up too” Caesar said in a semi childish manner and Honey got up and sat next to him putting the paste on his cuts. She went through all the men besides Gunnar and when she finished up with Barney she put the paste back in her bag and was heading towards her tent but then Gunnar spoke up.

“What about me? Look at this! I need some too!” He whined pointing to his shoulder showing a huge cut and Honey gave him an unimpressed look.

“But I thought you already saw my goods, why should you get extra?” She stated sarcastically putting throwing her bag in her tent.

The men around her snickered and laughed at the now embarrassed man. He grumbled in annoyance and crossed his arms like a child. Honey let out a small yawn and zipped her tent closed. The men took that as a signal to start to head off to bed so they put out the small fire and all headed to their respective tents. Barney took first watch and Caesar was tasked with taking second watch.

Honey listened to this interaction and started to think of her plan for the night. While everyone was still making a small ruckus getting ready to sleep, Honey put on a small slightly dirty white dress, she grabbed her small needle knife set and put the paralyze ointment on them and after the ointment dried on the blades she put them in her leg strap holsters. The white dress long enough to hide them. She sat and waited till she heard Caesar wake up and take Barney’s place. After a few minutes Honey concluded that Barney was asleep and she snuck out the open back end of her tent. She walked deeper into the jungle barefoot, she dropped some of her previous clothes to make a small trail and found a sturdy and tall tree.

She climbed to the top of this tree and spotted two camps of men and she went to the closest camp. The men being asleep and she spotted their watcher and she snuck up behind them and slit the man’s throat. She snuck up to the sleeping men and one by one stabbing these men but one of these men woke up and attacked her before she could cut him. They fought but Honey let the man ruff her up a bit before she landed a slice. She finished with these men and one by one she dragged them away from the path she planned to go to the other camp. When she finished hiding the men from camp one she headed to camp two and let some men ruff her up but she got them all to the ground since this group was smaller. Once again she moved the bodies and climbed up a tree and she had found the base her crew was looking for.

She had grabbed a knife from a man’s body and cut her hand and leg and let herself bleed a path. She made her way back to the camp but kept some distance. It had been almost morning and she had been a distance from the camp and she climbed a tree and let out a bloody scream and fake yells for help. The crew had all woken up and noticed her missing and went looking around for her then found the clothes path. They followed that path until the blood trail. The men followed the blood trail and Honey followed the men from a distance once they had noticed the blood trail was gone, they kept going in the general direction and soon got closer to the base they were looking for.

They had seen to guards in the front and were making a plan to storm in, they decided to act like they were an army training group that where lost. They get closer then get in eye sight of the guards and the guards hold their guns towards the men questioning them in Spanish. The men at a standstill of what to do in the moment and then Honey ran from behind the group faking heavy breathing and tears.

“Help me! These men kidnapped me! Please they kidnapped me from my home and took me here and are using me like a toy! Please save me!” Honey screams while making her body shake, she falls to her knees in front of the men and pleading with them.

The crew was super confused and worried. Had she been lying to them the entire time. Was it a double cross, was she paid to get them killed. The guards put Honey behind them and the two men pointed their guns once again at the crew and shouting more angrily at them. Suddenly they’re shouting stopped when Honey stabbed both men in the back and making them both fall to the ground. She placed her knives back into their holsters and now the men where more confused.

“What the hell was that!?” Christmas asked utterly confused.

“What I took out the problem” Honey answered nonchalantly, walking towards the group.

“What are you wearing? What did that whole screaming bit do?” Gunnar asked in a small pissed tone.

“I wanted this mission over and done with so I cut out two days of walking and fighting. I took out two camps while you all were sleeping and I found the base. Gunfire would be heard if we just went at the guards guns blazing so now we can sneak in” Honey explained, she saw Toll holding her bag so she grabbed it and opened it and saw her clothes in it. “Nice of you to grab my clothes. Thanks boys” she thanked while taking off her leg straps and pulling her pants on and taking the dress off and putting on her top on. She slipped on her shoes and put her bag on. “Now what’s the plan now Barney” she asked in a normal manner.

“Well, we need to infiltrate and blow the drugs in the back end of the base” Barney stated in a still confused manner. Once he gained his composure the group headed into the base. They were able to sneak around really well and place the bombs but while exiting the base they got caught up in a nasty fight but came out victorious. Not wanting to get caught again they ran out the base and deep into the jungle, once they felt like it was a safe distance they let the bombs go off. The explosion was huge and a sight to see and kinda beautiful against the Spanish sunset. The team kept walking and when it reached night they set up camp.

“Now you don’t plan to sneak out again do you” Barney asks with a playful smirk and tone.

“No, it’s not fun the second time when no one will chase” Honey replied looking up at Barney continuing the playful tone.

“You can count on me chasing you” Barney remarked and Homey let a quiet snicker.

“I’ll have to keep that in mind” she remarked but realized she was outwardly flirting so she quickly shifted her self a away from Barney changing her tone.

“Say how’d you do the whole screaming thing earlier?” Caesar asked grabbing her attention.

“You’ve never heard of acting?” Lee remarked

“Yes, but how’d you do it so well, so believe able?” Caesar continued.

“The kidnapped dame is a role that I’ve mastered. It takes a couple bruises, cuts and tears and men crumble to become a hero” Honey answered leaning on her hands “I usually just wanna follow the plan but I just wanna go home already”

“You got a man waiting at home or something?” Lee asked in a snide tone.

“No, it’s hot and humid and I hate it here” Honey deadpanned and rolled her eyes. Her temples pluses with pain from her action and Honey decided to take care of it.

She rummaged through her bag and pulled out a larger knife and used it as a mirror to look at the gash on her temple. It was big and deep and she knew she needed to get some stitches. She puts the knife down and grabs the small disinfectant alcohol and pores it down the side of her face. She hisses from the pain but shakes it off. She grabbed an ointment and rubs it on the cut and quickly grabbed a medical needle and thread.

“Hold this” she demands to Toll and forces him to hold up the big knife and she starts to sew her gash closed not even flinching from the pain.

“Doesn’t that hurt?” Gunnar asks curious.

“No the ointment I put on it numbed the area so I can’t feel it” she says tightening the stitches and knots the end and uses the knife Toll was holding to cut the excess.

“How long does the numbing last? Wouldn’t it be uncomfortable having half your face numb?” Gunnar continued to ask now intrigued.

“I didn’t put much on, so it’ll wear off in a few minutes. I work fast and since there’s no pain there’s no struggle so there’s no need to have it long lasting.” Honey explained and started to put her stuff away but then looked up at the men and they basically were begging for something “you guys want me to look you over or something?” She asks confused and most men nodded.

Honey got all her medical stuff out of her bag and one by one all men she cleaned up their harsh gashes and cuts. Wiping the blood from their forearms and face, she even gave Gunnar some medical attention. When she got to Gunnar she kept a weird but not uncomfortable eye contact with the man. It felt like he didn’t want her to stop but she didn’t wanna overthink his body language so she work slightly quicker with his. Once she finishes she heads to bed, her captains face plaguing her mind not knowing how to feel.

The next morning they leave and head back to their base at Tools tattoo parlor to fill him in on their success. The men complimented Honeys inclusion and benefits to the team, especially Barney. Tool gave Honey a satisfied smile and congratulated the crew for their accomplishments. Barney told them how he plans to celebrate the next night at the bar for a good night of partying.



(stay tuned for part 2😌)